Author Topic: Recommend a mechanic  (Read 29157 times)

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Offline trakadaka

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Recommend a mechanic
« on: 03 Aug 2008 at 03:13 »
Hello,

I need some help! Our 1926 EW350 is not running well and starting to be a bit annoying. She starts first or second kick every time wheteher she hasn't been started for an hour, day, week or month. I ride out to the driveway, she konks out, I crack it, and back in the shed she goes. Once she's warm, I kick and kick and kick, and she wont fire. Is it the magneto? I've got fuel.

I've been trying to find a local motorcycle mechanic to help me out but no-one is interested, it's too hard, or they're just not interested in working on something so old.

I just need a recommendation of someone so I can take her there, she gets a good service and whatever else she needs and I start smiling. I'm sure she doesn't need anything to serious.


Any suggections?

Trace


Offline trakadaka

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #1 on: 03 Aug 2008 at 03:28 »
P.S. Opps! I do know how to spell SUGGESTIONS, it was a typo. I hate it when you don't proof read.

Offline graeme

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #2 on: 03 Aug 2008 at 04:56 »
Trace,
I would highly suspect it is the magneto - your symptoms fit this diagnosis exactly. I don't know who does magnetos in Victoria, but I have had a few done up by Peter Scott (Quality Magneto Services) in Sydney and have been well satisfied with the work. His number is 02 9624 1262.
Cheers, Graeme

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #3 on: 17 Aug 2008 at 11:08 »
Hi All
Got down to look at Trace's EW yesterday Test spark plug in hand feeling sure it was the magneto. Obvious starts cold won't run hot got to be the maggy. wrong again plenty of spark hot engine.  What was happening is the plugs are oil/petrol fouling like a two stroke. leave the engine stand for an hour or clean the plugs and away it go's again for a while until it fouls up- again. Even with the oil dripper turned off not that there seemed to be any oil coming through it anyway, it still seems to be getting copious amounts of oil. The other things I found were the Tappets had come loose and wound themself back so it had about 5/16 valve Clearance ( supprised it even fired there was only a 1/16 inch valve lift left) The tappet bushings are badly warn and the old brown & Barlow carby is running very rich it's not actually flooding but hosing fuel in. So we decided the easiest way was to drop the bike back to my place and I would strip the engine and fix whatever needed doing. Well that was yesterday.  now I'm not Japanese and don't or maybe diddent believe That all things have a spirit But Trace and her Dad Alan dropped the bike off this morning and after a pleasant chat and coffee they left for home. I spent some time on my T35 the Front guard stay was hitting the exhaust and had to be moved anyway done that all very good thought I might give the EW a Kick so took her outside, didn't wont to smoke screen the shed tuned on fuel and oil full choke half a kick and it was running!!!!!!!!!  only a small plume of blue smoke eased the choke off she was idling?????? went inside got a helmet still idling took off for a couple of laps of the court ran fine. Oil dripper about 1 drip every 15-20 seconds. The carby is still running very rich and some nasty noises from the valve gear but it is running fine. Still going to give the engine a once over but if anybody has any ideas as to how it can over oil drastically one day and be fine the next I would be very interested. Maybe She just doesn't like mechanics and decided to behave? I don't know. Heres a pic of Tracie's EW there are more in Members gallery.
Cheers
David H

« Last Edit: 17 Aug 2008 at 21:50 by Dave »

Offline trevorp

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #4 on: 18 Aug 2008 at 08:29 »
I have found some bikes in sheds have there plugs removed and oil squirted in but this should have cleared fairly quickly unless gear oil has been used this takes a while to go completely but is a mystery if no oil from tank, although a rich mixture can foul plugs. but normally a black soot deposit rather than a crusty one like a 2 stroke
Flooding carbies or two high a float level maybe and the drive down has jiggled the floats possibly clearing the seat of debris and or float sticking
If it was petrol fouling as in bad timing on valves and carby letting in too much fuel it will start easy when cold hence its rich but when hot will just foul the plug
id be giving the carbie an ultrasonic clean out and check
Will look forward to hear what u find
All knowledge is good knowledge
« Last Edit: 18 Aug 2008 at 08:45 by trevorp »

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #5 on: 18 Aug 2008 at 09:57 »
Hi Trevor and All
Removed and stripped the engine today, haven't touched the carby yet but I agree ultrasonic cleaning is the way to go with that when the time comes.
what did I find well a lot of general wear as is to be expected pistons and cylinder bores are quite good and usable, the 4 mm ring end gap is a worry.

