I love it when a good plan comes together...Jan 99
1/16/99
A glorious weekend here and I spend it all wrenching...and loving it.
The big news is that PB98 is running.
I decided to put PB97's carbs into PB98
and then to pursue either a) compression or b) spark. I decided to
pull all four spark plugs and replace with brand new, properly
gapped plugs. During this process I discovered a broken spark plug
wire - it was broken at the coil connection. Fortunately I had another
project bike that won't miss a sparkplug wire for a few weeks/months,
so I pulled the wire from PB99 and installed it in PB98. I then installed
the battery, which had been on the charger while all the wrenching was
going on. Reinstalled the gas tank and used my hand vacuum pump to open
the fuel valve and fill the float bowls.
I had a really good feeling about this attempt to start the bike. In fact,
I almost got the camcorder out to record the event for posterity, but
decided that, with as many projects as I have, I shouldn't treat
getting them running as such a big deal. It needs to be the expectation.
Anyway, I turned the key, engaged the choke, and pushed the starter button.
It cranked but didn't start. I tried again, and got a 'puff' or two of
combustion. I decided to give it a goose with a spray of starter fluid.
This allowed it to start and it kept running. I let it idle for a short
while and then slowly rolled the throttle. The engine rpm's increased
nicely. Had to adjust the idle screw a little, but it idled.
I let it run while I checked it over for any leaks, etc. Waited for the
engine temp indicator to show a bar and once it did I decided to shut
it down and then see if it'd restart. No problem. I shut it down, and
clean up and put things up. A nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
