Learning

[RedGnomos]

Hi,

I love bikes so I try and ride as often as I can however I would like to learn a whole lot more about them e.g. engine re-building, maintenance, etc. Would anyone be willing to take me under the wing and impart their experience/knowledge? I am a quick learner and am based in central Auckland.

[Waxxa]

Yo RedGnomos.

Personally I do brake pads, oil and oil filter, hose checks, cable lube (all really, really easy) myself. Anything else like valve clearances, tune etc I have the pros' do it (safer).

There was a thread a month or so ago that a bike shop out east I think was looking at starting a maintenance workshop on Wednesday nights. Maybe a search of threads and you will find it and you could give them a call and inquire about them.

[RedGnomos]

Thanks mate. Am trying to learn how to the basic stuff on my own e.g. brake pads, oil/oil filter, etc but am keen to know more about cleaning carbs, engine rebuilds, etc. Any chance you might be able to "teach" me the basics? I did pick up heaps from Youtube and the like but have more queries as I watch them e.g. how often do you change the oil/oil filter, check the oil level (since my bike doesn't have dipstick), how often do you change the fork oil and fork seals, etc?

I'll search the treads in the meanwhile for the workshop.

[RedGnomos]

I wasn't able to find a specific thread on a workshop but did find a post by PlacidFemme on a "Spanner Night". Just dropped her a PM to inquire further.

[Waxxa]

Oil and filter will depend on age of bike and whether you have a 2 stroke or 4stroke. In general, if the bikes is new every 6k until 12k. After that every 12k or if you want to, keep it at every 6k (I change mine as soon as I see the colour of the oil get dark). Your bike should have a viewing glass for the oil (right-hand side). Change brake pads when they feel 'spongy' (dont wait till they are completely worn) and as far as forks and seals, I've never touched them on the bikes I've had (been riding 14 years, 3 bikes). Todays bikes are coming out fuel injected so you really need a qualified mechanic for the 'carbs'.

I'm happy to show you what I know which isn't much really, but will save you a little bit of labour costs here and there I guess.

[RedGnomos]

Waxxa,

Cool. I have a 2 stroke bike. Got the bike off my mate's partner so am unsure if the oil/oil filter was ever changed. Wouldn't mind learning as much as I can. Not sure if weekends are good for you and if you are based in Auckland.

[Waxxa]

Weekends fine and I'm in Auckland. PM me for details.

[Ixion]

Thanks mate. Am trying to learn how to the basic stuff on my own e.g. brake pads, oil/oil filter, etc but am keen to know more about cleaning carbs, engine rebuilds, etc. Any chance you might be able to "teach" me the basics? I did pick up heaps from Youtube and the like but have more queries as I watch them e.g. how often do you change the oil/oil filter, check the oil level (since my bike doesn't have dipstick), how often do you change the fork oil and fork seals, etc?

I'll search the treads in the meanwhile for the workshop.

I am tempted. But today is world "Be nice to newbies " day. So I will resist.

Your bike is a two stroke. That means it has no oil filter, and no oil that needs changing. It will have an oil tank, and the oil in that tank is burned as the engine runs (like the petrol). So you must religiously check that the oil tank is kept filled up (if you are lucky, you may have a little light that will come on when the tank level is low. Do not rely on it).

The amount of oil fed into the engine is adjustable , usually there is a cable connected to the throttle cable that turns a valve to supply more, or less, oil. Too much and you will smoke excessively (SOME smoke is essential on a two stroke - if there is none, panic). Too little and the engine will seize (it probably will anyway, but too little oil will hasten things).. Find out how to check the adjustment (Snr Manual is your friend), and check it regularly. But don't fiddle unless you are certain you know what you are doing.

Change your spark plugs often. Very easy. Unscrew the old ones, screw in the new ones.

Other than that there is really very little to do on a two stroke.

