So are any of you mechanically minded? I bought an old 2 stroke brit motorcycle for a few hundred quid a few years ago, with the aim of teaching myself about bike repair and how to ride. Trouble is, I bought a motorcycle that has no handy Haynes repair manual available, and in the process of trying to teach myself to how to ride it, I broke the damn thing.
Before I cocked everything up, the bike seemed to work pretty well - the engine would always rev up after a couple of kickstarts, would idle happily in neutral, but it would always stop because I had no idea how to manage the balancing act between engaging the clutch and getting into first gear. I only managed to get it into gear and actually ride the thing once out of a total of about 40 failed attempts. I thought I could continue with this trial and error approach until everything finally 'clicked', but the universe had other plans.
One day I repeated the procedure of kickstarting and trying and failing to get into first gear about 5 times. On the 6th kickstart, a loud bang emanated from the exhaust, and it seems to have killed whatever archaic techno-wizardry was going on in the engine.
When I try to engage the kickstarter, nothing happens. The engine doesn't start. The kickstarter turns, but now there's a 'whooshing' sound that wasn't there before, as if it's forcing air out of somewhere.
>>2711 Although a motorcyclist, I have absolutely no idea what your problem is, but I wanted to post and encourage you - that is a fine way of learning about bikes!
Okay, I'm no professional mechanic but I've done enough work on bikes and cars (including engine re-builds) to know my way around them. First off you've picked the best kind of thing to learn on; two stroke engines are about as simple as you can get and the platform it's built around is easy. No electrical shit, drum brakes etc etc. Well done.
Now get yourself a good set of tools and a general 2 stroke engine repair manual. Even a PDF on the internet will do. Figure out how it works, what everything generally should look like and then take your tools and take it apart. You'll most likely not break anything and if you do then it's broken anyway so who gives a shit. Disassemble the engine and look for obvious signs of damage or wear.
Initially is there resistance when you kick the kickstarter. Do you need to put effort into pushing it? If you do then you've got compression, if not you haven't and the rings are probably shot. Look into basic slide carburetor maintenance and check if you're getting fuel and air. If there's no compression it's on to a dis-assembly.
For starters the bore where the piston sits should be mirror smooth. If it's scratched or pitted then get it honed to remove any marking. Replace the piston rings anyway as they'll probably be gone, get a new plug as well as that's standard shit. Then re-assemble (Watching for torque values on the bolts, you'll need a torque wrench for this and also new gaskets for each mating surface. If no torque wrench then guesstimate but on the looser side. You don't want snapped bolts.)
I know this is all a bit vague but you just need to get some tools, a basic idea and go at it. You will break things but you'll learn more in fixing it all. That's how I learned anyway.
>>2711 Apologies, I've been a long suffering 4 stroke fellow, but as other people mentioned: 2 strokes are even more simple.
That's a bit useless, though, because while it is comparatively simple the entire drive train is still a bit of a thing. Your first point of call, if there is such a thing is available in your area, is a classic bike club. No really, it'll be a snobby bunch but all of them will just love to tell you where you fucked up and how it can be fixed. Ignore the smarmy vibe and stick with it. Failing that, find any other motorcycle club in the area. I know, dealing with people is hard, but if you come across as wanting to learn there are, once again, usually people eager to teach.
Failing that, find a Haynes for any other two stroke (e.g. Yamaha YT-125). They are simple machines and the common faults are... well... common. Once you understand the engine, the tranny, the gears and what role the exhaust plays you should be on your way.
A belated thanks for the advice. I've finally got around to tinkering with the bike, and I seem to be closer to identifying the problem.
It turns out that the whooshing sound is coming from between the cylinder head and the cylinder itself; a blown gasket perhaps? Would a blown gasket make the loud gunshot-like sound I heard when I first messed up the engine? In any case, I've ordered a replacement gasket for a tenner and will have a go at changing it myself.
What about tools? I have wrenches, socket wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers.Anything else I might need? I don't think I'll need a torque wrench as I haven't seen any mention of torque values in the owner's manual.
