The MotorBike Forum

A little background, perhaps. In 2010 I purchased a 1994 CB250 for £430, hated it for a bit but grew to respect it because I couldn't break it. Fast forward to 2017 and I'm using it to go to work and tours, culminating in a frankly ludicrous trip to the bottom of Spain:

By the time I got back the poor thing had 93000 miles under its spindly wheels but I was more in love with it than ever. Sadly it wasn't in the best of health, having a broken frame and some ovalled mounting holes in the...

Hi all!

This is my first post here, pleased to meet you all.

I'm after a bit of advice. I'm a bit of an amateur mechanic and have come into an old Yamaha XJ650 that has spent some years out in the weather here in Wellington, New Zealand.

As a result, the engine and rear drum brake housing are pretty extensively oxidised. I understand this will never be returned to it's former glory, but I'm wondering if anyone has encountered this before and how you went about remedying the problem to make...

I did try some home plating a lot of years back with Vinegar and Epsom salts with poor results. So I drop off all my parts to the platers.

Having read a few bit and bobs on the net I am now going to see what results i can get for little to no layout.

Yes I know you can get a plating kit but would like to try a few experiments with what I have already.

I used to use 1.5V AA batteries (HP7 in my day) a large margarine tub and solid copper wire, had some zinc plates of unknown purity. What I...

Anybody got any experience with this stuff?

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and happy to join what seems to be a lively and friendly community.
I currently have a Honda CG ES model 2008 which I have ridden for a few years now. I wanted initially to turn it into a Cafe racer style motorbike, but I realised that my model has the square frame which rises high at the back, rather than the tubular kind that seem to lend themselves to the cafe racer look.
I'm still pretty keen on the idea of making my bike more my own, changing a few things on it...

Thought id start a project post on my ZX6R.

I brought her as a (Badly) started streetfighter. I'll keep this post updated with pics and issues :)

If anyone has any information on these bikes or streetfighters in general feel free to share.

So far ive changed the front wheel bearings and steering head bearings.
Set up the suspension back to standard (the front forks had completely different settings) and the rear compression was set to hard as F***
Re-routed the ramair
New chain and sprokets...

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...

I've been working on a TS50x bought as a project for my 16 year old son at the beginning of August. We haven't done a nut and bolt restoration but any parts that required work have either been refurbished or replaced with new or good secondhand.
The bike was originally yellow, with blue frame and seat and gold rims, but a previous owner had sprayed all the panels and tank black.
I've managed to return all the panels to their original yellow using plastic safe paint remover and have stripped...

As the title suggests, I'm part way through a resto/project on my old CG125. It's been sat in the garage for quite some time after I previously had it made road worthy..however it had since broken again and needed a top end rebuild.

I'll post what I've done so far when I have some extra time, but for the moment here is the starting images.

First, let's get this garage tidy and give you a look at the starting point!!

Cheers

:popcorn:

Just a few pictures of my z440 ltd which I'm changing into a scrambler

Finally got rid of my little steering divet totally changed the low speed handling.
Old ones (pic) were worn,rusted and wet :shock:

Hi guys, newbie here seeking advice from more experienced people.

Just did my CBT yesterday and took a trip up to London today excited to buy a Honda CBF125. A total bargain. Maybe even too good to be true... 2011 bike with 4000 miles on the clock, 12 months MOT with two small advisories, no visible rust, white, £925. Sweet.

Took it for a quick test drive around the block and it seemed to be great to me. Obviously I've been riding motorbikes for one day, so I didn't know to check all the...

Saw this yesterday parked outside a pub on the outskirts of Cov.
Looks like it’s in regular use.
Strangely I quite liked it.
323388B7-E3C5-4678-9E76-BD640362254E.jpeg

Hi I need a bit of help I've just been given an old recked cg125 1986 model that I want to restore I'm looking for a cylinder head and I've located one (second hand) but the seller is saying it's off a 6 volt bike and mines a 12 volt what difference if any is there ? Thanks in advance

I got a frame a couple of weeks ago but I'm not too sure as to who manufactured it, I was thinking possibly Matchless/AJS because there’s a tank bracket/fitting which is pretty typical of them but I’m not certain. It's a bolt on hardtail section and the front frame doesn’t split into two. From what I can decipher the numbers on the downtube, which would be directly under the saddle, read 23 then directly below that is 82/18462. The frame is fairly small, probably capable of fitting a 250 or so...

Hi all,
Thanks for looking, I’ve recently bought a 1992 gs 125 hoping to get it back running. Was sold as intermittent starter and previous owner could only get to start on full choke, but so far it has started for a second or two then died and not started again.
I have been racking my brains with what I believe it could be but I’m no mechanic so hoping for some wisdom from you wise peoples 👍
So far I have done the following:

Cleaned carb removed all jets and checked float and all look brand...

