Fix or replace?

0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

I was riding home just there from a fun day out on the little CB125 I have and then there was a pop. And then the engine got very loud. And then I started going slowly...

Managed to get it home - on inspection it appears the spark plug has been fired out of where it lives and was hanging free on an electrical lead.

"Oh thats unusual.."

I get the trusty socket set out and try and screw the sparky back in - nae chance. Wont screw in - it appears the threading on the hole is fucked somehow or another - the other spark plug no long fits either. The lead that clips on to the end of the plug is also cracked up the middle.

Now I have no idea how to fix this or even what itll cost - im fearing though its going to be more than im willing to spend..

I NEED transport as of tomorrow night, I cannot get home from work without my bike.

So should I take a wee cheeky trip up to a garage to get a new one?
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Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Well if you can find a new head for it, them getting it working is a fairly simple job. Some people on here might evern have some CB125 bits kicking about (KEEEF!)

base · Trackday Trickster Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Karma :

you could get a helicoil put in, many many moons ago i had this happen to my cb125tdc they are in my opinion a fragile option a new head would be a better answer, but it all depends how long you are going to keep the bike and how much money you wish to spend

Fire_Eyes · Crazy Courier Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Karma :

I think you should repair the bike. I don't think it would cost that much. Just rent a car or bike for the next day or two untill you have the bike checked, and then if they say it will be an expensive job then get a new one.
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base · Trackday Trickster Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Karma :

if you do go for a helicoil option if you take that plug out again be very careful not to over tighten would of though it would cost about 10 or 15 quid not that expensive todo.

mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

A decent mechainc should be able to do it in an hour or so i'd imagine... easyest thing to do would be to phone arorund your local breakers for a new heed and fit it yourself, it wont cost much more and will be a safer bet..

(i try to use a torque wrench on my plugs, its quite common to untighten them and its bad news if you do, as you found out Sad

)

New bike is allways tempting though...
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0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

Or I could get off my arse pass my test and ride this...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/0ni/tart.jpg

Instead of this (the culprit im talking about - great bike - bad timing)

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/0ni/trollup.jpg
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Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

binge · Emo Kiddy Joined: 03 Jul 2004 Karma :

Ok, im guessing its a twin cylinder bike Laughing

If thats the case. is it all one head, or is it 2 seperate ones.

Surely you could go to your local bike shop and get a new gasket, get a new head from Ebay.

Im sure you could change the head yourself.

<|Ben|>

0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

I had a look its all one piece, Im going to see if any mechanics are open tomorrow which I doubt. Otherwise itll be monday morning Ill see if someones willing to fit a helicoil to it for not too much.
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Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Doubt you will get it fixed tomorrow.

New head would be the best solution, but expensive and will take a while to arrive.

Helicoil is the most cost effective solution.

All the best

Keith
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Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

You don't fit a helicoil.

I believe it's just a tap, which re-cuts the threads.

Keep an eye on ebay/breakers, a new head shouldn't be hard to turn up.

Gaz

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

You do fit a helicoil. You basically use a tap to slightly increase the size of the thread, then the helicoil fits into that larger thread. Inside the helicoil is then the same size as the older thread.

All the best

Keith
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0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

Cheers dude - would most bike places be able to do me a replacement thread/helicoil?

In theory what sort of damage could be done to the bike with only one cylinder working? I know the max speed I could do was pretty much half my usual max - Is it going to get killed though?
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Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Ah, re helicoil my mistake.

I wondered how you'd get a spark plug to fit a bigger gap. Rolling Eyes

The inexperience shows through.

Gaz

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Superdream 125's were crashed like they were going out of fashion when new. Parts should be easy to get hold of from brakers so just replace the head. And I beleive the CB125T is now made under licence in China (or similar country that does it cheap), so new parts available too.
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mattsmith95 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Fix it!!

It's a simple problem to fix.

pete-dotphp · Derestricted Danger Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Karma :

I would have thought they'd have to have the head off anyway to do the Helicoil, to avoid getting tiny bits of metal in the combustion chamber.

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

You could try greasing the drill bit and hope that all the bits of metal stick to it, instead of fall into the combustion chamber. I did a helicoil with a mate on his CG125, for the sump plug, and he layed the bike on its side, and with a big blob of grease on the drill bit, it did the job ok, and seemed to stop the swarf from falling into the sump. We changed the oil after 200miles, again just to make sure there was no bits left in it.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Helicoil would be the way forwards. Even if you have to whip the head off to get one fitted it isn't that big a job. A head gasket is nine pounds from david silvers.

I'll warn you now, you can't get the head off a CB125 twin with the engine fully in the frame. It looks like you can but you can't. You need to take the bracket off where the engine attaches to the frame at the front and the bracket off the top tube. You should then be able to pivot the whole engine forwards around the back mounting point by loosening the chain then pressing the engine forwards. Pull it back up when you have finished by tightening the chain.
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0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

Just spoke to a garage in glasgow and they aren't willing to do it without removing the head in case they get shit in the engine.

£230.00 for the whole job including labour... sorry pal.

Anyone recommend small places in or around glasgow that would do it attached?
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Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Haynes manual off ebay....fiver

Set of spanners ... a tenner.

Head gasket ... nine pounds.

Loan of a torque wrench from a mate...free

fitting of a helicoil to your loose head... 20 quid

A saturday afternoon spent learning how your motorcycle works...priceless.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

Just won this from ebay!

A grand total of £10.50 Thumbs Up

CB 125 TD-C, TD-E or TD-J Head & Top Cover

What else should I need for the repair? What exactly is a head gasket and is it urgently needed?

Going to get myself a tarty torque wrench as well - as a wee treat!
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Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Head gasket is the bit of material that acts like the seal when you reattach the head. You'll need one of them, costs can vary from where you get it from. If the head gasket blows, you'll need to do that lot again (take head off to replace it anyway)

I'd replace it as standard, yes, but I guess you could leave it if you're feeling lucky. You won't know what condition it'll be in though, once you take the head off.

WishayKillie · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

The gasket is the seal for the head. It should be made from a kinda paper materiel.

When you do replace it use stuff called "Hylomar" it's a gasket sealing compound and acts as the glue for the seal.

https://www.roversnorth.com/RRD04/RRD04_41_44/image/hylomar%20sealer%20colour743153.jpg
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