"Big Lover" lives again!

[mark68502]

My boys like to name my motorcycles. A couple of years ago I bought a beat up CB750 which my boys named "Big Lover." After that motorcycle went away, we picked up the 84Venture and the name got transferred.

 

We were really looking forward to some road trips but the brakes were REALLY spongy. So I pulled the plastic and revamped the brakes. In the process it seemed like I had tweaked something with the electrical as the bike did nothing but click. I was fooled for a (long) time because the bike gave me no hint that the starter was failing, but that was indeed the problem.

 

Last week (as noted in another thread) I traced the problem to the starter and after some hemming and hawing ordered a new one from Amazon. It was probably a rooky mistake as I probably should have picked up a revamped one from the stellar mechanics on this forum but I had a gift card to Amazon and it was too difficult to wait so I pulled the trigger.

 

Well, the starter came in today, along with a new solenoid that, for $10, I couldn't resist. When my boys saw that it was here, they threatened a mutiny unless I marched right out and put it in. They stood guard with sharpened sticks ready to poke me back to work if I should try to take a coffee break or put down the wrench in exchange for a Mountain Dew and we got it re-assembled in record time.

 

My boys were holding the keys hostage to ensure that I wouldn't try to start it without them but I was more worried about preparing them for the disappointment of the inevitable failure to start and told them that while we had PROBABLY solved one problem, there were sure to be whole host of other problems that would keep it from starting.

 

Despite my complete lack of confidence, we put in the key and VOILA coughs and sputters and a room full of exhaust! We may not have KEPT it running for more than a few seconds, but after 18 months of complete abandonment, it was enough to bring about spontaneous cheers from the boys in plus the demand for celebratory ice cream!

 

Over the next few days, we should put a can or two of sea-foam through it and see if we can get it rolling and see if we can get some pics up.

 

Woohoo for the enthusiasm of 8 year olds!

[cowpuc]

8 YEAR OLDS SCHMEIGHT YEAR OLDS,,, YA DONE GOT THIS 60 YEAR OLD GRAMPA LOOKING GEEZER JUMPING UP DOWN TOO NOW YA LOP EARED VARMINT!!! NOW GET OUT THERE AND DUMP THAT SEAFOAM IN BIG LOVERS TANK AND TAKE THOSE 8 YEAR OLDS CRUISING BEFORE I POKE YOU WITH THIS STICK I GOT ALL SHARPENED UP!!!:big-grin-emoticon:

 

THAT is sooooooooo awesome Mark!! :thumbsup: All the best to you and your kids on such a memorable occasion!!

[mark68502]

Got the seafoam in, tank filled up and let her mix a bit.

 

Then, while the boys slept this morning I re-assembled the exhaust and the radiator and waited for those sleepyheads to finally crawl out of bed.

 

When they did, we repeated last nights performance with much coughing & sputtering but no sustained purring. Then I remembered that I hadn't changed the plugs and a quick trip to the parts store (a magical place for ones such as these...) resulted in ACTUAL running of the bike. Amazing what 4 new plugs will do...

 

It needs full choke and won't put up with any revving of the engine yet, but the boys (and myself) are ecstatic. Let it run for 5-10 minutes outside in the shade and when I came back out, temp was getting up near the red, radiator fan was on (good) but steam was coming out of the radiator cap (doesn't seem so good).

 

Pic link below of the boy's complete JOY.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5iSYaqrZitTcjVhU2REblZXTjg/view?usp=sharing

[mark68502]

I knew that eventually I was going to have to clean the carbs to get the BL (big lover) running as it should but had hoped that I would be able to take the boys around the block once or twice first.

 

The performance (no idle without choke regardless of temperature, no response to throttle advance except a quick death) told me the boys would have to wait. Pulled the carbs and as I thought, they REALLY needed cleaning. 3 of the 4 sliders were completely unresponsive and the 4th was sluggish at best. Isn't varnish wonderful?! lol

 

I am really NOT looking forward to the string of curses that it is going to take to get those throttle cables back in but what really surprised me was that the choke connecting bar (Im sure it has a "proper" name somewhere) was missing BOTH its c-clips! Clearly the PO was in here messing around prior to selling it to me and put it back together in a bit of a hurry.

 

I won't be separating the individual carbs but pulled all the parts on Carb1 for a soaking tonight. Wish I had a sonic bath or mechanical parts washer to get some movement in that magical fluid...

[mark68502]

Oh, and I messed up the gasket holding the jet block in.

 

Anybody have a recommendation for a carb kit that would include this gasket? Are there "good" and "bad" carb kits out there?

[lonestarmedic]

Try a K and L carb kit. Might download the PDF catalog and get a part number. Sometimes even find the kits on Amazon!! Also Old Bike Barn. You can even call K &L. Very nice folks. They sent me a picture of all the parts in the kit so I could see what was in them.

[mark68502]

The boys slept outside in a tent last night. Why you ask? And what does this have to do with Ventures? Everything. I completely filled my house with pungent fumes of boiling PineSol last night!

 

Got 1/2 the carb block mostly cleaned but there is a big difference between getting the sliders to MOVE and having the jets all working effectively. Next step is going through with fine wire and compressed air.

 

By the way, the first time I used PineSol to clean carbs I forgot that bathing your hands in the stuff undiluted is NOT the same as using a capful in a bucket of mop water. Chemically peeled both hands completely. Not a fun couple of days afterwards. This time I use gloves and made the kids sleep outside.

[dna9656]

Harbor Freight has a sonic cleaner, maybe have 2 (small and bigger) models. Most affordable. If there is no store near you it can be ordered from their web site.