OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
the kits to rebuild, and my slides
are worn out.
Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel carb
for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
and mini-mig.
If I had a TIG I would have used aluminum.
I rebuilt and fit a Weber 32 DFD out of an old Ford Cortina.
I rode it today with passenger up over the pass and back. HOLY CRAP!!! It is
incredibly smooth and has a considerably better acceleration. It runs at
8000 feet with a passenger like it used to at sea level without her. 70 MPH
to 100 acceleration takes about 1/3 less time, although I don't do that
often. I think mileage is improved by at least 5 MPG, but I will have to
ride alone in the flatlands to prove it.
I went to install it and the corner wouldn't clear the cooling fan, so i
whacked off the corners like I should have at first, and probably made it
flow better. I coated the inside with Red-Kote fuel tank sealer in case of
weld porosity, and it's rough texture will help add turbulence and aid
atomization. I put a small well in the bottom for a hotter area to evaporate
puddles, the silver tube under it carries coolant.
I have to wait til monday for smog machine testing, but have good plug
color.
Here's some pics, http://tinyurl.com/5fh3o

--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

Thanks Paul, I passed this on to the guy that bought my '76. That Holley mod
always intrigued me after riding one such equipped - difference was like
night and day.... smooth cold start-ups too.
-Brian

"Paul Calman" <spam@trap.com> wrote in message
news:2lukp9Fh170iU1@uni-berlin.de...
:
: I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
: It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
: the kits to rebuild, and my slides
: are worn out.
: Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel
carb
: for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
: stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
: I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
: and mini-mig.
: If I had a TIG I would have used aluminum.
: I rebuilt and fit a Weber 32 DFD out of an old Ford Cortina.
: I rode it today with passenger up over the pass and back. HOLY CRAP!!! It
is
: incredibly smooth and has a considerably better acceleration. It runs at
: 8000 feet with a passenger like it used to at sea level without her. 70
MPH
: to 100 acceleration takes about 1/3 less time, although I don't do that
: often. I think mileage is improved by at least 5 MPG, but I will have to
: ride alone in the flatlands to prove it.
: I went to install it and the corner wouldn't clear the cooling fan, so i
: whacked off the corners like I should have at first, and probably made it
: flow better. I coated the inside with Red-Kote fuel tank sealer in case of
: weld porosity, and it's rough texture will help add turbulence and aid
: atomization. I put a small well in the bottom for a hotter area to
evaporate
: puddles, the silver tube under it carries coolant.
: I have to wait til monday for smog machine testing, but have good plug
: color.
: Here's some pics, http://tinyurl.com/5fh3o
:
: --
: Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California
:
:

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

Thanks Paul, I passed this on to the guy that bought my '76. That Holley mod
always intrigued me after riding one such equipped - difference was like
night and day.... smooth cold start-ups too.
-Brian

"Paul Calman" <spam@trap.com> wrote in message
news:2lukp9Fh170iU1@uni-berlin.de...
:
: I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
: It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
: the kits to rebuild, and my slides
: are worn out.
: Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel
carb
: for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
: stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
: I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
: and mini-mig.
: If I had a TIG I would have used aluminum.
: I rebuilt and fit a Weber 32 DFD out of an old Ford Cortina.
: I rode it today with passenger up over the pass and back. HOLY CRAP!!! It
is
: incredibly smooth and has a considerably better acceleration. It runs at
: 8000 feet with a passenger like it used to at sea level without her. 70
MPH
: to 100 acceleration takes about 1/3 less time, although I don't do that
: often. I think mileage is improved by at least 5 MPG, but I will have to
: ride alone in the flatlands to prove it.
: I went to install it and the corner wouldn't clear the cooling fan, so i
: whacked off the corners like I should have at first, and probably made it
: flow better. I coated the inside with Red-Kote fuel tank sealer in case of
: weld porosity, and it's rough texture will help add turbulence and aid
: atomization. I put a small well in the bottom for a hotter area to
evaporate
: puddles, the silver tube under it carries coolant.
: I have to wait til monday for smog machine testing, but have good plug
: color.
: Here's some pics, http://tinyurl.com/5fh3o
:
: --
: Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California
:
:

