Ok so i've had this little project RVF for over a year now and its been one downhill issue after another.

Got the bike- not pretty but ran, sputtered here and there but COULD still get the damn thing around the block without it out to much trouble.

-One day bike ran out of fuel and wouldnt start. Didnt think much of it.
-Put fuel in it wouldnt run.
-New battery. wouldn't run.
-Checked fuel-tap vacuum was definetely getting fuel.
-Cleaned carbs still wouldnt run.

Had the brilliant idea to undergo extensive clean up projet and figure out the problem along the way. End story a lot of parts came off got cleaned up and put back together.

- Entired aftermarket exahust up to the heads came off. Put back on with new gaskets up to the heads.
- Rectifier plug was found to be burned (thinking this is why it wasnt starting???)
- Removed Rads, cleand up and put back on.
- New Spark Plugs- Had the wonderfu experiencing of overtitening one and having the spark plug BREAKOFF in the cyclinder head. MIRACOUSLY was able to get it out using a little creative thinking after i nearly had a heart attack.

Here's the real stupidity or so i think.

I had the tank repainted, and when it was reassembled, the fuel tap had a nice little leak comming from it. Great! So ingenously made a little gravity feed bottle so I could see if the bike ran, filled it up with petrol and waited for the carbs to fill. Rested the bottle down once i saw no more bubbles comming out. DID I JUST FLOOD THE HELL OUT OF THE CARBS?

Pull the bike out. Several attempts later, sounds like one cylinder firing and it starts to idle. Dies, restart it couple times. Keep waiting, hoping the others turn on. Thats when i see it! There was petrol drizzling down one of the front cylinder pipes where the head meets the pipes. Enough to be dripping on the ground. Whole bike just smells like petrol.

Was really upset and put the bike away after wipin it all down. I'll get a chance to work on it when I get back home in december for collge break...

So to my original question- how stupid am I?
(1-10)
1-no biggy
10- I should run away from bikes.

lol

Its no biggy mate, once you start to get know your way round a NC working on them becomes very easy. Im also a member of the "do it up fecking tight" club and have also snapped a plug off in the head, after running round the garage kicking everything in sight i was quite suprised how easy it came out tho once id calmed down.

As for your fuel issue take it you have checked all the fuel lines? May aswell replace them while your at it.

Buy a torque wrench!!

Druid

All part of the learning process.

We all do stupid things.

As for me so far during my NC30 ownership I have:

Failed to do up my timing inspection cover tight enough and spewing oil all over my back wheel, the M6 and the fairings bringing my oil dangerously low.

Dropped a valve shim into the engine twice - it didnt come out the other side for a long time on the second instance.

Sheared off a bolt on one of my earth points.

Experienced my sump getting filled with petrol to the point where you could take the filler cap off and tip it a tiny bit and pour petrol-oil out like a teapot.

Dont give up man. It feels DAMN good when you get there :)

1

Why is it leaking fuel from the cyclinder head/ exhaust pipe junction? Is it cuz its flooded or because the gasket is failing? oR both?

sounds like your carb float is sticking open dont try and start it with head full of petrol.
get out the tools. carbs off again mate give them another going over.
is she flooding with your fuel tap off ?.