Motorcycle engine diagnostics, servicing & detailing @ mono motorcycles

It has been a week of labour intensive complex engine diagnostics/repair, servicing & detailing at mono motorcycles this week.

On Monday we welcomed the simply immaculate Honda Fireblade CBR1000 RR, who joined us for a full professional detail, seasonal protection & ceramic coating/NANO seal.

On Monday we welcomed the simply immaculate Honda Fireblade CBR1000 RR, who joined us for a full professional detail, seasonal protection & ceramic coating/NANO seal.
On Monday we welcomed the simply immaculate Honda Fireblade CBR1000 RR, who joined us for a full professional detail, seasonal protection & ceramic coating/NANO seal.

The benefits of the NANO seal speak for themselves, as the GTECHNIQ ceramic coating fills imperfection in the paintwork & therefore helps to not only protect the painted surfaces, but also prolongs the life of the paintwork.

The benefits of the NANO seal speak for themselves, as the GTECHNIQ ceramic coating fills imperfection in the paintwork & therefore helps to not only protect the painted surfaces, but also prolongs the life of the paintwork.
The benefits of the NANO seal speak for themselves, as the GTECHNIQ ceramic coating fills imperfection in the paintwork & therefore helps to not only protect the painted surfaces, but also prolongs the life of the paintwork.

Sprocket wanted to get in on the action.

“My human, Daniel, got a gorgeous Honda CBR1000 RR in the mono motorcycles workshop on Monday. The CBR was with Daniel for professional detailing.
I did offer to help, but as Daniel pointed out, I don’t have opposable thumbs, so I’d not be much help! All the best, Sprocket”

"My human, Daniel, has got this gorgeous Honda CBR1000 RR in the mono motorcycles workshop today. The CBR is with Daniel for professional detailing.  I did offer to help, but as Daniel pointed out, I don't have opposable thumbs, so I'd not be much help! All the best, Sprocket"
“My human, Daniel, has got this gorgeous Honda CBR1000 RR in the mono motorcycles workshop today. The CBR is with Daniel for professional detailing. I did offer to help, but as Daniel pointed out, I don’t have opposable thumbs, so I’d not be much help! All the best, Sprocket”

Monday afternoon & Tuesday, Daniel began work on one of the giants of the biking world, the Kawasaki ZZR1200.

The ZZR having been purchased last year by her new owner, has been resting for a few months while her owner readied himself for the new season.

Having initially been booked in for a Major Service & check over, Daniel discovered during the service/checks that the air box screw was seized & had to be drilled out, the rocker cover gasket had collapsed & 10 of the shims needing replacing after a full valve clearance check.

In addition, with the fuel having gone off & the tank needing draining/cleaning, headstock bearings found to be worn, chain & sprockets on the verge of needing replacement & the carbs most definitely in need of some TLC; we advised our customer of the additional needs of his ZZR.
In addition, with the fuel having gone off & the tank needing draining/cleaning, headstock bearings found to be worn, chain & sprockets on the verge of needing replacement & the carbs most definitely in need of some TLC; we advised our customer of the additional needs of his ZZR.

In addition, with the fuel having gone off & the tank needing draining/cleaning, headstock bearings found to be worn, chain & sprockets on the verge of needing replacement & the carbs most definitely in need of some TLC; we advised our customer of the additional needs of his ZZR.

We at mono motorcycles pride ourselves with the fact that all Major Services include a full valve clearance check, even if ultimately the shims do not need replacing. At mono motorcycles, if we say we are going to do something, we actually do it!

Furthermore, if we find additional works need undertaking, we never proceed without having first contacted our customer & gain their written authorisation to continue.

With the additional parts being on order & only being received to the mono motorcycles workshop today, Friday, the ZZR now will not be going home until Monday, to which end our customer is more than happy with.

We welcomed a Kawasaki GPZ1100 to the workshop this week & it arrived with a considerable running issue.

When the GPZ arrived, it was clear by the sound of the motorcycle that something was not right & the GPZ struggled to idle & was coughing back through the air intake.

We welcomed a Kawasaki GPZ1100 to the workshop this week & it arrived with a considerable running issue.
We welcomed a Kawasaki GPZ1100 to the workshop this week & it arrived with a considerable running issue.