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

Thanks Paul, I passed this on to the guy that bought my '76. That Holley mod
always intrigued me after riding one such equipped - difference was like
night and day.... smooth cold start-ups too.
-Brian

"Paul Calman" <spam@trap.com> wrote in message
news:2lukp9Fh170iU1@uni-berlin.de...
:
: I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
: It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
: the kits to rebuild, and my slides
: are worn out.
: Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel
carb
: for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
: stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
: I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
: and mini-mig.
: If I had a TIG I would have used aluminum.
: I rebuilt and fit a Weber 32 DFD out of an old Ford Cortina.
: I rode it today with passenger up over the pass and back. HOLY CRAP!!! It
is
: incredibly smooth and has a considerably better acceleration. It runs at
: 8000 feet with a passenger like it used to at sea level without her. 70
MPH
: to 100 acceleration takes about 1/3 less time, although I don't do that
: often. I think mileage is improved by at least 5 MPG, but I will have to
: ride alone in the flatlands to prove it.
: I went to install it and the corner wouldn't clear the cooling fan, so i
: whacked off the corners like I should have at first, and probably made it
: flow better. I coated the inside with Red-Kote fuel tank sealer in case of
: weld porosity, and it's rough texture will help add turbulence and aid
: atomization. I put a small well in the bottom for a hotter area to
evaporate
: puddles, the silver tube under it carries coolant.
: I have to wait til monday for smog machine testing, but have good plug
: color.
: Here's some pics, http://tinyurl.com/5fh3o
:
: --
: Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California
:
:

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

Thanks Paul, I passed this on to the guy that bought my '76. That Holley mod
always intrigued me after riding one such equipped - difference was like
night and day.... smooth cold start-ups too.
-Brian

"Paul Calman" <spam@trap.com> wrote in message
news:2lukp9Fh170iU1@uni-berlin.de...
:
: I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
: It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
: the kits to rebuild, and my slides
: are worn out.
: Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel
carb
: for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
: stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
: I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
: and mini-mig.
: If I had a TIG I would have used aluminum.
: I rebuilt and fit a Weber 32 DFD out of an old Ford Cortina.
: I rode it today with passenger up over the pass and back. HOLY CRAP!!! It
is
: incredibly smooth and has a considerably better acceleration. It runs at
: 8000 feet with a passenger like it used to at sea level without her. 70
MPH
: to 100 acceleration takes about 1/3 less time, although I don't do that
: often. I think mileage is improved by at least 5 MPG, but I will have to
: ride alone in the flatlands to prove it.
: I went to install it and the corner wouldn't clear the cooling fan, so i
: whacked off the corners like I should have at first, and probably made it
: flow better. I coated the inside with Red-Kote fuel tank sealer in case of
: weld porosity, and it's rough texture will help add turbulence and aid
: atomization. I put a small well in the bottom for a hotter area to
evaporate
: puddles, the silver tube under it carries coolant.
: I have to wait til monday for smog machine testing, but have good plug
: color.
: Here's some pics, http://tinyurl.com/5fh3o
:
: --
: Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California
:
:

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 23:48:13 -0700, "Paul Calman" <spam@trap.com>
wrote:

>
>I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
>It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
>the kits to rebuild, and my slides
>are worn out.
>Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel carb
>for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
>stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
>I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
>and mini-mig.
SNIP

I used to own a 1971 Norton Commando 750 - bought it brand new for
$1750. It had twin Amal slide carbs that you had to tickle (manually
flood) for cold starts. The bike ran really great when warmed up, but
cold starting was distinctly primitive, and it was a PITA to keep the
throttle cables and idles synched.

I installed a 2 into 1 manifold with a bigger Mikuni carb and it
started and ran sooooo smooth. It lacked a little max power, but was
definitely more enjoyable to ride.