The most important maintainence on a two smoker is how you ride it. Do not hold a steady constant throttle position for long periods, vary the engine speed and throttle setting. Be sure to give to a red line blast at frequent intervals to burn out excessive oil that will accumulate. that's about it.

[RedGnomos]

Ixion, thanks for resisting the temptation and also for the insight into how 2 strokes burn oil. Now you mention that I shouldn't rely on the red light, how do I check if there is sufficient oil. I don't want to end up either having too little or too much.

I am unable to find any manual that covers Aprilias' in depth and hence my next question (be it silly), where do I find the spark plugs and what tools do I need to remove/install it?

I have been told about blasting the red line so I take it it's ok to blast it when coasting??

[RedGnomos]

Also any chance you would be willing to impart your knowledge/experience so that I may move past the status of a newbie?

[325rocket]

try this (http://science.howstuffworks.com/two-stroke1.htm) link.
lots of good info on there

[Ixion]

Ixion, thanks for resisting the temptation and also for the insight into how 2 strokes burn oil. Now you mention that I shouldn't rely on the red light, how do I check if there is sufficient oil. I don't want to end up either having too little or too much.

I am unable to find any manual that covers Aprilias' in depth and hence my next question (be it silly), where do I find the spark plugs and what tools do I need to remove/install it?

I have been told about blasting the red line so I take it it's ok to blast it when coasting??

Um, take the cap off the tank and have a squizz inside. Fill it full, you can't have too much. Same deal as your petrol tank.

Uh, um, I'm not sure whether this is actually a pisstake, and you're laughing your head off, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and assume that you really don't know where the spark plugs are. (Are you sure you're not a chick incognito ?). Well, I guess if you don't ask , no-one will tell you, so props for having the sense to ask.

I could say they're screwed into the cylinder heads, but I don't suppose that actually helps much

Take a look behind the fairing at the engine (I hope you know where that is). You should have a lump of metal about 3 or 4 inches in diameter sticking roughly upwards, and a near identical lump sticking out roughly forwards (I think a RS250 is a V twin). Those are the cylinders. Each cylinder has a cylinder head on top of it , like a lid. In the centre of each cylinder head should be a white skinny cylindrical thing with a black plastic cap on top of it, and a thick black wire running to it . Those skinny cylindrical things are the sparkplugs. To remove them you need a plug spanner . There are various types, differing in size and shape. Which one you need depends on your plug size (I don't know what it is , someone, what plug does an RS250/RGV250 take?), and how hard it is to get at the plugs (not usually har don a two stroke). Pull the black cap off each spark plug, and unscrew the plug out of the cylinder head.

Coasting ? Two strokes don't coast. Just run it hard up to the red line through the gears now and then .

EDIT. The reason for not relying on the red light is that, like all lights , it can fail. And bowling merrily along on a two stroke that's run out of oil cos the light doesn't work quickly leads to nasty nasty results (eh, mr Joe). And then you have to get Mr Block and Mr Mallet to pay a visit, which is never pleasant.

[RedGnomos]

Ixion, thanks for the tip. I don't tend to assume anything (unless I have the knowledge of knowing it's a fact). I'll take a fairing off and have a look at it.

Questions
1) How often should the spark plugs be changed?
2) Wouldn't it smoke excessively if I had it oil tank capped right to the top?
3) Unless I have the definition of coasting completely wrong, I take it that when you mean "through the gears now", you mean when I am in gear and not when I am up/down shifting through the gears. As for the definition of coasting, I was told it meant holding the clutch in while "strolling" up to say a set of traffic lights.
4) What about the replacement of piston rings?
5) Anything else I need to know about a 2 stroke?

