CNYCC#16 - June 10,2023

Unless the winds change again... grrr

 

Honestly... I'd go see it.

 

@Nuch, That is AWESOME!! Very Cool!

 

It’s what I do… heh…

I actually had to dig deep to find a reasonable image of Dave to use. It would’ve come out better if the photograph I had was better.

 

Have a great time, everyone!!

I will be there in spirit.

 

Dodging some showers while trying to continue setting up.....

but they’re SUPPOSED to clear out and be one a decent weekend.

 

Friday afternoon- Nuch is the first early arrival, so took some time to clean off the road-spray and Canadian Smoke residue.



Huntchuks is about an hour or so out, but having spark issues.... likely a wet coil, with some showers and wet roads. Hopefully he can get going again, otherwise— we go get him.

 

6:30pm - Huntchuks made it.... got the coils dried out with WD-40, and had to diagnose a loose clutch cable along the way, but all is good.

time for some supper


Others are on the way, arriving close to midnight.

 

11:20pm—

John (1), John (2), and Alicia have arrived. Time for everyone to crash for the night. Big day tomorrow

 

Saturday morning!
It’s overcast but dry, should burn off

tine to get the coffee going......

Thanks in advance to Len Chacal of xj4Ever, for his support, and some Door Prizes for later on!

Also, thanks to NAPA for donating 4 cans of Seafoam for Door Prizes!

 

Good Morning Carb Clinic-ers! I am away this year and otherwise occupied but am wishing all a great time and sparklingly clean carburetors and good XJ work. Standing by waiting for the pictures.

 

Miss you, John...... you’re known this year as “John (3)”.......

 

Carbman has arrived....

 

Left to right—-
CrazyGnat
Huntchuks
Nuch
BluesBass
AdkRide

 

JBurch


Fred


Alicia, Wild Bill


Nuch doing an oil change, Dave#2 looking on...

All hand on deck to figure a bad oil leak on Mike’s 650.

Long story short—Mike came to us from Facebook land... with a bad fuel and oil issue. It appeared to be a crankshaft seal behind the pickups.
Len Chacal of xj4ever sent a crankshaft seal repair kit as a donation, and lent the tools to use, as well.

BluesBass was on that task, and made a detailed GoPro video and pics of the process. He will write that up after he has a chance to edit things.

HOWEVER....we were actually unable to complete that task due to some PO’s idea of a fix..... which was to grind away the lower 3rd of the case to allow easier removal and replacement of the seal. That created a disaster..... even with the seal in place, the whole area is wide open and the oil passage isn’t completely exposed.... under pressure, even jbweld would likely fail. So Mike will need to decide whether to have some fancy rig welding and aluminum machining done, or get a parts engine to rob a lower case from.

One more positive note, Len ALSO sent a new product to do an installation review...... SO the decision was made to do the installation write-up along with this job as a “hard-luck” consolation prize.

this is REALLY COOL!! Again, BluesBass (John Lysaght) will detail the installation.

What is it?? Well, the oil tally plug is removed, and a new plug is installed (complete with o-ring), but the plug has a brass plug in the center of THAT! That brass plug can be removed, and an oil pressure gauge of your choice (as long as the threads are the right size) is installed. After the bike warms up, record the pressure reading, then shut the bike down, remove the gauge, and reinstall the brass plug. It a new tool for keeping better insight into engine conditions!!

here’s what it looks like when installed——


Is that cool, or what?!?!?

so it’s straight-forward retro-fit.. but we found ONE problem...if there are case savers, they interfere with the installation. The solution was simple.... just loosen the guard enough to let it flop out of the way, but you must remember to tighten it back up.

Again, John will detail that more.

carburetor issues seemed to be due to float levels that were way off, and those were resolved, the Lower case issue will be the first thing to address now.

We broke for lunch....hamburgers, ‘dogs, grilled corn, etc..... fun picnic.

a moment of silence was held in memory of our friend Ken Howard, who passed away about 3 months, or so, after last year’s Carb Clinic. The cool thing is that Ken’s bike that we did a fork seal job on last year, is being given to John#2. (Pic didn’t cone out, but probably seen in other reports), and Kens black bike which he and Alicia always rode is going to Alicia who will be getting HER license. Both bikes were brought up to try and wake up. The black bike was the afternoon’s project ..... it hadn’t been ridden for almost 2yrs. Dave Fox determines the gas still smelled pretty good.... found out it had been started briefly in November, so figured “Let’s see if it’s gonna fire up fairly easily”. Well, dead flat battery. But we hooked up a jumper pack and after a few turns, burps and backfires he got it fired up. After a couple minutes it settled into a smooth idle.... and as long as rpm’s stayed up, it idles smooth but if the idle dropped to far it would quit instantly...battery wasnt holding any charge—
When it fired up, it was an Understandably emotional moment for Alicia...... she asked “PLEASE take me for a ride”.... so Dave#1 took it for a short spin to warm it up good. Then took Alicia for about a 5mi ride. So, it’s here for awhile as house things are attended to, and while it’s here it will get a new battery and some other things.

