I'm using a similar one. 12,000 miles on it so far no issues. The splines are already aligned (at least mine were), so, just as the old one can slide off as a set... the new one goes on as a set, with patience & a little dexterity. 30-45 minute job total. Just remember to soak the whole thing in engine oil for at least 4 hours before assembling, I left mine overnight.
Sudden hard start and hesitation? Burnt valve?
Bought the bike with left (drivers side) cylinder disconnected from head, no air filter. Started up and ran great, drove it 32 miles home (I know that's not good).
Replaced exhaust collar, gasket, and air filter runs great.
Replaced starter clutch (Chinese junk), ran like garbage, put old starter clutch back in (but with new Chinese internals), runs great, but now occasionally makes a "barking" or "honking goose" noise on start up.
Right side exhaust came loose while riding, drive it about 10 miles home. Looked like some oil was bubbling and boiling out of the valve cover gasket. Fixed exhaust, went to bed.
Today: Put some "engine restorer" in the oil, starts rough and stalls when given gas. Rev it to get it moving in first, runs okayish. Still runs rough.
What happened? It used to run 100% flawlessly!
Burnt valves from loose exhaust?
Engine restorer messed something up?
Something went wrong with starter clutch installation?
Help me out fellas
EDIT: Just went for 30 min ride. Seemed better. Still a little hesitating and sounded like backfiring? Liveable, but could be better
Replaced exhaust collar, gasket, and air filter runs great.
Replaced starter clutch (Chinese junk), ran like garbage, put old starter clutch back in (but with new Chinese internals), runs great, but now occasionally makes a "barking" or "honking goose" noise on start up.
Right side exhaust came loose while riding, drive it about 10 miles home. Looked like some oil was bubbling and boiling out of the valve cover gasket. Fixed exhaust, went to bed.
Today: Put some "engine restorer" in the oil, starts rough and stalls when given gas. Rev it to get it moving in first, runs okayish. Still runs rough.
What happened? It used to run 100% flawlessly!
Burnt valves from loose exhaust?
Engine restorer messed something up?
Something went wrong with starter clutch installation?
Help me out fellas
EDIT: Just went for 30 min ride. Seemed better. Still a little hesitating and sounded like backfiring? Liveable, but could be better
1 - 8 of 44 Posts
The same oil as you use in the engine. I just use 10W/40, but I really think that actual motorcycle oil may perform slightly better.
10W/40 hasn't had them yet....
I hate it when that happens! 😒
Several of us have been using regular car 10W/40 for years & have had no issues. My 85 has 49,000 miles on it now. My just breaking in the 86, with only 8000 miles, but I'm thinking of only using motorcycle oil from here on out on this one.
The reasons for going with motorcycle specific oil are varied. Partly because there are fewer & fewer 1st generation Rebels around & wanting to be sure that the engine lasts as long as it possibly can between rebuilds. The are no friction modifiers in motorcycle oil & the oil companies are always changing they're formulations. I'm getting more lazy & my eyes aren't what they used to be, so at least this way I should be more able to depend on getting it right even if I have to pay a little more.Emil, if I mix up a batch of my custom motorcycle oil, and bring it to the Ohio rally, would you be interested in buying some?
I now need to rebuild the 85 engine, as it is making a clacking noise seemingly emanating near the wrist pins. I'll not ride until it blows up! It may be a simple problem/fix, but pushing an engine making unusual noises has never ended well.
A relatively good endoscopic style inspection camera can be had relatively inexpensively at Harbor Freight. That way when you pull the spark plug, you can look in the hole with the camera.
I've got 1 somewhere but I don't know where??? Old-timers strikes again!
I've got 1 somewhere but I don't know where??? Old-timers strikes again!
You can find (as I've said on several occasions), a parts bike pretty inexpensively. Some even with a TITLE! That may resolve all of your issues. Like I said earlier, I got the '86 that is my everyday rider off Craigslist for $200. Give it some thought. I know that you don't have too much room but it's 1 of the best things in this situation.
1 - 8 of 44 Posts
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