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Author Topic: Yikes the missus bike flies!!  (Read 15052 times)

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Rampage1967

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #25 on: October 25, 2009, 11:15:51 PM »
I had a GS450L when I was a teenager. Lets just say that 450cc air cooled two valve twin with a 6 speed trans had no right to go like that. The bike was a cruiser with mini ape hanger type bars right from the factory too.
(can you say sleeper??)

That little 450 went like stink. I never lost a race to anything smaller than a 750.
I'll never forget the day I had the front end 2 feet off the ground while I spun the rear tire. ( I was a crazy rider then)
Or the fact that the factory redline on the bike was 10,500rpm, but, after the pods & rejetting it quit pulling at 12,000rpm!!  ;D
The pods were done to repair a torched airbox from a cold start backfire on a sub freezing day. The bike would barely run without the airbox. It was very restrictive.   ::)
It saw 12,000rpm every day a couple times & never complained about it either. That engine just whined on the top end of the rev range.

Unfortunately, in a fit of stupidity I traded it off. :'(
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Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #26 on: October 26, 2009, 12:03:51 PM »
You describe my partner's GSX400L well. ;D
It has a few minor faults I will have to sort out, it is a cold #$%* to start and needs to be left on PRIME when running or it starves, also the original airbox was empty when we got the bike so I made up an air filter using an oil wetted foam block.
Maybe my home made air filter has something to do with the starting/running issues?
The bars it came with were believe it or not CB350F bars so we changed those out for a new set but they aren't working out too well either for her so I've just scored a set of Motoguzzi mini apes which hopefully will sort that.
As for keeping up with this little gixer I'm betting if I put my son on it and we match raced against my CB650 he would win!
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #27 on: October 26, 2009, 08:03:27 PM »
Found a set of "crash-bars" on Trade-me for $10, Jaffa dearly wants a set and being quite old looking they should suit the bike nicely. :)
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Rampage1967

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #28 on: October 26, 2009, 08:51:56 PM »
Quote from: Hush on October 26, 2009, 12:03:51 PM
You describe my partner's GSX400L well. ;D
It has a few minor faults I will have to sort out, it is a cold #$%* to start and needs to be left on PRIME when running or it starves, also the original airbox was empty when we got the bike so I made up an air filter using an oil wetted foam block.
Maybe my home made air filter has something to do with the starting/running issues?

I would highly advise either putting in a stock filter or richenning up the jetting. Those bikes were jetted very lean from the factory & will not tolerate any changes without re-jetting.
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Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #29 on: October 26, 2009, 11:06:06 PM »
Hmm I hear you but "stock" air filters for 1982 GSX400L's are impossible to find, they were made of foam rubber and when I first opened up the filter box there was just some scraps of disintergrating rubber.
Pods might be easier to source, though the bike does go extremely well as it is.
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Green550F

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #30 on: October 27, 2009, 07:13:12 PM »
I used to have a red GS450E. Sportier than the L series. I think the "X" denoted an additional oil cooling for the engine? GS=Air, GSX=Air&oil, GSXR=Water cooled?

Anyway... It's the only bike I really regret selling. It was traded up for a GS650 shaft drive. Which turned out to be a heavy pig in comparison.  Missing the old 450 is why I built my 350 cafe! (never try to replace a bike, always try to improve on one you like!)
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Rampage1967

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #31 on: October 27, 2009, 08:17:20 PM »
Quote from: Hush on October 26, 2009, 11:06:06 PM
Hmm I hear you but "stock" air filters for 1982 GSX400L's are impossible to find, they were made of foam rubber and when I first opened up the filter box there was just some scraps of disintergrating rubber.
Pods might be easier to source, though the bike does go extremely well as it is.

Pods & a re-jet job will make it fly even higher. :o
My memory from my 450 was that the jet kit for it had new pilot & main jets along with new needles.
I seem to remember drilling the orifices in the bottom of the vacuum pistons too (probably to 1/8).
It has been nearly 20 years ago though.

