This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
Topics - basketcase
1
« on: June 26, 2013, 08:34:00 PM »
Just like to say that whoever it was that had a run out around Wellington, Somerset on Tuesday, the metalic blue 550 was superb. You passed me on the way to Wellington monument and made me extremely ashamed that my K3 was languishing in my garage, totally neglected.
Note to myself; GET MY FINGER OUT AND MAKE IT ROADWORTHY!!!!!!!
Cheers, Nigel.
2
« on: June 26, 2012, 06:21:37 PM »
Am I wasting my time insuring and M-O-T ing my bike ??!! The M-O-T ran out in October last year and the insurance has just run out, but looking at the weather forecast I can`t see any use in spending over £120 getting the bike ready for the road when I can`t use it!! May as well sell my pride and joy and buy a classic car instead, at least I won`t get wet!! Rant over 
3
« on: May 19, 2012, 05:54:29 PM »
Just dragged my K3 out of the garage from under a pile of boxes, turned on the petrol, pulled the choke out and it started!!!! I thought that the fuel would have go off, flat battery, all sorts but no, in she fired!!I`ll have to arrange for the MOT now! Can`t believe it, she even settled down to an even tick over, it didn`t do that before! I`ve even bought a carb rebuild kit before Christmas in the hope of getting time to rebuild them. Looks like I`ll have to polish her now  Last MOT, in october 2010 I had an advisory about the exhausts leaking but not excessively noisy, she still sounds fantastic on the origimal 4-4`s but they are past their best. I`ve a Marving waiting in the wings, see what the MOT inspector says about that!!!!! Can`t wait to swing a leg over her 
4
« on: February 26, 2012, 06:35:34 PM »
It must be spring `cos I`m starting to ask questions about the bike!! Can anyone tell me if I need to remove the centre stand on my 550 K3 to fit the Marving 4-1 exhaust? Only asking because on the last MOT (OCT 2010) I had an advisory about the original 4-4 exhausts being a bit noisy and with it standing over the last 12 months or more it can`t have got any better. Did anyone see the 4-4 on fleabay over xmas? It finished on xmas eve....final price (gulp) £1420!!!! That`s English pounds!!!! The other thing is, if I fit the Marving do I go the full hog and fit the rearsets and flat bars, and look for a 500 petrol tank and clubman seat. Too many questions, my head hurts Cheers Nigel.
5
« on: February 26, 2012, 10:00:53 AM »
Hi all, I`ve just uncovered my K3 from winter hibernation and the battery is DEAD!! Not only dead but the level of acid/water is quite low in all of the reservoirs. I know that I should have disconnected it before winter or even left it on optimise but with all of the problems assosciated with house moving I forgot. Will I get away with just recharging it or should I go for a new one? I remember having problems last year, I`d leave it for a couple of weeks and the battery would be low but it would kick over ok. Now it won`t even start with the kick start. Is there an underlying problem with the charging system?
I don`t have this problem with my old Brit bike, NO electric start!! And if the battery is flat then there is an alternitive switch to allow me to kick start then switch over to normal running.
I`ve ordered a complete carb overhaul set from Japan so that will be the first job.....after starting the bl***y thing!!
Cheers in advance Nigel.
6
« on: November 10, 2011, 07:24:20 PM »
Hi all, I`ve seen a 1972 Honda CB250 advertised for sale locally for the ridiculous sum of
7
« on: October 26, 2011, 07:35:54 PM »
Can anyone suggest the best solution to use in an ultrasonic cleaner? I`ve used that stuff the missus uses for the washing machine in the past, the pink stuff, but I`m going to have a go at the carbs on my 550 this weekend and am unsure if that`s too harsh.
8
« on: September 04, 2011, 01:09:58 PM »
Been for a run on the K3 today....first time that it`s run for ages. Didn`t go too well The revs were all over the place, stop, adjust to about 1200, pull away and they were back up to 4000 when I pulled in the clutch. Uphill was a struggle, having to change down a couple of cogs. Also there was fuel peeing out of one of the overflow tubes when I came back. The carbs were stripped, cleaned and balanced last year. I didn`t touch the jets, just left the whole lot soaking in carb cleaner and redex for a couple of weeks. Could it be that the slow running jets are still blocked? If so am I better off installing new ones or do I attempt to clean out the old ones? Has anyone bought from sisusconinc on ebay? Sorry for the ammount of questions but carbs are not my favourite things to play with, I sold the last one because I couldn`t get it to run right  . Also all of my manuals and literature are still in storage so I`d` be doing this `blind`. Cheers in advance basketcase.
9
« on: September 03, 2011, 05:16:45 PM »
Hi basketcase here, just moved down to Somerset and was wondering how many of you peoples are about this area? I`ve seen a couple of sohc 4`s through the village, both very nice. A 400/4 and a 500/4. Does anyone fancy showing me the local rideouts, nothing too fast (!) just a sunday meander through the lanes.
Cheers Nigel.
10
« on: June 03, 2011, 03:06:17 PM »
Hi, can anyone suggest a decent set of tyres to fit on my 550 K3? What are the widest that will fit between the forks and swingarm? I use the `bike for the occasional sunday ride but admit to taking it to its limit quite often I also own a Matchless which is used for `pottering` around on so the Honda gets to be abused a bit more. The ones fitted at the moment (Metzlers) have been on for at least 10 years and can be `interesting` on banding and white lines. A guy at work has suggested Avon Roadriders, does anyone have any experience with these? All suggestions gratefully received. Cheers Nigel.
11
« on: April 15, 2011, 05:29:23 PM »
Can anyone shed some light on which grade of fork oil to use in my K3, and how much? At the moment they are a bit soft with too much `give`. I`ve not touched them...ever so I`m assuming that they are due an oil change.
Cheers basketcase.
12
« on: April 11, 2011, 04:16:21 PM »
Are any members going to the Stafford Classic bike show in a couple of weeks time? I`m going on the Sunday and was wondering if anyone would like to meet up for a coffee/tea/?
All the best Basketcase.
13
« on: March 19, 2011, 05:43:03 PM »
First ride out this year and forgot just how bad the brakes are on my 550/4!!!! Must have aged at least 10 years in the first mile or so!! They seemed a bit better after about 3-4 miles whether they bedded in or took the surface rust off the disc and drum I`m not sure or I got used too them again. Still, I enjoyed a 56 mile jaunt around the lanes and came back with a big grin on my mush (and frozen stiff). Now I know why I prefer these old bikes after a blast, who needs a new bike!!!!
14
« on: February 23, 2011, 02:27:49 PM »
When I bought my K3 it was fitted with Monroe Air shocks, the ones with the air valve to manually adjust them under the seat. I have all the literature with them so I know what to do, i.e. DON`T use a garage air compressor to adjust them, just a good old foot pump but I`m unsure as to whether they are as good as the originals. Can anyone tell me if it`s a worthwhile swap back or should I keep them. I don`t do a lot of mileage, probably 2-3,000p.a. and no track days !!!
15
« on: February 14, 2011, 08:17:06 PM »
Hi from deepest, darkest North Staffordshire, well it is 8.05pm! I`m the owner of a black `77 550K3 VFH 474S, previous owner of a blue `77 F2 YGJ 700S, which I thoroughly regret selling.
My other `bike is a 1965 Matchless G2CSR, I know it`s not a Honda but it is still loved!
My K3 has been taken back to the frame and built back up using as many new parts as needed, others just a good clean and service. The only problem now is that both upper exhausts are rotten!! H
|
Show Posts