Topics

Looks damn nice, not too far from me.

https://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/d/middleton-1976-yamaha-rd400-all-stock/7321553243.html

I have some exhaust pipes that need some work (no 2t content). I've got an oxy/acetylene torch and can braze.

Could a guy braze on an exhaust spring loop? Like muffler can to pipe spring with a bit of tension holding it on.

Just trying to take care of this two minute job myself. I just don't know if braze is strong enough.

I guess I've never seen this discussed before but what do you guys do for reed maintenance?
I've got the Vforce carbon reeds but in general when do you replace?

I'm looking at getting a carby (91-97) Ducati 900ss. My lust just can't be restrained anymore. I'll have to let a bike go unfortunately, I'm a bit Guzzi heavy at the mo, so I think I'm going to pick one.

Anybody have experience with these Ducs?

Looking to upgrade my forks this winter. I'm looking at doing the Racetech Gold Valve Emulators.

Does anybody have instructions for these on R5 forks? I think there was some machining required, but can't remember....

I've been carefully playing with leaning out my midrange. Had the new needle jets in started with the richest clip position and it ran amazing through the 25-75% throttle area, but would still bog pretty bad before the power band even worse than before. So I raised the clip to middle spot on the needle. Fuel was low so I threw it on Reserve and warmed it up good before ripping through the gears. Then I lost power rapidly.... FUCK! Pulled over and it bogged out and died. Wouldn't restart. Finally did, ran like shit died a couple more times on the way home (5 miles or so). Well I've been through a few seizes in my short time with 2ts. I coasted to my shed and tried to restart again kicker seemed soft. Left it for a couple days popped heads off and checked the cylinders. To my surprise they looked great. There were some very minor scratches on the right cylinder so I popped the cylinder off and piston looked new.
The only thing I can surmise is that my aftermarket petcock doesn't flow enough fuel through the reserve filter thing if it's partially plugged.
Hopefully bummer avoided. I should have a test ride this week sometime.

Just sharing my experience...
Cheers

I read somewhere in a Mikuni manual or similar that a step leaner needle jet equals roughly the same as your needle clip on the leanest is the same as the leaner jet on the middle clip.... Wow I worded that terribly.
Let's try this way. P5 jet with the leanest needle clip would be the same as the P4 (leaner) jet with the same needle in the middle clip or there abouts.

Assuming that's true. I have 389 P4s on the leanest needle position the next leaner needle I can find is a P2.

Is this going to be roughly the same fueling at mid clip position?

As much fun as it is to come out of a turn in 4th gear in the power and get that tickle in your tummy as the head shakes and dances barely kissing the pavement. I should probably do something about it. Maybe the factory R5 steering stabilizer does something, I can't tell...
Slowing down? You first.
I can do more with my suspension and don't really want to add an aftermarket stabilizer, but it seems the most logical component.
I've got upgraded fork springs via Racetech and rear suspension is made by Tec if I remember correctly. Fork oil weight gives very little damping (10w?).
Where is my time/money best spent?

Feel free to move this if this doesn't fit the idea of The Speed Shop.

Thanks for any help.

I've been on gearingcommander.com trying to get an idea of what my R5/RD350/400/XS-1 with different sprockets.

Just for the record it's RD350 top end/crank RD400 transmission with XS-1 speedo drive on a XS-1 drum with 18" wheels

I got to thinking with my RD350 crank is this the same gear as the RD400?

I've never seen one like this. I dig it! If it has a title and were closer I'd bite.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/d/randall-1967-suzuki-x6-hustler-20/7161502964.html

I've seen a few a/c bikes on the internet with these little thermistor rings on a little digital display to check head temp I guess.
Do any of you guys use them? Are they useful?

Example

https://www.denniskirk.com/trail-tech/orange-tto-digital-temperature-meter-m16x1-0-screw-sensor-743-es1.p4001096.prd/4001096.sku?utm_source=google&utm_medium=csecid=6821162156&aid=76472566741&keyword=830204666614%3A%3Apla-830204666614&kid=830204666614&gclid=CjwKCAjwr7X4BRA4EiwAUXjbtzB7fG7L-_fMwsc2ZGLvS-CkLeOxbS2Qgd9Kt_kAHAVn2ghpwRK4ABoCSHIQAvD_BwE

I want it, the paint and seat look good if not stock.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/mcy/d/osceola-1969-suzuki-500-titan/7157074634.html

I get mixed info on doing a less than full throttle chop. Seems like pre corn juice days it was standard practice, but these days it might not work?
Here in Sconnie we have pretty wide access to 91 octane ethanol free fuel.

Is a 1/2 throttle chop do-able?

I feel a bit petty even asking this.

Is it recommended to trim up the base gasket around the transfer ports? On my Dr Q cylinders it hangs in the breeze a bit.

It looks like the curve on the HPI CPU is programmable. Has anybody ever tried messing with it?

Looks like it's a few $ to get the equipment, is it worth it?

I'm sure it's been discussed but I couldn't find anything. Does anybody have any long term experience with a tank sealer they could recommend?

I've heard good things about POR-15 and redkote, alternatively Kreem not so much...

I had a sweet low speed seize last week. I finally got the resolve to look into it. It turns out the tiny tension pin that holds the adjustment plate popped out. I happened to have a new one from a steering stabilizer kit kicking around and popped it in with a tiny drop of loctite retaining compound. Every thing moves correct and I can't pull it out with a little effort.

Kind of a bummer, but such is life.

You guys have any tricks to holding these things in place?


BTW I did a quick compression test and looks like I didn't lose much. So I'm running it.

I'm a bit of a fetishist with bikes. If we weren't in the middle of a pandemic I'd love to own this weirdo.

Anybody ever ride one?

https://quadcities.craigslist.org/mcy/d/west-des-moines-1972-benelli-250-2c/7106981132.html

I've had this annoying issue on my R5 since I've had it. The clutch pull is pretty brutal, like it can't be right. I'm a blue collar guy that uses my hands all day and this thing wears me out in a few miles. My 10 spring Guzzi cable clutch is a breeze next to this thing.
The problem is the same with a new bushing, lever, NOS cable, OEM springs, slightly under spec original springs, the current 50/50 OEM and HD RD400 springs, 350 and current 400 basket and two different cable routes.
I've got the R5 clutch perch and CB400f bars (narrow with a very slight rise) which I'd like to keep.
My current cable route is between the gauges to the right of the headstock and crossover gently to the left side.
What am I left with? How do you guys route your cable?

I'm not in market or anything (unfortunately) but if a guy was going to go for a gnarly wild street machine what would be a better starting point. RZ or LC?

Money is no object.