CBF 125 engine dying in 27 degs on 1200 miles ride to Spain

[spriddler]

Hi
I'm 69, been riding since 16 - commuting, pleasure, motocross, trials etc. Never before had a bike made later than 1954. Rode my vintage bikes daily til 2010 when a 7.5 tonne lorry cornering on the wrong side of a country lane smashed me up. Just able to start riding again March 2014 after much surgery/rehab and bought a light, leccy start CBF 125 - the 'Grudge Special' (Meccano right knee so can't kick start my vintage bikes) which I had adapted for one-armed riding (only have use of left arm - right glove Velcro'd to 'bar).
https://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv326/spriddler/Honda%20125/CIMG4771.jpg
Rode it locally until its first (600 mile) service at supplying main dealer in Crawley.
After the service the bike was delivered back to me after it had a new clutch basket fitted. Next day I was about to go out for a first post-service ride when I found the side stand flopping about - 3 of the 4 side stand bolts were missing, the belly pan was missing, and the brake light didn't work.
https://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv326/spriddler/Honda%20125/CIMG4938.jpg
The dealer collected it, found the belly pan in their workshop and repaired the faults.
I then left home on June 9th with my two sons and rode the bike 1200 miles from Dieppe to Santander, Spain, via the Pyrenees, (changing gear about 10 million times - what a drag!)
https://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv326/spriddler/France%202014%20Biking/20140608_080340-1.jpg

It went o.k. til the temp in the Dordogne reached 25 to 30 degrees when the engine slowed up and died. After leaving it for 20 mins I set off again but after 5 miles it died again. I fitted the new plug recommended in the Owners Manual but the same thing happened. I decided there was fuel vapourisation and removed the side fairings to increase air flow over the fuel system. It never missed a beat for the rest of the trip.
When I arrived home 9 days later I ad received a standard Honda Customer Service emailed questionnaire asking me my experience of Honda service. I filled it in with all above info. Two weeks later I had no response and to cut a long and frustrating rigmarole (emails, phone calls) short ended up contacting Philip Crossman, Honda's M.D.
I'll not repeat the awful experience but would still like to know if my experience in the heat has been experienced by others and to say that I now intend to change my (experimental) 125 for a larger buike but in view of the appalling and dangerous faults at the first service I will not use that dealer again and therefore will not buy another Honda.

[wots]

Go to Doble's in Coulsdon. Presumably not far away from you. When my CBF125 rotted within 9 months of purchase they replaced everything that rusty without question and worked WITH Honda on my behalf. Others haven't been so lucky though with their dealers.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[nowhere.elysium]

CBF 125s have managed to generate a well-deserved godawful reputation. Crap design, crap manufacture, crap quality control and Honda seem to not give the slightest toss about it.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[kramdra]

As soon as I saw the mention of Crawley I knew what was next


P&H had my bike for a while, it was returned with the brake callipers loose. 3 of the 8 exhaust nuts fell off on the way home that did not inspire confidence after they had the engine apart (head off). They are also a bit shit at bleeding brakes.

Hondas are good bikes, if you buy a proper one - but a budget 125 made for the Indian market is not one of them.

[Baffler186]

First of all, well done for doing a trip like that on a 125, especially on a CBF! No they don't have very good reputations, especially the later models. My 2009 model was almost faultless, but it did die on me once when it was 29 degrees. I left it for 5 mins, then it got me the next mile to work, and never had any more "turns" after that.

It's a real shame when you get less than top notch service from a dealer. Hope it works out well for you
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[Rogerborg]

Did NABD assist with that conversion?

That bloody bike is doing a great job of pissing on Honda's reputation with the next generation of bikers. Not that it's stopping them selling them by the crate load.

If you want a ropey Indian made bike with electric start... Enfield?.
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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

[spriddler]

[spriddler]

[Squircle]

Wow, those are lovely bikes. I'm in awe of the way you've got back out there after what must've been a horrendous experience.

I had a CBF125, from a dealer in Lancashire, until it got written off by a guy on his mobile at a junction. It was only about 15 months old when it went but was starting to corrode, paint flaking off, fairing cracking for no reason, and random cut outs that I think were caused by fueling issues. I wouldn't get another.
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Current: Triumph Street Triple ABS (2016)
Honda NX700x (2013)

[wr6133]

[spriddler]

[quote="wr6133"]

[lihp]

1 arm, and 1.5 legs and still riding

Big kudos

[killerbanjo]

[Hugh Farking Cant]

You Sir; are the living proof of the indomitable spirit of those who were of the generations that made this such a once great country.

I take my hat off to you; not only for what you have achieved but also for your computer skills and excellent posts.

Bill.
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Remember; Someone on here always has a blacker cat.

[FlightRisk]

You're tough aren't you!?
Much respect, I doff my cap to you sir!

I looked at buying a CBF125 but one of the things I found on tinterwebs was stuff about dodgy fuel pumps causing 'kangaroo hopping' and cutting out, particularly in hot weather.

Poor old Soichiro Honda would be turning in his grave at that bike...

[spriddler]

Ta folks. But when I see the determination of our young Service lads, disabled in their prime for causes that I shan't comment upon, it's not much effort for this Hell's Angina to ride a bike again.

Yes TimeCheese, I read about the pump issue but alas, only after I'd had a problem with the .............

https://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv326/spriddler/Honda%20125/CIMG4880.jpg

[Bunny Lingus]

Well done fella!
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Bunny Lingus & The Flipside Faggots

[Vincent]

[talkToTheHat]

Why are such products expensive? Simple, there is no questioning "do I need it", if it's a choice between forking out and no mobility you buy whatever works. And mobility is priceless.

I was horrified the other day when I saw a mobility scooter advert, more expensive than a new sv650.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[davebike]

The relativity small market for the specialised kit is why it costs lots
Limited or one of production runs arts designed and and using cad/cam systems Prices may fall but not lots
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
[email protected]

[Rogerborg]

[spriddler]

The CBF cost me £2600 which was cheap relative to the twin lever adaptation at £960 which I fitted myself, but worth every penny. Simple fact is my 50 yrs biking/adventuring/competition passion would have ended were it not for a small firm developing and manufacturing the unit. If I wrapped 20 grand in notes around the 'bars I still wouldn't be able to ride.

I suppose if I wanted something really useful and value for money I could've bought a Rolex watch or 'er indoors a Louis Vuitton handbag.

[Vincent]

[Vincent]

[Vincent]