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[m1ks]

I'm currently quite pleased.

Stripped and cleaned my carb last night, the bits that fitted my wifes little ultrasonic cleaner went in there and the bits the didn't were attacked with toothbrush and muc off.-------------
(On a little side note, i'm massively underwhelmed by Muc off, bought 2 5L containers on the strength of reviews and people enthusing about how effortlessly dirt shies away from it, it's OK, certainly nowhere near the brilliant people suggest unless i'm doing something wrong with it?)-----------------
Re-assembled that with 25 pilot and 90 main jet as it's all going back stock, airbox and exhaust etc, plus the main in there was way too big even for an open carb and exhaust, it had a 110 in there.
Had to make a seal for the cap where the cable passes through and attaches to the piston, used an old inner tube for this and nabbed a fibre washer from the decoke set for the choke plunger knob, that had been 'sealed' with PTFE tape, does the job for most things but has a habit of getting everywhere, so carb refitted with new gaskets and I took off the battery box and breather catch can to give them and the surrounding frame and wires a clean, refitted everything with the one exception of the (square dummy) airbox to carb rubber as it has mysteriously disappeared, I don't know if it's me forgetting where I put it or my wee boy who, in the fashion of wee boys, often sees things that look cool and would fit his Ninja sword / Ben10 omnitrix / etc etc.
Fitted the battery, which, refilled with acid and on the optimate, (disconnected last night reading 12.98v and checked this morning, still 12.98v), seems to be holding charge ok.
Took a fresh NGK plug, did a quick test earthed to the cylinder head, seemed to have a bit of a spark, nothing earth shattering but there, thought i'll give it a go, plug in, nipped up, everything checked, connected and tightened, choke on, fuel on, ignition on, ease over compression, one hefty kick and it fired up, FIRST TIME!
I was thoroughly pleased.
Need to find the missing carb boot as it's currently sucking in way too much air on an open carb for the setup but I can now focus on setting the carb with the colourtune, re-torquing the head nuts, checking it over and then arranging an MOT, then a general service, oil, filter plus tyres tubes etc
The plan was to grab a coffee then have a quick fettle with the multimeter and check the alternator output, recheck the charging via the reg/rec, refit the new reg/rec if it's still not right and so on but like those wussy tennis players I had to give way to the sudden torrential downpour. So rain stopped play but i'm pleased it's running all the same.

[m1ks]

Forgot to mention.
Re the mystery lack of spark, I'm not sure what the cause was, It could have been a dirty earth connection, or one of the block connectors as I cleaned all these and refitted along with the battery box, it could also have just been as simple as a duff spark plug, It ran OK when i got it then suddenly didn't so i suppose thats a possibility

[Alan R]

Hi Matey !! May I be the first to offer hearty congratulations !!!! Having followed your exploits and knowing that it's all an outdoor job as well, I'm VERY PLEASED for you. Isn't it a great feeling when she fires up for the first time after all that woe,angst, gnashing of teeth, a plague on your first born etc, etc. Oh---almost forgot---ALL THOSE POSTS on the web site as well. Now all you have to do is get out there and RIDE IT !!!!! We've just put in approx 125 miles in Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, up in the hills of Elgar Country ( Malvern ) and far away--------- MAGIC !! Plus a stop at The Severn Valley Railway as well. Going to put a YOO-Tube of it runnng for us to see ?

[m1ks]

Tis uploading right now as it happens, will put the link on shortly.

[m1ks]

Skip to 4:50 to see the starting.

[Craig]

Thank's m1ks..
Enjoyed your Little Film, And my Workshop is The Great outside Too ... Muc Off!!, I was Goining to Buy some Gunk for My Engine Clean but By Chance I Bought Some "Cheap Carfour Engine Cleaner" in a Hand spray Bottle and was Amazed at the results (for the Money) on my Much abused & Oil stained Silencer System.
Cheers all...

[m1ks]

Thanks Craig,

I'll point out that I do have a decent sized shed, (although it's getting close to the needs ripping down and replacing with something sooner rather than later), the big problem it's got my other bikes plus a project, (ongoing, for some time, don't ask), bike so to work indoors i'd have to take the others out, more hassle than it's worth and as long as it's dry I'm happy to work outdoors, the midges in the evening are the biggest nuisance. I have toyed with the idea of buying one of these cheap gazebos from B&Q so if needed for anything that'll take a while I can pitch it on the yard and work under there.
I guess the muc off isn't bad given it's all biodegradeable and blah blah but from the reports i'd read I literally expected the dirt to run away screaming as I sprayed the stuff, I guess if i could be bothered to leave it longer it might be better? I bought 2x 5 litre containers so i'll use it on principal.
For degreasing engines, or anything oily, get a 5litre WD40, decent stiff paintbrush and have at it, once the worst of the crud is off then use something like Gunk, WD is cheaper (when bought in the big bottle) and the gunk is really only getting rid of the film the WD leaves so little is needed, that's how I cleaned the shed project and you wouldn't believe how shiny it was underneath the years of teenage neglect two stroke grunge and mank