Friday Night Bikers

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Good Ride!

 

That was the biggest waste of one good night. You guys want a DATING outing go.leave your bikes at home and stop being a road.hazard staring at pedestrians and leering at car passengers.

 

If you cannot act take the above commentary like an adult and professional driver then don't make yourself welcome here. I actually put in work to make the ride a safe and enjoyable one by personally scouting those routes. Want to see girls go clubbing, not join DIY mechanic group.

 

I don't want to hear nonsense that 'you want girls in the group'. You cannot even stay on topic when people explain how your engine works, much less build an environment safe for the ladies!

 

So dream on! I happen to be spending my weekend with some lovely company. Notice I don't have to DAYDREAM all day to pursue social interests. See pretty girl make lewd comments IN PUBLIC for what? You only drag down what little reputation we have as Singapore bikers. Don't dare to stand up and go talk to her? Shut up and eat prata before it gets cold.

 

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[Shunpo]

Holy. Who went wrong ? Despo mystery guest ?

 

Doesnt sound very good to me from Kitten's tone.

 

See ya guys around next time round. Work work >.

[Isopropyl]

thanks pandora kitten for the nice explaination for fuel/air setting. i will try richer setting and see how things goes. once i find a better setting, will work on the sprocket.

 

my spark135 just reached 8000km mark. FC have been dropping since. a big drop after i changed the stock tube tire to tubeless. likely due to using a boarder/heavier tubeless. other causes might be due to the air filter and spark plug.

[sghondarebel]

Anyone going for a short bike ride this evening? Just got my 1978 CB on the road but riding alone is kinda boring. Planning a late evening ride at about 10pm? sms or call 96899708

 

Stan

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Anyone going for a short bike ride this evening? Just got my 1978 CB on the road but riding alone is kinda boring. Planning a late evening ride at about 10pm? sms or call 96899708

 

Stan

 

Black Squadron is clear for takeoff tonight at 10pm :3

If anyone else is interested give us a ring at the above number or 93270801 (me). Easy casual road trip for mature riders

[Isopropyl]

hope one day will be able to join you guys. i am a slow rider. not sure can i keep up:cheeky:

 

decide to adjust my chain this afternoon. my stock chain after 8,000km start to be either too tight on one end or too loose over the other end when adjusting the chain. also, sometime it give off "tak tak tak" sound. i guess the chain had wear out and elongated on one side. my beginner DIY skill also caused some damage to the axle nut. guess i should not have use an U-shape spanner but those round type. one of these days have to buy a replacement nut before i rounded it:sian:

 

wanted to service in JB but it happen to be saturday where crossing the causeway will be a nightmare. went to nearby motortiam in woodlands but both shop near my place is closed:cry: so ride all the way to yishun and they told me the chain is a goner and it "jump" therefore giving off some sound. either change the chain early or risk wearing out the sprocket. quoted me $28 for replacing with D.I.D 428H roller chain. with the reputation of motortiam in that area, i quite sure it is a few bucks more expensive. no choice but to to replace the chain since i don't want to travel around with an unblance chain. learn a couple of trick by watching how the mechanic adjust the chain. tried to get some pointer from the mechanic but guess he is too busy to entertain me. the stock chain is kind of weak looking. it a 415 type. guess that the reason it doesn't last although it is light.

 

checked my engine oil level too after reading the thread on engine oil running dry. so far the oil level hold up after 1000km on it. ahhhh.... goodness of HDEO:thumb:

 

that my "kopitiam engineering" story for the day.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

no choice but to to replace the chain since i don't want to travel around with an unblance chain. learn a couple of trick by watching how the mechanic adjust the chain. tried to get some pointer from the mechanic but guess he is too busy to entertain me. the stock chain is kind of weak looking. it a 415 type. guess that the reason it doesn't last although it is light.

 

 

The chain technology used commonly today is very thankfully, highly redundant and over-built for the most part. I've seen overheated (with blued links) chains flapping away after too-thorough cleaning, rusted chains still continuing to function correctly, back in the days before I discovered all the great troves of vehicle maintenance related websites on the Internet.

 

A worn or improperly tensioned chain would sap horsepower and affect the fuel economy of the machine; for this reason last year I made an investment for a more expensive X-Ring type chain and lubed it every 500km or 'a few days' of hard riding - but it so happened Ah Chong (Planet Motors) had run out of O-Ring chains that day and gave me a X-Ring without extra charge (DID 520VX type I believe). Like yourself I was using a lighter-duty chain that came with the bike; this chain barely survived 3 months before it started stretching out and loosening itself quite severely under normal riding.

