I've finally replaced the busted piston in my 1996 Aprilia RS250 and got the bike going again.
The first time I ran it, the temperature shot up pretty quickly. Then I realised that it was probably because I had only put coolant in through the radiator cap, and not the hole at the top of the radiator as well, so there was probably some air in cooling system. So I've put coolant in both holes, and now it's running ok, and not overheating rapidly. I would put the fairings back on and take it for a ride, but because I'm not a very experienced mechanic I'm still worried about a few things, and I don't want to take it for a ride and have it sieze up on me:
1. - The bike doesn't seem to be drawing oil. I've connected the oil hose to a measuring cylinder filled with oil, and noted that it doesn't go down very much, if at all.
2. I can hear a tapping sound. It doesn't tap with every revolution, it's a more intermittant tap. I'm not sure exactly where this is coming from. Is it the right cylinder or left, or somewhere else?
3. When I run it a small amount of greasy stuff drops on to the floor. I'm pretty sure that I put the exhaust pipes back on good and tight though.
Apart from those things, it seems to go fine. I even revved it up to 9 or 10,000 rpm and noted that the exhaust actuator valves seemed to be working ok.
Basically, I'm not sure what, if anything, is wrong. I'd really appreciate some thoughtful advice.
Even better, if anyone who has some experience with two-stroke road motorbikes could come round to my place and have a look and point me in the right direction, that would be highly appreciated. I've done all the hard work and put it back together, I would just like someone to take a look. I live in Birkenhead on the North Shore.
Cheers.
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