Best products from r/vintagemotorcycles

I’ve got a KE100 that I’ve been rebuilding, and although my headlamp isn’t dead, I have looked high and low for replacement options.

There are no 6V LED options, unfortunately. This is the one I settled on, but I’m selling my bike so I’m not going to pull the trigger.

OCTANE LIGHTING 5-3/4" 6V Motorcycle Halogen Headlight Headlamp Crystal Clear Bulb 35/35W 6 Volt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GNU1XJS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_76p8Ab2CD8PBW

Honestly, it’s probably worth looking into upgrading it to a 12V system. It’s not terrifically difficult, and it’ll really open up your options for lighting. The ignition system on these bikes is completely separate from the lighting system, so upgrading to manage 12V lighting doesn’t affect the bike running. Don’t know if you’ve found this guy yet, but he’s got a lot of videos on KE100’s and the like. Lots of good information, and he’s really the only one I’ve found during my search that’s putting any info out on these bikes.

https://youtu.be/o990OrDnvTE

There's a really cool tool out there that can help you get your carbs dialed in. This is the Color Tune (Amazon link, or do a search for "color tune" or "Gunson Color Tune."). Check You Tube too. There are a lot of videos on this. For example: https://youtu.be/bRfSj47QCio.

It's a spark plug with a transparent window around the electrode. It lets you see the color of the flame in the combustion chamber. You install it like a regular spark plug, run the bike at idle, and adjust the fuel mix to get the right (blue) color flame.

So, this is good for adjusting the fuel mix, if that's what you're after. It won't tell you about carb balance, but for old bikes you get an assistant, have them feel the slides move as you twist the throttle. If they seem like they're moving in tandem, then you're good. Adjust as needed if one starts to slide up before the other. For idle, I do it by ear. You'll also want to check timing with a timing light too. Remember, a carb is part of a system. It's not just the fuel mix.

I've used the Color Tune it on my old '71 BMW that has simple slide carbs (Mikuni) and no vacuum ports.

Still not clear what you mean by the "main seal" - it's not a standard term except for certain BMWs. Do you mean the seal on the gearbox output shaft?

Normally the only bit of an engine subject to rot is the rubbers on the carburettor inlet tract. Gaskets don't usually fail that way. However I assume you mean that you have an oil leak at one of the gaskets, which I've seen before on the 550. It's not a difficult engine to work on, and if you are already capable of doing the valve clearances, it's no harder than that. The main difficulty you may have is in detaching the exhaust from the cylinder head, as the studs tend to rust. I've found this tool set very useful for getting them out. Do put new ones in when you re-assemble. Also you may have difficulty getting the carbs out of the rubbers - see if the airbox can be unbolted and moved back to get more room.

Given the extremely low mileage (are you sure about that 500 miles?) you don't need new rings. Yes, you will need new gaskets. You will need to hone the bores, but any workshop should do that cheaply if you take the cylinder block to them. It's possible to roughen up the surface a bit with some emery paper, but make sure that you get it scrupulously clean afterwards. I would only do this if I couldn't find a local place to do it for me with the correct tools.

When you put the cylinder block back on, put wooden supports under the pistons so that the inner two are higher than the outer two. This means you only need to get two in to place at a time. Get a friend to help you compress the piston rings as the block is lowered over the pistons. There are tools for this, but I've always done it by hand.

Agree with this kind of suggestion. If you don't plan on having them on the bike very often, who cares what they look like. Nylon bags are functional and cheap.

I picked these up for about $50:
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Accessories-MotoGear-73707-Motorcycle/dp/B000RN4FK6/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_text_y

Wagner makes cheap crap that's one step above eBay parts.

You have a 5.75" round sealed beam. If it's weak, you should consider a LED sealed beam replacement. Not just any LED sealed beam, though. JW speaker makes a very good one. The other good brands of LED motorcycle lamps are Peterson and Truck Lite. JW Speaker is the most expensive; it's basically the Apple of lights--expensive but good. I'm not sure if Peterson or Truck Lite make 5.75" rounds, but I know JWS does.

https://www.jwspeaker.com/products/adaptive-led-headlights-model-8690-adaptive-2/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N68O880/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WjmTDbXB916PX

This any help?

Keep scouring ebay, Amazon, bike forums, online Suzuki dealerships, you'll be surprised how many places there are to buy parts.

Any idea if you used the 3/8 or 5/8 one? My engine is currently running a bit rich, that's why I'm looking into this. Figured there wasn't enough air getting in.

https://www.amazon.com/YAMAHA-RD125-RD125DX-KEYSTER-CARB/dp/B0794DJ9SF That should be the correct kit but check against the year your rd-125 is. You will need 2. Get quality kits rather than the cheap Chinese ones. You will likely crack the casting taking the jets out or have porosity issues allowing fuel into passages that it shouldn't be in.