[Technical] Possible Solutions to your Phantom's Problem

[lolbbqlol]

But the thing is does changing air filter makes the mixture more lean? If it doesn't, would my bike auto tuned itself to become leaner?

 

I'm not sure if it's really clutch plate worn, 'cos it does not really happen all the time. It happens only sometimes when i whack a little harder when accelerating from stationary and changing gears at higher RPM.

 

And I'm not sure how it feels like to ride a normal phantom, so I don't know whether my bike is normal or not leh?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

But the thing is does changing air filter makes the mixture more lean? If it doesn't, would my bike auto tuned itself to become leaner?

 

I'm not sure if it's really clutch plate worn, 'cos it does not really happen all the time. It happens only sometimes when i whack a little harder when accelerating from stationary and changing gears at higher RPM.

 

And I'm not sure how it feels like to ride a normal phantom, so I don't know whether my bike is normal or not leh?

 

New air filter will make it -slightly- leaner. Usually 1/4 or 1/2 turn enough to compensate for new filter leanness. This filter is actually rather good. It can be used for like, 20,000km. No need to bother so often.

 

Suggest call 'reputable mech in Ubi' liao. It's not normal. Even COE going to expire 6th hand Phantom still can be made silky smooth and powerful using just basic tuning. Very reliable bike despite the 'eat oil', 'timing chain weak' and all sorts of common problems. All of them I never encounter before.

 

Last year alone I help people to spot & test & buy lots of older phantoms (or tune them after purchased for cheap). All of the bikes need only minor work before I consider them safe and having above average performance for such an old design. Some of the bikes as cheap as $300... and the cheapest one actually can run 130kph all over SG and MY for many months without maintenance. Legendary.

[lolbbqlol]

New air filter will make it -slightly- leaner. Usually 1/4 or 1/2 turn enough to compensate for new filter leanness. This filter is actually rather good. It can be used for like, 20,000km. No need to bother so often.

 

Suggest call 'reputable mech in Ubi' liao. It's not normal. Even COE going to expire 6th hand Phantom still can be made silky smooth and powerful using just basic tuning. Very reliable bike despite the 'eat oil', 'timing chain weak' and all sorts of common problems. All of them I never encounter before.

 

Last year alone I help people to spot & test & buy lots of older phantoms (or tune them after purchased for cheap). All of the bikes need only minor work before I consider them safe and having above average performance for such an old design. Some of the bikes as cheap as $300... and the cheapest one actually can run 130kph all over SG and MY for many months without maintenance. Legendary.

 

Hi Pandora's Kitten. I see that you're very knowledgeable about tuning and such. Very helpful guy as well.

 

I went to the "reputable mech in ubi" (hope it's the same mech that we're talking about!) for servicing and one of the mech started to unscrew the air filter compartment without telling me. Then I'm like never mind uh, doesn't hurt to change air filter. So yeah.

 

Coincidentally, my phantom was bought for only $400 and is left with 10 months of COE, just like what you mentioned. Would it be possible if I would to pay you a visit for you to check my bike out (especially with the clutch problem that I THINK it's having) and tune it better? And of course, with kopi money

 

Not that I do not trust the "reputable mech in ubi" but I have problem communicating in good chinese and might be unable to relay what problem that I'm facing.

 

Thanks.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Hi Pandora's Kitten. I see that you're very knowledgeable about tuning and such. Very helpful guy as well.

 

I went to the "reputable mech in ubi" (hope it's the same mech that we're talking about!) for servicing and one of the mech started to unscrew the air filter compartment without telling me. Then I'm like never mind uh, doesn't hurt to change air filter. So yeah.

 

Coincidentally, my phantom was bought for only $400 and is left with 10 months of COE, just like what you mentioned. Would it be possible if I would to pay you a visit for you to check my bike out (especially with the clutch problem that I THINK it's having) and tune it better? And of course, with kopi money

 

Not that I do not trust the "reputable mech in ubi" but I have problem communicating in good chinese and might be unable to relay what problem that I'm facing.

