The 3rd party gaskets did arrive at my favorite local shop and I picked
them up on Saturday. One thing for sure, "Rip"'s gaskets need replacing,
as now that I've seen something "new" (and I guess within spec?) I
can tell you that "Rip"'s gaskets are *too flat* to provide much
in the way of a seal. PB98's, on the other hand, aren't too bad. I
think I'll go ahead and install the new gaskets on PB98 and stop by
the shop sometime soon and order a couple of more sets.
When I opened up the shed to start work I found more 'crud' oozing
from one of PB98's carbs. It's amazing how much of this stuff you
can get to come out while cleaning. I decided to do the job right
the first time, so I will continue to clean until they stop oozing.
12/13/98
I checked PB98's carbs one last time...realized that I had not cleaned the jet needles, so decided to go ahead and remove them and spray them clean. Of the four, only one looked dirty, but looks can be deceiving.
I let them dry while I installed the gaskets in the float bowls and placed the bowls back on the carbs. Each bowl has four screws, and most of the screws were in good shape, but I replaced a couple that were marginal. I'm going to dig out an old email from David Ryder that gives the specs to order 'socket screws' and replace these guys, but for now these will do.
By now the jet needles were dry, so I reinstalled them and now, at last, I was ready to reinstall the carbs in the bike. When we worked on PB97, reinstalling the carbs was one of the true "character building" activities. I've done it a bunch of times and yet I had never really felt like I had done it well. The last time I removed/reinstalled carbs, I tried a method 'invented' by Tony "MacGuyver" Donisi, and I was really happy with it. But it has been 6 months since I did it, so I searched the web for the page to refresh my memory. For those interested, Tony's home page is here and the carb install procedure in particular is here! Scroll down until you see the heading "Sticking it in, Simplified"
So, now it's a few simple steps til I'm ready to try starting PB98.
Specifically:
connect crankcase breather tube
replace airbox cover and screws
replace thermostat housing, radiator hose
connect temperature sensor wire
replace ground cable and thermostat cover bolts
secure water pipe to air chamber
tighten clamps on the hose that connects thermostat housing to engine crossver pipes
Tighten the hose clamps on the radiator right hand hose.
Secure radiator to frame
refresh the coolant
reinstall the right-hand coil mounting bolts
secure the air cleaner base
replace the air cleaner assemblies
replace the fuel tank
connect the battery
..and try it out!!! Actually, before I try it, I'll use my mityvac to
open the fuel valve and 'prime' the carbs by filling the float bowls.
12/27 Well...I tried it, and it doesn't start...unless I use starter fluid, then
it starts and runs nicely til the starter fluid runs out. Guess this bike
is like PB97 - carbs will be the key.
On the plus side, I was able to repair the clutch hydraulics, which were missing
a banjo bolt and washers. A kindly sabmaggot helped me out with the missing items and the mityvac and some DOT3 fluid have the clutch working again.
1/4/98 - I installed PB98's carbs into PB97 and the bike started right up,
so it looks like the carbs are *NOT* the problem. I'll replace the leaky bowl
gasket in PB97's carbs and them reinstall them in PB97, and I think my next move on PB98 is to check the compression on all cylinders.
