2 Strokes Down Under

Aye aye maties! Well, what an update I have for you... I finally got sick of the bike sitting in the garage not running. Other more important work-related projects came up, so I wasn't going to look at it anytime soon. Took it to the shop, just wanted to have it running! Well it turns out I really b...

I mustn't have been spinning it fast enough with my arm. Got someone else to look at the plug while I was sitting on the bike giving it a proper kick. 100% there is spark! So not as chronic as I thought...

Have spark, carb is clean - just gotta see if I can get it started next bit of free time I get!

Yeah, the frame was freshly powder coated. I did sand bad the frame tab where it's grounded, pretty sure I got that right, will double check it. Someone else said that you have to actually give it a good kick to create spark? It won't do if you just take the spark plug out and crank the start lever ...

Okay fellas! So I have the bike all back together. I gave it some kicks to see what would happen and all I got out of it was a backfire. I hadn't checked spark, fuel etc. at this stage - so I took off the carb and cleaned it out, looked like there was a bit of something blocking one of the passages....

Okay, got everything bolted up. I've been kinda nervous about the first start, so I've been delaying a bit... Took it outside for some photos today and thought I'd just give it a few kicks and see what happens. :lol: Didn't check anything (spark etc.) prior to this, assuming the start key has been b...

Haha, that's pretty nifty! Molasses seems to be fairly useful... just as a side point you can also mix it with water (enough to be sprayable) and put it on your lawn as a fertiliser and to revive struggling patches. Apparently! I bought 20L molasses and gave that a try on the lawn... didn't notice s...

Cheers for the ThreeBond tip! I did have some kicking around my tool box as well, forgot about it. Bought a genuine base gasket & cylinder side gaskets, ThreeBond applied and zero leaks! :headbang: Some may get a laugh from my Frankenstein leak tester. :lol: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8734/1...

Okay gurus... I have done the leak down test three times and it's giving me serious grief! First up after I tightened my frankenstein tester & fixed it's own leaks, there was big pressure loss from the power valve/exhaust control cover. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7695/17272927331_51f5dce659_...

Bahaha... I must be a slow learner.
I'm sure it will sink in eventually!

Haha ok I hear ha. I agree not to lug the engine & vary RPM. I do get the feeling that it's something you just don't overthink too much on a modern Nikasil cylinder. 1 other question before I torque up the head - the manual says to clean the mating surface of the cylinder. Is that only if it's d...

Ok, just wiped out the cylinder with a clean cloth then put some fresh premix on the cloth and wiped some back in. A bit of oil in there now, less than before. There will still be some in the cases & below the rings anyway. Also remembered that I should do a leak down test before I put the engin...

Ok, Z-dimension is pretty much spot on. And I've ordered the last of the missing parts, the bike should come together pretty quickly now! I just wanted to check on break in procedure for a new top end? I've been having a look on KTMtalk and see lots of advice ranging from "first time it was sta...

Back into this project finally - making some good progress now! I have a newfound love for dirt riding now, so that's given me a good bit of motivation to get this finished. And the chance to take it camping & do some beach riding next month. I did check the squish finally and it seems bang on 1...

I will come back with photos and a proper story, respond properly but I'm smashed after a massive weekend. Big effort to get this bike going... not that it was super hard or difficult work, just trying to do it all in an unrealistic timeframe! Down to the line, last minute rush starting at 7:30am th...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSwzMTe1LkM/UcJUMf235JI/AAAAAAAAXI0/hddppOx-iDI/s1600/futurama+professor+good+news+everyone.jpg Cheers hybrid . You're right - it did start! Just needed to tweak the idle screw. When I reassembled I just put it back how it was, which was 2 turns out. Turned it way in and i...