Ok guys. Hello there all.
So, the trip was a modest success, but with a few failures that bring me to a turning point. My enfield did in fact bring me home. Which is awesome. I did have a lot of fun riding it down and back. I love the bike.
But I just don't think it's going to do what I want it to.
So, post trip, I have a major knock that's developed, at mid rpms only. Not at idle or lower rpms. Sounds like in the crank. I suspect it's the crank/bearings letting go. Which is fine, as it was a known weakness and an expected fix. It is parked now until I can pull the head to try and verify that it's not a piston slap problem. Also, on the trip, I managed to drown the carbeurator in a heavy rain storm (ie, water made it through the aircan and into the system). Pulled the carb and cleaned it, but the ease with which it drowned is disconcerting. Was considering the idea of a snorkel up under the seat somewhere.
Major problem though, was oil usage. I used 3 quarts in 800 miles. It was burning, not leaking. I am wondering if I did a crappy job of building it, or if there is just no getting around that this bike is going to use oil when doing 60 mph or more. It's an Ace piston and barrel, and I very carefully put together the scraper rings and gapped them all. So if it's just a weakness of the old design of the engine that can't be controlled, then I might need to just go to a different bike for what I am looking to do.
For the record, it shed heat reasonably well. I had a few hard starts, but nothing I couldn't get it going from. I loved the way it carried the luggage.
But I'm considering selling it as it sits (with a spare blown crank ready to sent for work). And moving on to some design built enduro machine. I'm just not sure.....and of course, I'm known for not being able to make up my mind and whinging around down here on this thread.
Thoughts?