Conked out this arvo

[Kayla]

Whats the go with the metho as such??? do you drain the tank first or does it react upon the water if any with the fuel in the tank????

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygroscopy

Methanol is hygroscopic and will absorb water, so any water should pass through with the fuel as methanol is soluble in petrol. I think that's how it works anyway. I used some acetone in the fuel when my bike was running rough and it cleared it out ok.

[ekoja]

Re Metho, I'm not at all sure, but I think that Kev actually meant mentholated Spirits.
Cobba, there are many articles out on google or whichever search engine you pray to, on adding acetone to your fuel.
Especially in an older bike.

I seem to remember that if you added 11cc to a full tank of fuel (apparently more is not better) on a TRX it would make a difference.
I did this on my bike but the only difference I could detect was the exhaut note being crisper, if that makes sense. but I did not test consumption, etc.
The Mercedes racing team way back in the late 1930s used it in their racing cars, so it must have some merit.

[Kayla]

Re Metho, I'm not at all sure, but I think that Kev actually meant methylated spirits.

Isn't methylated spirit (denatured alcohol) generally just a blend of methanol and ethanol though? It'd do the same thing anyway.

[Mincehead]

Exactly Kayla:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylated_spirit

[davamb]

Bike's running again today. It's sat over the weekend at work so I went down to start pulling it all to bits again, but it's running fine. Rode around the estate for 15 mins, doing LH and RH corners, but it's all running fine. Can only speculate that whatever water was in the system has evaporated which means that it must have been electrical - despite finding water in the fuel line.
Going to have to investigate further when I get it home. Don't like problems that I don't find the root cause of, they always seem to come back to bite me.
Now just have to get the missus to drive me back to work after hours to pick it up. The real hard bit!

[phuk72]

Bike's running again today. It's sat over the weekend at work so I went down to start pulling it all to bits again, but it's running fine. Rode around the estate for 15 mins, doing LH and RH corners, but it's all running fine. Can only speculate that whatever water was in the system has evaporated which means that it must have been electrical - despite finding water in the fuel line.
Going to have to investigate further when I get it home. Don't like problems that I don't find the root cause of, they always seem to come back to bite me.
Now just have to get the missus to drive me back to work after hours to pick it up. The real hard bit!

You'ld be surprised how hard it is to get water to evaporate - try putting a cm of water into a saucepan and see how long it takes to boil away.

My point being that this is (IMHO) unlikley to be the end of your problems

[davamb]

My point being that this is (IMHO) unlikely to be the end of your problems

I am totally with you there Phuk. More investigation required.

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

I noticed the fellas down the park when they drink their metho they seem a bit crispy but don't seem to run too good the next day tho Spose the head of a motorcycle works a little different tho hey...

[davamb]

My point being that this is (IMHO) unlikely to be the end of your problems

I am totally with you there Phuk. More investigation required.

Well it happened again on Saturday. Had a mate riding the TRX with bikecam following me while I had my first decent ride on the newly-registered Norton:

It rained all the way and although the Commando ran fine, the TRX started to cough and splutter and eventually stalled. It restarted on the button, but wasn't too happy for the last bit of the ride home.
Think it's getting jealous of all the attention old bessy's been getting of late.

[trixynut]

Have you checked the sidestand switch?

This will cut out the engine if the clutch is pulled in with the stand down, as you know.

Due to where it is though, the switch is prone to degrading and getting water in it.

[davamb]

Bloody good idea there Trixy - will have a good look.

[Mincehead]

Bessy`s VERY nice, Lockheed brake conversion, external oil filter/cooler is that I see?
And period Campbell cast magnesium wheels if I`m not mistaken?
Pretty girl Bessy, no wonder the TRX is jealous.
Is she stock internally (CC`s), gynaecologically speaking of course.

[davamb]

Thanks Mince, yeah she is nice isn't she. I've had 2 people stop and tell me she's beautiful - she certainly draws attention! 15 years it's taken me to get her back on the road after I bought her in bits with a thrown 'rod. The previous owner had not looked after her well, but after a long convalescence she's responding well. I've tried to put her back to how she would have / should have been in the late 70s when cafe was all the go.

I was told the wheels were Martin, but I really don't know. They have been machined to Commando spec, taking the standard rear drum and front disc. Also told the forks were Seeley, but I was then told by an 'expert' that they were Metal Profiles. I contacted Greeves who now own MP and they said they were almost certainly Ceriani!!!! Yep, there's an external oil cooler up front. The engine is still 750, but is up a little in compression, runs a 'warm' cam of unknown provenance and polished rockers, rods etc, etc. There's genuine Dunstall bits of course and a Boyer CDI. The rest is a whole shit-load of detail work by me. Dunno if the engine is Combat spec (black barrel), that's the only bit I had done by someone else.

Just wish I had a single seat and rearsets for her. Would make the perfect cafe racer. Let me know if you would like some more pics and I'll put them up.

Now... where was I? Oh yeah. Sidestand. Will have a look on the weekend. I think you're on to something there Trixy, because it wasn't wet enough on Saturday for water to get into the intake or ignition. The sidestand switch sure...

[M.V.]

Nice Norton!

On the TRX, I presume you've made sure the spark plug covers are intact & seated correctly? I got water in the left one once & it ran like a dog. Dried out the water & resealed the boot, good as new!

[davamb]

Thanks M.V.

Last time it conked I did take the tank off and had a pretty good look at the plug covers and they seemed ok at the time. I will have another look. I have to take the carbs of anyway to fit new emulsion tubes so will allocate a weekend arvo to the TRX.

Now it's the Norton's turn to get used to having the love shared around.

Work, work, work...