Post by dungbug on Aug 13, 2011 17:53:40 GMT
Decided that today would be the day that I pull the carb off the GN as she's becoming a bit of a cow to ride. I brought a new inlet manifold which arrived this week, brought a big can of carb cleaner this morning so armed with a coffee, few tools & a Haynes book of lies manual I got started.
Getting the carb off was a bit of a struggle but with a bit of perseverance & a few choice words she was free, carb was put to one side while I removed & replaced the fuel manifold. Here's the state it was in, the white stuff on it is grab adhesive.
Inside the rubber was shot as well.
Looking over at the carb I was still unsure about whether to start taking it apart as the GN is my only means of getting about, I decided to do a couple of other bits that I wanted to do. Spark plug was removed, condition was good, nothing out of the ordinary and the gap was spot on so I knew I could discount that as part of the problem. Also pulled the foam airfilter out and gave it a good clean with some white spirit.
This was a new bottle of white spirit before I cleaned the filter
I then 'manned' up & set about taking the carb apart. Removed the float chamber, checked the function of the float (it leaked some fuel out of the drain plug last week). The float bowl was grubby at the bottom, I flushed a load of cleaner through & all looked good.
Next was something I've been meaning to check....The condition of the diaphragm in the top of the carb, someone at some point has also tried to get the top of the carb off & consequently fugged the heads on 2 of the screws! After soaking with WD40, trying various screwdrivers & 'other methods' I couldn't get either to shift. I was disappointed that I couldn't get the top off but couldn't think of anything else I could try to get the buggers off.
I opened the throttle flap & there's a sort of recess at the top of the piece which connects the carb to the inlet, this had a fair amount of crud in it. With the throttle opened I sprayed a generous amount of carb cleaner through and pretty much everywhere I could get to. There was a few bits that got sprayed which when the cleaner dripped out the cleaner was dark and grimey so I'm sure there was a built up of cack inside.
I put the carb back together, fitted (was easier than I thought it was going to be). Tightened everything up & put the airfilter element (after it had dried) back in place.
Moment of truth, would it still run & if so how good (or bad).
Turned the fuel tap back on, twisted the throttle a couple of times and she fired straight away, slight little cough which was probably some carb cleaner somewhere. Took her out on the dual carriage near my house & she pulled really well, no loss of power, no hunting or anything. The throttle seemed more responsive & the ride wasn't 'laboured' like before (if that make's any sense).
Carb fitted and looking a fair bit cleaner than before. ;D
The white stuff was thoroughly cleaned off the mating face of the head, the stuff that's in the photo is just some extra cack that I need to clean off. Time was getting on & I wanted to see if/how she ran.
It wasn't the full carb strip down I was kinda hoping for but at least what's been done has/appears to have solved the problems I've been having. I guess it would be wise to look out for a replacement carb incase the diaphragm ever does give up......Would also give me a carb to play about with whilst still using the bike, been looking for a Mikuni carb but can only find pattern part one's. Tried a few breakers with no joy.
I'm not too bothered for now though, she was lovely to ride. I know it's a cliche but she did feel like a different bike & I'm really looking forward to the ride over to the classic show I'm going to tomorrow......I'll grab photo's of the bikes there & report back here afterwards.
Just thought I'd share what I've been up to today, needless to say I'm pretty chuffed to not only have her running on song but also that I did it myself and it only cost me a new inlet & a can of carb cleaner. Cheers.
Getting the carb off was a bit of a struggle but with a bit of perseverance & a few choice words she was free, carb was put to one side while I removed & replaced the fuel manifold. Here's the state it was in, the white stuff on it is grab adhesive.
Inside the rubber was shot as well.
Looking over at the carb I was still unsure about whether to start taking it apart as the GN is my only means of getting about, I decided to do a couple of other bits that I wanted to do. Spark plug was removed, condition was good, nothing out of the ordinary and the gap was spot on so I knew I could discount that as part of the problem. Also pulled the foam airfilter out and gave it a good clean with some white spirit.
This was a new bottle of white spirit before I cleaned the filter
I then 'manned' up & set about taking the carb apart. Removed the float chamber, checked the function of the float (it leaked some fuel out of the drain plug last week). The float bowl was grubby at the bottom, I flushed a load of cleaner through & all looked good.
Next was something I've been meaning to check....The condition of the diaphragm in the top of the carb, someone at some point has also tried to get the top of the carb off & consequently fugged the heads on 2 of the screws! After soaking with WD40, trying various screwdrivers & 'other methods' I couldn't get either to shift. I was disappointed that I couldn't get the top off but couldn't think of anything else I could try to get the buggers off.
I opened the throttle flap & there's a sort of recess at the top of the piece which connects the carb to the inlet, this had a fair amount of crud in it. With the throttle opened I sprayed a generous amount of carb cleaner through and pretty much everywhere I could get to. There was a few bits that got sprayed which when the cleaner dripped out the cleaner was dark and grimey so I'm sure there was a built up of cack inside.
I put the carb back together, fitted (was easier than I thought it was going to be). Tightened everything up & put the airfilter element (after it had dried) back in place.
Moment of truth, would it still run & if so how good (or bad).
Turned the fuel tap back on, twisted the throttle a couple of times and she fired straight away, slight little cough which was probably some carb cleaner somewhere. Took her out on the dual carriage near my house & she pulled really well, no loss of power, no hunting or anything. The throttle seemed more responsive & the ride wasn't 'laboured' like before (if that make's any sense).
Carb fitted and looking a fair bit cleaner than before. ;D
The white stuff was thoroughly cleaned off the mating face of the head, the stuff that's in the photo is just some extra cack that I need to clean off. Time was getting on & I wanted to see if/how she ran.
It wasn't the full carb strip down I was kinda hoping for but at least what's been done has/appears to have solved the problems I've been having. I guess it would be wise to look out for a replacement carb incase the diaphragm ever does give up......Would also give me a carb to play about with whilst still using the bike, been looking for a Mikuni carb but can only find pattern part one's. Tried a few breakers with no joy.
I'm not too bothered for now though, she was lovely to ride. I know it's a cliche but she did feel like a different bike & I'm really looking forward to the ride over to the classic show I'm going to tomorrow......I'll grab photo's of the bikes there & report back here afterwards.
Just thought I'd share what I've been up to today, needless to say I'm pretty chuffed to not only have her running on song but also that I did it myself and it only cost me a new inlet & a can of carb cleaner. Cheers.