I'm planning a ride in Ontario
 

I got an offer I couldn't refuse. I live in Toronto, and my brother lives in Sarnia. Not knowing what china bikes are like he said I should ride out and see him. 250km, or about, by main highway, longer by the secondary routes going through several cities. I've been painting neighbors' houses and selling my soapstone statues to get parts, tires, regulator, chain ect. and getting my bike ready to do a 1 day out, next day back trip. I told him that there is a good chance that my bike won't make it. He said he'd come and get me. "We can toss the bike in the trunk and tie it in", it's just a car but it's got a good size trunk.

I'm planning on highway 7 pretty much all the way. 80-90 kph, except for all the small towns and 3 large cities I'd pass through, lotsa gas stations. If 3 weeks from now my bike is running like it was this morning, I should be set to roll. There and back is about 600km. on the secondaries, and adding 100 km riding around Sarnia, well I'd have something to talk about all winter. :D

Think positive. The bike will make it. At least the speeds are comfortable for a china bike.

Allen

have no fear i did 500 kms in one day with no probims except a sore butt

Well that 42t sprocket will get you there a little faster...
Sounds cool, good luck and have fun...

You will make it, Sounds like a nice trip....ENJOY :D

As for the upgrades I'll start with the main jet. I had a 106, on a pz27 carb. Got a 112, and a 110, and was told try the 112 first and work backward. I swapped it in and gave some throttle.....coughs.

I dropped the carb again and plugged in the 110, slapped it together and fired that up. No coughing, but when I tested it on the road, the bike started to stumble right near the top of the throttle. I still have the 110 in the carb but I need the 108. 106 stock is only a little too lean, and the 110 is a little too rich. Now at least I know what to do, and how to do it.

I got my chain and the first thing I did put on the master link and tried to put it on the front sprocket. I hate being new. :oops: I lost the stock master when I popped off the stock chain, so when I took off the D.I.D. master I was very careful. I threaded on the new chain and it fit perfect. I clipped on the master, and called that job done.

The tires were easy, and are the nicest thing I've done for my bike. I was supposed to get Duro-Blvd's, I got Kenda Challengers. I don't know the difference but the Kendas' were more expensive, of course. I left the shop carrying 2 wheels, 2 spare tires, my chain... and got on to the street car, broke. That's bike love man. Did all the work last night. It was late and dark, so when I heard something not right with my front tire, I cut the ride short and waited till this morning. Pulling my bike out in the sun this morning I see that the front tire is wider, and it's rubbing on the front brake cable holder. I bend it out an inch and presto, job done.

I'm still running a little rich, but that issue is easily solvable, as for the ride with the new tires, sweet. Oh Ya, no bulbs blown yet. :D

Well I'm closer to my goal. I'm still doing work. I got my parts, but a ladies kitchen isn't quite done yet. I'd rather be riding than painting so here I sit, typing. HA :roll: Thanks for the incouragement guys. I do think my bike will make the trip, I wouldn't attempt it if I had real doubts. But since things happen on a bike I'm just trying to cover my bases. I got pics of the upgrades, but since I'm on dial up, they have to wait. I have got to get going and make some gas money. Price was $100 bucks a tire and 35$ per to put them on. The Duro's were cheaper than the Kenda's, so I got a bit of a shock when he said 347.11. The mechanic, not the owner is my guy, he pulled me asside and gave me the carb jets, from his private stock. I'm to return the ones I don't use to him. Pretty cool. He couldn't believe I had to change my tires. When I told him I got 2400k out of the stock tires, he almost passed pop threw his nose. He got a glazed look on his face when I said, "Imagine if I get another season out of it?" The China bikes he works on are all 50cc kiddie bikes. I'm the only guy who walks into the shop knowing what I need to get for my chinabike. Thanks again guys, it's hard to communicate just how much fun I'm having. I don't want to think about what my experience would have been like with out your help. First time riders probably shouldn't get these bikes unless they have the time to learn, wrench and ride. I am new. I'm trying to learn everything I can, as fast as I can. But I really like wrenching and learning. 1/3 of the experience is the riding, and I had no idea. Not the cool part. The out of the city, no cars around. 90km so the bugs don't leave welts when they hit. Yelling at the top of your lungs with no one to hear because you are so happy to be there feeling. Spiritual is the only word that I can come up with. Well Thanks is all :wink:

When increasing main jet size its almost always necessary to increase airflow (read: new air filter and maybe exhaust if the change is big enough).

More fuel=more air unless the bike is lean from the factory. Most of the china bikes arrive a bit on the rich side if this forum is any indication.

That's it man, You have the fever :D it's great isn't it?

More in, more out, more go. Fatboy250 instructed me in the fine art of muffler drilling. Increasing air flow without too much noise, by drilling through the baffles. I'm using a K&N? cone filter increasing alot of air "IN" instead of the stock air box. Have you seen my album in the gallery?