Other things that were accomplished—-
Diagnosed wet coil issue - Dan
Diagnosed loose clutch bracket -Dan
Adjusted clutch cable - Fred
Resolved bent and low brake pedal - Geoff
Replaced a broken clutch lever


About 5pm those who drove (which quite a few did due to threats of rain), headed home, the rest of us went for a 30 mi ride. John Lysaght set up his GoPro
And his drone to take videos.

after we got back, other who trailered bikes in headed out, and those who are camping settled down to supper..

Hopefully others have their own pics and reports to add!

tomorrow will be another day, and we’ll wrap up CNYCC#16 - “Welcome to Mars” edition.

CNYCC#17 is slated for June 8, 2024

 

Well, here’s a closer view of Mikes “seal”


so look close, and you can see the oil passsge right there.. nope, ain’t no sealing there!!!

 

Oh Good God....there's no end to the creativity of "how to do a job incorrectly" by PO's......

 

Interested in what cold and warm oil pressure readings were on different bikes........

 

Re obtaining a new bottom casing - this is a no no, since cases are line bored as a pair. Mix and match is unlikely to be successful. So it would be new bottom end - and even then the crank main bearings would need matching to his crank to ensure correct clearances. Ideally a pair of cases with good crank would be required.
The PO bodger really struck hard here...

 

Well that botched job needs to be noted as one of the worst on this thread:
https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/previous-owner-masterpieces.57929/

With all the trouble needed to properly correct the case issue as Minimutly noted, I'd be looking for a complete engine.

BTW, sorry I missed this years event. Need to block out the calendar for next year.
Tony

 

Good to know

 

We ended up not going that far, but here’s an couple ideas:

1. I get another replacement plug a couple from you and install them, then I can check pressures before returning the pressure gauge

2. The guys that got the other two plugs can get pressure gauges and then they can supply measurements at some point

 

Tony next year’s date is: June 8, 2024

 

Great to meet everyone!

Am much more favorable towards the Delkevic megaphone after seeing it in person, and very intrigued about the xj4ever rotor maybe fitting an XS.

Dave

 

Sunday afternoon, 3:45pm
Geoff and Dan pulled out, now time to pack everything up til next CNYCC!

By the way—- The XJ Relay Bag II arrived and Dan Huntchuks took it, so we’ll wait to see where it ends up... I’ll go update that forum.

 

Additional pics—-

Bill, Mike, John L, Dave #2, John #2


Dave #1 getting lunch ready


In memory of Ken Howard, our friend who finally crossed the finish line, after fighting Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed 4 yrs ago, just after CNYCC, was given about 3 -4 mo to get things in order. He turned that 3-4 months into 3.5 YEARS, was at 2 more CNYCC’s, and got married in the meantime. “Never give up, never give in”.

Rest In Peace, Ken.

Getting ready to ride.....

Left to right-
BluesBass, Huntchuks, hogfiddles, CrazyGnat, John ( who is taking ownership of Ken’s xj700), Alicia ( who is taking ownership of Ken’s xj650, Nuch.

other drove, either to trailer a bike to work on, or drove to avoid rain.

 

Duly noted. I shall make sure that no vacations are scheduled for that date. That's what kept me from coming this year. Wrapping-up the honey-do list before we leave to the Keys on Tuesday.

 

K-moe, that would be awesome!

 

Well, the Inspector passed away a few weeks back .... 14yrs old, but he would have approved everything.



It’s all put away. And ready for CNYCC#17 .... next June 8, 2024—LEAP YEAR!!

So looking back over the years, we’ve had:
Hot - upper ‘80’s
Cold - not getting outbid the 60’s, and couple frosty nIghts for those who camp
Sun - yaaay! Like this year
Rain - like quite a few other years ... one washout year that we just sat under the tent and watched it pour. Then at 5pm the sun peeked out and ALL THREE of us went for road-spray-soaked ride.
COVID - yep... CNYCVCC - Central New York CoronaVirus Carb Clinic.we laughed in the face of the pandemic, “social distancing”, “masks”, “sanitizer”, “”one person cooks and serves....”..... all became common terms we never ever DREAMED we’d use—- and a bottle of Corona Antidote was a door prize to take home for everyone over 21. Nobody was under 21, but they wouldn’t need it anyway, right?

