will it run? free old kawasaki 550 generator

I was given this kawasaki 550 generator from a subscriber to make this video, lets see what it takes to bring it back to life.

[@dlunderdahl]

They say you shouldn't meet your heroes, but I met Darren on Sunday. He's exactly the guy you think he is, the guy in the videos - smart, warm, talented, real. Oh, and if you get the chance to see one of those motor bicycles in person, you should! They are even more impressive than in the videos. Just amazing!

[@mustie1]

thanks douglas loved meeting all you guys too.

[@golblum1363]

you can tell from the videos that he is what he is, no fakeness about him.

[@gooseknack]

Gol Blum I thought it was obvious from his videos!

[@nedasher116]

Yup I met him very nice guy

[@nanettebarling1222]

I just need to see his eyes.

[@tartredarrow]

With your videos, I was inspired to try my hand at this. I needed a leaf blower. I found a non-running one for $30. A STIHL BR380. I get it, he says he put a plug in, but thinks the carb is dicked. I diagnose as no spark. Plus the ripcord feels wrong. I start taking stuff apart. Looking at the coil, the wiring..... take the coil out, which reveals the flywheel. Pull the cord. Flywheel isn't moving. Strip it down to the block, and discover a sheared woodruff key. $2.17 later the thing chuggs to life. Best buy I've made in a while. Now I'm hooked. Problem is, I can't find anything free or cheap. People are still wanting $50 - 90 for stuff that doesn't run... You can actually find running stuff for less than that. Where can I find these projects for cheap?

[@BigTony2Guns]

I allways Do a Trash Run on Trash Day

[@codys9606]

I found a Stihl MS290 chain saw on Facebook for $50, and the guy said it needed a tune-up because it wouldn't run right so because of Mustie I learned how to clean out and adjust the carb and now I have a good saw for $50 and some time.

[@oherman]

Do like what we restorers (self-proclaimed and otherwise) do-- always look around for interesting items. Visit scrapyards, ebay, craigslist, garage sales, that spark of being able to restore will be unstoppable for the rest of your life. And that's a good thing.

[@chicagohandyman]

Drive around town before or on morning of trash day. Time of year also matters. May and June is a good time for me. YMMV.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Ask friends and coworkers if they have any old equipment they want to "get out of their way". A scrapper friend of mine frequently gets free stuff and brings all the lawn/garden stuff to me first. The last thing he brought was a 2 stage snowblower. I gave him $10 for it, cleaned the carb and tank, and fired it right up. Even though it's May now, I sold it 3 days ago for $200! I told the buyer that I'd store it (inside) for them and put new cables on it. The cables are on order and will be here in a few days. My total investment in the machine is still under $40.

[@ardvark1835]

Hi from over the pond . After watching quite alot of your video's , you have given me the information that i needed to fix my Dads old generator , it has been sitting up now for about 12 years and looks bad , but after watching these video's i have now got it running , the mice had been at it and messed it up a little in the wiring so i had ago ,and now it purrs like a kitten Thanks alot Mustie , for all your help in sorting out my dads gene as he passed away some 9 years ago now , and this has brought back some good memmorys of us doing things together .

[@jacobnordskog2420]

On sunday i ressurested a old 2.0L pinto engine using techniques i learned from your videos, thanks for making quality content

[@TheStwat]

6.30am here in the UK. What better way to wake up than to watch a Mustie vid with my Coffee. Perfect.

[@MrDjaspire]

A Year later and a first watch of this one and exactly the same, only 1AM... the joys of night shifts!

[@danhard8440]

I watch Mustie to go to sleep because he talks about what he is doing and I can picture it so I can close my eyes and fall asleep

[@knighthawk86855]

If you want a non caustic cleaner mix 50/50 simple green/white distilled vinegar, best cleaner around and it won't eat the rubber parts, and hit your local dollar store and get the 2 pack of the strainers bolt them together and you have a small parts holder so you don't have to go fishing, or Walmart and get the metal tea leaf holder, I use both, the bigger one for small carbs and the little one for very small parts, also that mixture can sometimes bring back carb diaphragms flexibility..... Great video as always.

