Honda-SOHC

All going great putting new OEM head gasket on, head on and putting head bolts back with aid of head torch.

 Head torch decides to self explode and threw a aaa battery down the hole where the timing chain runs. Luckily got caught between timing chain and tensioner and managed to fish it out with a special “tool” fashioned from dowel and blue tack!!!

Another lesson learnt - stuff a rag in holes where things can drop!

Anyway brings me to the point of the post

Any tips for getting the head flange bolts on. I use a dab of grease in the socket and washer when dropping them in but is there an easier way. Sure I saw a tip somewhere advocating glueing a small magnet to a socket

Anyone recommend a supplier for these please?

Hi,
My bike has been not quite right since last rebuild for head gasket. I think it may be down to float levels but just wondered what the symptoms pf low float levels are.

My issue is pulling away from standstill I have to ramp up the revs or she tries to stall. Hill starts are even more of a challenge requiring me to gun it whilst slipping the clutch. I am confident pilots are clear as they are new and I also checked recently all the pilot air channels but I think float levels on 3 and 4 may be a bit low.

As I do more and learn more I get more confused with life in the Honda Fours lane 

Having just helicoiled a number of my carb float bowl threads with M4 x 0.7 inserts I got to wondering why these threads were stripping - I have had the float bowls off so many times and wondered if this was why as the carb bodies are pretty soft alloy.

I had earlier replaced the float bowl original M4 screws with M4 capscrews  that I "borrowed from work" without any real intimate knowledge of thread pitches and Japanese variations used on these bikes. So I got to wondering if the capscrews I used were a different pitch to the original JIS screws and maybe that was what was causing the threads to strip.

I am not a purist and prefer to use capscrews where I can as opposed to the original slotted head screws (even though I do have a good set of JIS screwdrivers)

So I started on a Google quest trying to figure out what was what and really didn't get very far.

The parts book is no help as it will simply state size and length (eg M4 x 20)

I do know that on the Hondas often the larger fastenings use the finer pitch but not sure on some of the smaller fastenings

Any gurus out there ever looked at this issue and found any useful data

I did find one post that threw some light on the issue but I am not sure it's a definitive source.

http://www.xt225.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=93395

Just got bike running again after some work but in bye process snapped the main jet retaining spring thing on carb 1.

Jet was a tight push fit with viton o ring, I have ordered a new spring from Gerben but he is on hols till June 7th

Question is do folks think I am ok riding without this spring for a few weeks, i.e is main jet ,likely to pop out?

Just got the bike running again after new head gasket and some carb work

Getting a backfire about every 30 seconds from 1 cylinder

Not balanced carbs yet but just wondered if anyone had any ideas as to likely causes

Thanks all

God I am sick of messing about with my carbs. In the 3 years I have had this bike I reckon I have  had them off so many times I cant remember but each time I learn more.............

Latest is took them off for a head gasket change. Whilst off checked the fuel float levels etc etc on the bench a few times over 2 days. Right levels no overflow all looking good. I should have known better !!!

Put them back on bike and No 2 is overflowing despite prior bench testing, so bloody carbs off again to try and sort it.

Still not sure what is cause but I have a suspicion that the springy thing ( I had to open out the slot slightly for a previous fir of some aftermarket main jets so they are a bit loose fitting now)  slipped around and was stopping the float rising but I also have a feeling the float valve is not reliably closing so ordered new one from DSS.

Then to add insult to injury the springy thing snapped in two (new one ordered from Gerben) and as a final insult another thread stripped for the float bowl stripped ( I have already had 2 others helicoiled) as the screws have been in and out so many times!!!!

I have now ordered a helicoil kit and going to do it myself this time as my machine shop charges £25 for each helicoil

I am I alone in my ever growing hatred of 500 carbs and their reliability.

Rant over and back to garage !!!!

Anyone organising Crich day this year (7th July). I cant make as am away doing Wild Atlantic Way on a modern bike