CB360 - working on it on the weekends

[edukaycheon]

Okay so went to the shop, first things first fit my ignition key into the fork lock...it works! Not very high tech, but it's a bit more peace of mind.

Kind of frustrating day today, went in with the jets to get some work done on the carbs. Sprayed cleaner on the manifolds and no changes in idle, except for the previously mentioned ticks as seen in the video I posted. Pulled the carbs and the float bowls came off...then I had the biggest facepalm moment ever and realized that I had ordered single jets of 120, 122, and 125, leaving me with 3 jets and not a single set. :-[ So I drove down to the local Honda dealer and I was able to order a second jet for each size, which should be here by Wednesday or so. I guess I kind of assumed that for $6 I'd be getting a set of each tiny jet, but that's my fault. Just for fun, put the carbs back on and rode it around for 20 minutes. I had my mechanic take it around the block as well to get a second opinion on how she's running, and he says it definitely is running lean and needs to be fixed, but it's not so bad where there's a loss of power and the bike still pulls well. Since I can't do much until the jets come in, I'm going to go back in tomorrow and put some miles on it, because my mind is psyching myself out and imagining problems that may or may not be there, to the point where I have less fun on the bike because I'm worried about how it's running or if it'll die at the next light.

 

[trek97]

Oh that sucks. I feel your pain.
Be careful riding her when lean. She can get hot quick. causing more headaches.

The good news is...you can still get started right now. Just put a 120 in one carb and 122 in the other. do some chops and see which on is working best. then when you get the others you have a good idea already.

to the point where I have less fun on the bike because I'm worried about how it's running or if it'll die at the next light.

THAT IS THE FUN OF OWNING A 360. You have got to be able to stand along the side of the road w a dead bike and just shake your head and laugh. Again and again and again. Everytime my old lady arrives w the trailer. She just sits quietly behind the wheel and smiles at me. I get the bike loaded and treat her to a nice dinner out.
I tell guys...if you cant handle that...finance fuel injection and a warranty.
which reminds me...I should probably treat her to a nice dinner, now. Just so we start this riding season on the right foot. LOL, see Im already laughing.

 

[Sonreir]

Let's see... I've owned a 360 for about three years now. It's been running for about one year of that because I keep messing with the damn thing.

Of that one year of running time, I've been stuck on the side of the road four times:
*Twice for running out of gas (first time allowed me to find out I have no reserve, second time was just me pushing my luck)
*Once for a failed charging system
*Once for a throttle cable that became disconnected and I forgot to bring tools with me

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

I rode mine for 10 years (78-88). She never left me stranded.

I have rode home missing and spitting but she go, if slowly, on one cylinder.

The brake delamination was the first time she wouldn't go. That was my fault.

They were reliable in their time. My 91 hasn't even burped in 9 years.

Once set up, if you pay attention to details ( loose parts, funny sounds, etc). They are very reliable. Of course, 37 year old wiring and components are past their life expectancy, but I will feel comfortable taking Sophie out on a full day trip and expect her to bring me home.
The most problems I had were with the points and carburetor sync. Sync never kept her from running, just idling well. The points? A screwdriver was a good enough tool to provide a rough fix roadside.
When Pamco gets the electronic ignition ready for us, the single biggest point ( pun intended) of problems will be resolved.


Sent from planet Earth using mysterious electronic devices and Tapatalk

 

[SONICJK]

I rode men for 10 years (78-88)

I have rode home missing and spitting

Ok now this is the best one yet. Maybe sig worthy 8)

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

Stupid iPhone auto correct. Fixed it. For the record, I have never rode any men or considered doing so. Lol


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[Rich Ard]

I can't believe i showed up late for this one...mysterious electronic devices indeed...

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

If you went back 50 years with an iPhone, it would be a mysterious device.




