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Big thanks to @Joshua for swinging by, showing me his beautiful bike (which I believe many of you are familiar with!) and helping me get my bike up on the work table. Have my little nook ready for some winter tinkering!Thanks for the tips on rotating the carbs to get the dishes off, worked a treat, and here is what I have. Can I just clean them up with some WD-40? I plan to rebuild them soon, but for now just want to get the bike running, and address the most pressing issues first.image uploaderHere is picture of one of the fuel filters, looks unused. I need to dig deeper into this 'dual-banjo' recommendation I think. Or maybe just get it hooked back up to the tank first and get it running ;-)
"Sophia", the Ambo I rebuilt back over the Winter of '04/'05. Sometimes when carbs aren't too bad, I clean them with a squirt bottle of Super Clean. It's very effective in removing light "varnish" and the squirt bottle will spray through all of the carb passages. That filter has a nice deposit of crud in it, but according to the manufacturer can be "backflushed" to remove it. I usually just replace them.
Stunning bike good sir, I couldn't stop staring at it ;-) I'll pick up some Super Clean, but can I clean the threads and such where there is light rust, with WD40?I'm ordering the dual banjos and carb kits. Trying to figure out the petcocks, can I use these that were original to the bike, or is there a big advantage to the 'upgraded'/later ones?https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=227
Trying to figure out the petcocks, can I use these that were original to the bike, or is there a big advantage to the 'upgraded'/later ones?https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=227
pinesol soaking works well, but don't leave any rubber bits, floats, or slides soaking in there too long. I once soaked carb parts in pinesol for 3-4 days (got distracted) and it pitted the hell out of my slides, had to replace them.
Be wary of that type of in line fuel filter Demet. If you get cheap ones they can snap off where the barb meets the wide end, leaving you with fuel flowing everywhere but into the carb. I prefer a clean tank with good filters at the petcock and carb banjo, and fresh fuel line in between. There are some nice in line filters, but for me they mean four additional junctions to leak, need clamping or complicate repairs. Ben
I also use Berkebile 2+2 Gum Cutter a lot. WD40 really won't do much of anything in my experience. I use my Dremel with a variety of stainless brushes (wheel, cup, end bristle) to clean some of the threaded areas of the carbs. Don't know if you've seen this, but it might help: https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_carburetor_rebuild_-__vhb.htmlPine Sol works really well for cleaning carbs too: https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_carburetor_cleaning_with_pine-sol.htmlI'd recommend replacing the float needles, filter screens and choke valves as well. I wouldn't replace the floats though.
Thanks guys, I will ditch the in-line fuel filters, the 'more potential points of failure' argument works for me. And I think I'm going to go with the old style petcocks: 7efbfca35afb3" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=227:705f217283466678860 7efbfca35afb3These will come with the tank filter? And then I need these filters for the carb?https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1290And do I need this kit to get petcocks properly aligned? 4a18663b8d4d2" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5393:1b9e43c170cd3fc5962 4a18663b8d4d2
I would stick with the petcocks you have at present or another pair of the newer type. The reproduction "sugar cubes" you link to have issues - the seal sometimes turns with the lever and either doesn't turn the flow off or doesn't open it up. The newer types work great, the repros... not so much. The newer type also doesn't need any "alignment shims". You should replace the round filter screens in the carbs. When they get old, brown and hard, you may need more torque on the M6 banjo bolt to get it to seal. New ones are softer, so less torque needed.
Taking off carb I found this rubber bit that apparently funnels air from air filter, is cracked. Can anyone tell me what it is called, part number and/or where I can find one?
OK thanks, I have just read a ton about petcocks, and have sent an email hoping to cancel those 'sugarcube' ones I ordered. I will either buy the updated/newer set from MGCYCLE or try to use the ones I have.But one thing is still unclear to me, the standpipes/filter screens. On the updated ones from MGCYCLE they say:"Note: you must remove the filter screens from the new petcocks prior to use. Ensure that the plastic tube that creates the reserve function is fully seated and secured in the correct hole. In order to ensure that you have adequate fuel filtering, you might inspect the fuel inlet screens (43934000) where your fuel lines attach to your carburetors, and refresh them if necessary."Why are they included if you can't use them? So only fuel filter is the screen at the carb inlet? Might need the in-line filters then?I did find the John Chicoine stainless standpipes (EDIT: filter screens, not standpipes - I guess you still use the plastic tube inside as the standpipe?) on This Old Tractor, which will supposedly work, but why will these work and not the ones that come with the updated petcocks? I could maybe order a set of these, and try them on the petcocks I have (and maybe order a set of those gaskets from the guy referenced as well). If they don't work and/or can't be repaired I could then order the set from MGCCYLE. The ~$130 for a set is giving me pause haha.
The screens are included because they come with the petcocks, you don't use those as they will not fit into the adapters. You do use the standpipe/plastic tube if you want to have any reserve. Where do you see $130 for a set? I see $65.12 for two adapters, two petcocks and four sealing washers. That's all you need for one bike. Since you already have the adapters you do not need the whole kit! You could buy just the petcocks and reuse the adapters.https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=379&products_id=1319https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1320 I have installed a half dozen of the "petcock update kits". I always drill the hole in the adapters slightly larger - the plastic tube can be kinked otherwise. The plastic tube is retained. Since you can't use the strainer screens, a pair of inline filters isn't a bad idea, especially if your tank isn't exactly spotless inside.
Can anyone give me any tips on getting this plastic sleeve out of the carburator body? Or can I leave it's in during Pine Sol soak?I hit it with wd40 but can't see how to move it.
---------------------------I did find the John Chicoine stainless standpipes (EDIT: filter screens, not standpipes - I guess you still use the plastic tube inside as the standpipe?) on This Old Tractor, which will supposedly work, but why will these work and not the ones that come with the updated petcocks? I could maybe order a set of these, and try them on the petcocks I have (and maybe order a set of those gaskets from the guy referenced as well). If they don't work and/or can't be repaired I could then order the set from MGCCYLE. The ~$130 for a set is giving me pause haha.
One carb done and back on bike! Went fairly smoothly I guess, but I'll be surprised if it works lol. Second carb now soaking in Pine Sol. Both of my carbs were missing the jam nut on the choke, as you can se in the picture where my finger is. Do I need it? What does it do? Anyone know what size nut it is? Couldn't find anything at my local Ace, and they laughed when I told them what it was for ;-) Seems like 6mm, and pitch less then 1.0...?
It keeps the adjuster from threading in or out. IIRC, it's M6 x .75 thread. https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=62&products_id=1291