What did you do to your bike today?

[Simon Davey]

@S-WesterlyNice to hear of a dealer taking responsibility/ownership. 

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

2 hours ago, S-Westerly said:

Well a mixed bag of a day. No problem with the cooling system so a win there. Couldn't get it ready until lunchtime today so instead of leaving at 0900 and having an interesting ride north it will be 0400 tomorrow and a thrash up the motorway. Loss here.

Next loss is there is a problem but according to Guzzi rep its a minor issue and bike will be good for the summer. However to fix the issue is a major dismantle of the engine so a big job (warranty). Frasers, who have been very good, have proposed I drop the bike in to them prior to my going back to sea and they'll then sort it out while I am away. Sounds a reasonable plan to me. Not entirely sure what the issue is other than it involves an oil mist (?). Oil levels are fine. As its under warranty if the whole thing blows up it's covered anyway so I'll enjoy - with caution.

It takes the shine off the new bike - glad to hear the dealers are taking it seriously. 

[Hoggs]

What did I do? 

traded it in pick up the new one next week! @JRH I'll call you tomorrow when we're back from Sandringham Pageant of Motoring (oooh fancy!)

[Simon Davey]

Exciting times @Hoggs

[bonio]

1 hour ago, Hoggs said:

What did I do? 

traded it in pick up the new one next week! 

Clickbait. And I've fallen for it...

What you are getting @Hoggs?

I meant to say, what Kwak are you getting? 

[Hoggs]

4 minutes ago, bonio said:

Clickbait. And I've fallen for it...

What you are getting @Hoggs?

I meant to say, what Kwak are you getting? 

it's not a Kwak! I've gone rogue! I'll post it up tomorrow after I've spoken to Hoggfather

 

[V650]

Fitted A new spotlight switch to the CB500X that i got some months ago  as it looked more OEM than the alixpress handlebar switch

took longer than I expected to dismantle the front fairings to get the dash surround off to install the new switch 

Blew a fuse as forgot to disconnect the battery  

Used the spare fuse and all back working now 

 

[Hoggs]

Anyone have this as my new bike??

Omg I didn't want to go back on the test ride (they let me out by myself too!!) it's so much fun. The lightness and feel of a 125 with the zoomy zooms of an 800cc

[S-Westerly]

Looks good. What is it?

[Hoggs]

Just now, S-Westerly said:

Looks good. What is it?

Ducati Scrambler

[S-Westerly]

Just now, Hoggs said:

Ducati Scrambler

Ooh nice! Supposedly a really fun bike to throw around. Looks good too. No hideous visible cat either.

[bonio]

Nope, I'd never have guessed. What a great bike. Looks amazing. Bet it's a blast to ride too.

You anywhere near Old Buckenham @Hoggs? Send me a message if you ever go along to the Tuesday night bash there; it'd be worth the journey to hear one in real life.

[Simon Davey]

1 hour ago, Hoggs said:

Anyone have this as my new bike??

Omg I didn't want to go back on the test ride (they let me out by myself too!!) it's so much fun. The lightness and feel of a 125 with the zoomy zooms of an 800cc

 

That's so unfair, I want one! 

 

Congratulations, this week is going to drag.. 

[Hoggs]

19 minutes ago, bonio said:

Nope, I'd never have guessed. What a great bike. Looks amazing. Bet it's a blast to ride too.

You anywhere near Old Buckenham @Hoggs? Send me a message if you ever go along to the Tuesday night bash there; it'd be worth the journey to hear one in real life.

I'm apparently around an hour away! never heard of it but will look into that! 

[Hoggs]

16 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

 

That's so unfair, I want one! 

 

Congratulations, this week is going to drag.. 

get one they're fun do it do it

[Tinkicker]

Finally got around to fitting a CHT gauge to the DT175mx.  Best looking and easiest way without making a permanent alteration to the bike was to simply cable tie it to the clutch cable where it is supported by the handlebar and chest protector.

