Classic Motorcycle Mechanics
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics
This is the magazine dedicated to the buying, riding and rebuilding of the later classics and Japanese machines. Subscribe here.
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1 When separating major engine components, a tap with a soft hammer helps to release the bond between them. If that does not work, don’t automatically use a bigger hammer: you have undone all the nuts and bolts haven’t you? Some are carefully hidden by the designer, just in case! 2 When rebuilding an engine…
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Q: Hello, I’d appreciate your opinion on the need for coil replacement on my Z650 F1. I’ve recently fitted a Z750E1 engine into my Z650 frame, The bike is running fine but I’m wondering if I should uprate the original Z650 coils (points ignition) to new Z750 coils which are electronic ignition as standard. Would…
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Q: I ran across CMM in a forum and like a parent with a poorly child I turn to you in hopes of saving my nearly-new bike. Don’t ignore me just as it’s ‘new’. I planned some mods to my Raider: Cobra Dragsters exhaust pipes with Big City Thunder ‘monster baffles’ and I installed a…
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Q: Hi, I am rebuilding a GL1100 GoldWing it has been stood since 1989 and it is fitted with a Pantera fairing, which I would like to keep on for the period look. Would you know who could make a copy of the screen as the one I have is cracked but complete so it…
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Go to check/replace your front sprocket, grease the clutch push rod, inspect generator wiring etc. and you’re normally faced with something that looks like valve grinding paste lovingly mixed with a cow pat. And that’s pretty much what it is. Apart from making access difficult and unpleasant there’s a real chance this nasty concoction will…
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Having owned my RD400F for 12 years I decided it was time to restore the old girl. After spending a lot of time restoring the parts, one area for real concern was to place the engine in the frame without damaging the frame or the engine. My solution is simple! I used foam insulation, the…
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1 Locking washers were used in the past to stop nuts and bolts from coming undone, but the modern approach is to use a chemical solution: threadlocker. Do be aware of a few things though. There are many different types of different locking strengths for different jobs. Check the specification you need. The strength is…
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Q: I can’t seem to get electric power to my RD. When I turn the key I get no red or green light on the dash. This started after I hooked a charger to the battery. The battery is good and I have replaced the four glass fuses of the right side under the plastic…
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Q: Having followed the manual (or so I thought) to adjust the rear brake on my BMW K1100LT I was left on a dual carriageway with a seized rear brake. At first I felt it was an engine problem due to severe loss in power but I knew it was the brake when it pulled…
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Not every bike can be a winner, Kawasaki’s mid-Eighties GPz-750 was one such near-miss. Though well worthy of compliment, rivals’ superiority relegated it to runner-up status. That silver medal placing is something I remember well back then. I’d overlooked it to own its bigger, more glamorous headlining brother, the GPz1100. Once more commendable tackle like…
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