[Archived - 2009] PK Official- Questions for Newbie

[jB]

experiment with various angles until u can slot it in rather easily. as long air is pumped in without leaks, ok lor.

 

ps: i hate caltex pump. pump shell, refuel shell, redeem pts shell

dude let me know about the EO when you've tried it

 

i just had tyre puncture in rear wheel and very difficult to pump air before running to bike shop.

i was at shell station and didnt managed to pump air to rear wheel.

 

so just roll on to ah koon, and all the cars, bikes behind me horn to let me know that i have flat tyre.

luckly not total flat at all to damage rim, just white-wall-rubber-layer peel off as rolling with half air pressure. (it was so ugly )

 

ah koon fixed for me and no tyre change required. damage 8 $ and peel-off-white(brown)-wall.

woah, been hearing this kinda cases among our circle recently

[BlackDawn]

really, i remember i saw that L valve was expensive too. Where did u got such deal bro?

 

Hmm... I would have thought something so small would be cheap. I didn't even bargain & was quoted $7 & $8 respectively. Got it at the following places:

 

Phantom: Speedway (Bt Batok)

Sportster: Rosli (Ubi)

 

p/s: I'm not a regular of these motordiams, so its not a special price for me.

[jB]

I didn't know Speedway could have such good prices

[BlackDawn]

I didn't know Speedway could have such good prices

I only went there twice, both times to change tyres (2 years apart).

Price is OK, but waiting time was

 

The first time, they balanced both wheels for me when I insisted. 2nd time, they say "Aiya, phantom no need to balance wheels one la, small bike". After much insistence, they did the rear wheel only

[jB]

well, that is speedway for you and for those who doesn't know, speedway has another shop in alexandra under another name

[BlackDawn]

Actually, the only reason I went there is because I've heard that they are willing to balance tyres for 2B bikes... Looks like it was right the first time & half-right the second time

[jB]

i dread going there and that area though I stay near.Unless its an emergency like last friday.My rear right signal light bulb blew so went there aroud 9+ to get a bulb and rewire sth..

[freeze18]

erm..is spark plug very important to change??i haven change for almost 2 years..lol..btw..spark plug only use for starting vehicle?

[jB]

why not important? you know what ignites your petrol in your combustion chamber?

[bluesurfer]

according to some shop i been they say spark plug no need everytime change de lei...ard 10k km change once also consider a waste

[BlackDawn]

The biggest risk of not changing spark plug for too long (IMHO, 2 years is toooo long, regardless of mileage travelled) is that the plug will seize in the engine block. That would be a BIG problem.

[bluesurfer]

then what is the suggested mileage b4 changing?or how long can spark plug last?

[Mark Ng]

for 4 stroke bike with proper tuning, it is recommended to change at least once every 6 months / 15K of mileage, whichever come first.

[Mark Ng]

the L-type valve so expensive mehz? made of gold ar? or? got special design de?

[normanlai]

then what is the suggested mileage b4 changing?or how long can spark plug last?

 

Change every 2 EO change would be great. How much sparkies cost anyway man........

 

unless u insist on iridiums...... then u decide when u wanna go broke lor.

[Metalfyre]

Change every 2 EO a bit excessive la...i normally take it out to clean and check it every 6-8 months...the plug lasts me much longer than usual that way.

[gnayed]

There are a few kinds of L-valves. Stuff like the Ariete and Lightech air valves really do not come cheap, I remember around the $60~80 range. Ofcourse if you were to get the cheapskate stuff, which is what I'm using as well, $6~8 for one.

 

Some say, the cheapskate ones will cause the tire to deflate under high-speed due to the gyroscopic effect. My verdict? So far so good. Done track sessions and high speed blasts on NSH, still maintained the same pressure when measured on cold.

 

I usually change my spark plugs every 20k. Factory recommendation for most japanese bikes. Spark plugs don't spoil or seize easily, why let bikeshops earn that often? The longest mileage I clocked with a spark plug till it starts to misfire is 40,000 km, not total failure. Spark plugs don't usually fail abruptly, there would tell-tale signs of it spoiling soon.