High temp alarm is set to a conservative 196C (385F) so a bit of headroom to account for gauge lag.  Apparently it flashes red when max temp is exceeded and the temp numbers flash also.  Danger point is around 225C (440 - 450F) .  Would not want to be going much above that.

It will be nice to know how hot she runs at various throttle positions.  Since I fitted the genuine #130 main as per UK spec, I must admit the plug is a very nice dark tan colour.

The gauge unit has no means to be switched off which is odd, but at least the CR2032 battery is easily replaced and the temp reading seems accurate as when I first activated it in the living room, it agreed with the heating thermostat readout.

Hopefully no more blown pistons.

[Hoggs]

Brought it home (bonus veg patch in background)

[Simon Davey]

Great looking machine, glorious shiny red bits. 

Congratulations 

[Tinkicker]

Three bikes..

 

1. Taxed VFR750 so it is officially back on the road.  Shakedown ride tomorrow.

 

2. Took DT175 for a 30 mile ride to observe the CHT on the new gauge. Outside air temp 16C.

 

Around the towns and villages at 30 mph ish.. 4th gear and maybe 3500 rpm she was running steady at 155 - 160C.

Open road, wide open throttle or close to it, the max I saw was 185C with average around upper 170s.  A nice bit below the danger zone.

 

Only thing is the cylinder head is a fair chunk of metal.  It takes a good while to heat and a good while to cool.  Even with the gauge you have to bear in mind that the piston will heat quicker and run far hotter than the gauge would suggest.

 

Now I can use the throttle without fear of blowing the piston, I am pleased with the way she is running.  Crisp in the lower gears, but a tad over geared in 6th.  I am thinking of putting her back on stock gearing.  Now I am not afraid to let her rev, I think she will be much happier overall and with a higher top speed.

 

Took little yeller out on the same route over 30 miles.  By far her longest run so far.  I had a big grin on my face the whole way round the route. 

What a lot of fun that bike is.  Lovely crisp and free revving motor, fair chunk of power for its size and can be thrown about like a bicycle.  I hit 55mph once, but she must have been at or very close to redlining, she is far happier at 45mph, and maybe 50 at a pinch.

She is so small that 40mph feels like 80mph.

 

So 60 two stroke powered miles today.  Have not done that many two stroke miles in one day for over 40 years.

 

Both bikes behaved impeccably.

 

Little yeller.  Tiny bike with a big heart.

Edited June 1, 2024 by Tinkicker

[Simon Davey]

10 minutes ago, Tinkicker said:

Three bikes..

 

1. Taxed VFR750 so it is officially back on the road.  Shakedown ride tomorrow.

 

2. Took DT175 for a 30 mile ride to observe the CHT on the new gauge. Outside air temp 16C.

 

Around the towns and villages at 30 mph ish.. 4th gear and maybe 3500 rpm she was running steady at 155 - 160C.

Open road, wide open throttle or close to it, the max I saw was 185C with average around upper 170s.  A nice bit below the danger zone.

 

Only thing is the cylinder head is a fair chunk of metal.  It takes a good while to heat and a good while to cool.  Even with the gauge you have to bear in mind that the piston will heat quicker and run far hotter than the gauge would suggest.

 

Now I can use the throttle without fear of blowing the piston, I am pleased with the way she is running.  Crisp in the lower gears, but a tad over geared in 6th.  I am thinking of putting her back on stock gearing.  Now I am not afraid to let her rev, I think she will be much happier overall and with a higher top speed.

 

Took little yeller out on the same route over 30 miles.  By far her longest run so far.  I had a big grin on my face the whole way round the route. 

What a lot of fun that bike is.  Lovely crisp and free revving motor, fair chunk of power for its size and can be thrown about like a bicycle.  I hit 55mph once, but she must have been at or very close to redlining, she is far happier at 45mph, and maybe 50 at a pinch.

She is so small that 40mph feels like 80mph.

 

So 60 two stroke powered miles today.  Have not done that many two stroke miles in one day for over 40 years.

 

Both bikes behaved impeccably.

 

Having followed the restorations, that's so good to read. 

