Greasy bike..

killtrip · Posted: August 30, 2008, 11:04 pm Post subject: Greasy bike..

So I'm in the process of removing the engine (process.. meaning I gotta get the correct socket sizes. my adjustable wrench is making putty out of one of the nuts)..

anyways, after taking off the side covers, I realize how much cleaning this bike needs.. so I used my phone and took a coupla pics.

pressure washer to the rescue?

jimmer · Posted: August 31, 2008, 12:42 am Post subject: Re: Greasy bike..

Only thing that'll clean that ...lay some rags under it. Spray with penetrating oil. Drink one beer. Prod it with a wire brush. Spray again. Repeat as necessary. Wipe dry. Viola! Smile

Then get some metric tools.

sschering · Posted: August 31, 2008, 3:31 am Post subject: Re: Greasy bike..

Ahh I remember the days when a car wash had an engine clean selection.

weekendrider · Posted: August 31, 2008, 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Greasy bike..

Starting fluid will cut it.

penn71911 · Posted: August 31, 2008, 11:19 am Post subject: Re: Greasy bike..

Go to your local auto parts place... or Wal mart.. get some Gunk Engine Brite... it's in a white spray can... spay it on, let it sit, hose it off with the garden hose...

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

I use kerosene and an old paint brush. A specific parts cleaning brush is stiffer and would probably make shorter work of it. For the nooks and crannies the larger brushes won't get into, old toothbrushes and Q-tips.

georelle · Posted: August 31, 2008, 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Greasy bike..

I use the same process as 5twins but I cut the bristles shorter on the paint brush to make it scrub better. Kerosene works great.

Barbara · Posted: August 31, 2008, 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Greasy bike..

Hmmm......the sprocket looks a bit worn, too. But y'know---all those layers of oil and dirt form a really effective protective layer over the aluminum, and keep it from fading in the glare of the sun...... Laughing

......I keep telling myself, as I rationalize waiting for winter to really clean the bike!

killtrip · Posted: August 31, 2008, 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Greasy bike..

barb, speaking of sprockets..

if I were to replace them, which teeth ratio would you suggest for scooting around town, not much highway travel.. but occasionally will do 5-10 miles on the highway at a time?

Barbara · Posted: August 31, 2008, 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: Greasy bike..

Hi Killtrip,

Lots of the guys here know lots more about varying the ratios than I do--I've always kept it stock, even with the sidecar. At least for 1977, it seems that for my size and the engine size, Yamaha got the ratio right.

So I guess I'm saying that I'd leave it alone, but it's up to you---if you want a stop-light hot-rod, that's an easy change to get more low-speed power at the sacrifice of high-speed. (On the other hand, if you wanted a British-style cafe bike, one needing clutch-slip to about 30 mph, you could go with a rear sprocket the size of a half-dollar.....but I bet it would get old really quickly...)

The nice thing is that the parts are pretty cheap, so you can play with it. I got a spare chain yesterday, along with two spare master links, for $34.00! Not bad, huh?

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

Barb, for your sidecar pulling, the stock 17/34 is probably fine. For solo riding, most of us find that a bit too low. Now some seem to think they can make Gold Wings out of these things and go with way high gearing. It ain't happenin'. This bike wasn't designed with all day 70-80MPH interstate cruising in mind. I think Yamaha got it right with the Euro gearing, 17/33. It seems to fit this motor perfectly. You don't lose much "snap" in the lower gears and higher speed cruising is improved. It also still pulls well in 5th, right up to redline if you'd like.

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Yamaha xs650