Questions you're too embarrassed to ask

[mstriumph]

i couldnt tell you... still on the tank of gas it came with. Will make sure that i dont use bp though

............ well, if you DO, make sure all the bees are OUTTA there before you close the tank ...............

[jrandom]

I have a question I'm to embarrased to ask so am asking it on an internet forum.

Yes, dude, you should see a doctor about those little red spots.

[McDuck]

I dunno about that. Again, I'm completely inexperienced with bikes, but it's pretty uncommon in the car world to see an engine destroyed by a blown head gasket.

Are you saying that a 20 odd year old bike is going to be worth repairing the engine on?

[Conquiztador]

HI

I have a question I'm to embarrased to ask so am asking it on an internet forum.

My impulse's oil has gone white and milky and it has lost a few horses. It doesnt run so great.

Any advice?

I have a fear of bike shops. I can not take my bike into one. The mechanics either laugh or cry.

Cheers

Whistlers Mother

Grey/milky oil = water in oil.

I suppose this one has water cooling. If that is the case then you have water going in to the motor. Normally as a result of a blown head gasket. That would also explain the loss of umph, as compression is down. Heads need to be taken off, new head gaskets fitted. Possible also have the heads machined as they might have been damaged as a result of the leakage. Sadly jap bikes normally do not allow the heads to be taken off without motor out of frame. So plan for a days job in the workshop. Say minimum $65/h x 8, add gaskets and some other bits and you are getting close to $1K. Or find a friendly KB chap/chapesse who will do the job for less if you don't know someone or have the skills.

Now if this girl does not have water cooling, then rain water is getting in to oil sump (or parhaps neighbours kids have had a pee in the sump...)

[Conquiztador]

Are you saying that a 20 odd year old bike is going to be worth repairing the engine on?

If it can be done cheap, then yes. But to take to the local bike shop will be questionable. I would do the head gaskets for $300 and a JD. Add to that any parts. (And I would not touch the JD before the job was done )

[McDuck]

If it can be done cheap, then yes. But to take to the local bike shop will be questionable. I would do the head gaskets for $300 and a JD. Add to that any parts. (And I would not touch the JD before the job was done )

Yes, and if my kat ever blows itself up i may take advantage of this

[Soul.Trader]

Are you saying that a 20 odd year old bike is going to be worth repairing the engine on?

For someone bike savvy, sure. I've done my own head gaskets on my cars - it's not that big of a job. In fact, I've found that an easy way to make a quick buck is by buying cars with blown head gaskets - for some reason, people think it's the end of the world, and wind up seriously underselling their "wreck". The fact is, (on a car) it's a half day job to change most head gaskets. If the block/head dont need machine work, it's also incredibly cheap, because all you need is the gasket itself, some new oil and some new coolant. And I've found that in most cases, machining is not necessary.

[Gubb]

... Why are they called 'Buckets'?

[McDuck]

For someone bike savvy, sure. I've done my own head gaskets on my cars - it's not that big of a job. In fact, I've found that an easy way to make a quick buck is by buying cars with blown head gaskets - for some reason, people think it's the end of the world, and wind up seriously underselling their "wreck". The fact is, (on a car) it's a half day job to change most head gaskets. If the block/head dont need machine work, it's also incredibly cheap, because all you need is the gasket itself, some new oil and some new coolant. And I've found that in most cases, machining is not necessary.

yes but is sombody who dose not know enough to dignose it going to be able to change it? Not tryig to br harsh (hell i probebly couldnt change a head gasket ither) we need to assume that not everybody can do that sort of work on thair bike. (fark i want my spell check back)

[McDuck]

... Why are they called 'Buckets'?

As in the race? Because it started out as 'bucket of shit' racing because everybody just raced what ever heep of crap they had

[whistlersmother]

Grey/milky oil = water in oil.

I suppose this one has water cooling. If that is the case then you have water going in to the motor. Normally as a result of a blown head gasket. That would also explain the loss of umph, as compression is down. Heads need to be taken off, new head gaskets fitted. Possible also have the heads machined as they might have been damaged as a result of the leakage. Sadly jap bikes normally do not allow the heads to be taken off without motor out of frame. So plan for a days job in the workshop. Say minimum $65/h x 8, add gaskets and some other bits and you are getting close to $1K. Or find a friendly KB chap/chapesse who will do the job for less if you don't know someone or have the skills.

Now if this girl does not have water cooling, then rain water is getting in to oil sump (or parhaps neighbours kids have had a pee in the sump...)

Thanks for the diagnosis, I have the original tool kit and a hammer and a rake.

Will that be adequate tools to do the job?

[Ixion]

No . You will also need a spade and a small pair of tweezers. (note that a shovel is NOT a suitable substitute)

[Conquiztador]

Thanks for the diagnosis, I have the original tool kit and a hammer and a rake.

Will that be adequate tools to do the job?

Hey, if you are gonna do it your self (and based on your postings) the only thing you will need is a spade. I do appreciate humor, but if you consider asking silly questions, in a thread like this, funny, then I would not recommend you to give up your minimum wage day job.

[CookMySock]

is this a dumb question ?

Can I hear a radar detector (mounted near the speedo) at 90-120km/hr ? Anyone done this ? is it useable or do I need an earphone for it ?

I don't ride at high speeds (nads fully burned out) but will admit to rolling into 70k speed limit areas and being a little tardy at getting my speed back quickly. Also I find it amusing monitoring the fuzz while they are working.

TIA,
DB

[Ixion]

I can. Somewhat. At 50 - 70 kph zone speeds I can hear it OK. On the open road, I can hear it, but its not loud enough to attract my attention. Which is of course, necessary. I have a helmet connection too.

But that is on the BMW which is a very quiet bike.

I think you need a helmet cable. Or a screamer.