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Message started by Fujisawa Rob on 04/12/11 at 12:28:41

Title: Some newbie questions
Post by Fujisawa Rob on 04/12/11 at 12:28:41

My '86 doesn't have the torque limiting gear for the starter system. I've read a little about cracks or worse occurring due to kickback when the engine stops. I haven't noticed any significant noises when the engine stops, although I do hear a 'whirr' that sounds like it's from the starter turning. Should I be overly concerned about this design flaw? I've read about swapping the case cover and gear from 96+ models, or using a decompression controller to activate that system on shut-off.

Second question: I see some oil dampness near the top of the exhaust header, right where it exits the head. Is this likely from the 'oil plug'?

And one more: I see some oil spots between the fins next to the head gasket, but no seepage or wetness is visible even after getting the engine pretty hot. It looks like it might be old. I'm going to give it a good cleaning and see if it shows again. If it does, is it worth the effort to try re torquing the head, or should I just order a gasket and do it right?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by verslagen1 on 04/12/11 at 15:19:42

While this doesn't happen with every pre'90 bike there is, I am concerned. Work arounds would be to snub the spin down of the engine by leaving it in gear and letting the clutch out when stopped. Or putting a manual lever on the decomp lever. Or putting a 'kill' button on the solenoid so you could manually activate it. This would have the benefit of being able to push start it easier. Adding the gear brings it up to equivalent to the post 90's bike

Yes, you have the dreaded head plug leak, a small leak is not a concern except the loss of oil with time.

Again, oil seepage not a major concern except to maintain oil level. Retorque and hope for the best.

If a drip of oil is a major concern then tear apart and reseal. It's up to you.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Fujisawa Rob on 04/12/11 at 17:17:23

382B3C3D222F292B207F4E0 wrote:

While this doesn't happen with every pre'90 bike there is, I am concerned. Work arounds would be to snub the spin down of the engine by leaving it in gear and letting the clutch out when stopped. Or putting a manual lever on the decomp lever. Or putting a 'kill' button on the solenoid so you could manually activate it. This would have the benefit of being able to push start it easier. Adding the gear brings it up to equivalent to the post 90's bike

...

If a drip of oil is a major concern then tear apart and reseal. It's up to you.

Sounds good. I think I'll rig up a switch to activate the solenoid. Will the loss of compression alone cause the engine to stall as quickly as the kill switch would? I imagine it might leave unburned fuel in the engine and tend to foul the plugs over time.

I probably won't mess with well enough for now, as far as oil leaks are concerned.

Thanks for the advice.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by verslagen1 on 04/12/11 at 17:54:40

2736363C25273C343B3C550 wrote:

I'd push the run/kill switch 1st then the decomp button (use a momentary switch like the start button) so you'd have no more unburnt gas then normal.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Fujisawa Rob on 04/13/11 at 06:22:27

The engine easily stalls if the clutch is engaged at a stop, which is good. I still hear the "whirring" noise which I presume is the starter.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Arnold on 04/13/11 at 06:56:04

My 96 also makes that noise you describe when I turn it off, not always but I'd say over 50% of the time. It's like when I turn the key off some gears are still running in there for about a second. Like a marble in a gearbox. It's always done that.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Fujisawa Rob on 04/13/11 at 07:09:03

64716A696960716077050 wrote:

Ok, maybe it's not the starter. It seems to do it every time. I suppose I could pull the starter and push start it, then kill the engine to see if it still happens.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Arnold on 04/13/11 at 07:26:04

Does the starter runs once the bike is started???

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Fujisawa Rob on 04/13/11 at 07:40:45

786D7675757C6D7C6B190 wrote:

Does the starter runs once the bike is started???

How do you mean? Does the starter keep turning? Not that I can tell.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Arnold on 04/13/11 at 07:50:32

I mean in a normal situation it kicks in to start the bike then does nothing. So I would think it also remains idle when the bike it turned off.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Fujisawa Rob on 04/13/11 at 08:17:53

53465D5E5E57465740320 wrote:

I mean in a normal situation it kicks in to start the bike then does nothing. So I would think it also remains idle when the bike it turned off.

If the sound I hear is the starter, it seems like the engine is turning the starter at shut down.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Arnold on 04/13/11 at 08:27:21

Well now I'll have to pay attention next time I shut mine down. Anyone else hears that?

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Fujisawa Rob on 04/13/11 at 08:32:30

6673686B6B62736275070 wrote:

Well now I'll have to pay attention next time I shut mine down. Anyone else hears that?

It may not be the starter, could be the gearbox as mentioned. It is a distinct "whirrrr" sound for sure.

Title: Re: Some newbie questions
Post by Arnold on 04/13/11 at 08:40:16

I know, glad it's not just me. Maybe I'll try turning off while in gear next time and see if the noise changes.