New member here

[Youngbikeguy]

Youngbikeguy here,

Just logging in for basically the first time, planning on starting my restoration soon
I have a mkII ss that I got from an older guy across town basically for free to get it out of his garage, he just wants to see it live on, he bought it used in about 1972. I am in PA, so he's currently looking for the title but said go ahead and have a tinker so I have it to the point where it will start and run for about thirty seconds then just dies, can't tell if it is flooding or what, maybe needs new points or coil? Could it be in the wrong key turn mode? While trying to get the ignition lubed and unstuck, this was a barn find, it broke so I'll need to jimmy rig or buy a new one. Anyway I'll get back to that later and will be posting pics in a couple days I just really could use some help identifying exactly what I have. Anybody wanna offer some suggestions on how to identify. Where to find VINs or other info? Thanks

[rwgibbon]

Enjoy your find.

Be sure to get a copy of the parts book for the bike.
(You can download one from this site.)

Also take a lot of pictures before you start taking everything
apart. It will make it easier to put back together.

Have you cleaned the carburetors and checked the petcock
screen?

I think you will find this site very helpful.

Again, enjoy and good luck with your restoration.

Randy

[Youngbikeguy]

Thanks Randy, the first thing I did when I got it was put some generic fuel lines on it from an auto parts store. I also hooked up a battery and cleaned both mikuni carbs, after a bit of kicking some choke and starter fluid it roared. Seems that when it stays running it does better on the left cylinder. The petcock is fairly shot, I believe it is missing the screen so I will look into that! I heard somewhere it's a 22mm bung and I could possibly modify a sportster petcock to have two outlets, I'll post some pictures this weekend of the entire bike and my problem areas! The info is much appreciated.

Evan

[dcr]

Where in PA are you?

Good luck with the bike and hope to see a picture or 2 soon.

[rwgibbon]

Evan,

You may have to clean the carburetor several times before you get it
working properly. I have even had to replace the carburetor with NOS
ones.

You can find discussion about cleaning carburetors on this site.
Look in the Forum section under restoring tips, etc...

You could have them professionally cleaned. Steve Reed offers that service
and he is a strong contributor on this site.

Take your time and you will get it.

Randy

[OldSwartout]

The petcock is fairly shot, I believe it is missing the screen so I will look into that! I heard somewhere it's a 22mm bung and I could possibly modify a sportster petcock to have two outlets

Evan

It is a 22mm bung.  You can find some petcocks for KZ1000's that may fit and have the correct thread.  I've found that the screen on some are too large to go through the 175 tank bung, though.  You can also try to fix yours; Steve Reed had some repair kits made; he may still have some.

[Youngbikeguy]

Sorry it's been so long, currently finishing up high school so I have a lot going on and the Bridgestone has been neglected a bit. took some quick pictures while I was in the garage today. Can't figure out how to upload photos but will do my best. Youngbikeguy out

[rwgibbon]

Remember to take your time and plan out what you want to do.

Have a copy of the parts manual handy to help with the restoration. 

Also as you take the parts off the bike put them into a container
so you don't loss them.

Good luck and enjoy the adventure.

[disc_valve]

Hi,

I'll add opne item to the previous post - take lots of pictures once you begin to strip the bike. Include some detail shots. Once you've taken parts off the frame and put them away in the box you've no linger got a record of which way round they go, and even defferences between left-hand and right-hand components. Pics are also useful to show how all the cables and wires are routed.

You can never have too many "before restoration" pics. Good luck!

Graham