[Ixion]

1. You can never change two stroke spark plugs too often. But, at least every 5000km, or if you are having any problems with starting, misfiring, low power etc
2.No. There is a pump that meters out the oil. The tank is just a tank. it's exactly the same as your petrol tank. You don't get too much petrol in the engine if the petrol tank is full. Just keep the oil tank as full as possible
3. "strolling up to the lights" with the clutch (lever) in is a very bad habit. Don't do it. Through the gears - just start in first , accelerate briskly to the red line, change to second, accelerate ahrd tot he red line, repeat in third etc until you hit either the speed limit, or whatever speed you feel is your own limit.
4 Piston rings probably need replacing every 25000 km or so. But it depends on how you ride it.
5. They obey no known laws of logic or sanity. It will probably seize and you will have to ask Mr Block and Mr Mallet to come and visit. They sulk, and are as tempramental as a throughbred horse. No sensible person rides one.

EDIT: on reflection it wouyld be a LOT easier to ask another rider to point out the sparkplugs for you !

[RedGnomos]

Cool.

1) I'll change the spark plugs this weekend seeing that I don't know when they were last replaced.

2) Noted. Any advice on the type of oil for a 2 stroke?

3) This is what I don't get. As an example this is what I tend to do. I am in 3rd gear and am approaching a set of lights that is turning red. I slow down using my brakes (not sure if engine braking is applicable to 2 strokes) and drop the gear to 2nd and then to 1st. Hold the clutch in and stroll.

3.1 Out of curiosity, why is holding the clutch in and strolling bad? No one has ever told me it being bad and hence my ignorance. I would however like to be enlightened.

3.2. What would you do in the such a situation as in my example?

PS: It comes across to me that you know a fair amount about bikes. Any possibility of you taking me under your wing? I am keen on learning as much as I can from someone who knows what they are talking about.

[Ixion]

Any reputable full synthetic two stroke oil . NB two strokes use a special two stroke oil, you can't usually get it at the petrol station, go to Supercheap. Go for full synthetic (look for the words on the label). Fuchs Silkolene is good, but so are the others. Motul is also well thought of and TTS.

I'm not clear either on your "strolling". As you approach lights, brake, and change down through the box as the revs drop, fully engaing the clutch on each change. Once in first continue to slow, when nearly stopped pull in the clutch and put your foot down.

Coasting with the clutch pulled in is a bad practice because it makes it harder to manoeuvre if an emergency arises.

Always be in the appropriate gear, ready to accelerate if necessary. Braking on a motorcycle is not the best reation if danger presents, motorcycles are inherently unstable under braking. It is better to use what motorcycles are good at, manoeuvring, to get clear of danger. "Go where the danger is not"

[RedGnomos]

I am using Motul at the moment. Someone did suggest using Castrol TTS. What you just exemplified on dropping the gears and coming to a stop makes so much more sense compared to what others have been telling me. Thanks mate.

1) Any advice on engine braking?
2) Do I need an engine re-build to replace the piston rings?
3) Do I need to change the oil in the sump?
4) Where can I get good but reasonably priced parts for bikes e.g. brake pads, spark plugs, etc?

[Squiggles]

I am using Motul at the moment. Someone did suggest using Castrol TTS. What you just exemplified on dropping the gears and coming to a stop makes so much more sense compared to what others have been telling me. Thanks mate.

1) Any advice on engine braking?
2) Do I need an engine re-build to replace the piston rings?
3) Do I need to change the oil in the sump?
4) Where can I get good but reasonably priced parts for bikes e.g. brake pads, spark plugs, etc?

1) No such thing on a smoker
2) No, heads off (the things the spark plug sticks into) then you'll be looking at the piston in the cylinders, remove cylinder, measure up piston and cylinder, replace rings / pistons also if neccessary (and hone/rebore cylinder if necc)
3) I never did on my rgv, but you're supposed to... is an rs dry clutch?
4) Spark plugs, depending on the type, maybe repco will have em, otherwise its off to the bike shop, Cycletreads have good deals on brake pads (they have a buy two get one free for one of the brands), otherwise i think its like $45/set

Edit: Being watercooled, its a good idea to change the coolant every once in a while