The rebirth of Lazarus

[davidcumbria]

Mine are middle notch which is what the often posted chart says.

[mickwinf]

OK will try them in centre groove, thanks all. I must admit I am not enjoying this snagging process as I have not been able to have a proper ride yet. Hopefully get there soon.

[mickwinf]

had a little time today as Luna the dog is recovering well from her operation and can be left unsupervised for a while. I decided to replace the clutch plates with new EBC items and also changed the springs for some H/D ones I had. Snag is I thought I had a spare gasket but that is a 550 and is slightly different. the old one would probably go again but dont want to do the job again. I have had the carbs apart and put the needle clip in the centre groove and made sure things were clean in there, once the clutch is back together will try it out and report back.

[mickwinf]

had a chance to try a ride, only about 10 miles but a big improvement on before. the big flat spot is much reduced since changing the needle clip position and the clutch also feels better. A weird thing happens though when i open the throttle to accelerate It sometimes snatches as if i had momentarily pulled the clutch in, strange, and carbs still need setting better as get a hanging idle sometimes. At least I had an enjoyable ride with a reasonable chance of getting home with no unplanned stops!

[SteveD CB500K0]

Mine used to do that in third gear Mick.

It was a worn central dog in the gearbox.


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[mickwinf]

hope its not that Steve, did lots of work on gearbox.

[mickwinf]

Lazarus continues to frustrate me and resist his rebirth.started running on 3 cyls, and after swapping plugs etc with no effect I decided it must be a blockage in no 2 carb. So carbs off again and pilot jet had a blockage, then after cleaning carbs back on. Now running on two cyls! Turns out the low tension wire has broken off the coil. A member of our fine forum Simon has offered to do the Ash fix on some spare coils for me so hope to be back running soon.

[mickwinf]

After Teds thread on losing enthusiasm I had a bit of a rethink and took lazarus out for a ride, the first one since i re-cleaned the carbs and fixed the coil. Running much better although still a bit of hesitation off idle. Came home and weakened the mixture a bit more and again a bit more improvement. checked the plug colour and still sooty, but getting lighter on each adjustment. The clutch still not quite there, not sure if adjustment is wrong or some other fault. Tickover is a bit odd, sometimes a slight hanging throttle and sometimes cuts out when coming to a stop. oh and no 3 cyl runs slightly hotter than the other three. But did a few miles and enjoyed the ride.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Do you have the correct 500 air screws with the holes in them?

As you will know turning the screws ant-clockwise will weaken the mixture through the idle and low speed range.

If by any chance you have the 550 air screws (solid brass with a cut off nose)  its only a 1/4 turn that is about equivalent to a full turn and a half or so of the 500 screws.

[mickwinf]

back with Lazarus again, as reported before the two main things were a flat spot off idle and a clutch slip problem. I put the needles in the centre groove and made a big difference, each subsequent adjustment makes a slight improvement so getting there except for a slight hanging idle. The clutch was doing my head in, as all seemed good with new plates etc, but continued to slip. It felt as if i had the clutch slightly held in, so checked the operating mech, the spiral thread thingy. It felt like it was catching and not returning as it should. the cable is a new oem item with the plastic liner, this is the second one that i have had problems with and found the liner was damaged where it joins the lever at the handlebars. I carefully cut the bad bit off and lubricated with silicone grease, also replaced the spiral holder with a spare. result is I have just been on a 20 mile ride and come back with a big grin and hope a little more fettling should get him 100%

[Bryanj]

That mechanism was not the best when new, now 50 yrs on its just damn awkward!

[Nurse Julie]

Well done Mick.

[mickwinf]

not had a lot of time with bike, but had a tinker with carbs again, synced them and tweaked air screws. still not quite right. My question is the idle screw adjusters are now 2 full turns out and flush with the edge of the casting they fit into. If I adjust any further out they would maybe fall out? have I reached the end of adjustment and if so should I fit smaller idle jets? carbs are 627s 100 main jet 40 idle jet. also front brake screams like a banshee although feels good. Once I am satisfied he is running ok then I will treat him to the new 4/4 exhausts sitting in my bedroom!

[mickwinf]

oh forgot to say, the screws are the ones with the hole in the end as per Teds post.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I'm a novice here - fitting 38 jets ought to be good or would the solid 550 type screw be easier and  let in more air for fewer turns?
Bryan or Ken will know for sure.