 

Thanks.

 

Ok you will have pm shortly. Also no need kopi money. Hearing your phantom roar is all the motivation I need. Lol.

 

You can catch me tmw or friday evening near aforesaid 'reputable Ubi mech'. Got any questions we just go to kopitiam and discuss 'kopitiam engineering'. Free horsepower

[lolbbqlol]

Ok you will have pm shortly. Also no need kopi money. Hearing your phantom roar is all the motivation I need. Lol.

 

You can catch me tmw or friday evening near aforesaid 'reputable Ubi mech'. Got any questions we just go to kopitiam and discuss 'kopitiam engineering'. Free horsepower

 

Friday evening that is! Alright. Thanks a lot!

[osxunix]

Pls check tyre pressure. Excessively high tyre pressure (as gotten from most local shops) will result in very unstable low speed handling. Honda recommended pressure is 200 kpa front and rear. Try that then optimise for your personal style.

 

For the 'oil warehouse' I PM you the details later. Don't intend to advertise; just helping others get cheap superior quality oil

 

Thks for the advise I tried 200 on front wheel today and it improve alot.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

The traction on lower pressure is astounding. High speed in rain is perfectly safe (at least for me), offroad also can. Phantom tyres are surprisingly durable too.

 

If you have any other issues or found some wierd side effects of the new settings feel free to contact me.

[osxunix]

Gee now rear had no light but press or step on break got light?

 

What happen!

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Gee now rear had no light but press or step on break got light?

 

What happen!

 

 

One of the two filaments in the taillight bulb has blown. Change the bulb and all will be well again.

[danapophis]

Hi pandora, I just bought a phantom and still learning on how to tune the carb... But im still experimenting .. Although i have no idea what im doing.. i idle to fast means its rich right? is it good? help pls... thx

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Hi pandora, I just bought a phantom and still learning on how to tune the carb... But im still experimenting .. Although i have no idea what im doing.. i idle to fast means its rich right? is it good? help pls... thx

 

I find you have to know the theory behind what you're doing, in order to find a proper tuning solution for what you want to achieve. Step-by-step guides don't really work because all bikes and riders are different. So I will have to teach you the concepts before you can safely mess around.

 

It's pretty much like flying a piston-engine aircraft where the mixture setting for a given situation is determined by what you want to do at that moment.

 

I'll PM you some basic solutions shortly.

[osxunix]

One of the two filaments in the taillight bulb has blown. Change the bulb and all will be well again.

 

Thks, spend $3 problem solve.

[ahch0ng]

my normal headlight bulb blows every 3 month...is it normal?

 

high beam can use, normal beam keeps blowing

[osxunix]

my normal headlight bulb blows every 3 month...is it normal?

 

high beam can use, normal beam keeps blowing

 

I'm new to Phantom but it seem every 3 month change bulb not right ba.

My friend Superfour few year never change bulb leh.

[naim]

definitely not normal.. im guessing wiring got problem. inevitable wif old bike lar. can bring over to trusted mechanic. maybe they can do a test on ur wiring system. might hv sumwhr short or sumting.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I'm new to Phantom but it seem every 3 month change bulb not right ba.

My friend Superfour few year never change bulb leh.

 

Simple solution - take out the front of the headlamp, inspect the headlamp cable.

 

Your low beam contact (the two metal bits) are worn out, but high beam is OK because it uses the bulb body as the terminal.

 

Replace the headlamp cable and your bulb life should be normal again.

 

Also, when you reinstall the bulb make sure the mechanic or yourself does not have oily fingers. A dirty bulb surface will shorten the bulb's lifespan considerably.

[ahch0ng]

I'm new to Phantom but it seem every 3 month change bulb not right ba.

