Last time I worked on the project, I had swapped the engine into the frame, and stopped there.
Saturday, 2/24/01 I went to work installing the exhaust. I ended up having to do and undo some things, as I had forgotten the 'correct' order of assembly. By the end of the day I had the exhaust on, the radiator filled with coolant, and the engine filled with oil. I poured some two stroke oil down the open spark plug holes and went to 'blip' the throttle to make sure the first time the engine turned over it wouldn't be totally devoid of oil.
When I pushed the starter button NOTHING HAPPENED. :(
I started debugging what was going on, and got nowhere fast - I must have something disconnected or something's not working.
It got to be late in the afternoon, and it was a beautiful February day in texas, so I did theonly thing I knew would bring satisfaction - I cleaned up and took a ride. Having multiple bikes ROCKS!
2/27/01 - I spent some time going over the wiring diagram and the clymer manual procedures. I determined that I *must* have a problem with my clutch switch and that I wasn't in neutral. Tonight while President GWB spoke on tv, I spent time in the shed - sure enough, I wasn't in neutral. Soon as I played around and found neutral, I was able to blip the starter. Of course it's raining out, and I want the bike to be outside the shed when I actually try to start it, so I'm at the mercy of Texas weather patterns.
3/1/01 - At lunchtime today I was out running an errand and it stopped raining, and the sun actually peaked thru the clouds! I was so excited that I drove straight home. Pulled the v30 out of the shed, filled the floats with gas, sprayed a quick spritz of starter fluid in the airbox and pushed the starter button. After just a couple of seconds, it started. Woo Hoo! I only let it run a second or two, then shut it off. It looks like I've got at least one leaky float bowl :(
But it runs!!!
3/4/01 - Well it runs, but the fuel pump is bad :(.
Fortunately I had a spare fuel pump - I *think* it's from a V65 sabre. The pumps are close but not the same shape. I decided to go looking for a v30 pump, but use this one 'til I find the real deal. The routing and shape of the fuel hoses I had to use is suboptimal, but then so is my front tire. I'll order a new one while I'm looking for a fuel pump. Once the tire and pump are replaced I should be able to move the bike into my rotation, which will now number 4 bikes. That's at least one too many for my taste, so since I own two v45 sabres, I guess one of them is for sale. llllll
3/31/01 - I took the bike in to be state inspected. It passed ok. I've located a new (used) v30 fuel pump and put it in place. Used some aftermarket fuel line, but later found a good stock line as well. I've begun riding the bike more and I must say the more I ride it, the more I like it. 500cc's is less than half of my V65's 1100cc's but it sure doesn't feel like it has less than half the power. I guess the weight difference offsets that smaller engine size.
4/12/01 - The cooling fan on the bike may have to be replaced, or something is in the way of the blades, because it came on for the first time today and made quite a little noise. Fortunately I think I have the radiator/fan assembly off the parts v30.
9/25/01 - The bike has finally revealed it's name - Rascal. From the american heritage dictionary:rascal
SYLLABICATION: ras�cal
PRONUNCIATION: RAS-kull
NOUN: 1. One that is playfully mischievous.
There is no other word for this bike - it's fun every time I get on it, and it definitely leads me into mischief!