[@Starcrunch72]

Wow! so many little tips in one comment, thought mustie commented on his own video

[@knighthawk86855]

Starcrunch72..... Lol

[@inderjitgill6799]

, 21 I 1 (!

[@user-tr4op2fm7v]

Most fun i ever had fixin junk..stsrting with a rm125 dirtbike in 1976. At 10yo i rebuilt motors. Now an engineer for D.O.E. still fixing 40yrs later. I traded my xwife for an oliver tractor..lol

[@dixoncider7256]

I think you made out well on that trade.

[@daledurbin2354]

By any chance could the guy you got the tractor from use another wife? I need a lite.

[@robertjackson4121]

Ymmv on the ex wife. The always advertise excellent condition. A trophy wife on trade in !

[@user-jq5ro8ef2c]

One used wife to trade for TRACTOR.

[@therealchayd]

We've got the 220v UK version of this, but there's toggle switch near the 'ENG SW'. Great little genny; starts on the first pull, even when it's been left sitting for months.

[@chriholt]

No redemption necessary Mustie! I couldn't believe how many people were put out by the last genny video!. You just keep doing what you do, and we'll keep enjoying it.

[@gerryvillemaire1635]

agreed my friend

[@focusfrenzy9759]

I have its big brother the Kawasaki ninja 700 generator, that is how the choke is suppose to be, that is a bi metallic strap as it heats up it curves and pulls off the choke. it not so much has a fuel pump as it has a automatic petcock, push in on that little brass button to prime it. you can get up to 8 hours run time on a tank of fuel. the only generator I have ever seen you can stand over with it running and hold a regular conversation with someone. real quiet.

[@jdgibs3446]

Your attitude coupled with your demeanor makes for a contagious start. It encourages rookies like me to pursue the difficult. Thanks for sharing your experience. 👍

[@KevinJohnson-fx6wq]

if you haven't already an aquarium net might be a good thing to fish out parts from your ultrasound. Again love going on your adventures here. thanks

[@wynotwander7075]

When I need to disconnect wires or hoses, I take a picture with my cell phone for reference of where they go, it is usually i my pocket. Love your small engine videos. I try to do everything myself even if i have not clue.

[@navvet4518]

Wynot Wander. Absolutely! The camera takes the guesswork out of it.

[@wynotwander7075]

@@navvet4518 it even sees around corners in tight places!!!!

[@owenmacdonald2125]

Hey Darren, from Whyalla, South Australia... I am retired (2 years ago) and have been watching your video clips and absolutely love "em!... you are like a magician with engines and cars etc. and make interesting videos... keep up the good work, mate (in Aussie Slang "mate" = friend, buddy, pal), and I'm still watching lol.

[@tronicspider7]

Maybe the metal strap where the choke was conectet was a bimetal, that bends when it heats up, especially when its conectet to the exaust.

[@batlin]

That's an ambitious name for a strip of metal...

[@mikekrening7327]

That's absolutely what it is. Once it warms up it takes the engine off choke.

[@kimkiriniki9433]

An oil extractor pump works perfectly for oil changes on small engines, no mess, no hassle.I have a 6 litre capacity hand pump unit as used for marine inboards, wasn't expensive.

[@VinnyHerreraa]

im early, thx mustie, thanks to you i got around to rebuilding the carb on my '87 fj60 land cruiser. great project with my dad :)

[@SHOINOFF]

I like that simple looking governor adjustment to the left of the carb.

[@aaronblair9583]

What a wonderful pup,. Looks like she's had a great life with you n your wife. Good dog

[@aleblanc3547]

Nice repair...not too many gremlins to fight with and a great runner. Thanks, Mustie for yet another great video. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

[@bufford14]

You are the best I've ever seen at fixing things, I've learned a lot from watching your videos.

