Motorcycle Repair: Additives, 1973 honda cb500, oil leaks

Question
Hi Falcon, I have a question about a 1973 Honda CB500 that spent a good while sitting. I have the carburetors cleaned out and rebuilt and the gas tank relined, but I'm not getting good performance. (Not much accleration or speed, and sometimes it likes to cut out.) It seems like I'm getting some explosions in the exhaust and stuff. Is that just junk in the engine burning up? I've heard that it's a good idea to put in Yamaha Ring Free and that that will clean up the engine. Words of advice? How about additives to help oil leaks? Thanks for the help,
Dan

Answer
Hi Dan.
 If it is stuff in your engine, then any fuel additive will help but, more likely, you need the engine completely tuned up.  Carbs synched, valve timing and gap and ignition timing.  That is more likely the cause of your backfiring than stuff in the the engine being burned off.

 As far as oil leaks, there is no additive that I would recommend.  It is always best to just replace the bad seals.  Particularly on an older, classic bike like yours.

Good luck.
FALCON