 

Contrast with the X-Ring plus smaller rear sprocket (15/38), the chain didn't need tightening for 10 months despite the average travelling speed getting higher and higher as I got used to the Phantom and developed a tuning regime for it.

 

Of course, back then there was a lot of talk about chain oilers that 'magically' prevented chain wear and even O-rings were useless tech talk. I'm glad I respected the engineers' perspective than spending hard earned money on products made from aquarium parts; there must be a very good reason why engineers designed the "self cleaning" X-profile sealing ring and fitted it on motorcycle chains... Why, to be better than the standard O-Ring, of course!

 

Even today I am amazed by the X-Ring's far superior ability to hold its own lubrication over long periods of time, and despite my lack of cleanliness under the rear fender, the chain does keep itself free from grit and grease buildup very well.

 

 

This Morning:

 

It was a somewhat ad-hoc gathering between @sghondarebel and myself. I was expecting the smooth, turbine-like howl of a well honed Honda inline four and was well surprised (in a good way) by the staccato machine-gun like exhaust note of a... Ducati?

 

Nope, it was a custom, stripped down, meticuolously rebuilt 1978 CB400N "Hawk III" classic streetfighter! This amazing machine would draw envious stares from everyone from its unique exhaust note and commanding appearance, despite its age. The owner says when he put the machine back together after a total rebuild, it came to life on the third kick as though waking up wanting to start a new life!

 

While the owner doesn't wish photos to be taken (and I always respect "clients'" rights :3) here is a bike of the same make and model:

 

http://82.131.181.197/web/spoiler/kepek/1arlista/motor/full/honda/c/cb/cb400/cb400n-1978.jpg

 

But seriously, this picture does not do the real HAWK III of SBF I saw any justice. What @sghondarebel has is much, much more awesomer. It doesn't look 1978, it's completely modernised with new parts, custom tank and fenders, and of course, who can miss the hi-tech rear suspension?

 

And after our kopitiam engineering discussion, I headed off to Lim Chu Kang to test out a new camera mounting. The new camera I have can't withstand vibrations from the four stroke engine of mine tuned for maximum torque, but the human body is a very good vibration damper!

 

There wasn't any stabilisation system needed for this camera mount except what was already provided with the bike. The wondrous thing about the Phantom's suspension geometry is how the rider sits perfectly on its centre of gravity, with the whole machine pivoting around the seat. It's a very comfortable and surprisingly maneuverable ride.

 

As requested by @tankee1981 he can now enjoy some Rammstein music :

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YROv3Y3U8A

 

The custom windshield provided courtesy of @MJ Gurunathan

Camera needs to be worn higher next time.... or get some low risers and a straight bar.

Edited April 24, 2011 by Pandora's Kitten :3

[sghondarebel]

Thanks for meeting up Pandora! and yeah I was really delighted the bike fired up after the 3rd kick. As you know it's back to the "workshop" to get all the faulty things done. sigh.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

BATTLE WITH THE GHOST OF NEO TIEW : Honda Phantom vs REAL Phantom!!

 

 

http://fridaybikers.yolasite.com/blog/phantom-menace

 

http://www.life-lessons.eu/images/track_ghost25.jpg

[sghondarebel]

Ah...so now I know why my electrics failed that evening. Bike didnt want me to go Neo Tiew with you!

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Yep, just woke up from very long sleep and wants to stay in Jurong area!

 

This week I'll give you a choice of friday or saturday night :3

[Thomaswongkk]

wow, this friday go explore the haunted area again? ;x

[Isopropyl]

The chain technology used commonly today is very thankfully, highly redundant and over-built for the most part. I've seen overheated (with blued links) chains flapping away after too-thorough cleaning, rusted chains still continuing to function correctly, back in the days before I discovered all the great troves of vehicle maintenance related websites on the Internet.

 

i got a feeling that my chain worn out so fast is because it was over tighten. likely to be the cause.

 

your current sprocket is (15/38). what is the original? my stock is (15/39). thinking of chainging to (15/38) or (15/37).

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Phantom 200 stock sprockets are 15/41. Runs out of gears at 70kph!

 

My 125Z came with ??/41 too. Gear change sequence like scrambler. 15-39 was optimal for that bike (115kph @ 6000RPM, 6th gear) and 17-37 was not practical as the optimal powerband at top gear was in the range of 140kph!

 

I don't feel I lose any pickup from the 17/37 as on a two stroke all the rider has to do is rev up to 7000 RPM and just change gears. 5 seconds later you're at 100+kph, just enjoy the horsepower. Two strokes do not save fuel by going slower due to the unique "supercharging" effect of the exhaust increasing compression and efficiency... only at high revs.

