Gilmore Ride- Thank God for Tool Kits!

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Lucien Harpress
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Gilmore Ride- Thank God for Tool Kits!

#1

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Last week my brother and I decided to ride to the Vintage Motorcycle show the Gilmore Car Museum puts on every year. He'd just gotten his big-boy endorsement, and I had a pair of running bikes to take (for once). Because my KZ1300 was acting up (no surprise) I took the Valk and he set off on the CB750. It was about two hours one way, with beautiful weather, so the perfect distance trip for a day ride.

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We get about an hour and a half into the ride however, and he pulls up next to me. Possibly to show off, but more likely to inform me of the unholy clattering noise the engine was making. He pulls off into an abandoned strip mall just outside of Homer MI (yes, it exists), I pull a U-ey and see if we can figure out what's going on.

He thinks it sounds like the bottom end. I'm guessing top end. Fortunately, in the first stroke of luck, despite the 750 being built from pieces, I somehow have the tool kit (or at least most of it). I start taking off rocker arm covers. Good....good....good....accidentally burn myself, but good....go- oh hey. Whoops.

Somehow, the no. 2 intake adjustment screw nut came loose, and the adjuster was backed out nearly all the way. :shock: In the second bit of luck, it was NEARLY all the way out- but still hanging on by a thread. Or at least a couple. Only problem now is that I have NO idea how to reset the proper clearance- the stock CB750 tool kit doesn't include feeler gauges.

Solution? Bump the starter until another intake valve is at TDC, feel how much play it's supposed to have (burning my fingers the whole time), bump it back around to loosen up 2, and, well, GUESS. And you know what?

That blasted thing ran perfect the rest of the day. :IDTS:

The show itself was wonderful, as always. They swapped the parking and show ground this year, which was a bit odd, but at least the show had more shade that way. And the museum was still a treat.

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(That's my Valk parked next to a well-loved 1963 BSA. With a rare appearance by Yours Truly!)

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Pretty good variety too. Less of the "usual" types (I had one of the few CB750s surprisingly), more of the oddball- there was a 1918 Indian with a sidecar in the Master's Class! Thankfully the ride back was uneventful, but a good enough way to end a Sunday.
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1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
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Whiskerfish
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Re: Gilmore Ride- Thank God for Tool Kits!

#2

Post by Whiskerfish »

WOW sound like you should have bought a Lotto ticket that day!!
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77Gowing
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Re: Gilmore Ride- Thank God for Tool Kits!

#3

Post by 77Gowing »

That was great how you did that.
Perhaps a feeler gage or two can make it into your bike tool kit, perhaps one set for each bike's tool kits?
Did you check what gap you did by feel when you got home? Ill bet you were pretty close to spec.

Kenny
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CYBORG
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Re: Gilmore Ride- Thank God for Tool Kits!

#4

Post by CYBORG »

I had a 750 when they first came out. Great bikes. I seem to recall having to set the valves often as well. As for moving the bike show, I was told they had just had a drain field installed in the usual place.
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Jonesz
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Re: Gilmore Ride- Thank God for Tool Kits!

#5

Post by Jonesz »

I have a Valkyrie but if I had a chance you would not get me off that 750! Glad you got her sorted.
Jonesz

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Re: Gilmore Ride- Thank God for Tool Kits!

#6

Post by pidjones »

Some of my kits have feelers. I know that at least one has the feeler for the front caliper gap. I do believe that was in the stock kit.
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Re: Gilmore Ride- Thank God for Tool Kits!

#7

Post by Gowing »

Great story and pictures.
Dave

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