New member, more problems

[MagnaMan]

I'm trying to find OE wires but I'm not having any luck.
Is there a supplier for them? I have two that definitely need to be replaced so I'd like to do the set while I'm at it.

I have been wondering that myself. Over on one of the Ninja 250 forums I found out that the plug wires on those bikes can be rebuilt using 7mm ignition wire that you can get from an auto parts store. I'll have to see if I can find the write up. At the very least it was interesting to see how the plug wires came apart. I've been meaning to see if the Magna wires were similarly built.

My problem is at least one of the boots on the rear cylinder probably needs to be replaced. It's hardened pretty good and is cracking. I can't believe you can't find a set of stock wires for these things. Seems like a common type item.

OK. Here's what I've found. You can get the boots and wires separately as OEM parts from Honda.
http://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/hon/506cbcc1f870023420a42415/wire-harness

Ironically on my Ninja 250 I can only get the boots. I guess they just assume that you use ignition wire that fits. 

O'Reilly Auto Parts special ordered a bulk roll of Borg Warner ignition wire for me and they'll just cut off the number of feet that I need. I am going to clean the boots on my Ninja and replace the wires. If it works out well then I will probably try it on one of my Magnas since their set up is also two-part boot and wire system.

Did you hear anything from Dave Dodge?

[Drdubbya]

Wow you are THE man!!

I talked to Dave and he had a wire suggestion IF the boots were still good. Which not all of mine are.

[Drdubbya]

Okay, I got the carb bank removed, wasn't as bad as I was expecting.

Question. I did NOT loosen the lower clamps that mount to the intake, BUT when I went to slowely start persuading them loose three of the four boots came loose from the intake. Not the carb. There is no obvious cracking on the boots, so could this be just a weird thing where maybe the clamps were slightly loose?

Or is this a sign I need to replace the boots?


Thanks!

Gonna start on the carbs.

[Drdubbya]

Another question.

It looks like the bike was shimmed at some point, it had the factory shim plus one. The factory shim seemed to be on the bottom side of the needle, and the second shim was on the top. The jet kit I ordered specs plus two shims, I put all three shims on the bottom side of the needle. (Between the needle mount and the plastic). Is this okay?

Also very upset at myself because although I thought I ordered the D tool, I did not. So I got the shims and jets in today, as well as new plugs. It'll be late next week before I get the tool though so I'm on hold. My own stupid fault.

[ttooee]

When I removed my carbs some of the boots come out with the carbs wherether the clamp were loosen or not. Your intake boots are typical and they are still good. I would not replace them.  I don't think the clamp was intended to make the vacuum seal. I believed the clamps are additional mechanical strength for the boots. If you look at the clamps closely, they can only be screwed down so far and bottom out. At first, I bottomed out all my clamps and still think they were loose, so I left them as is bottom out and have no vacuum leak issue.

[Drdubbya]

When I removed my carbs some of the boots come out with the carbs wherether the clamp were loosen or not. Your intake boots are typical and they are still good. I would not replace them.  I don't think the clamp was intended to make the vacuum seal. I believed the clamps are additional mechanical strength for the boots. If you look at the clamps closely, they can only be screwed down so far and bottom out. At first, I bottomed out all my clamps and still think they were loose, so I left them as is bottom out and have no vacuum leak issue.

Thank you! That's good news.


Does anyone have an opinion on the position of the shims?
I put the second two under the keeper at the top of the needle so all three shims are below the keeper. If that makes sense.
I read that some put them on top of the keeper, does it matter? I tried to follow the schematic that came with the jet kit.

[TLRam1]

I did not re-read the thread and not sure what kind of Jet Kit you are putting in.....it does make a difference where the shims go, they must go under the keeper on the needle to raise the needle up in the hole for more fuel to pass sooner.

This should be the same whether on the 3rd Gen or earlier Magna, traditionally when the group has worked on carbs we use two total shims, I have no personal experience with three shims or know of anyone on here that has tried it, that I can remember.

[Drdubbya]

I did not re-read the thread and not sure what kind of Jet Kit you are putting in.....it does make a difference where the shims go, they must go under the keeper on the needle to raise the needle up in the hole for more fuel to pass sooner.

This should be the same whether on the 3rd Gen or earlier Magna, traditionally when the group has worked on carbs we use two total shims, I have no personal experience with three shims or know of anyone on here that has tried it, that I can remember.

I used the Dave dodge kit. He sent me two shims per and I read that those were to be added to the factory one making three total. I put all three under the keeper.

[Drdubbya]

Just went back and re read the instructions and it does say to add the supplied shims to the factory. My kit was 108's on the main jets, don't remember the pilot size.

[Drdubbya]

Well after doing some more reading I now know that my bike has aftermarket adjustable needles. I didn't know that was a thing. I don't remember what position the keeper was in so I'll be calling Dave in the morning and finding out exactly what I need to do, then I'll take it all apart again to get it right. Looks like forgetting to order that D tool was a blessing in disguise

[LIMagna]

I think there were only two manufacturers who used adjustable needles as part of their jet kits for the Magna, DynoJet & Factory Pro.  With the DynoJet kit, you also had to drill holes in the slides so that should give you a hint as to what, exactly was done to your bike.  I've got the Factory Pro kit in my Magna and it has worked out very well, especially after upping the pilot jets to 42's. 

[Drdubbya]

I think there were only two manufacturers who used adjustable needles as part of their jet kits for the Magna, DynoJet & Factory Pro.  With the DynoJet kit, you also had to drill holes in the slides so that should give you a hint as to what, exactly was done to your bike.  I've got the Factory Pro kit in my Magna and it has worked out very well, especially after upping the pilot jets to 42's.

Sorry to be the idiot but are you referring to the slides on the outside of the carbs?

[LIMagna]

The vacuum slides that hold the needles. 

Oh and no need to apologize, we're all friends here

[Drdubbya]

The vacuum slides that hold the needles. 

Oh and no need to apologize, we're all friends here

Haha okay thanks! I'm pretty used to being the village idiot so no issue there!

Okay Well I'm gonna pull the diaphragms back off tomorrow after I call Dave and figure out where the needles should be set. Would it be obvious if they were drilled? I remember the needles went through a brass looking sleeve.

[TLRam1]

The "brass looking sleeve" are your slides, they slide up and down when you open and close the throttle.