 

[Mickly]

3 hours ago, Hoggs said:

Brought it home (bonus veg patch in background)

The ‘New Bike Grin’ is one of those things that can never be over estimated

[veracocha]

I pointed my bike toward the gate that takes us to the open roads in the morning. It's taken nearly a week for my new drive to be completed and I couldn't get her over the rubble and new tarmac until tomorrow. Roll on the morning sun.

[Tinkicker]

Took to the road on the VFR this morning with some trepidation.

 

I know I have two venerable old bikes running perfectly.  To have three running perfectly is unknown.  Always some niggle that needs working out.

 

So kitted up, got her out of the shed and running.  Gave her a bit of a warm up as VFRs are notoriously cold blooded.  A minute later and she was answering sharp blips of the throttle without bogging and time to open all the gates to get out of Fort Knox.

 

Out on the road, through the village at 30mph and 3000 rpm and no problems.  Reached the country lanes, opened the taps a little..

Hard misfire and popping through the exhaust at 5500 rpm.  It cleared at 7000 rpm.  Aha that must have cleared it

Changed up a couple if gears and loaded her up.  Hard misfire around 5500 rpm and popping back through the exhaust.

 

Dammit, a plug starting to fail, probably because of all the abuse they suffered under the blowlamp when drying the stale fuel off them.  I resolved to take the next left turn back to village and order some plugs.

 

Left turn looming ahead and misfire felt a bit better than before.  Do I go home or continue on to the next village?

 

I resolved to continue.  The misfire gradually went away over the next two miles and by the time I got to the next village, it was gone completely.  Lovely silky smooth engine at all throttle openings and rpms.  Must have been fouling due to all the crap they endured during the winter.  This winter, I am draining the fuel and carbs and putting in a couple of litres of Aspen fuel in with a splash of two stroke oil in, just to keep things "wet"and corrosion proof. 

I will never trust pump fuel and those carbs ever again over the winter layup.

 

Enjoyed a 40 or so mile ride on her, filled her up.with fresh Esso 99 premium and as ever on the first ride of the season, marvelled at just how good she is at everything.  Of course, chassis being fully rebuilt, she feels like a brand new bike, which she pretty much is.

A moment of consternation at the petrol station.  Ignition on, pressed the starter button and nothing.  What the hell?

Five seconds of panic ensued until I noticed that I had inadvertantly knocked off the kill switch. Switch back to run and  "ah thank God". It cranked and ran.

 

Turned off the A19 and onto a long straight leading back to the village.  Opened her up in first and at 7000 rpm, the front wheel lifted and hovered 6" above the road in that delightful way VFRs do.  Second gear, 7000 rpm, sit back on the seat, and up she came again, floating 6" above the road.  Very satisfying.

 

Shakedown ride over.  I have four days to work, then a week off.  I hope the weather is good.  The missus and I plan to do some trips out on her this holiday.

 

Resting after an eventful shakedown ride.  In my opinion there is no finer bike ever made, it just does everything so well (apart from two up, long distance touring) but then I am a tad biased.

 

[geofferz]

Pcp ended so I sold it. New bike shopping time. 

 

Also hey hoggs! Been a while no? 

[Hairsy]

On 01/06/2024 at 14:47, Tinkicker said:

Only thing is the cylinder head is a fair chunk of metal.  It takes a good while to heat and a good while to cool.  Even with the gauge you have to bear in mind that the piston will heat quicker and run far hotter than the gauge would suggest.

 

Not sure whether this is practical or helpful but, earlier in life, I flew paramotors competitively. In the early days I flew 2 strokes and overheating was alway a bit of a concern although I never actually had a problem. You're of course absolutely right about the CHT being a late warning so some people would use EGT warnings as a proxy for, potentially, rising CHT. The downside of EGT was that the sensor was more of a pain to fit (and introduced a permanent hole). The CHT sensors were just mounted on the thread of the spark plug - is that what you're using?

 

Having said all that, your readings suggest that you probably haven't got an issue so perhaps unnecessary in your case.