The Bikeshite Thread

18,196 · May 5

On 18/04/2025 at 10:50, mat_the_cat said:

(Weirdly it looks better on camera than in real life - the last digit is actually completely unreadable).

Judging from the number for sale with the same problem it seems fairly common at this age. Good to know what finished it off; I will try and avoid too much direct sunlight (shouldn't be too hard around here!)

It will get sorted one way or another - the original clock is a bit more integrated with the dashboard than I expected, with remote adjustment buttons. Which makes it a little more tricky to drop in a different clock module. But perhaps a radio-synchronised clock module would work well. Watch this space!

After being caught out with a "fully working" set of clocks, with a worse LCD than mine, I had an offer accepted on a set which was cosmetically tatty but definitely working. So after an hour or so taking them all apart, I was able to assemble mine using the best bits from all three.

I should now be able to make up a reasonable set to sell (albeit with a partially visible clock display), and retain the spares from the one which came with knackered plastics. Oh, and while it was apart I realised that the clock should actually be illuminated. I'm not used to this level of sophistication on a bike!

21,113 · May 6

MOT'd for another year. I was toying with the idea of selling as middle age and hayabusas are not good bedfellows but I have been watching ebay and nothing is selling unless it is a no reserve auction. So it may be staying.

19,960 · May 6

1 minute ago, Bren said:

as middle age

🤣

yeah that

mighta done one 15 years ago but even then............ 😕

5,540 · May 6

I'd still like to buy a Hayabusa (even though I'm the wrong side of middle age), but not many decent ones here for sale that I have seen.

On the otherhand, I could drive a van over to Portugal and buy up a load of two stroke mopeds and small capacity two stroke motorbikes. I love some of the bikes Casal made

9,902 · May 6

1 hour ago, Jerzy Woking said:

I'd still like to buy a Hayabusa (even though I'm the wrong side of middle age), but not many decent ones here for sale that I have seen.

I really didn't like my Hayabusa (same as Bren's but silver and blue), my ZZR11 was much comfier, the 'busa was insanely quick but cramped with crap brakes and a bit of a barge around the corners but an iconic bike that's for sure and I'm glad I had one.

I really want a ZZR1400 at some point, in green.

9,246 · May 6

8 minutes ago, Jazoli said:

I really didn't like my Hayabusa (same as Bren's but silver and blue), my ZZR11 was much comfier, the 'busa was insanely quick but cramped with crap brakes and a bit of a barge around the corners but an iconic bike that's for sure and I'm glad I had one.

I really want a ZZR1400 at some point, in green.

Followed a 1400 kwaka through New Cross and Deptford today. Struck me how big they are. He was hustling it about pretty well in the heavy traffic but i smoked him on the Himalayan with better line choice at the bottom of Blackheath hill. Fortunately the heavy traffic gave no opportunity for the power advantage to come i to play else id of clearly been left for dead.

17,492 · May 6

21 hours ago, robt100 said:

Had a good look and the diaphragms seem ok, there is a couple of lighter marks (looks like maybe a bit of dust/grit has rubbed against it at some point) but all intact as far as can be seen. Also checked the boots the carbs sit in on the engine inlet and they all seem fine. Jets in the a1p version are the same on innners and outers, and have been checked they are correct. I mean, its a lot better than when it started and wouldnt even rev, and the 2nd time where the revs would hang after a rev. But the diaphragm thing is something I did wonder about given how far it revs up, though at that point its probably still running (just about) on the pilot jets?
Only other thing I can think of, is one of the pilot screws was a long way out vs the rest, I wonder if that carb is out of sync and trying to run a lot higher rpm than the others?

No binding needles or slides? Do the slides "flutter" under a light throttle? I'd just set all the screws to 2.5 turns out, and check all the butterflies sit the same and go from there. Balance doesn't tend to cause the issues you're having. No air leaks from a redundant scottoiler or similar? Or the vaccum pipe to the petrol tap ? No sticking choke levers on the big slide- Kwaks really idle scarily high on choke, 1 could be sticking on..?

But your description really sounds like it was lean before. These should be really crisp and instant on the throttle with no hesitation when cracked open, and drop down instantly when closed. If 1 pilot screw is right out, someone's been trying to richen, so points to an air leak again in that carb..

