[Discussion] General Queries From Newbies

[wesone3]

last question do they open on sundays

 

nope......

[phantom spawn]

thks...

 

does a ta150 exhaust fit to a ta200

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

If it can fit I'm doubtful it would give top performance as 2 stroke exhausts are an integral part to their power generation (look up "expansion chamber").

 

Whereas a 4 stroke apparently needs some amount of back-pressure to function correctly. (something to do with valve timing, TDC, etc etc chim stuff).

 

Anyone actually tried to swap exhausts between 150 and 200? Of course the first thing to check is whether the headers are even the same diameter!

 

Newbie qn for me:

 

Collecting my TA200 on Tuesday.

 

I am taking over this 7 year old Phantom which is undergoing a complete overhaul. Is it necessary to break-in the engine? I am thinking yes as the engine block was sent for reconditioning (along with almost everything else) and now probably still in pieces.

[VidaK]

thks...

 

does a ta150 exhaust fit to a ta200

 

errr... not recommended...

 

If it can fit I'm doubtful it would give top performance as 2 stroke exhausts are an integral part to their power generation (look up "expansion chamber").

 

Whereas a 4 stroke apparently needs some amount of back-pressure to function correctly. (something to do with valve timing, TDC, etc etc chim stuff).

 

Anyone actually tried to swap exhausts between 150 and 200? Of course the first thing to check is whether the headers are even the same diameter!

 

Newbie qn for me:

 

Collecting my TA200 on Tuesday.

 

I am taking over this 7 year old Phantom which is undergoing a complete overhaul. Is it necessary to break-in the engine? I am thinking yes as the engine block was sent for reconditioning (along with almost everything else) and now probably still in pieces.

 

yes please run in your engine! you can have it the soft way or the hard way...

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Looking forward to it! Probably semi-hard as I had good results with Y125Z (super hard but worth it for the next 6 years) but do not want to blow up the 'new' Phantom in the test ride!

 

Collection now delayed to Sat as mototiam literally wants to respray&rechrome everything. Talk about attention to detail..

 

So all I have to drool over is a printed ta200 manual with a zillion notes from this forum and some pics of my bike in pieces

 

Might as well imagine up some questions:

 

1. I'm pleased to hear Phantoms use tubeless tyres - I'm totally fed up of punctures with tube tyres. But should the worst occur in a remote location what's a good way to get me moving again? Tyre repair goo (where to buy?) and bicycle pump?

 

2. Possible to get a centre stand? Something like what racing teams use. Since I'm a lone ranger it makes sense for DIY maintenance.

 

3. Is it safe to DIY set the rear suspension preload? Can it be safely done with the bike sitting on the road, or does the suspension need to be in midair (or "unloaded")?

Edited March 8, 2010 by Pandora's Kitten :3

[hamsterwhale]

1. I'm pleased to hear Phantoms use tubeless tyres - I'm totally fed up of punctures with tube tyres. But should the worst occur in a remote location what's a good way to get me moving again? Tyre repair goo (where to buy?) and bicycle pump?

 

getting a puncture on a tubeless tire fortunately is a very rare incident, what happens is that the foreign object will puncture and embed itself in the layer of rubbers, the only time u need to patch it is only when it has been leaking air out from the punctured wound, other than that if its not leaking air, don't patch it, dun fixed anything if it ain't broke...

 

but if worse case scenerio happens, then u gotta call a tow truck and fetch ur bike to ur friendly bikeshop to patch it up...Don't ride it, it'll only wear out the tires prematurely and having a tire failure is unavoidable...

 

2. Possible to get a centre stand? Something like what racing teams use. Since I'm a lone ranger it makes sense for DIY maintenance.

this has been going on for years since the inception of Phantoms, what u can only do it jack the bike using a jack and jack up the rear by placing it at the exhaust pipe, other than that u gotta use a machine to jack the bike using a jack up holder like those in Boon Siew workshop uses...expensive does not serve much purpose and u cant bring it out at your whim...

 

3. Is it safe to DIY set the rear suspension preload? Can it be safely done with the bike sitting on the road, or does the suspension need to be in midair (or "unloaded")?

Yes u can safely do it no prob at all...but most impt thing is u need the special tool that comes with the bike, which should be located at the right chrome cover under ur butt.

 

 

 

CheerS!

[ckoonyin]

now i understand why that day snapel called hamster Part-Time ah chong.

 

haha cause u damn good in ure tech stuff!

[phantom spawn]

If it can fit I'm doubtful it would give top performance as 2 stroke exhausts are an integral part to their power generation (look up "expansion chamber").

 

Whereas a 4 stroke apparently needs some amount of back-pressure to function correctly. (something to do with valve timing, TDC, etc etc chim stuff).

 

Anyone actually tried to swap exhausts between 150 and 200? Of course the first thing to check is whether the headers are even the same diameter!

 

Newbie qn for me:

 

Collecting my TA200 on Tuesday.

 

I am taking over this 7 year old Phantom which is undergoing a complete overhaul. Is it necessary to break-in the engine? I am thinking yes as the engine block was sent for reconditioning (along with almost everything else) and now probably still in pieces.

 

wait i need to ask this wad do u mean by complete overhaul... and how much $$$... and is it worth it for a 7 year old bike...

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Admittedly my 'overhaul' was a bit more drastic. I spotted the bike at mototiam with only the wheels and handlebar attached!

