Red: Filthy Rich

Felt like the starting issues were timing related, so checked static timing.  But got a big surprise when I pulled the plug out.  It was totally caked with dry, crusty residue, which seems to follow the needle being set from second highest.

So first, checked the timing and as expected, it was off (retarded).  Set that to the timing mark.

Replaced the plug with a brand new D6HA.

Then dialed the rear brake pedal way in.  Also pulled the brake switch wire down much farther and raised the switch itself so that the brake light was coming on nice and early.

Finally, added the grey electrical shroud to the rear wires.

Ivy: Speedo Fix but Engine Dies

Went down for an early morning session to look at Ivy's speedo again.  Once I had the old gear out and was looking at it, it was painfully obvious that the tabs that are supposed to hold it in place on the hub were bent way out.  No wonder it would work intermittently then stop entirely.  A good lesson in taking time to investigate parts more closely once they're disassembled.

Went for a ride later that day and lo and behold - odo is ticking over nicely!  Speedo is working, too, though it's way off.  It reads at 50mph when I'm doing an actual 30mph. 

But if it's not one thing it's another.  During the ride, I felt the engine starting to bog, then eventually it just quit.  My first thought was battery so I swapped that.  It started up and I rode for a bit more, but then same thing happened again. 

Each time, it would restart after sitting for a bit, but wouldn't last long before dying again.

Made it home after a series of pit stops, but just barely.

I thought it was overheating as it was a slightly warm day (60 degrees) so later in the garage, I switched the needle to the second highest notch (it had been in the middle).

Air screw at 1 1/4 out.

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,637

Rode to the end of Great Highway and back (45 mins).  Nice ride but noticed she was idling very fast about 20 minutes into the ride, and when I got back, the fins would sizzle water.  Overheating...?

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,615

Filled up on gas.  Used 91 octane this time.
Air in tires was low at 18 front, 20 rear.  Line for the air pump so didn't fill them.

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,594

Filled up on gas and calculated 76 mpg on this carb.

But not a great GGP ride.  Stalled a couple times in the garage, stalled when slowing for a turn in GGP, and very hard hot start at the gas station.  Also rode with headlight on (up until the GGP stall).  Wonder if that could have been a factor...?

But battery good at 6.4v and spark plug toasty brown with no more signs of build-up.  I think it's just trying to learn her warm start quirks.  Will need to test 5-10 min warm starts for awhile until I figure it out.

One post suggested kick once with ignition off, then kick with ignition on.  Reasoning is that an air-cooled bike needs a leaner mix to start when warm.

Roxy: Chain Cleaning [15,575]

I should have really cleaned and lubed the chain as soon as I got her.  Hard to say, but for some reason I doubt the PO was doing regular chain maintenance given he didn't even keep the oil topped up.


The cleaning station setup.  Unfortunately, there was no way to get the rear wheel to rotate, even by weighing down the front end, so I just had to keep walking the bike a few feet every time I had to move the chain. 

Dirty chain.

Cleaned and lubed.  Just used 50/50 Pine Sol mix in a spray bottle for cleaning, along with a nylon bristle brush (love that Pine Sol!).

Using Lucas chain lube, since that's what they had at the auto store.  But I already ordered a couple of cans of DuPont Teflon Chain Saver, since I hear that's the gold standard in good, no-fling chain lube.

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,595

First full tank of gas since all the work on the carb, so can't really calculate MPG on this one.  Will be interesting to see what the change to the carb does for gas mileage.

Also added +5 air to front, +6 to rear.

Oil was at 9/10.

Roxy: Idle Problem Fixed! (sort of)

Hallelujah, she runs!  But I cheated a bit in that I just swapped out the carb with Viola's carb (labeled CS90C), which I'd already cleaned.  She started up and ran like butter.  Actually had a better, lower purring sound than with the old carb for some reason.  Idled strong for 5 minutes with no signs of hesitation, and it was a warm day so I think the running rich issue is gone.

I suppose I'd still like to figure out what's wrong with the newer carb, but first I'll have to figure out how to remove the stuck float pin.


First thing I did since the engine was cold was to check valve clearances.  Happy to see they were .002" on both intake and exhaust.  Also learned from the forum that the reason the PO probably added the breather tube was to accommodate a bigger cylinder or higher RPM.  Since there's a piston in the old parts bin from the PO, I wonder if the cylinder has been bored out.  We'll find out eventually.

Beautifully clean alternator compared to Viola's.

Then did a compression test for the first time.  Again, thrilled to see that I was getting 120 on a cold engine, especially since I was worried about an oil leak into the cylinder.  Odometer at 17,571.

Noticed there was this hole in the bottom of the muffler, though it seemed like someone put it there on purpose.  Another PO mod to increase breathing?

Also took the opportunity to switch to the new shorter filter (Visu-Filter Mini) that came in the mail today.  Much easier to squeeze between carb and petcock, and doesn't kink the line.

And finally everything installed.  Whew.  She idled and revved smoothly, but I'll have to take her on the road to really make sure everything's sorted.

Roxy: New Plugs [17,571]

Still dealing with the weak-idle-then-stall problem.  Figured I might as well change the spark plugs.  Old one looked to be in pretty bad shape.  No telling how long it had been in there.  Figure the PO never changed it in the 2 years he owned her.

Replaced it with another D6HA.  Unfortunately, it had zero effect on the idling problem.  Also tried running the fuel line directly from the petcock to the carb to test if the issue could be related to the filter or a kink in the line, but again, zero difference.  Yesterday, I could have sworn that jiggling the fuel line seemed to affect the idle, but that doesn't seem to bear out today.

Roxy: Oiling the K&N [17,541]

After letting it dry overnight, I added the red oil to the filter today.

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,567

Calculated that I'm getting 58 mpg on these short hops around the park.

Roxy: First Oil Change [17,541]

Changed the oil for the first time.  Ran her for about 5 minutes and then cooled for a few more minutes after that.  Refilled her with about 700mL which put the mark about halfway between the two lines.  I'll have to check again after the next long run.


Using a cheap strainer to catch the bolt when it drops.

The edges of the hex seemed a bit worn, as you'd expect, but otherwise everything seems in good shape.

The old stuff.

Roxy: Odometer - 17,541 (+135)

After a couple of GGP rides, including today to Stow Lake.  Reminder: put her back into Neutral after parking!

Roxy: Odometer - 17,522 (+116)

This comes right after my lunchtime ride through Golden Gate Park, so it looks like that loop is almost exactly 10 miles.

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,512 (+106)

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,502 (+96)

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,468 (+62)

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,443 (+37)

After a 9 mile ride through Golden Gate Park.

Roxy: Odometer Log - 17,434 (+28)