Bikemonkey's NC30
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 2:31 pm
Thought I'd start the story of my first big bike, from buying, to crashing, to present day rolling resto/fix/upgrade.
Once upon a time............
Before passing my test I was already looking at my first big bike, and with the 33bhp law I was looking at the obvious choice of a Ninja250R. God am I glad I didn't buy one. Firstly it would have cost nearly twice as much to buy, and I probably wouldn't have had anything mechanical to do on it (boring).
Then I saw this on autotrader:
And fell in love with it so I did a bit or research to find out power and restriction method etc. All was good in my mind and I rang up then went to look at the bike, it looked in great condition to my 19 year old untrained eye, so I paid up (with a cheeky £100 off the asking price) and shoved it in the back of my dads van for the drive home.
In the garage for her first night in her new home
She was bought in December 2011, with me not having a license, but having money burning in my pocket (even with expensive test and training costs).
So I got the restrictor washers for her off eBay, and also bought a new end can from FUEL in their December sale on stainless cans to replace the nasty scratched and half carbon wrapped original can, which had been slid back onto the original system quite crudely.
I also had to replace the throttle cables after disturbing them taking the carbs off. They were pretty stiff and quite knackered, and oil wouldn't sort them.
Plus the battery was draining rapidly. A new battery and CDI (after help from magg with the electrics http://400greybike.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 7edbc29940) sorted that problem.
So finally in May with plenty of bad weather delaying my MOD1 and MOD2 earlier in the year I finally passed my test with two minors
Obviously I went to get onto the bike for the first time as soon as I could, but it wasn't playing ball.
After fresh fuel it started and I was off
Loved riding the bike for a couple of weeks, then found the front brakes to be pretty useless, and found this
So I bought some Hel braided lines and fitted those, which then caused the front left caliper to bind quite hard.
Only solution was to clean out the calipers and replace the seals etc.
State of the calipers
So they got a good clean. Plenty of brake cleaner, some tiny brass wire wheels and a brass wire brush later they were nice and shiny ready for re-building.
I didn't respray them for some reason, I should have really.
But that improved the front brakes no end, it actually stopped before hitting the vehicle in front which braked suddenly
Then I decided in my infinite wisdom that after the bike flying through an MOT, I'd go for a short blast before work. Well it didn't go well.
Right side lowsiding round a right corner somewhere along the back roads was the outcome. Luckily I wasn't hurt and the bike wasn't too badly damaged. Fix thread here: http://400greybike.com/forum/viewtopic. ... a6b30240b1
Then after fixing her up she wasn't playing ball.
And it all came down to the height of the new top rad and a missing rubber flap!
Problem thread here: http://400greybike.com/forum/viewtopic. ... a2d5ad9573
So after that I finally managed to get a few hundred miles on the bike problem free
Problem free other than whenever I touched the front brakes my tackle would slide straight into the tank (ouch).
So I found out about stomp grip and promptly got some, amazing stuff, would recommend to anyone.
Then the battery was playing up, manufacturer fault and replaced without charge or much hassle, top notch.
Another couple of hundred miles and the bike over-heated twice on a 20 mile trip on a mild day (sweaty balls or what). Was found to be the thermostat, only opening 3mm!
So that was replaced and so were the radiator hoses with some samco items I had bought previously, stainless clips to match of course
Plus I also replaced the grips which were pretty shagged, spinning on the throttle tube and just generally looking bad.
Then the Saturday just gone I was on my way to pick my brother up from his girlfriends. As I crossed over a major junction near the local industrial estate there was a car parked on the left of the road to me facing me. So with nothing oncoming I checked my mirror to make sure I could pass, moved over, just as I pulled my head up there was this scumbag right infront of me. He had run out from behind the parked car (which I suspect he was buying drugs from) and straight infront of me.
Did not have time to even reach for my brakes and I hit him at about 15mph.
After stopping to see if he was alright and trying to help him, the bastard attacked me with his mate, knocking my visor off and punching me in the eye. Luckily for me 4 people in nearby cars had seen the collision and had came over to help, only to witness him attack me aswell.
Police turned up in amazing time, arrested him, I got checked over by a paramedic then it was off to the local nick.
Gave my statement, officer came round next day to update me.
He gave me my helmet and visor back which had been taken as evidence and told me that the collision had been concluded as far as the police were concerned, and the toe-rag had been charged with assault.
I'm to appear in court if he pleads not guilty, I'm not letting him get away with it.
Anyway there was some damage to my bike, unfortunately my unlucky nosecone took the brunt of it
As you can see, big crack/snap in the nosecone, crack in the screen, bent headlight bracket, smashed indicator and weakened left mid to nose cone joint.
So today I got out and replaced the indicator with one I had lying around, bent the headlight bracket back into shape and also had to bend the screen brace back.
I had to do the best I could with the nosecone and mid, as I'm currently skint and can't afford new panels.
Re-aligned the headlights, mirrors and bodywork. Doesn't look terrible, definitely looks like its been in the wars but I'd rather save my money for the mechanicals and get them all sorted first
Plans for this winter are: Rear end strip, clean and replace.
New shock, re-furb rear brake, powder coat wheels, maybe renew a few bearings.
Plus RO fork upgrade kit and fork lowers powder coated.