Multi carbs are definitely the way to go for sheer performance, but
they are not the best answer for rideability. I'm glad your project
has worked out. How many hours did it take to fabricate the manifold?



John Davies TLCA 14732
http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/
'96 Lexus LX450
'00 Audi A4 1.8T quattro
Spokane WA USA

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 23:48:13 -0700, "Paul Calman" <spam@trap.com>
wrote:

>
>I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
>It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
>the kits to rebuild, and my slides
>are worn out.
>Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel carb
>for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
>stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
>I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
>and mini-mig.
SNIP

I used to own a 1971 Norton Commando 750 - bought it brand new for
$1750. It had twin Amal slide carbs that you had to tickle (manually
flood) for cold starts. The bike ran really great when warmed up, but
cold starting was distinctly primitive, and it was a PITA to keep the
throttle cables and idles synched.

I installed a 2 into 1 manifold with a bigger Mikuni carb and it
started and ran sooooo smooth. It lacked a little max power, but was
definitely more enjoyable to ride.

Multi carbs are definitely the way to go for sheer performance, but
they are not the best answer for rideability. I'm glad your project
has worked out. How many hours did it take to fabricate the manifold?



John Davies TLCA 14732
http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/
'96 Lexus LX450
'00 Audi A4 1.8T quattro
Spokane WA USA

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 23:48:13 -0700, "Paul Calman" <spam@trap.com>
wrote:

>
>I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
>It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
>the kits to rebuild, and my slides
>are worn out.
>Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel carb
>for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
>stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
>I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
>and mini-mig.
SNIP

I used to own a 1971 Norton Commando 750 - bought it brand new for
$1750. It had twin Amal slide carbs that you had to tickle (manually
flood) for cold starts. The bike ran really great when warmed up, but
cold starting was distinctly primitive, and it was a PITA to keep the
throttle cables and idles synched.

I installed a 2 into 1 manifold with a bigger Mikuni carb and it
started and ran sooooo smooth. It lacked a little max power, but was
definitely more enjoyable to ride.

Multi carbs are definitely the way to go for sheer performance, but
they are not the best answer for rideability. I'm glad your project
has worked out. How many hours did it take to fabricate the manifold?



John Davies TLCA 14732
http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/
'96 Lexus LX450
'00 Audi A4 1.8T quattro
Spokane WA USA

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 23:48:13 -0700, "Paul Calman" <spam@trap.com>
wrote:

>
>I have a 1976 Honnda Goldwing motorcycle.
>It uses 4 carburetors on a horizontally opposed engine that cost $350 for
>the kits to rebuild, and my slides
>are worn out.
>Cycle Innovations sells a cast aluminum manifold with a Holley 1 barrel carb
>for nearly $800, and since Holley quit making the carbs, they are out of
>stock. It improves reliability, performance, and mileage.
>I made my own manifold out of steel thursday with a hole saw, die grinder,
>and mini-mig.
SNIP

I used to own a 1971 Norton Commando 750 - bought it brand new for
$1750. It had twin Amal slide carbs that you had to tickle (manually
flood) for cold starts. The bike ran really great when warmed up, but
cold starting was distinctly primitive, and it was a PITA to keep the
throttle cables and idles synched.

I installed a 2 into 1 manifold with a bigger Mikuni carb and it
started and ran sooooo smooth. It lacked a little max power, but was
definitely more enjoyable to ride.

Multi carbs are definitely the way to go for sheer performance, but
they are not the best answer for rideability. I'm glad your project
has worked out. How many hours did it take to fabricate the manifold?



John Davies TLCA 14732
http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/
'96 Lexus LX450
'00 Audi A4 1.8T quattro
Spokane WA USA

Re: OT, made a bike intake manifold
 

About 6 hours. make it about 12 after carb OH, installation, and tuning.
They make a dual Mikuni setup, by my triumph's single amal is running great

--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California