[gururajrv]

Originally Posted by jasjotbains

Did you run your bike with the 3 nozzle filter? I got mine changed when my fuel pump died out on me (in 2012), and with the 3 nozzle filter, I used to get a lot of knocking at low revs after 5-10 minutes of driving which led me to ultimately sell my P220. I used to tank him up at a COCO pump so fuel quality was not an issue.

Have never driven a bike more connected and responsive after that. I will be in the market for D400 in a few months but hopefully Bajaj has ironed out their FI systems now.

Fear not, I heard 220 FI is coming back to life with BS6 waiting eagerly for it to be launched to check how the acceleration is compared to our version which was damn smooth and clean!

Originally Posted by praful

The oil will run off after a few washes and will be a dust magnet. You might be better off either blow-drying the bike with compressed air, or at least wiping it dry. Or instead of oil, you could use WD40, but this again like oil would need frequent application after every 1-2

Ya buddy. Will try to wipe it dry. Washed it just once and with 220 being on hibernation way before lockdown, it’s surely is prone to a lot of rusting scenario now. Will have to get it checked later once lockdown is lifted and things are steering back to normal.

I still haven’t managed to get the fuel filter you suggested from M800. I got to somehow get it and see how good it can turn out to be. You can imagine when I say my bike is running still on 2012 fuel filter which is 8 years old now.

[jasjotbains]

Originally Posted by gururajrv

Fear not, I heard 220 FI is coming back to life with BS6 waiting eagerly for it to be launched to check how the acceleration is compared to our version which was damn smooth and clean!

I think the 220 with FI has already launched (https://www.bajajauto.com/motor-bike...specifications). But the thing is now it's novelty factor has worn off. In 2009 when I purchased mine (silver colour) I used to love the neck rotations of onlookers! Getting it serviced at probiking service centers gave you that exclusivity (and pain of waiting for your slot) But now there are so many other choices plus the carb version diluted the novelty factor. Unless they come with standard HIDs for the projectors, no point going back to something which is essentially now a 13 year old model with ever changing sticker jobs.

I hope you do get a hold of the fuel filter because pushing this bike is a real pain.

[gururajrv]

Originally Posted by jasjotbains

I think the 220 with FI has already launched (https://www.bajajauto.com/motor-bike...specifications). But the thing is now it's novelty factor has worn off. In 2009 when I purchased mine (silver colour) I used to love the neck rotations of onlookers! .....

Lol true that. Bike is showing it’s age but Bajaj thinks it won’t age for few more years

I did enjoy the bike for nearly 13 years now as mine was pretty much the 2nd bike in my city back in the days and the attention it got at every signal / parking was something I enjoyed a lot.

I will still go in for a swap of FI system if they have indeed launched. Because the one I have now doesn’t have any mechanical part support. So it makes no sense. But if the new bike lacks the punch my bike still has, then I won’t go in for a swap of any system at all.

[Mik]

Happy to come across this thread. My 2007 red 220Fi is also still in service. My journey has been similar to yours. Though the 220 stopped being my primary bike as I went through an evolution with the cbr 250 (sold), ktm390 and now a gsxs 750.
My last major ride with it was a 2 day dash to my native place in Bengal from Bangalore in April 2018. The bike wasn't trouble free in that ride too but over time it's like my wife I won't divorce
Now it's cared for by my father and I take it out whenever I go back.
My bike all restored and still going strong and throaty.

[gururajrv]

Originally Posted by Mik

Happy to come across this thread. My 2007 red 220Fi is also still in service. My journey has been similar to yours. Though the 220 stopped being my primary bike as I went through an evolution with the cbr 250 (sold), ktm390 and now a gsxs 750.....

It’s seriously nice to know I have company with me who’s kept this FI for a very long time

Is it still running on FI or have you changed it to carb? Looks like you’ve painted the engine black?

Thanks

RV

[Mik]

Originally Posted by gururajrv

It’s seriously nice to know I have company with me who’s kept this FI for a very long time

Is it still running on FI or have you changed it to carb? Looks like you’ve painted the engine black?

Thanks

RV

Bought it on 26th sep 2007 (first batch in Noida) and have done two ladakh trips and 18 states on it.
It's now on its second or third fi unit. I stopped counting how many parts I have changed over the years
Now only the tank and engine are original I guess.
My father keeps maintaining it so he painted it black.

[gururajrv]

Originally Posted by Mik

Bought it on 26th sep 2007 (first batch in Noida) and have done two ladakh trips and 18 states on it.
It's now on its second or third fi unit. I stopped counting how many parts I have changed over the years
Now only the tank and engine are original I guess.
My father keeps maintaining it so he painted it black.

That’s good to know. Mine is still the stock FI units and electrical components luckily. It’s done about 65k as the riding reduced drastically after 2016. Main focus was on driving. It’s nice to know your father shares the same enthusiasm in maintaining the bike or vice versa I should say

Did you change the units recently? I don’t think parts now is easily available?