I could be wrong, but I bet one size up on the pilots, one or two shim washers under the needles & a size or two up on the main jets will do wonders for that bikes drivability & power.
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Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #32 on: October 28, 2009, 03:42:53 PM »
Found these on TRADE-ME and think with a clean up and maybe some extra holes they will fit the 400.
With all the extra loot I'm spending on this little GSX I better keep it for a few decades! ;D
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #33 on: November 04, 2009, 09:56:41 PM »
Well the Moto-guzi handle bars fitted nicely, still waiting for the crashbars to arrive.
So we took the Suzuki out for a run, went great and looked good.
Strange squeaking sound on acceleration after a few miles, had me thinking it was running a bearing somewhere but became apparent it was the new rear brakes!
Took the whole back wheel off "again" and found nothing amiss except that the rear drum has some pretty deep gouge marks in it and these are cutting into the new shoes, not sure why this would cause that squealing sound and brakes appear to be releasing OK.
Did a sandpaper hone job on the drum to smooth out some of those ridges and put it all back together.
November 15th is D day as we need to have Jaffa's bike 100% for the toy run. :)
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #34 on: November 05, 2009, 10:23:18 PM »
Well we hit the road twice today, the engine overheating I detected yesterday and the very hot rear brake drum turned out to be some form of expansion by the new brake shoes?
So cured all that and no more high pitched squeal from the 400, we had two great rides today with no problems, gassed up and went again.
Jaffa is getting the hang of her "pocket rocket", still a bit un steady on cornering but to be fair the bike has new tires front and back so probably feels a bit slippery.
We found a deserted back road and had a drag race, she beat me easy but the 650 was just starting to hit top gear when we ran out of road, in a fit of envy I put the siren on her ha ha ;D
Anyhow here are a few photos of the bikes getting around finally, wish I could get some shots of her riding.
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline scunny

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #35 on: November 06, 2009, 01:30:41 AM »
counter steer to learn how a bike corners.
GOD DAMN HUSH.. don't let that wee bike beat you
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Offline Dawdlin Dog

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #36 on: November 06, 2009, 09:15:58 AM »
Quote from: Green550F on October 27, 2009, 07:13:12 PM
I used to have a red GS450E. Sportier than the L series. I think the "X" denoted an additional oil cooling for the engine? GS=Air, GSX=Air&oil, GSXR=Water cooled?


Not sure whether it was the case in the USA but in europe the X was the four valves per cyl models.

Great work on the 400 Hush
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Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #37 on: November 06, 2009, 05:08:35 PM »
All I know is that bike flies, it's as light as a pushbike compared to my 650 and she's getting better at riding it ha ha.
Hopefully will get it VINNED and road legal this week, it's on the road as a pink Chinese Retro scooter right now. ;D
« Last Edit: November 06, 2009, 05:13:33 PM by Hush »
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #38 on: November 06, 2009, 08:59:05 PM »
Hey Hush, isn't it the coolest thing to have a Mrs. who rides her own bike...there's not that many of us lucky fellas out there I would say...
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Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #39 on: November 06, 2009, 11:39:57 PM »
You are so right Spanner, it's getting that grin off her face that takes the time even when she stops riding. ;D
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #40 on: November 10, 2009, 08:30:06 PM »
Well just got a ring from the AA testing guys to say the Jaffa Express is ready to pick up and it passed all tests with flying colours.
Costs $345 which gets you a new Warrant of fitness, 6 months Registration for NZ roads, ownership transferred to me.
All set for the Toy-run this weekend, still awaiting the crashbars but we can do without them for now.
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline scunny

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #41 on: November 11, 2009, 09:43:59 AM »
good luck on the run Hush and hope the weather holds for you
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past-cb100,ts250,cb500,cb500,gs1000,gs650g.phillips traveller
present-CB 650 retro
            VTR1000F3
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           TS250[sold]
           TS185[sold]
           XL125S[sold]
           MT50 (white)
           MT50 (red)[sold]
           KN250/XS400 project
           XR/XL250 bitsa under construction
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           XL250R
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Offline Hush

