My first Bandit! And the flat spot

**nzspokes** · 9th July 2011, 07:41

Originally Posted by ducatilover

Some of them had alloy needles, like the early dynojet kits and they can be shagged within 5000km easily

Oh I see. Didnt know that. My history is in car engines and have never come across that.

One thing the OP could do now is just run over all the nuts on and around the carbs to make sure they are snug. Could be that easy. Do the easy stuff first.

**ducatilover** · 9th July 2011, 12:06

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Oh I see. Didnt know that. My history is in car engines and have never come across that.

One thing the OP could do now is just run over all the nuts on and around the carbs to make sure they are snug. Could be that easy. Do the easy stuff first.

Yeah I agree, start simple.

**maggot** · 25th July 2011, 16:55

I guess I should update this with my progress!
We pulled the bike down a weekend or so ago, to see what we could figure out.
Long story short, the bike shop had left a farking filthy air filter in, which we replaced, they replaced my old plugs with colder plugs, which meant it wasn't burning fuel, which we took back to the shop and demanded they replace. Needless to say I'm not going back to the shop in question, the way I see it they did a half assed job and kept telling me to come back so they could clean the carbs, hoping to suck some more money out of me. Anyhow. We cleaned float bowls as best we could and built it all back up again. Got it started, was good and fine, took it out for a spin, was riding really well.

Until earlier this week, when the original problem came back!

I decided to have a crack at it myself, having a free day and feeling ambitious! I noticed a bit of residue on the rubber boot connecting the airbox to number three carb, so I pulled all the plugs to check them. Lo and behold, number three plug was carbon fouled. So onto the carbs I went. Pulled the block off, pulled the floats off, checked float levels which were fine, cleaned the bowls again while I was at it. Was just eye checking other bits and pieces when I heard an odd dropping sound.
Had a look through the piston slides and noticed a needle was missing, in number three carb! Which wasn't missing two minutes ago! So off came the top of two of the carbs, one was the offender, one for comparison. Turns out, the spring seat (little round stepped plastic washer which sits on top of the needle clip) which holds the needle down with the spring was missing! So what was happening was the needle was lifting and not being forced back down by the spring, thus holding the jet open and not shutting it off, causing lots of extra fuel to run into the cylinder and foul the plug!

So basically, I now need a tiny little plastic round washer to replace it with and then hopefully problem solved!

**ducatilover** · 25th July 2011, 17:06

That's a great and inexpensive problem!

Hopefully you have the bugger sorted now.

**maggot** · 25th July 2011, 17:26

Hoping so! Just wanna find the monkey who was messing around in there last time and forget to put all the bits back in and smack him one!

**shonofear** · 14th August 2011, 10:24

interesting read there,
about to purchase my first Bandit 250 (96 model) and just reading general posts/threads about them.
I had a test ride yesterday and felt pretty good throughout the rev/gear ranges but really needed to test on a nice long straight and give it some higher revs.
didnt realise these bikes love to be rev'd that much!!
coming from a VTR 250 (05 model) back in Oz that has more power in the lower revs so its quiet the change, and sound wise as well, not sure what i prefer atm.
anyhoo,
just found out where im currently living the manager of the place used to work on Bandit's and all sorts of motos and really recommended them, and would help do my services/adjustments whenever needed. Champ!
so im sure if you need some more advice, bring her round to where im staying, he'd help fa shizel
sorry for butting in, but hope you got it all sorted now for your bike, maybe i'll see you on the road ? im in Kingsland...
cheerz

**maggot** · 14th August 2011, 11:08

Yeah mate, she's all back together and running really well now. New chain and sprockets too, which is nice! They're pretty slick little bikes imo, though I'm a little biased.
Let us know how you go with yours!

**shonofear** · 14th August 2011, 11:23

well the bike im bidding on is getting a little expensive now...
just hit $2800-
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=395979946
not sure how much i want to pay for it...
other option is for a 2009 model, Ninja for $5300-
or a Hornet 250 (96 model) for $3400-

decisions...

**maggot** · 14th August 2011, 11:30

If the kms are genuine, I'd say it's a bargain at that price. What's the state of everything? Chain, sprockets, pads, tyres? Maintenance history?

**shonofear** · 14th August 2011, 11:45

yea, seems to be ok condition with pretty much everything. was a chick owner who now upgraded to the 600 Bandit, and her husband rides as well so got the oil/filter changes done. forgot to check the pads, but was braking well.
i guess im happy even to get it for $3k, it felt really nice when riding it.

**ducatilover** · 14th August 2011, 11:46

It's worth it and it's black.

**shonofear** · 14th August 2011, 12:01

Originally Posted by ducatilover

It's worth it and it's black.

dis is true.
should have resell value similar to 3k when i leave NZ in summer (Dec) yea?
cheers

**ducatilover** · 14th August 2011, 12:17

Originally Posted by shonofear

dis is true.
should have resell value similar to 3k when i leave NZ in summer (Dec) yea?
cheers

I would expect so if you keep it tidy and receipts of services etc etc

**shonofear** · 14th August 2011, 12:32

yay, and the winner is...... me
geezz i hate the whole anticipation with auctions, gets my nerves all rattled up.
come out to be $3250- 6 month Reg slapped on.
im happy, and dont mind letting it go when i leave for under 3k, at least i will make my moneys worth of it in riding fun times :P
hey question,
i gotta travel from Glenfield to Kingsland and me mate recommended not going on the harbour bridge with these massive winds, should i go the long way around the West coast?
Sorta slightly nervous being my first real highway ride in NZ and on a new, not used to bike.
tips in this weather?
cheerz