5twins's latest activity

You need a richer mix when the engine is cold, that's what the choke is for. If it's doing this with the choke on then maybe the chokes...

The BS38 float pins are a very loose fit in the pivot posts. If it's stuck, it's most likely due to gas varnish. So, maybe try some carb...

The BS34s were pretty E.P.A. strangled so like more. On a stock bike, somewhere in the 3 to 3.5 turns out range is usually needed. If...

Well, maybe do something like this to the angle bracket ..... Take care trying to get that float pin out so you don't break a post...

I get slightly smaller (11mm to 1/2") used Yamaha MCs off eBay for cheap (less than $20 to $25). The quality is high so normally all...

That carb set currently on the bike is a later, linked set, from a '76-'77 model by the looks of it. It is missing the lower angle...

You can remove old, stuck on gaskets with paint stripper. It softens them up and makes them easy to scrape off without damaging the...

The hot set-up is to acquire another sump plate (eBay). Then you can have a clean filter and plate assembly ready to swap in when you do...

Yes, the two bolts that hold the caliper BRACKET to the forks. You can break the single bolt loose that holds the caliper to the bracket...

The other nice thing about that gasket set is the head gasket is the same thickness as an original, not thicker like the Athena one. I...

Yes, the battery in these is rather small and doesn't hold much reserve power. Sustained cranking will run it down quickly, especially...

Well yes, kinda, lol. I tried some from Honda VT600C rebuild kits I got for a song off Craigslist. They fit and worked OK so I ordered...

It's best to use factory float needles and seats. The aftermarket ones are "hit and miss" on quality, so much so that my dealer won't...

The headlight shouldn't come on until the bike is running so something is wired wrong. My buddy got a new harness for his '80 SPII from...

They are absolutely wonderful. Oil them up first before install.

I have both but haven't used the solid copper ones much yet. The crush washers usually give me 3 or 4 uses before they're in need of...

You said your HF vacuum pump wasn't doing anything, but how were you using it? My Mityvac has a pressure gauge on it, and I think the HF...

Like Wingedwheel, I have had to replace hardly any brake parts, just a good and thorough cleaning is all most needed. I've had a Mityvac...

This is for a '78-'79 BS38 carb set I presume? A better size choice for the mix screws is a 1.3mm x 2.5mm .....

The best thing you can do with that sidestand switch is eliminate it, lol. Due to it's location under the bike, it's subjected to water...

I think you "tune" straight pipes by altering the length. You start with a long pipe and cut one inch at a time off it until you find...

Is the lever adjuster screw on your front brake lever tight enough? You want only a very small gap between the end of the screw and the...

I don't think so? I think all the sump plate bolt holes are blind? That means no oil could leak out of them unless the section of gasket...

Washers of any kind aren't used or called for on the sump plate bolts .....

I know the original spoke nipples have washers on them but I never use any on new spokes. I've never had an issue because I didn't. And...

Yes, the guide hangs out both the top and bottom and should be centered at both ends before the jugs go on .....

When you installed it, did you center it in the tunnel, checking both the top and bottom? This is important and often isn't done. If not...

You have to remove the caliper bracket from the forks, then flip it around and take that little Phillips screw out of the back. Then the...

As far as the gearing change goes, I know it probably seems like a tooth isn't going to make much difference, but it really does. The...

Just Google "DID 530 Drive Chain", you'll get lots of hits, like this one ...

Well, these bikes benefit greatly from a gearing change, but only a small one. Leave the front sprocket stock (at 17T) and just go down...

Pretty much all the service and parts manuals are available for free download from the XSCafe here ...

As far as chains go, this bike barely makes 50HP so I don't think an expensive o-ring chain is needed. Just a quality standard chain...

Yes, the speedo drive. It acts as both the dust cover and axle spacer on that side of the wheel ..... The unit pictured above is...

Yes, I invested in a bunch of good brand name ones (Littelfuse), not too expensive from eBay ..... https://www.ebay.com/itm/166329437338

Any carb set will fit any engine. Personally, I prefer the later linked sets, either BS38s or BS34s.

Time to check the head bolt and nut torques again too. You need to do this several times after a rebuild in the first thousand miles or...

I've got an '83 as well that I brought back from the dead. It was parked a good dozen years and yes, some of that time was in a barn...

Yes, K&N filters will last many, many years if properly cared for. Use the right stuff, the K&N cleaner and the K&N oil. Most auto parts...

Yes, it's steel. I was hoping it would be chromed, but no such luck, lol, just cad plated by the looks of it.

Is that a replacement from Mike's? If so, they're known for doing that, lol.

Well, that sounds much better, lol. This is a rather crude old motor design so it will never be as quiet or smooth as a newer bike...

The sump plate on the bottom of the engine is most likely stuck on too, lol. That one is pretty easy to knock free with a block of...

Let's move on to something else ..... I see you already have a replacement MC. One with a slightly smaller bore than the 14mm original...

Well, the charging system really doesn't have any effect on that, it's the size of the battery. The stock battery isn't real big so it...

This bike being so old, you need to go through all the wiring, cleaning and checking all the connections and checking for any rubbed...

If it really is a 1980 model then it looks like someone swapped on an older set of BS38 carbs, a '78-'79 set from the looks of them. No...

I plan on trying something similar soon but instead, I'm going to "gut" the original fuse box and hopefully fit the new blade fuses in...

I think you mean 2" Roloc discs? By red I think you mean what they call maroon, a medium grit equivalent to 150 grit paper ..... You...