[ricky_1605]

Originally Posted by ArizonaJim

ricky 1605: It sounds almost like you bought some contaminated fuel on your trip.
If there was any water in your fuel it could produce the symptoms you describe.
Other things that can do this are an low oil level in the engine or a fouled sparkplug.

I checked the oil level it was fine and as far as contaminated fuel is concerned if it was contaminated wouldn't the bike have shown these symptoms in the morning? It happened only after the offroading during peak afternoon. Just to clear, Is engine overheating a possibility? I hope not.

Originally Posted by voodoochild

Looks like your carb is dirty. Clean it out, along with the fuel & air filters. Should do the trick.

Yes, as it is the servicing is now due. I will change air filter but I don't know if I can trust my mechanic with carb.

[Rennjit]

Its time to replace rear shock absorbers & i'm blank on which make is best for a soft comfy usually solo ride. Need the regular type, no gas cans.

Mech says Gabriel but then says there are two models with soft /hard springs. He also said Armstrong & Escorts are more of hard types. I think OE on newer std's are by Endurance(?), how good are them?

help which one do you guys suggest ??

[Sudipto-S-Team]

Endurance shock absorbers are gas filled and if you fit them on old Bullets then you need to change your main stand to a latest model one that is longer by at least an inch. You could even weld a one inch piece of steel to get your existing main stand taller. Otherwise the rear tyre will touch the ground while on main stand.
I would recommend the regular Gabriel, if you want to maintain the old classic look of your bike. But gas filled ones, I am told, give you a fantastic smooth ride. But there is a risk of them leaking on added loads over long distances through bad roads. I have never used gas filled shock absorbers. So whatever I say about them is hearsay but from authentic sources.

[(Alok)]

In my bike(Std 350) the engine oil chamber threads (crank case side) are flatten. Now I am not able to tighten the drain plug, what to do?

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by (Alok)

In my bike(Std 350) the engine oil chamber threads (crank case side) are flatten. Now I am not able to tighten the drain plug, what to do?

Only thing to do is get the threads re-done by a lathe machine operator. Basically what he will do is flatten the surface and re-thread it (something like re-boring). You will have to use a thicker bolt confirming with the new re-bored threads.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Sudipto-S-Team

Endurance shock absorbers are gas filled and if you fit them on old Bullets then you need to change your main stand to a latest model one that is longer by at least an inch. You could even weld a one inch piece of steel to get your existing main stand taller. Otherwise the rear tyre will touch the ground while on main stand.
I would recommend the regular Gabriel, if you want to maintain the old classic look of your bike. But gas filled ones, I am told, give you a fantastic smooth ride. But there is a risk of them leaking on added loads over long distances through bad roads. I have never used gas filled shock absorbers. So whatever I say about them is hearsay but from authentic sources.

I too am on the lookout for new shocks. Off late I find my Gabriels very hard and non-compliant, transmitting even small road irregularities quite jarringly to the back. No leakage of any visible deterioration. Just shocks getting old and stiff I guess (6 years old now - the second pair in 10 years).

Endurance does make the normal oil-filled hydraulic shocks also apparently.

[Sudipto-S-Team]

Yes you are right. Endurance also makes the regular shock absorbers for Bullet. But generally by Endurance shock absorbers we mean the gas filled ones unless otherwise specified.
I guess the Gabriel shocks have some distribution issues. The spare supplier was telling me they don't have supplies for the last more than 2/3 months.

[ebonho]

Rennjit, any idea or further info about this hard/soft variant of the Gabriels? Any idea how to make out externally which is which?

Someone did tell me that the Armstrongs were stiffer than the Gabriels, and that the Gabriels were slightly taller than the Armstrongs (though not to the extent the gas ones versus the hydraulics).

[Rennjit]

@ ebonho, i was told that soft ones have the spring coils spaced out (comparatively) than hardies. Not sure since i'm yet to personally verify it.

If Endurance is offering regular hydraulic ones i might try them provided i could find it first since obvious references goes to their gas cans! RE's forks are Endurance made (not ? of std 350) & those are good.

@ Sudipto-S-Team, you've any feedback on regular Endurance ones?


-

[adrian]

@Rennjit : My 2011 standard came with Gabriel rear shocks. There are a few numbers scribbled on these which could be the serial number and part number and apart from these there is no indication regarding the hardness/ softness. Regarding the spacing between the coils, you can put your little finger between the springs in the central portion with the shock absorber put in the 3rd notch. As for the comfort, it feels good with the pillion on but when riding solo it hardly budges I weigh 57 Kg and that definitely explains the shock absorber not moving
On the other hand with the rear tyre pressure at 32 psi and riding solo, the bike accelerates and handles well (over rough patches as well) (That means the bike is not bouncing along like a basket ball !).
Regards Adrian

[Karlitoz]

BHPians,

Really need some help on this one. I have been riding RE's for close to 17 years now and every time I come across some unique issues.

My favourite steed these days is the Machismo 500 LB. I have two issues currently that even the authorized service center guys are not able to identify

1. While passing through traffic on 1st gear, when you keep releasing and holding the clutch indefinite times, my bikes gives a strange "Tak" noise the moment clutch is released at slow speed. At high speeds there is no issue. But in crawling traffic its very irritating. Have checked the gearbox, changed the entire chain set, changed the starter sprag, but not much help

2. The bike makes a strange humming noise, as if something is rubbing against the tyre at speeds between 55 - 60 kmph. It does not make any sound below or above. None at all. Tried replacing the tyre, but still the issue persists.

Has any of you guys faced these issues ?

[adrian]

Hi Karlitoz, get the machine to M-Tech. Mr.Gurunandan will be able to help you out.
Regards Adrian

[Karlitoz]

Originally Posted by adrian

Hi Karlitoz, get the machine to M-Tech. Mr.Gurunandan will be able to help you out.
Regards Adrian

Hi Adrian,

Is he in Bangalore ?

[adrian]

Mr B R Gurunandan+(91)-9845771931
Nandanmotors : Homepage
M Tech, No.4, Srinika Complex, Near Hebbal Lake, Outer Ring Road, Hebbal, Bangalore - 560024

[starter]

Originally Posted by adrian

Mr B R Gurunandan+(91)-9845771931
Nandanmotors : Homepage
M Tech, No.4, Srinika Complex, Near Hebbal Lake, Outer Ring Road, Hebbal, Bangalore - 560024

Its been more than months since Mtech is closed.
He is planning to move out of Bangalore.
Till then, you could still reach him on his mobile and take it to his residence in Sanjay Nagar.
Cheers,
Deepak