Re-re-reviving my '81 Seca 750

I'll have to get the fairing back off for that one. Please hold (a day or two).

 

Same method to check door frames.

 

I've also seen a method using a plate of glass laid up against the forks. I'll try both methods next time I get some garage time.

 

I removed the doors from my XJ

 

LOL I very nearly made that joke myself.

 

First commute of 2024. 39,500 miles on the clock (not for the commute. )

Forgot how much she wants to go compared to my 250. Like, cruising at 75 MPH without realizing, whoops!

Steering head baring replacement was a success. Not that I need to or often do ride no-handed, but before replacement, the handlebars would almost immediately start shaking if let go of. Today (on a closed course ridden by a professional) it was dead smooth no-hands. Nice.


.

 

Nice machine.

 

BIG fairing. BEAUTIFUL bike!

 

YAAAAAAAYYY!!!!!

 

She really is, ain't she? Hoping for no mechanical issues next winter so I can focus on some of the cosmetics (like the tank and peeling badges). But for 43 years old?!?!?

Thanks y'all.

 

From the It's Always Something files, she is suddenly idling rough this morning. Dry, garage kept, has a half tank of gas. Was running fine* on last ride on Sunday. Started up fine, but it died out at the first light (after warm up, 5 suburban blocks, removing enrichment along the way, my SOP). Usual idle is a hair above 1k, now sitting about 2 hairs below. Seems fine off-idle - maybe a LITTLE hesitation. Last time I had this, one of the spark plug boots was loose, but messing with them didn't seem to help. I got to work OK and hope to get home without incident and work on it over the weekend.

Only change was a few ounces of Seafoam in the crankcase this morning ahead of a planned oil change over the weekend. Can't imagine that having an impact, but . . . .
Last valve check was Fall 2022, about 2.5k miles ago. At the same time, the carbs had been freshly Churched by Hogfiddles. There's an inline filter on the fuel line and it looks clean.

Only other recent oddness is near the end of my last ride, my right turn signal stopped flashing. Was hoping it was a sign of a bad bulb, but front, back, and Atari all light up (solid). So, something else to track down, but again, just mentioning it. Does NOT seem to be an under-voltage situation - was reading 13.something when running, 12.8v when sitting. AGM battery was also new in 2022.

 

Try new spark plugs

 

Those were renewed in the Great Rebuild of 2022 as well, but I'll take a good look at them for sure.

 

Can seafoam foul the plugs l wonder, never used it.

 

From the crankcase side? I'd think the rings would have to be REALLY bad for there to be a connection there, and it's not like I'm burning through oil. I've never had a problem with it before - neither in the gas tank nor the oil.

 

I have NEVER had seafoam kill plugs. (Crap that the seafoam dislodges might..... )

plugs— a fellow at the Carb Clinic had a bike that had a dead battery..... we got a new battery, and the bike fired up, but minus #4..... then after it ran for a bit #2 started cutting out. Then when trying to run around the lawn a bit #3 went out.
He went home and put new plugs in, it fired right up, and went for a ride.

Try new plugs anyway

 

Gas cap vent blocked?

 

@chacal, was behaving the same on an aux tank. But of course Dave was on to something.

I may or may not have solved it. First, my memory was faulty about the new plugs, which I discovered when I looked back at my notes. I did NOT replace them at the time, I think because I was confused by the whole resistor plug thing or something. Also discovered I'd bought new boots from Len, since #4 had been flaky, but never did install them. So today I replaced all boots, trimming back the leads a bit since #2 and #4 looked SKETCHY. Still have stock coils, so leads JUST BARELY had enough extra without being taut. Afterwards, she smoothed out nicely. Put it all back together, could only go around the block b/c Mom is out for the evening and I've got kids to watch.

Ran great until I got back in the driveway, but then is started acting up again. Had to walk away at that point. I will say THAT 'acting up' felt different and I almost wonder if the engine was overheating at that point (was a hot one today and I'd been idling quite a bit in the garage). We'll see what she does in the morning.

I also discovered the turn signal issue is more than likely due to a bad bulb after all. Went to swap left and right and not only did the left bulb work OK in the right, but the filament fully broke on the flaky one when swapped - so it had been MOSTLY dead.

Pics of the pulled plugs 'for fun.' Qute a difference. 1-4 L to R

 

#4 is looking a bit sooty.......

 

1. What’s the condition of your oil?
2. May want to try a different TCI