The valve guides are badly worn as are the tappet bushes
all cam / valve train gears need rebuilding
the oil pump is full of dirt / gunk and when you turn on the oil it just runs through to the sump need further investigation but could explain the excess oil.
one problem I cannot fix readily is the oil pump cam/helix gear it is worn to the point of imminent failure will check out LDC spares but not holding my breath, the oil pump on e-bay might be a goer if we can secure it.
what else
The front magneto bearing had collapsed, square balls not nice, that explains where all the noise was coming from.
Well I think the oil pump and the massive ring end gap explains the fouling problems as for the carby we will deal with that later.
 Cheers
for now
David H



« Last Edit: 18 Aug 2008 at 21:48 by Dave »

Offline graeme

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #6 on: 18 Aug 2008 at 23:39 »
So all-in-all a little bit "tired"! I remember when I was first involved with vintage bikes - over 30 years ago now - there were quite a few Douggies that would be trotted out for runs, that always started in the morning, then performed pathetically until they often broke down. I think that being a twin, Douggies can keep running and running until totally worn out. These days, most have been properly refurbished and perform as they should. Trace - it looks like you've got your machine in good hands now, and it will eventually be a very satisfying machine to ride.

Offline trakadaka

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #7 on: 19 Aug 2008 at 06:58 »
Mate I think you're right! David's a life saver. Can't wait to have a decent ride.

Offline Alan

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #8 on: 20 Aug 2008 at 02:28 »
Just a comment on worn valve train gears etc....for this period, the tooth profile was often the same as for the UK machine tools in the 20's and 30's , probably even later ..certainly was for my B29....If you can find a specialist supplier of gears for these old lathes which are still much used (my supplier alas has disapeared) then although still some work required re widths and centres , the OD's will probably be correct based on the number of teeth and saves having to have new blanks machined..
 Do not heat treat/harden the gears as I know of one Duggie owner who did this and horrible things happened very quickly..

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #9 on: 20 Aug 2008 at 08:43 »
Hi Alan

Your dead right. I have a few gears from an old Hercus that seem to be the right pitch and shape now I tried them for size and supprise suprise the gears off of my Chinese lathe / mill also fit. What I was going to do was get Carr gear cutting in Williamstown to machine off the old teeth and shrink fit a ring gear over the cams. whilst maintaining the teeth position for timing of course and to make a new crank gear. I haven,t actually asked them about this job but they have done similar things for me in the past. Now armed with this new information I might have a go myself. I still have a problem with the Helical gear on the oil pump any suggestions on how I might be able to reclaim that? There is less than 50% of the tooth thickness left although the worm drive gear looks good.

Cheers
David H

Offline Alan Cun

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #10 on: 20 Aug 2008 at 11:10 »
Hello David, You certainly have taken on a ripper repair with this one? Most of the spares I have for Dougs over the years have been well picked over but after a quick trip to the shed I am sure that I have a better oil pump than the one you have. Also have some lifters and the brass screw in six hole inserts. I presume the engine is this type. Later models had a tapered fit as per B29 motors. Most of the cams I have are mostly worn where the lift load is on the cam. Recently stripped some Corolla heads for scrap and saved the valves and guides, will check their size when time allows. Have considered in the past fitting a Yamaha 2 stroke oil pump instead of the old Doug ones. Think I have a Doug out there somewhere but like a lot of my Dougs haven't run it to assess it. Send an email if I can help with an address for postage. Also noticed I have spare a timing side main bearing I believe these are a bit hard to find. Had a quick look at the Corolla valves and guides and they look pretty close to the right diameter however without a seating shoulder they may need grooving and an external circlip. The intake valves have a thicker stem and the head diameter is also oversize maybe the stems would be a good fit in the old guides. Wouldn't worry about using intakes in a Doug exhaust. Mr Douglas didn't worry.     Modified 21 Aug
regards Alan Cun Not trying to make a $ on these items they are available free of charge? Modified 22 Aug
« Last Edit: 22 Aug 2008 at 08:17 by Alan Cun »

Offline Alan Cun

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #11 on: 24 Aug 2008 at 08:57 »
Hello All, Have been contacted by David and Trace and with a bit of luck the parts and the progress of David will see Trace and the EW at Canberra. Can't make it myself but am sure that David's effort will be well worth while. Ripper mate, Alan

Offline trakadaka

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #12 on: 24 Aug 2008 at 11:31 »
You fella's are great and truly something special! I've read from previous queries posted on the forum how you pull together with knowledge to help one another out, but you've truly blown me away. David jumped in his car, came to my house, found the problem and offered to sort it out. He's kept me in touch all week with progress reports and the effort he's putting in is just amazing.

