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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Q: My new bike is a Suzuki RV90 running 6v magneto electrics. Needless to say the lights are feeble, the stop lamp glows dismally and indicators don’t. Apart from making sure all connectors and earth points are clean and the general wiring is in good order is there anything else that can be done to…
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Words/Picture by Steve Cooper Many 60s, 70s and 80s strokers run disc-valve induction systems with the carburettor sitting at the end of the crank. With this type of intake system it’s vital that the chamber the carb sits it is airtight. If there’s air leakage the engine will be hard to set up, prone to…
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Q: Hi, great article in a recent mag on the TR1. I own a 1981 model which I rebuilt from a basket case. It’s a lovely bike and as John Nutting says the torque is wonderful. However since I built it I get a ‘tut-tut’ in the carbs when ticking over and what appears to…
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Q: Having recently acquired a 1984 TY250 trials for restoration but I find myself with a plastic fuel tank that has a nice yellowy tinge to it. Is there any way of returning this it to its former (white) glory? Lee Riches A: Opinions vary on the cause of this discolouration. It is tempting to…
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Q: I’m a long-time reader of your excellent mag and I also suffer from petrol addiction! I have a Moto Morini Corsarino 50cc four-stroke that has started to develop a running issue. After a couple of minutes on tickover or at speed, the bike will start to miss a little and eventually cut out. I…
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Q: I have recently got my 1979 Suzuki GS850G fuel meter to work but the wiring is incorrect. I cannot as yet find the live feed from the meter to the tank gauge (due to wires being cut/altered by previous owners) and instead have connected an unused 12v line switched by the ignition, this means that…
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Q: I own a 1978 BMW R100S. What’s your take on gasoline additive and octane rating? Personally I have been feeding her SP98 (best quality available here) and no additive whatsoever. What do you think CMM? Anon A: We have three separate issues here. They are octane rating, lead in fuel and the addition of…
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Q: In a world of no centrestands do you measure chain tension on the sidestand when travelling? Anon A: The obvious answer here is that if the bike was sold when new with only a propstand, the manufacturer should have given you a procedure to follow in the owner’s manual, and it would be best…
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Q: I would like to be advised of the correct procedure for setting the valve and ignition timing. I have a ‘confusing’ Honda manual as a guide but with flames coming from the near side inlet port, am at a loss as to knowing what to do. Please help if possible. Ron Marks A: If,…
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Q: I have a 1989 Honda CBR1000F-K and its looks are spoiled by a scuffed round right-hand engine cover. It appears not to have a part number that I can find anywhere, even my Haynes Manual gives nothing away. Can you help point me at someone who might know how to replace this? Stephen Guy-Clarke…
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