Roxy: It's all Connected...

So for no reason (apparently), she had become hard to start, sometimes taking 2-3 kicks to turn over.  The second clue came when the MPG dropped from its usual 75-ish down to 66.  Finally, I just took a listen and realized how fast the idle was, compared to the "putt-putt-putt" that I'd been used to.

Dialed the throttle screw to slow the idle down, ended up at 5/8 turn out - which is exactly where it used to be!

So the throttle screw, despite having the proper spring, will still move after time.  Need to make sure to check this once in awhile.

I also ended up moving the air screw to 3/4 turn out from its original setting of 7/8. 

She now starts up on first kick again, and I'm hoping I see the change in MPG at the next fill up, too.

Roxy: Rings

Just wanted to test out the $5 Lisle piston ring pliers I got awhile back.  Work like a charm...

Roxy: Lazy or Brilliant?

If I had the time, I'd really want to figure out why the fork bridge is stuck on the bike.  But I was getting so tired of looking at the rusty bridge, that I figured I should just paint it while on the bike, at least as a temporary measure to stop the corrosion.

So I taped everything off, and used a large sheet of cardboard as a "backstop".  Went pretty smoothly and while not a perfect paint job by any means, it looks a hundred times better than the rusty plate that was there before.

Roxy: Quick Fix

It's been a couple months since doing any serious work in the garage; took some time off since doing all the work to fix Roxy's carb issue.

But today I had nice weather and all the time in the world to work.  The clutch cable replacement took all of five minutes, given that the new cable I'd bought awhile back for Viola was a perfect match to the one that broke.  Slipped right into place.  I tested the shift into first and neutral, and it felt the same.  Will need to do a quick road test to check all the gears.

 

Roxy: You Always Remember Your First

First breakdown!  On the way home after a nice afternoon ride, and I felt something snap when I pulled the clutch in.  Next thing I know, the lever is moving freely.  Clutch cable snapped right at the lever.

Luckily she broke down on 40th and Clement, and it was all downhill to get home.  So I ended up pushing her all the way back, sometimes riding her like a bike on the particularly steep sections.