SUBJECT: MT
125
I bought a honda
MT125, 1974 from a guy down the street for $29, its in REALLY nice
condition, but it doesnt run, all it needs is some new gaskets and a
piston kit, anyway, I was wondering if the motor on the MT and motor
on the CR are the same or not. If this question isnt good enough for
your website, could you still email me the answer? Thanks a lot for
any help.
Regards,
wes
No, the
motors are different, but the entire engine can be swapped. The MT is
an enduro/dual purpose kind of bike, while the CR is a pure MXer.
SUBJECT:
SUZUKI RM IDLE
Rick.
I have 2 bikes . Both Suzukis a rm 125 and . They start great, But
when after the bike warms up I must keep my hand on the throttle or it
will conk out. My question how and where do I adjust the this do the
bike idles without conking out. I tried messing with the nut on the
cable ...
Mike
Those bikes
don't have a provision to idle. They're racers, not trail bikes.
SUBJECT:
STREET BIKE BS
dear rick
i have a real problem.recently my friend bought a 1978 honda 180
street bike.we restored everything on it.everthing yoou could think
of.then we were putting a light on it and my friend cut all of the
wires.the ignition lights kill switch you name it he cut it.he got it
without a title so we were just gonna use it as a ride around the
house bike.we were going to cut all the lighting and horn wires.but my
idiot friend pulled out the headlight assembly and cut all of the
wires there.i cant find a wiring diagram to re wire the ignition.do
you know anything about this bike.i know before he cut the wires we
got it clocked at about 95mph at a drag strip.it kicked butt.problem
is we cant get it rewired to run now and may not be able to take it to
a vintag bike show.what should i do to re wire the ignition and kill
switch.where can i find a wiring diagram for it?
thanks rick
nick
Yes indeed,
you have a real problem. Honda never made a 180 in 79. As a matter of
fact, they never ever made a 180 period. They did, however, make a 185
in 1978 and it was sort of a pig. 95 in the quarter mile is wishful
thinking, or perhaps just a load of BS.
Your friend
is indeed an idiot and should not be left close to a pair of
sidecutters. If you want to restore that 185 to glory (?), then simply
take the headlight and match the wires back up. In other words, red to
red, black to black, etc. Nothing could be simpler. A wiring diagram
would just confuse you.
SUBJECT: XT
350 SADDLE
Hi there. I own
a 1986 Yamaha XT 350. I am looking for a seat that would be more
comfortable and offer more control. I ride Off-Road only and am
wondering about the interchangeability of a YZF or WR seat? I am
guessing about the possibility of application so any help would be
appreciated. P.S. I do know that they changed the seat style slightly
after 1989, but it's still pretty lame and not much better than the
square box I'm riding on now. Thanks Rick
Casselstine
Why not just
build the seat up to where you like it? It's not that hard. Just add
foam, cut it shape and have an upholstery man make a cover for it.
SUBJECT:
SACHS HERCULES
Hello there:
I am hoping that you can help me! I will be getting married in
September 2005 and I would like to buy my husband-to-be a bike like
the first one that he had in the eighties. He owned a 1971 Hercules
125 Street bike. He has helped me restore my 1976 CB 750 and I would
like to buy him his "dream bike" as a wedding gift. I have
searched all over the internet for information, pictures, or for-sale
ads, and cannot find anything. I think that my inability to speak
German may be hindering my search.
Do you know
anything about these bikes? Do you know anywhere that I could search
for this bike? Do you have any pictures or information or
advertisements about this bike? Do you have any handy websites that I
could go to? I would appreciate getting some feedback and I will let
you know where it leads me.......Thanks for your time.
Sylvia Collins
Try this
site: http://www.bikepics.com/hercules/ They have the most information and bikes available. Best of all, it's
in English.
Try Also: http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/hercules.htm
SUBJECT: MOTO
PHOTOS
There was a
journalist that I remember from the old days (1975-6) named Jim
Ginatist or something like that that now does racing photography. I
know I have the name wrong but can you be of any help? I still get out
my first issues of Dirt Bike and Motocross Action to show my grandkids
what I used to do when I was their age.
Charles
That would be
Jim Gianatsis, a truly great photographer.
SUBJECT: SAN
FELIPE
Rick,
I know you are not in the travel agency business, but I was wondering
if you could make a hotel recommendation on the beach in San Felipe.
Am considering a 3 or 4 night trip with family August 8-11. Thanks for
your time.
