450 lives

[MotoMike]

well folks, I got the fire lighted in my old 450. I did pre oil it as Bob described and actually used a quart. finished cleaning the old Amal carb yesterday. put a new plug in it, put a new cap end on the plug wire. You guys aren't goint to believe this, it started on the first kick after tickling the carb. Not bad after sitting for 15 years.

forgot what a blast it is to ride the little bike. not the sterile experience that the new bikes give, that is for sure.

valve noise is more than I remembered. will check the valve lash today. I haven't checked it yet as it was checked shortly before going into retirement. I don't think It possible that the clearance could increase in use let alone long idle period. All that said, perhaps it was this noisey before as I had an essentially open pipe at the time and now have a muffler that actually muffles. I had a full coverage helmet at the time and it was 15 years ago.

I've never owned the bike when it was fitted with a compression release. In the past 15 years, I have developed an arthritic left hip. I noticed it stabs me quite a bit in starting the bike, and found that at present the best method for me is to stand off to the left side and use my right foot to kick it over. In fact, I've never had a bike with a functioning compression release. would I notice much greater ease in kicking it over? It really isn't bad without it so long as you roll it just over the top of the compression stroke before going for it.

I'll get a couple pictures up soon.

regards,
Mike

[ajleone]

Hey congrat on getting your bike fired-up ! Yes, I find using my right right ont he left side of the bike the better method for starting these thumpers !

Here's a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEFqBoXsFac

Regards,
Tony

[ccambern]

I start mine on the stand as well. I always take the time to find TDC... if I don't, it stops dead half-way through the kick and my ankle takes the whack. I think that's a big part of the NC kickstarter failures as well- it's a weak system already and if you hit TDC halfway through the stroke it's hell on the components.

[wcorey]

First kick, nice! If it does that every time you won't be beating yourself up too much. The compression release is only used to make it easier to position at tdc prior to kicking, so it wouldn't do you much good unless you need to kick multiple times in a row.

I would bet that the motor noise level is the same as it always was, the change in exhaust would make a huge difference in what you hear going on. When I just flip my shield up on the full face there is a fairly noticeable change, if you're now wearing an open face helmet that would account for a lot.

[MotoMike]

thanks everyone for the help. well susbsequent starts were not on the first kick, but so far, two or three seems to do it. Have had it out a few times trying to get the carb right. seems like the low speed circuit was lean. Think I about have it. the slide was kind of sticky. close examination revealed a couple nicks in it that were rubbing. I used a jewlers file to knock them down and they a polishing wheel to clean and smooth the whole slide. seems to have unstuck it.

the check of the valve lash was same as I recalled. 003 on the intake and .0025 on the exhaust. I am uneasy about the exhaust even though it is within specs. Will have to borrow a mic and order some winkle caps. If I understand correctly there should be no conversion. If I want .004 on the exhaust I need a cap .0015 thinner than the one I have. is that correct?

Also. Is there a method to get the caps off without a high zoot ducati single valve compression tool?