Petcock rebuild

Today, the o-rings and valve bushing arrived in the mail.

The old valve bushing was smooshed badly and too hard.

The viton o-ring is a perfect fit.  I think.

Petcock removal and disassebly

Just before going in to work this afternoon, I removed the fuel tank petcock so I could check it while at work.   Considering all of the petcocks that I have rebuilt over the years, this one is a bit different.  I really like the design of it, especially the bowl screen.

I just purchased a new valve rubber from a seller on ebay because the old one is shot.

 

A new rubber core is on its way.

I found the right size o-ring at Ace Hardware, and ordered some viton ones on ebay.

Installed carburetors

Rode to Economy Cycle

Yesterday, I rode to Waukegan for the Analog Motorcycle open house (party).  It wasn't too far out of the way to stop in at Economy Cycle, where I purchased two carb kits for the RD.  John at Economy Cycle told me that ignition points are no longer being manufactured, which is very noteworthy.

It was the perfect day for a ride to a motorcycle party!

Removed and cleaned carbs

It's never easy to remove a set of carbs from a bike with the stock airbox intact.  This bike was no exception, but I've had worse.  Once I removed the battery and battery box, loosened up the airbox and removed the boots, the carbs were off in short order.

As shown in the pictures, the right carb had a white buildup and the left one was fairly clean.  I'm very disappointed in myself because I somehow lost the float valve needle from the right carb!  I searched tirelessly but could not find it.  I began to think that maybe it was missing before I opened it, but my pictures prove otherwise; I screwed up!  I left two of the bowl screws removed to remind myself not to install that carb without the needle.

I took this picture to remind myself how the battery box slides in.

If you look closely,this picture shows the float valve intact

Jet sizes

Notice the missing part.

The purchase

The bike with her previous owner, Estera

This morning, a beautiful day in Chicago, my friend Lou and I drove to the upper North Side and purchased this mostly original 1974 Yamaha RD125.  The bike had wintered last year as pictured below, under a staircase in the courtyard of a brick building.  Estera, the seller, told us that it was much cleaner prior to its unfortunate winterizing.  She was very kind, allowing me to have the bike for my low offer and even threw in a Haynes manual.  I think she wanted the bike to go to a good home.

It's new home, for now.  Next month we move into a new garage. 

Lou's contribution to the blog.  Photo credit: loudhvx