I use grease. Sometimes you can use a small hammer to tap around the edges to cut the gasket out, but it can be too thin to tap inner and outer, so cutting best. Well, but a gasket works best, but not always an option
Yes back in the day , I had a VJMC member come over while I was filling the tank at the servo on the FZR250 and he said "Is that a 2 stroke?" ..... when I said "its a 4 stroke inline 4 250 from the 80s" he walked away still scratching his head
I was meant to have changed a front tyre, front wheel bearings and fork seals, as well as valve clearances and service on my bike, only got an oil change and grips done. But this happened: Keep looking. The odometer, trip meter and clock. A bit nerdy, I know. The new foam grips are so squishy, I want to use the Finding Nemo meme or Despicable Me "is so fluffy" meme, but I think I used up my nerd quota already
Measured all the shims on the ZXR250C. Have to order some shims from precision shims this week. Having a good day. Plus took the BUSA out for a blat.
New chain and sprockets for the XT finally arrived after languishing 10 days in Melbourne sorting ( thanks, Australia Post). Installed the sprockets, chain will go on later after some more degreasing and cleaning is finished. Not too much of the old countershaft sprocket teeth left, but it never slipped. None broken, all just worn. For some reason, Yamaha saw fit to use only #428 chain and sprockets to the XT350. Pretty low power I guess. Still, 24,000 km isn’t bad given its usage.
Started putting the mc19 back together. Unfortunately it only runs on 3 cylinders now. #3 isn't firing so I get to do some diagnostics this weekend. Not sure if it's an ignition or carburetor issue but shouldn't be too bad to get to the bottom of.
I did forks, front tyre and wheel bearings last night. Stay tuned next week for another exciting installment of the Slowest Mechanic! Will he change a rear tyre, do valve clearances, overhaul the carburettors or do the upholstery work to the seat? Let's face it, the seat is the next cheapest thing to the owner..
I did a thing.... I have been clearing out my garage and noted I hadn't ridden the GT380 in over a year, It was being started , but I prefer to ride the CBR900 or my ZXR250, so I put it up for sale and it sold in an hour... possibly too cheap. Now for the funny part , the guy came down from Toowoomba today to inspect it and it turns out he is related to my wife, talk about a small world , at least it is staying in the family.
Rode my GSXR250 resto for the first time since getting it nearly two years ago. Only went up the street and back as just checking things work and for leaks. One loose coolant hose clamp. Been a labour of love to get this thing to where it is. Was in a very bad way when I got it. Not much to do now. Need to sort out a niggle with the cooling fan wiring, get all the fairings fitted and give the clear coat a cut and polish. Oh and register and warrent. Be ready in time for some summer fun
@kiffsta talking of cbr900rr, mine should be back together again soon after its engine refurb. Then it will go on club reg.
So far I’ve got a bad fuel cut relay and an intermittent fuel pump. Parts are ordered but I doubt that would cause one cylinder to not fire. Carbs look quite good but they’re out so I’ll chuck the jets in the ultrasonic and give everything a good clean while it’s easy. Tomorrow I’ll check the coils and see if I can get the plugs out without having to drop the coolant. My money’s on a bad coil at the moment but we’ll see.
bad coil meals 2/3 would both drop out. Maybe just the HT lead needs rethreading. Let's hope. Or the plug's carked it.
At work today... a bike brought in for non functional ABS and dead rear brake. New ABS unit and rear master. Spent the day doing all that is it requires pulling the bike to bits (shock out and swingarm axle out) only to find it hasn't solved the issue. Brakes functional but no ABS, warning light on solid. Spent a bit of time thinking and did a walk around of the bike and spot something. On the front - ABS ring is located on the opposite side to the sensor. That'll do it. How does it happen? Someone has installed the front tyre the wrong way and fitted the rim back so that the tyre is in the correct orientation. Never mind the obvious that the sensor and ring are nowhere near each other. Hard to believe someone could miss that on a tyre change, but it happened. Got the tyre off, checked the tyre valve... just about to break. Put a new one on, remounted the tyre and balanced the rim, refitted, bikes all sorted. But a whole lot of time, money and effort wasted.
Took a deposit on the 74 CB400F today... The guy lives in South Australia so it may be a little while before he picks it up. At least it is going to a guy who wants to restore it... he is currently working on a CB500 with his daughter.
got the plugs out of the MC19 and of course they look and test just fine. I went ahead and put new plugs in because I had a set but it would appear that I've got a clogged jet or some such. I got started stripping the carbs but the screws that attach the bracket have chosen to be very difficult. I hit them with a little bit of Kroil and I'll go after them again tomorrow. What's the conventional wisdom on MC19 fuel pumps? Mine is definitely not working and the one I got from Honda has wildly differently sized fittings. Edelbrock makes a 114 lph 3 psi electric fuel pump (or, more likely they put their name on someone else's) that I can make work but at the power levels the motor is producing I sort of question the need for a fuel pump at all. Can I get away without one, or is it necessary?
How's the tank height to the carbies? That's the main reason for having a pump. But once set to a pump, the float level might close earlier without a pump