All clean and ready to reassemble, Linkert carburetor for an old Harley, Part 2 of 2. To view Part 1 of this video, click on the link: • Linkert carburetor reb...
Hi Mike (From the Southern Hemisphere). Thank you so much for this posting - I've just sorted my Linkert 88 for my WLA. You have a most relaxing manner in your delivery, really helps.
Even though this video is a couple years old, I am now just seeing it for the first time. Not only is it so informative ( the way you do it ) but what I find so fascinating afterward is # 1, reading all the comments, and #2, reading all your responses to practically all of them. This is why I believe your videos are in the top echelon of repair/rebuild videos. Keep on keeping on Mike !!
I just picked up a 1939 model U . These videos are a great help, it’s hard to find an old school guy anymore. Thank you for all the your knowledge on these old bikes.
Another nice video. An over night in the Berryman's bucket loosened the stuck emulsion tube, but the Venturi is still un cooperative!! Trying liquid wrench..........
I just love watching your videos I have really learned alot about motorcycles and motorcycle maintenance your a amazing teacher! these videos the way they are shot and the way you explain what you are showing just make it so easy to understand. I have a old basket case knuckle head I inherited from my grand father I feel I can put her together after watching your videos. bravo mike and mike you are two cool cats! hope one day I get to meet both of you at a born free show. I live out on the east coast up in the mountains of North Carolina and it’s my dream to build this bike and ride it across country to born free. One grand adventure before I cash it in
Thank you for putting out this video. It helped me very much when I was having some troubles with my M344 for my Indian. Got it rolling down the road now
Glad it helped. I had a 52, 80 inch Chief. I miss it. It was an unrestored bike that I had for years. I miss it. It had a Linkert, but it wasn't the Bonneville unit. I had Bonneville cams and ran an open exhaust. I called Bob Stark at Starklite Cycle here in California and he sent me a much larger venturi for that Linkert. The bike had a bigger trans sprocket than I could find in the catalogs and it flew.
you probably dont give a shit but if you're bored like me atm you can stream pretty much all of the latest series on Instaflixxer. Have been streaming with my girlfriend these days xD
I was going to sell my 50 pan that has been sitting for 15 years or so, after watching some of your videos I just might nock the dust off her and bring her back to life.great videos very talented.
real nice two part video mike !! I m learning something are not as hard as I think they are which is great !! your videos are giving me the courage to take on new challenges with my own dirtbikes and atvs that at one time I wouldn't have thought of doing !!!!! I know your videos aren't on atvs or dirtbikes but still the same !! they are still very helpful to me !! I really enjoy your style of teaching !! and when the day comes that I finally get a Harley I will be able to take on the problems that come up !! thanks to you and your crew for making the videos and the things I learned from watching your videos I will pass on to my son !! just today I had him out turning wrenches on his bike getting it ready for a new chain and sprockets to a new spark plug to new back brakes !! thanks again !!
Thanks fore the very informative videos. I have had my 47 knuckle since 93 and loving the simplycity of the m-74 carb. I have thried a couple of modern carburators, but always goes back to Linkert. The easy ajustment make it up fore the exstra fuel usage. And it give the engine power even at low rpm. Greetings from Denmark
Gotta love Linkerts. It's old technology, but infinitely rebuildable and easily adjusted for altitude and weather changes. The more you ride it, the easier you can finely adjust it. And, what a quality and attractive piece of equipment! Greetings back at you! Thank you for watching.
Pacific Mike You are absolut right. About the ajustment, when I bought and rode the bike in Tampa, Fl in '93 it ran smouthly, but when I took it whit me to Denmark, I had to reajust quite a bit, because of the difference in temperature and humidity. If I ride in rain, I always back highspeed needle out 3-4 notches. I use NGK A-6, Champion D15 or NGK A-7, Champion D16Y depending on season. I don't know if its true, but I was told, that Howard W Linkert had put in his testament/last will that all carburator molds should be destroyed after his death, because he whoud'nt risk anyone lowering the quality, just in the chase of money.
I love old trivia. I'm old enough that I have gotten to know some of my old heroes who built things "the old way." I treasure the things they left behind and try to keep their knowledge alive. Didn't know anything about Mr. Linkert. I'll ask around next time I'm at an antique event. Very interesting. Thank you. By the way, old stories are always worth checking out. Starting with, "I don't know if it's true," is most respectable.
