melloyellow to live again!

[Fred Camper]

No way, so you were running cables too short all this time? Seems like that would cause a snap back issue but perhaps also a failure to close the butterflys. So what do you get for RPM with the throttle disconnected?

[polkadot]

Fred, I think only the push cable is too short. (the one with no adjustment) I thought about disconnecting the cables and try it before I remove and replace them, but I have not had the time. I really hope that is my problem, but if its not i have eliminated one more possibility. If it is my problem, you will forever be known to me as the Caped Crusader wearing a light purple tight outfit and righting all the gl1000 wrongs in the world! I will keep you posted.

[macmusick]

i just finished reading from the first post. Let me say to Ernie I have tremendous respect for you man. This entire thread was an amazing read. Also to several of your buddies and all thoae who offered advice, hats off this is a hella site. This may sound stupid I hope not but after fiddling with my carbs for hours I finally realzed I had to have the engine hot before I backed the curb idle adjust screw way out til the engine died then clockwise again just a titch at a time. Rev up to 3k then ease back down and fine tune that idle screw. Then synch. Maybe. Do you really wanna sell that beautiful bike? I am an old Donovan fan.

[polkadot]

Lefty, Thanks for your comments. I have enjoyed this rescue and am looking forward to the finish. While it has really turned out very nice, my stable is overflowing with toys. So yes when mello is running just right she will be finding another home. Someone can enjoy riding her as much as I have restoring her. Anyway, I installed the new cables this morning. They were both 76 cables and about 6 inches shorter than the 77 cables. So, two steps forward! Now one step back. I still had no snap to the throttle. I realized that the return spring was not hooked up. Is there any way that I can put enough tension on the spring while on the bike? I would like not to have to remove the carbs again. Also, I tried to start the bike, but could not get it to run. It would fire and then die immediatly. It did this a few times and then my battery was too low. I put it on the charger and will try tonite or tomorrow. The gas was on, run switch was on, key was on and starter was cranking fine, so I hope the battery was the issue. Pretty soon my problem child will start to behave I hope.

[ericheath]

Do you mean the spring on the bellcrank? That is pretty tight quarters, but I did it without disconnecting the cables. Just undo the runners, the choke cable, and the fuel line and pull it out enough to get at it.

[robin1731]

Does the bike run until you let off the starter button? If so it could be the ballast resistor.

[polkadot]

Eric, yep thats what I'm talking about. I will give it a shot.

Robin, Yes that is exactly what it does. I thought I tested it with 3 ohms of resistence. How do I know for sure if it is bad? It appears that this is not available from Honda. What do I replace it with?

[robin1731]

Eric, yep thats what I'm talking about. I will give it a shot.

Robin, Yes that is exactly what it does. I thought I tested it with 3 ohms of resistence. How do I know for sure if it is bad? It appears that this is not available from Honda. What do I replace it with?

Easiest way to check it is to bypass it. Just unplug it then connect the two wires together. If it still runs then you know it's bad. You can probably get a 3ohm resistor at just about any auto parts store.

[Fred Camper]

I can mail you one Ernie, I do not run them now as dyna coils do not require it. But it is not a motorcycle part per say, just a high power 3 ohm resistor.

[polkadot]

Caped Crusader, Thanks for the offer but I got the job done at NAPA. I checked out Randakks tech tips and he recommended a stock resistor. I put it on and it started right up. So, one problem solved. Now for the real news, I got Mello to idle at about 1000 beautifully!!!! It still wants to surge up to 2000 and is slow to come down, but I am hoping that a synch will do the trick. I checked for vacuum leaks with carb cleaner, and there were none. Also no leaks from the carb bowls. It was a great day for me as I got an offer for full price on my rental house and Mello is starting to behave! I took her for a short ride, and not too bad. I still need to fix the "snap" in the throttle, but it was not at 3000 rpm at the stop signs. Kind of sad really because it was kind of fun riding "the wildcat" that way. I think I can see the finish line! Thanks to all you guys! I would not have attempted this project without this site. Maybe Robin can buy the Caped Crusader a beer at Vintage days?! I will post more after the synch. My fingers are crossed that that is the culprit. Stay tuned to this Bat Channel!

[winston]

Another thing to keep in mind, is that a light leak is common between the neutral light and high beam compartment. I do not think Honda planned for the high beam and neutral light being on at the same time. When a neutral light fails on, then the compartment wall between the two melts and the high beam light bleeds into the neutral light compartment and glows dim. Easy to fix if that is all that is going on.

I'm just quoting this as an example of all the glorious arcane wisdom you get reading NGW.

There are people in my town who now think I'm some kind of "goldwing guru" (ha!) and they refer others to me to ask questions...many of which I can answer simply because I've read the things you guys, yeah you, the ones with the real bikebrains....have written here.

[Fred Camper]

So which bike will we see at VMD, now that it looks like you will have options?

Winston, I am not worthy

[polkadot]

EUREKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Running like a champ!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Idles at about 1000 beautifully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (who would have thought that my problem was throttle cables?) High end seems perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MELLOYELLOW LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ok I still need to tweek the brakes and the horn does not work, but lets not go there for tonite!) I think I'll celebrate with some Crown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to all especially Fred (the caped crusader), Sunbobb (or any of the many names you go by) and Tom (Streetwing) Berry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rat]

Excellent, good work all.

Gord

[Fred Camper]

I too will celebrate with a cold one. Way to go Ernie. Throttle snaps back now I take it!