Hornet/General Biking Questions

**AllanB** · 26th July 2008, 19:31

Yep the WOF is meant to be visible - debatable on the word visible - mines tucked in by the left muffler - if you crouch on the right side of the bike and look over the rear wheel it is clearly visible

You can purchase a plastic WOF holder at any bike shop, repco etc for under $5 and bolt this somewhere visible.

PS - you sure you have enough fuel in that bike?

**KelvinAng** · 26th July 2008, 19:38

Oh, mine surely is visible... once you take the key and pop open the seat, it's clearly there in plain view

The bike's had a full tank couple of days ago and had since done just 100km. There should be more than half tank left! But you're right, she's exhibiting similar symptoms from the time she went dry, ie the engine coughs but doesn't start. Suspected bad spark plugs but then again I know nothing so it could be anything. Could it also be gas not going in properly or something? I'm gonna do that shake 'n' start dance routine tomorrow and see if she swings that way.

**imw-hornet** · 29th July 2008, 19:49

Hi KelvinAng,
Just been going over your messages and it sounds like a mates bike, (his is a GN ,, shame ha ha) anyway we tried a few things and it turned out to be the HT leads , maybe give them a checking and clean , hope you get it running ASAP , cheers

**meatface** · 30th July 2008, 11:32

Hey Kelvin,

Did you get this bike from Motorcycle Direct Imports? i was looking at a silver one from there too but obviously didn't get it!

**KelvinAng** · 30th July 2008, 15:17

Originally Posted by imw-hornet

Hi KelvinAng,
Just been going over your messages and it sounds like a mates bike, (his is a GN ,, shame ha ha) anyway we tried a few things and it turned out to be the HT leads , maybe give them a checking and clean , hope you get it running ASAP , cheers

Hey there, thanks for that tip. She's been sitting pretty for the past week waiting to be revived by someone who knows more than me. I'm afraid to meddle too much with it really... given my current bad luck with bikes (see my posts on my scooter) I thought it's best to leave it to the professionals. The importer is going to give her a look-over (there is a three-month warranty tagged to the bike) later today. I've originally got a workshop check for her scheduled tomorrow but will have to postpone it until she comes back on.

Originally Posted by meatface

Hey Kelvin,

Did you get this bike from Motorcycle Direct Imports? i was looking at a silver one from there too but obviously didn't get it!

Hey meatface, yeah I got her from there. Saw the listing on Trade Me, called up the shop to ask if she's still available then and he said yes, so I went down to give her a test-ride. Unfortunately I dropped her when I got back to the shop. That was embarrassing... By this time I don't really have a choice but to buy her I suppose. A good thing I like Hornets, otherwise it'll be a sting (pardon the pun). It has a suspiciously low Ks however. I asked Costa (the shop owner) if he thinks it's true Ks and he just smiled... saying that the engine should still be good from his inspection. I guess you can never tell for sure as with these imported bikes.

**imw-hornet** · 30th July 2008, 15:47

Hey there
Well i hope that it nothing serious and you can get back on ASAP

Keep us updated

Cheers

**KelvinAng** · 30th July 2008, 19:39

Everything seems to point to the spark plugs... my flatmate was saying a good clean would bring her back to life. Costa reckons it's the spark plug too from what I told him on the phone. Hope that's just it...

**KelvinAng** · 30th July 2008, 21:52

Update: Costa came by at 9pm, tried to start the bike but it wouldn't go. He said, "it almost went, didn't it?" and I agree... I've been saying that all along, ie the bike sounds like it wanted to start but somehow couldn't, as if there's no gas in it (but there's at least half a tank, and the switch is at "reserve").

Then we tried bump starting. He's on the bike, my flatmate and I pushing the bike. It wouldn't start either. The bike just coughs and coughs but still no go.

He brought the bike back for further examination tomorrow. Here's hoping a change or clean of spark plugs is all it needs.