What a fantastic day with Richard Board on the Dynabike dyno at Moto Works, Sittingbourne. Previous highest rwbhp was 113 with 36mm EFE carbs and pod filters. I had convinced myself that previous popping and flames out of the V_H were caused by dodgy wiring and ignition. Think I sorted that, so I begged Richard to lend me his RS 36 flatslides and pod filters. Different bike. Still, er, interesting at low revs, but above 5000 it was fuelling perfectly. Best run was 118rwbhp, the best ever. Then...

Hi new to the forum. I have an old XJ600 with a damaged frame so am thinking of chopping it and building a bobber. Been doing some research on the style of fuel tank and would like to know if anyone has experience of fitting different tanks, it would appear that the XJ650 Maxim has the same frame and fittings. Also if anyone knows of a frame for an XJ600 1997-8 era with a V5 or complete bike but basket case in the south east for sale. Thanks in advance for any help on this.

Has anyone on here bought any of the widely available non OE ignition switches and had any problems? The reason I ask is that I've had several supplied for my sons 1989 TS50X and they've all had the same fault, in that with the key in position C they don't illuminate the oil or neutral lamps. On checking with a meter using the wiring diagram they have no continuity between the orange and red wire terminals in position C or IGN meaning the oil lamp will never illuminate.

hi all....ive got a bike with straight thru pipes and there way too loud...
the problem i have is there both bent about 3 inch from the end..so ill have problems fitting a baffle in..
so what i was thinking is making baffles with 22mm copper pipe....and bending them to fit around the bend...
that way i might get a baffle 7inch long....
anybody think of a better idea...is copper pipe ok to use...
if i was in america it wouldnt be a problem cos ive seen baffles over there which are flexible made...

Hey guys,

I've just got a £400 Honda CD250U as a fixer-upper, and I'm pretty happy with it so far, although it's now got a weird noise that seems to be getting worse. It sounds like a wire or something metallic tapping on the underneath of the fuel tank intermittently mostly when accelerating, although I can't see loose wire, and it's not regular enough to be something loose. It's like a cross between a tapping, scraping and clicking if that makes any sense? Also can hear it if I take a speed...

Hi there.

I’m looking to learn about motorbike maintenance, building and mechanics. Just wondered if anyone had advice on where I could do this in the Greater London area without my having to pay huge amounts to do a course?

There is YouTube and self teaching methods of course, but ideally I’d like to work together with someone else / with other people.

Wondering if anyone might need or like an apprentice or an extra pair of hands in their garage on an ad hoc basis?

Really keen. Make...

hi all...i need to make a wheel spacer for a project im doing....
i was thinking of using aluminium tube and cutting using a mitre block....
looking online at tubing and they all state outside diameter...i want 25mm id so thats confusing me...
if i find a tube with 28mm od and a 3mm wall with that give me the 25mm id i need...
or should i find an engineering shop to make them for me....
cheers all

My 16 year old son is looking to get a scooter, but since he'll probably want to upgrade as soon as he's 17 I've advised getting a cheap second-hand one. A work colleague has an old Y reg Gilera Runner that has 1600 miles on the clock, and has been sat in his garage unused for 15 years. I offered to pick it up and take it to a garage, and if it can be got running and MOTd affordably, to give him £100 for it, if it can't then I'll just scrap it.

What kind of work would likely be needed it on...

If anyone can help i would be grateful for any 1986 honda cbx750f parts. Specialy tank and fairing. Many thanks

Me old chap just acquired this , CBR 400rr nc23 tri arm, been sitting in a garage for about 10 years I think ,he couldn’t get a spark turned out to be kill switch needed taking apart and cleaning and petrol tap was leaking done now and runs sweet .
Cracking little bike will clean up nice ... I’m going to have to borrow it once he’s finished it :D

Hi everyone,
I'm completely new to forum posting but I have read many whilst restoring my 1978 Yamaha .
Up until yesterday the bike ran and had no trouble at all other than it ran a bit sluggish. I decided to clean out the carburettor, air filter and fuel tank to sort the issue. I noticed when taking the bike apart that a wire had come loose from a 2.4kOhm resistor under the handlebars which must have been disconnected months so I reattached this. Once I had completely cleaned everything and...

sprocket.jpg

so this is a 16 and i want bigger...probebly 17 will go in without any other adjustment...
looked on ebay and all the er500 gpz and ex are differant....they have 2 holes for a retainer to be fitted...
any ideas....this might also help with ageing my engine...
its not in a standard er frame its a custom built bike....
cheers all

I need a full clutch kit for my Suzuki bandit 1200 1999. Can someone please send me in the right direction with a link to a not mega expensive clutch kit. Thanks

I have a 1983 Honda CG125. It's just had it's MOT and I've done about 300 miles with no issues in the last 4 weeks. Yesterday it just cut out - I thought perhaps it needed to go onto reserve but it usually splutters for a while beforehand and this didn't happen. I switched to reserve and it started - filled up with petrol 2 miles later. All was well until it just cut out when I stopped at a roundabout - I then had trouble starting it again (kick start). Had to fiddle around with the choke but...

