oh yeah!

 

That is looking sweet....

 

Glad to see the improvement! When is that front tire supposed to come in? Have you tried weighing it yet without it?

 

The front tire should be here any day now. I will probably just wait to weigh it until then. Got ants in my pants to finish this thing.

 

I could use a little help... I can get the bike started but it won't stay running. I can start with choke and some throttle it will run for a second or two then die. I previously had the bike running for a few minutes prior to taking everything apart for the build. That was after I had cleaned the carbs. Now I didn't touch the carbs since and cannot get it to idle. Any ideas. All four carbs are getting gas. I haven't checked the points, but like I said before it ran well before I tore down for paint. Number 4 cylinder sometimes after it dies blows a little bit of smoke back out through the intake. Frustrating, help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

Check the plugs to see if it is fouling out. Also, if the bike has points and they are closed up then you should take care of that first. If the bike ran well before I would start with the simple stuff, ground connections, plug wires, correct plugs (as well as correct gap), properly set points, etc.
Have you tried bumping up the idle air adjustment to see if it will stay running?

 

Cornandp,
We have seen on multiple occasions where carbs that we have cleaned have sat and the residue, however little it may seem, from the cleaners clogged the rediculously small pilots that honda uses. I would suggest that as a start point. We were also drilling almost all late 70's and all 80's bikes to an #80 drill for the pilots. We than could use the fuel screw to adjust the running. To follow up, I would check the points.

 

It was as you said auto, the residue had gunked up 3 of the 4 carbs. Now she runs great, only problem is an idle that stays to high and hesitates to come down. Too lean so I will need to either drill it like you said or find larger ones.

 

I only know because we clean so many carbs. If we have a bike that needs engine work along with carb cleaning, it is worthless to fill in the time of waiting for parts with cleaning the carbs as they gum up within a few days.

As for drilling, you can get the little drills at the hardware store. #80 and go to 3 turns, that should be pretty good. Where are you for turns now? 3.5-4? I would have to suspect with your exhaust and the uni/K&N filters that you are already at that point. Turns past this will result in no additional fuel, and lost fuel screws.

Good Luck, and keep me updated.

 

Thanks for the info auto, I will keep you updated as I come accross issues, since I haven't riden it yet I will know more in a week or two. I am planning on getting it put back together tomorrow since my front tire came in. I will have a better video of it for tomorrow as well. I may have trouble sleeping tonight...

 

I bet, some of the guys on here are going to have a hard time sleeping knowing that tomorrow this beast will be ready.

 

I just checked his 10-day forecast. All rain, everyday, welcome to Oregon. Don't bet this bitch on wet tar.

 

I am definitely in the lose sleep category as I've had the chance to be up close and personal with this project. The sound alone drives me nuts. I've suggested that he call it the TOMAHAWK 500.

 

that exhaust sounds good!

 

I will ride her even if its it only the distance of the shop, maybe I will get lucky and it won't rain.

Tomahawk is too manly... I will give her a name once one comes to me (usually after a bit of riding). Just look at bootleg, took him 12k miles to come up with a name for his bike.

 

today was a good day here in Oregon... i pulled the stands & put a few miles on the 'hawk.

btw: i've never understood the 'naming' your bike thing ???


tim

 

I wouldn't name a lightly modified street bike, but a custom job lice cornandp has deserves a name. Could you call it a CB500? If someone asked you what it was, would it be considered a Honda? I would have a hard time calling it a Honda CB500, it doesn't do the amount of work justice. Would I name my superhawk?, absolutely not.

 

The naming thing for me is because with some bikes you have more of a connection. We name boats and the likes, so I don't find it too weird. Anyways, just wanted to report back. The weight of the bike is... 363 lbs dry for a total drop in weight of 40 lbs. Not too bad on a bike that was pretty basic to begin with. The wheels kill the weight department at 30 lbs each. More to come later today.