This was my ZX9R after going through the carbs and rebuilding the gearbox, still on choke so idling high, a bit boggy because airbox wasn't fitted, and not yet balanced, just set by eye..

https://youtube.com/shorts/ia_oNbcy_SQ?si=z7x4cVyXDsjsOAFX

And an FZR400RR which would hardly run and wouldn't idle. 1 whole can of seafoam in the tank and 20 mins later it ran like this. I was shocked!

https://youtu.be/pe_UBspHHZ8?si=typ_vVwDJsxRglct

1,195 · May 6

3 hours ago, Barry Cade said:

No binding needles or slides? Do the slides "flutter" under a light throttle? I'd just set all the screws to 2.5 turns out, and check all the butterflies sit the same and go from there. Balance doesn't tend to cause the issues you're having. No air leaks from a redundant scottoiler or similar? Or the vaccum pipe to the petrol tap ? No sticking choke levers on the big slide- Kwaks really idle scarily high on choke, 1 could be sticking on..?

But your description really sounds like it was lean before. These should be really crisp and instant on the throttle with no hesitation when cracked open, and drop down instantly when closed. If 1 pilot screw is right out, someone's been trying to richen, so points to an air leak again in that carb..

This was my ZX9R after going through the carbs and rebuilding the gearbox, still on choke so idling high, a bit boggy because airbox wasn't fitted, and not yet balanced, just set by eye..

https://youtube.com/shorts/ia_oNbcy_SQ?si=z7x4cVyXDsjsOAFX

And an FZR400RR which would hardly run and wouldn't idle. 1 whole can of seafoam in the tank and 20 mins later it ran like this. I was shocked!

https://youtu.be/pe_UBspHHZ8?si=typ_vVwDJsxRglct

If I knew what a scottoiler was I could tell you😅
As for vacuum pipe to the petrol tap, is that the tap on the bottom of the tank? If so, no pipes apart from the fuel pipe are on there, and one overflow/vent hose on the tank that dangles down by the rear spring.

As for how the engine runs, it revs nice and responsiely like in the videos you posted and drops back to idle fine... just randomly decides to raise up to 3k rpm for no reason then drop sometimes, or if not, a blip of the throttle will drop it.

Chokes all seemed to move fine, though addmitedly we didn't remove them to clean up as they seemed so free, didn't think fuel got over that way that could gum them up? Needles and slides move fine by hand, they were pretty gummed up before but all been cleaned now. No idea how they react on throttle as I dont have a funnel to feed the fuel with the tank off, Mrs robt100 has usualy rebuilt everything by the time I come back from making a cuppa (she's got pretty fast at stripping the bike down now😄). I shall try and get a video tomorrow or later in the week, might make it obvious as to what is happening.

On a side note, the oil smells quite fuelly, so going to change that. When it came to us it stank of fuel when idling/starting, I think the blocked jets/needles were overflowing the bowl, and that extra rich setting on carb 1 probably didnt help. Hopefully can also do the simple thing we haven't got to yet (as this is probably the first time its ran semi-properly) and thats check the plugs! 😬

5,476 · May 7

8 hours ago, robt100 said:

If I knew what a scottoiler was I could tell you😅
As for vacuum pipe to the petrol tap, is that the tap on the bottom of the tank? If so, no pipes apart from the fuel pipe are on there, and one overflow/vent hose on the tank that dangles down by the rear spring.

As for how the engine runs, it revs nice and responsiely like in the videos you posted and drops back to idle fine... just randomly decides to raise up to 3k rpm for no reason then drop sometimes, or if not, a blip of the throttle will drop it.

Chokes all seemed to move fine, though addmitedly we didn't remove them to clean up as they seemed so free, didn't think fuel got over that way that could gum them up? Needles and slides move fine by hand, they were pretty gummed up before but all been cleaned now. No idea how they react on throttle as I dont have a funnel to feed the fuel with the tank off, Mrs robt100 has usualy rebuilt everything by the time I come back from making a cuppa (she's got pretty fast at stripping the bike down now😄). I shall try and get a video tomorrow or later in the week, might make it obvious as to what is happening.

