Is it necessary or overkill for me to replace the bottom end bearings on my bike, i have the cases split anyway and the bike has 48k on it but the rods feel great. Free moving with no free play. It's about £100 for a set but i dont want to cause damage by removing the nuts and risking stripped threads or anything like that if i dont have to.

Side note question. Has anyone got any good tips for removing 27 year old original black rubber gaskets from aluminium without causing damage?

Also i...

Hi, i have split the cases today and got a look at the gearbox and have spotted the reason mine was probably stuck in gear. I will upload some pictures and hopefully someone can confirm and also advise me if they would change the oil spray pipe as it looks like it's has a bit of bash.

Also the main sprocket has been welded on loose!!

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Hi, new here.

I would like to start by saying i am rebuilding my 1993 fzr1000 exup, it drinks oil like there's no tomorrow and it is generally poor condition. Most of the tear down is complete and i the cause of the oil consumption is both bad valve seals and worn rings and sleaves. I will be boring out to 1040cc and getting rid of the troublesom exup valve. The forks are leaking and the subframe is rusty. The gearbox is knackered aswell as the fairings so i have my work cut out for me.

I am...

Hi,

I very recently posted about my plan to rebuild my old fzr. The first piece of info I'd like to know is about the rebuild process, the order I'd like to do may not be the most efficient but the total rebuild budget wise will take me 2 years as i plan on upgrading engine internals and suspension components and everything else in between regarded as consumables i.e bearings and stuff.

I have the model with the black painted frame and i want to keep it black as i dont fancy the upkeep of...

Hey. I have a 1991 kawasaki zephyr 750. Im doing a cafe racer project with it and want to extend the swing arm slightly. Does anyone know of a longer swing arm thats bolts into this bike? Any info would be helpful! Thanks

Just a quick one but cant find much info on the subject can you fit tubed tyres to a tubeless rim?

does anyone know why the rev counter rises and falls while the bike is running without revving the bike

For those of us who like a project, but are not mechanically minded or have the tools. Detailing is giving the bike a very thorough clean and I find it therapeutic and the results rather satisfying. This video is by the Car Cleaning Guru, whose videos get hundreds of thousands of views by those obsessed with this fine art.

I would change one thing he does and I would clean the chain last, not first. There is no point cleaning and lubing a chain, to then remove much of the lube with the...

So during last summer I acquired a petrol lawnmower a flymo venturer turbo 420 xl as a possible replacement for my electric one but it could now do with abit of tlc so I hauled it through to the garage and started seeing what I need to do.

So far I know I need a new spark plug and ignition box as the ht lead end is 20200324_150211.jpg 20200324_150324.jpg

There is also a cable for the speed that needs replacement.

Also the carb needs a damned good cleaning as what I took out of the float...

Hi guys and girls, plans are a bit up in the air at the moment for what to do with my bike so i thought rather than clogging up other peoples threads and asking noddy questions, I would keep it all in one place and start a thread on this section.

My bike is a 1998 Yamaha Thundercat and to me is really starting to look 21 years old. I was enjoying it as it left the factory until my missus reversed into it which made me think it was time for a change. Upon joining this forum, my plan was to...

My father's old scooter is Suzuki CS50 Roadie 1982 or 1983 I am not sure because he lost his V5 paper, the reg was no where to be found and which is left in his farm barn since 2006 with 3434 miles on the clock. I want to restoration and to bring back on the road again.

I have stripped it to piece the chassis was quite rusty and is send for blast but the VIN numbers has wear fade and I can't reading is start with 8x7xxx.

So how can I register V5 without VIN and Reg number? How can I explain...

Was wondering if anyone can help, currently rebuilding an 87 MZ ETZ 250 and all has gone well aside from the clutch. The clutch is assembled and fitted and so is the left hand case and its components. However, when I pull the clutch cable and the retaining arm slides out of the worm, it feels as though it is not making contact with the clutch assembly as there is no pressure. Any suggestions would be very helpful as this is the only thing stopping the bike from working 100%!

I'm restoring my customised 1985 Kawasaki KX500 street bike after it being in storage for 23 years.
This is part 1 of what will be a very long series probably lasting quite a few months.

I've almost finished parts 2 and 3 which cover polishing the front caliper and swingarm.

Hi Guys
Got a chance to buy a 1971 ST50 Honda Monkey bike, very good rust free condition, been in owners Garage for over 25 years , Owner still has original green log book, not MOT'd but runs and stops so don't think it will need much ,Genuine 4500 miles

Any Idea of a Value ??

cheers

Dave

Afternoon all,

Having read quite a few project reports on this forum I would like to add my own.
Will be posting the refurb on VJMC Kawasaki technical forum too.

