New-To-Me 1987 Aero
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- Wheelman-111
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- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
New-To-Me 1987 Aero
Greetings:
On Sunday I will pick up this bike from a good friend who wants it to go to a "worthy" recipient. I'll do my best. It turns out that it's an '87, not an '85 as he previously told me - according to the year on the Owner's manual, which comes with the bike. He also has a paper copy of the Factory Service manual. The condition of the bike is as follows:
It has sat in a partially dismantled condition -in South Texas heat - for a few years. Until then it was in running condition - he rode it occasionally but had at least 3 motorcycles - so it has not started for at least 3 or 5. There is a new carb rebuild kit still sealed in plastic - he bought it but never got around to the arduous process of cleaning the carb. There are brand-new tires mounted on the rims over a year ago. The body plastic is off, but all present. Overall condition unknown, mileage unknown. It has not started in some time, but Friend says it seems to spin over and compress correctly. There's an unused battery but he got it about 2 years ago. He has a container of Kreme tank coating - also never applied. He does not know for a fact that the tank was rusty but was simply told "you need that..." That's all I know so far.
It occurred to me that this story is probably not unusual for new owners. My general plan is to reassemble in stock condition, paying close attention to the tank and fuel system - not so sure if I'll apply the Kreme because the Motorcycle world is full of sad stories about the stuff. I [b]will[/b] carefully evaluate the interior of the tank, the vacuum petcock and fuel lines, and I will install an inline filter if an apt location can be identified. Of course I will plan a couple of days to soak and clean the carb before reassembling with the new parts. I will note the size of the main jet.
Then I'll assess the reeds for integrity. Also have a look at the exhaust for carbon congestion. I'll make sure there's oil in the feed line and bleed if necessary. Then pump up the tires, add an ounce of oil to fresh gas in the tank and see if I can get it to fire up. Tune the Idle speed/mixture and see if I can get down the block, and more importantly, back home.
I intend to run this Aero stock for a while until I determine what/if performance upgrades are necessary. I will check back next week to share my progress. I would greatly appreciate the advice of this Learned Collective if you identify anything I'm missing. Perhaps someone has posted a "beginner's checklist" somewhere before. If so an URL to it would help me a lot. So far this place has been very welcomiing and helpful.
My thanks to you.
On Sunday I will pick up this bike from a good friend who wants it to go to a "worthy" recipient. I'll do my best. It turns out that it's an '87, not an '85 as he previously told me - according to the year on the Owner's manual, which comes with the bike. He also has a paper copy of the Factory Service manual. The condition of the bike is as follows:
It has sat in a partially dismantled condition -in South Texas heat - for a few years. Until then it was in running condition - he rode it occasionally but had at least 3 motorcycles - so it has not started for at least 3 or 5. There is a new carb rebuild kit still sealed in plastic - he bought it but never got around to the arduous process of cleaning the carb. There are brand-new tires mounted on the rims over a year ago. The body plastic is off, but all present. Overall condition unknown, mileage unknown. It has not started in some time, but Friend says it seems to spin over and compress correctly. There's an unused battery but he got it about 2 years ago. He has a container of Kreme tank coating - also never applied. He does not know for a fact that the tank was rusty but was simply told "you need that..." That's all I know so far.
It occurred to me that this story is probably not unusual for new owners. My general plan is to reassemble in stock condition, paying close attention to the tank and fuel system - not so sure if I'll apply the Kreme because the Motorcycle world is full of sad stories about the stuff. I [b]will[/b] carefully evaluate the interior of the tank, the vacuum petcock and fuel lines, and I will install an inline filter if an apt location can be identified. Of course I will plan a couple of days to soak and clean the carb before reassembling with the new parts. I will note the size of the main jet.
Then I'll assess the reeds for integrity. Also have a look at the exhaust for carbon congestion. I'll make sure there's oil in the feed line and bleed if necessary. Then pump up the tires, add an ounce of oil to fresh gas in the tank and see if I can get it to fire up. Tune the Idle speed/mixture and see if I can get down the block, and more importantly, back home.
I intend to run this Aero stock for a while until I determine what/if performance upgrades are necessary. I will check back next week to share my progress. I would greatly appreciate the advice of this Learned Collective if you identify anything I'm missing. Perhaps someone has posted a "beginner's checklist" somewhere before. If so an URL to it would help me a lot. So far this place has been very welcomiing and helpful.
My thanks to you.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
New spark plug, as well. Also, while you have the muffler off checking for carbon-congestion, check the exhaust port in the cylinder, as well. Also, the petcock may need to be cleaned out, check fuel filter. A new air filter, properly oiled will be critical to get it running right and not too lean.
1986 Honda Spree - Running amazing.....body work still needs to be done, but that's a Spring job.
- scooternewby
- Spree
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- Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:56 pm
- Location: Vancouver Canada
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Getting Started...
Greetings:
Thanks for the replies.
I have purchased a bunch of solvents, including some Sea Foam, carb and brake cleaners, and a quart of Gen-you-wine Soichiro Honda-Approved 2-Stroke oil. Fossil, they were out of Synthetic. Have brushes and tubs and bins to soak stuff.
So my shopping list now includes an inline gas filter and a new plug. I suppose I could look in the online service manual, but what Fire-starter do the Collective experts recommend for a (presumably) stock '87 Aero?
Has anyone ever weighed a new stock Aero muffler? It might be a good way to tell the Carbon content.
Am I missing anything?
Thanks for the replies.
I have purchased a bunch of solvents, including some Sea Foam, carb and brake cleaners, and a quart of Gen-you-wine Soichiro Honda-Approved 2-Stroke oil. Fossil, they were out of Synthetic. Have brushes and tubs and bins to soak stuff.
So my shopping list now includes an inline gas filter and a new plug. I suppose I could look in the online service manual, but what Fire-starter do the Collective experts recommend for a (presumably) stock '87 Aero?
Has anyone ever weighed a new stock Aero muffler? It might be a good way to tell the Carbon content.
Am I missing anything?
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
- scooterwerx
- Elite
- Posts: 894
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:43 pm
- Location: redlands, ca
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- CBR1000RR
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- Location: Southern Michigan
- scooterwerx
- Elite
- Posts: 894
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:43 pm
- Location: redlands, ca
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Plugz
Greetings:
Thanks for recommending the BPR8 HS (hotter) plug. In fact I purchased a BPR 6 over the weekend before I got back to the Forum and its Collective Wisdom. I will break it in with the 6 keeping mindful not to flog it until I can get back to the Honda store and get the 8.
Thanks for recommending the BPR8 HS (hotter) plug. In fact I purchased a BPR 6 over the weekend before I got back to the Forum and its Collective Wisdom. I will break it in with the 6 keeping mindful not to flog it until I can get back to the Honda store and get the 8.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
- scooterwerx
- Elite
- Posts: 894
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:43 pm
- Location: redlands, ca