I now own a pansy girl's bike

[xwhatsit]

Once upon a time, I was secure in my masculinity. I may have owned a Honda, but it was a proper man's bike, no electric start to be seen, occasionally kicking back through the starter, requiring at least three gigantic kicks before it would think about coughing from cold; and when hot, a proper balls-out sprinting bump start. Tick-over? Forget it! Take your hand of the throttle for a moment in traffic and it would stop running -- requiring another draining bump start.

But today I did something odd. I poked and prodded around with multimeter and screwdriver, eventually replacing both coil and CDI. I'd tried replacing these individually before, but replacing both weirdly seemed to do the trick (makes me think that yet something else was the problem -- dodgy ground wire got nudged?).

Now?! Bloody bike starts first kick, hot or cold. I can even do it bare-foot. It idles happily away in traffic, despite roasting my legs, for as long as I can be bothered to sit there with arms folded.

I can feel my manliness slipping away quickly. My bike no longer causes people to call me `dedicated' and `a real biker'; no! now it's merely a gentle-natured Honda -- the sort of machine you meet the Nicest People on. It's now a happy little girl's bike, with no quirks at all apart from the oil leaks, vibration and ineffectual brakes.

I'm feeling rather depressed.

[Ixion]

You need to replace the carb. Check out Amal GP

[Disco Dan]

Looks like you need to get yourself a badge......

[xwhatsit]

You need to replace the carb. Check out Amal GP

Keihin CRS looks rather more tasty. No pilot jet or choke would put me in a similar situation to the GP, however...

That bling was meant to be `I don't think he got it', not `I dont' -- I do actually rather like RDs, even though they're Pansy Girl Bikes when it comes to starting too.

At least they smoke, unlike my bike.

Frigging Hondas.

[Motu]

My XT has gone from electric start only to kick start only - 'coz I'm a man and booting a 621cc single into life is no worries....

I am now looking for a strong silent man with big thighs and a slow brain - someone to warm my bike up in the mornings and hold it for me so I can get off it at night.The ability to start and refuel a lawnmower,mend spouting etc would be an advantage.Not that I can't do these things for myself....

[xwhatsit]

Sounds like it's a hard life being a real man an' all, Motu.

Figure I might avoid becoming one by continuing to buy old Hondas and mowing the lawns with my ancient electric lawnmower wot plugs into a wall socket.


Anybody got any ideas why I had to replace both coil and CDI? It seems strange that both were naff. It's silly that I managed to fix the thing in the end by throwing parts at it, which is exactly what I didn't want to do.

[erik]

No more push starts eh. :niceone:

[Ixion]

Many machines have various models of both coil and CPU (and stator/pulse coil). They come as sets an using a CPU of type A with a coil of type B doesn't always work very well.

[xwhatsit]

Interesting point, that. I've just found out courtesy of Econohonda that my engine and frame numbers don't match; the frame is a 1983 CB250RSD -- the Pansy Girl electric start model -- whereas the engine is a 1980 RSA lump. Explains why the engine was so knackered when I got it despite low kilometres (although they aren't long-life motors).

CDI and coil might well have been different. The coil numbers matched up with the replacement, but I didn't look at the CDI. Which isn't really a CDI (and it's got a flaming mechanical centrifugal advance inside the engine, so how complicated can the un-CDI be?) but that's a different story.

[jtzzr]

No more push starts eh. :niceone:

Doesn`t sound like it, Was so entertaining to watch.

[barty5]

[QUOTE=xerxesdaphat;1372567]
I can even do it bare-foot.

oooh dont do this i learnt the hard way 5 years ago couldnt be bother to go get boot or shoe to move bike to lazy the push ended up with large chunk of foot hanging off bottom of foot and 9 stiches ( it kicked back) and bike lying there covered in blood not a good look 10 days out from xmas

[jonbuoy]

Don't go spending too much on the 250 Cafe start saving your pennies for the 750 with kick start might be coming up at the end of summer.............. ;)

[Insanity_rules]

now it's merely a gentle-natured Honda -- the sort of machine you meet the Nicest People on. It's now a happy little girl's bike, with no quirks at all apart from the oil leaks, vibration and ineffectual brakes.

I'm feeling rather depressed.

Replace the exhaust with something that sounds like the gates of hell opening. Then no one can accuse you of a femme bike.

Problem solved!

[vifferman]

I have a solution for you, Mr PansyGurrrlMan: seeing as you are talking about replacing the tank*, why don't you fit an XR500 donk in the frame? My XBR500RS was a CB250Rs with XR500 donk in it, and no compression release lever, so starting it was a ritual: fold up right-hand footpeg, find TDC, then Whumpah!

*The standard tank would need a "cut'n'shut" in any case, to accommodate the XR's rocker cover), so replacement would be a good idea..

[tri boy]

I have a solution for you, Mr PansyGurrrlMan: seeing as you are talking about replacing the tank*, why don't you fit an XR500 donk in the frame? My XBR500RS was a CB250Rs with XR500 donk in it, and no compression release lever, so starting it was a ritual: fold up right-hand footpeg, find TDC, then Whumpah!

