Red: New Plug

Red wouldn't start.  Thought it was more carb issues.

Turns out the plug was completely knackered.

Probably all the weird carb issues taking their toll - though the plug was only a month old!

Ivy II: Got Spark!

First of the Three Trials passed.  We've got spark.

Didn't even have to adjust the points at all.

Red: Spark Plug Check

Red's plug seems ok?

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.

Run Red Run: We Got Spark!

I think the four big milestones (for me personally) on any restoration are these:

1. Getting through the whole title and registration process.
2. Getting spark.
3. Getting to idle.
4. Shifting through all gears.

Two down, two to go on Red since today she threw a big fat clean spark on the very first try.

First went through and finished off installing the clutch and other bits left over from mounting the engine.  Also checked static timing and it was still spot on from before.

Wiring was straight-forward (why did it seem so much more complicated before).  Coil wire went to battery positive, battery negative got grounded to a cooling fin.  Tied the spark plug up against the head and turned it over and got nice fat sparks.  This was on a used plug.

Also installed both pedals, foot pegs and exhaust, so she's got all her big parts now.

Ivy: We Got Spark!

Testing spark on Ivy.  Already knew the top end was good to go, but this is the all new coil and condenser setup on the bottom.

Kicked it over and got a fat blue spark...

Motor: Spark!!!!

Big job to try to get a spark from the properly installed coil and fully mounted engine.  Went in thinking there was maybe a 50/50 chance at best but might as well give it a shot.

Stymied at first when I realized that resting the engine on the wooden stool to mount it only works if there's NO coil installed.  With the coil mounted, you have to angle the motor into the frame making the stool too tall to really work.

I tried sitting the motor on the stool and then adding layers of cardboard underneath to "jack" it up, but that didn't pan out.

Tried just muscling it into place but only ended up bending the tab of the coil when I dropped it.

Finally, went back to the old trick of laying the frame down on its side.  I first laid it down on the right, but then quickly realized that the kickstart spindle sticking out the end was hitting the ground.

So then switched to laying it on its left, and presto, engine was mounted in 5 minutes.

Great trick, but really only works on a dry bike.  It'd be a pain to do it on a running bike where you'd have to drain or remove the tank.  Will need to find a better way to mount/drop the engine with the coil installed.

But after all that work, the reward was an instant big blue spark on the first kick.  Job done!

Roxy: Annuals

Roxy got a new spark plug and I also cleaned and oiled the air filter.  Lubed the chain while I was at it, too.

 

Spare Engine: Chaser

Finally got a chance to use the spark plug thread chaser I bought ages ago - and to good effect.  The threads in the head to be blasted were pretty wonky.  By slowly screwing in the chaser I was able to get them all lined up and now the plug will seat by hand.

I did it without packing the gaps with grease (because I was working in the kitchen), but I see how that would catch all the small metal filings.