Alan, who I've never met a doesn't know me from a bar of soap (maybe he's the lucky one), has found me some parts in the shed and is sending them down.

I'm very touched by the effort you blokes are putting in. I really love that little bike, even though at times she is just like the rest of us females and chucks a tanti.

Can't wait to have a good ride, after David does of course.  I'll probably be standing on the side of the road, helmet in hand saying, "When is it my turn?"

Thanks guys.

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #13 on: 25 Aug 2008 at 09:02 »
Hi Trace
You say the nicest things but we are just having fun, any way i was planning to ride it back to your place as a test / delivery run !!!!!
Done a couple of job's on the engine I thought might be of interest to others first is how I re bushed the cam follower bushes. these had nearly .040 inch ovality.
bought a length of bearing bronze 1/2 inch in diameter drilled out the old bushes to give about .002 interference fit and pushed in solid bronze slugs. I've had bronze in bronze bushes move so i silver soldered the inner end before drilling and hand reaming the bushes to fit the camfollowers.

The other thing I have done is made a set of decompression leavers for the old girl, Disregarding the crappy welding (I will fix that) I am quite proud of them so there is a couple of pics of those as well. Made them out of 6mm rolled angle by cutting length ways along one face it seems to give a tougher piece of metal than just 6mm bar.










« Last Edit: 25 Aug 2008 at 22:15 by Dave »

Offline Alan Cun

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #14 on: 25 Aug 2008 at 10:51 »
Hello David, Got to the post today and have forwarded a couple of pumps you can choose the parts from and return whats left over. Great job on the valve lifters but I could have some of these surplus minus the pins. Have also passed on some new plugs NGK 6 and NGK 7 got these when they were dirt cheap. 7 is our choice up here but may be a bit cold down your way, so try both. Dont know how hard it was to use the pin spanner to remove those follwer guides but I realized earlier in the game they are easier to remove using a 7/16 fine thread bolt through the hole and 2 spanners. Anyway keep up the progress on the forum. Pity we wont be able to hear it when you fire it up. Alan

Offline Doug

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #15 on: 26 Aug 2008 at 00:58 »
Quote from: Alan
Pity we wont be able to hear it when you fire it up.

It is possible to post video clips on the forum, though if it becomes common practice we might need a bigger server!

-Doug

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #16 on: 28 Aug 2008 at 07:41 »
Hi Alan

Received the pumps to day and they look great the teeth on the 600 pump are much more solid? courser the the 350 I assume they both run off a worm gear from the crank. They seem to fit the worm of the 350 so that is probably the one I will use unless someone gives me a reason not to. The spark plugs are very welcome to Trace had two different makes and very rusty so I had to get some new ones.
I made up a six pin tool to remove the follower guides just a piece of round M/S with six roll pins in it and turned it with a 12inch stilson they diddent put up a fight at all. One had been removed with a chisel at some time but the damage was insignificant.
The cylinders should be back from the machine shop tomorrow so with this pump I should have her back to gether this week.
What I intend to do is have her back and running with the old valve train gears when I have sourced some suitable gears to fit  I will rework the gear train. A friend of a friend has some suitable gear cutters/equipment to make them but he will have to train me on how to do it first. probably not until Christmas.
Maybe Doug would let me put a small audio/video on the forum for a week or two and then remove it to save server space or I could look at the you tube thing and just post the link. Will look into that never used it before but I have young sons.
Thanks for your help
David H


Offline Alan Cun

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #17 on: 28 Aug 2008 at 10:20 »
Hello David, Only joking on the sound (which by the way has died on my computer) just over oil it and take a pic of the smoke trail that will do. And yes some action shots of Trace astride the machine please. Glad the parts were OK only wish I could have provided cam gears too but what I have left are in very sad condition.  regards Alan

Offline Ian

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #18 on: 28 Aug 2008 at 22:00 »
The You Tube thing sounds like a good idea. Maybe we can use that for all video clips and have a separate section on the forums under gallery where people can post the links ?

Offline Dave

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #19 on: 29 Aug 2008 at 07:38 »
Good idea Ian, we'll look into it.

