overheating problems (again)

[Dave]

good luck,its never a fun thing getting into disputes like this.
If he's an MTA member and it starts getting too much for you, they have a mediation service you can use.

[MrMelon]

Yeah i've documented everything from the start till now, and it definately feels like he's giving me the big shaft.

I'm having a talk to a couple of other mechanics and a lawyer about what to do.

All of the other mechanics seem to think there are a bunch of fairly simple tests that can be done to see whether it is actually a cracked head gasket/barrel/whatever without actually tearing the whole lot apart twice.

Fuckit I need to learn how to fix my own bike.. any tips on where to start learning about 2 stroke repair/maintenance?

[Motu]

Cooling systems can be a mine field - he could have fixed a blown headgasket,but uncovered another problem with the same symtoms,like a cracked barrel,sad,but a common senario.

When I do some work on a badly neglected cooling system I often tell the customer we may have started on a process whereby every part of his cooling system will have to be replaced,and posibly even a head gasket.Makes us look like a bunch of dickheads if it keeps overheating every couple of weeks,but someone has to pay for the previous owners neglect.Often a simple flush job results in a blown headgasket - sorry,but not my fault.

[matthewt]

Originally posted by MrMelon
and it definately feels like he's giving me the big shaft.

Can I ask what shop is doing the work ??

[MrMelon]

Well he's got it apart and looks like the barrels are fine but the base gasket is leaking... so a replacement one's going in and we'll see if that fixes it up.

[MrMelon]

Omg they're fucking hopeless. The base gasket they ordered in is the wrong one AGAIN! and he gave me the option of them keeping the bike in there for another few weeks over xmas when I was going to take it away, or them making up a base gasket which he said "should get the bike back on the road for a little while" But wouldn't tell me how long a little while was.

This shop is a fucking joke.
Do not deal with Richards Motorcycle Services unless your life depends on it.

[Dave]

Someone like RB Imports should be able to get your gaskets here in about 3 days from OZ.http://www.rbimports.com.au/

[curious george]

What about motomail? and do it yourself?
Have a look at www.rgv250.co.uk have some useful guides and links.
Buy a torque wrench if you are gonna do gasket stuff yourself.
If you have a camera, you could post pictures, and the online pannel of experts can help out!!!

[What?]

and do it yourself?
Buy a torque wrench if you are gonna do gasket stuff yourself.

Dead right. Also buy a manual and a ring compression tool (not expensive). Top end work on 2-strokes, even water cooled, is not difficult.

[MrMelon]

There's no english manual for my bike, but The japanese one I've got has some useful diagrams in it.

I'll definately be doing my own work on it next time.

[Dave]

Dead right. Also buy a manual and a ring compression tool (not expensive). Top end work on 2-strokes, even water cooled, is not difficult.

-Might want to save your money on a ring compressor-2 stroke pistons go in from the bottom-so you wouldn't be able to get the tool out if you did use one!

[gpercivl]

I just cut a piece of smooth plastic about 30mm wide and long enough to go 'round the piston from the side of a 2 litre 'coke' bottle or similar. Just wrap it round the piston and rings and tape it together with duct tape. This will then allow the piston to slide up into the cylinder with rings compressed, once all rings are in, just release the duct tape and pull out the plastic...I've done heaps of 4 cylinder (can do all 4 cylinders at once) bikes like this...cheap and easy with materials readily available.

In fact I'll be doing it again this weekend as I ran the big end bearing on #4 cylinder last weekend at Manfeild (due to over-revving )

[MrMelon]

Cheers dave, I've got the bits coming in from RB Imports.. they seem to think they'll arrive on the 23rd, so here's hoping I'll get the bike back for xmas

[What?]

-Might want to save your money on a ring compressor-2 stroke pistons go in from the bottom-so you wouldn't be able to get the tool out if you did use one!

But I have seen one (years ago) which is a metal version of what gpercival describes. Don't own one, though I have always tortured my fingers...

[Kickaha]

Interesting bike the 3XV as it shares a few of the same parts with the V-twin TZ250 GP bike and stuff like barrels and heads are a bolt on fit.

Top end work on these motors is very simple and if anything like the GP bike can be done in the frame,I have seen problems with the water pump impellers and shaft that drives them,but these seem to be fairly rare,but might also be worth checking.