On a side note, the oil smells quite fuelly, so going to change that. When it came to us it stank of fuel when idling/starting, I think the blocked jets/needles were overflowing the bowl, and that extra rich setting on carb 1 probably didnt help. Hopefully can also do the simple thing we haven't got to yet (as this is probably the first time its ran semi-properly) and thats check the plugs! 😬

Stinks of fuel when idling might suggest one of the carbs has a sticky float needle valve.

Also wondering if the high revs occasionally is an air leak around the rubbers of inlet stuff

Obviously diagnosis is difficult over the forum but certainly things to check

May 7

Has anyone got a cable drive mph Speedo suitable for a 17" front wheel laying about? Fed up with buying aftermarket ones which are shit and I need just a Speedo to fit in the gap for it.

Also a pair of eye to eye rear shocks in the region of 330-340mm hole centres? My hagons (350mm) are too long and too hard.

Want to get some of them last jobs done on the Z750 as I think I might end up selling it.

14,157 · May 8

@Cavcraft if you're down this way again swing by for a brew.

133,038 · May 9

On 07/05/2025 at 16:18, Iamgroot said:

Has anyone got a cable drive mph Speedo suitable for a 17" front wheel laying about? Fed up with buying aftermarket ones which are shit and I need just a Speedo to fit in the gap for it.

Also a pair of eye to eye rear shocks in the region of 330-340mm hole centres? My hagons (350mm) are too long and too hard.

Want to get some of them last jobs done on the Z750 as I think I might end up selling it.

There's a (very) outside chance I will have some shocks that might suit, as GSX250E ones seem to suggest the same dimension and there was a box of spares that came with my bike. Failing that, have you tried S&D bike breakers on Bank Top industrial estate at St Martins? I just Googled to see if they are still going and to my surprise, they are. Incidentally, if you get really stuck a digital GPS speedo from a push bike does the job, you just need a power bank to supply the feed. This sort of things, but obvs. probably something better looking or more flush...

9 hours ago, catsinthewelder said:

@Cavcraft if you're down this way again swing by for a brew.

Thanks, I'd love to do that.

May 9

Cheers mate, I'll have to check out that breakers in St Martins.

Yeah I've got a GPS Speedo but it's a bit big and I'd rather have a mechanical one, did consider the bicycle one at one point, but I didn't like the idea.

My mate @Deadhorse came over today and I had a rip on his KLE, which is a nicer version of his old one which I picked up for him, I thoroughly enjoyed it, which has made me more convinced I'd like something like that for a bit of light green Laning, so either the Z750 or the FJ are in the firing line at the minute.

Think there's enough of us to setup a "motorcycle swap shop" thread? 😂

9,246 · May 11

133,038 · May 11

Couldn't make my mind up today: was thinking of heading to Rhayder, but it seemed too far as needed to be home reasonably handy today.

In the end a last minute decision saw me heading towards Corwern, then on the A470(?) through Betws-y-Coed and Llanwrst and into Llandudno. Didn't actually go into Betws in the end, the road sort of bypassed it and I couldn't be arsed, so stopped in Llanwrst instead. Another of the places I used to call at in a previous job, probably been too busy driving flat out to appreciate the town. Sad to see one of the garages now seems closed. Anyway, had 15 minutes there and walked along the river bed a short while, will go there again for a day out with the fam one day.

Belting roads pretty much all the way, perfect for biking even if you're not a knee down/balls out rider. I stopped at the railway crossing further down where we met the breeder of BARBARA_LEE_CARTLAND the wonder dog, the day we bought him.

123 miles in total, put my big boy pants on and came home via the A55, averaged probably about 60mph and at overtaking speeds it was fine. Probably better on a bigger engined or twin/four pot bike if doing lots of motorway/fast by-pass work, but it wasn't a problem.

18,196 · May 11

It's the middle of a drought in Wales, and unseasonably warm. So I've been fitting heated grips! I suffer a bit from Reynard's, and a couple of times have been riding back at night and got caught with cold hands. They've certainly got more integrated since the last set I fitted!

(No matter which way I orientate it, it displays upside down!)

Went out today to Porthmadog, and returned to the bike to discover a friend next to it!

