'76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

Aaron Dacanay /

Hey all,

So my friend is having some trouble with his 1976 Super Sport. It just won't idle no matter what we try. We have cleaned the carb multiple times, including tiny idle jet hole. We tried adjusting the idle screw and the top screw, with no luck even when fully out. Fuel flow is perfect, new inner rubber clutch piece, new intake and exhaust gasket, new piston and rings, he says piston is oriented properly, and above 100 psi of compression (idk if that's normal or not, but he says it's fine). It's also timed properly, and I confirmed, I checked with a dial indicator. He also timed it according to manual he found online. He also told me that there is not supposed to be a gasket between the head and cylinder. Fresh 10w-40 JASO MA-2 rated engine oil. And cylinder condition was good, with no port blockages. The spark plug does indicate that it runs really lean, but when he ran it, he mostly ran it at full throttle (maybe the issue? to lean?)

We both pretty much hit a wall. We are still thinking it's the clutch that's the issue. Maybe the rubber clutch piece is still grabbing the outer piece and causing the engine to stop. But that would be weird for it to be the rubber clutch piece because it's brand new, we're thinking maybe the clutch is grabbing to much. He showed me a manual online saying it needs SAE 30. Maybe SAE 30 doesn't grab as much? But it's technically a wet clutch right? so the more it grabs the better, right? I was also thinking maybe the outer clutch piece shrunk somehow? if that's even possible.

Anyways, sorry for a long thread, we're just desperate for answers without having to pay someone to do it for us, and have the feeling of failure lol. (edited)

Re: '76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

Order a few crank case seals, and the flywheel puller if you dont have one. Also change oil to ND30.

You can verify if your clutch is sticking by turning the motor and seeing if it grabs the bell, but since its a new cluych then you likely have one or multiple air leaks, i've seen plenty of sator side crank seal leaks on garellis, thats where my moneys at. I think the head gasket on a garelli is a ring of aluminum that is countersunk, just take a look to see if the sealing surface is good.

Re: '76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

Just an air leak that is keeping you from running. That is why it is lean.

SAE30 is Nd30 same thing. Has has has to be non detergent or else it will melt all your rubber clutches.

No the head does not need a gasket as the head has a lip that goes into a groove on the cyl. But I do like a head gasket all the same.

Be sure your carb has the rubber O-ring in it. Then the shim goes in, then attach to the intake. No O-ring = airleak on the sha. Also be sure you are using the stock air box on there it needs the restriction. Unless you upjetted like 3 or 4 sizes. But with the forward facing carb you should run a box for sure.

Most old garelli airboxes have some nice tuning ability to them. You can pull out the tubes for better air flow, I have even added a few air holes as needed. You can always plug them back up.

Re: '76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

> Jay Rivett Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

>

> SAE30 is Nd30 same thing. Has has has to be non detergent or else it

> will melt all your rubber clutches.

>

Technically , they are not the same thing .

"SAE30 engine oil is a “straight-weight” (there is no “W” in the designator) engine oil that is common in small engines and the like.

SAE30ND (non-detergent) oil is SAE30 engine oil without the detergents and anti-sludge additives in the additive package.

"

Re: '76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

PD.

Thanks for the clarification. With Garelli, their manuals say SAE30. And then they mention it to be Non Detergent. The bottle I have also says SAE30 on it and then also mentions it is ND. Just how it is on packaging and such. If you sent someone out to find something specifically saying SAE30ND they would come back empty handed. You can also use a 30w compressor oil in a pinch, but it is not the greatest of quality oil. This stuff is not a standard at all so you gotta get what you can.

Re: '76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

> Jay Rivett Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

> PD.

>

> Thanks for the clarification. With Garelli, their manuals say SAE30.

> And then they mention it to be Non Detergent. The bottle I have also

> says SAE30 on it and then also mentions it is ND. Just how it is on

> packaging and such. If you sent someone out to find something

> specifically saying SAE30ND they would come back empty handed. You can

> also use a 30w compressor oil in a pinch, but it is not the greatest of

> quality oil. This stuff is not a standard at all so you gotta get what

> you can.

That may be the case in parts of the world , but , I've never had a problem finding ND oil in any of the 44 states I've traveled .

The non-detergent designation has always seemed to be pretty prominent on labels . Maybe some of those oil injection dummies might not catch that because of not reading and all . LOL

Re: '76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

Aaron Dacanay /

Sweet thanks so much guys! I'll tell my friend to get this SAE 30 Non-Detergent I saw on Orielly's website, and to get some seals. We'll go ahead and get new crank seals, maybe an entire gasket, or seal kit. I also should've mentioned that the top throttle slide adjuster rubber piece that goes over it broke and is no longer on it. Is that a potential spot for an air leak? I heard it was an air leak spot on another motorcycle I have, so maybe it's the same with the Garelli's carb? I also installed a new o-ring seal on the fuel inlet on the carb (doesn't leak fuel now, it used to).

Re: '76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

Aaron Dacanay /

> Jay Rivett Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

> Be sure your carb has the rubber O-ring in it. Then the shim goes in,

> then attach to the intake. No O-ring = airleak on the sha.

I don't remember an o-ring. So it's supposed to be in the carb on the clamp, and contact the intake manifold, and seal off once clamped?

Re: '76 Garelli Super Sport Won't Idle

It goes carb/oring/shim/intake

I just grab an o'ring set from Harbor Freight. There is one in the set that works perfect for the carbs.

Want to post in this forum? We'd love to have you join the discussion, but first:

Login or Create Account