The blue '76

I finally managed to get the fork bolts loose. I did end up making a special tool out of a 10 mm socket, will post a picture tomorrow when it's light. One of the bolts was so tight that even the modified cut-up socket distorted and slipped off the valve, and I had to reinforce it with a piece of copper tubing, McGyver style. Then it finally gave way. All this on the aft deck of our boat that we live on. At one point the socket slipped out of my hand (oily), went off the boat and rolling onto the dock, stopping 6 inches short from the water!
I was able to put in one new seal tonight, and that took a lot of force. But it seems ok, tomorrow the other seal, re-assembling the forks, new dust caps (those look like they are way too tight, but according to the vendor they should go on ok, so long as I warm them up first in direct sunlight or with hot water). Can't wait to ride again finally, hopefully tomorrow, and this time with a functioning front brake.
 
We lived for six months at the big apt complex on Lincoln Blvd at La Tijera while I taught Engineering at LMU (I was on sabbatical in ‘94-‘95). We loved it there - you live in a very pretty spot - but watch the danged traffic.

Cheers,

Pete
 
Hi Pete - yes, it's a nice area here in the marina, walking distance to the beach in Venice, quaint neighbourhoods and all that 'California' including wall murals and many a homeless person. Also very quiet. Living on a boat is also economical compared to renting an apartment or a house in this area. Colorful mix of live-aboard and hide-aboard neighbors. The other day, a bail bonds man left his business cards on the dock bulletin board so he sees us as potential customers.
As for traffic, this is actually the sole reason I started riding motorcycles again when we moved to LA in February. Because, and that is the other reason, lane splitting is accepted here (like it is in most other places in the world), already before our move I had decided to get a motorcycle, well, scooter: a used 2016 BMW C650 Sport I bought in the first week here, with 1,960 miles so practically new. It's very capable, with 60 hp, lots of under-seat storage and no gears, just effortless. The Yamaha is more of a passion, plus I need something to do with my hands when I am not working (which I do with my head all day). I will figure out how to upload Youtube video soon, and will post footage of how my daily commute has me filtering through almost-stationary rows of cars - mile after mile. Hopefully, next week I will be doing so on the Blue '76. Right now I'm just waiting for daylight so I can finish the forks and front brake, the second new fork seal is in the freezer.
 
20181020_080220.jpg Got the bike back together this morning. 1200 grit sandpaper on the inner tubes, to get some flash rust off. Re-assembly with mg McGyver tool, 175 ml of fresh fork oil, new brake pads to replace the oil-saturated old ones. One hick-up was that I must have inadvertently tossed one of the new dust caps because of the mess on my workbench, hum aft boat deck:
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Well the PO had given me a set of gaters with the bike. I didn't want to use them but without the second dust cap I thought it best to at least temporarily go with the gaters.
 
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Here is that special tool I rigged up last night:
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Not the best picture, but hopefully you get the idea. It was invaluable.

I went for a test ride and it was all good, the brake pads needed to 'bed in' and the front brake now actually works, albeit still a bit weak. I think a rebuild is in order, the caliper actually looks new, seems the PO replaced it.
 
Replaced the gas cap rubber gasket, the old one was past it. Also swapped the plugs with iridium ones. Some cleaning up, and here is the result - for now:
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I still need to do a ton of things, including changing oil and filters, check and set valve clearances, ignition dwell and timing, check the coil, charging current, rebuild the petcocks, rebuild the brake master cylinder, replace the clutch cable, and loads more. But for now I am just going to enjoy for a while riding it.
Funny thing was that the new tires I put on last weekend (Dunlop classic somethings) turned out to be much taller than the old, more modern looking ones. Now, when the bike is on its center stand, the rear wheel barely clears the ground. Oh well.
 
Thanks! Yes, the bike stays outside unfortunately. But it hardly ever rains, never gets cold so as long as I clean and polish it from time to time it should be ok. Tomorrow rebuilding the petcocks, that puddle underneath the bike is gas ...
 
Petcocks are a problem for many people unfortunately. The one product I’ve found that will resist fuel and seal leaky petcock o-rings is called Hylomar Blue. It’s made by Rolls Royce and you can buy it online.
 
This morning I adjusted the valves (cold engine) and rebuilt the petcocks. Each valve was just a bit off, not much but mostly too tight, as far as I recall one was a tad loose. It's interesting how so many jobs can be done with the standard toolkit. The petcocks went fine, I think the cause of the fuel leak was actually a loose nipple (the one that the fuel hose to the carburettor attaches to) rather than a leaky seal, but no matter, they should now be good for the coming few decades. There was some crud inside thd petcocks, now gone.
The workbench this morning:
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Good tools make all the difference. I never knew Japan had its own standard for phillips heads, but now I do and had I known back in '76/'77, it would have made working on my 50 cc Yamaha easier.

Went for a long ride this afternoon and it seems like the bike is running a bit better every time. I just ordered progressive rate springs, a new brake master cylinder and some other small things from Heiden Tuning. So I guess I am succumbing to the upgrade idea, as far as the shocks are concerned, the front end just 'floats' a bit too much. I think I will go for the modern regulator/rectifier as well. There is a small oil leak at the bottom fitting of the oil pipe between the cylinders, it seems, I will look into that soon as well. And I really would like to find narrower handlebars soon, to help with lane splitting. I passed the 5,000 mile mark today ...
 
Most people find that these bikes run bettter as you use them more.

That oil pipe is sealed top and bottom (up top there are two 10mm banjo bolts each of which has a washer top and bottom) with simple copper crush washers. Try snugging up the big nut on the bottom fitting - perhaps that will stop the leak and if not, you’ll need a new set of crush washers. You can replace the top crush wasters too - but you’ll need to remove the top engine mount ass’y (an easy job).

Mikes sells a “top end” set inexpensively.
 
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Wow good site Skull ...funny how most is $20 shipping to us here in Aus..two complete carb kits $53AUD!
 
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