hi all...i need some clutch plates and springs for my er5 chop but not sure what age my engine is
engine markinngs
KH1
NUMBER EX500AE260749
any idea what year or how to find out
cheers all

Hi guys,

First of all im sorry for my english. English is not my native language. I just buy old scrap engine for my cg project. It only have 4 gear. The problem that i had is the engine doesnt have the gear limit ( i dont know what this thing call). If i shift gear up after gear number 4 it will go to neutral then if i shift gear up again it will goes back to gear number 1. Do you guys know what is the problem? Thank you

Does anyone know if its possible to get a key for the steering lock on a 1976 model ? I know it wont prevent theft , i use other locks, but it would be nice to have the option to use it. Ignition key too big, doesn’t fit. TIA

Hello i am new here and looking for some help finding a registration number

I have recently dug out my grandad's old suzuki FR50 moped and have been working on it to get it on the road. Its pretty much ready with new tyres, sprockets ect. although there is one problem, HALF THE NUMBER PLATE IS SNAPPED OFF! (picture below). I dont have any of the old log books or anything either so im pretty much stuck at the moment.

The bike is one of the later 80s models.

I have found the VIN number....

Spoke to a guy at a classic bike show today who’s suggested i should use super unleaded petrol with an additive to make the peteol more like a 4 star leaded type petrol. He says this is because the engines were made to run on leaded petrol and long term use of unleaded could damage the carbs.
What kind of additive would you guys suggest or any other advice you may have would be welcome.

Hi,I'm new to the forum.My name is Rich and I'm the proud owner of a lovely old 1993 Honda cb 750 f2 n .Just one of the loveliest bikes I've had .
The story so far.
Had bike about six years .Started sticking in gear the other day,so dropped her into where I have it moted to see what they thought .Got years ticket mot as was due anyway at the time .
They said needed new clutch ,so said go ahead .
Got phone call about week later,not clutch ,transmission ,will cost about £1000 to split her etc ....

hi all.just bought a er500 engined chop and it runs like crap....i know cvcarbs dont like pod air filters and im looking into that.
the first thing i want to know is can i get rid of some pipework.
theres pipes coming from the carbs thru a small filter like tube and up into the head area...theres another pair going nowhere....
theres one going from the rad to the bottom of the carbs via a valve...possibly non return...
can i get rid of any of these....i had a ccm ages ago and we would remove...

Hi all,

I'm looking for a rear shock for my 1989 XR 600
Current one is potentially unsalvageable. Spring heavily degraded etc.

I'm at a bit of a loss being new to all this.

Will something else fit?
Is it possible to upgrade?

Any help appreciated,

Jim

About to venture into my first project;

A little 125cc bobber build.

I’m looking for a little advice on which bike I should start off with, extremely exciting times and I want to learn more.

HONDA REBEL 125
YAMAHA VIRAGO 125
HONDA SHADOW 125
AJS 125
SUZUKI GZ 125
GILERA COUGAR 125
SUZUKI MARAUDER 125
SUZUKI VL 125 INTRUDER

What would you recommend?
Easiest hardtail etc?

I don’t have the craziest amount to spend but long terms projects are worth it. Thank you in advance everyone.

Hi Everyone, I am very new to motorbikes, and I am currently trying to get my Dad's old Honda XL125 1982 in running order so I can learn to ride, however, the engine is making a strange sound when applying the throttle. It idles fine and starts like champion. I took it to a garage and they said they would need to take the engine apart, however they weren't sure and I didn't want to spend the money they were asking for. Was wondering if anyone on here would be able to help me narrow down my...

Hi ive recently bought a 1998 Cb500. Unfortunately it wouldnt fit through my gate, so i raised the handlebars by 30mm which in turn put too much tension on the clutch cable. Ive adjusted the clutch cable right off and re-routed it, but there is still too much tension on it as there is no free play. All i need is for the cable to be an inch longer and it would be fine. Ive looked online and all i can find is standard cables. Has anyone experienced this before? Does anyone know of any slightly...

Like peeling the layers away of a bad onion (1994 Triumph Trophy) I found evidence that the Clutch Release (slave) cylinder has sprung a leak.
Having disassembled it with the intention of replacing the seal, I have found a witness mark within the cylinder created by the bike being unused for 3 years (see photo) I can hardly feel it with my finger nail, would a quick wipe round with 1200 grit wet and dry to remove it be ok or am I looking at a complete (expensive) replacement?

P.S. if you ever...

Aight so new rider here, my grandfather gave me his old 1972 Suzuki T500 and I wanted to restore it and let it be my intro to driving on two wheels just as it was for my mother and grandfather.

Unfortunately I don't posses hardly any motorcycle knowledge (I can and have worked on mine, my families, and buddies cars, just not bikes)

The main issues I am presented with are:
The petcock does not deliver enough fuel to the carbs even after cleaning (I have to prime it then it'll die moments...

Hello I'm a new member just like to say hi to everyone I'm building a cafe racer and would like some comments on a paint job I own a body repair shop so price for the paintwork isn't a problem

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