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Got it registered with the DMV, not a major problem, but I'm still fighting over being able to use the original plate. I have to wait for them to approve it.

Got my new chain installed and went for a 20 mile ride yesterday, put on another 45 miles today. Starts easy, runs strong. The riding was mixed, city and country. With the 33 tooth rear sprocket town driving is mostly 2nd and some third gear. High gear is a minimum of 45 to keep from lugging, but just fine on the highway.

The only problem I encountered was the speedometer needle started jumping the last 3 or 4 miles. I had already lubed the cable. I pulled the speedo apart and lubed the main spots, I'll take it a test ride tomorrow.


Here's what I noticed are the main differences between riding the CA77 and the CL77-

The CL roars, the CA buzzes.
the CL vibrates considerably (I consider it massage therapy :), the CA has minimal vibration.
Way more torque on the CL.
The suspension on the CL is stiffer, but not uncomfortably so. The CA seems to bounce over the bumps- doesn't recover as quickly. I think part of feeling more bumps with the CA is the smaller wheel size.
Because of the gearing the CL takes a little more throttle on takeoff. With the gears crossed on the CL the spacing doesn't feel all that much different than the CA. A larger sprocket on the CL would make it easier to compare in that department.

Which will be my favorite? I'm going to have to put more miles on the CL to be sure. Hopefully I get enough riding in over the next couple of months to be able to say.

Took it for another 20 mile ride yesterday. The speedometer worked normally, hopefully it will continue to do so.

Just signed up for the Oregon AMCA National Road Run next month. Should be a good test of the CL77, but I'll take the CA77 along too. Never know when you might need a backup :)

Stan, that's great! It sounds like it's running really well.

DMV is giving you problems about the original plate?

Yes the DMV has struck. I had to fill out a form saying I wouldn't install the plate unless I got an approval letter from them which can take up to 60 days. I talked to someone today who went though the same thing.
On another note, the gasket material I used for my carb bowl gasket that was supposed to be fuel resistant wasn't. It swelled up and stuck my float today at the AMCA meet. I had a paper gasket so it's back running, just seeps a little, I'll have to work on that.

I took a bunch of pictures at the meet, I'll try to get them posted in the net day or two. The CL77 didn't score as well in the judging as I think it should have, so the results are being reviewed, I'll have a final determination in a week or so. Not a huge deal but interested to see how it ends up.

I seem to have the carb gasket solved, replacement gaskets have held for a while. I've got some viton material, made a gasket for my CA77 carb. Put some of it soaking in fuel for a week with no problem. If the current gasket goes bad I'll use it.

I'm not sure if I mentioned here, but I purchased a Kohler regulator and installed it, read somewhere that was the way to go. I rode the CL77 on the AMCA National road run Friday (used the CA77 Thursday and Saturday). Engine died about 40 miles out running with headlights. I turned it off and made it to mile 172 ( of 200). The regulator was fried. It looks like it melted between the terminal to the battery and the yellow wire, which if I remember correctly my has two legs of the alternator attached when the lights are on. Apparently the regulator is not heavy duty enough. So much for a "good idea.". Looks like I'll go back to the diode setup, modern of course.

Use one of these: http://www.rockypointcycle.com/p-triump ... 7622T.html , they have always worked well for me. If you shop around you can find them in the 35- 40 dollar range.

Stan,

Did you use a new OE Kohler unit or one of the aftermarket units?

HT