The Hodaka Club Forum

thank you, but no i went and ordered new studs and bolts to pay for my sins, plus since i stressed every thing out i thought it better to replace them all . i did some more parts on this weekend gearing up to put the electrical back together, after messing with it im more optimistic now....... albert

ok you all know i had a brain fart with the head bolt torquing. so i have to ask, when i put the studs in, hand tight or 105 inch / pounds. studs not the bolts. the parts sure came fast

I'm partial to a "light wrench snug" tightening of the cylinder studs when installing them in the cases. I'm just not comfortable with tightening to full torque when the only things preventing the stud from turning are either 1) bottoming in the hole or 2) "wedging" into the stud hole as the non-threaded portion of the stud starts to enter the hole.

I do recommend using either standard grade thread locking compound or a sealant on the threads going into the cases. I've had to fix leaks which were through the stud threads in the past.

Ed

much appreciated, will do...albert

i did a pressure test and the results are in, from 6 to 5 psi.. less than 10 seconds... 5 to 4 ...psi... 45 seconds... 4 to 3 psi 1 min 45 seconds... 3 and undertakes for ever. i ran this test 5 times so this is how it averaged out. there is a little leak around the spark plug but i didnt want to crank on it to hard

Plug should be hand tight with a socket wrench. Don't wrench on it like it's an axle bolt. Actually somewhere there is a torque spec for it, but it should not leak at all.

There is no need to continue the pressure test for more than a minute (other than being curious about the leak-down rate curve). 6psi to 5psi must take one minute or more. Leaking down faster than that is a FAIL.

Your next step is to find out why the spark plug area was leaking and fix it. Then run the pressure test again, to search for other areas which might be leaking.
Ed

the spark plug is as tight as i want to go and it is a new one so i will check it out a little closer and and i was just being curious about the numbers. i didnt do a complete rebuild so i think i have to back up and go through with that. i was try to not go through with it as i was a little intimidated but ive been reading a lot the last couple of months and i think im good to go. theres a issue or two with the wiring so i might as well start with this and work out. ow well i do know if i got this litle bugger working the first time it would of been a modern miracle.... albert

You might try a bit of plumbing Teflon tape around the plug threads to see if it subsides. At least for the test you’ll be good. Then you can decide if the threads need repair or not. Victor

Ya got to do one thing at a time. Fix the plug leak and then recheck. Maybe a replacement head if you have one. Then decide if you want to do the motor, if nothing more than to update the seals. If it holds pressure after the plug fix then you may decide not to redo the motor till a later date.

well the head is from hodakamax and kinda like to keep if nothing else for the story that goes with it so i havent gave up yet still got the tester hooked up. i did have the magneto off and wile it was of i tried the test and that seal didnt leak Teflon tapes a good idea thanks humbled again ... albert

You replaced the head because of a broken fin if I remember, put that head back on and check it.

I don't think I'd give the mag side seal a passing grade yet. Let's get the big leak handled and THEN subject the seals to 6 psi for more than ten seconds at a time.
Ed

givergas wrote:well the head is from hodakamax and kinda like to keep if nothing else for the story that goes with it so i havent gave up yet still got the tester hooked up. i did have the magneto off and wile it was of i tried the test and that seal didnt leak Teflon tapes a good idea thanks humbled again ... albert

Hey, money back guarantee on that head Albert! You did overpay me $10. LOL!

Maxie

i put Teflon tape on the threads and it took the leak away so some work there . and no you cant have the head back i got a piece history and its mine now. i read about your racing days in the resonator and its a cool story. yep real or not i got a piece of history looks nice to...albert

Kind words Albert---Thanks!

So you used the Teflon tape but you didn’t post the results afterward. Victor

sorry victor, it slowed down to about 45 seconds from 6 to 5 then just a hair under 5 it moved so slow i couldn't watch it any more. i think it needs the top of the hole cleaned up then we will see....albert

Sounds like you’re getting there. Fix the spark plug threads and then try it again! Victor

What happens after the pressure drops to 5 psi doesn't matter. It naturally takes longer for the pressure to leak out as the pressure drops - since there is less "power" available to push air out through the leak. A really good pressure test would show virtually no leak down from 6 psi in one minute. In fact, I know of an engine builder who won't give a passing grade unless the engine holds pressure (no leak down) over night! But, officially, the spec is that it MUST take more than one minute to leak down from 6psi to 5psi.

ok then were was i ? thats another nice thing about this forum when you get side tracked when life gets in the way you can go back and find out where you were. so i just orderd the extensive engine rebuild package i dont really have any idea why i thought that i could get by with out doing it in the first place, again this bike was sitting out side leaning against a old bulldozer for 15 - 20 years and did have water in the magneto case and was in need of a lot of help.it will make me and it fell better in the long run. today it gets a new condenser..... albert

What is the thought on using Teflon tape on a sparkplug in a head that doesn't have pristine threads?
Can it be used long-term?

no you cant use it for any thing but a test, if you use it and run your motor it will just melt and ,stink make a mess. its my understanding that if you have a leak around the plug hole and the tape fixes it you now know you have a problem and can plan a fix for the treads. on a nother note i replaced the condenser and could not help my self so i took a dremel and cut open the old condenser. it had 13 feet of rolled up foil? with a clear plastic? sandwiched in between, with a plastic cover to insulate from the metal cover that holds it all togehter

Silly question, but have you tried a new gasket for the plug? Sometimes they collapse after use and don't conform to the new installation. Hey Albert, warranty still in effect! Sorry! You don't even need to send it back. Refund on overpayment available!

Maxie

well i haven't had a lot of time to mess with it lately. im going to rebuild the engine and with it apart i will look at it more closely. im up for a challenge. and beside it wasnt a over payment it was a reward for good behavior go to your local cafe have a piece of pie and coffee and forget about the warranty ....albert