Long story, it gets better. My son age 14 and I went to Hollister yesterday in the 68 CS, back injury prevented riding scooter this year even though it's only 87 miles away. Good show with alot of "eye candy" (T & A), got my annual T shirts. Leaving town the truck leaned out and died four times, cranked 8 seconds go a mile then repeat on the fifth time starter goes click no spin. A hour later after cool down same results, click only and all I have is a Craftman's 3/8" socket set, extension, screwdriver, 7/16" box for headers, 10" Cressent and a screwdriver. Remove the headers and starter which took 25 minutes, got a ride to town by a local who's a die hard Ford owner age 76, $43 later have a Napa starter then install. Pull spin-on pump filter, clean no dirt or water. Crank, start run 5 miles lean then die repeat. This time pull the fuel pump on the side of the highway which is a Carter pump that you can take apart, diaphragm like new no rupture. Found one of the check valves which has a body like a 3/4" diameter freeze plug loose and out of it's counter bore pocket that wasn't staked in from manufacture. WTF and this pump was installed 85K miles ago. Enlarged the valve OD lip, installed and staked with a 3/8" tap used as a center punch. Up and running again without any more problems returning home. GTEX and others, the stainless band clamps that I used for my exhaust Greg posted for me made header removal easy as well copper header gaskets and the use of anti-sieze compound. A CHP officer stopped by on his Beemer bike, saw my BMW shirt and and told me I must be F***N MacIvear, that made my day! Be safe and enjoy the 4th everyone.
.....=o&o>.....

 

Thats too funny LOL!!! I got so good at pulling the header off and R2 the starter and install the header in 30 min. I had lots and lots of practice if you cant tell LOL. Good story BeemerNut. You should come up for the next FE BBQ next year.

Wes Adams

 

or some reason, it takes me 25 minuts just to get the top bolt in and tight on the starter. I've also got 14 bolts on my FPA headers/Edelbrock heads......more work, but never a leak. he FPA also have ball-socket collectors that always go tegether easy and seal.

One of the few things to fail on my old 68 back when I was just out of high school, was the fuel pump. Me and a buddy also did a roadside replacement.

 

Seems to me the FE didn't fail but whoever purchased that Carter fuel pump.

 

'Mac....it seems to me with your skills and ability to repair stuff along side the rode with a minimal amount of tools and equipment that you should ditch that BMW and move up to a Harley Davidson.

 

bear,
The amazing thing is that I was drove over 85K with a pump that should of failed the first day. Don't blame the one who purchased blame Carter quality control.
xfordman,
I like a good mechanical challenge and solving it, now with a Harley there's not much good to work with from the start. Back in 79 I went to Alberta Canada from S.F. bay area with a friend on a Harley. It broke down 3 times, one of them put it on the truck to a dealer for 4 days. Harley had 7K miles,the 75 R90/6 that I rode only needed gas and it had 92K before the trip. Not to start a Harley vs other brand war but the same BMW is running today at 136K with only oil and valve settings, heads never removed, original clutch. I run what works for me, what's a chain?
.....=o&o>.....

 

Greg,
I use a 1/2" universal socket with a 16" extension for the starter top bolt, remove and replace 30 seconds both ways each. Many years working on radial engines were you go by feel only, don't do this with women you'll get slapped every time. The nerd glasses with side lights don't help either.
.....=o&o>.....

 

You know how to tell a Harley owner? He has a pickup or a trailer. You know how to tell a Harley owner who has a brother with one? He has a pickup and a trailer.

 

but they sure sell a lot of bikes.

 

Sure they went to the Feds and cried they couldn't compete with the rice burners and got big tariffs put on them. A true bunch of turkeys who didn't wnat to compete, but live on their history. Harley did finally join the 20th century and started using electronic ignition. But it was nearly the 21st by then.

 

Glad to hear you got it all fixed that quick!! Not sure I could have pulled that off.
That is the ONE thing I like about MY stuff......ALL stick shifts!! Just a push and you're gone!! LOL!! That is if you have the muster to do it.

......."Buy a Harley, buy the best....right a mile, WALK the rest!"
(just an ol' saying I remember from years back) LOL!!!

 

Well in my Life I have owned a crap load of bikes From all kinds of maufactures.. Jap bikes Honda's ,Kawasaki's, Yamaha's, Czeck bikes,CZ's, Italian Bikes, Zennelli,MotoGuzzi,English, BSA's,Triumph's, German..Maco, Spanish..Bultaco, Montesa's..French..Sachs ECT..... I think you get the point!!

I went to Harley in 1974, when I bought a new sporty...and sold that a few years later and bought the Sturgis I have now.... and once I get it repainted..I might sell it and by a wideglide... And that should last me until I'am dead!! LOL..

And Ladies love Harleys!!!

Russ

 

Beemer.......sorry didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. Well maybe a little. Like Russ I've owned most everything out there, and I loved everyone of them. Currently the wife and I both are HD owners but we both work at a Honda/Suzuki store. Yea... we catch hell over that. I keep looking at that Hyabusa that tops out at 185 mph, but now they tell me BMW makes one that is faster than that. HMMMMMMMM

 

Oh...and anyone who doesn't "get" the Harley thing: if I have to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand.

 

LOL! This thread got hi-jacked just a little...but it's funny.

If Harley Davidson made an airplane, would you fly in it?