Good Day

[britman]

Warm Virginia day at the end of October, I should have been riding but decided to work instead.  Washed the car and truck, cut grass and trimmed, wiped all the girls down and somewhat cleaned the garage.  Several very cold and frosty adult beverages were involved in the process.  Last shot of the evening before calling it a night.  Snowflake the Bassa is heading out for a long ride in the am..........  Just a damn fine day............

[JJ]

Very nice Man Cave and collection of bikes!!!  Enjoy!  :1:

[Bill Hagan]

Yes, very nice shop and harem.

Where might you be heading tomorrow?

I ran into Pennsylvania today to visit Cannon John near Hollidaysburg; a grand ride.  Only 210 or so, but the right kind of roads the whole way.

See, e.g. ...





Tomorrow, was headed up that way again to try a road I'd not done before that John recommended (Sipes Mill Road, Pa. SR 4001+, from vic. Breezewood to vic. Needmore. 





As I had a late start this too-crisp-for-me morning (34F!), was going to run out of daylight this afternoon, so did the rare prudent thing and came on home.   

That said, might save Sipes for another day and swing south if you were heading generally north.  Maybe meet for lunch to bench race?

Let me know here or PM.

One of our daughters is a MWC (we decline to say MWU  ) grad, so generally familiar with that part of the Commonwealth.

If not tomorrow, consider a swing up to the Moto Grappa (Cross Junction, Va.) sometime.

Bill

[radguzzi]

Nice Brit,am,
Is that a '66-ish Triumph and a 550 Honda...?  Two of my very favorites having owned many of each, oh and nice Bassa.  Love the garage.

Bill,
Nice rip there Sport.

Glad you guys are getting out...

We are preparing for a different season up here...    I had a fb post from a buddy down in Symrna, Tenn that was on a single track and general trail ride today too on the KTM.   

You guys are killin' me.

Have fun.
Rob

[Lannis]

Frustrating day for me.

Got my MkIII Commando back together after installing new shocks, new oil pump and anti-sumping valve, new electronic ignition.   Was running perfectly but it was time to do the upgrades.

Started it up and it will now only run on full choke.    Took the pilot screws out and ran the requisite #78 drill bit up into the pilot passages in case there was varnish in the passages from that &*(#* ethanol "fuel", put it back and still won't run without the chokes all the way down.

So all the stuff I DID works fine - now there's something new, so back off with that pain-in-the-butt Interstate tank, off with the pain-in-the-butt airbox outlets, off with the impossible to reach carb screws, and apart with the carbs, I suppose.

I guess it's worth it.

Lannis

[Bill Hagan]

Frustrating day for me.

Got my MkIII Commando back together after installing new shocks, new oil pump and anti-sumping valve, new electronic ignition.   Was running perfectly but it was time to do the upgrades.

Started it up and it will now only run on full choke.    Took the pilot screws out and ran the requisite #78 drill bit up into the pilot passages in case there was varnish in the passages from that &*(#* ethanol "fuel", put it back and still won't run without the chokes all the way down.

So all the stuff I DID works fine - now there's something new, so back off with that pain-in-the-butt Interstate tank, off with the pain-in-the-butt airbox outlets, off with the impossible to reach carb screws, and apart with the carbs, I suppose.

I guess it's worth it.

Lannis

It's so terribly tempting to muse about the possible nexus between your woes and the sign's message in my pic ...





 

But, I do wonder what you were thinking when you chose -- as did the OP -- to spend this rare day inside working on a broken machine instead of on the road aboard a working one.   

Good luck with the fix. Carbs will always be a mystery to me.

Bill

[lucydad2]

bm,

Looking good!  Snowflake suits.  Hmm, confirms I have room for at least one more bike in my single cave.  Hot Rod Triumph getting the church run tomorrow bright and early.  Virginia Appalachians:  reminds me of Stonewall Jackson's campaign.  Flummoxed the blue bellies with great strategy and tactics.  Old geology there, Pangea.

[Chuck in Indiana]

So all the stuff I DID works fine - now there's something new, so back off with that pain-in-the-butt Interstate tank, off with the pain-in-the-butt airbox outlets, off with the impossible to reach carb screws, and apart with the carbs, I suppose.

"most carb problems are ignition." 

[Sheepdog]

My day was a great deal like yours, Britman. The wife and I spent the morning gathering mulch and tending to gardens and young trees. After lunch, I was off to my shop to continue the restoration of our tractor rake (just waiting for the new tires to arrive now). While I was there, the clean towels, spray detailer, wax, and glass cleaner came out and the Vintage was shined up a bit.  A satisfying and productive day.

I'm still waiting for a replacement fuel line for my Hinckley Bonneville. I'm having to replace everything from the tank to the carburetor, my third fuel system ravaged by E10 despite careful use of the petcock. You should see what it did to the fuel level float on my 4-wheeler...

