Motorcycle wiring, service, repair and a trip to Motorcycle Live 2023

Blog

Another busy fortnight with a much-needed short break in the middle. Let’s take a look at some of the bikes we have welcomed through our doors in the past two weeks.

Week commencing 20.11.2023

Triumph Rocket III

A few weeks ago we welcomed a Triumph Rocket III to the mono motorcycles workshop.

The Rocket would sporadically loose ignition while riding and cut out. The bike had already been to another establishment and the fault returned after the work was completed.

At the time of the initial booking, it was agreed that the wiring loom needed removing to get to the bottom of the issue, hence why it was re-booked.

As Daniel began to investigate the wiring loom, it was discovered that the main plug to the ignition switch had a pin burnt out. This is the second Triumph we have seen in the past couple of weeks with the same fault at the same plug.

In this case Daniel bypassed the plug, removed the original bypass put in by another garage and taped up the wiring loom.

On the initial test ride the bike ran perfectly and on the second test ride – a longer route – again it ran smoothly. We have arranged an MOT for the bike and it made its way home.

BMW K75 Custom

Unforeseen issues can delay repairs and incur additional costs.

The K75 joined us in October originally for a full motogadget rewire. We were aware before it arrived that it had some running faults and by the time it arrived it was a non start.

Under investigation it was noted that the radiator was dry and when we added coolant to the bike, it poured out the back of the cylinder head. We discussed this with our customer and he authorised an engine strip to assess if we had a head gasket gone or potentially a crack in the head. The bike was rebooked.

Our initial diagnosis was realised when the head was removed and the head gasket had indeed failed. We also found evidence of poorly executed maintenance and repairs in and around the engine, with plenty of gasket seal gumming up pipes and gaskets alike.

We now need to send the head off for skimming and once returned we can replace the head gasket and get the bike back to a safely running machine. Once the bike is a running bike, then we can look at the wiring.

Obviously, we would not undertake such an invasive strip down without having advised our customer of estimated costs and without having sought his authorisation.

24.11.2023

Motorcycle Live at the NEC 2023

What better way to spend Daniel’s birthday than with a few days away and taking in Motorcycle Live at the NEC.

It was a great show this year with plenty of new bikes on display. The Kawasaki ZX-4RR which will be used in the British Superteen Championship from 2024 created a real buzz and new Triumph Speed Twin and Scrambler 400’s also created a stir.

It was great to meet up with some of our sporting heroes such as Peter Hickman, John McGuiness and Faye Ho.

Week commencing Mon 27.11.2023

Honda Shadow VT 750 Spirit

First up on Monday we welcomed a Honda Shadow VT 750 Spirit for a Full Service.

Our customer mentioned prior to the booking that he had noted that the Shadow suffered with some low-end hesitation when accelerating from idle. He also mentioned that the bike had a vibration between 50-70mph.

During the service it was found that one of the throttle bodies was loose and the oxygen sensor in the exhaust wasn’t plugged in correctly. This was corrected. The front wheel also needed balancing which we believe is where the wobble stemmed from.

Aerial Red Hunter

The Sorcerer and the Apprentice.

Daniel and Oaklie spent a good part of Tuesday rewiring an Aerial Red Hunter. We had sourced a replica wiring loom, however, as is often the case, new replica looms don’t often match the original wiring colours. Therefore, Oaklie – under Daniel’s guidance – replicated the wiring loom in house.

Suzuki DL1000A4

On Wednesday we welcomed a Suzuki DL1000 whose headlights would randomly switch off. Under investigation Daniel found a burnt out pin in the loom to the light switch, which was buried under the airbox and above the radiator.

Once Daniel had cut out the wires from the pin, he then extended the wire and made a remote connector. Daniel then set about cleaning and greasing the connector blocks in the rest of the loom.

On the test right the lights all worked as they should do.

Yamaha FJR1300.

It’s definitely been a week of wiring and electrical fault finding here at mono motorcycles.

Daniel was tasked with repairing the damage from where someone had attempted to remove an alarm from Yamaha FJR1300.

Once he had worked out which black wires went to which black wires, he then used Wago block connectors temporarily until he knew the bike ran.

Now the bike has the potential to run,  the connections have all be soldered. The FJR has also has a new neutral switch as this had failed.

Suzuki RF600R

On Friday we welcomed a really tidy Suzuki RF600R.

We have worked on the bike before and today it joined us for servicing and to free off the brake calipers.

Unfortunately, as the bike has not been ridden much in the past year, the calipers have all seized.

As you can see from the photographs there is quite a considerable amount of contamination in the calipers. The caliper bodies are now in the ultrasonic cleaner to get rid of all of the contaminants before being rebuilt.

Events

ONLY 15 DAYS TO GO!  GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Tickets are on sale now for this year’s Charity Christmas Quiz in aid of SERV Wessex Blood Runners.

Doors open at 7.00pm, quiz starts at 7.30pm.

Small licensed bar and amazing raffle with incredible prizes.

Tickets are £5.00 each and all proceeds go to SERV Wessex Blood Runners.

Tickets can be purchased at the mono motorcycles workshop or over the telephone. T: 01243 576212. Purchases made over the telephone will be left at the door on the night.

Gather your teams (recommended 6-10 per team) and join us for a great evening. Quiz categories will cover general knowledge, general motorcycle themes and Christmas.

You don’t need to be a biker or even own a bike to enjoy this great evening.

Breakfast Club 2024

Breakfast Club is back in 2024 with brand new caterer Cattle Box Kitchen on board! We are so excited about this new collaboration and are really looking forward to the mono motorcycles breakfast club season in 2024!

Offers

Why wait until spring to service your motorcycle? Book in with us during the winter months and you will be road ready as soon as the warmer weather returns!

Contact Daniel or Katy for more information or find out more at our website.

T:01243 576212 /07899 654446 E: info@monomotorcycles.co.uk

Keep your hands warm this winter with our motorcycle heated grip options.

DAYTONA 4 stage integrated switch heated grips £95 + Fitting

JMP 5 stage heated grips £70 + Fitting

All of our heated grips are wired to go off with the ignition.

For more information contact Daniel or Katy on 01243 576212 /07899 654446 or email us at info@monomotorcycles.co.uk

For all your motorcycling needs contact Daniel or Katy on 01243 576212 /07899 654446 or email us at info@monomotorcycles.co.uk