Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

-7c here this morning, heard someone head off on their bike around 6am. Rather them than me haha.

It was diesel ;)

Nothing damaged and you weren't hurt so it was fine.

As the title of the thread suggests… I would like to repeat myself in expressing appreciation for this damned steel pig. Absolutely enjoy every minute.

I put the metal smaller tank back on just-because, and I can’t tell you if I consciously notice a difference.

What I can tell you is that I was a lot more comfortable riding the lanes than the roads!!

Sheet ice even at midday on some roads. Bike felt like it was planted, but road felt like I made the right decision leaving the CBR in the shed.

Took the green lanes all the way home instead and went slow and steady after all year of ear problems and lack of riding.

Even dead slow it was hella fun. I really enjoyed just pootling along at 20-30mph and taking it easy. I went full lazy and sat down and paddled the deepest ruts, and chose to stop and relax whenever.

Can’t fault this bike. Just chugs along. Even with the tyres that CRF300 owners chuck away as not dirt-worthy (IRC’s).

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That looks great fun. The bike and the terrain.

Best part was in maybe 0°C, I had to unzip my jacket because I was getting too hot!

Lucky bugger, that looks fab!

I know it's probably not the 'correct' technique, but something very satisfying about sitting down offroad and just letting the bike tractor over things. Looks lovely out.

I was watching, either Brake Mag or IRC Tyre Guy and the remark was dangly legs are bad, but given a purpose is fine.

So yea, having a pootle and feet up just rolling is no stress. When paddling if those feet are moving and aiming forward and stepping on the ground then they are doing something.

I was testing that concept in those narrow ruts. Sat down, using the feet to give me stability. It is certainly easier stood up, but sometimes it’s just nice to paddle.

Loving it my man, living it. Glad you’re back up on it. How’s the ear problems treating you atm?

I feel you about the CBR. I’ve been on the ratV this week for some reason and it’s hard work. New tyres not helping.

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Thanks for asking…TL:DR still waiting on re-referral and my ethmoid/sinus throbs half the time while my ear forever feels ‘wrong’ with discomfort. Desperately need to get exercising again, gained weight!

I’ve been riding the DR a bit across the year but it’s the green lanes I’ve been missing.

Roads are still greasy af even in the van…!

Found a couple of dinosaur teeth in my sump. Engine out time.

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Oh no

Ah damn! Yup, no way around that.

I mean....shit. However, mad salutes for taking out the engine there. That's some straight up mega spannering.

@pdlouche Dang, that sounds exhausting. Hoping there's a solution out there for you.

I found the culprit. Counter shaft 4th gear - which has the tabs that engage 3rd gear.

Unfortunately this is the only transmission part that is now discontinued. Ha. Hopefully I can find one second hand in the UK. Most available spares are located in the USA.

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Have you tried Dave Silver for old Honda spares? IIRC they bought up loads of American stock.

Might not buy the Beamish. Been conflicted about it for a week now, and as De Niro says in Ronin, "whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt."

Nah but seriously, I really want it for the curiosity but it's a bad bet. I'm not sure I want a sluggish awkward bike that pulls like a train but fills me with fear that something will be irreparable on the first time I drop it. It's the kind of bike that is better suited to a full restoration and adored in a mancave, and I'm just not prepared to be that guy.

However, I did just sink a couple hundred on the 'long ride' tank for the Sherco trials. They were released a few years ago but not hugely popular outside of the TY125. MRS have told me I'll need to mod the brackets to fit onto the ST300, but it 'should' fit with some effort.

4.8L capacity could last me all day on the lanes on a trials bike!

Can anyone here have a go at identifying this tapping / ticking sound when the engine is turning over please?

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• WhatsApp Video 2024-01-23 at 08.00.37.mp4

What's the engine? Sounds like very loose value clearances. Tackatackatacka (or Tippatippatippa) like the valves tapping.

Does the noise go away/get quieter once hot? If it gets quiet and goes away, then it's just excess clearance when cold. If it doesn't go away, but gets quieter could be needing adjustment.

If it stays the same or gets louder it's onto more sinister issues that would mean tearing down.

Engine is a 4 cylinder on a Suzuki GS550L, 1981.

I'm hoping its the valves as that's not too much of an issue to sort out. I am trying to sell it at the moment so want to keep the fix as cheap as possible so I don't loose to much money.

Get it hot. If the noise is right above the engine as it appears it’s the tappets.

Sounds like my DR when cold.

Thanks for the advice.

I have not had it running since March 2023, so thats a whole task first! (that was an old video)

Well double check you only need to check clearances cold and you’re all good to do that any time.

Easy enough to check the clearances, just listen can cover bolts in sequence like the head bolts. Half a turn first and don't over torque when reinstalling as that is an easy way to distort the cam cover and get oil leaks.