[@edgufler1122]

Great use of the X-acto knife as a pry tool. I had to use one yesterday to remove a retaining clip off a pin. Thank you for the video. I always like to watch and see small engine repair,

[@Cointrip]

Well Im a noob to these. You are way beyond me. Love em! I took a Honda 2000 that took an oil overfill blowup. Busted the wrist pin screws off and ground them up in the crankcase. Bits and pieces replaced and it ran well.

[@richardwarnock2789]

Nice running machine Mustie , thanks it was fun and the dog had fun too!!!

[@chriskosin472]

I’m glad I discovered your channel today! I’ve watched a dozen videos so far and feel like I have learned some tips I can apply to my projects. I enjoy your calm demeanor while working on this stuff😁 subscribed!!

[@patrickprescott5166]

Was actually talking about this video with my dad tonight. He used to be an engineer for a switch manufacturer. The problem you experienced with the switch (called a momentary shorting switch) is a design flaw or rather the use of the wrong type of switch. These switches have nylon plungers in them which expand when exposed to humidity (being outside) and will get stuck in a shorted state. The ultimate solution would be to replace the switch with one that has metal plungers.

[@clarkdouglas6517]

insights for the rest of us, thanks

[@oherman]

It's a kind of problem as well for me who has to deal with computers-- stuck power and reset switches.

[@manolisgledsodakis873]

You can probably order a replacement switch from Mouser or Farnell.

[@davie261]

Who knew a Kaw would be quiet like a Honda. That was sweet, free generator anyone would love to have. Nice vid.

[@MrXcc4u]

hey mustie, from the off position on that flashlight that i sent you, you can hold the button in for a few seconds and it will come on with very little light, so little that you would have to have almost total darkness in the room to see that it is on. if you do a quick push of the button it will come on at the last brightness it was at when last turned off, other than the mini light talked about above. then after the button pushed in and held, will scroll thru different levels of brightness. just in case you didn't know. P.S. gotta love the sonic cleaner.

[@ronnielowther2242]

Nice job keep on fixing them it's good to know there are people out there who rescue and repair broken down equipment great job !!

[@dash8brj]

I especially love watching you fix these little gensets - I've done a few now from what I have learned from your videos - 9 times out of ten the carb needs a clean, and the fuel and oil is bad :)

[@twocvbloke]

Nice little generator, I like these small suitcase generators with the "silent" engines, much nicer than the regular open-frame generators... :) And the choke is probably a bimetallic thing that heats up and pulls the choke open as it heats up, briggs use it with their "Ready Start" crap, I didn't like that feature on my mower so disabled it and fitted a manual choke... :)

[@MegaFPVFlyer]

That's one way of doing it. My pressure washer just closes the choke whenever the governor has the throttle pinned all the way open (aka whenever the engine is stopped).

[@twocvbloke]

Sounds like a much more sensible way to set up an automatic choke, the bimetallic strip method takes too long to go from choke on to choke off, meaning the engine's belching out poorly combusted fumes for longer than it needs to...

[@danielmartin2463]

twocvbloke I have also found that the 'thermostats also go bad, early on in the piece the ready starts with the thermo choke had problems with the bimetal strip breaking because of poor manufacturing and I changed many of them under warranty (I do warranty for Bunnings (hardware shop in Australia) at the shop I work at) and they seem to have come a long way since. But those engines also have the fair share of design flaws including rod bolts coming loose

[@twocvbloke]

The engine I have is the 575EX on my mower (got videos of it on my SanitaireC12 channel), so one of the newer Briggs models, but I found that the readystart thing stopped it starting first time, and with a manual choke, first time every time, as for the rod bolts, thanks for the heads up, I should check them at somepoint before they let go!! :S

[@danielmartin2463]

twocvbloke that's no worries at all. They rectified the rod bolt problem but it might be best to check them as I have seen a few let go since.

[@lanemorrow7417]

I'm thinking that choke setup is a expansive metal so that when that muffler heats up it expands that bar opening the choke. Basically an automatic choke? That's the way it looks to me anyway.

[@Pyridox]

Mustie, you got yourself a nice little inverter/generator. Nice save. Friendly Golden Retriever too.

