Thursday, February 17, 2011

Pictures & Problems





A few months back we had a break for a few days in the weather. I took advantage to take the bike out. As I was driving I switched the hi-beam selector to low then high.. Shortly afterward the bike died and would not restart. I don't have the electric start sorted out yet so I kicked for a while before I called for help. As I waited for assistance I started to look further into the bike and came across the fuse that goes to the positive terminal which was blown. It is a 15 amp fuse. My friend took me to the auto parts store and I settled on a 14 amp solution as that was all I could find that was close. I crossed my fingers and it got me home. The only issue is that if I switch it to low beam it blows the fuse again.. Some stupid short..

At least it gave me time to take some pictures.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Update : I learned a lot about friendship, work and motorcycles this summer.

Let me start by saying that the motorcycle is running well now.
It took a lot to get there in both patience and money. Mostly patience though, which I feel is a better thing to work on from a personal growth perspective. But enough babbling about feelings.

As I left it on my last post the bike was mostly ready to go but needed some testing. Well I tested it and unfortunately the tank fix didn't work. As I began to fill the tank it slowly began to leak the water down the side of the petcock. I was frustrated and decided to call for help. I took it to a friend of mine who used to be a mechanic. My friend was going through some economic struggles due to being lain off so I though this could help both of us. He'd make some cash and I'd get my bike gone through.

Unfortunately his replacement job took him all over the country and consequently the bike sat most of the summer. I can only feel that maybe I pushed the job on him and as such the last thing he was interested in doing was working on it on his days off. Eventually I asked him if he would be done with it by the middle of September and he agreed. I got the call that it was done late September and went over to check it out. The replacement petcock he'd used had fallen off and nothing else had been touched. I was unhappy. I had already given him $40 and so I decided he was done working on the bike. I took the tank to another mechanic (Jim) to work on it.

Two or three days and $44 later it was done. Good new is Jim was able to reuse the original petcock. He used 3 thin applications of Permatex Indian head gasket shellac. I went over after he did the testing to pick it up and pay him. While I was talking with him and checking out the tank I almost spilled some residual gas right on myself from the petcock. I had switched the petcock to run and about a 1/2 ounce of gas shot right out when I held the tank level.

I took the tank back to my friend's house and began to get the bike ready to roll. I remounted the tank and kick-started the bike. It was really amazing. The bike kicked over almost immediately. I spent the next 20 minutes putting some "Slime"in the tires. As it had sat so long at my friends house the tires had deflated and just sat. I put the slime in to help them hold air and as the slime was a little old the valve became gummed up and prevented me from filing it. A little poking around with a few different instruments and the repeated use of the air compressor got it working properly and soon It was full of air and ready for a test drive.

I rode it to a local gas station and filled up. I was a bit proud of myself and felt slighted that a baby boomer had spent his time filling up his pickup truck instead of oohing an aweing over this motorcycle that was closer to his age than I was.

I called the wife and rode it home about 10 miles. The bike still didn't have headlights or tailights so I rode it home then over the the Jim's the next day.

At Jim's I had him go through a lot of the bike and get the headlight and tailight working. He also adjusted the valves, and timing. I'll post on the work he did later.

My impressions on the bike are pretty positive. For a 154cc engine it has a lot of power, and it is well carbureted. The power coming on from idle in an even and well fashion. The exhaust is surprisingly loud (I thought it would be a quite sewing machine Honda.) yet it's not obnoxious. The suspension is smooth but bounces like a pogo stick on uneven pavement. Happily the brakes work adequately

In closing I just want to say it kicks over and starts running without any issue. The power is more than sufficient to move me at approx 65 mph. Lot's of things to do to make it perfect but right now it seems like a good solid bike. That could take me far and get me home.

Joe

P.S. I thought up a name for it. Lunchbox. Mostly due to the side panels that cover the battery and tool kit. They remind me of an old metal lunchbox. I always liked lunch.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Still alive but just not Kicking yet

I've still have the Bike and it still looks the same. I purchased a battery and was able to get the starter to crank over but it wasn't what I would call reliable. But it's all preliminary until I get the tank on. I still need to test it to make sure the petcock doesn't leak. I'm leary of using water to test it for some reason. Maybe I'm worried it will rust or something else. My gut just doesn't like the idea. For all I know it could just be fear of success.
I haven't worked on it much in months I've been pushing it off until the weather breaks.

Hopefully next month.

I'll try and keep you updated.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Brake Light Cover?

What do you think?
My Brake Light Cover is cracked but mostly in decent shape. Don't let the duct tape fool you. I was at Autozone or Advance Auto and saw sheets of pliable red light cover material for repairs.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E4BDQC

What do you think?

Vintage Honda Benly CA95

Back together..

Today was a beautiful day. So much so that I didn't know what to do with it. I spoke with my Wife and she said she'd be OK with me bringing it into the basement as long as I got rid of a few magazines and catalogs. The negotiations went well! Unfortunately I didn't feel like I could bring it down without causing serious damage to the bike or the stairway. So I just stared at it sitting uncovered back in it's parking spot. I decided I would start by putting a few parts back on it and see how far I got. It went well enough to hear the starter motor crank over a few times.

Spark Plugs
Carburetor
Air Cleaner assembly
Battery
OIL change

I started by putting the air cleaner back into it's spot and attatching the tube that connects it to the Carb. I had a problemn getting the carb back together and on. That spring is a real bugger. After that I connected the Carb I then connected the Air Cleaner with the Rubber Tube between the two. The Carb looks pretty decent! I put in the new plugs. I went to change the oil but the drain bold was rounded off. I had to bang on a wrench to be able to get it off. I then used my Impact Screwdriver successfully for the first time. (A thing of beauty). A little less than a quart of oil and it's good for now. The battery went in with little stress. I goofed around with the key and nothing... I continued to play with it and the starter kicked over a few times. Somewhat encouraging but it still needs work. The 5 way key switch is Brilliant and Insane at the same time. I'm glad that I left the battery disconnected when done. I checked the diagram I posted earlier and figured out that if I had left it connected I would have damaged the battery and possibly the electronics.

I was thinking about putting the tank on and working with some gas. But I had been cautioned to make sure the replacement fuel line was actually up to the task of carrying fuel. I checked later and it was all up to snuff.

The neatest thing that I remember was how nice the brass fuel bowl drain nipple looked. Shiny, Brassy and it looked like new. The rubber hose went out smoothly with a little saliva.

My next plans are to test and connect the tank, put on the seat, charge up the battery, clean the connections, and Test it out.

I guess it's time to get my insurance up to snuff.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Battery 6n12-2d

I purchased my battery yesterday. Nobody seems to have the market on the "Correct" battery a Yuasa 6n12-4a. So after calling a great place for batteries PLP Battery Supply in Murphysboro, IL I was able to source one that is very similar. The only difference I can find is that the vent tube is in the rear instead of the side. So we'll give it a shot. I had a bad headache today otherwise I could have got it up and running so I guess it will have to wait until later this week or next weekend. The battery cost $36.52 and it's a 6n12-2d.