[Discussion] General Queries From Newbies

[adamchiew]

Mine i set it to the middle. Very comfortable

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

hi guys, we can raise rear suspension in our bike right...so what would be the best setting, think there are 3 options...mine is in the lowest setting....any recommendations??

 

Lowest - 1 = softest?

 

Mine's on preload 3 which is fine on smooth roads but during high speed bumps it bottoms easily (ever tried Adam Rd circle line construction big junction at 85kph?)

 

I would be tempted to put it at 5 (max preload?) for added stiffness and reduced chain wear. Yes, soft suspension means a swingarm is moving more and that causes added load on the chain.

 

Best advise is to suit your own 'feel' and riding style.

[Vashie]

Hey guys.

Went to Planet motor today to get my bike checked.

Ah chong took a test ride on my bike and told me my piston got problem.

He said the engine sound very loud, and told me not to ride more than 100km/h.

 

So here are a few questions in my mind which I hope you guys can answer.

 

If I don't ride more than 100km/h, will my piston jam eventually?

 

Ah Chong quote me $400 for changing piston....according to a list for the typical prices for phantom repairs...an overhaul costs $380. I'm kind of confused...what exactly does overhaul means? Just repairing the things which can be repaired? So for my case if I want to overhaul, means $400 + $380 = $780?

[Vashie]

Hey guys.

Went to Planet motor today to get my bike checked.

Ah chong took a test ride on my bike and told me my piston got problem.

He said the engine sound very loud, and told me not to ride more than 100km/h.

 

So here are a few questions in my mind which I hope you guys can answer.

 

If I don't ride more than 100km/h, will my piston jam eventually?

 

Ah Chong quote me $400 for changing piston....according to a list for the typical prices for phantom repairs...an overhaul costs $380. I'm kind of confused...what exactly does overhaul means? Just repairing the things which can be repaired? So for my case if I want to overhaul, means $400 + $380 = $780?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

A 'top overhaul' involves servicing the block and top end of the engine, which involves removing the block, servicing the piston, cam, and timing chain along with other things.

 

The math for your piston replacement should not add up to $780 however anything related to blocks and pistons won't be cheap. It's the heart of your bike after all.

 

As for running

[Vashie]

i didn't bought it for racing. But i'm still worried about the issue of the piston jamming while riding. Will staying in first gear for long period of time or constantly travelling at 40 at forth gear cause stress to the bike too? if the bike piston won't jam on me while riding normally and causing an accident, then i will feel safer to push back top overhaul to a later time.

[madman]

i dun tink anyone is able to be riding all 1st gear for long period...even traffic jam badly also not chance... you shd be in 2nd gear, dun see a need to be in 1st gear unless is moving off.

 

price wise, you can always call planet at 67474740 and ask.

[armani123sg]

agree with bro mepkoh... if u feel uncomfortable with ur bike having a problem, get it fixed fast... cause last time i also like that, dun feel like wasting money but always have e fear of bike having problem halfway during my ride... so better to get it repaired and have a gd and comfortable ride... ur repair should cost $380 bro, not $780...

[Vashie]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

Ah chong quote me $400 to change the piston.

What I'm not sure about is why overhaul costs $380 and changing only a piston costs $400.

Doesn't overhaul also include piston too?

 

I want to know that if I really don't go over 100km/h, will my bike would be fine for another few months of riding? Ah chong said it's fine, but I don't know the fine is for how long a period.

I'm not someone who needs speed...90km/h is the most I would be travelling at...So if the piston only will jam at over 100km/h, I can live with it.

 

After falling from bike at slope in mscp at 2nd gear, I tend to use gear 1 all the way in mscp...so not sure if it's stressing the bike.

[kmjoe]

if im not wrg revving too much on low gears do stress on on ur bike and might cause damage... jus try to up gear normally but dun go over 100 even on phantom meter

[pureice68]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

Ah chong quote me $400 to change the piston.

What I'm not sure about is why overhaul costs $380 and changing only a piston costs $400.

Doesn't overhaul also include piston too?

 

I want to know that if I really don't go over 100km/h, will my bike would be fine for another few months of riding? Ah chong said it's fine, but I don't know the fine is for how long a period.

I'm not someone who needs speed...90km/h is the most I would be travelling at...So if the piston only will jam at over 100km/h, I can live with it.

 

After falling from bike at slope in mscp at 2nd gear, I tend to use gear 1 all the way in mscp...so not sure if it's stressing the bike.

 

Hi Vashie, if Chong quoted you changing of piston at $400, means he will bore the block to a bigger size and also change to a bigger piston. This price includes cleaning up and replacing other smaller related items too, e.g. cute tiny chain, etc... His prices are pretty reasonable and workmanship is good. Well, if you can maintain running below 100km/hr and it's running well, just leave it lor! As Chong dun like to replace parts unless absolutely necessary or the owner requested for it.

 

My case was rather similar as he said it'll won't last long as the sound was rather loud and indeed, it only last for only a weeks. But I'm already mentally prepare that I'll need all these overhauls and replacements of parts before even I bot my bike, as I got it for only $1K. But after a few trips to him, my ride is sounding great now!

[darkhorse2009]

Hi guys. I understand that bike would be difficult to start if not riding for a while and its normal. But how to rectify this problem and how much would it cost ?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

A while? If put away in long term storage over a period of months, I recommend an engine oil change. And disconnect the -ve terminal of the battery. Or you may have to push start next time.

 

If it's derelict for say, just a week, activate the kill switch, press starter to crank engine a few times, off kill switch and start normally. This will pump some oil around the engine for easier starting and less wear.