[@onesadtech]

Fantastic work, seems like a great little unit, good backup battery charger with the DC output as well. 😊

[@frankt6906]

I learn from every video and now I have an observation. Old gasoline lacquers up and lacquer thinner cleans it.

[@ronbennett6396]

What a cute little carb ! It's absolutely adorable ! : )

[@dst6619]

Another success! I'm starting to think you could even fix a rainy day 😀

[@suburban404]

He can fix anything but the crack of dawn.

[@hans429]

Did you think the Sahara desert came out of nothing??

[@3beltwesty]

At 29:37 the "Metal strap" is Kawasaki Sensor 21176-2071 . It fits the GA550A, GD550A and GD700A generators. A google scan of popular science magazine from 1984 say the 700 model has an automatic choke. This Alexander's guess below might be correct that it might be bimetal. Repair clinic calls it a " Temperature Sensor 21176-2071" . The part is on many parts places on the web.

[@TheRealThisIsAlex]

It's a piece of bi-metallic steel, it expands and contracts depending on the temperature.(i think)

[@badhorse1640]

Nerd

[@seccat]

Your just 😡 , because he making us look 🤪

[@bigjay6743]

I found so many old generators lawn mowers and weed eaters you name it nine times out of 10 it's just the carburetor needs to be cleaned they sit four years specially generators and people just do not know what to do with them. It's the day and age we live in everything is throwaway now it seems. If it's sitting on the side of the road and the oils not all milky and cloudy and it still has compression when you pull it over it's probably just the carburetor sometimes a coil which is still a very easy fix it's usually not hard to tell if it's junk.Then you can keep it for your own or sell it and make some pocket money.

[@timlong2417]

And there you have it folks! The luckiest man alive!

[@kd6tas]

I like the generator videos--especially the little quiet ones. I can see why they sell relatively easily. Their competition in the "stealth" camping market is inverters. It doesn't take much of a generator to outgun an inverter. On the other hand, there is no generator quieter than an inverter. A homeless person living in their car should have both.

[@adamguymon7096]

Cute dog. Those generators are nice and compact. I'm glad this one was not made in China.

[@josephperry6822]

Have been viewing your projects quite a bit in the past month, since i stumbled on your channel. Unfortunately my health took a hard blow when i was 42, now 54 my progressive ms has stripped me of all my abilities. I was similar to you, projects were dominated my whole persona. Watching you brings back both good memories and i must admit a little heart ache. So I'm in a way living vicariously thru your videos.... Thanks man!!! Wish we could have did some wrenching together on something, i believe we would have had a good friendship. Anyway keep up the good work! See ya.......

[@Jewelrymaker]

You look like you have had experience working those "switches" in and out! LOL. Love your videos, sir! I've been binge watching. You should consider starting a patreon so people can contribute to your channel and help you grow it.

[@anselb2000]

I really like that little generator. First one I have seen that was not a Honda, that I wanted. Another great video! Thanks!

[@jesterr7133]

20:08 The good ole angled needle nose pliers. That has to be my favorite tool in existence.

[@SeraphinaPZ]

Sharpies are the tool of a master craftsman, Mark from Anvil taught me that.

[@2-old-Forthischet]

I bought a used McClane reel mower many years ago for $60 and the only problem was that the carb needed to be primed manually before starting. I never bothered repairing it and it has never failed me yet!

[@mitchellsiroski2489]

if you want to drain the oil out of the gennys without the mess , find a long oil filler spout from a snowblower engine cut the cap part off, the threads will screw into the base and you have a non messy way to drain the oil and it doubles as a funnel. I made one and it works nice. peace out.

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Nice job, I'd keep that one for the double cab for airing up tires and stuff.

[@johnkramer7161]

It's a generator not an air compressor

[@johnkramer7161]

I think he has a small air compressor for that and the double cab is far from being done. So he might as well get whatever money he can for it.