Rob Loubier
Whatever you
do, don't stay in the heart of town. There you'll find idiots on
rental three wheelers buzzing around town until the wee hours of the
morning. Instead, head south of town to the marina area. Try La
Missiones or the Marina. They're a few miles south and very nice. Plan
on spending about $90 a night or so on weekends. But they are clean
and classy places.
SUBJECT:
WHICH YAMAHA?
We accquired a
Yamaha dirt bike and are wondering exactly what it is. Serial numbers
on head tube and motor are #462008431. Is it a "74? What is the
model name. Reccomendation of sites to research and buy parts for
restoration? Any help is appreciated, thanks Super Hunky!!!
Carnage
According to
the Yamaha
Vintage Dirt Bike I.D. Guide, you have a 1974 YZ 80A. Take it from
there.
SUBJECT:
BRAKE FLUID
hey how do you
change brake fluid ,on the front tire, on a 2001 rm125
KC WOLLETT
What we have
here is a failure to communicate. Very few front tires that I'm aware
of have brake fluid in them.
SUBJECT: PLUG
QUESTION
What type of
spark plug do you suggest for late 70's or early 80's yamaha 250
enduro bike missing the automatic oiler
Mitchell
Grandclair
Stick an NGK
B8E in there and you'll be a happy camper.
SUBJECT: KX
100
I have a 2003
Kawasaki KX100. I bought it about 4 months ago, brand new out of the
box, for a really good price! I would like to know if i could run 100%
race fuel, 50/50%, or 75% premium to 25% race fuel, with some benefit,
as far as more power and better cooling? If so, would i have to rejet
the carb, or richen or lean out the carb? My bike is still stock as
far as the engine and the header pipe and the silencer. Oh, would i
still run the same plug? Also, how about an octane booster, and how
much? You are doing a great job!! I visit your site a lot!!
Thanks,
Brady Clifton
Your bike
will run just fine on premium pump gas. Race fuel is just a waste of
money on a stock bike.
Subject: 72
suzuki wont run
hi my name is
scott i just recently got a 1972 suzuki TS-250 dirt bike i cant seem
to get it running i cleaned the carb. and it ran for a little while
but now it wont start at all i was told the oil ratio was 50-1 but i
am still not sure also it has to different spark plugs in it and
according to the seller they are out of his snowmobile so if u could i
would like to know the right kind any help would be greatly
appreciated
No Name
A Suzuki TS
250 is a rather mild-mannered trail bike that will work just fine with
an NGK B8E plug. A new one. Only one plug fires in the TS. With no
oiling system used, a 32:1 ratio is OK.
SUBJECT: CDI
TESTING
I just wanted to
ask you if there is any way to test a CDI. I got one of those great
deals on a bike that was only produced for 2 years. It is a 1982 450
KDX. The problem I'm having is no spark. I pull the plug, leave it
hooked up lying against the head, kick it over and the only way I can
get it to spark is hit the kill button. Every time I hit the kill
button it will spark as long as you are turning it over. Now I have
found out that I can't even buy a CDI for it. It's a strong machine
and we ride it on the farm. Can ya help me?
(M)Sgt Richard
A. Van Arkel
Sounds like
you've got the wiring all backwards. As long as you're getting spark
at any time, chances are your CDI is OK.
SUBJECT: 1971
SUZUKI 125
Hello Rick,
My name is Tim and i was just given a 1971 Suzuki TS125. It is a air
cooled two stroke motor. There is a couple of things I need help with.
First, it hasnt ran in two years and i got it running but when i open
it up it runs great except 5th gear. It starts spudering, spitting,
and tries to shut off even if i back the throttle off. The only time
it gains speed is going down hill in 5th. Secondly,this is a very old
vintage and I have yet to find out much for or on this bike. The only
thing I really found out was that its top speed is roughly between 65
and 70. I would like to know if you know anywhere you could get engine
parts and body parts for this bike.
Thank you a lot,
Tim
You're going
to have to take that crusty old carb apart and clean all the jets out
properly, and while you're at it, clean the crud out of your float
bowl.
SUBJECT:
WHERE ARE PARTS FOR THE 1982 RM250Z?
Hey Rick:
Great webpage! I've been reading your editorials for years and really
have enjoyed your world-traveled Navy humor. (My Dad was a mud-pounder
from 1964-1984 on the Zippo, Conny and Indy.)
