The General Motorbikers Discussion Thread

[Spectre]

Most likely a bad cable. Try lubricating it first.

[Peter3hg]

I've bought a 12v socket which I'm going to install on my bike for GPS/mobile phone charging etc. Is it better to just wire it straight to the battery, or to something that only comes on with the ignition, such as the sidelights?

[EyeMWing]

Originally Posted by Peter3hg

I've bought a 12v socket which I'm going to install on my bike for GPS/mobile phone charging etc. Is it better to just wire it straight to the battery, or to something that only comes on with the ignition, such as the sidelights?

Tap the radio's ignition circuit.

[Spectre]

He doesn't have a touring bike and therefore doesn't even have a radio circuit.

I would hook it to the battery via an ignition switched relay I'd wired in.

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by Spectre

Most likely a bad cable. Try lubricating it first.

That's what I was hoping to hear. I thought the same thing, but I figured I would double-check with people who know more than me.

[smib]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

but I figured I would double-check with people who know more than me.

Those happen?

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by smib

Those happen?

I think you are confusing between Spectre and Blind_Io.

[Peter3hg]

Fitted the 12v socket today. However, I haven't done the wiring as I'm waiting for a relay switch to be delivered, which I will tap into the side light circuit.

Fitting of socket to panel.



In situ on bike. Nicely tucked away in the corner.



Close up.



Battery "compartment".



Tank flipped up to access battery. Bike inner tube stopping tank falling on my head.



Red and white blades are the connections for the socket. The black and red/blue wires are the one I will tap into for the relay switch.



Mess created from drilling and filing hole.

[freeferrarisdonotexist]

Checked on the 125, she's taken it apart and cleaned most of the dirty parts, now cluttering up her garage. Surprisingly, not much more than I thought needs replacing, although the wheels really need balancing. We're thinking of painting it before reassembly, which colour(s) should it be?

1. Flat black
2. Flat black with white stripe on tank (Honda badge in the stripe)
3. Gloss red
4. Gloss red w/black stripe

And for some reason she wants to paint the engine; is that safe on aircooled motors?

[Blind_Io]

Flat black with white stripe.

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by freeferrarisdonotexist

Checked on the 125, she's taken it apart and cleaned most of the dirty parts, now cluttering up her garage. Surprisingly, not much more than I thought needs replacing, although the wheels really need balancing. We're thinking of painting it before reassembly, which colour(s) should it be?

1. Flat black
2. Flat black with white stripe on tank (Honda badge in the stripe)
3. Gloss red
4. Gloss red w/black stripe

And for some reason she wants to paint the engine; is that safe on aircooled motors?

I would endeavor to keep it whatever the stock scheme was - seriously, a good condition CB125 can fetch a surprising amount of money.

It also isn't surprising that most of the bike is intact. Honda builds some incredible little machines in the small displacement classes.

You can paint the engine, but make sure you use a high temperature engine paint. Again, I don't recommend it from a resale point of view.

[GRtak]

I wouldn't paint it black in Texas.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by freeferrarisdonotexist

And for some reason she wants to paint the engine; is that safe on aircooled motors?

Yes, I did on mine. You'll have to strip the factory finish first, however.

Once the engine is removed from the frame, tape off all of the inlet holes. Get a can of Aircraft Paint Stripper that's used for aluminum engines. Spray it onto the engine liberally, wait for it to do its magic, then brush off the paint specks with a hard plastic brush or scraper. Wash the entire engine in Foamy Engine Brite, then rinse the engine out with a hose. Sand the surface down so the paint can adhere to the surface better (it's a pain getting the sandpaper between the fins, but have patience) and make sure you get all of the grease out from all of the crevasses. Otherwise the paint won't adhere to the surface properly.

Afterwards, get a can of high-heat engine paint in a spray bottle. They make them in a ton of colors, but most people go with silver. When the engine is dry, follow the instructions and apply multiple coats. And hopefully you'll get better results than I got.

Oh, and you can get all of the stuff I mentioned above at Autozone. They're all spray cans so it's not complicated.

