My Royal Star - year 2000 technical repairs

[Atslega]

Hello!

I am new member in this forum. This is my first topic, so I hope I will not make large mistakes  If anything, please correct me.

In May 2022 I decided to add in my garage "new" motorcycle Royal Star 1300 (2000y). So far I used Virago 535 (1987y), what is quite small for my body. But overall it is very reliable and comfortable bike.

So in market I found this "new" bike for a very good price. In time of buying I knew, that I will need to change all rubber parts in fuel system, parts in ignition and give carburetors to mechanic, so he changes and regulates everything, whats needed. As it is sometimes with very good and experienced mechanics, work takes long time. So in summer 2022 I did not drive with this bike. In Latvia, where I live normal bike season ends in october. Also for Royal Star 2000 year make some carburetor parts are very rare. In Yamaha they cost very much. From ebay and local after market sellers I needed to send parts three times (even knowing OEM numbers) only then I got almost all, what needed. Still chokes stayed the same (master said, that they will live some while). 

So, when putting all back together I drove back to workshop, so mechanic could switch engine to the engine diagnostic system with gas analyzer and regulate carburetors, when they are on engine. Only then it appeared, that engine is working on 3 cylinders. Firstly was checked ignition - all works fine. Carburetor also works fine. Needed to check somehow how valves looks from inside. If probe is put from spark plug hole, you will see piston. Then mechanic had an idea to put probe from exhaust pipe all the way to the valve. Since bike has 4 exhaust pipes - one for each cylinder, it worked. Now we had pictures, where it was seen, that valve seats has burned out. Exhaust valves all the time are little opened. That is why cylinder does not keeps compression and does not work properly. What to do - these all are only mechanic parts and bolts  I decided to take out engine, remove both cylinder heads and one, or both (if needed) will give to specialized workshop for repair. My brother manages professional classic car restoration workshop, so he will share contacts for some good partners, what works with such repairs.

In last Thursday I put bike on hand-made stands, so it is easier to work. This week I have much work to do, but I hope that during April I will manage to get engine out of frame. Some experience with technics I have, so all what I need is time   

[Atslega]

First picture was from online market, where I found selling offer for my bike.

The second is in the first day, when I owned it. Previous owner gave together some interesting bag for small things. I took it off. But maybe in some longer roads, where more luggage is taken, it will be useful

[Atslega]

The fist picture is from last summer, when I took off carburetors and replaced fuel lines, spark plugs and other small things. The last two pictures are from last Thursday, when I prepare everything for engine removal work.

I hope I will update this soon

[Marcarl]

Keep us posted, we are interested. If you have any thoughts don't be afraid to ask, better safe than sorry. Have a good time making that baby yours.

[Atslega]

Thanks Marcarl for the kind support

[Atslega]

Since the last post I found two evenings also for motircycle in garage. I hope, that next time I can remove engine

[Atslega]

In my opinion Royal Star is quite simple for repairs. So far everything was easy to unscrew and remove. I have a question - maybe somebody knows, how the propeller shaft can be removed from engine, when I will remove it? Is it just sliding out from gearbox, like for front wheel drive car, or there is some screws or rings to be removed?

[RDawson]

After removing the final drive you can just pull the drive shaft out. It can be tricky to line it up with the u-joint going back in. There is a rubber plug on top of the housing, pull the plug and use a piece of wire to line up the u-joint. 

[Atslega]

Thanks, RDawson, for advice. Will try it

[Atslega]

Today's progress. All went quite ok. Drive shaft just slided off, when I little pushed engine away from it, after all bolts from engine mounts were taken away.

[Atslega]

Engine in his way out