During his assessment & diagnosis Daniel found that despite a compression test proving that the engine was OK, 2 injectors were completely blocked, one of the fuel filter pipes from the casing had been pinched almost shut, fuel pipes were round the wrong way & the mass air flow sensor was loose in its cradle. All of these issues could have been leading up to the issues the GPZ came in with.

During his assessment & diagnosis Daniel found that despite a compression test proving that the engine was OK, 2 injectors were completely blocked, one of the fuel filter pipes from the casing had been pinched almost shut, fuel pipes were round the wrong way & the mass air flow sensor was loose in its cradle. All of these issues could have been leading up to the issues the GPZ came in with.
During his assessment & diagnosis Daniel found that despite a compression test proving that the engine was OK, 2 injectors were completely blocked, one of the fuel filter pipes from the casing had been pinched almost shut, fuel pipes were round the wrong way & the mass air flow sensor was loose in its cradle. All of these issues could have been leading up to the issues the GPZ came in with.

To give you some idea of the extent with which Daniel of mono motorcycles goes to to ensure motorcycles leave our workshop not only running better than when they came in, but with full trace-ability for all actions; we thought we would share the details of the customer invoice for the GPZ1100.

  • Motorcycle Repair Kawasaki GPZ1100
  • Mileage: 27790
  • 11.02.2020
  • 1/ Fuel tap found to have no off or reserve.
  • 2/ Drained fuel tank & removed.
  • 3/ Removed plugs & noted it looked like the bike had been running very lean.
  • 4/ Carried out compression test. All OK.
  • 5/Removed injectors & checked spray pattern. Couple of injectors  not spraying correctly. Cleaned injectors.
  • 6/ Refitted injectors.
  • 7/ Removed fuel filter to drain old fuel. Found intake pipe crushed. Ordered new fuel filter.
  • 8/ Found mass air flow meter loose, letting in un-metered air flow (air leak)
  • 9/ Replaced fuel return hose (gone soft/not fuel grade)
  • 10/ Found idle sensor wire broken – replaced.
  • Customer called at 16.31 to authorise additional works based on above. Verbal authorisation given.
  • 12.02.2020
  • 11/ Ran engine from cold. Still hunting.
  • 12/ Air leak found at throttle bodies rubbers to head.
  • 13/ Upon removal, all bolts were only finger tight.
  • 14/ Breather hose from air box to top of engine split & repaired with hose inside (another air leak)
  • Customer called at 15.30 to authorise additional works based on above. Verbal authorisation given.
  • 13.02.2020
  • 15/ Upon removal of inlets, found all screws loose on the inlet manifold.
  • 16/ Evidence visible of air leak on 3 & 4 in the form of carbonisation on the inlet manifolds.
  • 17/ Stripped & cleaned throttle bodies. On inspection found earth for throttle TPS broken. Repaired.
  • 18/ Sealed inlets with Dirko – fuel & oil resistant sealant.
  • 19/ Air box trunking in wrong. Now fitted correctly.
  • 20/ Ran until hot. Re-balanced throttle bodies.
  • 21/ Refitted tank & added fresh fuel.
  • 22/ Engine running perfectly.
  • 23/ Ridden to the MOT station & back. 10 mile round trip.

We at mono motorcycles pride ourselves on our transparency & therefore not only share photographs of all of the motorcycles we work on through our social media channels, keep detailed libraries of photographs for extended projects & complex issues & document every task we undertake on every motorcycle; but we also keep regular open dialogue with all our customers.

As we move through February, we are noticing that our March calendar is already beginning to fill with early bird Spring Service bookings. If you are considering your servicing options, then please do contact us on T: 01243 576212 / 07899 654446 or contact us through our contact page.

Alternatively, join us on Sunday 15th March for our Spring Open Morning & Biker Breakfast to discuss your service options.

Mono motorcycles Spring Open Morning & Breakfast Club 15.03.2020
Mono motorcycles Spring Open Morning & Breakfast Club 15.03.2020

As always for all your motorcycling needs, contact Daniel or Katy on T: 01243 576212 / 07899 654446 or contact us through our contact page.