Yammie Brap 180

[V1GiLaNtE]

If the bike is stock air filter/pipe/jets, you dont really need to check plug condition - but if it has changed and you dont have a known combo of filter/pipe/jets to work from you'll need a stack of plugs to read from.  Glad its coming together!

Yea, I started thinking over the whole "is it rich/is it lean thing?" and basically the whole internet just says "Put oil & gas in it and just don't jump it. It will never break". Soooo, with that attitude I'm gonna say #yolo and just send it. Basically took Friday night to pull the rear wheel, scrub the hell out of everything with brake clean,etc. Cleaned the chain the best I could and got the tension set. A lot of the gunk comes off really easily. I also cleaned, inspected, and adjusted the rear brake drums. I'll probably bleed the front brake tonight. The stopping power is atrocious. 

Also go a little bored and mocked some side panels out of cardboard. I'll probably need access to a welder to fab up some mounting tabs, but it will be nice to have it covered up when that is done. 

List is getting shorter:

1) Check plug condition to determine lean vs rich mixture
2) Adjust idle/mixture
3) Bleed front brake and replace fluid
4) Inspect/clean/adjust rear drum brake
5) Repack rear wheel bearings
6) Clean/lube/adjust chain
7) Replace misc. missing nuts/bolts
8) Install airbox
9) Figure out some sort of side panel replacement

Need to run to Lowe's this week to grab all the missing bolts and stuff. I've been inventorying ones that I need. It's still a little finicky starting, but got it kicked over on Friday and rode her around the neighborhood a bit. Can you say 1st gear power wheelies? I swapped the old float and needle in and no longer getting a fluid dumping out of it. 

@RJ - Power is hesitant/sluggish at idle - 1/4 throttle and then the power really comes on. Thoughts? It seems like it's running rich as the cause. That's why I want to check the plug.

[ScottyB]

this little thing is super rad. i love that it's living again!

[V1GiLaNtE]

After thinking it over I went ahead and purchased a "new" ignition coil off eBay just so I can rule out poor or inconsistent spark. When Ryan and I were testing the electrical the ohm resistance for the spark plug boot were within spec, but the readings for the ignition coil were all over the place. $20 was a a cheap investment knowing that at least I have a backup if it fails.

[.RJ]

If its sluggish off-idle, do the revs 'hang' before coming back to idle after giving it some throttle?

Sluggish off idle usually indicates a lean condition or an air leak between the carb & head. Its also part of the nature of a roundslide carb, you have to feed in the throttle a little more gently than a CV carb.

[V1GiLaNtE]

this little thing is super rad.  i love that it's living again!

I think I love just how late 90's tastic it is. Maybe I'm sentimental about it because both my Jeep XJ's were 98's as well.. This whole experience has really turned me on to bikes even more than I knew I wanted. The ability to basically strip the whole thing down with a few hand tools is really amazing. The simplicity is really drawing me in. Once I get the tank sorted it's basically ready to ride even 20 years later!

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If its sluggish off-idle, do the revs 'hang' before coming back to idle after giving it some throttle?

Sluggish off idle usually indicates a lean condition or an air leak between the carb & head.  Its also part of the nature of a roundslide carb, you have to feed in the throttle a little more gently than a CV carb.

When you say "hang", do you mean it idles at that higher rpm before it drops back down? Almost as if a delayed reaction? If so, then the answer is no. It returns to idle very easily. It could also be that I need to manage my expectations coming from an FI bike.. Once I'm out cruising the throttle is fairly manageable. It's not instantaneous, but she'll move once it realizes you want it to go. The top end on the bike is just nuts. It's really the bottom to mid-range on the power band that are currently "meh" to me. Looking at carb tuning guides that is indicative of the pilot system and needle. As a random thought, I wonder how much ethanol gas effects older 2 strokes?

The only thing I have not pulled/inspected at this point are the reed valves.

[.RJ]

you're on the right track - inspect everything.

but, you gotta feed in the throttle a little gentler with a round slide carb - flatslides are even worse. if you just whack it open it'll bog and then pick up. I can see a worn reed valve contributing to this, take a look and plan on replacing it, it cant be expensive.

the problem with these old machines is that its never as simple as fixing one thing and moving on... I feel like I'm always chasing my tail unless I dive in and get EVERYTHING replaced & refurbished. Its just easier in the end.

Keep going! brap!

