New Guy, New Project: GT550

[PHPaul]

Well, I haven't actually ever heard the engine RUN, so there is plenty of room for that son of a bitch Murphy to show up...

[yeadon_m]

No worries, Paul. He's bunking down in my shed for a while (after he's finished narfing up Alan's life)
Mike

[rngdng]

Murphy was an optomist...........




Lane

[PHPaul]

Murphy was an optomist...........
Lane

Don't I know it.

[wingrider]

Coming along nicely! If you don't mind me asking, what brand are those new shocks you put on? Just got my 74 home yesterday, so I am looking to upgrade things!

[PHPaul]

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U ... ge_o02_s00

Got them off Amazon. Sure hope they work as good as they look. Probably not at that price tho...

[joolstacho]

Let us know if the shocks turn out to be good, -(pretty good price!)

[PHPaul]

More progress and a couple of minor setbacks:

Cruising right along

Things will slow down now between waiting on parts, learning to upholster (I'm gonna take a shot at doing my own seat) and it being too freakin' cold to work in the garage.

[Alan H]

Really good write up.
Must crack on with mine - but that's another story........

[wingrider]

Looking good! Did you want stock blinkers, or aftermarket ones?

[PHPaul]

Aftermarket, MUCH smaller, LED. They're out there, I just tried to go with cheapos and got what I paid for...

[PHPaul]

Got antsy and took the bike off the hoist, put the exhaust back on (what a PITA that was...) rigged up a gravity feed gas supply and attempted to start it.

Good news is, it started and ran on all three and took throttle nicely.

Bad news is it'll only do that if I squirt gas into the carb throats. I'm guessing I screwed up the float settings as I cracked the bowl drains and I AM getting gas into the carbs.

Got a new throttle cable and air box coming anyway so I'll pop the carbs back off and have another look at things.

[Alan H]

Favourites are the pilot/slow running jets. Squirt carb cleaner tbrough all holes and look at the pattern that comes out - should be 'nice', not spluttery or one sided. I had my carbs off the 550K twice before I got tbem right.
It only takes a tiny bit of crap to block a small jet orifice.

Regarding the LED indicators, did you fit a compatible flasher relay? The originals won't work with led bulbs.
If you fit LED bulbs with resistors in, they will work though - the old style flasher relays need current to operate and LEDs don't draw enough. Leave the standard 'tell tale' bulb there too, as if you put a LED bulb there, it will only flash when you indicate one way, but not t'other. Ask Coyote, we had the same issue there - posted on here if you search for 'LED indicator bulbs' or somesuch.

We never stop learning - even at our age - before those darn cheeky kids comment again!

[jabcb]

If you switch to LED turn signals, the turn signal indicator light is also a problem.
You can end up with turn signals flashing on both sides.

Fortunately there is an easy fix.
A diode kit for the indicator bulb is cheap & easy to install when you have everything apart.

[PHPaul]

I'm aware of the LED turn signal issues. I put them on my Yamaha.

Resistors in line work but sort of defeat the purpose. The idea (at least for me) is to draw LESS current than incandescent bulbs. (The charging system on the XS650 is kinda marginal). An electronic vs. bimetal flasher cures that without drawing the extra current.

I built a diode adapter for the indicator and use an LED indicator as well, but that DID take a bit of head scratching.

The issue with the Chinese signals was the physical strength of the stalks, or rather lack thereof. Look at it cross-eyed and it would break off.

Thanks for the tips on what to look for on the carb issue. Got other things on my plate today but I'll get back to you and let you know what I found.