*The standard tank would need a "cut'n'shut" in any case, to accommodate the XR's rocker cover), so replacement would be a good idea..

Hell yes.:headbang: the one that had the reed block fitted to help tame it in the starting area.(throw that thing away), fit a Dell orto Pumper carb, twist throttle 3 times, kick start bike with throttle wide open, and get ya mates to call a knee surgeon.

[gijoe1313]

Velly goof meinf kamaraderen! Zat iz gut newz tu hearz! Ein thinkink zat you vill be making plannink vur zee new modifikationz ya ya?

Ve all vait vith baited breath mein kinder!

[nudemetalz]

I have a solution for you, Mr PansyGurrrlMan: seeing as you are talking about replacing the tank*, why don't you fit an XR500 donk in the frame? My XBR500RS was a CB250Rs with XR500 donk in it, and no compression release lever, so starting it was a ritual: fold up right-hand footpeg, find TDC, then Whumpah!

*The standard tank would need a "cut'n'shut" in any case, to accommodate the XR's rocker cover), so replacement would be a good idea..

You could keep going with the engine size increase to about an NX650 donk, couldn't ya?
XBR650RS...now THAT would make the poor frame & swingarm flex a little...:eek:

[more_fasterer]

Now?! Bloody bike starts first kick, hot or cold. I can even do it bare-foot. It idles happily away in traffic, despite roasting my legs, for as long as I can be bothered to sit there with arms folded.

I can feel my manliness slipping away quickly. My bike no longer causes people to call me `dedicated' and `a real biker'; no! now it's merely a gentle-natured Honda -- the sort of machine you meet the Nicest People on. It's now a happy little girl's bike, with no quirks at all apart from the oil leaks, vibration and ineffectual brakes.

I'm feeling rather depressed.

Sounds like you need to trade it in for a Bonneville T120 :shit:

[vifferman]

Hell yes.:headbang: the one that had the reed block fitted to help tame it in the starting area.
The reed block had already been ditched.


You could keep going with the engine size increase to about an NX650 donk, couldn't ya?
XBR650RS...now THAT would make the poor frame & swingarm flex a little...:eek:
Now yer talking!
Just weld a whole bunch of pipes and brackets and gusseting and stuff to the frame, chuck away the swingarm and fit summat beefier.
And some proper width wheels while yer at it.
And some USD forks! :yes:

[xwhatsit]

Don't go spending too much on the 250 Cafe start saving your pennies for the 750 with kick start might be coming up at the end of summer.............. ;)

Very tempting, can't believe you're selling it though! No, I'll be keeping the 250 for good, and can't really afford another bike at least until I finish varsity.

The 250 will be sticking with the 250 engine, although I now have enough spare engine bits to build one supahhh engine (while I keep the existing one in the frame); bore it out to 320cc, high compression piston, polished/ported head, 3-angle valve grind, lumpiest camshaft evar... Frame flex isn't too bad, but you can feel the swingarm and forks winding and unwinding in tight corners. Some sturdier shocks fitted to the back would help with that torquing feeling on the swingarm. Nothing to get worried about, it continues along the path you point it on in the `macro' sense.

The thing doesn't kick back often, and it's never particularly nasty. I heard somebody say `like kicking a wall' once and that's exactly what it is. Decompression mechanism fitted or not doesn't change things; in fact taking it off makes it easier to find TDC and get it started, but the kickstart lever is known to be very flimsy and crack (just like everything else on the bike), so I keep the decompression system fitted to take strain off the kickstart lever.

[90s]

Clearly was are not totally emasculated yet - you are thinking of hardware issues and solutions.
A proper girly-boy would be thinking behaviourally.
But there is a way out through this route - ride like a squid and you'll restore your masculinity - no-one will notice your pink tassells or sissy starting anymore.

The key - ride like you don't want to get to 25 ... 25 past the hour that is.

[FilthyLuka]

The 250 will be sticking with the 250 engine, although I now have enough spare engine bits to build one supahhh engine (while I keep the existing one in the frame); bore it out to 320cc, high compression piston, polished/ported head, 3-angle valve grind, lumpiest camshaft evar...

i can lend you a hand if you like, i can bring carbide bits for porting and a case of beer :)

Have some interesting ideas for intake porting that you might wanna hear too...

[buellbabe]

GIRLS BIKE???

What a load of crap... ha ha

so a reliable bike is considered a pansy girls bike?

Well fuck me! glad I'm a girl LOL

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
:girlfight: :devil2:

[xwhatsit]

Strictly speaking, being a Honda, it's a homo's bike.

[ital916]

If your feeling so bad why don't you just flick it back to bein a kick start! Even though kick starts are a [ain in the ass they do grow on you.

[vifferman]

Strictly speaking, being a Honda, it's a homo's bike.
:Oi:
A ghey homo's bike.

[xwhatsit]

If your feeling so bad why don't you just flick it back to bein a kick start! Even though kick starts are a [ain in the ass they do grow on you.
Heh it's still a kick-start, just now it's actually able to be started using the kickstart, instead of doing a running race start :laugh: Electric start?! Hell no. If I wanted an electric start I would've bought the ultimate in poofter bikes -- a Suzuki.

