Gilera Couger 03 Problems.

Easyrider88 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Oct 2015 Karma :

Hi guys in new here, and desperately looking for some advice on the above bike.

I got it yesterday for £600, bargin! but after taken it out on the open road i noticed that it drastically losses power in 4th and 5th but was doing 60 in 3rd???

2nd problem is the speedo! i know the OEM one on this bike is known to have it problems, so its already had a new one fitted (poorly) by last owner. im looking at changing it for a new one but i hear it needs to be in ratio with the bike? any advice on this.

3rd and last problem is a sticky clutch leaver, when you let go of the clutch is stick and needs pushing out, really annoying! gonna try some WD40 and see if that helps, if not any advice ?

If you aint guessed im quite new to riding lol.

Any help on this problems will be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Wayne

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

The first thing to do with a cheap bike is get it in the garage and give it a good going over and service. You will find more problems that the 3 things you already know of.

1. Lack of power. There are a multitude of possible causes on any bike. There are more on a 125, because you don't know what a previous owner brokes/changed trying to make it go faster. As Roger said, someone could have messed with the sprocket sizes. It could also be a choked (dirty) air filter, some unusual carb settings, a worn out spark plug, or you just aren't riding it hard enough. It's a 125, it has no power, it needs to be revved hard to make progress.

2. Speedo. If you are thinking of just fitting a cheap universal speedo, there is a good chance it won't work. Assuming a convential front wheel driven speedo, you can have variances based on the wheel size and speedo drive. If you have to change it, look for a speedo that is adjustable or can be switched between a variety of wheel sizes. Or just fix what you have.

3. Sticky clutch. The easy bits to check at the lever pivot, the cable, and the actuating arm down on the engine. The cable is the most likely problem, particularly if the cable is routed close to the exhaust. The heat from the exhaust dries out the lube in the cable, and in extreme circumstances melts the plastic part of the cable. If you remove/replace the cable, make sure you thread the new one through the same run - if you don't, you'll find that it pulls the clutch in when you turn the bars to full lock.

I know you want to ride it, but you should really get a Haynes manual and work through a full service first. Also worth thinking through the "tuning" that the previous owners may have tried, and set it back to standard. Fiddling with the mixture screw is an old favourite.

Easyrider88 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Oct 2015 Karma :

the clutch seems to be sorted, it was the lever. wd40 sorted it. but will place some lube on it after iv got some tomorrow.

i suspecting the sprockets are not the OEM ones as no matter what i try the back wheel spins when taking off from 1st.

the speedo is run off the wheel, its got an aftermarket one on there that has been bodge jobed on there with an ugly looking joiner. i know its not working as it jumps from 40 to 60 and bonces around a lot. so im thinking it could just be the join. but i cant tell if its even geared for the bike.

will be doing a full service next weekend once iv got the parts. new pads,oil, filter and spark plug.