Sometimes, Old Machines Suck.

"BobintheMtns" (bobinthemtns) 06/28/2015 at 11:42 • Filed to: None

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Sometimes, old machines are the biggest bitches ever.... Over the past two years, I’ve rebuilt the bing carbs half a dozen times. Adjusted the valves easily a dozen times. Coils and condensers have been replaced, and so much time has been spent fiddling with the points...

Each time, after going through another system (again), the old motorbike would spring to life, run like a champ, leap across mountain ranges... and then after about 100 miles, it’d begin to sputter, backfire and then it’d have to be limped back home.....

“Maybe some crud still in the carb passages? Loose ground somewhere? Defective Condenser? Points somehow rattling loose? Coils not bosch enough? What?!!”

So I’d go back through each system... disassemble the bings, open up the motor case and go fiddle with the points, trace the wiring harness, open the head covers and check the valve lash.. Put it all back together and it’d run great! Until 100 miles later.

Finally bit the bullet and upgraded to a techy-tech electronic ignition system. (It uses lasers!) It got installed yesterday morning and the bike started on the first attempt... and when I hit the throttle it revved like it never had with it’s 38 year old points...

Took it for a spin and it was running great. And since I’d spent SO much time going through the bing carbs over the past year, I wanted to wring them out too. So I decided to head up into the hills to see how they’d handle the higher elevations.

The bike raced. It’s never felt so fast. The German boxer motor roared up the slopes. I felt like I was barnstorming in a messersschmitt. Took her as high as we could go, way above timberline... and she didn’t miss a beat.

Sometimes, old machines are the greatest things ever.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > BobintheMtns 06/28/2015 at 11:47

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Word, get rid of points.

E92M3 > BobintheMtns 06/28/2015 at 11:53

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Trail Ridge Rd?

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > BobintheMtns 06/28/2015 at 12:00

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Being a car/motorcycle guy or gal definitely has its highs and lows, as you’ve illustrated. Being that I only have one car, it honestly feels as if when my car isn’t running properly; I’m not running properly. Good to here you’re running properly now!

Btw, where was that picture taken?

The Ghost of Oppo > BobintheMtns 06/28/2015 at 12:04

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That is a hell of a view

BobintheMtns > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 06/28/2015 at 12:06

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You’re so right about you not running properly if your car isn’t.. seems like it’s all-consuming to my mind when something’s not running right.

E92M3 got it right, it’s Trail Ridge up in Rocky Mtn National Park—

desertdog5051 > BobintheMtns 06/28/2015 at 12:07

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Sucess!!! Sometimes a little “modern” goes a long way. I have done ignition upgrades on 2 older bikes of friends. It always ended well.

BobintheMtns > The Ghost of Oppo 06/28/2015 at 12:09

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yeah, it’s a nice zone.

Birddog > BobintheMtns 06/28/2015 at 12:45

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Funny how one single upgrade can change the entire personality of a machine. Eh?

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > BobintheMtns 06/28/2015 at 14:07

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Oh man, that story makes my eye twitch. I really want someone to come out with a dead simple efi system and electronic ignition. So many hours have I spent trying to diagnose some little gremlin overhead of riding.