Revving higher the longer I ride?

[Bambam3]

Dunno if I'm being paranoid, but the past few days it seems like the bike revs higher the more it's ridden, in all gears.

It's a Honda XR125, 4stroke, just seems louder, a bit more screamy maybe as it warms right up after a few miles, and I'm changing gear every two minutes.

Is this normal? Engine problem?

[Robby]

Engine speed is always the same for given speed in a given gear, unless the clutch is slipping. So if 40mph in 4th needs 5000rpm when you start off and 6000rpm after an hour, your clutch could be slipping. Check the adjusters on the lever and on the engine to make sure there's enough slack.

A bit more noise on a warm engine isn't unusual, particularly on air-cooled ones. An oil change may make it a little quieter.

I think it's about a 1000 mile oil change interval on that engine anyway, assuming it's a small 4-stroke aircooled honda engine that takes about a litre of oil. Honda singles have never liked low, old or dirty oil.

[Bambam3]

Cheers.

How much slack should there be roughly? How do I measure it?

I'mma put some new oil in tomorrow and see if that helps a bit, should be due a change shortly I think anyway.

[MarkJ]

A manual or the internet will tell you how much. Then on the sides of oil bottles you normally get a clear bit where you can see how much is in there and there are notches showing you how many litres are in the bottle - a bit like a kitchen jug.

Also, your bike should have a dipstick or sightglass.

[Bambam3]

Cheers, yeah got the oil measurements ok from the manual (0.9l), just the clutch slack wasn't in there.

[Pickledswede]

Unless I'm misunderstanding you measure it at the lever, it's the amount you can pull the lever in without any resistance from the cable. Should be measured in cms in the manual, on my bike its 2-3.

[Bambam3]

[Pickledswede]

Yep that's how I measured it, I just used one finger and barely pressure at all and moved it in til I felt the resistance

[Bambam3]

Thanks.

Does it matter where it's adjusted.. i:e top of cable at the lever or bottom near engine?

[Pickledswede]

I think the general rule is adjust at the lever until there's no adjustment left, then use the adjuster by the engine, but at this point you'll probably want to order a new cable as it suggests your one is stretched!

[Bambam3]

[Bambam3]

Got it, cheers again.

Lever goes back alot before the 'click' and resistance hit, then it's not much of a pull til it's touching the grip.

Strange, but if the manual says it's right, it's gotta be I guess.

Will find out how she rides tomorrow.

[Pickledswede]

Would give it a test ride now so you can adjust it again if needs be, wouldn't want you or I to have got the wrong end of the stick and you end up having to adjust it again tomorrow morning!