Then to top it off.... THIS year ——
CNYCC#16 - “Welcome to Mars “ Edition, due to the incredible smokefrom wildfires raging to the north. Fortunately the weather changed literally the day before, And the dark acrid red sky cleared and we had gorgeous weather yesterday and today.

Well, it’s over! Time to catch a breath the start planning for next year

 

Congrats Dave and to all the participants for another job well done!

 

Holy crap. Unless I'm greatly mistaken that seal would normally pull out, just like the ones on the GSs in the same application.

 

Hi all,

CNYCC#16 was great! I am working on a few videos including a ride-out/participant and bike highlight, as well as an overview of Len Chacal's new oil gallery plug / oil pressure gauge installation and notes. I've got some drone footage of the ride out at the end of the carb clinic.

I wanted to call out a few of my favorite moments from CNYCC#16:

• This was my first CNYCC where I am bike-less. I drove in and did not participate in the ride. I was happy to be able to provide technical support, and to have the honor to work on some video files to showcase the CNYCC, including the unique tribute to Ken in watching as his bike started right up for the first time this season. I was honored to meet his wife and son, and to learn of their intentions to support his memory and keep motorcycling alive in their family
• I found it funny that at a Carb Clinic we only tore into a single carb rack, more for educational purposes since it came off a bike that did not get started at the clinic (maybe we should rename these things, huh? LOL)
• Touching on the last point, I think that the benefit for those considering attending Carb Clinics in the future, or those who think their bikes are okay but haven't had a true XJ'er look at them is summed up well in our post-ride identification and on-site repair of a bent foot brake pedal bend and rear brake adjustment. What always strikes me with the carb clinics is how often the most impactful and best learning experiences at the Carb Clinics don't come from scheduled/expected maintenance, but instead from the observations and input of everyone simply admiring each others' motorcycles - and fixing those problems on-site for giving advice on how to do it without replacing parts or dropping a wad of cash at the attendees' local bike shops
• The stories. I aspire to one day own a bike who despite being nothing to laugh at on it's own, claims the defining feature is a dead woodpecker (and the story to go along with it)
• Speaking of stories, the close calls many attendees had, and the camaraderie of attending and swapping stories. Carb Clinics are great for meeting new friends or connecting with old contacts. I strongly recommend anyone who is on the fence to attend - it is worth it!

In the meantime, I want to thank Dave for yet another fantastic Carb Clinic - in fact, let's thank all those hosting Carb Clinics across North America for their continued support and passion for these wonderful machines. I feel like every time I attend I meet more amazing people, hear the stories of their awesome bikes, and learn something new about the bikes (even though I'm sure others would consider me knowledgeable / an expert in my own light).

Also a HUGE shout out to Len Chacal / XJ4Ever for continuing to support us with new and aftermarket parts to keep these machines running for decades to come

 

I guess you weren’t here for the ones we ended up calling the “Everything-BUT-Carbs Clinics”..... lol

It was great to see you again.... what’s it been—8 yrs or so? It was nice to have you back, along with your skills from having built/restored several xj’s yourself.

Yeah, it was a bit emotional when Ken’s bike finally roared to life .... not having been ridden in two years, and only briefly started back in November- when it fired up and settled into an idle, the tears were flowing, and my wife said to Alicia.... “You’re getting to hear his voice again”, and for me... getting to ride my friends bike for quick shake-down ride, and and Alicia literally running to get her jacket- my wife letting her borrow a helmet, so I could take her for a ride on “her” bike again..... we rode only about 5 mi, but she got to ride “Lucy”, Ken’s xj650 Maxim again....those two having ridden thousands of miles together.

 

Looks like a good time. Hope I can make next year's get together. Life got in the way this year June 8th is marked for next year

 

Congratulations Dave on another fine job! I've followed the CNYCC since it's inception and am always impressed. I'm looking forward to the drone footage.

tafn

Dwayne

 

Would love to have you be able to come down next time

 

The Canada funk is back in Minneapolis now.

 

Funk all that smoke!

 

<lol> Fair. As you said on the XJ Owner's forum: "Maybe some day". This spring my life has been absolute chaos and I barely got things ready for the NOCC this past weekend.

Look at it this way: I'm there in spirit. Every time you make use of one of the custom tools it's like I'm there helping out. ;-)

 

Believe you me— they’ve been used a lot, too!! And they are still very much appreciated, and I tell them who made them we didn’t need to use them this time though——

I understand the chaos thing.... same here, and I got a bad case of sciatica just about a month ago, and it’s not getting better yet..... boy was it tough getting set up this time

 

We are still getting smoked out by Canada here in MN.

I feel bad for all you Canadians, but jeez, that’s enough.

I had to stop on the ride home because my eyes were burning.