I had a very full day yesterday with my tools out. My 750T - a very recent acquisition - was showing an oil pressure warning light more and more often during rides, but without any obvious reason or effect. On advice from my MGCGB Somerset branch (thanks lads!), I ordered a replacement oil pressure switch from Gutsibits and when it arrived, I set to replacing it.
I removed the seat, tank and both side panels. After several hours trying to get access to the switch, I gave up, and removed the RH carb. I did not disconnect the cable nor the fuel feed, but swung it up out of the way while I worked. I found I could then reach in with a 21mm spanner and loosen the old switch, but then due to its length, I couldn’t actually remove it from the fitment hole! Aaargh.
So I considered removing the air filter lid and element. After a lot of swearing and skinned knuckles I hadn’t managed that, but the whole filter box was loose enough to move it up a little, enough to get the old switch out of it’s mounting hole. Hoo-bloody-ray! I popped the new switch in and tightened it down successfully. Being the cautious type, I tested the wire that came from the loom to the switch, and found that I had broken the conductor in the wire while unscrewing the old switch. So, out with some wire, solder, and soldering iron, to both fix and extend the switch wire. Then it only took me around 45 minutes to get the blasted connector back on the new switch, in situ. Double aaaaarrgh!
After many cups of tea and a rest I put everything back as it had been, and the bike started up and ticks over as well as always. “Great!” I thought, I’ll take it out for a spin and make sure nothing falls off. On the road it became obvious that I have disturbed something: poor power, uneven running, and the bike barely managed 55 mph. But at least the oil pressure warning light behaved impeccably, doing its job and nothing more.
So now I guess I will have the tools out again in the next few days, trying to find what I have disturbed. Grumble grumble……
Maybe some dirt in lines or carb. got sucked into a jet?
Used to happen to a ford transit I had fairly often that it would suck dirt in from the tank if it got low. The engine in it was swapped from a Cortina and had a dual barrel Weber carb on it. Had to remove it and clean it out with a bit of petrol, poke a wire through jets and blow air through them to get it running right each time.
It’s possible I suppose. I try to work in a clean environment to avoid these problems, but it might be that the main jet has got something in it. The bike starts and idles happily enough, so those circuits in the carbs seem to be fine. It could also be that I have disturbed something electrical as well, so I’ll be having a look at it all again.
In the meantime I’ll have to take the KTM to a rally this weekend though….
Took my 1973 Eldorado out for a spin this afternoon, it’s first proper run apart from two slow laps of the village. Taking it easy as I haven’t ridden a bike in 20 years, and the front brake is still not working as it should. I’ll take the brake apart again tomorrow if I get the time, but it might need professional help.
The other thing that needs work is the idle.Any time I came up to a stop the engine almost died, though it was idling okay in the garage.
Should be an easy fix. Fingers crossed.
Forced to ride up the St Gotthards pass on the way home because the roof of the tunnel has developed a 25m crack and is dropping concrete onto the carriageway.
I have to say what a great bit of road it is.
I actually started the climb from Airolo and started the climb on the old pass, cobbles and tight bends before joing the “new” pass by the famous overhanging bend. The best bit though is the descent through the glorious valleys after the summit. Absolutely glorious, highly recommended.
Today was engine bars fitted, shame they didnt bloody fit first time, so one hole on each side elongated approx 4mm. Jig they are using is obviously shit, and they arent checking once all the welds are cool obviously as both side were sprung in the same direction. Do like them now they are on and bolted up
Sadly i have been flattened by the dreaded covid, 11 days positive and my wife 3 days following. So no riding anywhere, hopefully will feel better in a week or two
so this should protect it. It has made the already comfortable seat better. I’ve had these covers fitted to other bikes and they help reduce the incidence of sweaty are in the summer, and lifts your are a little to keep it out of the rainwater that accumulates in that area.
