Leaky Carb + Polished Crank Case

[pwilke1]

In typical fashion, I started last week with the simple plan to bang out and touch up a dent in my back fender. I have now moved on to stripping the bike to repaint the fenders, side cases, tank, chain guard and forks. No need to drop the engine for a total restore, just a little "freshening up". I popped open the right crank case, found a bit of gas and traced it back to a leaky carb. (Most likely also my issue for having to run my choke a bit when riding)

Question 1 - Besides float adjustments, what else should I look for before I pull the carb out to rebuild it? Any other tweaks I can try first? When I purchased the bike in October 2009 I was told it had recently been rebuilt. However we all know that very well may not have been true. As mentioned above, I have addressed on this forum my my inability to ride the bike with the choke all the way off. So a rebuild may be my best bet.

Question 2 - I've use a bench buffer to restore most of my chrome (metal) and now I'm thinking about doing the same to the crank cases. However I've really only seen the painted cases/motor. Is there a reason for this? It's easy enough for me to get get the high polished - mirror look of chrome, but before I put in the hours doing so, I wanted to make sure there's not a reason the engines/cases are painted. I realize this is a bit outside of "typical" restoration but I'm not looking for a show bike, simply something that shows my personality.

As always, you guys have been truly helpful in a once "newbie". And for that I thank you!

-Patrick

[davomoto]

Two things on the carb, float height, and a worn float needle will cause in to flow gas into the motor. Make sure to completely strip the carb, and blow compressed air through all of the orfices. The pilot jet plugs easliy, so make sure it is clear. That is usually the problem if the bike will only run with the choke on.

Stock, only the outer cases were painted, crankcases, cylinder, head, valve cover were all natural. If you're doing a resto, then you want your engine with the correct finish. If not, polish away!

Davo

[pwilke1]

Noted and noted. Thanks for the advice on the carb.

Looks like I've got a few hours of polishing ahead of me.

[pwilke1]

My impromptu renovation is coming along nicely. Everything's broken down, stripped and primed. Today I begin wet sanding the primer with hopes of painting on Monday.

However I am now in need to a few items. I'm looking for both a gasket for my left crank case and a replacement front Honda emblem. I know the gasket is an easy find, but if possible I'd like to find one site for both to save on shipping. Any suggestions? I've looked around for the front Honda emblem but haven't found it anywhere so far.

Note to self - patience is should always be practiced when breaking down a bike! The front emblem was my last piece to take apart in the break down and I let patience get the best of me. Hence the need for a new one...

As always, thanks in advance!

-Patrick