Now that's out of the way here is a potted history of the bike.

Kawasaki Z500 B2 (Firecracker Red) bought new from Bob Fortune M/C Darlington for £1256.00

Out of the crate and rode home on trade plates by me.

First registered August 1st 1980 JAJ601W

Used For general transport and occasional blasts around Croft circuit till my...

Just bought 2 mzs one from 78 and other from 86 .. Any advice from members .one has a mikuni carb conversion ..

Hi guys,
I’ve got a Gilera cougar which I’m repairing before I take it for an MOT however I’m finding it hard to find parts for the bike so I was wondering does anyone on here know of any website where I can get parts. The part which I’m struggling to find is a rear brake light switch/ toggle for the front brake lever.

Hi all, I put away this bike in a shipping container around 2002/3
I rode it a couple of miles and decided to ride it again one day when I passed my test and could ride it legally.
Work and other things came first so it has never seen daylight until this week.
It has a full fairing, twin lights and has done 48500 miles in black paint.
I have stripped off the seat and bodywork and am going to take off the carbs as they are seized and will need cleaning.
I put a battery on yesterday and couldn't...

Hi ,
Im currently restoring a suzuki ts185 1976 .Sherpa
I need a print out of a carboretta ... like a break down ti rebuild it 👍🏻 does anyone know where i can get from .
Ive got two manuals but seem to show diffrent carbs
Any help appriciated .
Thanks
Mick

This puch magnum x running bad - i need adjust or clean carb, what is the screw at the side for and how should it be set?

I have a 76 CB750 F which I am tidying up gradually - had some bits rechromed

I need a new seat - or at least the 2 strips that run along the bottom of the seat
They are Not available from Dave Silver.

I think F1 & F2 Seats are the same

Any other ideas ?
Thanks in anticipation,

Hi,
Advice please about bringing an old bike ( want to restore it) over from Italy. I’ve owned the bike for more than 20years and it was insured and registered in Italy in my name but it’s been stored in my uncle’s garage for the last 15 years. A friend has offered to transport it on the back of their truck. We are not sure what we need to take/have to make sure it gets into the ferry and through customs. I am not travelling with the bike but he will have a letter of permission from me and the...

right so after after a bit of waffling i think i might have come up with an idea for a winter project and beyond and that is a yam 2 stroke twin cafe racer, in 1978 i had a new rd 250e and i have missed it ever since so im on the look out for a frame to start and then probably a race style tank and single seat, i hope to source some used parts off fleabay after the frame i think the important thing will be the motor which will be either be 250 350 or a 400 and then i reckon it will be a saving...

Decided that the standard ET wheel and forks were way too heavy. A friend was selling Fireblade bits for a very good price. They fitted to ET headstock no probs.

I have plans to build a workshop in the garden, but I need to cut down a hedge first. This has meant that my garage is full and there's no room to work in there. This has stalled my 1970 CB350K restoration project. The bike is a unicycle at the moment, so I can't move it.

I spotted a 1973 CB350G in gumtree not that far away that was 'ready for an MoT' and wasn't too expensive. I could see there were a few 'weird' things going on with the bike in the photos, but contacted the seller to arrange...

A few photo's before i get too far ahead :lol:
I don't think she's had a wash or clean since new :shock:

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hello. I have a odd problem with my 1988 suzuki dr125. after a good run around for a bit, and i slow the bike down and downshift to first, the bike will cut out and refuse to kick start. also after this occurs, it struggles to click into gears properly (i found this out as i attempted to put it into second to bump start) and the gearbox just seems very temperamental. so, i wheel the bike back to my shed and leave it for a while, it will start up no problems and drive /run well. could this to be...

Hi I’ve recently purchased a 1984 Honda XL 125R (Front Drum Brake Model) this is my first restoration and I’ve got it to a rolling frame (Swingarm, suspension, Wheels) and I’ve just started on the engine. I wasn’t there when I purchased the bike but was told it had compression and started but was a little boggy so was doing a full engine rebuild build on it but wasn’t sure how to go about it whether I should strip it down in to every piece, label it clean it and reassemble from there or do the...

So I recently bought an xl650v and the rear wheel is unsalvageable. The cost of getting a new rim and spokes are just too high for the worth of the bike. So, I found a pair of nt650v alloys that are in great condition. The nt650v uses the same engine as the xl650v, but the rear wheel is shaft driven and slightly wider.

I really would like these wheels on the bike as it'll be more of a tourer then and less of an adv.

Would the nt650v go onto the xl650v easily and convert nicely to chain...