[Mik]

Originally Posted by gururajrv

It’s nice to know your father shares the same enthusiasm in maintaining the bike or vice versa I should say

Did you change the units recently? I don’t think parts now is easily available?

Yes. I guess I got the riding bug from sitting on the tank of his mini bullet.
My last fi unit change was in 2014 I guess. Got it after many months of wait.

[gururajrv]

Bike hibernated for a really long time leading to the battery going dead completely.

Exide battery was replaced from the same company. I paid 1.8k for the new one after exchange. Bike came alive as soon as I plonked on the battery.



I got the battery legs fixed as the positive wire’s leg that connects the battery was eaten up by the previous battery’s acid spill out.



Performance of the bike is still intact despite being barely used. But, both air filter and fuel filter seems to be having a clot from dust participles. Have to get it addressed at the earliest as the bike turns off when I take it on higher rpms.

Besides, I’d given both my bike‘s a good wash during the lockdown;

Before:



After: sorry about the bad frame as I couldn’t manage to capture both completely. I’ll do it next time with better light.

[Motard_Blr]

The photo of the battery shows that the positive cable is connected to the battery terminal without any wire lugs - the bare copper wire strands are exposed. This is a potential failure point and a fire hazard. I suggest you have a competent electrician crimp new wire lugs and also fit new terminal insulation rubber caps.

[ashwinprakas]

The cables can be bought separately, part numbers below;

Red Cable: JC201027
Black Cable: DJ201140
Battery Strap: DJ161247

Regards,
A.P.

[gururajrv]

Originally Posted by Motard_Blr

The photo of the battery shows that the positive cable is connected to the battery terminal without any wire lugs - the bare copper wire strands are exposed. This is a potential failure point and a fire hazard. I suggest you have a competent electrician crimp new wire lugs and also fit new terminal insulation rubber caps.

Thanks Motard. I have mentioned that note in my post that the legs of the wires were already installed and the pic I have posted of the battery was before the wires were fastened correctly with the legs. It’s all sealed well and is safe and yes it’s hazardous for sure if used the way it is shown in the pic

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

The cables can be bought separately, part numbers below;

Red Cable: JC201027
Black Cable: DJ201140
Battery Strap: DJ161247

Regards,
A.P.

Thank you ashwin. Will keep this reference for future buy.

[gururajrv]

After a long long time, I consciously made time for bike to be restored as following needed change before I got the bike back from deep hibernation;

1) Battery which you see in my post #54 had given up, understandably due to the hibernation the bike was put to for over a year now. Despite having it charged, battery didn’t provide sufficient voltage for the dash to light up. I ordered for a replacement through warranty and Exide provided the same within a weeks time. I picked it up last week and installed it. I just turned on the ignition and the bike did its customary dial check on the dash. Sense of relief considering how badly the bike was covered in dust and was harvesting spiders and it’s relatives inside.

2) Engine oil replacement was long overdue. The last time I got it replaced was in Feb 2019 if I remember correctly after a service I got from the FI mechanic. I ordered for Motul 3100 4T - 20w50 grade for the bike. Surprisingly Motul is sending a pack of 1.15L unlike before which had a standard 1L pack. Bike gulped 1.15L of oil after draining the old one which was super dark and kind of felt weirdly thick (May be duration inside engine caused this?)

After doing this, I confidently turned on the ignition and hit the start button, as always, bike came into life without any hesitation. However, at this point I was still skeptical on taking it out, but I gathered courage and took it for a short spin which I took advantage of to fill up air as the tyres were literally flat making the bike be more hefty to handle than it should be. I refueled Petrol and air, then took it around for a ride close by conciously not pushing the bike too much as I wasn’t sure of the status of the electrical components inside considering it’s now at 14 years and would be completing 15 next year. Number 15 reminds me of taking the bike to RTO for FC check.

Today, I got the bike washed thoroughly but as luck would’ve it, it started pouring by the time I got back home. I believe due to water seepage, bike hesitated a lot to start and I was fearing of booking a goods vehicle to take the bike back home. But after 5 mins of letting it dry, the bike started and I safely returned home without having to sweat too much despite the weather outside bike reassures it’s loyalty to me all the time!

I am indeed planning to take on a ride with friends close by in the next week or so to see how it performs. It’s still running on FI for now but the mechanic has told me clearly, if it ever makes it’s mind to give up, it’s going to be inevitable for me to plan for a conversion to carburetor :( I will carry a tow rope in case the sensors or the FI system gives up. Bike is indeed a gem and was way ahead of the tech used on bikes back in 2007.

Immediate task on bike:

1) rear brakes seem to have jammed a bit. Have to get the pads replaced and bleeding done.

2) I am doubting the wires that shows exposure to the joints. Should I get them insulated with a tape or have it replaced completely?