My What Am I Getting Myself Into Combat Build Thread

They are long, but thinner than the bullet connectors. Do you know of any connector that is thinner and shorter? They are also easy to de-pin

I also moved this mess inside the headlight, and the flasher unit, and a bunch of diodes. I also have a lot of ground and power connections. Think there's a better way to wire these, but i'll save that for another day (it all works :))

My What Am I Getting Myself Into Combat Build Thread


I was able to tie it up a little.

My What Am I Getting Myself Into Combat Build Thread


Only issue i have now is the bezel doesn't seem to want to fit on the shell. The shell seems wider. It's a new headlight shell and bezel.
 
I believe the bezel lip is purposely designed to 'snap' onto the shell. Takes a little extra push but should go.
 
I had the headlight lamp clips in wrong. It's in now. Just need to figure out how to upload a video. I'm really happy with the lighting.
 
They are long, but thinner than the bullet connectors. Do you know of any connector that is thinner and shorter? They are also easy to de-pin

I also moved this mess inside the headlight, and the flasher unit, and a bunch of diodes. I also have a lot of ground and power connections. Think there's a better way to wire these, but i'll save that for another day (it all works :))

View attachment 97136

I was able to tie it up a little.

View attachment 97137

Only issue i have now is the bezel doesn't seem to want to fit on the shell. The shell seems wider. It's a new headlight shell and bezel.
Hook bottom, squeeze top - most definitely fits. Will snap on. If you have a pilot light, you need to clear more space at the bottom, but I think you said you don't and will run full-time with the headlight on. VA does require a white light in the front at all times on a bike while riding.
 
I'm now at the stage of thinking about the fuel system. Question for the group. Internal or external fuel filters (or both)? I think the consensus i've read is internal (i.e. petcock filters), but thought i'd ask (or is it oil question?).

Was thinking about this pingel fuel filter. It's 1 in, 2 out. Can't do 2 in because the petcocks are 1/4" and the FF is 5/16. I could do 2 adaptors, but already have a 1/4-5/16 tee which i could then run to the FF (will be running both petcocks on simultaneously since they both have a reserve). The carbs are 5/16 so i could direct connect them. Advantage would not having to remove the petcocks to clean the FF and the pingel is probably a better filter than the petcock filters. Disadvantage is cost and not sure yet if there would be any fitment problems. Thoughts/recommendations?

ss12p_n.jpg
 
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I run a single similar setup - but one on each petcock. If you heat the 1/4 hose in boiled water for a min then the are easy to get over the 5/16 barb.


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Mikuni carbs right?

Unless you’re 101% sure that every crevice in your tank is as clean as new, I’d run in line filters. Japanese carbs are far less tolerant about such stuff then Amal’s.

The things fitted to the peacocks are strainers, not filters, and will happily pass stuff thats capable of screwing up the carbs. I know cos I’ve been there !
 
You can heat the fuel hose with a heat gun as well to get 1/4" hose on a 5/16" barb, but the hose might be very difficult to get off without the use of a heat gun again.

Heed FF's advice about the small orifice Japanese carburetors. They really don't like fine grit like what can come from rust or a dirty filler hose at a gas station. I actually don't use an inline filter, but it is a case of being forgetful and too lazy to change my hose setup. It has bit me once so far. Got gas from a gas station that needs new fuel tanks in the middle of nowhere 97 miles from home. Bucked off and on all the way home. Thought it was going to stall on the hwy, and at stops when closer to home, but was able to get it home blipping the throttle at stops. Pain in the butt that was.
 
Thanks all, good advice. I will plan to run an in-line filter then. And yes, Mikunis
 
Not sure i need a catch can, but went ahead and installed one since there's space

My What Am I Getting Myself Into Combat Build Thread
 
I have something similar in my '65 El Camino. I think it's bigger though. ;)

You could eat of the back of that motor it is so clean. Nice :cool:
 
I have something similar in my '65 El Camino. I think it's bigger though. ;)
You really only need a catch can on forced induction and direct injected engines. The stock setup is for the oil tank to vent in the air cleaner. Think most that don't use the stock ham can install a filter on the oil tank vent. If it does puke oil, it'll eventually wick through the filter, hence the catch can. Will see if it actually catches any oil
 
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You really on need a catch can on forced induction and direct injected engines. The stock setup is for the oil tank to vent in the air cleaner. Think most that don't use the stock ham can install a filter on the oil tank vent. If it does puke oil, it'll eventually wick through the filter, hence the catch can. Will see if it actually catches any oil
Sidetracking: My El Camino is multiport fuel injected. Edelbrock ProFlo 4 with a few of my modifications. I use the catch can as a catch can in the PCV plumbing arrangement. It is handy. I built up my Norton rather than putting forced induction on the El Camino. Forced induction would be very hard on the rear tires, and I'd have to put bigger brakes and brake calipers on it. It would also be one more thing to worry about. Got enough of that.

On my Norton the catch can (small air compressor water filter) is way back near the drive side shock mount. It always has some oil in it after a ride longer than 10 miles. It is mostly froth, because the plumbing to the catch can comes off a froth tower on top of the oil tank. Not a Commando, but the same thing would work on a Commando. On a stock version of my Norton I believe the output from the froth tower would be for a messy chain oiler. I have to empty the clear plastic screw off container when getting close to 200 miles on a ride if I'm not obeying the speed limit. Otherwise, I think it'll go to around 300 miles before it starts bubbling inside.

I would think you may see some oil in the catch can.
 
They are long, but thinner than the bullet connectors. Do you know of any connector that is thinner and shorter? They are also easy to de-pin

I also moved this mess inside the headlight, and the flasher unit, and a bunch of diodes. I also have a lot of ground and power connections. Think there's a better way to wire these, but i'll save that for another day (it all works :))

I was able to tie it up a little.

Only issue i have now is the bezel doesn't seem to want to fit on the shell. The shell seems wider. It's a new headlight shell and bezel.
I just noticed that you have these exposed terminals.

My What Am I Getting Myself Into Combat Build Thread


I had my switch short out some other wiring in the shell, and blow the main fuse. Many times. By the side of the road. I had to go fetch new fuses because I ran out before I could isolate the issue.

May do well to blank off the exposed terminals with an insulated female spade.
 
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