cool running

Got out for a run today. 

I needed to get out and check how the adjustments to the carburettor were, as I had re-adjusted the throttle cables after the last run.

Once the bike had warmed up, it was running as sweet as you like. The tick-over is slow and at all throttle settings the engine is pulling well. It's definitely running a lot cooler too.

I'm tempted to replace the tank soon but as that will require me to wire in the speedo and do something about the ignition switch, I will resist that temptation for now and concentrate on getting some miles done.

So, I'm all ready for the first weekend away with the Riders' Club. We're heading down to a pub near Berwick on Tweed for a couple of nights the weekend after next.

weather dependant?

While it was still dry this morning, I headed out to get some fuel. 

After about ten miles the rain started to come on so, as I didn't have any waterproofs on, I headed back home. (I was just out for fuel after all!)

The bike is running well and is pulling a lot better in the lower rev range. It also seems to be running a bit cooler too. The engine just didn't seem as hot when I came back as I would previously expected.

Once I got back and with the engine warmed up I spent a bit of time re-adjusting the idle speed. I managed to sort out the idle speed and it now ticks over slowly but without cutting out. The only thing was that I had to re-adjust the throttle cables as the twist grip felt a bit stiff and wasn't returning at all. Hopefully, that wont have thrown the idle out again.

Next time out should see it right. Just two more weekends before the first weekend away and I would like everything to be just so then.

cosmetics

I'm waiting for a couple of things to come dropping through the letterbox.

One's a front master cylinder cap. I've ordered a Roland Sands "black ops" one. It's two tone black and was a bit more expensive than the Arlen Ness one I was originally looking at. That one was engraved and contrast cut. I much prefer the all black one and I can leave the RSD logo off. It's a way I can get round the issue of having the wrong DOT brake fluid written on the top of the brake (as well as looking good).

The other item is the rear axle cover to replace the one I lost last autumn. 

I'll make sure this one's fastened correctly!

Apart from that, I don't think I'll be out on the bike much this weekend. I'm still suffering, a week after first coming down with the flu and until I get over feeling so weak, will not be going too far from the couch.

F'in flu

Been in bed most of the last four days, including all weekend,  so didn't even manage to get out for fuel never mind fix the idle (yes that's still not right!). 

Going for a decent ride was just out of the question.

is this a test or what?

Some of the guys in the riders' club are planning a "wee" run to the Lake District on Sunday. I'm really tempted but am not too sure if a round trip of 300 miles is a good idea for my first proper run on the bike since the carb conversion.

Or is it just that I'm scared?

sorted

Just been out for a run. After about ten miles there was no sign of the carburettion problems so it looks like the fault was with the vacuum take-off.

Bike's running sweetly now.

another day, trying

I pulled off the carburettor again today to try, once again, to get the choke cable sorted. I've adjusted the outer cable so that it is as short as it can be. I've also moved the bracket to the outside of the coil bracket to give it a straighter run.

Hopefully that will do the trick. It's looking a bit makeshift for now as the screws I had used to hold it all together weren't long enough for the new set-up and I had to do a bodge-up with some allen screws I had lying about and over-size nuts as packing.

The coil is now without the wrinkle black cover so I may look at replacing it with one that look a bit better but as that's purely for cosmetic reasons it can wait and most likely will!

While I had the carb off I noticed in the tuning manual I down-loaded that there is a nozzle for a vacuum petrol tap. This should be blanked off if it's not needed. I hadn't noticed this before so now I have fitted a cap on it, maybe that will make some difference.
Trying to start the bike took a lot out of the battery so I've got it on charge. But, at least while that was getting done I had the time to do an oil and filter change.
I need to get out and ride!