Rick, I'm not
writing to congratulate, but rather to solicit your advice on a very
dear subject. I'm close to purchasing my dream bike, a 1982 Suzuki
RM250Z. This '82's about a 7 on a scale of 10. Nobody's perfect, but
it's a start-- complete, and it fires up and runs fine.
Considering how well my '83 RM250 D ran with the '82 head and timing,
I'm really looking forward to the "real deal '82." I will
ride the Z occasionally, but mainly I would like to restore it as
part-time project. As you may recall, both the '81 RM125X and '82
RM250Z made Dirt Bike's Hall of Fame, so I'm surprised how hard it is
to find Zoke plastic. (You can get parts for the '81 Maico Spyder, for
example.)
Questions:
Are there people
you might know about who specialize in the restoration of early
Floaters?
I was wondering
if you knew of a place where gas tanks (not the stickers, got those
already!) might be reconditioned.
Also, where are
OEM (not Maier) side panels available? I've heard in the UK.
Finally, while
undoubtedly apocryphal, a good friend insists that the '82 Z beat the
1987 250 shootout winner in DB or MXA in a straight, heads-up dragrace.
I was wondering
if you had any comments! Super Hunk, any help in this area after the
purgatory I endured finding parts for my '83 would be very, very
appreciated! Thank you, and I wish you many years keeping the shiny
side up!
James Strawn
'97 RM250
'04 RM250
I rode the
1982 RM 250 for a whole year. Yes, it was that good of a bike, I agree
with you on that. Try Tony Boswell at Vintage Suzuki. The contact is:
info@vintage-suzuki.com Phone 760-806-4564 He specializes in TM and RM
restos and should be able to help you, or point you in the right
direction. Good luck with your project.
SUBJECT: HELP
IS ON THE WAY
hi rick i have a
yamaha dirt bike something that i pick up from local joe i believe it
is 89 yamaha 100
i have trouble in the crank case and i dont have a manuel i wonder can
you help me get the crank case apart
thanks
monford
Yeah, I'll
just take a break from answering questions, hop on a plane and help
you get those pesky cases apart.
SUBJECT: WELL
I WAS THINKING
Sir Mr.Sieman
If I remember right we have the same glorious birthday 1.march as per
an old question I asked you about one of my YAMAHA air-cooled two
strokes,I have 5 of those, 1981-1986 .
I was just
thinking if you have an apprentice, someone that can take over from
you when you eventually go to the great Big MX/Enduro course in the
sky?
..again just
thinking.
Long time fan from Iceland (way UP north)
Skuli Thor
Actually, my
birthday is February 27th. Close enough for government work. At the
risk of sounding egotistical, there are no plans as of this writing to
have a replacement.
SUBJECT: HARD
STARTING KX
High Rick
My 1993 kx 125 has trouble starting I have replaced the spark plug but
still it takes about 5 minutes of push starting to get it going,,once
it dose start it goes perfect ..,.why is this
Thanks
Mitch
If it starts
easily after the push start, then the message is clear: your pilot jet
is either too small. Or clogged up.
SUBJECT:
KE100 FOULING PLUGS
Hello Rick,
I have a 1986 Kawasaki KE100 that is fouling spark plugs after only a
few minutes of use. My son and I are in the middle of doing a top-end
rebuild currently (piston, rings, honing the cylinder). I have heard
that people have stopped using the oil injector and gone to mixing oil
and gas directly in the gas tank.
Do you support
this approach? And/Or do you believe that there may be a problem with
the injector mixing too much oil with the gas? Do you have any other
suggestions in case the top-end rebuild does not resolve the problem?
Thanks for your
insight.
Steve
The KE 100
has a reliable oil injection system and there's no way you should
remove it. Chances are excellent that refreshing the top end should
solve your problem.
SUBJECT: CR
250 GEAR OIL
Sir,
What is the best oil to use in the transmission of my 2002 Honda CR
250?
Thanks,
Tim
You should
use a high-priced trans fluid and change it often. Me? I use 20-50
regular auto oil and change it after every ride. So far, I've had good
luck with all of my bikes.
SUBJECT: HOW
FAST
Rick,
Here is a perfect line for kids. I work at a shop and when kids call
to ask how fast a Cr 80 will go I always tell them I do not know it
doesn't have a speedometer. The phone goes blank and the kid has got
to be thinking what a dumb ass. Oh well I think it is funny!
CRJ
Not bad. With
your permission I might use that answer every now and then.
Posted Oct 25 2007 12:58PM