Pacific Mike If it's true, it also explain why HD went from Linkerts very reliable models to Bendixs, lets say not so succesfull, carburator. I have the story, from my local Harley/Indian repair shop. A place where owners of Evo or newer will be asked to keep their mouth shut or to leave the store.
Just for fun; Harley used a Linkert M series on the '65 Pan. Last Pan, 1st electric start big twin. I had one. Also '65 was the 1st year for five gallon tanks. Try adjusting a Linkert while riding down the road with those tanks! Then came the "DC" series of "pot metal" Linkerts, on both big twins and Sportsters. I'm not sure (I'm not looking it up), then, about 1968 came the Tillotson, diaphragm carburetor. After that, came the Bendix. I've modified and seen highly modified Bendix carburetors work quite well. Then came the first generation of Keihin carburetors (I clearly remember throwing mine in the trash). Come on. Those guys with their modern stuff may not get it, but they're having fun. I've always felt it was new money coming into the industry that paid for all the reproduction tooling for the old bikes. And, they gotta start somewhere.
The emulsion tube must protrude up through the venturi. The venturi must be installed in the right direction (tapered side out). The spring through the carb body holds the emulsion tube up into the venturi. Wishing you success on your project!
Hi Mike, thanks to your videos and instructions I managed to disassemble, clean and reassemble my Linkert M88! Thank you! The only thing is that when I do a test with a flash light to see if the throttle and the air intake disks completely seals the light through, but it doesn’t completely. I don’t know if it should or not.
At this point, I need to use a magnifier to see the bevel on the throttle plate. Once you've determined that the plate is installed with the correct (as per the service manual) orientation, slide it into the throttle shaft and install the two screws loosely. Close the throttle carefully and this will align the plate. Now, carefully tighten the screws and keep checking the fitment of the plate until it's all tightened up. The throttle shaft is brass, so don't pit too much pressure on it. Now, check it again. That's as good as it's gonna get.
Firstly, Mike thank you for your videos. They're incredibly helpful with working on my 55 Pan. I'm having a hard time finding your video setting the carb high and low speed needles. Can you please post the link? Unfortunately, my M74B low-speed needle squirts gas while I'm kicking the bike over and it continues to catch on fire when I get a backfire out of the carb. Someone suggested my float is too high, but I have it set at 1/4". Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :) Thanks again!
Sounds like it's flooding. Check and clean the needle valve. Also, make sure the float is not sticking to the side of the bowl. You may have to pivot it slightly on the fork. Also, make sure the fork is sliding easily on the needle itself. A little bending and shaping may be necessary on that fork. I usually start about 1 1/2 turns out on the low speed needle and about 1 1/4 on the high speed needle. You'll have to adjust, while running, from there.
Thanks as always Mike- You mention an earlier video where you show us how to adjust the needles on a Linkert- but I cant find one with that title- could you please give me a hint as to which one that is?
great vid thanks so much! what kind of fluid do you use for the soa? do you use an ultrasonic cleaner or literally just soak the carb in a bowl? i can only find ultrasonic fluid here in the uk, can't think of any reason it would be damaging to use as a soak but i've been wrong before! thanks
There are a couple of brands of carb chemical soaks I use. They come in a gallon can and they're pretty nasty. One is McKay, the other is Berryman. I take them very seriously and store them carefully. I've never had a sonic cleaner.
Thanks for a well made how to. About to attempt myself but ive found what i believe is excessive rocking in the throttleshaft bearings. R they hard to exchange?
The bushings are replaced by removing them with a thread tap. Then, you carefully press the new ones in. Then you align them with a drill. Then, if the bushings are worn, so is the throttle shaft. Replace it. This is very well shown in the Harley Davidson service manual. Take it slow. You can do it.
Hello Mike. I have a challenge with a Linkert carburetor in that both of the ones that I have seem to leak from the area of the lock nut that holds the bowl in place. I'm wondering how hard I should tighten this down or should I use some type of gasket sealer to get this to stop? As always, thanks in advance for the advice and great videos
Make sure the bottom of the bowl is smooth where the gasket seats. Sand it if necessary. Use a new copper packing (gasket). A little white lithium grease helps here.
Just rebuilt my M88 mod M 1 1/4". Thanks for the great video's! It has a high speed needle. Which video show a high speed adjustment? Thanks Again. Jon, 1940's WL.
Hi Mike, I have adjusted and assembled the float back to the carburetor but for some reason the motorcycle doesn’t start. Is there any quick check to see, for example, if the float did not get stuck when the bowl was inserted back to the carburetor? Any advises? I believe everything is in order but something is wrong. Thanks for your comments.
The float must clear the bowl all the way around and should be "offset" slightly to clear. If gas is flowing into the bowl, kick it over with the choke closed and the bowl should fill with gas until it runs out of the vent hole.
NIcely Done MIke! Your clear, methodical approach is really appreciated. You mention an earlier video on how to adjust a Linkert, But in searching your site I dont see anything labbeled as such. Is it still available? ( I have a 63 FLH with an original M74 on it -would like to get it dialed in)
Try "Knucklehead Harley Startup." I think it gives a quick starting point. The service manual describes it real well. I just think they start way to rich.
Pacific Mike there are three different floats on the Linkert carburetors, the cork ones, then brass and nithrophil. In my case I have a brass one but heard that Harley never used the brass ones. Would you recommend me to replace it by an original-like one? What are the differences between them if it comes to adjustments and pros & cons? Thank you. Ed
All the "original" floats that I remember were cork. I've used several different floats and, really, what works best is one that "floats." Test it in water. See that it doesn't sink. If it's hollow, shake it and listen. See if it bubbles in water. A good one is one that works.
Hey Mike - great video ... i have a 62 panhead with an m74b carburator ... it starts very easy but when driving she dosen´t run smooth, she always has failed ignitions, shoots from the exhaust .... could it be that there is to less fuel .... cheers, Gery
Can't be sure without seeing it, but, shake the throttle shaft. If it's wobbling, you're leaking vacuum. If so, replace the throttle shaft and bushings. Check your intake manifold for leaks. Maybe needs new o-rings. Very likely.
Hi Mike. Great videos. Your instructions and the camera use are very clear. I was curious to hear you say you use white lithium grease as a gasket sealer, is that right? I thought white lithium grease was just a lubricant, but I take it you have good experiences using it on old gaskets? Is that just for carbs, or other gaskets, too?
I learned it from someone else. It's an old way of doing things and works in some places really well where you don't want the risk of contaminatiion with gasket sealer. Good examples would be carburetor and oil pump.
Hi, Mike. I have just discovered your videos. They are great, thank you. I have recently purchased my first antique Harley. It’s a 41ULH. It came with a linkert M51L in a box. From studying I have confused myself. The power needle in my carb seems to be of the shorter tapered style however there is no fixed jet just a solid plug. I thought the long tapered power needles didn’t need a fixed jet only the shorter tapered ones. Am I correct? If I’m right, what size jet should I use? Thank you
Hi Mike, after some research through my Jim Palmer book it seems my m-51l is how it should be. How tight of a fit should the venturi have to the carb body? I can see a little light in spots around mine. Is there any advantage to purchasing a bombsight venturi with o rings? Thanks as always.
I adjusted my float to 1/4" with new float and needle/seat etc and the gas seeps out of the small hole just above the bowl. What are your recommendations to get the gas to stop? Lower the float?? Or is the needle not shutting off the gas??
Sounds like either the float is hanging up or the needle is not closing because it is not sliding smoothly on the brass fork. Quite often, you need to bend it slightly or file it smooth. Not too difficult. It's brass. Good luck.
Hello again Mike! I have replaced the Venturi on my Linkert M-88 by a brand new one. The reason for this change was that the old Venturi seems to have much more play and perhaps does not seal the chamber as it should. The thing is that with the new Venturi in place, the main nozzle gets into the chamber but it doesn’t have any mobility as when it was in the old one. My question to you is; would that be ok for the main nozzle to not have this mobility? Perhaps with time it gets there, I don’t know, but my understanding is that there is a spring just behind the main nozzle to amortize its movements. Can you help me in answering this question? Thank you.
Difficult to understand the problem, the "main nozzle" as you call it, is held in place by the spring under it and again, I don't see the problem. Put it together, adjust it, and try it. Good luck.
Great instructional video. I only wish I could figure out why (after 2 rebuilds), I can't seem to get my '53 panhead to run correctly. The engine stumbles and essentially goes flat on acceleration past 1/4 to ½ throttle. Very frustrating.
Thanks,@@pacificmike9501 I wish I could figure it out. It literally sounds and acts like you shut the fuel off (starve it of gas), but it immediately picks right back up when you reduce the throttle position. Plenty of fuel flow from the tanks,,, float is set high,,, can't figure it out. Oh, yea, I've been through points and confensors. Coil maybe?????