[@zoltanx9374]

very cool lil project , i really liked the 80s look to it and mostly the lil 12v outpt to charge car batts also was nice

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

TruFuel is ALL that I run in my 2 stroke stuff and I've never had a problem. I recently found out that they also have gas for 4 stroke engines, however, since all of my 4 stroke stuff has bigger gas tanks, I just take a couple 5 gallon gas cans to a local marina for ethanol free gas. I think it's about $8/gallon there, but TruFuel is about $6/quart here, no matter which can you buy. TruFuel is definitely worth the price for smaller, or, seldom used equipment though just because you don't have to worry about it going bad, and, in the case of 2 strokes, it's pre-mixed.

[@retrohipster994]

just so you guys know, that choke setup is an automatic choke setup using a bi-metal strip. That spring is a bi-metal strip that contrax when the engine block heats up and opens up the choke more.. I have the same sort of setup on my little Honda em500. That bimetal strip is like trying to find a unicorn by the way. Lol if it were me I would not Jack with it unless absolutely necessary. Haha

[@jasonwb6884]

White Vinegar or Evapo-Rust works best for cleaning tanks. Evapo-rust is non-toxic and cleans rust really well, and is safe on plastics.

[@johnsmith-sw7ii]

Nice job! You have a great mechanical problem solving mind......demonstrated by the fact that you thought to sand the switch cover in the direction that it operated in.....Many others would have felt "sanded is sanded"

[@johnobiro5202]

Another great job. I would have loved to buy that. But change the bulb.

[@markhudgins1280]

That Tru-Fuel is virtually the same as Coleman lantern/stove fuel (or equivalent). Lantern fuel cost about half as much, not counting the oil. I've been using it for years.....saved me lots of problems caused by the Ethanol crap.

[@showbikesbmx4437]

ive watched this video several times....love every minute

[@rixkafer56]

I bought a 74 truck that had those wasp nests all over it ! great video thanks for sharing

[@don7406]

Nice job finessing that kill switch back to life.

[@coincidentalrvadventures2081]

I like the generator thing is cool. Ive learned quite a bit watching you. Thank you.

[@vhfgamer]

Lucky I love tinkering with machinery and never have the chance. You are so lucky to just get free stuff to fiddle with and make run. Besides nothing wrong with having an extra genny!

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Hey Mustie 1 if you buy a bacon splatter to put in skillets you can cut it to fit your ultra Sonic cleaner for the smaller jets in carburetor. It shouldn't fall through. Love your videos, keep them coming.

[@Budro4764]

Mud Wasps Lol We call them dirt daubers and they can make a bead that any expert welder would envy............ I love watching them building their tube nests ~!~!

[@TheGuitologist]

They're dirt daubers here in the South.

[@Tshizzle42o]

Mud daubers in ohio

[@forthwithtx5852]

Dirt Daubers here in Texas. I was cleaning out my shed and found a couple very large nests. They were mounted to the OSB wall and had a multi-hued appearance, like camouflage. Almost like the different shades of brown that made up the OSB was a cue for the different shades of mud that they used to make the nest. Very beautiful.

[@craigyates9506]

love your videos especially the motorcycle ones ,im a motorbike restorer myself and do other bits like these guys the videos are easy to follow, you show everything and give explanations..... keep them coming dude

[@quartzsitebusiness407]

I just sold mine yesterday to a buddy, the same generator, not much power but not much noise either. no on off switch just a button to kill, no choke or fuel shut off either.

[@johnsonotg1083]

you are such a great mechanic mad props bro

[@stefanmannn]

Thx Mustie, very instructive to watch these uploads. Id love to see you work on a moped soon again hopefully. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@MrGaryRoberton]

One smart man Mustie, I like how you reason things out, not a lot of the young guys /Girls learned that You is hired see the payroll clerk.....

[@clauslundberg9224]

Great video. For small carb parts I use on of those scissor type tea leaf strainers you get at dollar stores - works really well

[@lakesideranch]

Success again, nice recovery of a nice QUIET generator !! 2 thumbs up from here brother..

