Inconsequential ramblings of an Old Git

[Sadlonelygit]

Have you looked at the clutch basket for wear?

That's on the to-do list when I change the friction plates and springs. But it can wait until the weather turns proper shitty over winter.

have you checked the pushrod for stiction? seen a few bow over the years

[mangocrazy]

Have you looked at the clutch basket for wear?

That's on the to-do list when I change the friction plates and springs. But it can wait until the weather turns proper shitty over winter.

have you checked the pushrod for stiction? seen a few bow over the years

The original one was changed out for a new Yamaha one in March 2022 (Fowlers still stock them) as the original one had a groove worn where it passed through an oil seal and I was trying everything I knew to stop an oil leak on the LH side of the crankcase. The bike's probably only done 500 miles max since then. So very much doubt it's that.

[Screwdriver]

They might have stuck extra strong springs in there...

[mangocrazy]

They might have stuck extra strong springs in there...

Hmmm - not sure who these 'they' might be. I've owned the bike from new...

I do have a recollection that I might have fitted an extra plain plate to stop clutch slip, but it would have been getting on for fourty years ago and my memory isn't that good. All will be revealed when I strip the clutch over the winter.

Right now I'm best part of 1000 miles away from the LC and I'm fretting over a VW van, a Lancia Beta and multiple house-bothering problems...

[Screwdriver]

I misread the above note about Fowlers.

[Taipan]

Aren't they CV carbs on those. It does sound like a diaphragm issue. Have you tried lifting and dropping the slides to see if they retrun in a damped manner?

[mangocrazy]

Aren't they CV carbs on those. It does sound like a diaphragm issue. Have you tried lifting and dropping the slides to see if they retrun in a damped manner?

Yes, VFRs have CV carbs, and they're very sensitive to getting the diaphragms lined up just so, otherwise you get the kind of issue I'm experiencing. One way or another that bank of carbs will have to come off, either to be replaced by the spare set or for me to painstakingly go over the set that's fitted and try not to cock it up (again).

Removing and replacing a set of carbs in a 90 degree V4 is one of my least favourite tasks. Just thought you'd like to know...

[Taipan]

Aren't they CV carbs on those. It does sound like a diaphragm issue. Have you tried lifting and dropping the slides to see if they retrun in a damped manner?

Yes, VFRs have CV carbs, and they're very sensitive to getting the diaphragms lined up just so, otherwise you get the kind of issue I'm experiencing. One way or another that bank of carbs will have to come off, either to be replaced by the spare set or for me to painstakingly go over the set that's fitted and try not to cock it up (again).

Removing and replacing a set of carbs in a 90 degree V4 is one of my least favourite tasks. Just thought you'd like to know...

I was more thinking of the diaphragm rubber itself deteriorating as to be expected with age. If you're not familiar with it, you stick your finger in the venturi and raise the slide up to the top then pull your finger out and the slide should drop back down in a slow-ish damped manner. If it just drops back down then its had it and as it cant hold a vacuum like that you lose full throttle/top end etc.

[mangocrazy]

I was more thinking of the diaphragm rubber itself deteriorating as to be expected with age. If you're not familiar with it, you stick your finger in the venturi and raise the slide up to the top then pull your finger out and the slide should drop back down in a slow-ish damped manner. If it just drops back down then its had it and as it cant hold a vacuum like that you lose full throttle/top end etc.

I have given the diapragms a good coat of looking at recently, and didn't see anything untoward, but what you describe is a far more scientific test and one that I think I should be able to manage without removing the carbs from the motor. I really hope so...

Thank you!

[mangocrazy]

The Falco went in to AP Workshops in Tamworth yesterday for a check up on the CO levels and throttle body sync. TB sync was spot on, and CO needed a minor tweak to get it perfect. Griff made the observation that hydrocarbons were in the 200-300 ppm level, which is very, very good. He reckoned the motor is as good as you can reasonably expect and everything is working beautifully.

Nice to know...