First ride!

[Buzglyd]

Well I got the RD home last night. My son and I sat on it and laughed about how old and cool it is.

This morning, I spent time getting it registered and insured and buying a gas can and Yamalube and funnels and such. I filled her up with premix and got my gear on.

It starts first kick every time. It smokes a bit on start up and then clears up. The power is classic two-stroke. It comes on the pipe about 6500 rpm and accelerates nicely from there for about 2500 more rpm. It makes all kinds of noise and is more anti-social than any open pipe Harley.

It's so light it makes a 600 seem like a geezer glide. I just laughed the whole time I was riding it.

Now if I could just figure out where the idle speed screw is on the Mikunis. Once it's warm it idles at about 4000 rpm. Cuddy?

[seruzawa]

You might have to adjust the screws on both carbs. I think those Mikunis had an idle screw on the side of the vertical barrel. It's a knurled screw with a spring. Adjust the two the same amount in small increments.

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

You might have to adjust the screws on both carbs. I think those Mikunis had an idle screw on the side of the vertical barrel. It's a knurled screw with a spring. Adjust the two the same amount in small increments.

Yeah me and two friends stood there and stared at those two screws. I was afraid to turn either one figuring I'd completely screw it up and I'd have to push it home. I thought that's what they were for.

The cool thing about a 4000 rpm idle is that all the cars at the stoplight know you're there!

[The_AirHawk]

BRAAAAAAAP!!! BRAAAAAAAAAAP!!!! BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.............

Sounds like someone's gettin' their Hoon on!

[BrowningBAR]

"I sat on it and laughed about how old and cool it is."
-There's a dirty joke in their somewhere. I'll be damned if I can find it, though.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Yeah me and two friends stood there and stared at those two screws. I was afraid to turn either one figuring I'd completely screw it up and I'd have to push it home. I thought that's what they were for.

The cool thing about a 4000 rpm idle is that all the cars at the stoplight know you're there!

Pull the boots off the carbs and inspect the slides. Both should have the same amount of opening. If not adjust the higher one down until it matches the lower one. You also might want to check to make sure both slides open all the way simultaneously. You can do this by eyeballing the slides and adjusting the cable adjusters. Put the boots back on. Start the bike. Adjust the two idle screws together until you've got the idle the way you want it. That's how my 350 worked and believe me I had to do it a lot. If the idle is screwed up and you can't get it to idle down then you should adjust the air screws. You don't have a manual yet?

That electronic ignition is going to save you the weekly headache with the dial gauge and points.

Oh yeah. Stop at the shop and get a dozen spark plugs. Lift the seat and put plugs in the little holder provided for spare plugs. Never ride anywhere without spare plugs. Trust me on this.

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

Pull the boots off the carbs and inspect the slides. Both should have the same amount of opening. If not adjust the higher one down until it matches the lower one. You also might want to check to make sure both slides open all the way simultaneously. You can do this by eyeballing the slides and adjusting the cable adjusters. Put the boots back on. Start the bike. Adjust the two idle screws together until you've got the idle the way you want it. That's how my 350 worked and believe me I had to do it a lot. If the idle is screwed up and you can't get it to idle down then you should adjust the air screws. You don't have a manual yet?

That electronic ignition is going to save you the weekly headache with the dial gauge and points.

Oh yeah. Stop at the shop and get a dozen spark plugs. Lift the seat and put plugs in the little holder provided for spare plugs. Never ride anywhere without spare plugs. Trust me on this.

I've got to get my hands on a manual. The injector pump is gone so I'm running 32:1 premix which should help with the sparkplug fouling.

[mscuddy]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Well I got the RD home last night. My son and I sat on it and laughed about how old and cool it is.

This morning, I spent time getting it registered and insured and buying a gas can and Yamalube and funnels and such. I filled her up with premix and got my gear on.

It starts first kick every time. It smokes a bit on start up and then clears up. The power is classic two-stroke. It comes on the pipe about 6500 rpm and accelerates nicely from there for about 2500 more rpm. It makes all kinds of noise and is more anti-social than any open pipe Harley.

It's so light it makes a 600 seem like a geezer glide. I just laughed the whole time I was riding it.

Now if I could just figure out where the idle speed screw is on the Mikunis. Once it's warm it idles at about 4000 rpm. Cuddy?

It's just dem' lil idle adjustment screws that hits the carb slides. Don't forget the idle mixture screw too, mine was always at about 1 & 1/2 turns out.

Dr. S is right about the plugs. At least it uses the veberable B8ES' you can get for $1.19 at Auto Zone...

Have fun, don't loop it.

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by mscuddy

It's just dem' lil idle adjustment screws that hits the carb slides. Don't forget the idle mixture screw too, mine was always at about 1 & 1/2 turns out.

Dr. S is right about the plugs. At least it uses the veberable B8ES' you can get for $1.19 at Auto Zone...

Have fun, don't loop it.

So, since the adjusters are on opposite sides of the carbs, is it righty tighty, lefty loosy for both? Or, is it counter-clockwise on one and clockwise on the other so they adjust in the same direction?

I'm in way over my head, eh?

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

So, since the adjusters are on opposite sides of the carbs, is it righty tighty, lefty loosy for both? Or, is it counter-clockwise on one and clockwise on the other so they adjust in the same direction?

I'm in way over my head, eh?

Crank 'em down 'til they squeal in the key of "E", then back off 1/4-turn.........

No, wait - that's for the Headbolts!