[@daledurbin2354]

Generators must be a must in your part of the country. Have a Lot of Power Outages up that way, do you? I'm in Hurricane Country for 50+ years. Bought my first generator 2 years ago, it got a few days use during Harvey, ran all the gas out and put it away for the next blow. Love your vids, miss a lot of doing and sleep because of them, Dr. D

[@Popeye64]

Nice. Looks a pretty good lil guy

[@zx8401ztv]

Well done darren :-D, it looks very neat and quiet too, someone will love it :-D. Better to repair if you can, less waste in the world.

[@thomaskimmerly3429]

hey mustie you do great work folks he knows what is doing

[@ThePheonix2009]

Thats interesting -- The pull start is on the generator end.

[@georgegonzalez2442]

As a guess, in the correct direction, the pressure is against the top edge of the moving element, giving it MUCH more twisting leverage than when its pushing against the base.

[@marcswanson7066]

A set of cheap dental tools would have come in handy when freeing the frozen momentary switch. They don't snap like Xacto blades and are ideal for pulling, pushing, grabbing, prying, and freeing small parts as well as a million and one other uses. Years ago I purchased a set (possibly through Sportsman's Guide, can't remember) for less than ten dollars.

[@cpufreak101]

I just want to say, thanks to your video's I almost picked up a chainsaw in a trash pile on the side of the road, the thing that stopped me was i didn't want to look threatening walking back home with a chainsaw :P

[@unokarpa4405]

))) лучшая шутка за этот день

[@ronsites2694]

Another forensic engine mystery solved. Thanks for the video.

[@ImTheJoker4u]

You went harder on that switch than I would have. I would have cut it out and just thrown a toggle in. Dont worry about the light in the switch. Thats what heated it and caused it to freeze in the first place. Common problem.

[@wesstatzer163]

i love the generator kick your on i lived for 8 years with a generator for power but love fourwheelers too

[@bctaxidermy]

You got big balls pulling on that spark plug wire I got my hand close to our mower plug once and got the shock of my life.

[@fixrite11]

once again you have done the impossible. great work

[@ziggassedup]

I'd guess it has a bi-metal choke Darren.Well repaired mate.

[@cliffcollins4124]

Just a tip I have cleaned out plastic tanks with sand and water sloshing it around, so try petrol and sand

[@brony4life1982]

That'd be a nice little generator to keep for yourself.

[@toddjacobs5660]

Nice little generator, good job..

[@bobbymorrison1483]

Been watching your channel for a spell now and I would like to complement you on your knowledge and ability to transmit your thoughts thru to us, the viewers! I have a small question, what do you do with all of the things you bring back to life? Do you advertise them for sale. Again, I admire your ability and I am totally envious! Keep finding projects to repair!

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

The choke is operated by that bimetal spring. Notice- it's near the exhaust? When it warms enough- choke opens. Yes- hokie but simple design. Very similar to a VW.

[@djtecthreat]

Seems like a decent little machine. Nice work!

[@redneckbryon]

I got a Yamaha generator with a very similar setup, its a nice little compact 4-stroke.

[@garyfisher1503]

rhe choke is controlled by the metallic strip attached to the exhaust, its a crude automatic choke, it moves by expansion and contraction.

[@focus82grothm.84]

What a lovable generator. Nice and quiet. Good video as always Mustie1 :-)

[@toonw669]

@Mustie1 You got me inspired by doing what you are doing! And ....so I bought a Kawa same as in the video. Haven't looked at it yet but has no spark. Since I got laid off last July I now have some ideas to kill time. So thanks for all the video's and greetings from across the the Atlantic Ocean!

[@ghe426]

You could take pictures with your smartphone for purposes of remembering how things go back together. Awesome videos!!

[@phooesnax]

Boy. That thing is alright! Nice job.

[@tryadl.l.c.5039]

Mr. Mustie1 - By you not being the "star"- you are the star.

[@joshrakestraw5580]

Thanks for adding a video of your TW200 at the end!

[@jimthvac100]

I started watching this video but became more interested in that cool looking old blue Volkswagen in the video... I had to go look at the videos on you getting it up and running :)