Motorcycle Forum / General / Technical / November 2005

I'm having real difficulty finding the answer to what seems a simple
question; I need to know the bob weight formula [balance factor] for an
inline twin [both pistons run in parallel].
Top rpm is 8500, usually runs at about 4-5000. Street use.

Hi!  I'm soon about to start cleaning up my CB550F2 and most of th
silver paint on the lower engine casing had perished. Can anyone advis
me on which paint to use on the engine casings? Living in the UK
obviously need something readily available over here.

If it's possible to encase a shaft and submerge it with oil, why can't the
same be done for chain and sprocket? A totally enclosed chain drive could be
both efficient and maintenance free.

I am rebuilding a YZ80H.  I bought the new main bearings from a local
bearing shop, not Yamaha.  The bearings I bought were sealed and the
person who sold them to me said to just pry out the seals if I am using
them as mains.  Now, I have done that I see that under the seal they are

I want to remove the Honda tank labels off of my 700 shadow. I want to put
flames on in its place. What is the best way to remove the labels without
damaging the paint? TIA

I have a bike I'm going to get running. The 1st probability carb needs
cleaning and the 2nd is that it needs a valve adjust. I'm going to check
both. The fuel tank is full and wasn't treated when it was parked. My
intent is to pour that into my truck. I've done this before and it ...

MY Suzuki GS400 has developed a problem with the starter relay.  When I
start the bike the terminals on the relay begin to burn!  Why is this?
Relay clicks but does not turn starter motor! At a loss, please help!
Gray

I have a Virago 250. I was performing my first valve clearance
adjustment. I unscrewed a tappet too far and dropped it down below the
cams. I took the cover off of the cam area and got the tappet out and
put it back into place. One of the cams came off and I may have changed

I have a 01 ktm 300exc. I am wondering if anyone knows what the piston
to cylinder measurement is supposed to be for a stock piston and
cylinder. This seems to be a very difficult question for my local ktm
dealer, and I am trying to get rid of some piston slap..

Someone here who can help me with a scanned service manual or worfield
manual?
What are the specs for the valves?
What kind of oil to use on the cycle and how much?

Recently bought a 1983 Honda Nighthawk 650 which had been sitting
without use for over a year. it has 26,000 miles.
I tore down the carbs and I carefully cleaned them, jets, pilot screw
the whole shebang. Replaced the intake manifold o-rings, drained the old

hey there
I have a problem starting my bike, the weather is pretty cold now it gets
bellow freezing point.
I have also noticed that the engine runs roughly during medium speed  at

I can't get a spark on my 85 XL600R - I replaced the pulser, CD unit,
coil, sparkplug, and everything else (except the voltage regulator) in
the ingition circuit.  What the heck??  I wonder if the ignition on/off
switch could be faulty?  What should I look for?  I have the ...

Bike is a 1984 Kawsaki KZ700s. The bike shifts alright but when
upshifting (pushing down on the shifter) it will stick and need to be
lifted up before i can shift again. What can cause this, and is there an
easy fix? It doesn't have a problem downshifting.

Sorry, i'm sure this problem has been posted before...but when I open up
the throttle more than just a little bit, the engine wheezes and the
bike slows down. I can only get the bike up to about 40 mph.
The bike also makes some clatter when it's idling...maybe valve clearance?