 

Right now waiting for lots of things to be resprayed, rechromed before assembling everything up by this weekend. Like having a new Phantom... minus the 7k price tag

[hamsterwhale]

now i understand why that day snapel called hamster Part-Time ah chong.

 

haha cause u damn good in ure tech stuff!

 

nope im not good and im still learning, those are monkey stuff, overhauling engine interior i cannot liao...no experience...external i still can...

[phantom spawn]

Overhaul: Piston+Ring+Block+Top gasket+EO+Plug - ($380) - (planet)

 

thks for the info and price

[phantom spawn]

ok i when to a bike shop today it's confirm my exhaust is done for this is the 2nd time i change my exhaust pipe haiz... sianzzz

[Tycoon]

hi, i wanna know if i throttle max at gear 6 will it spoil the engine?

 

month plus ago, when i just got my bike, i dno phantom got 6 gear, then i drag 5th gear to 100km, will spoil my engine?

 

what are the signs that will appear if i spoil my engine?

[VidaK]

hi, i wanna know if i throttle max at gear 6 will it spoil the engine?

 

month plus ago, when i just got my bike, i dno phantom got 6 gear, then i drag 5th gear to 100km, will spoil my engine?

 

what are the signs that will appear if i spoil my engine?

 

full throttle at gear 6 for a while is ok... I cannot say that the engine can take the stress of full throttle for long periods of time especially that the phantoms are of some age...

 

drag 5th gear...? yea of course... I have destroyed my engine thanks to me damaging my 5th gear...

 

but then if you are accelerating to 100km/h on phantom meter using 5th gear, it is still ok... haven't pass red line yet... but not any faster than that...

 

signs would depend on what part of the engine...

 

gearbox: the damaged gear makes rattling sound when engaged

head / block: the piston would jam or connecting rod would break (both are very obvious) (please clutch in immediately if that happens or else the rider is going to be seriously injured...)

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I've been super-observant regarding Phantoms on the road (there are many!). It's quite straightforward to tell a healthy bike from an ill-maintained one. The former has a powerful sound (or, silken tofu smooth for TA150) and the not so good bikes produce wierd noises like machinery out of alignment.

 

Phantoms are definitely not racing machines and their motors by logical deduction would be tuned for maximum low-end torque. Riding one like your 125Z (whack for 6 years still no complaints) is not advisable.

[Tycoon]

i think my gear my bike spoil leh, coz last time even if i full throttle also cannot reach hundred at slight slope. but recently suddenly got more power, can reach 100 but engine super loud. go planet motor check need how much? how long will it take arh? thanks!

[VidaK]

i think my gear my bike spoil leh, coz last time even if i full throttle also cannot reach hundred at slight slope. but recently suddenly got more power, can reach 100 but engine super loud. go planet motor check need how much? how long will it take arh? thanks!

 

you can ask the boss ah chong to test ride your bike. he will not charge you for that, and he should be able to list out the recommended repairs that you bike need

[ahcaibiker]

you can ask the boss ah chong to test ride your bike. he will not charge you for that, and he should be able to list out the recommended repairs that you bike need

 

this problem likely clutch plate worn out...

[hamsterwhale]

i think my gear my bike spoil leh, coz last time even if i full throttle also cannot reach hundred at slight slope. but recently suddenly got more power, can reach 100 but engine super loud. go planet motor check need how much? how long will it take arh? thanks!

 

very vague description, any other symptoms???

[darkhorse2009]

Hi guys, as u may known i had my phantom for only 4 months. Very happy with my baby. But the itch to upgrade to 2A bike is always there. My heart want to upgrade but my brain say why spend the extra money on 2A bikes? not worth it.

 

So how? My heart and brain always fighting each other everyday......

[BlackDawn]

Hi guys, as u may known i had my phantom for only 4 months. Very happy with my baby. But the itch to upgrade to 2A bike is always there. My heart want to upgrade but my brain say why spend the extra money on 2A bikes? not worth it.

 

So how? My heart and brain always fighting each other everyday......

One day you will make a choice. Following your dreams requires sacrifice.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I wanted a Phantom since 2003 believe it or not. But I never bought one until 2010 for various reasons.

 

It's natural to always want bigger and better toys. Fighting that urge until when you actually need a new bike, makes both old and new toys so much sweeter.

[darkhorse2009]

But how do u guys control the urge to upgrade?

[darkhorse2009]

I am assuming here you got the $ but just that how long you are willing to pay for the bike. I think most of us can pay a 10-15K bike with 3-5 years installments. But is it worth it?

 

Example: If i spend 2K on a 2nd hand phantom from no bike previously, my happiness level increased like say 100%. If i spend 15K on a new Super 4 from phantom, my happiness level increase like 50%. It is like dimishing returns as i suppose the greatest increase of happiness is from getting a bike from no bike at all.

 

My point is : It is worth the upgrade with your $$$ ?

 

P.S : I spend 5K on a racing bicycle but now i kind of regret it. I could had just spend 2K on an average racing bicycle and still be very happy with it.

[ahcaibiker]

to me is very simple logic.

 

 

can afford easily then upgrade.

 

my definition of 'afford easily' is can full cash the bike and also able to maintain the bike in terms of petrol and peroidic maintainance and unexpected repairs...

 

no point burdening yourself with financial strain maintaining your ride.

defeats the purpose of enjoying your bike and your rides!

Edited March 13, 2010 by ahcaibiker