My friend Superfour few year never change bulb leh.

definitely not normal.. im guessing wiring got problem. inevitable wif old bike lar. can bring over to trusted mechanic. maybe they can do a test on ur wiring system. might hv sumwhr short or sumting.

i had the same thinking, thats y i wanna ask here first.

 

Simple solution - take out the front of the headlamp, inspect the headlamp cable.

 

Your low beam contact (the two metal bits) are worn out, but high beam is OK because it uses the bulb body as the terminal.

 

Replace the headlamp cable and your bulb life should be normal again.

 

Also, when you reinstall the bulb make sure the mechanic or yourself does not have oily fingers. A dirty bulb surface will shorten the bulb's lifespan considerably.

i think i'll resolve this at planet~! even tho i live at the west hahah....

 

Thanks guys for the recommendation!

[sparklight]

I had this problem before, it's due to the vibration and the starting up of the bike.

1. vibration, our light bulb is tangsten so when riding there is severe vibration on the buld unless you use original Stanley ones, they are more expensive buy fairly reliable.

2. Startup, the starter motor uses hugh current to start the bike, therefore creating a surge in powerr affecting ther lamp. If you use old Phantom, then turn off light before starting.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I don't think vibration nor current is an issue, at least not those who run stock/near stock headlamps and electrical systems.

 

Any bike that shakes its own accessories to bits is either a Harley or not properly tuned.

 

My bulbs last on average, more than a year and a half. On older bikes, the electrical contact and wiring are the weakest links.

 

However, take apart the headlamp asssembly and you will notice that the whole setup is so tightly packed together using screw, mechanical, and even spring tension that under no circumstances vibration or shock will dislodge the bulb.

 

Take your Phantom offroading and you'll realise -nothing- comes loose. Amazing for an old design.

[sparklight]

No worries,

 

Juz my 2 cents worth of comments, coz mine was troubleshoot thru vibrations as the rubber cushion between the bike's lamp n mount was worn out and it joins direct to frame. =)

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

No worries,

 

Juz my 2 cents worth of comments, coz mine was troubleshoot thru vibrations as the rubber cushion between the bike's lamp n mount was worn out and it joins direct to frame. =)

 

Noticed the rubber stopper at the joint too. Thanks for your interesting insight. Didn't think it was significant at first

[susu]

if ur phamtom stall when raining, try to toggle ur switch for few time instead of waiting wet spark plug to dry. bcoz the housing has small gap that is enuf for water to go in.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

@susu - thanks for the tip. You mean the kill-switch on the right side of the handlebar?

 

For anyone interested in carb tuning theory/practical - I'm headed to Frontier building at Ubi Road 3 this evening at 8. Look for me at the big carpark next to the bus stop.

 

 

Also I got a question for anyone. I currently have a web domain that is barely used at all (which means, I paid for the server hosting already).

 

Can easily do up a DIY troubleshooting and maintenance website to support these threads and discussions.

 

Easier place to post theories and experiences too because in forum, posts always 'disappear' into previous pages.

 

Something like www.carbibles.com will become a resource us phantom knights old and new for years to come.

[susu]

yes, the kill switch. can try to bypass the switch. or cover it to prevent water seep in.

 

 

@susu - thanks for the tip. You mean the kill-switch on the right side of the handlebar?

 

For anyone interested in carb tuning theory/practical - I'm headed to Frontier building at Ubi Road 3 this evening at 8. Look for me at the big carpark next to the bus stop.

 

 

 

 

 

Also I got a question for anyone. I currently have a web domain that is barely used at all (which means, I paid for the server hosting already).

 

Can easily do up a DIY troubleshooting and maintenance website to support these threads and discussions.

 

Easier place to post theories and experiences too because in forum, posts always 'disappear' into previous pages.

 

Something like www.carbibles.com will become a resource us phantom knights old and new for years to come.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Yesterday's kopitiam engineering session somehow involved a Hayabusa.

 

There was also a Phantom that can spit flame out of its exhaust. Lol. Got youtube evidence. But don't have owner permission to share. How?