Sent from planet Earth using mysterious electronic devices and Tapatalk

 

[edukaycheon]

Yeah I have to start looking at the side of the road as a possibility for a rest every ride instead of an absolute disappointment. Reading all of this makes me feel a bit better though ;D

Back in the shop today to put some miles on the bike, so with an idea of a route in my head I pulled the bike out of the shop, started her up, and geared up while she warmed up. It's a warm sunny day in southern California so I rode the canyon road down towards PCH, but of course forgot about all the traffic I fit my bike through a few gaps I probably shouldn't have, but no harm no foul. PCH was nice riding, it was a bit cooler than inland and traffic wasn't too bad away from the main beaches, but as I got into Newport Beach my bike suddenly died at a light. It wasn't me stalling it, it just faded away while the clutch was pulled in. Otherwise, the bike was riding well until that point, so I hurriedly kicked it up into neutral and pushed it to the side of the road. Checked gas, about half a gallon left so I should be filling up but should still be rideable, checked the idle screw, still wasn't making power and sounded like it was bogging down. Made it to the next gas station, and instead of getting a pickup rode the freeway back to the shop. I'm used to the usual routine now, slight throttle even at lights, lots of engine braking, and very short stops at stop signs so my engine doesn't die :-X

On the freeway, it was clear I wasn't getting good acceleration, I could have the throttle all the way open and the revs would be low and the motor would sound bogged down. Made it to the shop by staying in the right lane and making cars behind me mad, but I got to the shop and sprayed some cleaner on the exhausts. The left side wasn't firing, so I had ridden back on one cylinder, but at least I had made it without getting a lift. Checked compression, good, checked spark, good, so I pulled the K&Ns, cleaned and oiled them, then started to play with the fuel/air screws. Got the engine RPMs to rise, then brought it back down with the idle screw. Also put in new spark plugs (the plugs that were in the bike looked like the left was rich (?) and the right was a bit lean, but not too bad) Throttle sounded a lot crisper and sharper than before when it sounded slow and choking. Took it for a second ride out into the canyons with my mechanic following on his VTR, and I had absolutely no power. I felt like Jeremy Clarkson screaming POWER at his car ;D I would have a slow acceleration and could wind out 1st gear, but as I upshifted my speedo needle barely moved up. I could be in 3rd gear with the throttle wide open and the needle would barely be quivering over 40. Still made it through the canyons, but at a steep hill with hairpins at the exit, bike almost died trying to make it up the hill. Mechanic thinks it has to do with points/timing, since I'm not getting power with more revs, so either way had to make it back to the shop. Same routine, gas even as I come to a stop otherwise the bike will die, and I have to hold the throttle just slightly open otherwise it'll cough to a stop. Lots of engine braking and rear tire slip, fun.

The confusing thing when we got back and pulled the plugs was that the right side looked the same as before, slightly lean but decent, but the left side looked brand new, no smell of gas or anything. Checked it against the motor, no spark this time. ??? Could be that a wire came loose, and the jet sets should be here by next week so looking forward to tearing into it then.


Useless picture just to break up the mass of text

 

[trek97]

I take it you didnt try installing a 120 in one carb and a 122 in the other?

 

[crazypj]

You have checked all the connections under tank?
Could also be a condensor going bad when warm?
If you lean bike to right side you can put a timing light on it and check advancer is working.
Make sure to check both sides are advancing to ' ll ' mark but no further around 3,000 rpm

 

[edukaycheon]

I take it you didnt try installing a 120 in one carb and a 122 in the other?

Nope didn't try that, decided to just wait until I had a full set do mess around with jets. I didnt check the connections which is why it could just be a wire going to the points thats out. Mechanic thought it might be advancer as well, so if adjusting points and checking connections doesnt work I'll check that too

 

[edukaycheon]

So have the jets but before getting into the carbs, wanted to make sure I was getting spark. Getting spark on both sides and points are firing, and started up the bike and she's revving well, both cylinders getting gas. Wheel it out of the shop, gear up, start it up, and left side's not firing again, revs sound weaker and duller. Pull points, clean and check them, they're fine, tried swapping the plug caps, it's revving fine now. Not sure what it could be, does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

[trek97]

So have the jets but before getting into the carbs, wanted to make sure I was getting spark. Getting spark on both sides and points are firing, and started up the bike and she's revving well, both cylinders getting gas. Wheel it out of the shop, gear up, start it up, and left side's not firing again, revs sound weaker and duller. Pull points, clean and check them, they're fine, tried swapping the plug caps, it's revving fine now. Not sure what it could be, does this sound familiar to anyone?

grounding out on points cover, maybe??? take it off, start it up and go for a ride.

 

[edukaycheon]

I've tried with the cover on/off, doesn't make a difference. The last time I checked the left plug when it was firing, it looked like this

http://i.imgur.com/8kCmg2H.jpg

which may have been rich enough to drown the spark, causing it not to fire?

When it was in the shop, the plug was getting a bit of gas when I revved it in neutral but since I'm having the problem I pulled them both

http://i.imgur.com/cnhlGq5.jpg

(Plugs were changed since the first picture)

So what I'm feeling is when I rev it, there's a slight hesitation, then it revs up slower and sounds belchier than what it should be, which is a quick throttle response (quick rev when I twist the throttle) and a crisper sound

 

[trek97]

rather than good I shouldve wrote "better" it needs to be a little rich at idle so it dont overheat in traffic or railroad crossings etc. Also, it depends how long it was idling. probably not very long from the looks of it.

 

[edukaycheon]

You're right, I just fired her up and tried the throttle, and when it wouldn't respond well I just shut it off. I found the left carb bowl was a little wet around the edges and the right one wasn't, I'm thinking that the left side is getting too much gas and it's drowning the spark so it's not firing. Had to leave early today so didn't get a chance to pull the carbs, but that seems to fit what's happening. Jetting will come next time as well

 

[edukaycheon]

Pulled the carbs, put in the 120 secondary mains, cleaned the primaries, adjusted the clips, floats were set to about 20mm but I'm thinking that should be okay since I'm running the K&Ns. After some finessing with the screws, got the float bowls back on, put on the bike, and fired up. Both cylinders are firing, I'm still playing with the idle and fuel/air screws, but when I rev, the idle will drop when it goes back down and sometimes die. Not sure what it could be at this point, checked for air leaks in the manifolds, cables are tight

 

[crazypj]

The 'good' plug looks wet?
The other is obviously dry
Check the shut off valves, could be bit of crap got in there?

 

[edukaycheon]

By shut off valves you mean the petcock? I don't think it has to do with anything there, no chance for anything to get in there, gas is new and tank is clean, and it ran okay before, so I think if it was that it would have appeared earlier.

So here's what I know:

Bike starts up okay, first start up of the day I usually start it without the choke, flip it on for a bit, then turn off the choke and she'll fire up. Idle seems okay, idle screws and fuel/air screws have been tweaked but don't resolve the problem.

When the throttle is revved, the bike is slow to rise in rpm and sounds like it's belching, or like a deeper growl instead of the sharp quick sound that it should be. Most notable at low end rpm, just off idle rising up, becomes less noticeable as the throttle is twisted. Same thing when riding, in first gear starting out bike is slow to get on the power, and into third and on has no acceleration; I can be twisting the throttle wide open and the needle will twitch around 40 mph, rpms don't sound right at that point, and doesn't want to go over 50.

Sometimes when throttle is revved, the bike will return to idle slowly, idle will be much lower than before revved, and sometimes will die on its own. When I took it out of the shop to take it around the block, it died once I popped it into first with the clutch in, maybe something to do with the throttle at low rpms again?

Carbs: secondary mains are now new 120s, pilot jets were taken out and cleaned (left side looked a bit dirty). Mechanic thinks one pilot looks a little bigger than the other. Carb sync hasn't been adjusted since getting them from crazypj, but haven't been messed with enough to think they'd be too off. Float heights are at about 20mm, clips were fixed and are working okay.

Air filters were cleaned and oiled last week (K&Ns), intake manifolds have been sprayed with solvent and no leaks detected.

What I'm wondering is I sprayed solvent on the exhausts to see if they were both firing and it looked like they were, but it runs like it was when only one cylinder was firing. I didn't get the chance to check the plugs because I had to leave early in a hurry, but that definitely has to be done next time.