Dave

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #20 on: 29 Aug 2008 at 12:17 »
Hi Ian and Dave

Funny how things said in jest can turn into good ideas, I have had a look at You Tube, not that I know much at all about this internet thing, I have problems putting quotes onto posts. But it looks quite easy and seems to be a free site. I think it would be a great idea to have a forum headding to post clips to.
Cheers
David H

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #21 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 00:15 »
Hi Everyone
finally got all the bits together for Trace's EW the Barrels from Truline engineering with Klined guides and recut seats and valves. Pistone rings from JP in Adelaide and of course a good oil pump gear from Alan. It all went back together without problems. found a 1/8 bsp hole under the rear cylinder that I assume is a breather so I screwed in a PCV valve from a Hyundai? It seems to be working OK. It certainly breaths and not spitting a lot of oil out I am going to lead the outlet to the primary chain, I guess time will tell if it is a good idea or not.

We didn't do anything with the cam gears yet so they are still noisy as is the primary chain wonted to go for a ride so the chain can be replaced later, and as I said earlier I  will look at the gears at Christmas.
Well Alan said he would like some smoky pics, What with the assembly oil and what was left in the exhaust we had white out  :mrgreen: soon cleared and we had a couple of good laps of the block. The old girl really flies and sounds fantastic. I have a video clip that Trace took and will try and post it but I fear it is too big, We'll see.
Well now it is a good clean up and some cosmetic things and Trace will be at the Hastins Day parade next Feb.
Cheers
David H







« Last Edit: 07 Sep 2008 at 22:05 by Dave »

Offline Doug

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #22 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 01:39 »
David,

Evocative picture, I can feel my eyes water!

EWs breathed into the timing chest. There is a tapped hole out the bottom of the chest for a standpipe. This maintained a sufficient oil level in the timing chest to lubricate the gears, and provide a pool of oil for the second stage of the oil pump to draw from. Any oil and excess pressure is blown out the standpipe. A tube carried this over to the primary chain, as you were contemplating. Since these by nature drip oil, they are often blocked off in the mistaken belief it will keep the oil in the engine longer.

-Doug

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #23 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 02:04 »
Hi Doug
Found that tapped hole it has a nice chrome plug in it  I'll change that for a stand pipe, it makes a lot more sense than the way it is set up at the moment. the pipe should protrude about 3/4 inch into the timing chest? That would take it about 1/4 way up the lower cam gear?
what do you think?

cheers
David H

Offline bazza

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #24 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 02:47 »
Hi Dave,The smoky picture reminds me of an eventful weekend some weeks ago,still having problems with getting my EW to run right,have just fitted valve lifter assembly that Alan Cuningham so kindly sent me bugger of a thing to put together not much room to play with but it works ok.
Bazza

Offline trakadaka

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #25 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 08:25 »
Well what can I say about yesterday...apart from cough, cough, one ashma pump please and thank you very much to the Melton Fire Brigade who were on stand by with their fire truck and hoses, oh and a big apology to David's neighbours re the noise and smoke (at least we got them out of their houses to enjoy what was a beautiful day before we caused a smog alert).

The old girl is running a treat after her make over from David. It was just great to see her zooming down the road and actually driving into the shed upon returning rather than the usual me pushing her into the shed. Looks like those pushing days are GONE! I'll have to find another way to work on my muscles.

Thanks Alan for the oil pump. We kept our eye on the drip through the sight glass and it seems to be working well.
Hope you enjoyed the smoke photo. I could hardly breath when I took it! Let me assure you it's ALL smoke, it was a clear beautiful day and my camera takes a nice clear sharp photo. Believe me my heart sunk when I saw that smoke but with a cross of my fingers and a bit of praying, it all went away.

David has done so much work on our bike. I was invited yesterday to go to his house and be the apprentice for a day. I loved it and really enjoyed learning a bit about the mechanical side of her, although after one day I'm not quite the expert yet, maybe another day and I'll be right. David is a perfectionist. There's no slap happiness, it has to be right. I compliment him on that. Thanks David for everything, you're a GOOD bloke.

Now that he's sorted out the mechanical side of her, we just have a few cosmetic things to deal with and the brakes. Now that she runs well I need them. Previously I've just stopped by konking out!

Three cheers for David.

Trace (The useless apprentice)

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #26 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 09:47 »
Hi everyone

finally got the clip on YOU TUBE only took 9 hrs to upload?

