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@pdlouche
The fun of ‘learning.
GN died and refused to start nor idle a week or so ago. First it was running good, then weird, then there was a scratchy rattly noise from the engine, then idling high at a little over 2k (had been set just under 1.5k after carb clean). Then when coming to a stop it would bottom out and stall. Then I noticed the oil leak from the top of the engine, and rev cable housing split. So the next few times it just wouldn’t start or if it did it wouldn’t idle.
This was after a couple longer rides over 60 miles and pushing it to the limits as far as speed and revs. Italian tune-up, get whatever is gonna break to break I suppose.
Had the ‘skills assessment’ for a quote for DAS, 600 Bandits are heavy. So heavy.
Asked the Instructor about the 125. He pointed me to location of oil leaks and (as likely an air leak) recommended replace the inlet rubber between carb and engine. Told me about instant gasket as interim fix. When I got home I saw the choke piston’s grommet was useless too.
Instant gasket worked on the top bolt, even the rev counter cable. Inlet rubber disintegrated in my hand into two pieces. Mechanics ordered me a new one next-day £12.80. Fitted it and still no luck.
Removed the carb, partially disassembled and sprayed through ferocious carb cleaner stuff. Instant gasket’d a new grommet on the outside bit for the choke piston. Cleaned spark plug. Fully recharged battery.
Bike worked after all that, but throttle cable having been moved a bit now pinches when locked in one direction, opening throttle and idling high. Moved cable to try free it from pinching.
Managed two rides yesterday and today, didn’t die (me, nor bike). Engine still sounds scratchy-rattly though. May be normal for lawnmowers, may be impending doom.
Since the clean I think it actually reached an even higher top speed. I got the speedo to hit over the 70mph line, so probably I reached at least 65mph on the (/) dual carriageway. Ran out of road to try eke it further. 0-70 in 3.5 minutes.
Neutral position is now almost non-existent. Very not-possible to nudge into N after stopping. When cold sometimes not impossible. Fiddly. When stopped the light is on but on releasing clutch it shunts and dies, so clearly the bulb was lying.
Gearbox loving is on the list now. If I strip and check it over, I’m tempted to fit a gear indicator in there.
Sat on a bunch of used big-boy bikes at a dealer. Kinda hated the feel of most of them. Wanted to love the Triumph Daytona, but felt too stretched out. Ninja felt too small. Honda CBR/CBF felt quite okay. Then back to the Royal Enfield dealer, sat on the Himalayan and it felt perfect.
If all goes to plane I’ll have a full unrestricted license at the start of March, so test ride fun can happen. GN125’s MOT is end of March so clock is ticking to finish a cafe racer/street tracker conversion and get it road safe. Forks service is same cost as a new pattern set, may just buy new ones. Old ones are pitted.