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Saturday 28 March 2015

ONE YEAR ON

I have had the bike now for a full year and it has done me proud but for one thing. It has started without fail every time I have needed to go out on the bike. The engine is bedding in really nice and for a 125cc bike has enough torque for my everyday commute to work with speeds of 30 to 50mph without thrashing the engine.

The only problem I have had with the bike was when, one morning commuting to work the bike just cut out as if I had touched the kill switch. I could not get the bike going again after that even though I had a spark from the plug. I ended up pushing the bike 3 miles home which was not a really big issue. For a bike that weighs 115kg it gave me a bit of a workout!!! I have purchased a recovery package now with my insurance renewal.

I took the bike to the dealers to have a look at the problem and even they were scratching their heads at first. The problem was with the sidestand kill switch which is on the ignition circuit which was the culprit. So if you have starting problems or it will not start check there first!  I have learnt that the sidestand switch wires are by-passed when purchased new.

Winter riding when salt is spread on the roads wreak havoc with non stainless steel parts. The exhausts system needs attention on a regular basis with it being made of mild steel and painted with heat resistant paint. Regular cleaning and the use of GT50 ptfc spray and ACF50 which is expensive but works well keeps the bike looking great. I have replaced a number of washers etc with stainless items and purchased a tin of heat resistant paint from Arc-Rite which keeps the exhaust like new.

I replaced the bog standard sparkplug with a NGK CR7E shortly after I purchased the bike which was the choice of owners on a few forums. I found the plug worked better than the torch plug but my bike dealer replaced that plug with a NGK CPR6EA-9 which is far superior and makes the bike start even better in really cold conditions and seems to be more responsive on ecceleration.

Changing the headlight bulb to a 35w / 35w halogen improves the headlight ten fold. The bulb I purchased was from ebay ( B0395HW ) and got 2 for £8.

 I have covered 2600 km now ( 1615 miles ) which is not a great deal of use for a years riding but it is my commuting bike to work and for visiting friends and family.  

    

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