 

----

 

This week's kopitiam engineering

 

The topic is situational awareness and road traffic management. I can run convoys in Chinatown and Geylang - deathtraps? Nope, @Thomaswongkk might remember the Toa Payoh convoy from last year has a very effective convoy tactic for use in congested areas. We have something much better for Singapore traffic than the standard staggered trail formation which is kind of dangerous to use as it blocks city traffic and gets cut to pieces easily by traffic junctions and drivers changing lanes.

 

The session will likely be held on SATURDAY night 11pm.

 

Anyone who likes two strokes, or have fond memories of them would be encouraged to attend the saturday session. Friday session on demand only, since I liked last week's special vintage bike viewing a lot.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Oh, here's the stabilised camera mount in the day. Check out those colours. And the speed. Epic speed - due to the wide angle lens.

 

[video=youtube;UKjlnsDMH-U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKjlnsDMH-U

[dancingbiker]

Would like to join you guys if U are organizing anythng next month (May). Would love to learn more from U. Think there is alot I can learn from U. My contact no. is 96661405 if anyone wants to sms me of their upcoming trip. Even a petrol pumping trip using second link is fine with me as I live near the west side.

[dancingbiker]

Thanks!

 

Leaving shortly ... enjoy yourselves!!

 

See u guys in May!

 

Hello Chris. Remember me? Dancingbiker? Used to join U guys for outings to Yong Peng etc like a year and a half ago until I went to work in the casino and then the work schedule went crazy and I wasn't able to join u guys anymore since. Well the good news is I am quitting my job. Last day at the end of this month april. So when u get back in May I will be able to join U guys again. Am also in the process of upgrading my license to 2A as well. Test date in June 2011. Gonna get myself a class 2A bike after that. Any recommendations? Hope to join your next trip to Malaysia again in May 2011.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

@triumsg possibly still in the process of returning from a long vacation overseas. He should restart the JB pump petrol gang and the M'sia touring trips in due course.

 

Now, this week's organisation:

 

SATURDAY - 30 April 2011.

 

Background - why Saturday?

 

Because friday is a bit messy to run any big discussions, since some of us are just fresh out of work. Riders arrive at various timings and the mood is not optimal to go in depth to advanced riding theory and supporting mechanical knowledge stuff. We have much better discussions on Saturday night (especially when certain vintage bikes are around to be played with/looked at).

 

This Saturday at 11pm will feature an insane meeting location (don't be afraid to get lost and rely on GPS/mobile maps, but start riding early or else...) at East Coast Park (PM or SMS me for the exact location. I can even supply GPS coordinates now), followed by an all new urban riding experience.

 

One note of caution is riders should aim to arrive by latest 11.30pm as the safety briefing / icebreaking will likely end by then. If we need to wait later we risk losing energy and awareness as 12mn to 3am is when the human body slows down its metabolism significantly. So everyone needs to be on time and on target (it's a nice and worthwhile challenge, trust me).

 

 

Well maybe not entirely new to everyone but rest assured teamwork and initiative will play a big part in locating the suggested 24hrs Taiwanese food restaurant where we can shoot the breeze all we want.

 

If we have energy to spare (do rest well beforehand) then we can circumnavigate Singapore and see if we can find haunted places to invade j/k

 

Once again, sms to 9327 080 one for enquiries/details on the next session.

[dancingbiker]

Thanks for the feedback and noted Pandora. I can only join you guys in May as I will still be at work on 30th april till morning of 1st May so I will join your outing/meet up for next weekend.

 

p.s. There seems to be one digit missing from your contact number above. 9327 080? Thanks for the feedback.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Yep to prevent search engines from picking up the number. Anyway, smsed you earlier, see you next round :-)

 

the last digit is a 1

 

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[Fyrecat]

I will endeavour to be on time. Just checked my bike and found out my backlight not working. Don't even know how to change the bulb. Hence, would hope to learn some basic bike mechanics from the experts.

[sghondarebel]

This weekend wont do for me. I have stuff to do with the family. drop a message here after the meet. It would be nice to know what I missed.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Of course, our modus operandi says wife and kids first over all else. Will tapao some 2T smoke for you :-D

 

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[sghondarebel]

2T smoke? nah...

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I will endeavour to be on time. Just checked my bike and found out my backlight not working. Don't even know how to change the bulb. Hence, would hope to learn some basic bike mechanics from the experts.

 

Meet us at Carpark C2, which is just beside the Still Road flyover.

 

For ease of navigation take the Fort Road exit and just cruise down the parkway. Do tell me your HP no. beforehand so we don't miss you out. See attached picture for location - if you're brave and inbound from the east, you can use the little road to get there.