Well, I decided I just couldn't leave my V65 at the lake any longer.
As you'll recall, I have been swapping bikes, riding one to the lake
and the other back. It's been 1 month exactly since I rode the V65
down and the project bike back. After returning with the project bike
I found one of the float bowls leaks! :(
As you'll recall, I began this swapping because I was short on garage
space here at the house. Well this morning Gabriel and I cleaned out the
shed and cleared room for a bike maintenance area.
We put the project bike in the shed so we can pull the carbs to repair
the leak. This left a nice empty parking space in the garage so Gabriel
and I took the truck to the lake.
We've loaded/unloaded v4 bikes in my truck now multiple times, so that
we do it now almost without words. And I've noticed each time that
he continues to get stronger. We had the bike loaded and strapped down
in less than 5 minutes, and took off for home.
So next it's carbs out and inspecting the leaky bowl/gasket/etc.
We inspected the gaskets and found once that was pretty
useless. I have heard that these gaskets are only available from Honda
as part of a larger kit, and that they list for $20USD. Being the
cheap SOB that I am, I looked for alternatives. I remembered reading a
a suggestion from Don Bernhard in San Antonio when he had a similiar
problem:
A trip down to AutoZone and I pick up some Permatex(R) "Hylomar HPF" gasket
dressing. Says on the back, "resistant to all automotive fluids, including
gasoline". It's worth a try. US$3.39 and I'm outta there. (I didn't see
any "Gaskacinch" that is mentioned in the FAQ.)
Stopped in to "Pep Boys" and found the same(although no on in the store
*knew* that they actually stocked it when I asked) and took it home
and set out to experiment. I applied it with a toothpick, hoping to keep
the gunk towards the outside of the bowl covers. I debated whether
to do just the carb that I *know* was leaking or do all 4 and decided
that while I had them out, I may as well do all 4.
I let the carbs sit overnight, and the next morning I hooked them up to the fuel
tank, which was sitting on my bench. I used my Mityvac to open the
fuel valve and let the bowls fill with gas. I put a paper towel
underneath the carbs and let them sit for a couple of hours. Success!
I reinstalled the carbs, and for some reason I had a really hard time getting
them seated in the boots. And here I thought I was getting better at putting them back in!
Editor's note: Since this time Tony Donisi has posted an excellent tip for replacing carbs
Since that time the bike has not leaked "any" fluid on the garage floor. I
have come to realize that I look forward to riding it around town as much
or MORE than my v65(Sacrilege!). The lower seating and the lighter weight
make the bike very "maneuverable", which is nice around town.