[V1GiLaNtE]

you're on the right track - inspect everything.

but, you gotta feed in the throttle a little gentler with a round slide carb - flatslides are even worse.  if you just whack it open it'll bog and then pick up.  I can see a worn reed valve contributing to this, take a look and plan on replacing it, it cant be expensive.  

the problem with these old machines is that its never as simple as fixing one thing and moving on... I feel like I'm always chasing my tail unless I dive in and get EVERYTHING replaced & refurbished.  Its just easier in the end.

Keep going!  brap!

Noted. I guess I'll see if they are within spec. Again, I think part of my issue is expecting BRAPS upon twist of the wrist. 

"This is not fuel injection you idiot. It's 20 years old for gawds sake"

[.RJ]

"This is not fuel injection you idiot. It's 20 years old for gawds sake"

Yeah, remember that when you start hitting the trails, too  

[V1GiLaNtE]

"This is not fuel injection you idiot. It's 20 years old for gawds sake"

Yeah, remember that when you start hitting the trails, too  

Honestly, I'm expecting to get scared shitless riding this thing in the woods. That's a whole different perspective I haven't experienced in like 15 years. "Trails" for me are going to be the forest roads near the campsite. Cause ya know.. it's old and shit breaks.

[.RJ]

After humping it uphill for 90 min or more to get to the top of reddish or flagpole, there's times where I think having a fucking dirt bike is way smarter than a pedal bike.

[V1GiLaNtE]

After humping it uphill for 90 min or more to get to the top of reddish or flagpole, there's times where I think having a fucking dirt bike is way smarter than a pedal bike.

I'll take pedal bikes all day when the track is nice and flowy. That's what makes it fun for me. Grinding it out on a 90 min hill climb? Nope. Did that once for a 6-pack ride at JMU.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Bled the brakes with new fluid and they are "better". Might just bite the bullet and replace the pads too for $30. Just throw on some EBCs. Also got a bunch of the misc. bolts replaced so everything keeps together. Took her out for a spin last night. Starts right up on the 2nd or 3rd kick. I am pleased. Only a few things left to do and we're in business! 

Short Term "To-Do"

• Grind external tank rust and paint
  
• Seal pinhole leaks
  
• Re-clean tank interior
  
• Seal tank
  
• Install OEM rear fender (in route)
  
• Install kick start oil seal (in route)
  
• Drain and replace trans oil
  
• Replace ignition coil with "new used" (in route)
  

Long Term "Might-Do"

• New chain & sprocket
  
• Sheet pan side panels or retrofit newer panels
  
• Install hours meter for oil changes (who knows how many hours are actually on the top end)
  
• Replace fork oil
  
• Fancy upgraded power reeds
  

[Deceus]

After humping it uphill for 90 min or more to get to the top of reddish or flagpole, there's times where I think having a fucking dirt bike is way smarter than a pedal bike.

I'll take pedal bikes all day when the track is nice and flowy. That's what makes it fun for me. Grinding it out on a 90 min hill climb? Nope. Did that once for a 6-pack ride at JMU.

Pedaling is for suckers. A local bike shop does an all day shuttle to the top reddish once a month. I couldn't imagine getting to the top after climbing all that and wanting to do anything other than go home.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Popped in a new kick-start oil seal and changed the oi. No more leaks, but man that oil was YUCK! Gonna spend a little more money and have a local radiator guy seal the tank.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Tank has been sealed locally and she's all ready to run! Good time this weekend ripping her in the neighborhood. Just in time for fall as I'll be camping the next 4 weekends!

[V1GiLaNtE]

Sold for a profit. Fun little project.

[ScottyB]

nice wrap to the story of the brap.

any chance we'll see it riding through baltimore with the front wheel up 90 degrees?

[JPolen01]

nice wrap to the story of the brap.  

any chance we'll see it riding through baltimore with the front wheel up 90 degrees?

Please Scott! No one pays for the bikes ridden through Baltimore.

[V1GiLaNtE]

nice wrap to the story of the brap.  

any chance we'll see it riding through baltimore with the front wheel up 90 degrees?

More likely it'll be getting hooned by some 14 years old in Gloucester,Va yelling "Hell Yea bruuuuther"

[Senor_Taylor]

nice wrap to the story of the brap.  

any chance we'll see it riding through baltimore with the front wheel up 90 degrees?

More likely it'll be getting hooned by some 14 years old in Gloucester,Va yelling "Hell Yea bruuuuther"

Didn't know Zach bought it.