MissBex

Ok so I've taken the Rad cover off for a proper look, It's not looking too pretty... Silly screw I can't undo: http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/011_zpspbtsqk8h.jpg Rad, probs seen better days: http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/009_zpsv3de8js3.jpg Not looking pretty... http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/010_zpsn4egcpq0.jpg

ah Oky doky then, thanks Chris Yeah it's a little bugger of a screw! Someone from the hornetforum has said that it looks like someone has put a bolt in (to hold rad cover & little fairing on) that's too long and punctured the rad, then tried to bodge the hole with plastic metal! I would imagine this means I'd need a new rad? Would it still be ok to ride? (must have been like this unnoticed for a while now) Won't have the money for the service or for a fix till 3 weeks time

Hi chris, the cap wont turn at all as far as I could see until the locking screw is out of it. I tried and tried with several sized screwdrivers and it just wont budge, even tried a little wd40 type stuff on it but no joy

Just a little update, I just noticed there some coolant that looks like it run down onto the metal part that the crash bung goes onto, just under where the rad cap is. So i've taken off the little fairing that was covering it to have a proper look. I'm trying to get the rad cap off but I can't seem to budge that little screw holding it on :/ http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/008_zps6vyxa42h.jpg EDIT: This is looking like a culprit... looks to have had something done to it before as well from the looks of the hard white stuff that's under the rad cover? http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/007_zpsvipf1xb3.jpg

hehe

Funny you should say that, I thought that too so I did try with a torch and still couldn't see anything, probs too sunny out or maybe the torch wasn't bright enough or something.

Oh Brill Yeah, just looked it up. It's these ones: http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel ... g-cr9ehix9 All good then for now. Will keep an eye on it. Happy bunny

This is a relief to me, I was worried all last night thinking it could be something really sinister from all the reading up I've been doing - So HOPEFULLY that's the culprit. I'll just keep an eye on it then The previous owner worked in a parts shop and he told me (And i've got the receipt) that he's put all new NGK iridium spark plugs in it not long ago - so I'd assume they'll be ok still?

It's from Wheels in Peterborough, they said I could wait in their comfy waiting room but I wonder if they would let me watch.. I think they are a very busy place. I read in my service manual that I have that apparently the oil drain should be done on the side side which is handy for in future. I really only want to get it properly done this one time then try and do it myself in future. I'm just a little worried about the cost if they find anything else that needs doing as I don't have much - but as I say, they said they wouldn't carry anything out without my say. So I might just go for it...

Ok, so I've got the side off and looking at the bottle from the top/side you can see it a little and confirm with a little wiggle of the bike. Here's a pic from the front: http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/001_zpsmtlqbooy.jpg I found the markings which were underneath.. but I couldn't see where the coolant level was at all. When I wiggled the bike again, I could see it high up on the corner of the bottle, which I image in above the upper line.. however I held the bike up and asked my brother t have a look and he couldn't see the level either. (As useful as a chocolate teapot.) http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/007_zps0qlxuvbi.jpg Whilst I had the side off I thought I might as well have a look at the air filter. Looked clean: http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/012_zps0migptex.jpg

Hey all, wow thanks for all the replies and info! I cleaned and lubed the chain with wurth dry chain lube when I first got the bike (Sept last year) and relubed after washing a few times over winter as I occasionally took it out to keep it running, however I had to do it by rolling the bike back and forwards as I don't have a rear/abba stand for it yet. I tried to do it as best I could - It's never looked 'wet' with oil which I assume is because of the stuff I was using was dry - but when I took it for it's MOT the guy said the chain was quite dry and needed lubing - which he did for me and now looks more oily. He told me it was a bit 'tight' but with the new lube on it might help it out. (rereading this, could be taken the wrong way! haha) I checked the alignment notches after they did the split valves for the MOT and it seems good, the noise was happening before it's MOT. The guy did say to me though, that the brakes could do with a service. Also, thinking about it, when I roll it out the garage in the morning, it does kind of sound rubby then and sometimes makes a squealy noise too, so I'm thinking it's the brakes. I think I'd be just about competent enough to work out doing the oil and filter, I think it's an easy job from what I've seen on videos and reading the book, but I don't think I'd want to touch the brakes. I know I'd mess something up. But yeah, I do have a whole new set of EBC pads waiting for it and they calipers could probably do with being cleaned up inside. I think you have to remove the tank for spark plugs right? :S Wouldn't be keen on doing that myself as a newbie. The service price I was quoted was £150 and that includes oil & filter, brake service (Which they said they would put my pads in if I brought them along), spark plug inspection and a "26 point visual health check". They told me they would not carry out any additional work without consulting me first. I will go and have a proper look at the coolant level in a bit and see if I can take the rad cap off and have a look at that. (Apparently I've been told there's a sneaky screw holding it on?) I haven't noticed the bike overheating, when riding along the country national roads etc.. It says cool and then if I'm stopped for a while in traffic the temp gauge does go up and then the fan kicks in. It also does it if it's left to idle for a while and I hear the fan come on and off.