[blackcat]

Frustrating day for me.

Got my MkIII Commando back together after installing new shocks, new oil pump and anti-sumping valve, new electronic ignition.   Was running perfectly but it was time to do the upgrades.


Lannis

Not that I need to say this but be careful with that valve.

[britman]

Bill,

I appreciate the offer but I am going to spend the morning running some local back roads and after a hundred miles or so stop at at Caledon State Park in King George Va. I haven't really tested the Bassa on some curves yet and I will certainly keep you invitation in mind when there is more time.  Caledon is my happy place, miles of trails with some leading down to the Potomac and all through virgin old growth forests.  My Wife will be going in shortly for a total knee replacement so I have lost my walking buddy, although it does mean there is total peace and quiet while you enjoy the beauty.  (Yes I told her I posted that.)  Sounds as if you enjoy Civil War history, then you must be familiar with the area around Fredericksburg.  Sadly many of the sites are now developed as growth here continues to spiral out of control.  Ride down anytime, there is always a cold beverage in the garage frig...

Sheepdog, I use Star Tron in all of my bikes to combat the effects of the alcohol.  Wait until the 15 starts to hit, then the fun will really begin......

   

[Lannis]

Not that I need to say this but be careful with that valve.

That's a very good point.   I'm particularly sensitive to it because I destroyed a perfectly good BSA 650 engine by putting a check valve, meant to control at-rest wet-sumping, in the input line to the oil pump.

These things are sold by the thousands, and many folks say "I'VE never had a problem, so it must be OK".   But any hydraulic engineer (and non hydraulic engineers like myself who had to learn the hard way) knows to NEVER put a check valve in the inlet side of a suction pump.

In this case, on the MkIII Norton, this is an upgrade to the stock Norton anti-sumping valve introduced on the MkIII, which is NOT on the inlet site of the oil pump, but on the outlet side, built into the timing cover.   The Norton design has a little bucket-shaped cylinder seating against a metal surface - the "AMR-Tuscon" modification has a ball and a little rubber seal, along with hand-lapping of the oil pump gears, which really works.   Months can go by and not a DROP of oil gets out of the tank; and no fears about losing suction or blocking flow .....

Lannis

[Lannis]

"most carb problems are ignition." 

Very true, and especially suspicious since I didn't fiddle with the carbs, but DID remove the points and replace them with an EI (although the auto-advance unit was new, with new springs and working slick when it was in my hand, it would not pull the ignition cam back to "retard" in a timely manner when running, and I eventually gave up on it).

However, the way the symptoms are coming out, it just about has to be fuel.   I'll make a little video and post it on another thread.

Lannis

[blackcat]

That's a very good point.   I'm particularly sensitive to it because I destroyed a perfectly good BSA 650 engine by putting a check valve, meant to control at-rest wet-sumping, in the input line to the oil pump.

These things are sold by the thousands, and many folks say "I'VE never had a problem, so it must be OK".   But any hydraulic engineer (and non hydraulic engineers like myself who had to learn the hard way) knows to NEVER put a check valve in the inlet side of a suction pump.

In this case, on the MkIII Norton, this is an upgrade to the stock Norton anti-sumping valve introduced on the MkIII, which is NOT on the inlet site of the oil pump, but on the outlet side, built into the timing cover.   The Norton design has a little bucket-shaped cylinder seating against a metal surface - the "AMR-Tuscon" modification has a ball and a little rubber seal, along with hand-lapping of the oil pump gears, which really works.   Months can go by and not a DROP of oil gets out of the tank; and no fears about losing suction or blocking flow .....

Lannis

Good to know, wonder if I can put that on my 68 Norton? One of these days I've got to put that bike back together......

[Mr Pootle]

It's a nice day for riding over here today. I had to drop some papers off with a friend about 25 miles away, and decided to take them by bike. I usually avoid motorways, but the M1 between Leeds and Wakefield was pretty quiet, so I had the chance to open the V7II up. She cruises nicely at 80mph, with no vibration, and there's plenty left after 90, but by then I'd hit traffic, so couldn't touch the ton.
That collection of bikes looks good. I wish I had room to house something like that. I'd never have got rid of the Velo MSS. But I must be a little critical. Not only is the Union flag on its end, it's also back to front.

[kfz]

How do you have such tidy garages.  Always have 10 projects on the go, Couple of outboards, a spare engine. Another bike hanging from ceiling, Kids bikes, scooters......

[Lannis]

Good to know, wonder if I can put that on my 68 Norton? One of these days I've got to put that bike back together......

Check with "AMR" (Alternative Motorcycle Repair) - they can do it "on any Norton twin", so says their website.   Excellent work and only about $80 for the basic job, I think ....

