CG215 Poorly :(

[Belgarion]

Ok, had my 06 model for just about a year now, and it seems very poorly. Bearing in mind I aint no mechanic, what would be the most likely cause for these little issues. They've only really been noticed over the last 2 months, and they do seem to be getting worse as time goes on.

It's done almost 8k miles in 10 months, at least 50 miles a day every day.

Problems...

* Back brake seems to be sticking when pressed (but not always)

* Chain seems to be catching - it is well lubed, but when at very slow speed, I can hear something 'knocking' - I don't think it's the engine.

* Occasionally, when changing down from 4th to 3rd, and I release the throttle (to slow down), when reapplying the throttle, the bike seems to take a good second to re-engage, and the bike lurches - as if the fuel wasn't flowing the moment the throttle is opened again.

* Power is very much up and down.... now I live in Scotland, and the wind obviously makes a difference to my uphill speeds... but in some cases I have to rag the thing in 3rd just to get to 40mph... I'm sure that can't be right lol

Oh, and I think an oil change is probably due.. I'm sure I did the last one at about 5k miles

One last thing.. I live out in the middle of a forest, and the roads are typical backroad quality.. so it's not particularly clean... I've tried giving it a good rub doen but it doesn't make a big difference to the engine metal and surrounding area. I don't have the luxury of a garage, so the bike it outside 24/7, and the rims are starting to rust a bit. Naturally I've tried cleaning that off, but well, it's seen better days.

Any advice on all the above gratefully received
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Bike: CG125 - Theory: Passed 20th June...64/75 Hazard, 49/50 Theory... Test: Module 1 - 15/10/09.... Failed

[.....]

Sounds like your brakes need a good strip and clean, there's guides around here somewhere and it's not a difficult job.

Have you checked and adjusted your chain tension at all?

An oil change should be a ten minute job, old oil out, new oil in. I don't think the CG even has a filter, just a mesh screen?

[Bat]

Hi there,

I'm no mechanic either, but I'd say: -
* Rear caliper needs a good clean out
* Chain needs adjusting as per the manual(recommended slack should be on a sticker on chain cover too)
* Oil change and some carb cleaner needed ASAP to sort out the rough running.

Have you done 8k without any maintenance work? If so you're lucky it's a CG

[Vincent]

if the rear brake is a drum, it will most likely be the shaft that has seized in the brake plate. You need to take the wheel out, remove the brake plate, take the pads off, push the shaft/cam out and clean it up with a bit of emery pap[er. When you stick it back in, apply a bit of grease on the cam to stop it seizing again.
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Space Is Deep

[Belgarion]

It's had 2 oil changes since 191 miles on the clock, so yeah I know another one is probably a good idea

Carb cleaner.. ok, whassat and how do I use it? (well ok, I know what it 'is', but how easy is it to use?)

The brake cleaning, well I can always have a go and doing it myself.. course, I'll need tools lol.

I did check the chain tension - it seems ok, but if I don't lube it quite regularly, then it tends to seize a little bit. Anything I can do to sort that out?

Thanks for the help guys
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Bike: CG125 - Theory: Passed 20th June...64/75 Hazard, 49/50 Theory... Test: Module 1 - 15/10/09.... Failed

[Itchy]

[Belgarion]

hmm is it usual for a chain to start wearing out after just a year of (admittedly quite hard) riding?

The fact it seems to 'knock' when not lubed after a few days does make me wonder if there is a problem... the CG was trashed before Xmas, and there was a fair number of replacement parts, I think both wheels were. The chain wasnt touched tho - I can't see it being damaged (bike landed other side), but still.. they say once a crash, the bike never feels the same again...

I'll give the chain a thorough once over when I get home from work I think tho.
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Bike: CG125 - Theory: Passed 20th June...64/75 Hazard, 49/50 Theory... Test: Module 1 - 15/10/09.... Failed

[Kal]

[Belgarion]

Well, not near the coast, but tbh the weather up here this winter has been shockingly bad.. the roads I run are not particularly good, and it is always stored outside.

I lube it maybe twice a week sometimes nowadays, I believe the chain is stock, and as the bike was pretty much unusued when I first bought it, I expected it to be in top nick. So it may well be just the way I ride it

I've not had much opportunity to clean it as the weather has pretty much non-stop been bad in one way or another - it's been pretty nice today tho so I might dedicate Sunday to sprucing it up a little.

I did think that it was starting to just 'feel' old way too early - 8k isn't exactly much in distance terms. But then I probably don't spend nearly enough time keeping it happy...
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Bike: CG125 - Theory: Passed 20th June...64/75 Hazard, 49/50 Theory... Test: Module 1 - 15/10/09.... Failed

[Kal]

Recomend an oil change and giving your air box a once over to make sure it is breathing right

Mine had issues after sucking in some plastic once. I'd also recomend doing a chain and sprocket swap - basic sets for CGs aren't expensive.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[TomCB]

[Billing]

I'd guess your front sprocket is on its way out, take the cover off and see if the teeth appear 'hooked' or are pointy (as in feel almost sharp to the touch) remember front sprocket usually last about half the time a rear one does as it spins twice as fast.
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'84 TS50X, '91 TZR125, '89 CBR400RR, '91 VFR400R NC30, '98 R1
"Hey copernicus! Why don't you navigate yourself to the back of the line with your feet and stand there with your shit."
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[Kal]

Given a complete change chain and sprocket of is no more than £36 and you can have it sent straight to your door you might as well chop the lot.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[Belgarion]

Oki, well I will check the chain and sprocket on Sunday (weather permitting ) and hopefully I can even put it all together again too!

Thanks for the help guys, most appreciated.
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Bike: CG125 - Theory: Passed 20th June...64/75 Hazard, 49/50 Theory... Test: Module 1 - 15/10/09.... Failed