Might have to start calling her "lucky" if things keep happening to her!
Once upon a time............
Before passing my test I was already looking at my first big bike, and with the 33bhp law I was looking at the obvious choice of a Ninja250R. God am I glad I didn't buy one. Firstly it would have cost nearly twice as much to buy, and I probably wouldn't have had anything mechanical to do on it (boring).
Then I saw this on autotrader:
And fell in love with it so I did a bit or research to find out power and restriction method etc. All was good in my mind and I rang up then went to look at the bike, it looked in great condition to my 19 year old untrained eye, so I paid up (with a cheeky £100 off the asking price) and shoved it in the back of my dads van for the drive home.
In the garage for her first night in her new home
She was bought in December 2011, with me not having a license, but having money burning in my pocket (even with expensive test and training costs).
So I got the restrictor washers for her off eBay, and also bought a new end can from FUEL in their December sale on stainless cans to replace the nasty scratched and half carbon wrapped original can, which had been slid back onto the original system quite crudely.
I also had to replace the throttle cables after disturbing them taking the carbs off. They were pretty stiff and quite knackered, and oil wouldn't sort them.
Plus the battery was draining rapidly. A new battery and CDI (after help from magg with the electrics http://400greybike.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 7edbc29940) sorted that problem.
So finally in May with plenty of bad weather delaying my MOD1 and MOD2 earlier in the year I finally passed my test with two minors
Obviously I went to get onto the bike for the first time as soon as I could, but it wasn't playing ball.
After fresh fuel it started and I was off
Loved riding the bike for a couple of weeks, then found the front brakes to be pretty useless, and found this
So I bought some Hel braided lines and fitted those, which then caused the front left caliper to bind quite hard.
Only solution was to clean out the calipers and replace the seals etc.
State of the calipers
So they got a good clean. Plenty of brake cleaner, some tiny brass wire wheels and a brass wire brush later they were nice and shiny ready for re-building.
I didn't respray them for some reason, I should have really.
But that improved the front brakes no end, it actually stopped before hitting the vehicle in front which braked suddenly
Then I decided in my infinite wisdom that after the bike flying through an MOT, I'd go for a short blast before work. Well it didn't go well.
Right side lowsiding round a right corner somewhere along the back roads was the outcome. Luckily I wasn't hurt and the bike wasn't too badly damaged. Fix thread here: http://400greybike.com/forum/viewtopic. ... a6b30240b1
Then after fixing her up she wasn't playing ball.
And it all came down to the height of the new top rad and a missing rubber flap!
Problem thread here: http://400greybike.com/forum/viewtopic. ... a2d5ad9573
So after that I finally managed to get a few hundred miles on the bike problem free
Problem free other than whenever I touched the front brakes my tackle would slide straight into the tank (ouch).
So I found out about stomp grip and promptly got some, amazing stuff, would recommend to anyone.
Then the battery was playing up, manufacturer fault and replaced without charge or much hassle, top notch.
Another couple of hundred miles and the bike over-heated twice on a 20 mile trip on a mild day (sweaty balls or what). Was found to be the thermostat, only opening 3mm!
So that was replaced and so were the radiator hoses with some samco items I had bought previously, stainless clips to match of course
Plus I also replaced the grips which were pretty shagged, spinning on the throttle tube and just generally looking bad.
Then the Saturday just gone I was on my way to pick my brother up from his girlfriends. As I crossed over a major junction near the local industrial estate there was a car parked on the left of the road to me facing me. So with nothing oncoming I checked my mirror to make sure I could pass, moved over, just as I pulled my head up there was this scumbag right infront of me. He had run out from behind the parked car (which I suspect he was buying drugs from) and straight infront of me.
Did not have time to even reach for my brakes and I hit him at about 15mph.
After stopping to see if he was alright and trying to help him, the bastard attacked me with his mate, knocking my visor off and punching me in the eye. Luckily for me 4 people in nearby cars had seen the collision and had came over to help, only to witness him attack me aswell.
Police turned up in amazing time, arrested him, I got checked over by a paramedic then it was off to the local nick.
Gave my statement, officer came round next day to update me.
He gave me my helmet and visor back which had been taken as evidence and told me that the collision had been concluded as far as the police were concerned, and the toe-rag had been charged with assault.
I'm to appear in court if he pleads not guilty, I'm not letting him get away with it.
Anyway there was some damage to my bike, unfortunately my unlucky nosecone took the brunt of it
As you can see, big crack/snap in the nosecone, crack in the screen, bent headlight bracket, smashed indicator and weakened left mid to nose cone joint.
So today I got out and replaced the indicator with one I had lying around, bent the headlight bracket back into shape and also had to bend the screen brace back.
I had to do the best I could with the nosecone and mid, as I'm currently skint and can't afford new panels.
Re-aligned the headlights, mirrors and bodywork. Doesn't look terrible, definitely looks like its been in the wars but I'd rather save my money for the mechanicals and get them all sorted first
Plans for this winter are: Rear end strip, clean and replace.
New shock, re-furb rear brake, powder coat wheels, maybe renew a few bearings.
Plus RO fork upgrade kit and fork lowers powder coated.
Might have to start calling her "lucky" if things keep happening to her!