Progress update....or not.....

[johnD]

Hi all. Thanks for the good words. As I say, until I have put these through the wringer I'll hold my council.
Nice enough weekend in prospect so a run up to Settle and then fish and chips in Skipton on the menu. If she does that with no complaints I'll get my authors hat on and do a full description.
So far its run up to Millenium motorcycles in St Helens, then a run out to Warrington and then down to Barton Airport. More to the point, its been standing for a few days and started right up. Not had any cold start plug fouls and.... I put £12 of E5 in and its hardly used half. The original carbs seem to drink juice, probably because they had a tendancy to flood whenever they felt out of sorts. Report back later.
Cheers

[Smallkat]

I am quite excited by the prospect of it being an easy starter, even with days off and E5 fuel!

My fingers are firmly crossed.

[johnD]

OK.... Ran up to Settle today, skimmed along at the 'Ahem', higher end of the speedometer scale, no dramas to report, harder work than loping along on a thou V twin, mind, but comes alive on the backroads. I show the two plugs below. One removed after yet another cold start fail. The other has just done 140 miles, pretty near flat out, then left ticking over for five minutes or more while security gates etc. were opened and the secured. I'll leave you to guess which bank of carbs produced which result.
BTW! These are EXACTLY THE SAME JETS. Just moved from one bank to the other.
I am, however, minded to try the 105 main jets that came with the BS32's, just to see......

[Smallkat]

So your original carbs run super-rich and your 550 ones slightly lean? It looks like you could go up a bit on the jets.

[johnD]

My thoughts too on the jets. Have you looked at your plugs when trying to start? Just want to know if my original carb bank is somehow damaged or this is what they all do. Judging by the reluctance to start that seems endemic, I'm guessing that your plugs will look the same as the mugshot on the left.
I am finally getting there with agood running bike that.... actually starts, runs smooth and clean and literaly sips fuel, especialy compared to the Aprilia!
Cheers.

[Smallkat]

TBH John, I don't take the plugs out unless I have to, as it's a total pain in the arse to get to the middle ones. Next time it is playing up, I will take the outer ones out and check. This will probably happen soon as I am back on the E5 as I have run out of Ethanol-free.

What Aprilia do you have? I was briefly toying with the idea of selling the Buell and TS185 and buying a Tuono V4.

[johnD]

Hi all.
Just a bit of fun, playing with my video camera toy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZAEg-p3QnQ
Highlight and paste into your browser. Couldn't go too mad as the video could be incriminating evidence.....
Smallkat, I have a Falco, V twin, but I fitted an RSV engine a while ago as one was offered to me, (higher performance, as if I need it). Been boringly reliable, very fiesty and cost me 6 points and £550, that's why I am having fun with the Kat.
When you say you have difficulty starting, could you explain the symptoms and the process for actually getting it going.
Cheers.

[fossie]

Nice of you to post my trip to work John, I was with you up till you came off the M60 , it felt quite unnatural to not slip between two cars, and into the left lane which everyone believes is a bus lane but it' has been suspended for the last 4 years past Hope hospital .
Obviously on way home from Barton airport , running really well even adhering closer to the reduced speed limit better than anyone else!
* what red light!!! *

Thanks for the fix mate!

[Smallkat]

When you say you have difficulty starting, could you explain the symptoms and the process for actually getting it going.
Cheers.

Full story on my '400 starting issues' thread. Or are you having a joke at my expense?

Symptoms - After standing for a while the f**ker refuses to start, eventually flattening the battery. Surefire 'cure' - drain carbs (and fuel tank if fuel old), fill with fresh fuel.

Prevention - ethanol-free fuel (or carb swap!)

[Uncle Bob]

I just got my 400 out which hasn't been started for about 2 weeks and it fired straight up. I have used the local garage (Gulf) 5% ethanol with Sta-bil added as directed. Admittedly, the start up about 5 or 6 weeks ago, first since November, it was a pig to start, but tank had been emptied and I only put a small amount of fuel in.

I tend to stick the fuel tap to prime for a few minutes first before then trying to start.

Now going to try a run on it!

UB