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Thread: Lessons learned the hard way

  1. #1
    Join Date
    10th November 2004 - 19:15
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    2/'79 XR500s, 04 KLX400, 1953CycleMotor
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    Nelson!!
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    375

    Lessons learned the hard way

    >> Dont assume that because the manual says the'Reserve' is 2 litres,, that there is 2 litres left when main is empty......Pushed home

    >> Dont assume that just because you can stretch an 18inch tube onto a 21inch rim, thats it'll also go on a 23inch rim. Another long walk.

    >>Dont try to figure out parts of your bike when miles from anywhere. (Like seeing if the steering lock on the headset works.
    It may lock the steering just fine,, but will it unlock?) Hour and a half frantic key wriggling.

    >>Weetbix travel well,, untill the going gets bumpy. Sludge for breakfast.

    >> Dont forget to put a new master-link in your spares when you change chain/sproks. Luckily Mrs close enough to perform a rescue.No walk!

    Please add your 'DOH!' moments so I dont feel quite so stupid....

  2. #2
    Join Date
    17th July 2003 - 23:37
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    CB1300
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    Tuakau
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    4,796
    Just because the tap is turned to the markings that say reserve doesn't mean it is on reserve.
    Nearly an hours kicking later out of desperation I tried off and sure enough away it went. Kind of fits with your don't try parts on your bike a long way from home, that was the first time using reserve.


    Sent via tapatalk.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    26th May 2005 - 20:09
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    Prolight 250,XR4hundy
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    Murch....
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    Sounds like the long weekend didn't go to plan then ?
    The Heart is the drum keeping time for everyone....

  4. #4
    Join Date
    3rd March 2008 - 11:55
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    86.249 93.398 00.944
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    Adjusted my chain, again, before a 1500k ride, should replace that when I get home.....

    It's a bloody long walk across the waitaki bridge when it gets off.
    Riding cheap crappy old bikes badly since 1987

    Tagorama maps: Transalpers map first 100 tags..................Map of tags 101-200......................Latest map, tag # 201-->

  5. #5
    Join Date
    25th April 2007 - 23:40
    Bike
    the mighty fzr and gsxr
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    central otago
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    1,337
    Quote Originally Posted by Big Dog View Post
    Just because the tap is turned to the markings that say reserve doesn't mean it is on reserve.
    Nearly an hours kicking later out of desperation I tried off and sure enough away it went. Kind of fits with your don't try parts on your bike a long way from home, that was the first time using reserve.


    Sent via tapatalk.
    had the same sort of thing on my fzr750 trying to start it and had gas in the tank but low so put on reserve only to almost wind the battery flat before trying the main mark on tap ( should have realised earlier as the pump was clicking loudly). started straight away. some muppet had put the hoses on the tap the wrong way around.
    winding up stucky since ages ago

  6. #6
    Join Date
    17th July 2003 - 23:37
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    CB1300
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    Tuakau
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    For me the Ring with the marks on it was installed upside down.

    Sent via tapatalk.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    27th July 2012 - 21:38
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    BMW R850RT
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    UK
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    91
    Put your gloves back on before attempting to pull the bike back out of a Hawthorn hedge . . .

  8. #8
    Join Date
    6th February 2006 - 21:45
    Bike
    Predator
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    Taranaki
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    78
    Don't trust an HD fuel guage


    If you have to fix one perished fuel hose, best replace them all

  9. #9
    A 40 year old chain is a 40 year old chain, even if it's been sitting in your shed for 25 years.

    In and out of jobs, running free
    Waging war with society

  10. #10
    Join Date
    14th June 2007 - 22:39
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    If your having a vigorous trail ride with gorse and bushes hemming the trail and your bike starts to run rough, won't idle etc. Check your handle bar mounted choke lever before you get the spanners out.
    Manopausal.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    10th November 2004 - 19:15
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    2/'79 XR500s, 04 KLX400, 1953CycleMotor
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    Nelson!!
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    HaHa,

    Classic! Wish this forum had 'like' button.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    19th January 2013 - 16:56
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    a 400 and a 650 :-)
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    Quote Originally Posted by Motu View Post
    A 40 year old chain is a 40 year old chain, even if it's been sitting in your shed for 25 years.
    Bikes in them days were built of proper steel, not this modern lightweight stuff...

  13. #13
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    24th December 2012 - 21:49
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    Quiet plodder
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    When adding oil, make sure you know how to set the bike up (side/centre stand option)before filling it.
    Then make sure you can see the OIL in the sight glass, not some mystery line, which is actually sticking to the outside.

    Mystery lines wipe off, even if they look like an oil level in certain light conditions.

    Luckily I had already drained the oil and was adding fresh stuff, nothing like doing something twice to get the hang of it.

    READ AND UDESTAND

  14. #14
    Join Date
    24th July 2006 - 11:53
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    KTM 890 Adventure
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    Wgtn
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    5,541
    You know that convention where you put your left food down when stopping, supposedly 'cause you might need the brake but probably not the gear lever?

    Actually dates back to the age of Aquarius, stubbies, Fred Dagg, fondue parties, Blerta, and 32" flared Levis...
    Go soothingly on the grease mud, as there lurks the skid demon

  15. #15
    Join Date
    22nd October 2002 - 11:00
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    Sold
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    Coromandel Town
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    4,407
    Don't assume that new liners will be properly installed in a Tiger 100 by so-called professionals .

    I was a student in the UK at the time and the Tiger 100 was my only form of transport. Had the engine rebuilt and the new liners rotated. The cut-outs for the con-rods did a good job of shaving alloy off the con rods and filling the oilways. You can guess what happened next.

    Got no redress from the dealer but was able to buy a second hand motor for a tenner which was a great option as it was totally reliable (apart from the inevitable oil leaks)! The other photo shows the bike in its entirety (when I was slim and had hair)
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

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