Thanks, Mailman. I'm very much looking forward to your thread as soon as yours arrives home from Colorado.
My Stella and I have been racking up the commuting miles over the last two weeks, 850 since purchase, so here's an update.
With a crazy work schedule, I haven't had too much time to work on her and I had no luck here in town finding a properly sized clamp for the carb boots. So I've been running her in the condition I last reported: freshly cleaned carbs, new genuine stock jets, mix screw 3/4 turn out from spec to help get rid of some decel pop, synced, but not dialed in for mix per cylinder.
She can hold a steady 1200 rpm idle, but dies too often for my taste upon med/fast decel to a stop or R turn. Raising idle to 1500 reduces the chance for stalling. But, sometimes the idle changes every time I stop. I may set it at 15, and the next time I stop it's at 18. Next time, it's back at 15. I've stopped adjusting it everytime I come to stop and have given up on keeping the idle at 1200. Setting it at 1400 puts it in the 12-1800 range and keeps stalls at bay. I've got 'BS38 carb clamps' coming in the mail from Mike's and will start back up with dialing in those carbs once the boots are tight.
I'm going to measure my actual rolling distance, but my RPM:mph doesn't match Pamcopete's excel spreadsheet by ~300 based on the stock 18" wheel. In 5th, with a 18/34 sprocket set on a 18" wheel, I'm running ~4000rpm at 55mph. ~5000 at 70. That's on a non-stock 120/90 tire, and I understand the tach mechanism is less than accurate.
She's running very smooth, almost imperceptible vibration 45-6000. I actually feel more vibe at 35-4000, but it feels good. When I was first looking to upgrade from my 150cc, I was reading up on Enfields. Those guys spoke about cruising at a speed where there was a bit of 'space between thumps'. I imagine that is akin to what I feel at lower rpm. It's like I can feel the pulse of the motor.
Ive got an appointment with 'rontheseatmaker' on Monday to make a plan for my new seat. He advertises on Craigslist and Facebook, but I first heard of him from the local chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Association. I'm going to have him build a straight dual seat with subtle shaping on my stock pan a la the early XS's or the classic Brits it's based on. Not sure yet if I'll go for the stock XS lengthwise stitching, horizontal bars, or a daimond pattern. Probably the lengthwise stitch. I've got the original chrome trim that I'll have him use, but opting for no cross strap. For this Sonoran sun, UV-resistant marine vinyl. ~$200 delivered. Any thoughts, comments, warnings, questions to ask of the seat maker?
Also on Monday, I'm going to give MMM a call and get some rear shocks going. I've gone for the 'better' options when talking about tires, brakes, lights, etc., but SWMBO is starting to ask where I am on budget and I loathe to expend all political capital. So, it looks like Progressive 412s may be the ticket here. My research shows it as the 'good' option; tons better than the shot originals, but not nearly as good as other options such as Ikon or Hagon. On this one, serviceable must be good enough, I fear.
Also on the subject of suspension, I have a consistent fork shake upon take off. Less when taking off after a very easy stop. I'm thinking it may be a sticktion thing as it happens when the suspension shifts rearward and the fork extends. I haven't yet dealt with the front suspension at all, and a fork oil change is most definitely in the works for the coming week. A PO installed Progressive springs, but I'm not sure what's in there beyond that.
Also in the works is a newly manufactured Craven L rack. Newly made and shipped across the pond with mounting hardware, it's less expensive than the vintage examples I've found on eBay. But at this time, I'm going to hold off on the matching panniers due to the aforementioned budget. Besides, I had planned on keeping them attached to the bike for general use and having been cautioned against running them empty, (5twins again) I fear fiberglass bags might not be best for me. They sure are pretty, though. I may buy some of their mounting hardware (they've got individual parts available for restorations) and build some plywood boxes. Something basic, clean, and classy in which to throw a few bags of groceries.
So here we are. Running well for the most part, carbs to tune as soon as the boots are tight, seat to be commissioned, rear shocks to be replaced, cargo to be solved. It'll be a good week.
One last thing:
If the warm personal feelings of ownership along with diy garage work weren't enough, I can't go anywhere without some stranger commenting on this machine.
'Nice bike!' yelled out of windows while at stoplights. 'I used to have one just like it!' with facial expressions of youthful memories and sellers' remorse. My favorite: 'I miss my bike more than my house, and you've got a real nice one' from a member of our homeless population.
I never before understood the draw of vehicular hobbies. Vehicles were a tool to get here and there. Then I started wrenching on this one.