 Re: Maiden voyage
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Thanks Keith. It's been a real tail chaser. I ran seafoam today and it does run better. I'm going to get the fuel filter on and clean up the carbs again and am thinking I might have to invest in a carb tune.
Of course I can't actually ride because it's all snowy but running thru the throttle it doesn't pulse like it did. But that was a quick check. Like Ian was saying I was a little worried about over heating because ilet it run for about 20-30 mins to work the seafoam through.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Well let's hope the seafoam did the trick! After all this is over might I suggest you go see a Chiropractor... yer bound to have a kink or two in your neck by now, lol! 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Ha. You know what's funny is I just iced my neck because it hurts and I'm chasing that with a grey goose and cranberry. Just what the doctor ordered right buddy!!
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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That IS funny... best to ya Brett! 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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When you winterize it, did you let the stabilizer run thru your carbs a little bit, or did you, >"My usual winterization routine is Shell V power 93 octane with stabil, shut off the petcock and let her run until she drains the carbs."< My thinking is that you might of had some residual fuel that "varnished" in the bowl/fuel passages/jets, Let the Seafoam work its magic, gently shake the bike/carbs back and forth for a few days (not continually)  and try starting it to let the gas run through the carbs while changing throttle position
'04' Black America
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Aha Steve. Now we may be onto something there. Because I don't let the stabil run thru. I just added it and drained the bowls. And it was better with the seafoam. I'll try the shaking trick and running it more. when I twisted it thru she would keep running at full throttle. Then as I let off it back fired a little. But definitely better. I'll let you know after a few days of seafoaming.
I have seen it before where guys have made manometers but I'm a bit skeptical about how accurate that's going to be. If I bought a carb tune realistically how much would I use it??
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
...If I bought a carb tune realistically how much would I use it??
If you have a few bike buddies that live in your area, You can split the cost and pass it around when needed, as long as your buddies respect tools, all SHOULD be good!  or buy it out right and get a few beers for its use!
'04' Black America
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Well dang it JR I is making me look bad he fixed his kickstand switch and is up and running. Here's my progress or lack there of  I have run sea foam thru a few times and she runs good at idle and throttle blips. But if I hold it WOT it pulsates with a backfire. So it's kind of a vrooom....dying....pop...vroom repeat over and over. I'm sorry guys that's pretty bad. Could this be a float issue? Seems like a main jet issue. Should I get new? I've cleaned them. Would carb tuning help this? I'm totally lost!
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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The way you describe it it does sound like a fuel issue. Like it runs out then the flow catches up then it runs out again. That is not to say that it isn't an ignition issue but the way you describe it it sure sounds like fuel. Dirty petcock maybe? Bad tip over valve? Clogged vent? Float issue?
When cleaning jets don't even push wire or paper clip through them.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
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Quote:
When cleaning jets don't even push wire or paper clip through them.
+1. Excellent advice. 
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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OOPS! I meant don't ever.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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I didn't go back and read the whole thread but did you check the spade connectors on the coils? Reason I ask is they were very loose on my bike and prone to coming loose, causing all kinds of erratic running conditions. Dang, I'm getting really frustrated (I'm sure a lot of us are) with your bike... I can't imagine what it must be like for you!!!! All you did was park it! 
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Oops I did do a paperclip thru the mains. Won't do that again!! What is the spade connector on the coils?
And how do I check ignition issues. Just kind of getting ideas on possible fixes.
Last question-for this post anyway-how fast do the bowls empty. I mean like 5 seconds or 1 min kind of ideas. Was a curiosity question there.
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Quote:
What is the spade connector on the coils?
Those connections on the left there. They were very sloppy on my bike and prone to coming loose.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Last question-for this post anyway-how fast do the bowls empty. I mean like 5 seconds or 1 min kind of ideas. Was a curiosity question there.
It depends on how far you turn the "stop" out. If you just crack it, it could take 5 min. but if you turn it out a couple turns,~20 seconds(just like a faucet)
'04' Black America
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Bret,
For my own peace of mind.....could you please drain some fuel from the bowls for at least a minute to see if you have good fuel flow. All you need to do is open the screw at the bottom of each bowl and let it flow. If it flows well, it means everything (petcock, inlet screen, hidden filter and fuel lines) is clear to the carbs.
4th request. If you have done so, let us know.
The bowls shouldn't stop flowing so long as the fuel is turned on.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Gregger, I'm sorry I didn't answer you the first three times. I did open the bowl drain and the fuel flows constantly out with the petcock open. Again I'm sorry for the lack of communication only part. 
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Thanks Brett. Wanted to get that clear before we moved forward.
Next test is to determine your float height. An easy check is to fit a clear plastic tube over the bowl drain then hold the tube beside the carb body, open the drain. The tube should fill with gas and stop just below the top of the bowl. Both sides should be the same.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Checked the float height and both sides look equal at the top of the bowls. Also checked out the ignition coil that would appear in good shape and well connected. I pushed all the wire junctions I could find together. also poured about a cup of gas on my garage floor because put petcock on reserve instead of off. So safe to say tipoff is not pinched!
