Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Using Cheap Stuff Instead of Expensive Tools

Pat just posted a picture and explanation of the "$1.55 Carb Synch gage" and I use a turkey baster ($.99) and small metal ruler ($3) to set the oil height in my fork tubes instead of the $40-$50 tools they sell for this.
Anyone else have a slick inexpensive way to do bike maintenance that would otherwise require and expensive specialized tool?

Keith

Only thing I can think of is the wooden "center stand/bike jack" that I use. Of course it doesn't get the bike up off the ground, but it does make it vertical...

Hey Jazzplayer...
You wouldn't happen to have a link to that there "$1.55 Carb Synch gage" would ya ?

It's a current thread in the "Performance Mods" section under "Carburator Synchonization" or try this;

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...mp;page=0#13565

OK, once again it's the Pie in the Sky dream of a $1.55 Carb Synch guage. Add in the cost of the OIL and the price SKYROCKETS out of control!!

i put a cheapo bicycle speedo on my bsa, about 13 bucks. works great. i did finally find a smiths but left on the bike speedo because it's more accurate...

the bike speedo has tripometer, clock, mileage, and something else i can't recall.

might be a good mod for the speedy, since the speedo is about 7% over...?

cat cheapo bicycle speedo

Not a tool sustitution but a procedure sustitution:

When checking valve clearances, pull the spark plugs and use the rear wheel to roll over the motor. Service manual says to remove the alternator cover...which translates into a new gasket and oil.

Fork Work
From the archives:
08/08/2004 | 13:21:25 | James

To remove the damper rod bolt take spring out of tube & insert a broom handle.
Push down hard & take out bottom hex bolt (This will stop it from spinning).
That’s it!!!

Caution: Spinning will burn the seals!!!

When I sent my front end in for chroming I ran into this issue.
Good thing is, almost all forks work like that...
Once you do it once, you’ll be a pro!

Gary James

Good point Moe,
When I read that in the service manual I meant to ask why I couldn't put it in 4th gear and spin the wheel like I did with the Trophy when I did the valves on it.

Keith