The Bikeshite Thread

[Stinkwheel]

  On 17/03/2025 at 15:27, 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?

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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]

  On 17/03/2025 at 09:14, castros_bro said:

 

 

  Shirly you just go get one yourself?

 

 

 

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  On 17/03/2025 at 09:49, Rustybullethole said:

Handsome looking moto that. 

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

[DeanH]

  On 17/03/2025 at 16:17, 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)

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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]

  On 17/03/2025 at 16:17, 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)

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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]

  On 17/03/2025 at 16:58, 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

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

  On 17/03/2025 at 17:22, 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).

 

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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]

  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

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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.

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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.

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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 😁

[Hawkeyethenoo]

  On 16/03/2025 at 19:52, doug said:

@Hawkeyethenoo

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@Cavcraft 

Keep up at the back... 🖖

 

[DeanH]

Made the most of the weather today with a run to the strines inn for a coca cola in the sunshine. Another green lane on the way home.

[hairnet]

Shrewsbury honda ftw

Gb350s

Couldnt sit on the one that was as i walked in as sold

Talked to sales chap for a bit

I turn round to leave bike is gone open the door and the chap is about to ride off on it

Biiiiice

Jealous cos im in the car

 

[martc]

  On 21/03/2025 at 15:22, hairnet said:

Shrewsbury honda ftw

Gb350s

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They're a big thing in India where they compete directly against the Enfield 350 and like the Enfield they're made in India. Except the models that come to the UK which, curiously, are made in Japan.

[martc]

The Zero needs a new front tyre as the current original one has squared off make slow speed handling and crossing white lines a bit peculiar, it feels like it's falling off the edge of the tyre. There's still plenty of tread on it but I guess 4,300 miles isn't too bad.

Both tyres are Pirelli Diablo Rosso III's , the back one is quite new (only done about 1000 miles) as I replaced it due to a bad puncture. Talking to the UK importers they say that the Michelin Road 5 is a good/better alternative. Now my question is can I put a Michelin on the front and keep the Pirelli on the back until it wears out? Or should I stick with a matching front tyre?

[hairnet]

  On 21/03/2025 at 17:12, martc said:

They're a big thing in India where they compete directly against the Enfield 350 and like the Enfield they're made in India. Except the models that come to the UK which, curiously, are made in Japan.

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hness is almost the same but slightly different apparently according to indian guy who has one and modified it on oddly a bmw forum

they said they get more in tomorrow so might go up on way home and get a sit on one

 

 

[Iamgroot]

Finally got it together! 

Will have a run round the houses tomorrow if it isn't pissing down.

[hairnet]

Dri

Bble

[Rustybullethole]

  On 21/03/2025 at 17:20, martc said:

The Zero needs a new front tyre as the current original one has squared off make slow speed handling and crossing white lines a bit peculiar, it feels like it's falling off the edge of the tyre. There's still plenty of tread on it but I guess 4,300 miles isn't too bad.

Both tyres are Pirelli Diablo Rosso III's , the back one is quite new (only done about 1000 miles) as I replaced it due to a bad puncture. Talking to the UK importers they say that the Michelin Road 5 is a good/better alternative. Now my question is can I put a Michelin on the front and keep the Pirelli on the back until it wears out? Or should I stick with a matching front tyre?

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I wouldn't sweat running odd tyres. In fact its quite rare i have a matching set. 

Opinions vary.

 

[Rustybullethole]

Tyres swapped out for 50/50's today as the seasons changing and i'm doing more road miles. Motoz spanking new rear and very old tkc front.

Set about the fork seals too. Bushes were unexpectedly pretty fucked much more so on one leg and then couldn't find the new seals id had in my hand this very morning. After a stress i decided to just clean up and wack back together with fresh oil as they're be coming apart again soon. 

Trail riding tomorrow so need it in one piece.

[Iamgroot]

  On 21/03/2025 at 17:20, martc said:

 Now my question is can I put a Michelin on the front and keep the Pirelli on the back until it wears out? Or should I stick with a matching front tyre?

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I've a pirelli on the back and a Michelin on the front of my FJ12, no problem at all.

[hairnet]

unless theyre worn to fuck you wont notice 

or youre rossi

 

[catsinthewelder]

@Iamgroot That looks fucking ace 😎

[Iamgroot]

  On 22/03/2025 at 22:26, catsinthewelder said:

@Iamgroot That looks fucking ace 😎

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Thanks! The pictures flatter it, but I'm quite happy with what I've cobbled together 😁

[hairnet]

spoke to gadge in shop about mine

40k well used 16 plate nc750

1500

looooooool

 

[Rustybullethole]

I spoke to guy in the shop about fork bushes. After telling me they were on back order and that often means they are discontinued he invited me down for coffee and to look at the new Himalayan. Lol.