a few things (valve clearances, cruiser riders, cornering)

carlmalibu · Spanner Monkey Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Karma :

so...here we go... three things of various importance.

1) I think I NEED to do valve clearances. Today for the second time in a fortnight my throttle stuck when I started my bike. sent the temperature gauge straight up too. I need to do valve clearances/general fluid changes I think. I can do fluids myself without too much problem, but how hard is valve clearances to do? Do I need to replace valves (apparently they're very oxidised) and how muh would it cost for a mechanic to do? And Cheekily : anyone in kent/east sussex border area fancy helping me ? :D

2) Cornering! Why can't I corner properly ??? I know the technique...gripping tank with leg, leaning in so bike does less work, countersteer, line of furthest view...yet as soon as a corner looks in the slightest bit "blind" I chicken out and drop the speed right down/wobble around. It's embarrassing and annoying and I think really slows down the speed of my riding

3)CRUISER RIDERS! :@
was riding back from work at 8pm....line of about 20 cruiser riders...125s with L plates, young, old, fat, thin, cheap chinese imports, americana, british stuff, etc. Gave the first one a nod and they all returned either smug smirks or dirty looks. Balls to all of them, that's what I say
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Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

At 2)

Instead of chopping the throttle keep it neutral. The bike will feel so much more stable. It's a survival reaction to panic and chop the throttle, you have to override it and just keep the throttle neutral or on. Practice on familiar roads until it becomes natural.
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Ravo · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 May 2007 Karma :

1) WHERE is the throttle sticking? If the bike's old enough that the throttle sticks you'd probably find the problem by just tracing the throttle from the grip to the carb. Maybe a weak or broken return spring? I've never heard of something actually in the engine block causing a stuck throttle because the engine itself has nothing to do with how much fuel is going into it.

2) Practice, practice practice! Just hold your speed. Slowing down on turns makes it even harder to control the bike.

3) You have to see the person on the bike. You were greeted by a bunch of assholes that happened to be riding cruisers. The same way I was cut off today by an asshole that happened to be riding a sportbike. I do hear horror stories about cruiser riders in the UK though. It's the other way around here.

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

I used to be awful around corners too.
I find that just sticking your knee out and letting your ass do the rest of the work does it.
Don't think about it just sorta flow through the corner, look through the eyes of the bike if that doesn't sound to crazy.
When going around a corner I don't even feel like the bike is a piece of machinery, I just see the road and I go with it.

murphyD · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 May 2006 Karma :

3)CRUISER RIDERS! :@
was riding back from work at 8pm....line of about 20 cruiser riders...125s with L plates, young, old, fat, thin, cheap chinese imports, americana, british stuff, etc. Gave the first one a nod and they all returned either smug smirks or dirty looks. Balls to all of them, that's what I say[/quote]

Please don't say Balls to me Evil or Very Mad

I nod to everyone. Yes I ride a cruiser & it is a Japanese import but I'm fed up with all this cruisers don't nod crap..
Maybe it's the difference between motorcyclists & bikers..
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carlmalibu · Spanner Monkey Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Karma :

I was just in a bad mood with regards to cruiser riders!

I dunno about the throttle sticking, it doesn't seem to be anything physical, if that makes sense?

I do need to do valve clearances though and I haven't found anything useful with regards to that at all.
____________________
Shine on, you crazy diamond
CB500, woop.

carlmalibu · Spanner Monkey Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Karma :

hmm having done some reading up I think its carb floats that are the problem? What should I do to remedy?
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Trixie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Karma :

1) Valve clearances - depends whether they're screw and locknut or buckets and shims. If the latter, then take to a mechanic. If the former I would also recommend a mechanic, unless you're handy with a spanner. If so, you need to invest in a manual for your bike to get the inlet and exhaust clearances, along with a decent set of feeler gauges and a few tools - then follow the instructions carefully. It's not too difficult as long as you're patient and take your time.

EDIT - just noticed on your sig you have a CB500. That'll be shims, then. Go to a mechanic!

2) Cornering - it sounds like you're tensing up because you're thinking about it, therefore stressing out. Chill, dude! Relax a bit more and just get out and do it.

3) Yeah, some cruiser riders are tossers. But also are some sports bike riders, some off road bike riders, some learner bike riders, etc, etc. Maybe MyrphyD is right - maybe it's just the difference between bikers and motorcycle owners?
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