I guess the rubber "plug" is actually a "cap" . If so, a short piece of good quality fuel hose, and a suitable metal plug may be the better option. For example an aluminium rivet or similar.
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Reunited with XS650SH
- Thread starter jetmechmarty
- Start date
Probably so. I had another new aftermarket cap on hand. It should work for a little while.
I’ve put 4,000 miles on this bike since I put it in service. 300 miles last Sunday. 150 miles today. Pulling into the garage today, I hear a suspicious rattle. I’m going to have to investigate the possibility the the plastic came off of the cam chain guide.
I have used fuel hose and a tight fitting screw ..Rotating it in ..Perhaps Some wire or hose clamp .. dont recall if any chemical was used . It is a working solution
Going back to your posts from last year, did you get the petcock outlet re-angled? And if you up the mains one size to a 135, the bike will be much happier, may even put some color on your plugs. If not, reduce the air jets a size or two, that's very good for "tuning" the height of the smoke ring.
I’m assuming you mean me. Yes, I’m still running the aftermarket petcock. I acquired shims and have the outlet exactly where I want it.
I believe the main jet is 135. I believe I also reduced the air jet by one size. Since I don’t take notes, it’s hard to know exactly what I did to what bike. The plugs may have a little more color than I’d like. I just did a bunch of road miles at 55-60 mph. I calculated 51 mpg.
I just went out in the garage and fired it up. It’s quite. There is a rattle I silenced by grabbing the handlebar. Maybe I was hearing that. I’m going to have to get the oil good and hot then have another listen. I think I’ll head over to the local juke joint this afternoon. Yeah. That’s the ticket! The odometer says this is my favorite bike. I just took delivery of another handlebar that slightly changes the angle of my wrist.
With several bikes, I have to write stuff down or I'd never remember which bike I did what to, and when, lol. How do you know when it's time for an oil change?
I made up some "Maintenance Log" sheets on my computer that I can print out. I have a 3 ring binder set up for each bike .....
Here they are in PDF format if you'd like to download and print some out .....
I made up some "Maintenance Log" sheets on my computer that I can print out. I have a 3 ring binder set up for each bike .....
Here they are in PDF format if you'd like to download and print some out .....
I copied these and printed a stack two or three months ago. Even my lawnmower has one. The stack is on a clipboard hanging on the garage wall. @5twins, I thank you. People like me really need people like you!
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OK, the trick now is to use them, lol. I'm pretty good using mine but I do occasionally forget to make entries after doing something to one of the bikes.
Funny you mention this. I just received a newfangled label maker from amazon...I'm going to start labeling my odometers for oil change mileages and near my tires for pressures, etc...
I get really tired of referencing and looking it up on all the different items so the at a glance labels should help...key word, should.
Interesting to see these last few comments. I keep an old exercise book where I log everything I do to the Virago. I thought I would be able to remember everything but that's just not the case. I keep the log book next to the bike with a pen. When I change the oil I make a record and quickly calculate when the next is due. I originally got into this habit with the XS650SH.
The log book is an excellent Idea . Maybe the tech section.
I am poor at that .And end up forgetting what I have done.
When it comes to oil I write the date and mileage on the jug With a felt pen .. When Buying and changing So some track there
And in the wall calendar when change and mileage.
I am poor at that .And end up forgetting what I have done.
When it comes to oil I write the date and mileage on the jug With a felt pen .. When Buying and changing So some track there
And in the wall calendar when change and mileage.
The Red Bike bike gets oil change when the odometer approaches xx.999 miles and the Blue Tracker when it approaches xx.500 miles. Easy peazy... I am not organized like many of fellows are. 
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I just plugged that GN250 TCI box and gave it a 30 mile run. On the lift, the advance looked weak with my timing light. On the road it could possibly come on later, but seat of the pants, it’s hard to tell if it’s any different than the stock TCI. It’s good to know I have a good spare.
