The "Today I did something to my bike" thread

garlad

Get a spray can of WD-40 DRY PTFE Lube. Had the same issue with my key but this sorted it out.

I think its recommended because it's 'dry', so doesn't attract stuff that could make it worse

Hotblack Desiato

Have an annoying slow puncture (at least the TPMS is good for keeping an eye on it). Slathered the back wheel in soapy water, found nothing.

Anybody tried tyre sealants - Slime etc.? any use? any problems with them?

Esel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119246750#Comment_119246750

Won't work on a leak at the rim or in the sidewall.

Varik

There's expanding foam ones too, but they're usually high pressure cans meant to inflate the tyre too in emergency so not sure how well they last. Pretty sure you also need to know which section of tyre is leaking and have that as the low point.

Personally would use bead sealer on rims first and see how that works.

Hotblack Desiato

Bead sealer? Not heard that term before - got any brand names I should look up?

Varik

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119254220#Comment_119254220

Still working on same tin I bought ages ago so can't compare, whatever's cheaper or handiest to buy

Paint it on both surfaces and then fully fit tyre, it takes ages to dry and looks manky if you just plaster it on so just on the joining surfaces.

Thinkingaboutit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089500#Comment_119089500

Oiled the petrol cap, a little while back, so it seems okay. The petrol isn't going down on days when it's not used. Ethanol is an ever present water absorbing menace (and growing once E10 becomes the rule). One way of helping (I am told) is replacing existing rubber piping with modern piping of a suitable grade. Now that might only be an issue with older (than 2002) bikes, but that is a simpler sort of job (albeit not super simple on the Magna which needs the radiator loosened and moved to access front plugs). Honda Magnas are no bother bikes tho.

flashinthepan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119293239#Comment_119293239

May be possible to replace the seal on the petrol cap or even the petrol cap itself

Or if you had loads of money you could only put super unleaded in it

You know the stuff that is just the old unleaded petrol without the ethanol at an inflated price and a new name :-)

Thinkingaboutit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119294008#Comment_119294008

It seems to be keeping a seal over the past few weeks. Not sure how common super unleaded is nowadays. A number of petrol stations sell a more expensive petrol, but it doesn't appear to be higher octane fuel, but maybe it is.

goblin59

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119293239#Comment_119293239

Old fuel line could dissolve with ethanol and wouldn't be good for the carbs or engine.

just get decent fuel line and Ethanol proof gaskets for the carbs

geotrig

IMG_20220707_212953.jpg

Added some shorty levers

H_Lime

Yay for decreased leverage!

Hotblack Desiato

Never got the point of those. Usually when people end up with short levers after a crash they feel the need to replace them 😁

goblin59

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119325687#Comment_119325687

Theyre nice for off road and trail riding. can keep one or two fingers over them for control.

I'm not bothered on my two road bikes, but I'm tempted for the DR

goblin59

also some knucklegaurds don't fit full lenth levers.

geotrig

yeah was on the fence on them myself and wouldn't think they are suitable to have on all bikes ,it just makes it more comfortable with the bar end mirrors on this bike (mto7) and works for me ,"short" is been generous though as not much between them and the original levers !

blade1

Headed off for a spin and got up the road and noticed I had no back brake.

Back home and bled the system but this had little or no effect.

No sign of leak anywhere.

I then adjusted the push rod in the master cylinder.

This seems to have done the job... for now at least.

Strange one.

H_Lime

Needless to say theres something up there.

Whatya reckon Blade, the crazy heat at the mo and the weird placement of the master right on the engine coupled with hard use cause it boil fluid? Caliper binding any?

Air get into the system?

If i was to take a stab its possible there was residual air in the system what with the mad design of the nipple placement, most rear brakes on our bikes have this. Perhaps with the above it caused it?

Give bleeding a go with the caliper in your hand and sidewaya slightly, it usually burbs out a fat air bubble. Youve prob bled it this way but worth mentioning just in case?

blade1

You could have probably guessed I had the caliper off and bleed nipple above everything else when bleeding.

A prick of a system.

Not sure what was going on tbh.

Lever was bottoming out and no pressure at all.

No sign of air in system and fluid was up to the max line.

A first for me anyway.

Not that the rear brake on these are much good anyway but I alway use it to varying degrees depending on surface etc.

H_Lime

I did say "Youve prob bled it this way but worth mentioning just in case"

Turning it sideways is worth mentioning again. Just. In. Case. Like.

Failing all tgat shyte your seal is gone/going so id say.

Inspect the bore before resealing.

I can lock the rear (if i was inclined) on me capo but yah a scooter rear brake set up if there ever was one.

goblin59

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119353102#Comment_119353102

similar issue at the moment with the R100 rear brake. Took it off the mount, held it so the bleed nipple was the highest point and got more air out, but still not great.

Front brakes are fine.

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119356692#Comment_119356692

Mine are better perfect since I adjusted the push rod in the master cylinder.

I'll be doing a more thorough inspection when I get a chance though as it's probably too good to be true.

blade1

Came out to a leaking fork this morning.

The oul homemade sealmate to the rescue.

Seems to have done the job.

Hotblack Desiato

I've never owned a bike with USD forks, do they tolerate a bit of a weep for a while or do you wake up one morning to a puddle of oil?

That said, when my RWU fork seal blew, the fcukin' thing pissed out most of the oil in one go over a speed bump!

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119438896#Comment_119438896

The usual scenario is if the bike hasn't been used for a while,then when you go for a spin it leaks.

I hadn't ridden the bike in 3 or 4 weeks until Friday.

When I got back on Friday it was probably leaking but didn't notice it until Saturday.

Not a drop out it now after giving it a good testing 😁

lennymc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439665#Comment_119439665

I'm assuming the testing was on a bench and followed the prescribed manner :)

galwaytt

I got my bike to levitate briefly....with some assistance... :)

robbie_63

Bought some ACF50 last week, gave it a go yesterday.

Happy enough with the results it gives the frame, engine a real shine so hopefully will protect it now over the winter as I ride through all seasons

Zebbedee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119503934#Comment_119503934

I find that you have to reapply it after washing and after prolonged driving in heavy rain.

It does work brilliantly of you do that.

robbie_63

Yeah I was wondering that as some ppl say they only apply once a year,

I wouldn't mind redoing it every few weeks as it doesn't take too long to give it a quick spray over the main areas