On the topic of my album, is it possible to get few more megs Mr. Frostbite? But, if it's alot of trouble, then don't bother. I can thin it out a bit and there is still a little room left. I'm just using it to keep a visual history of the evolution of my bike. Thanks if you can, but it's cool if you can't.

how could you fill your gallery up??? mine has hundreds of pictures and its not full

I don't know it says I'm at 54meg? I could be wrong? I'm new. I think you have 122 pics, I have a few less. Possibly my pictures are bigger? I don't know Jim. :?

I still want to tighten my spokes, I'll take my tubes along. Ob1 suggested I raise the needle and re-tune the air fuel screw. I still want to test my bike after doing the repairs I just finnished. I'm supposed to have a piece of art ready for a wedding in 7 days and it's not done. I want to leave 2 weeks from today. Because I've been working for parts, and my regulator problem, I haven't been doing much riding lately. Just out to test what ever I've been working on :wink: . I go to Tim Horten's for coffee alot. The top of our street, another up by the mall, one in Burlinton, one in Barrie, on in Knobleton. Sometimes I just keep going to the next Tim Horton's a little further down tohe road. :D

We just have staryucks around here.

Allen

Ahh ok, I never knew it said how much space I used :lol: I resized all my images before I uploaded them

I did too, but my camara uses about 4.5 meg per picture. 8O . And I'm on dial up. I will slim the # of pic's once I reach the limit.

I've had some electrical problems, but I think I've sussed them out. Down to Spoke tightening, testing and tuning. I'm really looking forward to this trip. I've hitchhiked across Canada several times, but nothing since meeting my wife. I'm due for an adventure. Just hope it's a good one. :)

Good luck :)

Almost finished the wedding gift for Saturday, I'll be done today. :D
1 More day of painting to pay for a spoke wrench, gas, and coffee.
The 2 dates I have for a go are July30, and Aug13. The second date is better because my brother won't have his kid, and he'll have more money. Kato is sending a solenoid and I want to strap it in and test it. I don't know if my bulb problem is solved, I think it is, but I haven't been riding much because of working and getting parts and fixing. I feel like parking my bike in a plasic bag and leaving it there, I don't think I can get it running any better, or faster. If it's still running for next season I'd change the seat, get a bigger tank and working petcock, the chrome bubble light that I want, but now I'd concider new rims and brakes. I had a back drum issue that I think I solved, and I think my front disk is warped slightly. The wheel still spins freely, but really noticable backing up the bike. I'd re-do the disk and try it before going further. Once I have the cash, parts and tools I'll have the time to do some testing before I go. I want to do what I can to better my chances of making the trip fun, and to come back on a better bike than I started with. :D

07/30/07
I don't know how you guys can stand talking to new 2 riders. And I'm SO new.
Ambassador-You Made My Day! :D Thankyou for your call. I was at an unusually low bike moment.
Kato/ Thanks again. Solenoid died today. Now it works 1 in 10.

I was doing highway speed tests today. Raising needle, test. Dropping needle test. Getting hot, then idling. Air/fuel mix tests. Then bike stops on the highway. I thought it was my carb? Well that is what I worked on last so...

Can't get it started, my solenoid is dying so I start kicking, and kicking. I got it going for a bit then it stops. Kick and kick, ride for a bit then stops. I said to myself, I've read a posts about this.

I open the gas cap ala Fatboy 250, and kick. No use. Dirt in carb, likely, but I can't strap tools on the back since one of my bungies got pulled into the countersprocket case. I can't get the seat off. So I pushed the bike a couple miles to a gas station. I buy water because I'm boiling, and call the wife and tell her why I'm late. I kicked and kicked but couldn't start it. I pushed it the last 3 miles home. Thats when I undo the gas cap, look in, and see that it's empty. It might not be the only problem I got, but man it was bone dry. I need a tank/ :x

My brother got the dates that he has his kids mixed up. Now the trip is a go for Aug,3-7. Sooner is better for me. Ob1, I tried 1 notch up on the needle, and stock position, but bottom notch was working best just before my bike stopped working on the highway. Maybe I gave back the 112 too quickly? Still the 110 is sweet after the Mods compared to the 106. Best part of the 90 Km I did today was that no bulbs blew :D .

You should probably get that solenoid before you leave. Hopefully that will fix the problem with the starter.

Allen

I got a blown bulb. :(. I'll take lots of spares when I go. More testing today on the carb. My bike is running too rich I think, but what do I know? I have to finish my neighbors kitchen and get more supplies tomorrow, oil, bulbs, bungies, spoke wrench. You know, even if the bike doesn't make it, at least I can say I tried. I'm really looking forward to giving it a shot. 8)

I got oil, bulbs X 12, bungies, and another spare fuse. 10:30 tomorrow I get my BPR5HS Non-iridium spark plug. Throttle chops and tuning for tomorrow, I'm gonna solder in a new emergency front light. Low wattage night light for the side of the road, doesn't run down battery. The bike came with one but it disintegrated. Couldn't find a spoke wrench, but I saw Frosbites tire irons today, there are curved ones as well. I didn't get them because they were about 20$ each. I'm thinking about getting a can of puncture seal. I mean it's supposed to work, right? It's about the price of a single tire iron.

