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Post by 77tarheel on Aug 11, 2014 9:50:49 GMT -6
One of my neighbors is moving and a couple weeks ago I bought his 1986 454 from him. It had been sitting for a while and would barely run and only with the choke full on. - I bought a new battery, changed the oil and filter, put in new NGK plugs, replaced the fuel lines with clear ones (new gas and tank looks good), removed -- and thoroughly cleaned the carbs. After getting them back in, the bike ran much better and without the choke on, but the right cylinder was weak and the power was low, so the next step was to check compression and adjust the valves. - Pre-adjustment, the compression was 90 and 60. After adjustment, it read 120 on both cylinders. There was no clearance on the right cylinder tappets. - After getting it back together, another leap in performance. However, it still feels like it's lacking power. But while riding it now, it periodically gets a burst of power that seems unreal for a 454cc bike. It briefly feels like a rocket and is scary powerful.
What should I look at next?
Thanks,
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Post by eaglerider on Aug 11, 2014 15:38:38 GMT -6
Even tho you cleaned the carbs,, sometimes a little gunk is not completely gotten rid of....go buy a can of SeaFoam, and put about 3 1/2 ounces in a full tank of gas and run it. Are you sure you adjusted the valves per instructions here on the forum (several posts)....we do it a little different than what the manual instructions are....much more simple. 120 is ok, but a little low for this engine. This engine is the R & D engine for the Vulcan and Ninja 500 bikes.....basically a "crotch rocket engine in a cruiser frame....thus the 9,500 RPM redline....and no, when it is running properly, puts much bigger bikes to shame, and leaves them behind.
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Post by 77tarheel on Aug 11, 2014 17:31:28 GMT -6
I believe I adjusted them correctly. I referred to a factory manual and instructions here. I'll recheck the compression. I was so happy to see it off the low mark, maybe I quit checking too early. I'll try the Seafoam.
I had one of the original Honda 750 K0 bikes when it was new and I was surprised what a more powerful punch this had for a few seconds. Would like that to be the norm.
Thanks
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Post by 77tarheel on Sept 30, 2014 17:16:50 GMT -6
Well, I got this bike running correctly. I was surprised by the power for a 450. I found one of the needle jets had fallen out when I was cleaning the carburetors. I didn't notice it when I put it back together. When I discovered this I ordered a replacement and, from JetsRUs, ordered the other jets and replaced all.
After I put it all back together, it ran great. Then I flushed the cooling system and added new coolant. I bought some aftermarket turn signals and replaced the ones that had been snapped off the back. I had to jury rig the old bulbs into the new, smaller aftermarket housings because they apparently did have enough resistance to work with the turn signal relay. Not a big deal.
I also: - Bought a decent seat off ebay for $11. - replaced the air filters - cleaned and painted the luggage rack flat black because it was rusting.
It's a nice bike, especially for the price I paid for it.
A couple observations: - I wish the rear brake pedal was closer to the footpeg. - It's been a while since I've had a road bike (my last ones many years ago were a Honda 750 and then a Triumph 650 Tiger) and it seems like the Kawasaki is a bit top heavy or a little more unwieldy in comparison.
To do: - I'd like to find the tool box that goes behind the seat. These are scarce on ebay. - Repaint the master cylinder and replace the cover screws. - Replace the front brake lever, which has the tip broken off. - Ride it a little more, detail it and sell it.
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