Lastly, stock is for suckers:

[freeferrarisdonotexist]

Originally Posted by Spectre

I would endeavor to keep it whatever the stock scheme was - seriously, a good condition CB125 can fetch a surprising amount of money.

It also isn't surprising that most of the bike is intact. Honda builds some incredible little machines in the small displacement classes.

You can paint the engine, but make sure you use a high temperature engine paint. Again, I don't recommend it from a resale point of view.

I understand- I'll keep the paint scheme stock until we figure out just how fast it can be and whether or not that's acceptable to her. If it does meet requirements, however, it will probably look a bit like the pic BlaRo cited below- except without low-slung bars (she would rather ride sitting, which is more comfortable frankly).

And I agree with the quality statement- I've seen Honda bike do just about anything and come out working. Usually I just think the two-wheeled version of Top Gear's belved Hilux .

Originally Posted by BlaRo

Yes, I did on mine. You'll have to strip the factory finish first, however.

Once the engine is removed from the frame, tape off all of the inlet holes. Get a can of Aircraft Paint Stripper that's used for aluminum engines. Spray it onto the engine liberally, wait for it to do its magic, then brush off the paint specks with a hard plastic brush or scraper. Wash the entire engine in Foamy Engine Brite, then rinse the engine out with a hose. Sand the surface down so the paint can adhere to the surface better (it's a pain getting the sandpaper between the fins, but have patience) and make sure you get all of the grease out from all of the crevasses. Otherwise the paint won't adhere to the surface properly.

Afterwards, get a can of high-heat engine paint in a spray bottle. They make them in a ton of colors, but most people go with silver. When the engine is dry, follow the instructions and apply multiple coats. And hopefully you'll get better results than I got.

Oh, and you can get all of the stuff I mentioned above at Autozone. They're all spray cans so it's not complicated.

Lastly, stock is for suckers:

Sounds fairly cheap; near the end I'll pick up the aforementioned sprays, and as said, if it performs well enough we'll be going for something similar to your quoted pic except the bars/seating position.

[Bubs360]

Grr, I really hate some people and the way they treat me when I'm on my bike.

I'm on my Zuma 125 scooter, heading to work on a road that's a 40mph zone. I usually do 45 unless I see a hazard, people walking, etc. I wind up behind some dolt in a gray Accord, who is weaving around and doing five under the speed limit. Going over the white line and the yellow lines, and just not paying attention to anything. I keep a distance of a few car lengths and patiently wait for a passing zone.

Finally, I get to a passing zone with no oncoming traffic. I signal and attempt to pass. I get about to his driver side window when he looks at me, frowns and floors it. I am forced to move back behind him, at which point he slows back down to five under and continues this for the next ten miles with no passing zones in sight.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by Bubs360

Grr, I really hate some people and the way they treat me when I'm on my bike.

I'm on my Zuma 125 scooter, heading to work on a road that's a 40mph zone. I usually do 45 unless I see a hazard, people walking, etc. I wind up behind some dolt in a gray Accord, who is weaving around and doing five under the speed limit. Going over the white line and the yellow lines, and just not paying attention to anything. I keep a distance of a few car lengths and patiently wait for a passing zone.

Finally, I get to a passing zone with no oncoming traffic. I signal and attempt to pass. I get about to his driver side window when he looks at me, frowns and floors it. I am forced to move back behind him, at which point he slows back down to five under and continues this for the next ten miles with no passing zones in sight.

He's just angry that his life is so miserable that he can't get a two-wheeled conveyance, even if it is just a maxi-scooter.

In other news, a turbo CBX:

[freeferrarisdonotexist]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

He's just angry that his life is so miserable that he can't get a two-wheeled conveyance, even if it is just a maxi-scooter.

In other news, a turbo CBX:

That must be fast.

[Bubs360]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

He's just angry that his life is so miserable that he can't get a two-wheeled conveyance, even if it is just a maxi-scooter.

Very, very true, although I wouldn't consider the Zuma 125 a maxi-scooter.

[Spectre]

More likely that the guy is angry that he bought the wrong kind of Honda or that his wife won't let him get the right kind of Honda.

[hansvonaxion]

No-one wants to be overtaken by a scooter. Seriously.