The mechanics corner

I do most of the maintenance on my bike which includes:

Brake pad and fluid replacement

Chain and sprocket changes

Oil change

Cables (clutch/accelerator) and other maintenance.

However, I've always wondered how the bike forks work and how the damping functions.

Here are a couple of videos that explain the principal.

And changing the seals is not for the fainthearted.

My bike has been getting noisier by the day and while I was at Jawa yesterday, my worst fears were confirmed - probably crankshaft and piston arms failure, hence the knocking sound.

I've booked it in for repair and hopefully will arrive in Lugano (at slow speeds) this afternoon so that they can start work.

The quotation really surprised me and was nowhere near as much as I feared. I also have confidence in them as they specialise in Jawas and are the main dealer.

Therefore, Speedy Moto will be out of service until the middle of next week at the very least, so that damn paintbrush will probably come calling again.

Quote from Semigoodlooking

How many miles have you put on it Splinter?

Does it require much maintaining because it is not a bike I would associate with regular inner-city travel?

44,000 kms and the maintenance is chain, oil every 3000 kms and it's pretty rugged really and not very sophisticated. It's not your normal courier bike, but it does the job in comfort.

Quote from JAN

im sure u will be up and running soon....fingers crossed!

I've heard that it's only one of the branches of speedymoto who is out of service, correct ?

Our Tigre branch is ready for business!

While the bike is being repaired, I've asked them to replace the front fork oil seals as well as check for any other defects since they'll have the bike in bits.

Ever wondered how a motorcycle clutch works? Friction.

Yesterday I picked up my bike and the difference is night and day, both in performance and noise levels.

The bike feels much tighter, more responsive and now purrs like a cat. Mind you, the entire engine was rebuilt with a new crankshaft, pistons, bearings, seals and a new clutch. The rear axle main bearing was changed last week and I need to return to the workshop after 1000 kms for them to adjust the valves, since I'm really running it in like a new bike at the moment.

Crazy facts: the repair cost was the same amount I originally paid to buy the bike in 2014 and when quoted by a garage up the road, their labour charge would have been four times what I paid yesterday.

Here's a list of the parts used: