[Aced It]

This past Friday night I drove 80 miles south from West Palm Beach, FL to Homestead, FL in rush hour traffic taking 2.5 hours to get to my destination. Why in the hell, you may say, would you "Aced It" put yourself through such a grueling situation? Well, I had the opportunity to pick up another rather beaten down 97 VLX 600. She was running as of two months ago (weren't they all) and it's somebody's interpretation of a custom bike. Now, step back about 10 years and some of you might remember the other neglected and uncared for VLX that became my personal pride and joy, to which I still have to this day. Back to the point, I'm starting another custom, on a budget of course, and looking to sell afterward. What did I pay for this poor baby? I shall not tell, but I can tell you that I should have paid less; I just couldn't let it go as I got that gut feeling. Now, I have design ideas and there will be more chopping, basically cutting off all the gross and she will remain a mono-shock, not hard-tailed like the other. In my head I picture lots of white with splashes of color. It looks like the exhaust is Cobra Drags like I had on the 750 ACE, and I found a couple of TJB parts like velocity stacks and pilot screws. Those alone along with the seat and some other in-box stuff like new brake pads, fork seals and tail light would bring more if I sold alone than the bike is worth as it sits. But first thing is to address the no-start, should I say no power issue which I believe is attributed to a bad stop/run switch or the wiring in between the key start. I don't expect this thread to be as gargantuan as the ol' My Road to 'Bob' one (link in sig), but stay tuned as I hope to restart my fire for these scoots and will try to keep updating here as time allows.

 

[swifty2014]

Good to hear from you again.
That looks like a good start to another great Aced It production.
The other guy did all the cut down work for you .

 

[Aced It]

...The other guy did all the cut down work for you .

Did he though? Did he really? ... well, that eyesore junction where the center frame upright meets under the seat will be going away for sure. As will be the springs under the seat. I don't understand the double-sprung mindset (suspension and seat). To each their own.

To think too, I still have my other baby torn down (below). So it's gonna be a balance. Hey, how many people do you know that have two non-running Hondas and a reliable Harley-Davidson? LOL!

 

["Captain D"]

I see another Aced It Project upcoming...
Welcome Home Aced It

Dennis

 

[oldguy]

Another blast from the past. I remember stopping by on our way to the keys and checking out your 600. I'm still riding that 750 ACE.

 

[blue flames]

If anyone can build a nice head turner bob job it's you @Aced It ! I followed the last project you put together. Very impressive!!

 

[Aced It]

Thanks all! Yeah oldguy, I remember that! We've moved since then, but still nearby. So...

What we got here is the elusive and extremely rare FlexOil VLX!

 

[Aced It]

Today's quick update:
I pulled the plugs and bore scoped the compression chambers; all good and no fuel residue. Plugs looked sooty but dry.

I left the oil drain plug out over night which permitted about a 1/4 pint of what was left of the gas/oil mix out. I didn't get around to pulling the oil filter.

As for the no-start/power condition, well these pictures should explain a thousand words. Someone's creative and cheap idea, which in turn caused burning and arcing, thus blowing the 10A ignition fuse and the 15A accessories/lighting fuse.

 

[vito]

Today's quick update:
I pulled the plugs and bore scoped the compression chambers; all good and no fuel residue. Plugs looked sooty but dry.

I left the oil drain plug out over night which permitted about a 1/4 pint of what was left of the gas/oil mix out. I didn't get around to pulling the oil filter.

As for the no-start/power condition, well these pictures should explain a thousand words. Someone's creative and cheap idea, which in turn caused burning and arcing, thus blowing the 10A ignition fuse and the 15A accessories/lighting fuse.

View attachment 307201
View attachment 307200

That wiring reminds of what life is like.
Good to have you posting again. Been how long?

 

[Aced It]

That wiring reminds of what life is like.
Good to have you posting again. Been how long?

Thanks Vito. How long? I have no idea. Off and on. Had some projects and bikes not related to Hondas and a few went nowhere and I sold them off. Trying to get motivated again and find time. Figured another VLX might do it.

 

[vito]

Thanks Vito. How long? I have no idea. Off and on. Had some projects and bikes not related to Hondas and a few went nowhere and I sold them off. Trying to get motivated again and find time. Figured another VLX might do it.

I'll be watchin'.

 

[Aced It]

Tonight: I have never seen cleaner carbs on any used bike I've had. Makes me think someone got paid. All passages clean, diaphragms perfect, and no varnish. Good sign for this lil scoot. 145 main jets and 45 pilots and 3 turns out on the adjusting screws. No shims on the needles though. But something is off with that slightly bent jet though. Lol. We'll see how that does once she's running.

 

[oldguy]

Installed with the impact driver??? Dang!

 

[Aced It]

Installed with the impact driver??? Dang!

LOL! I assume you're talking about that bent jet. I've seen new ones come like that. I thought it was funny.

 

[Aced It]

I don't know which one of y'all worked on this bike, but stop. Please. Just stop. ... Stator wires. smh

 

[Aced It]

With the bad wiring and funky color of some of the copper wire windings, I ended up using the new stator I bought for my other VLX. I will test the R/R once I get her running. I have a Mosfet I was planning to use on the other. And I'm borrowing the fuse panel too until the new one arrives. I guess it's nice to have some new stuff already around. Lol! Oh, and the carbs are back on. I found TJBC bags in the extras that came with this bike and viola! There were needle shims. ... Good day here.

 

[Aced It]

And, done!

... LOL! Relax. I got absolutely nothing done on her today because I went and got hold of her cheap and dirty sister. Yep, another VLX in the stall. Couldn't resist for the price. Whether for parts or future redo, ya just never know.

 

[Aced It]

Sometimes you just find the damndest things. Luckily I have a spare. Good God, who had this bike? Lol

On a good note, I got my specialty fuel hoses for fuel pump delete. I love these. 😎

 

[punxsybob]

Is that first pic, a cut coil to lower the bike?

 

[Aced It]

Is that first pic, a cut coil to lower the bike?

When I get it out I'll inspect it further. It "looks" broken. But it could be a botched job at lowering too; maybe cut and then broke under stress. Who knows; anything goes when it comes to people on the cheap.