[jB]

what would the signs of spark plug failing be?

[atan]

I only went there twice, both times to change tyres (2 years apart).

Price is OK, but waiting time was

 

The first time, they balanced both wheels for me when I insisted. 2nd time, they say "Aiya, phantom no need to balance wheels one la, small bike". After much insistence, they did the rear wheel only

 

what do u mean by 'balanced both wheel' n for what reason the bike needs to do it n how the mechanic does it. tks

[dragonforce]

i think 1 sign of a failing spark plug is difficulty to start engine.. if spark plug spoil cannot start engine at all lor.. but of cos there are other factors in starting engine..

[BlackDawn]

what do u mean by 'balanced both wheel' n for what reason the bike needs to do it n how the mechanic does it. tks

In theory, all wheels (cars, bikes blah blah blah) needs to be balanced after changing tyres. Tyres can't be made perfectly balanced, neither are hubs. After new tyres are mounted on hubs, they are put on a balancing machine to determine the unbalance. Counterweights are then used to balance the wheels so that they run true on the wheel axles.

[Replay]

how to cure VERY SOFT backfires..? they keep coming..

[TheYasMan]

Bro, where got so expensive?? ... Last time I change L-valve for my Phantom $7 nia. Just last week I also changed for my Harley.... $8 nia...

 

Don't tell me you really paid $25 for the L-valve

 

I didnt... But i asked around K**n and another place (forgot), they quoted around 20. Guess it's either a rip-off or some branded thingy going on.

Man, 8 bucks? Did you have your tyre changed at the same time or are they willing to fix it for that price without any tyre change?

 

i remember there's such product, 90' air hose adapter from forum advertiser. But quite expensive, and mostly used on touring bike or bike bikes. havent thought about it till now..

 

where i got puncture? propably road works and constructions infront of ah koon ??

i was at henderson road for some business, then stop by ah koon to tighten some screw.

when leaving, making turns feel like wooble abit, and only realize when i stop at traffic light and see my rear tyre..

white-wall peel off like orange skins, man...

 

That one under the MO right? I find that a total waste, was thinkin i could be able to find one cheaper - and now Kiamh enlightened me that it's at least 3 times cheaper than quotations of 2 shops.

 

Brothers going K**n, careful ah, ride slow. 2 weeks back, Hassan's tyre was punctured by a 6 inch metal peg, now kmax.

[normanlai]

how to cure VERY SOFT backfires..? they keep coming..

 

i found out that there are a couple of factors that cause backfiring.

 

1. check your air filter, tighten all the links to the carb. I ever tighten a few more rounds on the rubber pipes and sound reduced dramatically.

 

2. Engine oil you use matters a lot. I'm running in, and Mechanic insist i use fully. Backfiring reduce till very little. How i know? my first EO was cheapest fully syn money can buy, now 2nd change use Motul. World of difference. Maybe the harder the engine gotta work, the more pop sound due to excess fuel?? (note: advise from a friend whom i trust, dun buy EO if u suspect its from Thailand. No matter how cheap, no matter what the seller claim)

 

3. Pilot Jet, screw it out bit by bit till the sound is almost zero. Be careful though, too lean and u will face other problems due to heat. May also face problems of engine dying easily, or difficult to cold start. If you dun know how to listen to the engine, dun touch this.

 

4. air valve below fuel tank. Everyone blames this part when pop pop occurs. I personally think it need not be the problem.

 

ps. My machine has soft pops too, sparkie reading says its running a little rich (slightly rich better than lean anyway), but my pilot screw is 3 turn out, that's considered a lot. Before top overhaul it was reasonable at 1 and 3/4 turns, now its ok at 3 turns. a bit worrying.

 

 

 

Change every 2 EO a bit excessive la...i normally take it out to clean and check it every 6-8 months...the plug lasts me much longer than usual that way.

 

i use sandpaper on my sparkies every month for minor touching up and making sure the gap is reasonable

[Guest @h_püi™]

i think planet charge me $3 for the L shape.. but i change tyre also.. maybe cheaper..