Back in the fold....

[geekay]

Shortly after acquiring the second 650, I ventured over to the Pennines to collect some 650 spares from Fossies gaff (thanks Colin!). Whilst in the area, I agreed to go and view a 550 Kat that was up for sale nearby for a mate who was interested in buying it. Had a look, took some photos and agreed a very good deal for it. Matey decided against it, so it's now in my possession. Lovely little bike, it's had all fluids changed, a new rocker cover gasket fitted (old one was leaking), new rear wheel bearings, inlet rubbers and chain, a replacement tacho and a good clean. It has a new rear tyre and a good front one, period correct Marzocchi rear shocks and a 4-1 exhaust. It's for sale if anyone wants a cheap runabout. I would have kept it and fitted a 650 top end (I have a few that came with the spares with the 2nd 650) but garage space is at a premium so it will have to go.

[geekay]

Another test run - this time with the new Marving silencers fitted - it's very quiet now!



It rides well - just a lot slower than my previous bike (RF900)! But a lot more comfortable

Just a couple of niggly faults:-
1) the rear brake squeals.
2) the front forks are too soft for my liking.
3) It's running too rich.

1 & 2 I can sort, but would appreciate some help with #3.

All 4 plugs are "sooty" after a 25 miles run out. The adjustment screws are all 2 full turns out from fully closed. Is this normal? Do I need to go to 2½ turns out?
One other oddity - it was smoking (slightly) from the l/h exhaust when I stopped for the photo shoot. When I got home, it had cleared, but then petrol started running from the l/h side overflow pipe. It then struggled to re-start, but when it did there was no smoke and the petrol "leak" stopped. It hasn't leaked since?

Thanks
Garry.

[geekay]

The 550 after a wash and brush up.
Replacement tacho fitted, new chain, leaking rocker cover gasket replaced, new rear wheel bearings fitted and a bloody good clean.
Now with 12months MOT and off to a new home in London.
And I never even got to ride it

[fossie]

reference the 650 issues ..for me it seems that maybe a float was stuck , a slight piece of debris or if still new rubbers swelling to size..
The choke is in the headstock I'm assuming ...Naff design cable ..same as a *onda of this period and sticks on a touch even though it is pushed all the way off.. Cut it off leave the bit at the top to fill the hole and use you fingers or fit a key ring to the mechanism ...it's only for starting anyway...
2.5 turns out seems reasonable but differs from bike to bike ..
remember checking plugs only gives the last few moments of a plugs use .
oil from left pipe could just be a valve stem seal stuck a but allowing oil to pass.
The silencers where they listed as 650 or have you used another model.?

[geekay]

Quick update - after transporting me to Holland and back without any (major) issues, I sold the 650G (the one with the Moto Guzzi fairing) to concentrate on my other 650G, which is undergoing a full refurbishment. Any new bits I can find are being used on this bike - speedo, tacho, fork stanchions, footrest rubbers etc. Progress so far - a rolling chassis, finished in satin black with orange accoutrements. Engine crank cases have just been sent for finishing in satin black Cerakote. The cylinder head, barrels, engine casings and exhaust will follow suit.

[geekay]

How do I work out which crank shaft shells and big end shells are the right ones for the engine that I am rebuilding?
Fowlers list 6 types of each crankshaft shell and 6 types of each of the big end shells, some of which are no longer available.
There is a casting on the crank case of my engine which has 4 x letter "B"'s - are these part of the code?
Thanks,
Garry.

[fossie]

The casting letters are indeed the shells fitted.

[geekay]

Thanks Fossie.
But what do the 4 x "B"'s signify?
None of the parts books list crank shells as type "B" - they are either colours or just a part number.

[geekay]

And this is FrankenKat - put together just to get an idea of how much of a bike I could build with the spares that I have.
I did have to buy the frame to hang all the bits on.

[fossie]

Did you get an answer on the B on the crankcases Garry ...A quick read of the Genuine manual ..3-43 tells us that B is part of the code needed , The crankshaft has a letter A.B..C on the crankshaft .. with these 2 you fit the shells which are colour coded

IE.. Crankcase B .. Crankshaft A =Black ....B= Brown....C =Yellow
The colour is on the side of bearing shell.