gjbiker

Thanks guys. My apologies for going on the defensive, been offshore for two weeks now and it's been a hell of a trip. A touch 'techy' is probably an understatement ! T'was nice to read your replies though, I imagine quite a few more readers of this forum are a bit more clued up on the finer points of cylinder boring, honing and de-glazing. Anyhooz, time for me to jump on a heliochopter and go home for a chill out. Then I'd best pull my finger out and get the bikes ready for Sunday Happy days GJ

I'd go with the coolant water theory, like PeterB says. Very common for head seals to go at that age and because water doesn't burn it will affect the running. Crank seals will cause lots of smoke but the bike may still run OK. Easy checked - loss of coolant = head gasket/'o' rings , loss of gearbox oil = crank seals Pray it's the head seals as this is a simple fix compared to crank seals or casing erosion. GJ

I've just bought a couple of these Lifty Things mainly cos they're cheap and reasonably light weight. I've already got a hydrualic ramp for major maintenance but for a quick chain tension, wash down etc the smaller stands are a real boost. GJ

If you get one I'll get one and I'll meet you half way (Inverurie?) for a dual Could take a year or two to get there though GJ

Maybe the law's changed again ? Dunno Whatever, they're all a bunch of scoundrels and scallywags anyway. Nuffin worse than piles of horse sh*t round the next corner when you're cranked right over on the old superdream eh ?

I fink they're still allowed to tally ho around on horses, they're just not allowed to use hounds (dugs) ?

No offence taken Pete. Like I said, broad shoulders As for the difference between honing and glaze busting I'm fully aware of the difference, it's purely the fact the tool used for said glaze busting is called a hone. Perhaps I took Scorpa3 out of context but by the way he described the condition of the bore. My apologies if he meant honing to a degree of an oversize (after a re-bore obviously), I just assumed he wanted to get rid of some faint marking which is easily achieved using a

Not wise to do this indoors....... Borrow the wifes hairspray...... GJ

Mmmmmmm

Me too. Picked up a pair of Gaernes on sale at

Bet he wishes he had a missus like mine......... Just two days ago I was on the phone to Mrs Wife at home (I'm offshore just now). Her son was visiting and she put him on for a blether (Scots chin-wag). He goes on to tell me his boss is selling a 2001 Mont 315, apparently top notch condition with lots of spares and he'd been offered it at mates rates. He was skint as usual ! So I says.....'ask yer mum if I can buy it'. The question was put to my better half and the answer was.....' only if I can get a new kitchen sink ' !!!!! I get home on Tuesday, go to B+Q and then pick up a spare bike. Happy days. I love her. GJ

Try some of THIS if you like splashing out. Ride magazine tests are normally pretty in depth so if they reckon it's a best buy then I'd believe them. As for me, I'll just stick to WD 40, lashings of it and very frequently ( I even carry a small tin with me whilst trialing ). Buy it by the gallon and use it for everything. Even a night out ! Smells better than Old Spice ! GJ

Without trying to upset the engineers amongst us I'll tell you what I do at home. Remember, I'm not an expert and honing a bore properly is best left to the experts, especially when the bores are coated. Nikasil is pretty tough stuff and can withstand a quick honing (30 seconds) but if you're unsure then give the barrel to someone you can claim compensation from !!! I use a triple stone straight flexible hone that can be bought relatively cheaply from most automotive tool shops. (Ensure the stones are of a suitable length to bridge the ports when doing 2 strokes). I believe either ball or straight hones can be used with Nikasil (Correct me if I'm wrong Cope). I use WD40 as a lubricant ( there are many abrasives of differing grades when the pro's do it, I use the abrasive quality of the stones - fine grade, plenty lube). Using a battery drill at a moderate speed and plenty WD40 I run the hone up and down the bore trying to create a 45 degree cross hatching pattern. (This pattern distributes the engines lubrication effectively) 10 seconds is normally more than adequate for a de-glaze and produces a nice bed for the new rings. If you have deep scores i.e more than a scuff mark then you need to get the experts to do it (aggressive honing or re-bore, oversize pistons etc). The standard rings should be ok but if there's been a lot of oil burning or compression loss its always best to check the bore diameter with the manufacturers tolerances. Anyhooz, like I said, this is what I do and I've got away with it so far. I'm just a grippy Scotsman who likes to do as much as I can myself. (That said, I have had some expert tuition over my 30+ years spannering) If your unsure, leave it to the pros. GJ

Depending on the definition 'True Biker' and dont think I saw any in the photos ! My slideshow would include...... P*ss wet through and freezing cold riding home from work on an GT250 firing on one cylinder Loaded up with tents, beer and leaving the sleeping bag and sometimes the tent to make way for more beer. Heading off to a rally hundreds of miles away in the p*ssing rain to pitch up in a very muddy field. Riding home from said event in the snow, losing the chain on the outside lane whilst overtaking a lorry with a loose tarpaulin. Having to put on all the wet gear from yesterday to go to work and earn enough for next weekend. I could go on...........but I'm off to dig out some old photos Those were days

You obviously know your budget and if a 2000 is around your price range then you're almost there..... Any bike thats 7 or 8 years old will have had quite a bit of use so shop around. Look for the obvious things, if you've ridden mx then you'll know a thing or two about bikes? Well maintained, good tyres ( trials rubber not as cheap as mx and could cost you another

Lost for words What's really worrying though................ I looked at all the pictures I'd always thought Tron was a pretty good movie for its time, now I'm mentally scarred, childhood memories ruined Thanks

Ahh ! That makes sense then Mine works fine on thin wall as long as A; its good quality pipe B; its heated properly C; you dont go past 45 degrees. They do take a while to master but once you get the hang of them they're invaluable. GJ

Hi there, the type of bender you need is available new on flea bay for about

You guessed correctly Donald, far too much time on my hands as usual

My mates brother-in-law uses it without any problems ( so far ). But you've just got to ask ....... WHY ??????? Perhaps if whoever is in front of you has serious flatulence problems you could get them to use it ????? Why strawberries anyway ? Why not bananas ? Or Old Spice ? If they come up with something thats smells of Kylie Minogue, then I'd be interested ! GJ

Nice one Start 'em young, champions they'll become....... (Wish I was 4 again!) GJ

Some random choice quotations to help overcome that sense of ' bricking it ' as rransome so nicely puts it................... "Everyone is shy --- it is the inborn modesty that makes us able to live in harmony with other creatures and our fellows. Achievement comes not by denying shyness but, occasionally, by setting it aside and letting pride and perspiration come first." ~ Kirkpatrick Sale ~ Keep your thoughts positive, Because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, Because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive, Because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive, Because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, Because your values become your destiny. ~ Ghandi ~ Do it 'coz ya love it ~ Me ~ Have fun, GJ

A weight saving topic, marvellous My ideal solution (for me) would be a strict diet. That way I could save about 12 pounds, save money by not buying beer and then ruin it all by investing in a larger tank so I could go round and round and round without stopping to fill up with petrol Neat trick with the fuel pipes though

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Certainly was, a most enjoyable day even if I did get last place ! (Someone has to, might as well be me )