**imw-hornet** · 31st July 2008, 08:18

$h1t ,,,, I have just remembered that when I was looking around for mine , a guy was looking at another Hornet and was in the process of trying to start it , and before the sales guy could say anything to him , he had proceeded to start it with full choke and hand full of gas ,,,,, ending up in the sales man trying to start it for about 5 min and then having to change the plugs (due to them being fouled ),,, eventually getting the bike fired up ,so I am sure that you will get buzzing tonight , good luck and cheers

**KelvinAng** · 31st July 2008, 11:15

Originally Posted by imw-hornet

$h1t ,,,, I have just remembered that when I was looking around for mine , a guy was looking at another Hornet and was in the process of trying to start it , and before the sales guy could say anything to him , he had proceeded to start it with full choke and hand full of gas ,,,,, ending up in the sales man trying to start it for about 5 min and then having to change the plugs (due to them being fouled ),,, eventually getting the bike fired up ,so I am sure that you will get buzzing tonight , good luck and cheers

That is probably what has happened to me! In all my n00biness I tend to start the bike with full choke just because it was easier (but just a tiny bit of gas on the throttle). But on that cold, wet fateful morning I suppose all that few failed starts + gas with the choke on full fouled the plugs.

Just got a call from Costa. The bike's alive again! Changed the plugs to NGK Iridium and was charged an hour's labour, totally $136. Ouch. I'm wondering what the importer's warranty actually covers? I can understand they do not cover user errors but... what exactly constitute a "manufacturer fault" in this case? I suppose if the engine suddenly blows up on me, that could be argued a user error too?

Anyway I'm still gonna give her a good workshop service look-over (I was quoted somewhere in the region of $220), get the bulb changed (my bicycle's LED blinker is brighter so that says quite a bit!) and start keeping service records proper (the bike came with no records and no manual, just one key, the vehicle sales agreement and the toolkit under seat).

**imw-hornet** · 31st July 2008, 11:30

Yea - Ha

I have used the choke twice on my bike when i forst got it , now she starts no problem , in the morning i need to keep the revs up a bit for about 30seconds and then i can let it idel while i get kitted up and push it out and am good to go , still taking it easy for about a km.
I would like to know the what difference the NGK Irdium plugs make , gas and performance. I dont think this little head scratching will be coverd under the warranty , But as someone told me " at least you know that its done " thanks again Gijoe

and about the full workshop service , maybe just do the oil and oil filter your self (it is nat as hard as i thought it would be) and check your air filter (on the side)(how many km has it done)and if after that it is not running sweet as , then take it in, could save you $$$

About the Bulb , yep i have read a few posts on this point and would like to find out about it aswell (Hint)
About only getting one key

I got 2 with mine the other one is for the gas tank and seat .

Anyway give it a good welcome back ride ha ha

**NOMIS** · 31st July 2008, 11:36

I start my bike every morning in the cold with choke on full untill i hear it 'overreving" then flick it off, warm straight away. never stalled once, stalls if i dont use it.

**breakaway** · 31st July 2008, 13:06

Also a 'failed start' can totally fuck your bike up, making consequent starts difficult. So learn the easiest way to start it, and stick with it. Whenever I've changed bikes I've aways had issues with starting them up. There's a trick to starting every bike.

**KelvinAng** · 31st July 2008, 13:55

Originally Posted by imw-hornet

Yea - Ha

I would like to know the what difference the NGK Irdium plugs make , gas and performance. I dont think this little head scratching will be coverd under the warranty , But as someone told me " at least you know that its done " thanks again Gijoe

and about the full workshop service , maybe just do the oil and oil filter your self (it is nat as hard as i thought it would be) and check your air filter (on the side)(how many km has it done)and if after that it is not running sweet as , then take it in, could save you $$$

About the Bulb , yep i have read a few posts on this point and would like to find out about it aswell (Hint)
About only getting one key

I got 2 with mine the other one is for the gas tank and seat .

Anyway give it a good welcome back ride ha ha

I will, once the weather clears up a bit! Guess who was the one who recommends that I get NGK Iridium (and BP Ultimate?)

What did you read about the bulb for Hornet?

Originally Posted by breakaway

Also a 'failed start' can totally fuck your bike up, making consequent starts difficult. So learn the easiest way to start it, and stick with it. Whenever I've changed bikes I've aways had issues with starting them up. There's a trick to starting every bike.

Actually that's what I do... full choke, start with a tiny bit of throttle. Starts first time, everytime, except on that cold wet fateful morning. But yes I will look for a less "dangerous" way to start the bike and stick to that!