Mehtinks that was said in jest.....they haven't even announced that they are going to make this bike yet....LOL
Bugger, think me Trophy's dead
- Thread starter Pooksta
- Start date
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I know some people that did the same with the Tbird 
I was just replying in kind. I knew you were joking. I should have congratulated you on going deeper in debt!
If they DO make this bike....I WILL buy one (I'm dead serious).
Pooksta
Member
I showed Susie the pic of the alleged new Trophy earlier tonight. She said it was ugly and mine was better. Think she's only saying that so I don't get my hopes too high. I said the same thing to her when she told me she liked the new Honda Jazz VTi s. Guess what she's driving now!!!
alas you'll never win
but if you re tile the bathroom or something similar you may be able to bribe a new trophy when it comes out
(or at least get the brochure !)
Pooksta
Member
OK, I think I know the problem. I got up early today and pulled the left side fairing off. Checked the coolant. Couldn't see any in the radiator but the level in the overflow was OK. Filled it up, took about a litre, maybe a tad less. Checked the oil, OK. Started the bike. Sounded OK so I let it run to warm up. Kept an eye on it. No temp light came on. Looked in the overflow tank and observed the coolant was full of fine bubbles. Oops!!! obviously pressure getting into the system somwhere. Turned off the bike and the fan was running (as it should have been).
From my experience with engines in the past, it looks like a head gasket problem at the least. I'll have to speak to my trusted mechanic this week and get his opinion but I think I'm probably correct. Sounds pricey too! Looks like I'll be driving the car for a while
The bikes done just over 123,000 klms and has performed brilliantly. Depending on what the mechanic finds, I may have it bored and replace the pistons/rings etc... just depends on $$$.
I'll re post when I decide what to do.
Ride safe guys,
Lee
From my experience with engines in the past, it looks like a head gasket problem at the least. I'll have to speak to my trusted mechanic this week and get his opinion but I think I'm probably correct. Sounds pricey too! Looks like I'll be driving the car for a while
The bikes done just over 123,000 klms and has performed brilliantly. Depending on what the mechanic finds, I may have it bored and replace the pistons/rings etc... just depends on $$$.
I'll re post when I decide what to do.
Ride safe guys,
Lee
Well you sure have had good service out of it up until now. If you going to pull the head you may as well go all the way and really give it a good going over. It may cost a bit of $$$ but at least you know you have a great bike in good condition again
Thanks for update, Lee. It does sound like a head gasket. Do let us know what the mechanic finds.
With a blown out head gasket, I would expect there to be coolant in the oil and steam coming from the exhaust pipes?
I would also expect it not to run too well.
The bubbles in the coolant overflow could just be from air being caught in the cooling system? Maybe the hose between the radiator and the overflow tank got pinched-off and that's why you couldn't see coolant in the radiator while the overflow level was OK?
I really have to wonder if the water pump or thermostat isn't the problem???
Since the fan is working, it should be cooling the radiator.....but if it isn't circulating the coolant (thermostat or water pump problem) then it's going to overheat.
Since it runs OK, I'm thinking more like one of those two things being the problem. It's easy to check the thermostat by removing it. If the thermostat is open at room temperature, it's gone bad. Then also putting it in a pan of water on the stove with a thermometer in there. It should open-up at 88 degrees C.
I would also expect it not to run too well.
The bubbles in the coolant overflow could just be from air being caught in the cooling system? Maybe the hose between the radiator and the overflow tank got pinched-off and that's why you couldn't see coolant in the radiator while the overflow level was OK?
I really have to wonder if the water pump or thermostat isn't the problem???
Since the fan is working, it should be cooling the radiator.....but if it isn't circulating the coolant (thermostat or water pump problem) then it's going to overheat.
Since it runs OK, I'm thinking more like one of those two things being the problem. It's easy to check the thermostat by removing it. If the thermostat is open at room temperature, it's gone bad. Then also putting it in a pan of water on the stove with a thermometer in there. It should open-up at 88 degrees C.
Pooksta
Member
Thanks AJ,
I'll be playing with the bike this week on my days off. I'll check out the items you mentioned but I've got a gut feeling it's the cylinder head gasket. If so' I'll most likely tackle removing the donk myself. I like to know EVERYTHING possible about my bike. The rest can be done professionally.
I'll keep youu informed.
Lee
I'll be playing with the bike this week on my days off. I'll check out the items you mentioned but I've got a gut feeling it's the cylinder head gasket. If so' I'll most likely tackle removing the donk myself. I like to know EVERYTHING possible about my bike. The rest can be done professionally.
I'll keep youu informed.
Lee
I'm really not sure how to go about checking if the water pump went bad on you.
Of course on a car, they normally start to leak coolant and/or make some noise.
Perhaps one way is to feel how hot the hoses get going in and out of the water pump (which is behind that heat shielding on the left side in front of the clutch slave cylinder).
Of course on a car, they normally start to leak coolant and/or make some noise.
Perhaps one way is to feel how hot the hoses get going in and out of the water pump (which is behind that heat shielding on the left side in front of the clutch slave cylinder).
f..ck I love my air cooled America
Pooksta
Member
I spoke to my mechanic today. He agrees with my diagnosis. Luckily, there appears to be no coolant in the oil so the gasket has gone in between the cylinder and the water jacket. This is pressurising the system and pushing the coolant out via the overflow tank. He gave me a liquid compound called 'Chem i Weld'. He said he sears by it. it is supposed to repair cracks and gaskets in blocks and cylinder heads. He races bikes too and has used it under extreme conditions. i'll have to give it a go and see if it is as good as he says. I'll keep the forum up to date.
Cheers,
Lee
Cheers,
Lee
Hey Lee
I have used chemiweld with success in the past, so good luck.
I have used chemiweld with success in the past, so good luck.
Best of luck with the chemiweld,
I really think the best thing for a blown head gasket is a new head gasket.
OK before I hit send I just did a quick search, lots of people saying 50 / 50 chance on the head gasket, but it will stuff up the radiator, if not today within a year.
One of the random links.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/74029-chemiweld-blown-head-gasket.html
I really think the best thing for a blown head gasket is a new head gasket.
OK before I hit send I just did a quick search, lots of people saying 50 / 50 chance on the head gasket, but it will stuff up the radiator, if not today within a year.
One of the random links.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/74029-chemiweld-blown-head-gasket.html
f..ck I love my air cooled America
There is definitely something to be said for the simplicity of an air cooled engine. I have never owned a liquid cooled bike.
Lee, I have used Chemiweld type products in the past in tractors, trucks and cars. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. It can most certainly plug up a radiator.
I'm a forever optimist and was really hoping it was something other than the head gasket....bad luck on that one Lee!
As far as the reliability between a water and air cooled engine goes.....it's not as if air cooled engines never blow head gaskets. My Trophy has 123,000 miles on it and everything still works (knock on wood).
Personally, I'd go with the head gasket replacement as the other stuff will not just clog the radiator but you'll never get all of it out of the engine water jackets. It's a temporary thing that may let go on you when you least want it to and then you have a fried engine.
As far as the reliability between a water and air cooled engine goes.....it's not as if air cooled engines never blow head gaskets. My Trophy has 123,000 miles on it and everything still works (knock on wood).
Personally, I'd go with the head gasket replacement as the other stuff will not just clog the radiator but you'll never get all of it out of the engine water jackets. It's a temporary thing that may let go on you when you least want it to and then you have a fried engine.
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