:Oi:
A ghey homo's bike.
Too right. Don't know why your bike needed the tank modified with the 500 conversion, nearly every other source I've seen only references some smaller top frame mounts. Would be tight, however.

Thing is, these days a 500cc motor is just as expensive as doing all the mods to the existing 250 motor, for probably similar horsepower (not torque though). 500 motor very understressed. GB500 will be acquired eventually so I need a small-pot screamer.

[90s]

I would've bought the ultimate in poofter bikes -- a Suzuki.

Thank you sailor,

[pritch]

Bump starting bikes takes me back.

Not that it's a place I ever want to go again...

Both my B50SS and B50MX had the kind of ignition system whereby the spark increases in potency as the revs rise. Tough shit when you're trying to start them.

Must've run miles beside that bloody SS. I'd have a heart attack if I had to do that now.

Also have not so fond memories of a boot filling slowly with blood as a result of a kick back from my RT360.

If God had meant us to suffer all that stuff he wouldn't have given us electric starters.

[vifferman]

Too right. Don't know why your bike needed the tank modified with the 500 conversion, nearly every other source I've seen only references some smaller top frame mounts. Would be tight, however..
I dunno neither.
But, apparently it was needed.
Bottom mounts (and engine cases) are identical, but the top mount was actually cut right off, and the donk just squeezed in under the rails. However, the tank had been relief cut underneath and welded up again, and there was very little clearance, so I guess it was necessary.

It was a nice little Project Bike, that. :yes:
I got it for nothing, and spent a grand total of $600 getting it roadworthy, including a complete disassembly, strip and paint, new chain'n'sprockets, new craparse tyres, a couple of different jets for the carb, and a valve grind (which was actually done for free by Waikato Polytech students).
Sold it a fewe of years later for about $800, IIRC, so after commission was taken out, I had three years of free motorcycling. :niceone:

[vifferman]

Also have not so fond memories of a boot filling slowly with blood as a result of a kick back from my RT360.
Ah yes - the good ole RT.
Even a lowly 250 could turn feral. I once kick-started my MT250 for several long minutes before noticing the kill switch was set to MORT. :pinch:
No problemo! Flick it back, one more boot...

...and the bitch bit back, rocketing my knee into the bottom of the mirror bolt. :eek:
If it had been my kneecap, instead of the softish bit behind it, I would likely have been on crutches for a while, especially given that knee already had 9 stitches in it, courtesy of wrecking my first bike a few months prior..

[jonbuoy]

Very tempting, can't believe you're selling it though! No, I'll be keeping the 250 for good, and can't really afford another bike at least until I finish varsity.

The 250 will be sticking with the 250 engine, although I now have enough spare engine bits to build one supahhh engine (while I keep the existing one in the frame); bore it out to 320cc, high compression piston, polished/ported head, 3-angle valve grind, lumpiest camshaft evar... Frame flex isn't too bad, but you can feel the swingarm and forks winding and unwinding in tight corners. Some sturdier shocks fitted to the back would help with that torquing feeling on the swingarm. Nothing to get worried about, it continues along the path you point it on in the `macro' sense.

The thing doesn't kick back often, and it's never particularly nasty. I heard somebody say `like kicking a wall' once and that's exactly what it is. Decompression mechanism fitted or not doesn't change things; in fact taking it off makes it easier to find TDC and get it started, but the kickstart lever is known to be very flimsy and crack (just like everything else on the bike), so I keep the decompression system fitted to take strain off the kickstart lever.

Yeah can't believe it myself - needs must, might be moving away and I don't know how viable it will be taking it with me :no: Shame - I'd like it to go to someone who would appreciate it.

[xwhatsit]

Both my B50SS and B50MX had the kind of ignition system whereby the spark increases in potency as the revs rise. Tough shit when you're trying to start them.
That's exactly what was happening with my bike; the thing would have weak (or no) spark, especially when hot, until the revs got over a certain amount. That's why it wouldn't idle -- the revs would drop below what was required to make it go. Had to bumpstart it at great speed in first gear in order to get enough juice. I was suspecting stator or something, not enough voltage produced to make the coil fire, but it appears that either the coil or CDI was not making good spark until the stator could really fire a great bolt of lightening through it. I would venture I've done a few kilometres beside the bike as well :lol:

Yeah can't believe it myself - needs must, might be moving away and I don't know how viable it will be taking it with me :no: Shame - I'd like it to go to someone who would appreciate it.That really sucks. I'd love to be able to buy it, I've been drooling over that thread since you started it, but working nights in a restaurant while studying doesn't afford a great deal of money to pay for necessities like beer, let alone CB750s :(

Try and pass it off onto GiJoe1313 so I can pinch it on occasion :laugh:

[vifferman]

... until the stator could really fire a great bolt of lightening through it.
Good god man -where do I buy a stator like that?
My bike could do with being lightened by a few kilograms, especially with all the farkles I've added to it over the last three years...

[Blue Velvet]

I'm feeling rather depressed.

<a href="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=64400" target=blank>Harden up</a> mate. You'll be right :innocent: