2011

Year: 2011

Month: ALL

What’s up with recently rebuilt Hayabusa motor?

25 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve bought a second-hand Busa for good money that’s just had an engine rebuild. The reason I got it really cheap was because it misfires between five and 7000rpm and won’t rev past that. I’m...

Why are my Kawasaki ZR7’s brakes playing up?

25 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I have recently had my Kawasaki ZR7 serviced. The front brake was playing up and new pads were installed to restore service. But my brakes are still in a bad way – there is so much travel in the...

Perfect tyre for a BMW K1200RS

20 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve come to the end of the road with the current tyres on my trusty ’01 BMW K1200RS (Front Avon Azaro 120/70ZR17, Rear Avon ‘Storm’ AV56 180/55ZR17) and need a little guidance. My annual mileage...

How do I get exhaust bolts out?

20 July 2011 by MCN

Q. What’s the best method of getting exhaust bolts out? I have two Allen head studs and the heads inside are rounded off. mjhammer92, MCN forums A. If you can get to them OK then you can hammer a Torx...

Can I buy a 190-section Bridgestone BT021?

13 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a VFR1200 2010 model it has Bridgestone BT021 190/55ZR17 rear and BT021 120/70ZR front I wanted to know if I could put Bridgestone BT023 or BT023 GT as my friends are running them on their...

What's caused my F650Gs's brake disc to warp?

13 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a 2008 BMW F650GS, which I bought last June with 1900 miles on the clock. BMW replaced the front disc under warranty, saying it had becomewarped. Although no reason was given to why it may...

Why does my Triumph TT600 cut out?

13 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a 2002 Triumph TT600 with 20,000 miles on the clock. I’m having intermittent issues with it cutting out. The bike will start fine to begin with, but cuts out mid-ride. When it does this the...

Video: How to fit an Interphone F3 communications system

06 July 2011 by MCN

Dan Sager, from Interphone UK, demonstrates how to sync and fit the Interphone F3 communications system to a Shoei Multitec helmet. The Interphone F3 can be paired with two other bluetooth devices at...

BMW K75RT tickover issue

04 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I currently own a 1992 BMW K75RT. It has just failed its MoT on one single point. The throttle grip does not return to tickover when released. I have taken the handlebar mechanism apart and it is...

Sticky BMW K75RT throttle grip

04 July 2011 by MCN

Why is my Hornet's front end squeaking?

27 June 2011 by MCN

Q. I have just upgraded from my trusty CBR125 to a 2004 Hornet 600, in very good conditionjust under 11,000 miles and a brilliant bike in itself. I have just had a new tyre and pads put on the front,...

Cure for GS's flashing ABS lights

27 June 2011 by MCN

Q. My BMW R1150GS has ABS – as soon as the bike starts to move I could hear the noise of the ABS engaging and at the same time two simultaneously flashing red lights on thedash would go out. Recently,...

Will changing my rear tyre affect dyno results?

22 June 2011 by MCN

Q. My bike used a 190/55 x 17 rear tyre as original equipment, but now it’s on a 190/50. Will there be a difference in rear wheel torque as a dyno measures it on the rear wheel? Motorcycle tyres for...

Why does my RS125 judder?

22 June 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve noticed a problem when using the front brake on my 2008 RS125. Sometimes, when braking lightly, the whole front of the bike starts vibrating quite violently – it’s not a massive problem but it...

FJ1200 fuel cut-off woes

14 June 2011 by MCN

Can you help me with a fuel reserve cut-off problem on my 1986 Yamaha FJ1200 please? The fuel tap solenoid appears to be faulty and it cuts off the fuel supply when there’s still lots of fuel in the...

Best tyres for a Triumph Daytona 675

14 June 2011 by MCN

I’ve just acquired a 2006 Daytona 675 fitted with old Dunlop Sportmax D208s which don’t inspire confidence. I used Pirelli Diablo Corsas on a 2000 Blade, which worked well. Would you recommend the...

Where are my ZZ-R600's spark plugs?!

14 June 2011 by MCN

I decided to check the plugs on my Y-reg Kawasaki ZZ-R600 so dutifully got out my Haynes manual, read up on the steps to take. 1. Remove seat, 2. Disconnect battery, 3. Remove tank 4. Access plugs…...

Yamaha R1 gearbox troubles

14 June 2011 by MCN

I’ve just bought a 2004 Yamaha R1. It shifts through all the gears fine if going steady but if I am accelerating hard when I shift into fifth it will hit a false neutral then find sixth. I’m thinking...

