Getting GN125

[kickflare]

Okay, this is a topic in which i was getting help on earlier in the totally wrong forum [sorry guys! <3 ]

Having trawled the internet like a possessed woman on speed, I've decided to go with my mechanic's wife's bike which is for sale! [YAY!] its a Suzuki GN125, it last had an oil change about 4 months ago, they've used a cheap oil out of Halfords and I'd like to put a better quality oil in...

However... I've never done a thing on a bike, [ignoring being seven and taking apart my dad's bike because I don't remember doing it but he remembers it] so I'd like someone to walk me through how its done and what I should be looking at to keep the bike maintained. Its going to be my pride and joy for the next two years and I want her purring like a kitten so to speak.

Help would be greatly appreciated. <3
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CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[MCN]

Where does one start?

You will need a manual. Haynes do them but they're expensive.
There are manual for lots of bike on line but you some time have to go to bad sites to get them (or maybe not and just get a disease).
Perhaps some of the others on here have links to safe sites.

You need a set of combination spanners, a 3/8 socket set, Long nose pliers, engineer's pliers (The ones with shorter flat chunky jaws)
Not sure if that engine has a spin on oil filter or not. If spin on you will need a filter strap or a pair of filter pliers.
That's about £60/£70 of tools for a 'starter' kit.
As you go you may want to add to it. (You will add to it as tools are like drugs.)

I like to use good oil it's not much more £ for some peace of mind.
Some folk shop at Aldis/Lidl/Iceland I can afford ASDA/Morrisons/Tesco (sometimes Sainsburys if flush).
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[kickflare]

sorry to be a pain in the behind but spin on oil filter? I have so much learn... looks like I'm going to be googling all night! <3 hehe

I'm really sorry but I'm a complete newbie who is more than eager to get her hands dirty and covered in motor oil *grins*

My tool box at the moment contains.... *peers at box* long nose pliers, stanley blade, computer/laptop screw bits [including torx and tri-wing], hammer [coz every girl loves a bit of demo work ;p] and mains hammer drill [see ref to hammer]

^.^ looks like i'm getting some more tools then! *excited squeal* Off to B&Q in the morn' then xD
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[Paddy Blake]

[Paddy Blake]

The are two bolts under the engine.

One is the drain plug I believe is 17mm the other is 14 and not to be removed.

Worm the engine up put it on the centre stand and drain oil
into container.leave for a while to drain.
Put drain plug back in not over tightening it.
Put oil in checking the inspaction glass window in the clutch cover until
half way up window.
1.5l iol I think but it says below the filler cap.

Change oil filter every second oil change and this one as you
can't be sure when it was last changed.

There is a cover to the front of the clutch casing with 3 10mm
nuts.
That is where the oil filter is.

[kickflare]

@Paddy Blake: umm.... is there something wrong with the information he gave me?

EDIT: The bike doesn't have a center stand, will that make a difference?
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[Paddy Blake]

The GN 125 should have a centre stand and you check the
oil level while up on it.
This means that if you check the oil level off centre stand it
will look to be too much as the bike is not tilted forward as
it would be on the centre stand.
Check what it says on the right engine casing how much oil it takes
and all good as the oil filter change does not make that much
difference to the oil needed.

[Paddy Blake]

The GN 125 should have a centre stand and you check the
oil level while up on it.
This means that if you check the oil level off centre stand it
will look to be too much as the bike is not tilted forward as
it would be on the centre stand.
Check what it says on the right engine casing how much oil it takes
and all good as the oil filter change does not make that much
difference to the oil needed.

Are you sure it's a GN 125 and not some other Suzuki *N 125. ?

I never seen a GN 125 without a centre stand but some other 125s
don't have them.

[kickflare]

Well.. he said its a GN125... and he's been riding for so long [20+ years] I think he has bike coolant for blood. He said he modified the bike so it'd take a side stand rather than a center stand as his wife is a short ass like me. ^.^
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[Paddy Blake]

Just be sure the bike is upright when you check the oil.
Then all is good.

I found them to be good bike.
Had 3 GN's and more GS 125's

[kickflare]

Thankies! <3 I'll post up in pictures when I get the bike! <3 *cracks knuckles* Then i get the fun stuff of oil changing! *squeals in delight* Is there anything else I should know about? The owner did tell me that the bike has new tyres and brakes.
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[Major Doss]

[Paddy Blake]

[Paddy Blake]

Tbh it all seems odd to me.

Do post a picture BEFORE you buy the bike or at least be sure
it says Suzuki on the engine.

I think it could be a Chinese copy of the GN and that is why
it had no side stand.

[Holdawayt]

Just off topic slightly - it's worth upgrading the front brake on these. They really are woeful. I got so used to using rear brake only I had a hard time getting used to using the front again on my lessons!

[Rogerborg]

Firstly, do not set your heart on buying a bike unseen, no matter how charming a rogue is selling it.

Apply the same pre-ride tests to it that were covered on your CBT and if anything seems wrong, walk away. There are no shortage of 125s out there.

[kickflare]

Had to turn the bike away. I'm really glad i could your advice on this!

The bike was not that great. Sticky gear box that grinds horribly when trying to go into neutral, brakes weren't great, exhaust test [put hand over exhaust and the engine is still rumbling away when i'm pretty sure the engine should choke on its own fumes]

So I went to my local bike shop where my uncle works... and boom I end up buying a Lexmoto Michigan new. xD I finish paying for it by 27th Oct. Woo! XD 1 Year worth of warranty, an uncle who will get me discounts on servicing and friends willing to teach this newbie how to maintain her.
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[cb1rocket]

Lexmoto........worse bike you could buy i had one, and as a mechanic it was a write off after 2 years!
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Honda H100S2 Rebuild - https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=253852

[Rogerborg]

Which of the many different models from many different manufacturers is the worserest?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Robby]

To be fair, if you know nothing about spannering, the bike has a warranty, and you're asking a family member to maintain it under said warranty, it will last until you do your test. A CBT only lasts two years after all.

[smegballs]

[wr6133]

[cb1rocket]