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Is vent tube different than tip over tube. The tube that hooks on to the right of the tank-correct?
I revved it up and popped a filter off. If that helps. When it backfired it came off. I'm also having an old motocross buddy come look at her on saturday. He knows a good bit about carbs etc. Used to race for Honda.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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So it looks like your float adjustment is ok. Fuel to carbs is ok. Try pulling out your choke (enrichener) to see if the extra fuel makes things better or worse. Then your going to blow out the fuel circuits with compressed air.
BTW - you stated that the engine cuts in and out at full throttle. It that under load while riding or in neutral. The reason I ask, is it possible you are reving the bike above your rev limit in neutral and the limiter is kicking in? You stated you don't have a tach.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Hey great call Gregger. That is in neutral. I haven't check her under load because we are still pretty icy here. But it does backfire and dye out. And I dint know what they rev limiter at neutral sounds like. Never tried it honestly. I'll try pulling the choke and see if that makes it better. I'll report back 
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Quote:
Is vent tube different than tip over tube. The tube that hooks on to the right of the tank-correct?
There's just one hose (vent or breather hose) which has a one way valve near the end. Sometimes the valve can stick and effectively block the breather line. However, a good way to check for that kind of problem is to run the bike with the cap loosened off... if it runs better then the hose could be blocked.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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So not to drag this on forever and be a thorn in the side but feel like I'd be remiss if I didn't follow up. I tore the carbs apart again and looks like the vacuum diaphragm was seated poorly. I made the mistake of using carb cleaner on them and they got the rubbers all stretched out. So I have them is inside hoping they will shrink down a little so I can fit them back in that ridge to get a good seal. Also have a local guy looking for replacement parts and prices (to compare to bikebandit). If you live around here you have to see this guy he is the best. So hopefully in the next week I'll have more solid answers and we can move on to conversations like what kind of coffee is Keith brewing that is best this side of the Rockies. And what is Gregger doing with his grandkid.
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Quote:
So hopefully in the next week I'll have more solid answers and we can move on to conversations like what kind of coffee is Keith brewing that is best this side of the Rockies. And what is Gregger doing with his grandkid.
I look forward to that, but probably not NEAR as much as you!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
So hopefully in the next week I'll have more solid answers and we can move on to conversations like what kind of coffee is Keith brewing that is best this side of the Rockies. And what is Gregger doing with his grandkid.
Brett, since you brought her up,
We went out to the mall today (The Saturday routine) where grandpa let her have several rides in the kiddie section, went into the pet store to look at the rabbits, guinea pigs and birds, then off to food court for her favourite......French fries and ketchup (along with a chocolate milk). The ketchup has to be in those small single containers so that she can dip each fry in.
She lets me eat only the fries she doles out to me...I love it. 
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Be fore warned that bike bandit is very slow to ship.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Maiden voyage
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So Keith not devulging any secret hey?! Haha. And Gregger sounds like somebody gets a little spoilling from grandpa. Good for you buddy that's the joys of grandparenthood. Wow is that a word? And finally Ian (like the Wizard of Oz-and Scarecrow I'll miss you the most) I saw bikebandit was slow to ship. Hopefully my local guy will come through. I might have to buy the whole slide if I go thru bikebandit.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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bandit taint slow, it is Newnan, Ga that slows the bandit up. For OEM parts anyways. Tires get shipped next day. Don't forget about the bandit's 10% AMA discount. Anyway, if you need new slides, the bandit list them at $68/VACUUM PISTON, 3mm HOLE, KEIHI "VACUUM PISTON, 2.5MM HOLE" Whereas Pinwall has a set of carbs for $99.99. diaphragms for thought.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Yeah Moe I saw that on eBay and was wondering what the opinion of that was. I think they were 2003 carbs. Think vacuum gaskets would still be ok etc etc. ?
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Yeah. Or wait for some fresher carbs to appear. However I bought a set a ways back and looked at the slides last year. They were fine.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Maiden voyage
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I'm big on closing the loop. Turns out I had a stuck left slide. And when I pulled it apart to unstick and clean I didn't get a good seal on the rubbers of the vacuum slide. I put it in the freezer for a day and it shrunk down and fit perfect., because I sprayed carb cleaner on it it swelled all up. Took her out in the 35 degrees and ripped around the neighborhood with no more hesitation. Let me take a moment to thank everybody that helped me and I apologize if this was frustrating at times. I appreciate all the input and adivice on this forum. It is my first resource for any problems. Hey maybe I should make that a quote on the suggested forums quotes John Thank you all for you're help. You make owning an America even cooler!!
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Thanks Brett for keeping us informed. We all learned from this one. 
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Glad you got it sorted out, Brett and thanks for letting us know. As Greg said, we all learned from this one.
Agree with you that this place makes owning an America even cooler!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Maiden voyage
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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This is the 2nd time I can remember on here that we had these similar symptoms and thinking float...vent...etc... and it turned out to be the slide.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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