Hi there Sir! Question - what is the principal difference between M-61B and M-74B and how can I make a M-61 to work like a M-74 for a 74ci motor? To change jets, the venturi what else? Or is it just gonna work the way it is? Please help me with it ‘cuz I can’t find the information, other way I’m going to have to buy an M-74. Thanks a lot for your time, I really appreciate it!
The M61B was intended for 49-52 61inchers. It uses a smaller venturi and has some other subtle differences. However, I would think it's harder to come by than an M74B. I think I'd check into a little trading with someone who really needs the carburetor you have. Also, all of the Linkerts are explained as to their differences and which bikes they were intended for in "how To Restore Your Harley Davidson," a book by Bruce Palmer III. It's full of information and it's huge. I don't mean to give a quick answer, it's a good question and I would want the M74B for a seventy-four incher.
Go to Pacific Mike on our RU-vid home page. Then go to the word down below the engines that says "videos" click on that and they'll all come up, 40 rows of 5 each, including pictures and what it's about.
Any oil recommendations for 1940's 45 WL? The manual specs 20 to 50 single weighs based on temperature. I would think that 20W-50 synthetic would do the job. Maybe add a zinc additive? I was told that some old timer ran straight 60 weight in the engine and gear box............Thanks again.
No recommendations on oil. In the old days, Harley said, "Use the same wt. oil in the trans that you use in the engine." A lot of people run 20/50 in their engines today and it's been recommended since Evos came out. In tansmissions, 85/140.
On another topic, any recommended tire pressures for a 1940's WL? The old manual gave 12--14psi, but those were very different tires with tubes. The modern tires on modern bikes run in the 30's psi. So, old bike + modern tires = ?? (5.5 and 6" Dunlop MT90B16 74H's) Thanks.
You're between a rock and a hard spot (couldn't help myself). I don't know which Dunlops you have, but most of the Dunlops like lots of pressure (40 or more). Otherwise, they wear out fast. We don't like beating those old rigid frames to death with hard tires (not to mention our bodies). I run old style tires on my rigids. I run them soft enough to not beat me to death and hard enough to not wear out my rtires too quickly. That's my best recommendations.
Float stuck, inside bowl keeping needle valve open or debris in fuel causing needle valve to stay open. Sounds like you've got it figured out. When bike is not running, fuel should be turned off.
Hi Mike, I own a Harley Davidson WL and would like at sometime to remove my motorcycle Linkert M88 for a good cleaning. Is this type of job something a non experienced person in carburetors maintenance could do? Would you have any advice for me to start!? Thank you.
Why not? Ya gotta start somewhere. Same basic procedures as we show on the videos. We rebuilt a 1 1/2 inch Linkert and you have a 1 1/4 inch Linkert. Parts are all available. Look at our videos (2 of them) on rebuilding a Linkert. Consult your service manual. Have fun. 45's are way fun.
You need a service manual directed at Harley 45's. No matter what I think I remember, I always consult my manuals. You should be able to find one online.
We have gotten so many emails. Very cool. Sorry I missed answering this one sooner. We've been showing things as they come up. Haven't needed to replace a pair of those bushings lately. It's relatively simple, as per Harley's manual. I usually use the '59 - '69 manual for that stuff. Good pictures. Remember to replace the throttle shaft with a new one when you replace and size the bushings.
You don't have that many things on your Panhead. Does it happen when you step on the brake (brake light wires)? Does it happen when you turn on the lights? Are the wires inside your rear fender getting rubbed by your rear tire? It's not that complicated. Something is probably going to ground.
@@pacificmike9501 its happening when i down shift and the rpm go up. I've gone through all the wires in the fenders and between the tanks. Could it be the coil or voltage regulator?
Sure, but if fuel is leaking from the carburetor, it's usually because the needle valve has something in it and this causes the float bowl to overfill.
@@pacificmike9501 The old bowl old gasket was damaged behind the bowl some how, got a new one on and running (first time in 8 years), Thanks. Now my mission is to help stepfather find a buyer
Okay, this is only what I remember. In "65, Electraglides still came with an M74 Linkert. When the '66 came out, it had a "DC" series Linkert on it. I've seen '67's with DC Linkerts, but most of those DC Linkerts, which were "pot metal" and very small got replaced with Tillotsons, which Harley put on around "68. Sportsters, as I recall, used the DC Linkert from '57, up until somewhere, again, in the mid-sixties. 45's, the same thing. Don't hold me to exact years. If we're doing an accurate restoration, we can look it up.
