So here is what is going on.

Well the bike runs...but I'm not real happy with it.  Little things keep popping up.  If not a fuel problem it's a shift problem or brakes or lights or...you get the idea.  Now I'm not really complaining, hell, it's an old bike that wasn't maintained properly over it's time away from the factory.  It sat under a tarp in some ones back yard.  It's had mis-fitting or just plain wrong parts installed and besides needing a lot of TLC it was a bike without a proper home.  It has one now and I'm slowly getting it back in shape....but it's taking longer than I wanted.  I should have been on the road, maybe even heading back by now.    The only thing that has been keeping me sane is riding my R100 sidecar rig every chance I get....mainly to build up riding time.

My friends say repaint the bike.  I like the patina, it shows its age but it also shows it's poor maintenance over the years.  To me as long as it runs strong and starts easy, that's what I want out of the bike.

Anyway, that is where the R60 stands right now.  The R80 will be on the road this weekend for a long shake-down.  I only wish it had a kick starter.  I might wind up taking it on my ride.  We Shall See.

Carb back together

Yesterday I was able to install the new needle valve and so far it's holding and no overflow.  I wanted to go ride today but it's raining.  I need to put more local miles on the bike before I head out on my ride but it is getting difficult to do that with parts needing and or rain.

Since the rain is here again I will do a general bike cleaning today.  I might even try to re-stretch that seat cover the previous owner had installed.  It is a little loose and tend to fold when sitting on it for a while making it uncomfortable.  I wanted to install a solo seat but it was becoming a major task so it's back to the stock bench seat.....I can live with that.

Hope I can head out soon.

Parts

Well I'm waiting for my new needle valve and seat for the left carb.  It continues to overflow and that's not good.  I hope it arrives in todays mail because I still need to get the bike in a dependable condition.  The R80 is going back together later this afternoon and I hope to ride it on the road tomorrow.  If it checks out ok I'll give  Ed a call and invite him down for a ride out on his old bike.

I've been driving my sidecar rig as everyday transportation so to get use to being on a bike all the time since my trip will be many days in the saddle.

For Sale. One left shoe soaked with gasoline.

Yeah, you guessed it.  Left carb float got stuck while riding and my foot was slowly getting fuel all over it.  I tapped on the bowl but it would not stop so I drove home with one foot in the air.  More work needed........oh, well.......

Went back to the shop and dropped the bowl.  Float seems ok and I checked the drop.  Might have to replace the needle valve.  Very frustrating but better to happen here than on the road west.

Took a break from the bike and traced the wiring on the R80's electrical problem.  Starter switch is now working but still not getting enough power to the solenoid.  Must be a week wire or internal break somewhere in the line.  I plan to put a temp wire and try again tomorrow. 

Back from Mexico

I returned from Mexico not really refreshed but lets just say I'm back.  Went to the shop and installed the mirrors on the R60 and removed the crash bars that I got and reinstalled a pair of factory bars.  They are two piece and hang much lower.  I like them a lot even though they are a little rusty.  I'll up date the post with photos.  I want to take another test ride but it looks like it might rain so I am holding off for about an hour.

I did take out the sidecar rig for a run this morning and it was good to be back on the road with the bike.  The R80 electrical problem is still not solved but I do have an idea where the problem is located, just need to do a little more troubleshooting.

Well it's about ready.  Need to get a bolt for the muffler clamp, wash the bike and service all the lubes.  I'd like to finish putting on some more miles locally.   Now to get back to that R80 electric problem....but that's for tomorrow,  time to ride a bit.