Hi
i have Suzuki gsx 550 1987.
I need to replace the ignation switch.
Did the ignation switch of gs 500 fit to gsx 550?
Thanks

Hi,

I am new to the forum and joined hoping to get some advice on what sort of 125cc bike would make a good restoration project and learner bike. I have been restoring / building peddle bikes for years and have rebuilt a mini and a Triumph spitfire. I am however entirely new to working on motorbikes.

Any advice on where to start looking and what to look for would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
J

I have restored an old Honda cg125 that has not been used for about 3 years. Everything on it has been cleaned, powder coated and replaced where necessary and it looks a treat. I have got it running but it is very load, way loader than normal and it almost sounds dry or tinny. Engine has not been apart as it was running ok when it was parked up.I have checked oil pressure and it’s all good with fresh oil. It also misfires a bit and I’m wondering if it’s the replacement exhaust I have fitted. It...

Hello all
Iv recently purchased a kymco zing iv rewired it the engine has been rebuilt but I'm now having trouble with the revs as it has none the plug is really wet but can't figure out what's wrong with it please help.

Hello!

I picked up a CB250N Honda Super-dream at the start of the year, with the intention of making it into a summer commuter bike. Here is my progress so far;

Bike details;
I bought the bike of eBay, unseen. It ran okay (ish) but was difficult to start and had been basically sat since 1984. The bike has all the original paperwork which indicates it was bought new from Honda, riden for 10,000 miles, then stored/sold/stored/sold until 2019.

After cleaning and dismantling, I found a few...

hello

i have recently bought my first bike (very new to all this) and all was running well until today when upon shifting from first to second the engine cut out and will no longer start. it will also not bump start, but is turning over. the kick starter has also gone quite slack. bike is 1988 suzuki dr125, any suggestions please.

Hi,
total newbie here, so please be gentle.

My uncle was an enthusiast of old motorbikes. He passed around 4 years ago.
His bikes have been in my very elderly aunts garage since.
I have NOT seen these (tho I knew they existed) but have no idea of condition, or if he had taken some apart to tinker with and they were never reassembled.

She says they are all running, but as I say, I suspect that is unlikely.

The list she gave me (he had written down what he had) is:
rudge 250 special 1937...

I found this on YouTube today . Absolutely inspirational . Start the vid at the beginning .
.

Hi can any advice where to source the following parts
Speedo drive
Clocks
New or used parts
South wales

Morning,

I'm going to see a ZXR750 L1 this weekend. Is there anything bar the usual bike stuff I need to look out for on these bikes? I used to have a J about 25 years ago but it was back when I didn't know what I was doing with bike maintenance, couldn't even ride the thing properly.

Thanks,

Mark

Just bought an Xj900s, low mileage, great condition, 1998, was running ok but rich on 1,2 and 4 carbs.
Took carbs off and found needle assemblies in bits in 1,2 and 4. Reassembled them, clearly need new o rings, but didn’t have any. Put carbs back on bike and now can’t get any fuel through to them. Electric fuel pump isn’t running when cranking engine. Took fuel pump off, rigged up temporary supply and pump runs.
Why am I not getting 12v at the fuel pump? What have I missed? Thanks

Has anyone in the Coventry / Birmingham or West Midlands area got a project bike for me to restore over the winter ? Absolutely anything considered except scooters and Chinese bikes .

the cn/ch 250 honda is a generic part. its wiring is obvious. yellow means stator. each yellow wire is a phase. stator phases get added through the rectifier. red means positive. green must be ground, what elese could it be? what about black. so why does honda use green. it has to do with the golden age of motorcycles.

once upon a time the rec and the reg used to be two different units. the ignition wire to the regulator was black. this is no longer true on any magnito bike except mine. I do...

Got my new winter project sorted . I might invest in a new wire brush before I make a start.

So I’ve finally started looking at this today for an hour or so.

Initial faults identified:

1) steering lock doesn’t actually lock
2) no electrics at all
3) chain and sprockets knackered
4) front brake might need a strip and rebuild.

1 was resolved by tightening the bolts on the underside of the yoke, which needed the front fairing completely off for my hands to get to them.

2 is resolved in that I found some soldering work done on the ignition switch and the main fuse had blown. Swap the...

I'll be racing my GSX1170 again , from about 1000 until 1800ish. Would be nice to see some of you there.

Not had a lot of time this summer to work on the Z as been out riding and doing other summery things but have got some things sorted out.

Among the things I would like to do for myself is media blasting parts. Have recently been given a small not working compressor which I fixed so looking to make good use of it.

Have read a lot about Soda blasting and like the idea for engine internals as the media is soluble in water. I have always had a fear that not all the other blast media will be...