Subject: Running Like A Top!
Author: Keith Ruff
Date: Jul 28, 2002, 6:24 PM
Post ID: 1710688275
Well, it's been a super educational past few days and I want to thank
all of you whom have responded with advice and tips, and a special
thanks to Paul and Dave Otis for allowing me to call/bother them at
home. What a sense of satisfaction having wrenched "Patience" by myself
for the 1st time and for doing things I never thought I was capable of
doing, i.e., timing, points, and gen belt. I worked through slow and
was quite surprised at how relatively easy it all was. I took her out
for a test ride this eve, and she really seems to be running smoother
than before, and has a slightly different roar. I guess she indeed was
due for new points and wires. The noise up front has toned down
significantly, though it still is there, perhaps just bearings on the
gen or valve noise rebounding off my shield. The suspension is a little
bit better with the rear shocks cranked up a notch, it didn't feel as
bouncy up front. Only questions I have are:
1. I tried to adjust out that engine idle slow down when the clutch is
depressed while stopped. It idles perfect when in nuetral, no clutch
application. As soon as the clutch is pulled in, the idle drops down to
almost a stall situation. I pulled her back in the garage, put her on
the center stand, and tried to adjust the clutch cable at the trans side
but it did not help. I pulled the clutch and tightened up the cable -
thereby giving it more pull on the clutch, but it didn't boost the idle
whatsoever. Do many other owners have this same problem? I think I had
read that the only fix is disassembly of the trans? Can I fix this or
do I just live with it? Cam's Eldo has the same problem.
2. As far as the gen belt goes, it is better to have it adjusted a
little tight or a little loose? The pulley originally had all 5 spacers
in between the halves which is most likely the reason the belt exploded
and burned up about a week ago. It was a brand new belt, I guess my
mechanic friend didn't know how to or didn't bother adjusting it. When
I put the new one on, with 5 spacers in there it was flapping around all
over the place. I went to 3 spacers in the middle, one behind the back
1/2, and one up front, and it seemed ok. After running the engine a few
times, then removing the cover again to rotate the engine for the valve
adjustments, the belt felt a little loose, so I took out another spacer,
now she's is snug and you can give it a firm squeeze to get some flex.
Is this OK? I know the conscensus was overtight is not good for the gen
bracket, but I figure this new belt will stretch a bit and will settle
in to a little looser fit, so the tighter setting now should be ok.
With 3 spacers in the middle, the belt was easy to squeeze. Did I do
this right? Should I keep it tighter or go looser, my only concern with
looser is if it stretches/breaks in a bit it may be too loose.
Thanx again to all for help along the way and for the Loopframe
Maintenance 101 education.
Keith Ruff
71 Police Ambassador - NJ