I'd be really ticked off if I only get 10 Km down the road and the bike dies. I came out of retirement to do manual labor to by bike parts for this ride. Well, also to have a better, safer bike. :wink:

I'm leaving on friday the 3rd. :D

N2R Your enthusiasm for bikes is so cool, I am impressed with how much You love what You're doing.

:D
Wife's not. :(
She's ok with anything I want to do. But you can't expect someone who doesn't bike to really understand. I'm gonna leave tomorrow before noon. I'd like to grease axels, swingarm and speedo gefore going, but I only have lithium grease, not molybdnium. Does anyone know if lithium is ok to use? I used the search feature and started reading through the old posts again but I couldn't find anything conclusive. :?

dont put too much grease on the speedo cable, I made that mistake, since its a spring, the grease works its way up the cable and makes things go wonky... (it got better with time though)

I thuoght that a powdered graphite was the best thing for speedo cables.
Might be mistaken.....Never had to lube one.

Too late now. I spent the day tightening spokes, checking brakes and doing a really good once over. I'll check the mail tomorrow for the solenoid before I go. Even if I don't make it my bike is in way better shape now than before I started planning this trip. I'd like to thank everyone who bothered to help the new guy prep his bike. If it weren't for this site and the people on it I wouldn't go any further on my bike than I could push it home. I won't be able to push my bike home from Sarnia. :wink:

Good luck, Watch out for everyone who is not watching out for You..

You'll make it new2! :D

Remember...
A positive attitude always prevails! A negative attitude never does.

Enjoy!

Have fun, but don't call me for a ride. :) Glad the solenoid made it in time.

Allen+

Took longer than I thought. The traffic through the small towns took the time not the stops. Great ride took pics. Got a short movie too, I took it with my left hand while riding/ :oops: Not a bulb, not a bolt nothing went wrong. What a great ride. I might go back to a 46 tooth. It gets hilly out of the city. It was only about 260Km, I was going to go back home tomorrow but it looks like I have to help out with my brothers home repairs for a couple days. I'm already looking forward to the trip home. :roll:

About 600km, ?360miles? Made it, easy. My gas cap died. The springs inside shifted, and I couldn't use the key. Had to pry it off and make a road fix... two layers of plastic poked with a hole and elastic bands. I taped the cap on to hide the fix. Worked great, got me home, and I got gas 3 times. The nuts holding the exhaust manifold came loose and I tightened them, thats it. I might do it again before winter hits. :D . If you are in Detroit, you aren't fat from Sarnia, I know for sure #7 highway is a great ride. Lots of bikes, bikers, good people and good attitudes. :idea:

Congrats!!! :D

Glad you had a great ride! Nice MacGyver on the gas cap.

"MacGyver" Yes, I sort of like that. :D In fact you could say that I have a Macgyver bike. Gas cap, ooooh I must get a pic of that into my gallery. 5$ at my bike shop. It's not the right cap, no key, spray painted black, looks like it can't work. But I don't get splashed with gas, when the tank is full, like the stock one used to do to me. The thing works perfect. It was supposed to be a make do till I got another cap, but it works too well. My jury rigged fender, I got about 3000Km on it and it's still perfect. I think my battery box is very cool, a little safer, and not at all stock. Aww now you did it, I gotta go out and take pics :roll: I guess you can tell I'm kinda proud of the little fixes I've done. 8) I'm sure it's only cause I'm new.

Happy You and the bike made it in one piece.. :D

This happened on my bike as well. I tightened them up to what I thought was reasonably snug. But the next time out one of the studs broke off, I assume because it was too tight. So after I got the piece of broken bolt out of the engine block, I tightened them more loosely figuring I would rather have them back out than snap off. You might want to keep this in mind if you tightened them up like I did.

thanks joe. 8O I'd like to get a new exhaust manifold seal and re-seat the pipe snug, but I ride when I have an extra hour or so. I've put another 100Km since tightening and can't hear the exhaust leaking anymore. I decided to put it on the things to do over winter list. :D

Well it's just a plan and not confirmed. Same highway, opposite direction. I think about twice the distance, I'll know more after google mapping. Toronto Ontario to Bouchette, Que. When I got my bike I never ever even thought about doing a trip like this. Early morning start, frequent stops, I should make it. If not, at least I had the (intestinal fortitude) to try. The Sarnia trip was something to talk about, but a trip to Quebec, that would be an outstanding story. 8)

Sounds like quite the adventure--we'll be anxious to read about it. And when it's in the middle of winter and your bike is stored away for the winter, you will be glad you rode when you had the chance!

We will have to rename you bamboo butt.

Allen