Blog - Maintenance
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1984 Yamaha XT600 Carburetor Overhaul
An 84 XT600 showed up recently with a top end misfire. This wasn't too much of an issue around town but was a real problem at freeway speeds. The XT600, and Yamaha TT600's of the same vintage, had a dual carburetor induction with the primary manual (i.e ... -
1975 Honda CB400F Carburetor Overflow
If older bikes are your thing you will face overflowing carburetors from time to time. The symptoms are self evident, a petrol pool appearing under your bike whenever the fuel petcock is switched to on. The first check is always to pop your head underneath your bike and observe where ... -
1976 Yamaha DT400 Restoration
Let's face it, mid 70's Yamaha dirt bikes rock. One of the carbonised crew had been looking for a DT400 for a while. It had to be a '75 or '76 model. After that they were hit with the ugly stick. This popped up for sale. It didn ... -
1975 Honda CB400F Brake Master Cylinder Overhaul - Part 2
Last post the Honda CB400F brake master cylinder was ready to reassemble, here is Part 2. Here is our cleaned master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir. There is no polish on the casting, this has been cleaned to be serviceable only as the remainder of components on the handlebars are ... -
1975 Honda CB400F Aftermarket Indicator Conversion
This 400F is undergoing some subtle changes. In keeping with the owners wishes, no modifications to the stock chassis can occur, and all modifications need to be able to be returned to standard.One of the strategies is to reduce weight. For small capacity engines this is often the single ... -
1975 Honda CB400F Brake Master Cylinder Overhaul
This Honda 400 Four had sat (until recently) for 7 years in a shed. During that time the brake fluid had leaked out through the front caliper. There was absolutely zero braking available from the front - or zero resistance at the lever... The front brakes were bled and new brake ... -
Kawasaki 1972 H2 750 Speedometer Drive (Speedometer Cable)
A reader sent in a query as to why his speedo wasn't working. There are basically three causes, and therefore three places to check (or at least start your investigation).1) Drive from the wheel (we like old school bikes, no electronic senders here)2) Cable3) SpeedometerTake ... -
Kawasaki ZXR750 Carburetor Rebuild - Part 2
Last post had the carburetors out of a ZXR and onto the bench. The story continues... Below shows the floats, main jets (and emulsion tubes), pilot jets, mixture screws (with washers and O-rings) removed from the carb bodies. The carb components are removed in the first instance for inspection, and ... -
Kawasaki ZXR750 Carburetor Rebuild - Part 1
We needed to rebuild a set of Keihin carburettors earlier this year for the original Kawasaki 'racer with lights', the ZXR750. Story for another day, but if these don't get your heart pumping, see your doctor.Anyway, the carbon crew love carbs most of the time, and when they ... -
Suzuki GS500 Sprocket Cover
A reader sent these pictures to the carbon crew with a few queries. First up was 'Did I buy a lemon?'. Second was 'Should I be riding this?'.Turns out he was our sort of guy, rides a 15 year old bike every day, rain, hail, shine. Maintains it himself ...