[darkhorse2009]

A while i refer to 2-3 days. I need to electric start it a few times. There is no way to start it immediately right ?

[zpjohnny]

how long izzit left there ? from my kn0wledge of servicing car engine oils, even if u didnt achieve the mileage after ur new engine oils, oil left stagnant after put in engine and drove a few times, heated up will get degraded faster if left stagnant too long, oils will also be completely sink to bottom of engine blocks and fuels in carburetors will also might dried up or battery ran flat.

 

so these few items in mind, juz try to start engine for starter for like 1 or 2 minutes then light rev abit and if ur bike is left stagnant like 1 months or 2 months, after u rev throttle lightly, off engine and check oil level in engine and also the colours and smells. if left for over a month stagnant , best is change the engine oil to ease the mind.

[pureice68]

A while i refer to 2-3 days. I need to electric start it a few times. There is no way to start it immediately right ?

 

So far, I can start right away if I left my ride for 2-3days. In fact I left it for almost 2 solid weeks (14days to be exact) back in Dec and it started immediately. I'm not sure about the rest though!

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

2-3 days is chicken feat, oils and engines these days can handle being stagnant that long for no issue. Still I recommend cranking the engine before you actually start, to enhance cold oil flow.

 

It's not critical but it gives a head start for lubrication of the top end of the motor.

 

And yes, please do not start revving away the moment you turn it on. That's where premature wear occurs. EO can take up to 15 mins to reach operating temps. It's a liquid; it takes quite a lot of energy to heat all the oil up.

 

After riding has anyone tried frying an egg on their engine cover? I'll buy a little frying pan next month

[darkhorse2009]

Haha!! Then i had to make sure the engine cover is clean.

 

Anyway i got one more problem just now only. As i was parking my bike, i detected petrol smell. I looked down and to my horror, the cap is unlocked but luckily it did not fall off. Why is it happening ? As i really had made sure i smack the petrol cap hard after pumping petrol 2 days ago......

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Yes, do make sure there is a "clicking" sound and feel when you lock the tank. Also, inspect the rubber seal to make sure it's not cracked or damaged. And yes, I smack the thing a couple times to make sure it's "in".

 

You of course already know this but the "arrow" indent on the cap must face forward for a complete lock. Not sure if it's possible to get a 'partial' seal anyway but when we're in a hurry, who knows..

[pureice68]

Hmmm... our instructors taught us to press the left and right side of the cap with both thumbs downwards and listen out to the 'click' sound. At the same time, the key will turn to upright position which means that the cap is locked! Been using this method and everything is fine so far. Hope this help.

[darkhorse2009]

haha!! ok, i try that.

 

Btw, i missed that lesson as i was searching for a better bike that time in the beginning of the lesson.

[Zhi Ming]

Hi guys,

 

recently my bike will have this sound when moving off after just started ...

 

1) switch on engine

2) Move off

3) clutch in and off throttle let the bike freewheel, and can hear a "tack-tack-tack" sound from the front , sounds like something is gonna drop off from the bike...

4) after 5-8seconds , then sound disappears and all is normal

 

Any idea whats this sound? I hope its nothing serious...

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I have had this sound for a while and there can be several causes:

 

1. Gear is partially engaged (not likely!)

2. Something like the cam tensioner is making the noise when the engine is cold and oil does not flow sufficiently to the cylinder head / cams yet for complete lubrication. Engine braking somehow I guess, sucks oil up into the cyl head and sound disappears.

 

I think it's condition 2.

 

Mine starts like this:

 

1. Start engine and if bike is in a 'bad mood' or old EO, it sounds like a Comfort Taxi.

2. Drive around a bit , do some engine braking, the taxi sound will disappear.

3. After about 10 minutes it starts to sound smooth and full power is available.

 

That's how demanding my 'wife' is on properly warmed engine oil!

 

Dr. Chong had no idea what's going on but after a test ride came back with a biiiig smile on his face. Nothing wrong.

[pureice68]

Hi guys,

 

recently my bike will have this sound when moving off after just started ...

 

1) switch on engine

2) Move off

3) clutch in and off throttle let the bike freewheel, and can hear a "tack-tack-tack" sound from the front , sounds like something is gonna drop off from the bike...

4) after 5-8seconds , then sound disappears and all is normal

 

Any idea whats this sound? I hope its nothing serious...

 

Sounds like the Tensioner needs replacement le! It shud get louder and longer, but just monitor 1st lor or best thing is to let a mechanic look at lah. Cost for replacement at Dr Chong is $55 if it's the Tensioner.

[pureice68]

I have had this sound for a while and there can be several causes:

 

1. Gear is partially engaged (not likely!)

2. Something like the cam tensioner is making the noise when the engine is cold and oil does not flow sufficiently to the cylinder head / cams yet for complete lubrication. Engine braking somehow I guess, sucks oil up into the cyl head and sound disappears.

 

I think it's condition 2.

 

Mine starts like this:

 

1. Start engine and if bike is in a 'bad mood' or old EO, it sounds like a Comfort Taxi.

2. Drive around a bit , do some engine braking, the taxi sound will disappear.

3. After about 10 minutes it starts to sound smooth and full power is available.

 

That's how demanding my 'wife' is on properly warmed engine oil!

 

Dr. Chong had no idea what's going on but after a test ride came back with a biiiig smile on his face. Nothing wrong.

 

Bro, you mean she needs more 'foreplay' before she gets properly lubricated? Kinky!!! Haha....