Trace's 26 Douglas EW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_skkPmQINhQ

hope this works
Cheers
David H

Offline trakadaka

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #27 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 10:22 »
And the grammy goes to...
Look out Hollywood, here we come!

Offline bazza

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #28 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 12:33 »
Dave and Trace,What beautiful music to my ears now I really have to work harder on mine or shall I take you up on your offer Dave my trailer I've been building is nearly ready to launch so you may see my face.Dave you really need a medal can London organise one do you think Doug ?,for the best friend ever.

Bazza

Trace ,Dave likes Merlot !!!!!!!

Offline Doug

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #29 on: 07 Sep 2008 at 19:31 »
David,

Here is a pic of the standpipe in the EW350 timing chest. The top is even with the center of the exhaust lifter pivots.



Consider it my little contribution to saving the Australian environment, cough, cough!  :)


By the way, the EW sounds quite crisp. Either it has a free flowing exhaust, or the cams have worn into a sporty profile...

-Doug


[update https link, 22Apr20 -Doug]
« Last Edit: 22 Apr 2020 at 19:34 by Doug »

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #30 on: 08 Sep 2008 at 08:34 »
Hi Doug

Thanks for the pic I'll make a couple up and fit one to trace's EW, Not sure about the cam's but the exhaust doesn't have much inside it forsure. and a sports B&B carby. Considering it's what 9 HP something like that it go's very well,  I just love the exhaust note.

Cheers
David H

Offline roy

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #31 on: 08 Sep 2008 at 09:21 »
Hi David , sorry for the delay have been away for a few days.
Attached is a photo of the standpipe from my EW hope it will be of assistance.
Great job you are doing .
Regards, Roy.





[update https link 22Apr20 Doug]
« Last Edit: 22 Apr 2020 at 19:34 by Doug »

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #32 on: 14 Sep 2008 at 06:28 »
Hi Guy’s
Thanks for the stand pipe pic Rod very helpful. Just finishing off a couple of things for Trace one of which was to ultrasonic clean the carby which was fine except I found the float half full of petrol. I’ve never had much success soldering up floats nearly always end up to heavy or just plain stuffed. So I’ve come up with an alternative which has worked well in the past. I have made balsa wood floats for stationary engines this way that work fine.
What I done was to drill a 0.040inch hole in the top of the float, drained out the petrol and dried it with a hot air gun then cleaned and sealed the hole and the needle clip where I think the float was leaking with petrol tank sealer. It adds very little weight and seems to last.
Cheers
David H









[update https link 22Apr20 Doug]
« Last Edit: 22 Apr 2020 at 19:35 by Doug »

Offline David H

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #33 on: 20 Sep 2008 at 11:04 »
Hi Everyone

Finished off the breather, carby and oil pump then when for a nice 30Km run up to Toolenvale and back. It's a long steady clime with a head wind to-boot. She loved it I'm guessing 70 - 75 Km pulled like a steam train set the oil a bit richer so as to give a slight blue plume no sign of over heating or any nasty habits at all. When we got back there was a fair bit of oil blown out of the breather and the decompression cable (Doug said that would happen) a few drips on the floor and a quick wipe with a rag fixed that. Pulled the plugs out too, the colour of the back plug was fine a little rich but that is the safe side, the front plug was quit rich fluffy black deposit.
Question? Is it normal for the front cylinder to appear to be rich, because of the oil inlet introducing more oil to that cylinder.
Or is it running richer than the front normal.
I have checked for air leaks on the rear cylinder non found.
any comments welcome
Cheers
David H  :roll:

Offline roy

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #34 on: 22 Sep 2008 at 12:24 »
Good on ya David, you deserve a medal.
Ref the plugs, on checking mine after the Banbury Run (about 55 mls including Sunrising Hill) I have found that both are about the same as Traces, so have not bothered to adjust anything, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Regards, Roy.

Offline trakadaka

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #35 on: 14 Oct 2008 at 10:40 »
Hi everybody,

I'm on holidays and today I got to go for my first decent ride...IT WAS GREAT!

The sun was beaming, the road was quite and the old girl cruised along without any hiccups. I've NEVER had a ride without hassles, until today.

I've had a great day and look forward to many, many more and it's all because of David.

Thanks David for everything.

Trace

Offline davebarkshire

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Re: Recommend a mechanic
« Reply #36 on: 17 Oct 2008 at 07:27 »
Excellent! and well done.

Puts me to shame. My EW is sitting in the corner where its been for months.