Just bought my first bike: Baja Phoenix 250 - Page 2

FastDoc · 07-20-2012, 11:32 AM

I agree!

Here's the funny thing.

I'd rather help or fix a friend's bike than my own. What's that all about?

My favorite though is riding. 8)

SilveradoSS · 07-20-2012, 08:32 PM

I have a friend that bought a 95 Yamaha Seca II 650 for $600. He's in the midst of restoring the bike and asked me to help him source parts for his bike knowing how much I'm into these China bikes and my knowledge of China bike parts interchangeability (read cheap). I was able to cross-reference and source parts for his bike that were listed as obsoleted for his particular model with parts that are still used on other production bikes (some even Chinese). I spend hours rummaging the net trying to figure out how all these machines are related and from what mainstream machine they were knocked off from.

It's a hobby for me, really. My wife thinks I'm crazy and wonders why I don't just buy a "solid" Japanese bike to begin with, but I enjoy the challenges that these machines throw at me. I don't want a "solid" bike, I want a bike that needs me more than I need it. These machines are decent designs, but poorly executed. I'm the details "engineer" to take them to a reliable/dependable state!

SilveradoSS · 07-20-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

If you have a head or cylinder imperfection that you can't resolve, I wonder if stacking two head gaskets would help?

I think herein lies the rub. The gasket set I ordered had the head gasket sandwiched between two other gaskets. I mistook this setup as "the" head gasket. I think I was supposed to remove the center gasket from the outer two gaskets before installing. The outside two gaskets have two crimped on metal rings one on either side; probably for alignment during the stamping process. I think I was supposed to remove them and only use the center gasket. Basically what I'm saying is the gasket I installed consisted of three gaskets layered one upon the other. I'm gonna break her down and remove the two outer layers and re-install the center gasket by itself. Fingers crossed!

8O

FastDoc · 07-20-2012, 11:18 PM

I'm not sure but I think you did it right. Maybe PM Wild Alaskan. He'd know for sure.

Weldangrind · 07-21-2012, 01:04 AM

It sounds like a MLS with a composite sandwich. Never seen that.

Weldangrind · 07-21-2012, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilveradoSS

I don't want a "solid" bike, I want a bike that needs me more than I need it.

That's the best line ever!

I say that our Chinese friends do the rough-in, and we do the details.

SilveradoSS · 07-21-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilveradoSS

I don't want a "solid" bike, I want a bike that needs me more than I need it.

That's the best line ever!

I say that our Chinese friends do the rough-in, and we do the details.

:wink: :mrgreen:

TheRealWorld · 07-21-2012, 10:26 AM

Just a little humor here, but a few years back I bought a China 4 wheeler and one of the warning stickers said. " Caution you will be killed if you don't follow the Warnings on this machine. (As most of you know they don't always get their English? Chinese conversions done properly.)

Anyhow, I have been very careful, as I take threats very seriously!

07-20-2012, 11:32 AM	#16
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I agree! Here's the funny thing. I'd rather help or fix a friend's bike than my own. What's that all about? My favorite though is riding. 8) __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

07-20-2012, 11:18 PM	#19
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I'm not sure but I think you did it right. Maybe PM Wild Alaskan. He'd know for sure. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

07-21-2012, 01:04 AM	#20
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	It sounds like a MLS with a composite sandwich. Never seen that. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

07-20-2012, 08:32 PM	#17
SilveradoSS Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 30	I have a friend that bought a 95 Yamaha Seca II 650 for $600. He's in the midst of restoring the bike and asked me to help him source parts for his bike knowing how much I'm into these China bikes and my knowledge of China bike parts interchangeability (read cheap). I was able to cross-reference and source parts for his bike that were listed as obsoleted for his particular model with parts that are still used on other production bikes (some even Chinese). I spend hours rummaging the net trying to figure out how all these machines are related and from what mainstream machine they were knocked off from. It's a hobby for me, really. My wife thinks I'm crazy and wonders why I don't just buy a "solid" Japanese bike to begin with, but I enjoy the challenges that these machines throw at me. I don't want a "solid" bike, I want a bike that needs me more than I need it. These machines are decent designs, but poorly executed. I'm the details "engineer" to take them to a reliable/dependable state!
	0

07-21-2012, 10:26 AM	#23
TheRealWorld Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 817	Just a little humor here, but a few years back I bought a China 4 wheeler and one of the warning stickers said. " Caution you will be killed if you don't follow the Warnings on this machine. (As most of you know they don't always get their English? Chinese conversions done properly.) Anyhow, I have been very careful, as I take threats very seriously!
	0