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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Started her up for the season, few ?s
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Message started by cowspotter on 04/05/10 at 17:05:52

Title: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by cowspotter on 04/05/10 at 17:05:52

I finally managed to get thumper back up and running after being in storage all winter and then maintenance delays. I did a valve adjustment, oil change, adjusted the decompression solenoid, and installed a verslavy. I took her out for a ride and it was wonderful. This was my first valve adjustment so I am kinda curious how I know if I did it right.

1. I set the valves to between 0.004 and 0.005". Really I set it to 0.004 but 0.005 was still manageable to get it in the space. Those feelers are so paper thin. I guess I'm just worried I got it too loose or too tight.

2. I adjusted the decompression solenoid and now the bike starts much easier. Before it would take a 2 or 3 seconds of holding the starter to fire up. Now it's almost instantaneous when I push the starter. I love a quick starting bike, but I just want someone to tell me that's how it should start. I guess the 2-3 sec start time could be an indicator of a needed adjustment, I just got used to it.

3. Has anyone else had issues with their license plate cracking? I snapped 1 license plate due to cracks forming at both ends and moving across due to vibration. I got a new one and after 1/2 a riding season this one is already showing signs of stress. I went to Home Depot and bought 4 rubber grommets, stacked 2 on each bolt and it sounds better. It was making a bit of a racket before. Just curious if it's a common issue.

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by LostArtist on 04/05/10 at 17:19:26

how did you adjust the decompression solenoid? what is a decompression solenoid? :(

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by cowspotter on 04/05/10 at 17:21:14

65465A5D685B5D405A5D290 wrote:

how did you adjust the decompression solenoid? what is a decompression solenoid? :(

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1169356966

It's a device that opens one of the exhaust valves when you hit the starter to make it easier to get the engine turning so it can start.

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by Serowbot on 04/05/10 at 17:29:04

sounds like you adjusted them just about perfect... ;)...

License plate cracking?.... Oh yeah!.... find a frame or backing plate...

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by ALfromN.H. on 04/05/10 at 18:29:17

I took a piece of Bituthane and stuck it to the back of my licence plate. Seems to be holding up well. Cracks aren't getting any bigger.

AL

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by cowspotter on 04/06/10 at 05:14:22

Rode to work this morning, went great. Only issue I need to address now is I seem to have some oozing of oil that accumulates on the bottom of the engine. I had the same problem last year and found after a few riding cycles that 1 or 2 of the clutch cover bolts needed a bit more tightening. Hopefully it's the same situation this year.

The quick starts are going to take some time to get used to.

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by Routy on 04/06/10 at 05:43:14

For oil seepage, you mite check the 2 long engine bolts that hold the kickstand mount, and the brake pedal/foot peg assy to the frame. If these 2 bolts are not tight, it will seep oil.

2D21393D3E213A3A2B3C4E0 wrote:

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by Rocco on 04/06/10 at 11:26:42

i had a lady bump me @ a light and crack my plate in half, but it held for a while...til as luck would have it i was about an hour and a half from home....plateless lol

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by babyhog on 04/06/10 at 11:27:55

Do you guys have plastic license plates?? Mine is metal. And I don't think I've ever read anyone talk about their plate cracking before now.....

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 04/06/10 at 11:29:13

6E6D6C616379000 wrote:

Do you guys have plastic license plates?? Mine is metal. And I don't think I've ever read anyone talk about their plate cracking before now.....

Same here. Now my plate is a bit worn down because the holder got bent forward and was rubbing my rear tire, but I have since taken care of that. But no cracking or breaking in half.

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by verslagen1 on 04/06/10 at 11:45:56

My bike came with a cracked plate and it's common.
I guess being a big single the power pulses cause a vibration in the plate. I added a backing plate to both bikes.

Quick start vs slow cause of decomp adjustment, a quick start is on the verge of stalling the starter. If the adjustment gets looser, could cause the starter to stall on the compression stroke. Not a major concern, just be aware.

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by Pabst 2006 on 04/06/10 at 14:38:58

-- cracked license plate --

Mine is cracked from the mounting nuts to the outside edges of the plate. Just not in the middle. I noticed it had started already by itself, but as I use a Dowco cover on the bike all the time, the plate takes a lot of wear and tear (flexing) from catching on the back section of the cover when I take the cover off. :-(

-Pabst

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by SmilinLDR on 04/06/10 at 19:43:24

Mine cracked too. Licence plate frame stopped it from continueing to spread.

Title: Re: Started her up for the season, few ?s
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/06/10 at 20:35:49

My plate cracked. I was following the girl one day & saw the whole rear fender shake like it was made of jello as she pulled away from a stop, somewhere toward the top of first or bottom of second. I was amazed nat the amount of shaking it was doing.