The Bikeshite Thread

[Stinkwheel]

48 minutes ago, DeanH said:

Right I think I've found it. Theres oil in the stator housing, which I assume is somewhere that should get oil in it? How involved is the repair likely to be? Engine out and split the casing? Or remove the flywheel(?) and replace a seal?

 

Hmm the more I think about it maybe there should be oil in there? The cover has a gasket/o ring after all... 

The neutral switch wire seemed to be trapped by the cover when I took it apart. Maybe it's just that?

It should not have oil in there, the 0-ring on the cover is to stop you getting water in the electrics.

Sense says that if you remove the flywheel there should be a crank seal in there that will want replacing (i thnk, not familiar with this engine, but its most likely)

[martc]

7 hours ago, castros_bro said:

 

 

  Shirly you just go get one yourself?

 

 

 

 

6 hours ago, Rustybullethole said:

Handsome looking moto that. 

There's a bit of an LC350 look about it from that angle. The colour scheme certainly helps with that impresion.

[DeanH]

40 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

It should not have oil in there, the 0-ring on the cover is to stop you getting water in the electrics.

Sense says that if you remove the flywheel there should be a crank seal in there that will want replacing (i thnk, not familiar with this engine, but its most likely)

Is that the case on all bikes or are there some anomalies? 

This video shows an XL engine being stripped, the magnet comes off between 20:45 and 22:45. There doesn't seem to be any oil seal on the crank, just an open bearing.

https://youtu.be/dYoAOA50xyw?si=iBcrkcvROkhMEBM5

[Rustybullethole]

1 hour ago, Stinkwheel said:

It should not have oil in there, the 0-ring on the cover is to stop you getting water in the electrics.

Sense says that if you remove the flywheel there should be a crank seal in there that will want replacing (i thnk, not familiar with this engine, but its most likely)

Would it not have a bit sloshing about to feed the lower timing chain gear? The crank bearing could be fed from the other side and sealed though would make sense to me that the chain was serviceable from the outside without splitting the lump. 

 Am just making this up mind. Ive worked on similar engines though honestly can't remember (much, about anything, ever).

 

[Stinkwheel]

46 minutes ago, DeanH said:

Is that the case on all bikes or are there some anomalies? 

This video shows an XL engine being stripped, the magnet comes off between 20:45 and 22:45. There doesn't seem to be any oil seal on the crank, just an open bearing.

https://youtu.be/dYoAOA50xyw?si=iBcrkcvROkhMEBM5

I see what you mean, that vid doesn’t look like there is a seal. Which I’m surprised at 

23 minutes ago, Rustybullethole said:

Would it not have a bit sloshing about to feed the lower timing chain gear? The crank bearing could be fed from the other side and sealed though would make sense to me that the chain was serviceable from the outside without splitting the lump. 

 Am just making this up mind. Ive worked on similar engines though honestly can't remember (much, about anything, ever).

 

you could be right, been a long time since I stripped down any four stroke singles. 

[DeanH]

Seems the neutral switch and sprocket seal are in close proximity. I'll run it without the sprocket cover tomorrow and have a closer look. 

Edit: I should add that the relevance of the xl125 video is that the manual covers both bikes. The engines must be the same.

[5speedracer]

CHEAP CHINESE BENELLI REAR SHOCK OUTRAGE!

There is a bit of B road near Turriff that is an excellent test of suspension, the Benelli failed fairly miserably. Front end was fine but the rear had me feeling like I was constantly being kicked up the arse like Bishop Brennan (topical reference). A bit of thinking had me concluding is was jacking itself down and losing suspension travel.

The Trk 702 road biased version has preload and rebound settings, the X version adds compression. A read of the manual suggests 11 clicks out for sporty riding and 13 for comfort, mine was set at 9. As the roads are shite and I ride a lot of B roads I set it at 13 and had a wee run, not on the Turriff road but on a good mix of surfaces. I must admit I was expecting adjustment on an unbranded fairly basic shock on a cheap Chines bike to be mostly ornamental. But no, gone is the kick up the arse feel and in comes a lovely supple ride but without any wallow, as I say outrageously good and very not cheap Chinese shite.

[Iamgroot]

1 minute ago, 5speedracer said:

CHEAP CHINESE BENELLI REAR SHOCK OUTRAGE!

There is a bit of B road near Turriff that is an excellent test of suspension

Watch out for the coo

[straightSix]

On 16/03/2025 at 19:27, Cavcraft said:

Someone on here should 100% get one of the new Nortons so we can see what they're like to live with.

You see some bloke got a lightly used one for £29/m on that PCP deal they were doing a whole back?

[hairnet]

day 1

day 2

day 3

regret?

yes.

[hairnet]

Honda tesla autobrake complete

[hairnet]

[hairnet]

Cant be any more shite that the broken one or indeed the oem one lol

[5speedracer]

On 17/03/2025 at 21:45, 5speedracer said:

CHEAP CHINESE BENELLI REAR SHOCK OUTRAGE!

There is a bit of B road near Turriff that is an excellent test of suspension, the Benelli failed fairly miserably. Front end was fine but the rear had me feeling like I was constantly being kicked up the arse like Bishop Brennan (topical reference). A bit of thinking had me concluding is was jacking itself down and losing suspension travel.

The Trk 702 road biased version has preload and rebound settings, the X version adds compression. A read of the manual suggests 11 clicks out for sporty riding and 13 for comfort, mine was set at 9. As the roads are shite and I ride a lot of B roads I set it at 13 and had a wee run, not on the Turriff road but on a good mix of surfaces. I must admit I was expecting adjustment on an unbranded fairly basic shock on a cheap Chines bike to be mostly ornamental. But no, gone is the kick up the arse feel and in comes a lovely supple ride but without any wallow, as I say outrageously good and very not cheap Chinese shite.

As an addendum to this I have read that QJ, owners of Benelli, have a JV in China with Marzocchi. Looks like Benelli bikes run unbranded Marzocchi suspension then, no wonder it handles and also explains the 50mm forks 😁