Results of tonights tinkering ...

[Fallout]

Thought I'd do my compression testing tonight. As usual with maintenance, didn't go 100% according to plan. Can't be arsed to tell a story, so here are all my observations ...

- Universal compression tester isn't universal. It doesn't fit. What a bunch of scrotum. So no compression testing performed.
- Bike started fine this time. Perhaps low battery last weekend as I hadn't plugged the optimate since Wales because socket was in use.
- All spark plugs were loose! Must not have tightened them properly when I put them in because the threads are all a bit knackered in the block, so go tight then loose then tight then loose as you screw them in. I could undo them all with my fingers! Sorted that out hopefully. Plugs looked fine.
- Oil on the air intake valves. Just a little.
- There are 6 separate pipes and connectors that go into my airbox. Feck knows what they do. One of them possibly wasn't connected and was quite oily. Weirdness. Connected now.

Bike seemed to start a bit better after fannying about. No throttle required. I wonder if that pipe performs some sort of back pressure function. It goes from the air box, just above the throttle body down somewhere into the engine/gearbox area. Weirdness x2.

Anyway, at least starting issue is resolved so I don't anticipate problems with not making it to rideouts this winter.

What are you gonna do with the compression tester?

[Wideboy]

they are breathers for the Gearbox and possibly the crank casing, i cant remember why they are linked to the airbox but yes i believe its to do with back pressure.

also when something is amiss (like everything on your bike, your list, nuff said) they can fill the airbox with oil which in turn will get drawn into the pots, may explain your smoking problem.

[Mark_h]

I think the general idea is pressure that either builds up in the crank cases and gearbox or bypasses piston rings gets fed back into the airbox. Quite why that's a good idea I am not too sure.

My 650 had a breather pipe fall off the airbox and this caused oil to drip. You should find a PDF somewhere showing where all the breathers go. Worth checking none are blocked too. Should mostly be 6mm vacuum tube. I've found a local supplier who sell it by the meter for not too much and they do it in lots of colours too if for example you want them in orange to match those funky wheels. If they have been randomly plugged into the wrong place it can lead to weirdness.

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by Thunderace

What are you gonna do with the compression tester?

Keep it for cars. Think I might use it on the Mondeo and see if I can diagnose what's going wrong with that piece of shiz. Apart from smoking at start up, it struggles at around 2.5k rpm when cold. Fine after a few minutes, but stutters and loses power when cold while spewing out crap. Stalled once in the middle of a traffic light crossroads too. I wonder if 2.5k rpm is when the turbo starts picking up speed ...

Originally Posted by Wideboy

they are breathers for the Gearbox and possibly the crank casing, i cant remember why they are linked to the airbox but yes i believe its to do with back pressure.

also when something is amiss (like everything on your bike, your list, nuff said) they can fill the airbox with oil which in turn will get drawn into the pots, may explain your smoking problem.

Interesting gavster. Perhaps that's where some of my oil is going. It'll be interesting to see if there are any changes next time I ride it.

I think if i found out the things you've found out about your bike mate i'd be rolling around on the floor crying in blind panic/worry

[Fallout]

@Mark - I'll have a look in the Haynes and see if the pipes are mention. May save me a few ml of oil each journey now it's back on.

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by Jammy

I think if i found out the things you've found out about your bike mate i'd be rolling around on the floor crying in blind panic/worry

None of it is a big deal. Tyres + brakes are the only thing you should really worry about. If they fail, they'll kill you. Most other things failing will just result in a bad day.

Edit: Tyres and brakes and axles done up properly for staying alive, oil in the engine to avoid expensive damage, everything else is meh!!

[Littlepeahead]

Why don't you just buy a nice BMW. Car, bike, better still both.

[Wideboy]

Originally Posted by Fallout

Interesting gavster. Perhaps that's where some of my oil is going. It'll be interesting to see if there are any changes next time I ride it.

possibly but it shouldn't be burning a noticeable amount that needed topping up, i would say your bikes just an oil burner, or maybe the wrong oil? if the oils to thin it can slip past the rings (teehee ring). My ace had the wrong stuff in it when i bought it, it burnt its entire oil in about 300 miles.

worth checking if all else fails, want me to have a hunt for my compression tester? i can't remember what size it is but im pretty sure i last used it on an old stroker so should fit