Jgspahn Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 So here's the deal. I was nearing the end of my complete rebuild of my bike.. frame, motor, all that... Sent the jugs off to get ported, bored to new pistons, and had the head shaved. All new gaskets, bearings, seals, crank trued and welded. Spent alot of $$ that it took me a long time to save. So I got all the parts back and began the assembly of the engine (my first one to build). I felt like everything went well..but I got in a hurry towards the end trying to get the bike back together for a big ride. Skipped leak tests and compression tests and all that good stuff (yes i know this is huge and dumb and I deserve to have my money go up in smoke for being a dumbass and getting in a hurry and being a careless fuck head). But, despite all those mistakes, the bike cranked and ran pretty good. All you guys helped me get it jetted at like 2am, and I was ready to go. My carbs have leaked on and off since day one. No matter what I do, I cant seem to get them to stop. Ive bought rebuild kits, replaced the needle valve, and adjusted and adjusted and adjusted the float height. So, after I got the bike together I just used the fuel shut off to try and deal with the leaky carbs problem. During the first ride.. about an hour in.. I was on a long pull and ran one of the cylinders outta gas. I rode it for a little while longer, and then decided to ease it home and put it on the truck. The bike hasnt run right since.. I pulled it off a few times and couldnt keep it running well. Kick it 1000 times and cant get it to really run, but I think that has a little to do with the fact the carbs are constantly overflowing. The bike has been sitting at a friends while Ive been moving, but now Im moved in and the shop is set up and Im ready to start to try and fix this mistake. My question to the community is can anyone give me a list and an order of things to do and check so I cant start the process of doing whatever needs to be done? I'd like to keep this thread running during the process. Thanks folks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider11 Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Compression test it. A leaky carb can burn down a motor. You suck it dry an it leaks all over, lean. Melted piston. You continued to ride. Well that was dumb. Do a comp test. See where the cylinders are at. After that do a leak down test. See if you have a leak. These 2 test are important. Before during and after motors are assembled ran and broke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zillaguy Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 First two things needed are compression test and leak down test.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jgspahn Posted July 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 I kept riding because I didn't really know what happened. I stopped, looked it over and didn't see anything wrong, kicked it over and it started and I rode for less than an hour before I eased it home.. but yes.. It was dumb .. Ill do a compression test tomorrow. Can I do the leak down test with the motor on the bike? Im pretty sure I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_smith97 Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Yes you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
special06shee Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Pull the pipes and take a peeky inside. Probably burnt her down. Couple hundo and you'll be back in action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03DMshee Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Man....3 minutes with one....and 6 minutes with another....coulda saved ya some money and time..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03DMshee Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Give ya props on telling the truth and not making everyone guess around a lie as to what really happen.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jgspahn Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 I know man.. bout 10 minutes and I skipped it. Lesson learned for sure. I'm really thinking the carbs had more to do with this than the skipped tests. I adjusted the float so low to keep the carbs from leaking that I ran it outta gas. Also my fault tho.. uggghhh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jgspahn Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Ive been reading old threads here and they all say the the harbor freight compression tester is crap. Well.. thats the one i have. Is it worth running? Should I skip the compression test and just run the leak down test? Im thinking.. run the leakdown test and then report back. Based on the info gained from that test i should then just open her up and look at the pistons and what not.. right?? What compression tester would yall recommend I buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_smith97 Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 You can get an idea even with the cheap harbor freight compression tester. Just use it and see if there is any difference between the cylinders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUILDER Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Just use the tester you have and see what numbers if gives you. Then you will know where to start looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jgspahn Posted August 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 This might be a dumb question, but ive only ran a leak test on a motor that wasnt on the bike.. so do I have to drain the oil before performing the leakdown test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldskool Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 No, your only testing crank and cylinder area for leaks. The tranny is suppose to vent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jgspahn Posted August 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 So apparently the leak tester I bought and my compression tester didn't make the trip after my recent move.. balls.. So I made a new leak tester, and bought a craftsman compression tester. I'm gonna let the sealant dry over night, here are the compression numbers. Left cylinder - 125 Right cylinder - 120 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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