I hate modern bikes at times...

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SteveR
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I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by SteveR »

Went to the bike container yesterday and got the Vara out, ready for a ride later in the week, then MOT time. Yet again, something had stolen most of the electricity from the battery, this has been a problem the past few weeks, as 2 bikes and two tractors, have all suffered the theft! :?

Popped it on the charger, and gave it a boost for an hour and then gave her a whirl. 1000cc of V twin rumbled to life quickly, I do love Honda's in so many ways...

But then I noticed, the ABS light was stuck on. Weird... Took it for a spin up the farm lane, started flashing. Hmmmmm..... Weird. So back I came and popped it away again with the intention of sussing the issue out today. So last night was spent researching, and two of the possibilities I had considered were highlighted, gunked up sensor or damaged ring. I knew the rings were ok, so intended getting the sensors off, as the wires all looked undamaged. An other option, was a sticking rear brake pedal, which I doubted was the cause, but would also be looked at.

So finally at 4pm, I got the bike out again, shunted it under the car port and pulled her onto the centre stand ( am so old and weak now, I really do need an hydraulic ram to lift the fat old girl!) Turned on the ignition and started the bike.... No ABS light. Went for a spin.... No light!

I am putting it down to either, A. the threat of my messing with the leccies, or B. the "laying on of hands" in my best faith healer routine..... ;)


Bizarre. :roll: Voltage wierdness after a charge maybe ... ????
SteveR
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by SteveR »

The hate aspect, is that my little Honda NX400 has no ABS, no EFI, no linked brakes etc.... :mrgreen:
Magnusson
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by Magnusson »

Recently on my bike the red light didn't go off in the dash when I put the side stand up. The sensor showed some damage so the bike got pushed to friends garage. Turns out the side stand switch was functional but the kill switch is connected to the same light.
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Richard Simpson Mark II
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by Richard Simpson Mark II »

Just spent sunny Sunday yesterday ripping the alarm-immobiliser off one of my bikes as it had decided that I shouldn't ride it at all.
SteveR
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by SteveR »

Richard Simpson Mark II wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:42 am Just spent sunny Sunday yesterday ripping the alarm-immobiliser off one of my bikes as it had decided that I shouldn't ride it at all.
I rest my case M'lud......
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ErikGustav2
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by ErikGustav2 »

Maintenance is often a night mare.

Change air filter
GSX 1100. Lift the seat. Open the box. A couple of minutes.
DL 650. Remove a lot of plastic panels. Lift the tank to remove connectors. Remove the tank. And you have access to open the air filter box. Many hours of work.

Replace spark plugs
GT 750. 2 minutes
DL 650. 2 days. Since the plugs are hidden behind plastics, tank, cooler....

adjust valve clearance
GSX 1100.1-2:hours.
DL650. Vinter project. Cam chain tensioner. Rear needs removal of the swing. Front requires removal of the air filter box and throttle bodies.

Go back to old bikes or buy a Himalayan?
DavidS
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by DavidS »

The trick is never to keep a bike long enough that it needs maintenance.
2022 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro sadly gone due to ill health.
Now on a 2025 Triumph Scrambler 400X but may be fitter next year.
Richard Simpson Mark II
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by Richard Simpson Mark II »

Their thinking exactly!

I remember when the first Honda V4s came out, and everyone was amazed at how much workshop time they needed (I think you had to drain and remove the radiator on some models before you could change the spark plugs). But that has become almost normal now.
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by Magnusson »

But I love modern bikes.
I don't want to go back to Chokes.
I don't want to go back to Petcocks. That your friends turned off for you without letting you know. Or worse, put them on reserve.
I don't want to go back to Tubed Tires.
I don't want to go back to Air Cooled Engines.
I don't want to go back to carburators, that needs constant fiddling, and replacement of parts every few thousand meters of altitude.
I don't want to lose the fuel gauge.
I don't want to lose the ABS.
I don't want to lose the Traction Control.
I don't want to lose the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
I don't want to lose the nice bright LED headlights.
I don't want to lose the Heated Grips.

I still don't get why we need engine kill switch.
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DavidS
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Re: I hate modern bikes at times...

Post by DavidS »

But I do want a bike that doesn’t need a partial rebuild every weekend….been there, had that when I was impoverished.
2022 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro sadly gone due to ill health.
Now on a 2025 Triumph Scrambler 400X but may be fitter next year.
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