1986 Aspencade Resurrection

[robin1731]

One thing I did not mention before and I hope you did. You need to break that tab/tang off, but you should also remove it. I use a small magnetized screwdriver to fish it out. If you don't remove it, it could catch on the threads of the bolt and cause damage.

[3KidsinAustin]

One thing I did not mention before and I hope you did. You need to break that tab/tang off, but you should also remove it. I use a small magnetized screwdriver to fish it out. If you don't remove it, it could catch on the threads of the bolt and cause damage.

Thanks! Good idea, and only a matter of removing the two bolts and popping off the cover.

[3KidsinAustin]

Well, this morning started with a disappointment. My next step in this resurrection was installing new plugs and trying to fire the bike up using an auxiliary fuel tank. The original tank is all done and ready to go, but access is SO much easier with it out. A small step in preparation was reinstalling the air box and filter, which I did yesterday. However, it did not seem to sit in there properly. Close, but pushed off to the right side of the bike. Also, the vacuum line to the ignition control module had been disconnected and I was wondering to which port it hooked up for its vacuum source. (My earlier 85 was fuel injected, so a different monster entirely!)

A quick search online showed how the ICU hooks up to the intake port on #4 carb, so I started rooting around. I found the T, but the vacuum line coming off it to the front of the carb bodies is deep in there with the end hidden from view. I then removed the air box again to get a better perspective on everything. Here is what I found:

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Seriously?! Someone pulls the carbs, does who-knows-what to them, and then not only puts the top plate on BACKWARDS, but reinstalls it into the bike and leaves it.

I could find some bits and probably get the bolts out even with the frame doing its best to block access. However, the reversed plate coupled with the routing of the vacuum line is leading me towards a carb pull. I'll probably still fire up the bike today to see if it will run or need a full carb rebuild.

[Fred Camper]

Yes, fire her up first as best to know if the carbs need to come out anyway. Not a terrible problem but tedious none the less. Maybe get a shop manual for the PO as a community service LOL.

[julimike54]

It looks like the PO can't read so I think a manual is of no value to them....

[3KidsinAustin]

It looks like the PO can't read so I think a manual is of no value to them....

My thoughts exactly! Instead of a service manual, I would start with giving them some reading glasses! I'm now putting together a shopping list for things I'll need just to pull the carbs, like the o-rings that are between the head and intake elbows. Will be adding to it based on the issues I find with the carbs during a test run.

[3KidsinAustin]

Got the bike to run for a few seconds on its own, so at least there is some life in the old gal. The aux tank is great, made it really easy to see and access everything. Found out right away that the float bowl drain screw on #4 was mighty loose. Tightened it up and that leak stopped. However, #1 carb was dumping gas, so definitely required pulling the entire assembly.

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The removal process wasn't too bad, especially with the tank out of the way. The feed pipes for the air suction valve gave me pause. Fortunately, the 86 came with a spare carb assembly and I could see they were just pressed in. Once I figured that out, the assembly pulled out easily. First thing I did was flip the top cover around, so at least THAT is taken care of!

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I peered down all the intake holes and am trying to figure out what is going on with the left cylinder head. Below are pics of cylinders 2 and 4, and I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts. Bad valve seals allowing some oil in while the bike is on its side stand? Right hand intakes looked great.

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Taking a break for the rest of the day before disassembling the carbs and seeing what treats are in store for me there.

[Fred Camper]

Humm, I would personally discount the pictures and run a compression test once the carbs are back on. Hate to jump to conclusion on a fuzzy picture.

[3KidsinAustin]

Humm, I would personally discount the pictures and run a compression test once the carbs are back on. Hate to jump to conclusion on a fuzzy picture.

That is where I landed as well last night. No sense in inviting trouble. The bike sat for awhile before I brought it home and started getting it road worthy again. Have the overhaul kit and book from Randakk's on the way, so big things will be happening soon! Went through the bottoms of the carbs and tested all the floats, plus broke loose all the jets to ease future disassembly.

[3KidsinAustin]

My Randall's order arrived today, so carbs up next. Rebuild kit, book and float tool. Expensive purchase, but I figure the book and tool can be amortized into the 84 rebuild as well.

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[3KidsinAustin]

Started to dig into the carbs this afternoon. I got them all separated and #2 all torn down. Everything came apart without too much difficulty, although I did need the impact driver on a couple of the plenum bolts. Vacuum lines all need replacing.

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Of note, I was struggling to get the idle screws out of the housings. It was loose in the cavity but I could.not get it out of there no matter how hard I tried. Finally, I realized there might be a bit of the plug still in the bore. Sure enough, a little work with a 15/64" drill bit and the rest of the plug came right out. I guess the last guy that had been in these carbs drilled enough out to make adjustments to the screw, but not enough to deep clean the carbs. Glad they will be done right (or as right as I can get them) when I'm done.

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[Fred Camper]

Nice that they will be like Mother Honda intended when you are done. Good effort with the tear down. Best to replace the screws that required the impact tool.

[3KidsinAustin]

Good idea, especially since the kit includes new plenum bolts. The last of the parts are in the buzz-box. Been running it most of the day with the plenum, carb bodies, small bits in jars, and the leftovers in the current batch. I'm really glad I sprung for the 30L version last year.

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[3KidsinAustin]

Hands are all dried up from working with soapy water for a few hours. Need to scrounge up some of the wife's lotion!

[Fred Camper]

Be careful not to leave witness marks on the lotion.