Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - February 2009 - (Page 44) MONTHLY FEATURES MOTORCYCLE TIPS time, I’ll try my hand at evangelizing Nicholson’s wisdom starting with a few of the many neat tips, tricks, and technical data he imparted over 763 pages. I’ll also try to supply clear photographs, the one big flaw in Nicholson’s work and most likely caused by tenth generation reproductions and a lack of space for photography. I don’t know how many times I’ll dip into Measure the ring gap with a feeler gauge near the top this deep well, but here’s the of the cylinder and record measurement. first bucketful. and remove the connector to the diode. If bringing the connector close Bernie’s Brilliance Part I to the diode causes a spark when the motor isn’t running, the diode is leakLucas alternator rotors are very ing and must be replaced. Nicholson durable items if they aren’t demag- also recommends using Locktite on netized by connecting the battery the diode threads because only 2 ft. cables backwards or by reverse cur- lbs of torque should be used on the rent caused by a faulty rectifier. attaching nut. In absence of a tiny However, they do frequently suffer torque wrench, something Nicholson from a mechanical failure when the recognized as likely, he recommendsteel insert loosens up inside of the ed using a very small wrench and alloy rotor housing. At one time, I’d only light pressure. just pitch the rotor, but according the Nicholson, this isn’t always necessary: “Just a trace of backlash For the Algebra Impaired between the rotor and its hub does not necessitate replacement. This can Some older shop manuals used to sometimes be overcome by punch- include an algebraic formula for bore locking.” (Seephotos for full details.) wear. Only an old piston ring and a Nicholson also has a super easy test set of feeler gauges are needed for for the zener diode that does not tools. Nicholson, as he does throughrequire a single bit of test equipment. out his book on many procedures, To test, simply turn the ignition on simplifies the math considerably and 44 February 2009 | WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® I WALNECKS.COM http://www.WALNECKS.COM
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