Well, when it happened the first time, I googled it and saw something about if there is too much coolant - check the reservoir (Which is under my seat) so I had a quick look, (Was really sunny and couldn't see where the upper/lower markers were at the time but I need to have a proper look. I gave the bike a wiggle and saw it in there - didn't look to high or too low. I will have another look tomorrow. Both times I've noticed it happen have both been on pretty warm days - but that might not have any relevance. Edit: I found the picture on my phone that I took the first time it happened. (I think I had moved the bike back slightly before I took the pic.) It kind of comes out bright green in a puddle and then spreads out and fizzles away to leave this patch on the floor. When it happened today, it didn't spill as much and the patch wasn't as big. http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/bexyboo88/Bikes/https25253A25252F25252Flh3.googleusercontent.com25252FFe4T-acami99g2ctWrJllb15OWpeWGAm8mtV9gBuE1o25253Ds0-d_zpsaiav9wz8.jpg

Heya, Thanks for the reply, It's been happening for quite a while but I'm sure it's getting louder. It had it's MoT last month and the bike shop said my chain was a little 'tight' but should be ok. He did say however that the brakes could do with a service, thinking about it - so I think that they might be the culprit. I've got all brand new ebc pads ready but I want to get it done all at once with oil, filter, spark plug check etc.. properly by a bike shop this first time round since I've had her, and maybe they can give me info on the coolant thing too. £150-£200 for the service, so I might just cough up and get it done.

Heya all, wondering if anyone could give any insight on a couple of things going on with my hornet. Firstly, what would cause a rubbing/scuffing type noise that gets faster/slower with the bikes speed, kind of like a "chka-chka-chka" noise, is that makes sense. Perhaps something to do with chain or pads? Secondly, it's the 2nd time I've noticed it do this now, but today after a 30-40 min ride, I stop off at a shop and a green fluid (Guessing coolant?) starts to come out of the bike at the bottom near the gear shifter/sidestand area. It pours out a little puddle and then thats it. It did the same thing the other day aswell. I rode it around the car park a few time and no more comes out. I ride it home and don't notice any more coming out. I never see any in the garage when it's been sitting in there. So I don't think it's a constant leak. Any ideas guys? Thanks in advance

Big Congratulations! I knew you would get there in the end! Best of luck with the Mod 2

CONGRATS Kc9400

Well Done, Congratulations!! Best of luck for the Mod 2.

Congratulations!! I also came off the bike when I was on my lessons doing a right turn after getting straight back on it after a 3 week gap from my first big bike lesson. Dropped the revs I think and it just tipped over. haha. Luckily I didn't end up under it, I kind of just stepped off and tried to lay it down slowly to try and save the footpeg, but it broke anyway lol Bike shopping for you know then? RS!

Aww Shirl, Sorry to hear that :( Keep your chin up, keep determined, you know you can do it! Are you finding yourself looking at that cone you want to swerve around?

Yea, no restriction to just twist & go's if you take CBT on one, as others have said. I'd already been driving for 6 years when I went to do my CBT and training last year, but what I did do was book a free 1 hour session through Get On with the school which I found really great. It was just me and the instructor and it was my first time on a 125 geared bike. I found it really helpful and gave me a bit of a head start in training and control before doing the CBT which was with 3 other people (who all did it on scooters).

ooo glad you were ok, and at least it didn't put you off and you still want to carry on! Everyone makes mistake (The training bike I was on had it's fair share of drops from me ) It's annoying having to wait a while for the tests but at least it's not to long, I was going to have to wait 5 weeks for my Mod 2 retest, but luckily a cancellation slot came up within 2 weeks. Best of luck to you!

