Hi Everyone
Name is Mike from sunny South Africa. I own a collection of 1978-1980 bikes including: (RD350, XT500, XT250, 3xDT175, XL185, bit bias towards Yamaha until now) most of which I have restored. So a long range bike was still needed, I was considering the CB750F as I owned on in the eighties but decided to go whole hog and get a CBX. I have never ridden one and the fact that its as inconic a bike as the RD helped the decision. I know the bikes I have quite well but must say I`m intimidated by the CBX with all those cylinders and carbs. The one I found has a weird custom paint job, but a beautifully loud 6 into 6 exhaust (and I remember these bikes being renowned for their soundtrack, so happy there). But the bike has stood last 14months so previous owner tells me 2 carb pilot jets are blocked. Result is she very hard to start, your fix on hard starting will come in handy here. He had it booked in for repair so I`m just gonna get it done. Also needs a new front tyre.
So that's my story, look forward to sharing info with u guys.
Of course, cleaning the carbs thoroughly after a long period of sitting will help. But the hard starting issue with the 80-82 CBXes is not necessarily due to clogged carbs but will persist after you clean them. It is because of the vacuum fuel valve and empty float bowls. After you have cleaned the carbs, you will have to learn about a few little tricks on how to start the bike easier.
Yes I've been reading up on the vacuum fuel valve causing starting problems. Also once the bike starts it won`t idle. Have to ride with choke on. I have not yet taken it on a freeway yet for a decent run..so might be better once it heats up properly.
Yep..matt black..looks ok but would like to respray it that original greyish silver colour one day. Don`t like the white.
You my as well figure on a carb cleaning.. The idle jets are real small and once they get plugged you are screwed. maybe put a heavy dose of injector cleaner in it and run the piss out of it. I beleive that is your only chance. Good luck
tevan wrote:You my as well figure on a carb cleaning.. The idle jets are real small and once they get plugged you are screwed. maybe put a heavy dose of injector cleaner in it and run the piss out of it. I beleive that is your only chance. Good luck
I paid the engine re-builder a couple hundred to clean my carbs in his sonic bath and they still weren't clean...not until I took the carbs apart blasted every single orifice with carb cleaner were they opened, about 6 hrs to disassemble, clean and reassemble and that didn't include the time to remove them from the engine and then re-install...only good thing to come of it was I learned a lot about carbs that I didn't know before and a little preventive maintenance to prevent a repeat...I've been adding Motul fuel system additive to my fuel every month and at the last fuel up STP injector cleaner...
CBX a work in progress, still improving...GS1150EFE completed and awaiting modifications.....RD350, remnants in boxes scattered throughout the garage
Mike, from another Mike (there seem to a few of us here, all good guys ) a little north of you.
With the carbs, in my limited experience, there are no short cuts that work. Disassembly and cleaning properly really is worth it and with instruction not too difficult to get a reasonable result but definately takes time. Mike Nixon has a great instructional booklet on this. You can buy a full carb kit and the book from Randakks cycle shack. The kit is not cheap but contains all the bits you need and quality is top class - I've bought a couple from him.
Where in the cape are you? We are flying down (sadly no bike this year) for a short stay over Christmas as my mum isn't too well - Pinelands. Time permitting we could meet for a beer in the sun over looking the sea (had to add that bit for the northern hemisphere folks).
"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines." - Enzo Ferrari
I agree..I hear the motor has to be dropped forward to get these carbs out.
Mike I`m in Durbanville. Would be great to meet up.we have sum good beer swilling places on the seafront. Can we not chat closer to the time via email?
Maybe you can help me get a RD350LC rev counter I`m bidding on from the UK on Ebay. Mine went screwy.
mcferreira100 wrote:..I hear the motor has to be dropped forward to get these carbs out.
Not a difficult job, just time consuming. Don't worry you get pretty good at it if you don't clean the carbs properly!
mcferreira100 wrote:Mike I`m in Durbanville. Would be great to meet up.we have sum good beer swilling places on the seafront. Can we not chat closer to the time via email?
Not too far then. My brother lives in Durbanville. Will send you my email addy
mcferreira100 wrote:Maybe you can help me get a RD350LC rev counter I`m bidding on from the UK on Ebay. Mine went screwy.
I will check with the guys up here - there is a Yamaha enthusiast I know that seems to have a collection of all the 350 / 400 2 strokes. Should see him at the classic bike meet in a week or so.
"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines." - Enzo Ferrari
maybe put a heavy dose of injector cleaner in it and run the piss out of it. I beleive that is your only chance. Good luck
) a little north of you.
! 