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Disaster at the Toy run
« Reply #42 on: November 14, 2009, 10:28:48 PM »
Well the day looked great, a little windy and I was crossing my fingers that Jaffa's lack of staggered riding experience wouldn't see a heap of bikes lying on the road. ;D
We geared up, fired up the bikes and headed down the drive to the gate....where her Suzuki died and refused to start!!!! :o
Wheeled it back into the hospital (shed) and began removing bits, got it down as far as the starter motor before she called a halt as she was desperate to catch the Toy run.
So she strapped her oversized teddy-bear onto the back of her pink chinese scooter and with me following we rode down the the park where a few hundred bikers were enjoying a hotdog and fizz.
Some lovely bikes, a couple of very pretty Honda's and a few I'm still not sure about.
Santa made a bee-line for Jaffa for a cuddle so her day wasn't a total loss.
Better luck next year I guess. :)
« Last Edit: November 14, 2009, 10:33:14 PM by Hush »
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #43 on: November 17, 2009, 01:49:36 AM »
Up-date, rebuilt starter motor with new brushes and after some teething troubles the old GSX is a runner again, Jaffa very happy girl. ;)
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #44 on: November 20, 2009, 12:37:21 AM »
Weird, I rode to meet up with Jaffa at her work yesterday and her bike wouldn't start!
Just sat and spun the starter motor?
Anyhow one of the the friendly mechanics next door came out and gave me a push and I bump started it, we rode home with no problems, turned it off then fired it straight back up again.
Seems to work just fine now?
A mechanic told her we should have added some chain lube to the ends before we refitted the starter motor, think I'll see if it plays up again...my theory is new brushes not quite bedded in. ;)
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #45 on: November 23, 2009, 10:30:30 PM »
Had another rear brake issue, the squeak was back!
After looking really hard at the system I realised that when the bike arrived it didn't have a brake pedal, when I finally found one (damn hard to get the right one) I just slapped it on without worrying about the positioning of it.
Apparently it is rather important where the brake pedal is set, the brake drum actuator was pointing too far backwards and the angle was too steep, this in turn allowed the tilt cam in the hub to put the brakes on backwards, ie raising the pedal also applied the brakes....hard to explain.
Anyhow with it all repositioned we took her for a run today after work and it works great. :)
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline clarkjh

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #46 on: November 24, 2009, 02:45:06 AM »
Hmmm.  I've have a GS400 engine sitting in the shed, as well as a few other parts from an 81.  Had 85% of the bike but couldn't track down the PO, got as far as his mother then got the "Piss off" reply, she didn't like bikes.  Maybe I should find a frame from the breaker and put it back on the road.

James
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Offline mystic_1

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #47 on: November 24, 2009, 06:16:56 AM »
Quote from: Hush on November 20, 2009, 12:37:21 AM
A mechanic told her we should have added some chain lube to the ends before we refitted the starter motor,


The ends of what?

mystic_1
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Offline Hush

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #48 on: November 24, 2009, 12:08:04 PM »
The armature Mystic, he said a touch of chain oil on the armature end where it fits into the end casing, but I'm not keen on having any form of lube in an electric motor.

Clarkjh, I am amazed everytime I ride her bike, it has the weight of a pushbike and the grunt of a crazy Kawasaki, you can hardly ever get into 6th gear as you run out of road around town.
As a teenager I would have given a lot to own one of these bikes. ;D
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline mystic_1

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Re: Yikes the missus bike flies!!
« Reply #49 on: November 24, 2009, 04:40:18 PM »
Quote from: Hush on November 24, 2009, 12:08:04 PM
The armature Mystic, he said a touch of chain oil on the armature end where it fits into the end casing, but I'm not keen on having any form of lube in an electric motor.

Ah ok that makes sense, but I tend to agree about not mucking up the inside of an electric motor with lube unless the design specifically calls for it.

mystic_1
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