9,246 · May 14

More new to me byways on the way to work. This one south of Aylesbury is one of the nicest i've ridden.

4,822 · May 15

Beached whale

Still loving the wing. It's definitely been the weather for a new bike. With the lack of rain it's being used for everything 🙂

19,960 · May 16

On 11/05/2025 at 18:22, Cavcraft said:

how did ya get to tenerife so quick

1,842 · May 16

6 minutes ago, hairnet said:

how did ya get to tenerife so quick

Where is this pic from?

19,960 · May 16

9 minutes ago, tom13 said:

Where is this pic from?

photoshop

1,195 · May 16

Well, after buying the ZX6r from @CGSB earlier in the year. It may have taken 3 goes at cleaning/rebuilding the carbs, but its now running properly!! The mrs went out on her first run today and is very happy.
Got a feeling the oil level before wasn't helping things, stamp on the side of the engine says fill rates are:
4L from dry
3.6L with oil filter
3.2L without filter change.

How much did we drain out???

5.2 Litres!! Would explain why it was so smoky at the start🤣🙈 Reckon it may have been topped up whilst on the stand at some point. Anyway, all good now and one happy wife (which is always a bonus). Only problem now is we are going away for the weekend and she keeps saying she wants to come home and go for a ride 😅

19,960 · May 16

bring bike obvs

1,195 · May 16

38 minutes ago, CGSB said:

I paid (handsomely) for that bike to be serviced and didn't touch it afterwards. Goes to show how much bloody use my local "experts" are then doesn't it!

Glad you got it sorted relatively easily and mrs robt100 is happy with it, its a really nice bike.

Yeah, i think some stuff may have been from sitting, but other bits were either done "wrong" (i mean, this is the first time Ive touched a bike to work on so I can't talk really!), or half done. Carbs hadnt been opened for a while as far as we could tell, and mixture screws were all over the shop. Took a few attempts (and three figures) to get it all sorted but all good now..so far.

and of course, the usual "pics or it didnt happen"...

3,144 · May 17

1972 CB500K update. New parts in, pattern handle bars replacing the ace bars, now fitted and so much betterer. DVLA have replied and returned my historic vehicle application, sadly. They are looking for the original import document. Fair enough, if I had that I would have supplied it. They have asked that if I don't have it, that I supply a letter stating why I don't have and can't provide it, which of course I will provide and re-submit.

Bloody petcock has stopped play, leaking again! Have now bought a decent quality replacement via MadMopeds on eBay - £30 - which I'll fit tomorrow and update with photies.

Standard airbox is now fitted, the bike was running like crap afterwards which was frustrating. But have since drained all the carbs as they were off again as refitting, think maybe one of the floats was stuck, it was much improved after that; the airbox is a really tight fit. But is now on there all air tight. Onwards and upwards. More on this story tomorrow. No-one said it would be easy!

19,960 · May 18

bar end for honda

40 quid from flowlers parts 4 quid post - have to do that cos dealer is 40 miles away

from usa - put part no into ebay and lots of used ones come up one pair at 18 quid but it looked like evil kneivel had been there first - gen honda from a dealer across a bit from @PhilA

19.99 usd

20.and cents to ship

thats 30 quid

and you dont get bummed by customs/brexit

unless i find one in the garage.............

9,246 · May 22

Pitched up near Llandovery for a weekends riding with mates. Cracking ride up and lovely evening.

17,492 · May 22

Genuine barn find!

1,124 · May 22

Can anyone explain tyre sizes to me like I'm stupid?

I need a 3.50x18 and a 3.00x19 but they seem hard to come by in the same model of tyre?

Or would I have more success if I converted the imperial sizes to modern fangled metric?

Looking for a mixed road and off road tyre if anyone has recommendations?

17,492 · May 22

43 minutes ago, DeanH said:

Can anyone explain tyre sizes to me like I'm stupid?

I need a 3.50x18 and a 3.00x19 but they seem hard to come by in the same model of tyre?

Or would I have more success if I converted the imperial sizes to modern fangled metric?

Looking for a mixed road and off road tyre if anyone has recommendations?

3.50 is just the width in inches, convert this to metric.. so it would be 100/90/18.

I always got on well with Metzeler Tourances.

The Bikeshite Thread

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