“Coach” needed for 1943 WLA War-bike!

[T. Cotten]

... Sometimes you find the tree rat in a different tree. Where does it backfire, through the carb or the exhaust? From my experience if its a carb issue, backfiring through the carb or air cleaner indicates too lean a mixture, if it backfires through the exhaust indicates too rich a mixture. Good luck, you will work it out.

But Bob,...

What if the lean air is coming in after the carb?

Bubbles are a simple and cheap diagnostic to sort that out, and a lot safer than twisting the wick with one hand, tickling the carb with the other, while avoiding traffic, and hoping you aren't doing more damage before frustration stops you.

Carbs are forgiving, honest, Folks; Manifolds ain't.

....Cotten

[BigLakeBob]

Johnnyf have you checked all your electrical connections and is the battery fully charged. I suggest going to the manual and going through all the mundane checks, especially connections. Maybe you already have. Sometimes you find the tree rat in a different tree. Where does it backfire, through the carb or the exhaust? From my experience if its a carb issue, backfiring through the carb or air cleaner indicates too lean a mixture, if it backfires through the exhaust indicates too rich a mixture. Good luck, you will work it out.

[T. Cotten]

Johnnyf
No worries you really do not need a very 'robust' compressor for leak testing.
Here is that link to Cottons article:

Virtual Indian - Summer 2002 - Manifold Leak-Testing

15 psi will tease out the leaks. So even a small inflator will work.

True Paul,...

... as long as it supplies a constant, regulated 15 psi max.

Mattress inflators, Shop Vacs and tire pumps are a recipe for false negatives: Then you bite your tail again.

....Cotten

[PaulCDF]

Johnnyf
No worries you really do not need a very 'robust' compressor for leak testing.
Here is that link to Cottons article:

Virtual Indian - Summer 2002 - Manifold Leak-Testing

15 psi will tease out the leaks. So even a small inflator will work.

[T. Cotten]

Well Johnny,...

I hope you at least a have a garage where you can work and collect tools?

If not, better get a really sturdy trailer to get you to your nearest pro, and then you are at his mercy.

Collecting or making all the tools for any machine is an endless task, but you will miss much of its romance if you do not; Sometimes you gotta get intimate to really appreciate its design.

.....Cotten

[Johnnyf]

Gave my compressor to my son when I moved down here 3 years ago……..

[T. Cotten]

Ugh! Well ……… I guess I’m one of those types that learns by doing vs learns by reading…….and after reading ( and now re-reading) it seems like I’m in over my pay grade not sure I understand how to check for leaks if it’s not running……..♂️ ……….I don’t have any of the basic tools being shown or described. The mechanic mentioned that I might have to fiddle with the “ slow - screw(?)” on the carb but I’m hestitant to make any further changes until or unless I’m sure of the direction I should be going………. Both figuratively and literally! What I’m not understanding I guess, is I’ve ridden it when I first got it but since the new condenser, points and plugs have been installed it hasn’t run right since although the starting has seemed to have gotten quite a bit easier, just an observation…..at least when it does start!

Don't be intimidated, Johnny!

You gotta be resourceful.

It doesn't take a store-bought neoprene stopper to bubble-test:

PATRON.jpg
(OHV manifold with Patron© tequila cork appliance.)

One fellow used his puppy's rubber ball with a BIC pen barrel shoved through it.

....Cotten
PS: But it does take three hands, usually a flashlight, and often reading glasses. If you don't have a regulated air compressor, then I'm afraid your down the creek without a paddle.

[Johnnyf]

Done! Book has been ordered

[Johnnyf]

I’m going to order this book later today. I thought I may have already ordered but I haven’t. I think I’ve gotten most of the others out there. Does anyone have a recommendation for a mechanic up my way in St Augustine? Thx

[Chris Haynes]

www.howtorestoreyourmilitaryharley-davidson.com

[Johnnyf]

Ugh! Well ……… I guess I’m one of those types that learns by doing vs learns by reading…….and after reading ( and now re-reading) it seems like I’m in over my pay grade not sure I understand how to check for leaks if it’s not running……..♂️ ……….I don’t have any of the basic tools being shown or described. The mechanic mentioned that I might have to fiddle with the “ slow - screw(?)” on the carb but I’m hestitant to make any further changes until or unless I’m sure of the direction I should be going………. Both figuratively and literally! What I’m not understanding I guess, is I’ve ridden it when I first got it but since the new condenser, points and plugs have been installed it hasn’t run right since although the starting has seemed to have gotten quite a bit easier, just an observation…..at least when it does start!

[T. Cotten]

It can be quite a tail chase, Johnny!

Especially if you ignore my first post.

....Cotten

[Johnnyf]

So I’m back in town and went straight away to my WLA , did the pre-start procedure and did only one pump of gas into the cylinders. Opened up the fuel feed on top of the tank, turned it on, gave it three kicks and started right up! It didn’t run long , however, I turned the butterfly choke about 1/4 - 1/2 and tried to increase the throttle but it died anyway. When it first started there was a backfire so I’m thinking I should slight advance the spark a little with the left handgrip. I was, however, able to restart it but ran even shorter. I wasn’t able to restart it for the rest of this afternoon. What the heck am I not doing correctly. I can’t even keep it running long enough to get on it and ride. Very frustrating. Thx

[Johnnyf]

Been out of town with crappy wi-fi service. Been trying to post a video and just can’t seem to get it done.

[Chris Haynes]

http://www.howtorestoreyourharleydav...d=5&Itemid=106