General biker questions?

[Stevo]

I always think that if I fall off NO PROTECTIVE GEAR will stop the breaking of my bones but will save numerous stitches and skin grafts!!!!
Aren't I the optimist!

[inlinefour]

I always think that if I fall off NO PROTECTIVE GEAR will stop the breaking of my bones but will save numerous stitches and skin grafts!!!!
Aren't I the optimist!

It sucks. I've been about 8 years since my last good dose, but I can still clearly remember the pain. I'll not be riding without my gear ever, ever again

[What?]

...the CG110 and enrichment should not be used in the same sentince. In fact I never have heard of a CG being used on the road at all away from a farm...

I think you are thinking of the CT110, Honda. The CG is a road bike with a manually operated clutch.
And no, it does not have an accelerator pump; few small bikes do. If it is bogging down when you open the throttle (esp in lower gears) it is either running rich (easy fix) or the ignition timing is out of whack (also an easy fix)

[TygerTung]

Yeah I think it need a bit of a tune up!

I've got a gas analyser, so I can check the mixture with that, about what air fuel ratio is recomended?

How do you set the timing in these things? they don't have a dizzy to spin around!

[Will]

[QUOTE=TygerTung]I just got my first motorbike a couple of days ago, and I have a few questions about riding...


Welcome.

I see that everyone is helping you out. You will find that the norm with bikers.

We will gladly offer our opinions to help.

I wear a Shoei Syncrotec. I am not a racer and this model lets me socialize because it is a flip full face. Also lets me yell abuse at cages very clearly and succinctly as in they can read my lips!

I have a set of Draggin Jeans but only wear them on short around town rides. Otherwise I wear synthetic pants because of all the armour and the winter lining that you can remove. I know that it is hot now but never under estimate the cold. Have heard of a biker dropping dead from hyperthermia.

About the bike. I wouldn't wast too much time and effort on it. You probably wont have it for very long before you want something bigger.

Safe riding out there. Keep the shiney side up and the rubber to the road.

[White trash]

In fact I never have heard of a CG being used on the road at all away from a farm...

Well now you've heard of two.

I got a big block though. 125cc of raw power!

[Krayy]

...
Leathers are better tight, as it makes you slide, rather than grip and flip you over...

Now this is some handy information that I never knew. Have some rep 2Smoker. Anyone got any info on whether the same applies to cordura?

[merv]

Whether your gears are straight cut or not is not the issue here because the motorbike gearboxes are constant mesh gears. The point is that to engage which gears are driving the bike the selectors move the gears sideways and engage dog clutches. While dog clutches do engage reasonably OK without the clutch, my advice would be use the clutch when you can anyway. Why put undue strain on for no reason. In a racing situation, or when you are hanging on for grim death, sure snick it though without the clutch, the rest of the time why bother. Racing dudes consider the cost/benefit of maintenance versus speed so that they don't care so much about longevity.

Your carburettor will have a simple slide and needle valve and no accelerator pump, but usually the old Hondas ran beautifully unless you twisted the throttle so quick that it bogged it and if you are riding like that you are basically flapping your arms like wings and not riding smoothly anyway. You should be easing the throttle on as the revs build so the motor has a chance to pull cleanly anyway i.e don't pull it onto full throttle just off idle if the bike is hardly moving, build the revs a bit more first. Chances are your engine is getting worn, the advance retard mechanism on the ignition may be getting buggered, and the carb may need cleaning or the float level resetting. You'll just have to work through things one thing at a time to make sure they are all OK.

[Krayy]

...You should be easing the throttle on as the revs build so the motor has a chance to pull cleanly anyway i.e don't pull it onto full throttle just off idel if the bike is hardly moving, build the revs a bit more first...

Or as Mr Miyagi would say, "Roll on, roll off, Daniel-san"

[Slim]

Welcome to the mad house. Leave your sanity at the door & you should fit right in around here.


Buy the best gear you can afford & upgrade it when you can afford better. Get yourself a second-hand leather jacket, some Draggin' jeans, and decent boots (your ankles are very vulnerable remember), oh, and gloves.

Remember that when you're buying a helmet, a proper fit is part of its safety features. If it's too loose, then it won't be able to do its job properly if you crash. Also remember that any major discomforts when you try the helmet on could become major pains after an hour of riding (I find some helmets create pressure points across my forehead - instant headache material). Check this out for some good tips & hints: http://www.cmgonline.com/accessories...ing/index.html Again, buy the best that you can afford & upgrade when you can. How much is your head worth????


Krayy - I haven't got any info, but in my mind, armoured cordura gear is no good if it's so loose that the armour's going to shift as soon as you hit the deck & not actually protect what it was designed to protect. It's leather all the way for me, and always has been.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Yeah I think it need a bit of a tune up!

I've got a gas analyser, so I can check the mixture with that, about what air fuel ratio is recomended?

How do you set the timing in these things? they don't have a dizzy to spin around!

Get the manual.... It'll only cost you $50 max and it is worth it.

There is no pump, but the Honda CB250RS has one, dunno if the carb system would fit....

Timing is normally by taking off the rocker cover and shuffling the camchain round so that your marks on the cam gear line up with the head, the T mark is in line on the end of the crank, and the camshaft has the lobes pointing up.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Now this is some handy information that I never knew. Have some rep 2Smoker. Anyone got any info on whether the same applies to cordura?

Probably similar, however cordura is normally designed to be "one crash only" as I understand it, as it tears far easier than leather. Apparently outer pockets are Bad Things on Cordura gear

[XP@]

for the riding gear look at "spool" pants and jacket, about the cheepest on the market and lots of good rep. (lots of big pockets and keeps you dry)

For your helmet, as the others say plus try one from all manufacturers. All head shapes are different and different makes have different shapes.

On getting her to run right...
If you bought her from a shop then ask them to sort it otherwise...
remember the rule "if it ain't broken don't fix it". then apply the rule "simplest / cheepest first". eg bogging down when opening the throttle is rich or timing problem, start with the finding out which it is... warm her up, make sure the choke is off (this makes her run rich) hold a white rag about 3 inches away from the back of the exhaust pipe and blip the throttle, if it is black then you are probably running rich. Poor airfilter maintinence can cause running rich (not enough air passing the muck). So clean / get a new airfilter, if that dosent work then you need a manual or repair shop...

[TygerTung]

I have some very comfy leather safety boots, would those work sweet as riding boots?

How do you turn on the choke? I couldn't really see one?

Nah, I brought it second hand for $300, and it came with a 1967 suzuki T200, but thats dereg, only good for parts really, maybe I could put the motor in a kart?

I noticed the gloves were quite dear, about $100, is this the usual price, or can you get them cheaper, I guess it's worth it if you crash though....

After about 6 months or so, and I feel it's time to move up to a bigger bike, what would you recomend? I sort of like the un-faired style of bike though....

Cheers for all your help everyone!

[Two Smoker]

You can get some nice gloves for about $40-$60....

Next bike unfaired.. Look at the VT250, Honda VTR250 or Yamaha Zeal, Kawasaki ZR250...... Heaps of choice, with about 35-40hp and good for 160kmh....