Best of luck with the theory and Mod 1 Fin!

Not long now then till your on 2 wheels! Not sure how much you already know, but always worth going through and getting to know the road rules, signs etc... before the CBT. I know when I did mine, there were 2 young lads doing theirs as well and the insturctor wasn't very impressed when he asked them questions about that stuff and they didn't have a clue :/ Have fun with the CBT and picking a bike And I agree, get a Jap bike if you can!

Really sorry to hear about the Mod1 fails, it's a horrible test I think - easy to pass but so easy to fail with one little mistake. I wasn't no stranger when it came to taking Mod 1's either. Took me 4 goes: First Attempt: Didn't feel too nervous, in my mind I was very worried about the u-turn as this is what I most struggled with in lessons. I thought I had a 50/50 chance to pass or fail. Went in, was quite windy and was asked if I wanted to continue. I'm here now so might as well. Did all the slow maneuvers fine and did a good u-turn. Found myself relieved. Controlled stop was fine, then comes the E-stop. Not had any issues before with it, went through at 50km and pushed too much on the rear brake. Back wheel locked, skidded about a bit. Instant fail. The retest was booked for almost 3 weeks later so booked an extra days lesson in at to practice at the test centre again where I worked on Estop over and over as well as all the other things to make sure I could do them right. Second Attempt: A tiny bit more nervous than the first time but nothing major. Went in, did all the slow maneuvers well including the U-turn again. Kept thinking to myself to hardly even touch the back brake at all on Estop. Came round the bend, accelerated, started slowing down, stopped... Examiner stood where he was for a minute looking at me, the cones, his speed reading machine thing, his clipboard. Walked over to me and said, "I'm sorry but it's a fail" I was so sad and asked why. He said I hadn't stopped soon enough for the speed I was going - which was 49km. Didn't get another attempt or a chance at the swerve. Test 2 over. Third Attempt: Did the slow maneuvers, was a little slow and wobbly with a high rev on the slalom and figure of 8 this time. Rode around to the examiner when he signaled me over but I didn't realise he wanted me to go around a cone he was standing next to on the other side to the side I was riding at, so made a quick swerve around it missing it by about a cm! Stopped ready for the slow ride, did my observations, went to pull off and stalled! Sat for a few seconds and thought to myself, 'omg Is that a fail!?' Examiner came over and said, "don't worry, that's not a fail"... Pheeeww - Big sigh of relief. Did slow ride and stopped ready for uturn. He explained it to me and then I sat for a min and I was shaking and so nervous. I said to him "I just need a minute, I'm really nervous" And he said to take my time theres no rush. Deep breaths, looked at what I needed to do, Obvs and started the uturn... Too slow, Too nervous, Foot down. Examiner comes over and says "Now that IS a fail". Gutted. He asked if I wanted to continue the test and I said yes. I proceeded to do everything else perfectly. Estop & Swerve were great and did them both at 52km. Fourth Attempt: Passed - Only a minor for 2kph under on the swerve. Something that I think helped me on the 4th attempt was in the couple of hours we had riding around before the test, I asked to practice U-turn's so I was more confident doing them again right before my test, fresh in my mind. Perhaps if you have some time before your next test, ask your instructor to specifically practice anything you feel you need to refresh. What also helped was being calm. I get nervous and worried quite easily. The difference on the fourth attempt was that I had a different instructor take me to the test centre. Now I'm not saying the other instructor who took me the other times wasn't good, but the one who took me the 4th time actually sat in the little office room with me where we waited for the examiner to come through the door - rather than staying in the waiting room area - and he talked to me. Just general conversation really, and it was great, really settled me down. The last thing I would say that helped me was to keep saying to myself and everyone else who asked about trying again, was "As long as I've got the funds to do it, I'll keep trying till I pass." I was so determined to pass, even after each knockback. I'd spent so much money, time and effort into it and I wanted a bike so badly. I felt saying this to myself, rather than "I'll do it this time!" got rid of any self expectations. So hopefully you might get some good advice somewhere out of this, or if not at least passed some time Don't give up, and don't try to over-think anything too much. Take your time, deep breaths and just know that you'll get there in the end! Best of luck, Take care Bex - x -

Best of luck!