You are reading a single comment by @BrickMan and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a week or so ago we fitted a lowering link to dad’s CRF250L to try fix his total lack of balance and get his feet on the ground.
Then, the bike was too upright on its kickstand for his liking. Bought a used stand from a breaker, and finally today got around to cutting 3/4 inch off with the angle grinder and fluxcore wire gluing it with the mig welder.
Then we fitted the Acerbis guards and folding mirrors.
Slow progress at dad-proofing.
pdlouche
@BrickMan
Rebuilding carbs, yeay finally! Had this bike 5 years now I think, covered likely 40k in that time, started off fine (previous 'rebuilt' them, but was never sure how many internals they actually changed), but now runs like ass, seems to run lean and then rich at the same time, suspect slides have some wear in them (can't feel it, but guess it only takes a thou of extra movement to get issues) and venturi are no longer round. It also pukes petrol fowards into the engine, and backwards into the airbox at will, despite me fitting new Viton (E10 resistant) O rings to the float bowls every year. Ethanol is a bastard.
Its quite satisfying finally with all new parts, previously I've always just been needles + cleaning. Not holding out for perfection, its a 25+ year old bike that I've personally couriered to death lol.
Also getting a suspension upgrade, new bearings all round (again) and a longer shock.
Bike originally had two shock lengths, 'Strada' which was shorter so less overall travel and lower to ground at sag, smaller front wheel too (my bike started off as this), then Funduro, longer shock, bigger front wheel, same fork though. Had a Funduro shock on it for a few years, but eventually the spring has cracked and we are now back down to ST height. Also riding 2 up, its on its arse, even before the spring lost a coil, the hydraulic pre load isn't enough.
New shock arrived, a later model F650 GS Dakar shock, which is another 13mm longer in eye to eye length (same stroke though). Swingarm is a 1:3, so should gain 39mm in static height, but then spring is a tad softer (20lb/" less rate I think), so hoping that whilst its got more travel, with just me on it will gain a little ride height (around 25mm would be nice) but mainly, that it won't be totally on its arse when riding 2 up.
The slightly softer spring rate may scupper that though, can only find out!