Lannis

[blackcat]

Check with "AMR" (Alternative Motorcycle Repair) - they can do it "on any Norton twin", so says their website.   Excellent work and only about $80 for the basic job, I think ....

Lannis

Lannis, Thanks.

Always hated that feeling when you kick the starter and quickly realize it has all the oil in the sump, but was always afraid of the valve alternative.

[Lannis]

But, I do wonder what you were thinking when you chose -- as did the OP -- to spend this rare day inside working on a broken machine instead of on the road aboard a working one.   

Good luck with the fix. Carbs will always be a mystery to me.

Bill

Well, if my wickedness in wasting 80-degree riding days is bringing me to judgment when I work on bikes ...

... I'm really in trouble when a nice riding day like today turns out to be Apple Butter Making Day at my house.   

Snitting a bushel of Golden Delicious apples, then cooking them up (stirring constantly) in a copper kettle for 6 - 7 hours, then putting up 26 pints of apple butter in a hot-water-bath canner ... well, that sort of knocks a hole in one's riding day.

But it has to be done.   Tradition demands it.   And the result is worth it!

Lannis

[Tom]

How do you have such tidy garages.  Always have 10 projects on the go, Couple of outboards, a spare engine. Another bike hanging from ceiling, Kids bikes, scooters......

I have the same problem.  The garage is full and primarily used for storage.  I have to do any work in the carport in front of the garage or the patio.  I'm luck that the Boss puts up with me. 

[Bill Hagan]

Well, if my wickedness in wasting 80-degree riding days is bringing me to judgment when I work on bikes ...

... I'm really in trouble when a nice riding day like today turns out to be Apple Butter Making Day at my house.   

Snitting a bushel of Golden Delicious apples, then cooking them up (stirring constantly) in a copper kettle for 6 - 7 hours, then putting up 26 pints of apple butter in a hot-water-bath canner ... well, that sort of knocks a hole in one's riding day.

But it has to be done.   Tradition demands it.   And the result is worth it!

Lannis

What a great word, that: snitting. 

Have not heard for years (as in decades) and, regrettably, of late, it has other, less pleasant, meanings. 

But I prefer your context: https://plus.google.com/106248485136951015330/posts/ETip6bG766A

Bill,

I appreciate the offer but I am going to spend the morning running some local back roads and after a hundred miles or so stop at at Caledon State Park in King George Va. I haven't really tested the Bassa on some curves yet and I will certainly keep you invitation in mind when there is more time.  Caledon is my happy place, miles of trails with some leading down to the Potomac and all through virgin old growth forests.  My Wife will be going in shortly for a total knee replacement so I have lost my walking buddy, although it does mean there is total peace and quiet while you enjoy the beauty.  (Yes I told her I posted that.)  Sounds as if you enjoy Civil War history, then you must be familiar with the area around Fredericksburg.  Sadly many of the sites are now developed as growth here continues to spiral out of control.  Ride down anytime, there is always a cold beverage in the garage frig...

Sheepdog, I use Star Tron in all of my bikes to combat the effects of the alcohol.  Wait until the 15 starts to hit, then the fun will really begin......

 

No problem; figured.  Hope your ride turned out well.  And best wishes to your bride on that surgery.  It’s in my future, too.

I did another 200 leaning miles in Va., Md., W.V., and Penn.  Gorgeous. 

One of my trip reports with too many words and too many pix to follow, of course, but here’s one ’til then.   

Anyone know where that is?





Bill

[Lannis]

What a great word, that: snitting. 

Have not heard for years (as in decades) and, regrettably, of late, it has other, less pleasant, meanings. 

But I prefer your context: https://plus.google.com/106248485136951015330/posts/ETip6bG766A

No problem; figured.  Hope your ride turned out well.  And best wishes to your bride on that surgery.  It�s in my future, too.

I did another 200 leaning miles in Va., Md., W.V., and Penn.  Gorgeous. 

One of my trip reports with too many words and too many pix to follow, of course, but here�s one �til then.   

Anyone know where that is?





Bill

Not for sure exactly, but it looks like the country just north of where we had the MD/DC Guzzi Rally, maybe Buck Ridge or Pine Ridge above the Black Valley.   There are so many nice valleys like that that unless you're from there, you can't tell the difference ....

Lannis

[Bill Hagan]

Not for sure exactly, but it looks like the country just north of where we had the MD/DC Guzzi Rally, maybe Buck Ridge or Pine Ridge above the Black Valley.   There are so many nice valleys like that that unless you're from there, you can't tell the difference ....

Lannis

Well done, Sir!  Black Valley.

And, while all such valleys and ridge lines are endearing, as with all twins, triplets, and more, sometime hard for all but doting moms & dads to tell apart. 

Here are the pix and captions I threatened.

Scroll through or go to full screen, slideshow mode.

http://tinyurl.com/GRiSO-in-Pa-Oct-2016

Bill