How Do Rings Bed In?

[imdying]

Yeah, some do... a 2 stroke GP bike might blow up after 200kms, so naturally you're not gonna run it in for 1500kms

It's not really a biggy, after a few hundred kms you can give a bike plenty of stick, and as most bikes have plenty of poke in the midrange, its not like the waiting period is the end of the world

It is insignificant enough that I would not let if affect your next bike purchase, just get the one that makes you happiest.

[007XX]

Thanks Imdying...I guess I was just trying to ascertain if there was to be a hard fast rule on how long you should allow for any bike.

But I guess I'll just have to make sure I ask at time of purchase, for whatever bike I purchase in the future.

As you said, no biggie, but I do like to know these things.

[Ixion]

..

Now, back on topic...does the "bedding in" time vary from bike to bike? For example: would a Vtwin take longer than a normal in line four?

Reason I ask: still doing research for potencial next bike.

Dunno about bike to bike but the bedding in time certainly varies from chick to chick.

[imdying]

But I guess I'll just have to make sure I ask at time of purchase, for whatever bike I purchase in the future.

NZ is full of monkeys, just read the little book they give you with the bike

[chanceyy]

ahhh I guess i should have read this thread a few weeks ago ... Betsy has new rings installed .. As i had not ridden for a month .. took it a bit quietly anyhow .. so prob ran about 400 ks pretty quietly ... now back to giving her the good ole two stroke thrash .... or should i still be taking it quietly with her ????

yeah another female jumping in on male discussion ..

bling to motu as well - that was classic

[007XX]

Dunno about bike to bike but the bedding in time certainly varies from chick to chick.

Must resist temptation to be strumpet...Gggnnnnnn! Ixion, you sadistic bugger you!

NZ is full of monkeys, just read the little book they give you with the bike

Good suggestion...I have had more than my fair share of problems with mechanics, hence the fact I'm trying to learn more...It's really pissing me off as they must see me coming a mile away with "rip her off" written on my forehead!

[vifferman]

So, when someone says that the bike runs better after the running in period, is that because the bore has now become smooth(er) and is offering less resistance to the rings?

Partially. It's bit like the losing of virginity for the bike: all the tightly-fitting things in the engine become a bit less tight. This includes the piston and ring clearances to the bores increasing slightly, and plain bearings elsewhere in the engine also becoming fractionally less tight fitting. All those slight bits of drag add up, so when the engine 'loosens up', there's less resistance to things turning or going up and down or back and forth.

[007XX]

Partially. It's bit like the losing of virginity for the bike: all the tightly-fitting things in the engine become a bit less tight. This includes the piston and ring clearances to the bores increasing slightly, and plain bearings elsewhere in the engine also becoming fractionally less tight fitting. All those slight bits of drag add up, so when the engine 'loosens up', there's less resistance to things turning or going up and down or back and forth.

That makes sense...so apart for driving within a certain range of revs only, is there anything else one has to do to help with the loosening up?

And if anyone mentions KY jelly, I'll get ...I'm trying to be serious here people!

[chanceyy]

Good suggestion...I have had more than my fair share of problems with mechanics, hence the fact I'm trying to learn more...It's really pissing me off as they must see me coming a mile away with "rip her off" written on my forehead!

ohh goodie so I am not the only one .. it really really farks me off... ok must step off soap box now ..

[007XX]

ohh goodie so I am not the only one .. it really really farks me off... ok must step off soap box now ..

Don't get me started...I feel your pain.

[imdying]

That makes sense...so apart for driving within a certain range of revs only, is there anything else one has to do to help with the loosening up?

I hear KY helps....

[007XX]

I hear KY helps....

You're lucky you ride an SV... That is your only salvation at this point

[vifferman]

That makes sense...so apart for driving within a certain range of revs only, is there anything else one has to do to help with the loosening up?

The two main things are to not labour the engine (too high a gear or too low revs for the speed) and not thrash it too much. Also it's not recommended that synthetic oil is used (hence KY jelly is out) until the engine's "a bit more experienced". Worm on the street is that this is because the synthetic erl is a bit short on detergent properties.

Modern engines are (by and large) made to pretty exacting tolerances. In the Olde Dayes, there were all sorts of daggy little bits in the engine that needed to be worn off, so a special "running in" oil was used, and this was discarded after a few hundred leagues. Nowadays, the oil is still changed after the first 600-1000km, but as far as I know it's just ornery oil.

[imdying]

You're lucky you ride an SV... That is your only salvation at this point

You should try an RGV, makes the SV1k look positively boring to ride

[007XX]

The two main things are to not labour the engine (too high a gear or too low revs for the speed) and not thrash it too much.

Thanks Vifferman, I know I can always count on you for knowledge...

You should try an RGV, makes the SV1k look positively boring to ride

But...but...it ain't got the "doof, doof"...I am (and probably always will be) a Vtwin girl.
And a SV1K boring???? wash your mouth with soap, young man