How to fit performance brake lines

13 June 2011 by MCN

This step-by-step video shows you how to replace ageing brakes lines with a set of high performance lines for increased braking power. While older bikes are still great fun one of the easiest ways of...

Triumph Daytona 955i won't tick over

06 June 2011 by MCN

I have a 1999 Triumph Daytona 955i. It refuses to tick over when started from cold. After a couple of miles down the road, it seems fine. If I restart it before it gets cold it’s OK. If I leave it...

Why is my CBR600's mudguard cracked?

06 June 2011 by MCN

I have a Honda CBR600 Sport that I have owned for eight years. After my second outing this year I noticed a series of cracks around the lower mounting point of one side on the front mudguard. I fitted...

Why is my front tyre wearing unevenly?

01 June 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a Kawasaki ZX-10R with a Metzeler front motorcycle tyre which has worn around one side only, similar to tracking wear on a car tyre, with the wear starting from the centre of the tyre. Tyre...

Why is my Kawasaki ZXR750 clutch slipping?

01 June 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve just put some new clutch plates in my Kawasaki ZXR750 H2, but it’s still slipping. Can I adjust it out? wingy46, MCN forums A. As your clutch is hydraulic, the only adjustment is at the...

Why can't you get run-flat tyres for motorcycles?

23 May 2011 by MCN

Q. My BMW car is fitted with run-flat tyres which I appreciate as I got a puncture the other day about 60 miles from home. I was able to continue back home at 40 to 50mph, although I couldn’t get it...

Should I bleed my brakes after a piston popped out?

23 May 2011 by MCN

Q. I changed my brake pads today and when I pushed one of the pistons back another one popped out. I managed to get it back in OK after a small spillage and it’s not leaking at the moment. Will I need...

What’s caused my tyre valve to blow out?!

18 May 2011 by MCN

Last week I had what I think was a fairly lucky escape. I was checking the tyre pressures on my 2001 Honda CBR1100XX, but when I put the tyre gauge on the valve stem the stem itself (thread included)...

How hard is it to swap my GPZ500’s engine?

18 May 2011 by MCN

I’ve a Kawasaki GPZ500 with loads of top-end grief, including a new camchain and tensioner, so I’m thinking that another engine for around 100 quid could be the best deal, although its condition is an...

Why is my radiator bubbling over?

18 May 2011 by MCN

A line of small white foam bubbles have started to appear all along the lower edge of my radiator. Although the expansion tank level has not really dropped, do I need to consider Radweld or a repair?...

Why is my Kawasaki ZX-9R stalling?

09 May 2011 by MCN

Why is my ZX-9R stalling? I own a late Kawasaki ZX-9R and it will only turn over and start when the bike is in neutral and the clutch disengaged. The moment I pull in the clutch lever it packs up. I’m...

How much to fix my GSX600F’s chain and sprockets?

04 May 2011 by MCN

I recently bought a Suzuki GSX600FW. The chain looks really dodgy as do the sprockets, while the brakes need some attention as well, particularly the discs. Where can I source these parts at a...

Tyre's mystery line

04 May 2011 by MCN

I have about 400 miles on the Bridgestone BT023R on the front wheel of my 2005 Honda CBF600N and I’ve noticed a strange line just left of centre that runs the circumference of the tyre. Has anyone...

Best tyres for a 2004 Honda Fireblade

08 April 2011 by MCN

Q. I bought my 2004 Fireblade with Pirelli Corsa IIIs and they seem OK but a little ‘slidy’ on the rear at times (in the damp). I’m trying to decide whether to replace the pair with Corsa IIIs or buy...

Will my loud exhaust pass an MoT?

08 April 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a US-import GSX-R750 with a Yoshimura end can fitted which hasn’t got any markings on it at all. No ‘not for road use’ or ‘race use only’, but it does seem a little loud. Where do I stand...

Best tyres for a KTM 950SM?

29 March 2011

I am looking for some new tyres for my 2006 KTM 950SM. I currently have Pirelli Diablo Corsa IIIs on, which have been great, although I haven’t used them in the wet much. I am planning a trip to the...

Cure for stuttering ZZR1100

29 March 2011

My ZZR1100 was running rough and when I checked the valve clearances there were six tight on the exhaust side. I also balanced the carbs, and it’s now much smoother and responsive, but it sort of...

What are the yellow dots on tyres?

22 March 2011

I was browsing websites looking for info regarding those red and yellow dots on the tyre sidewalls and could have sworn I’d seen an MCN feature about them being factory balance markings and where they...