So Fix it

Certain motorcycles always emit some type of fumes upon starting the engine. However, grey smoke signals a problem with the engine and necessitates prompt investigation to avoid serious engine damage.

Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter causes dark smoke to come out of the exhaust pipes. If this is the cause of the smoke, then the bikes spark plugs will also not work. Change the motorcycles filter to remedy the situation.

Open Starter Plunger

An open starter plunger can also result in grey smoke from motorcycle exhaust pipes. The starter plunger is a small component of the starter. Repair this problem by removing the bolts from the starters cover to reveal the component. Push the plunger closed and replace the starter cover.

Float Bowl Fuel Levels

Grey smoke can result from improper fuel levels in the float bowl of the carburetor. Remove the float bowl from the carburetor by taking out the screws. Check the markings on the float bowl to ensure the fuel levels are correct.

Lacing motorcycle wheels is partly master craft and partly black art. Good wheel builders can lace a wheel perfectly in half an hour. Lacing all motorcycle wheels involves basically the same set of patient skills. The difference between wheels is in the details of each particular wheel. A key concept to understand about lacing wheels is that you will always be working with two slightly different kinds of spokes. Half the spokes in a wheel will be slightly longer than the other half. This is how to lace a 21-inch rear wheel for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Harley calls the two kinds of spokes upper and lower row spokes.

Instructions

1

Clear a three-foot-square space on a table. Put the hub on the table with the wide flange (brake disc) side down.

2

Insert a spoke in each hole of the lower row of holes on top of the hub to begin to build the hub assembly. Center the rim over this hub assembly with the valve stem hole facing up.

3

Place the unconnected end of any lower row hub assembly spoke into the rim hole that is angled to correctly accept the spoke on the upper half of the rim center line. Insert the rest of the lower row spokes in every fourth rim hole.

4

Insert the first upper row spoke into the hub assembly. Angle the spoke counterclockwise so it crosses four lower row spokes. This spoke must enter the rim hole to the right of the valve stem hole

5

Insert the remaining upper row spokes into every fourth remaining hole above the rim center line.

6

Turn the partially assembled wheel over so the brake disc side is up. Insert any lower row spoke into the hub. Angle the spoke clockwise and insert the other end of the spoke into the rim hole that naturally accepts it.

7

Insert each of the remaining lower row spokes into the hub, angle each clockwise and insert each into the rim.

8

Insert any upper row spoke into the hub, angle it counterclockwise and insert the opposite end into the appropriate rim hole. Install all the remaining upper row spokes.

9

Tighten all spoke nipples to 40 to 50 inch-pounds of torque with a spoke wrench.

The starter on your 1982 Yamaha motorcycle engages the motor to propel the bike when the rider hits the gas. If you are having problems with your 1982 Yamaha starter, you are probably thinking that you need to employ a motorcycle mechanic to get it fixed. The truth is that you can check the starter yourself with very little hassle. Testing this starter will allow you diagnose the problem yourself without spending money on a service shop.

Instructions

1

Put a pan under your Yamaha motorcycle and pull the 24mm oil plug from the bottom of the engine panel. Allow the oil to drain from the engine.

2

Use a socket wrench to remove the screws holding the left side engine cover onto the motorcycle. The amount of screws holding the cover onto the bike will vary from model to model.

3

Go to the front of the motorcycles engine and look for the starter. The starter is a large ring with a bolt coming from the center of it. Use your hands to pull the starter out enough to expose the wiring.

4

Use a voltmeter to get a volt reading from the starters red and black wires. If you get a reading less than 12V from the starter, you need to replace the unit.

Motorcycle carburetors take in air and mix it with fuel. Numerous factors can throw a motorcycle carburetor out of tune. Typically, motorcycle carburetors are shaken out of tune by vibration. Manufacturers like Mikuni, Keihin and S & S sell original equipment and aftermarket carburetors for numerous motorcycles. Details vary but tuning principles are the same for all these devices. Here, specifically, is how to tune the carburetor Harley-Davidson has used since 1989.

Instructions

1

Remove the air cleaner cover with an Allen wrench. Loosen the air cleaner with a Torx wrench.

2

Disconnect the two breather tubes from the top of the air cleaner with your hands. Remove the air cleaner. Remove the air cleaner backing plate with a socket wrench.

3

Put the motorcycle in neutral. Start the motorcycle and let it run until the engine is hot. Leave the engine running during the following procedures.

4

Spray short bursts of aerosol carburetor cleaner into the venturi (the open mouth) of the carburetor. Allow the engine to stumble and recover. Then repeat.

5

Turn the idle speed adjuster screw next to the throttle cam with a flat head screwdriver until the engine idles smoothly without stumbling at the lowest possible engine revolutions per minute. Turn the screw clockwise to reduce idle speed and counterclockwise to increase idle speed.

6

Turn the low speed, fuel-air mixture screw on the bottom of the carburetor 1/8 clockwise. Wait five seconds for the idle to stabilize.

7

Continue to turn the low-speed screw clockwise 1/8 turn at a time with a five-second pause between turns until the engine stumbles and drops revolutions per minute. When the engine stumbles, turn the low-speed screw counterclockwise 1/8 turn.

8

Wait five seconds, then open the throttle. The engine should idle cleanly and respond without stumbling when you open the throttle.

9

Repeat adjustments to the idle speed adjuster screw and the low-speed, fuel-air mixture screw as needed until the engine idles cleanly at low speed and responds without stumbling when you open the throttle.

10

Turn off the motorcycle. Reinstall the air cleaner backing plate, the air cleaner, the breather tubes and the air cleaner cover.

Its difficult to get where you need to go when you lose your keys. Lost keys are not a major problem in the grand scheme of things, but they are an annoyance that needs to be dealt with quickly, as you cannot drive your motorcycle anywhere without the key. Your local Honda dealership has the necessary equipment to replace your key. Contacting them is the fastest way to go about obtaining a new motorcycle key.

Instructions

1

Call or visit your local Honda dealership. It does not matter if you visit any Honda motorcycle dealership or the dealership where you purchased your bike. Any Honda dealer will do.

2

Provide Honda with your motorcycles key code. This code is recorded in your original purchase paperwork. If you cant locate this paperwork, call the Honda dealership where your bike was originally purchased and ask them to do a quick search for your key code.

3

Pay for your new motorcycle key once your key has been created for you, a process that generally only takes a few minutes. Request additional copies if you think you will need them.