The Project Has Started...

James wrote:Still have my performance issue (can't go above 35mph and have poor acceleration) and may have made it worse by adjusting the carb! I know the gasket for the intake on the engine is broken, could this be causing an air leak and giving me problems? If that is the case it should be an easy fix I hope?

Don't look any further, this one has to be replaced.
It's an easy fix, only two screws to loosen.[/quote]

James wrote:The bike is still leaking fuel as well as I don't know how to fix that float issue!

Open up the carb, on the floating chamber side (bottom).
Take some time to look and try to understand the working of the carb.
Then, adjust the floater so it closes as soon as the chamber is full of fuel.
(look at the technical drawings, it's possible that a small part is missing)

Thanks Waynus.

Been so busy I haven't touched the bike for a while

Just ordered the parts I need to fix one of my issues (the air leak) - they should hopefully be with me next week sometime!

Update

Parts turned up last week and I had some time yesterday (Sunday) to put them on the bike. I hadn't touched or even looked at the bike for a couple of weeks and the first thing I noticed is that I have a flat rear tyre

Not quite sure why it went flat as I have inspected the tyre and I can't see anything that may have pierced it. Going to pump it back up and see what happens as the old one before I did the semi-restoration used to do the same thing.

Anyway... I fitted a new spark plug, and also two new gaskets for the inlet pipe. Filled her with fuel and fired her up and I *think* she runs different now... engine sounds stronger so I reckon it may have fixed my running issues but we will have to see!

I have a couple of jobs left to do before I can go on a road test. I need to sort the rear tyre and also tighten the chain. My seat is squeaking on the pads it sits on so want to sort that eventually too.

A truly inspirational thread James!

Really good to see the journey you have made with your bike, and with limited tools and resources. How's it running now?

nbmonkey wrote:A truly inspirational thread James!

Really good to see the journey you have made with your bike, and with limited tools and resources. How's it running now?

Thanks!

Funny you should mention it actually, there is an update in another post from a while ago but basically the bike is off the road for the time being. Built a new shed for it yesterday and have put it away until I can find the time to fix my ever growing list of problems. They are:

- Flat rear tyre (again!). Will require a new tube I think so a big job to change it as the wheel needs to come apart!
- Massive engine problem (will require a total strip down I imagine). Bike will run but something is broken, loose or damaged.
- Leaking fuel from the carb (but hasn't done it for a couple of weeks - fingers are kept crossed)
- Needs a good clean (covered in muck from my new chain and a load of dust)

So basically it's off the road for a while The only problem I can't fix myself is the engine as I am not that handy with a set of spanners so might try and find someone to take a look for me and show me what's wrong. I am so busy with work lately and am also trying to get my own new business off the ground that I just don't have the time to tinker with it at the moment. Along with the fact there is no room in the garage for it (hence the new small shed), I don't have anywhere to work on it. My rebuild was done outside!!!

Hopefully next year she will be back on the road!

Hi James

Sorry to hear about your problems and while you are correct that some of them will require you paying for work to be done (engine stripdown) I can assure you that replacing the tube is a very quick & simple job and one that can be done on the side of the road with the basic toolkit (been there, done that).
Removing the wheel is straight-forward enough and when you have done that you are almost there. Deflate the tube (not necessary in your case!) and then undo the four bolts that hold the hub to the rim and then the four bolts that hold the rim halves together. With that done the two halves can be separated (may be stuck to the bead of the tyre in which case it may be necessary to carefully lever the tyre off) and then the tube can be recovered. Check the inside of the tyre, fit a new tube and reassemble in the reverse sequence ensuring brake & chain are correctly adjusted.
You should see it all done in 30-minutes or less.

Hi James,
As a new member I enjoyed reading your posts reguarding the rebuild of your ST. Been a while since your last post, Any progress? Phil.

Litch - 30mins is pretty quick but I like a challenge

Phil - Progress is in a post a few up from this one Basically the bike is off the road at the moment (still taxed, insured and with an MOT though). I have engine trouble which will require a strip-down and I don't have the time or skills to do it so will tackle it in the future.

"Litch - 30mins is pretty quick but I like a challenge"

One thing I have remembered since owning an ST again is just how easy and delightful they are to work on owing to their simplicity and modest size.

The other week I had to fit a new lower fork-leg to my ST50 Dax (12V model) as the original one was a bit marked.
I had already got all the parts necessary (including for-seals & ATF) and got started on the stripdown. It all came apart very easily and after about 10-minutes the front wheel & mudguard were off and I was just finishing removing the fork legs, a few minutes more and the forks were stripped and were being cleaned before being reassembled with new seals & oil. I think that I got the whole lot back together and was test-riding the bike in about an hour from first starting the job. Very satisfying and a testiment to the design.

James,

where did you get it shotblasted and powder coating in the end?
Did it cost much?

Cheers,

Jay