Is motorcycling allowed?

[IceCreamMan]

So this arrived yesterday. It's in a bit of a state and is going to need some work, but an afternoon of tinkering had it running nicely (and the smell of burnt 2 stroke oil was lingering in the air! ).  It's a late 70's/early 80's Italjet. My 6 year old is very excited! 

 

20210228_113208.jpg

 

Question: Is it OK to run these old 2 strokes on unleaded petrol or do you need to put in that lead additive?  If I remember correctly, the leaded petrol was needed to lube the valves in the 4 stoke engines or something like that, so I'm guessing 2 stokes would not be so fussy? 

 

I had the big wheel model for my lads... used to take premix. 20:1 fuel to 2 stroke. 

 

Unleaded should be fine. Its the ethanol content that stuffs these old bikes up these days 

[Patchelicious]

Lightie loving new track in Abu Dhabi. 

 

Jammo 2.JPG

Brilliant pic.

 

But I nee to ask.... did he square it off or did that back wheel come all the way around?

[Stretched@Birth]

So this arrived yesterday. It's in a bit of a state and is going to need some work, but an afternoon of tinkering had it running nicely (and the smell of burnt 2 stroke oil was lingering in the air! ).  It's a late 70's/early 80's Italjet. My 6 year old is very excited! 

 

20210228_113208.jpg

 

Question: Is it OK to run these old 2 strokes on unleaded petrol or do you need to put in that lead additive?  If I remember correctly, the leaded petrol was needed to lube the valves in the 4 stoke engines or something like that, so I'm guessing 2 stokes would not be so fussy? 

We had a red one growing up, many a burnt calf from the exhaust pipe.  It's standing at my brothers house, we thrashed it, and the next generation had a good go at it too.  Still running strong, although it no longer has mud guards!

[Stoffel76]

Just use a good 2T oil and you should be good to go.

 

 

I had the big wheel model for my lads... used to take premix. 20:1 fuel to 2 stroke. 

 

Unleaded should be fine. Its the ethanol content that stuffs these old bikes up these days 

Thanks guys! 

[Stoffel76]

We had a red one growing up, many a burnt calf from the exhaust pipe.  It's standing at my brothers house, we thrashed it, and the next generation had a good go at it too.  Still running strong, although it no longer has mud guards!

They are solidly made little bikes...

 

Yeah, I can see the exhaust pipe leaving a mark or two. This one has some tape around the exhaust that looks like a dodgy old bandage, so that can stay on until I find something to replace it with...

[Gnarly]

Brilliant pic.

 

But I nee to ask.... did he square it off or did that back wheel come all the way around?

 

I didn't take the picture, but judging where he's looking he squared it off. The track is quite long in AD, 2,7k's, so I miss quite a lot of what he's doing out there. 

 

Dubai is a lot more compact and tighter so can keep a better eye on him. (And use the shambok) 

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Picked up our Duke 390 on Saturday afternoon.
Rode it home and it is a nippy little bugger.
Comfy but definitely not made for highways unless you install a screen of some sorts for the wind but it won't leaving you feeling vulnerable speed wise.

Should serve us well, wife will be using it to practice and get her license before we sell it on, more than likely.

I have chatted with a guy who says his son did 125000km on one with zero issues so seems they are pretty reliable given that you do your part and maintain it.

Edited March 1, 2021 by Steven Knoetze (sk27)

[Patchelicious]

I didn't take the picture, but judging where he's looking he squared it off. The track is quite long in AD, 2,7k's, so I miss quite a lot of what he's doing out there. 

 

Dubai is a lot more compact and tighter so can keep a better eye on him. (And use the shambok) 

Amazing      . And before Wakefield sees this.... one finger on that clutch

 

Man I hope my little one takes to bikes like this too. 

[Hairy]

Itchy Boots is in SA!

[Letum911]

Itchy Boots is in SA!

 

 

Damn that's cool! Sad that she went for the 250 tho, practical but way too underpowered to enjoy what SA has to offer!!!

[sawystertrance]

My thooghts too. It seems budget was an issue which surprises me but it reaffirms her basic biker values where riding is the top priority and not having the most expensive bike.

 

I have an idea in mind about what the best bike would have been for her and would be keen to hear your opinions. I think a KTM 790 would have been best or Honda NC750X but both, I'm sure, were outside her budget range.  

[Hairy]

I am sure her disposable income must have taken a massive knock after having to stop her South America's trip and any other plans thanks to Covid.

[mazambaan]

Damn that's cool! Sad that she went for the 250 tho, practical but way too underpowered to enjoy what SA has to offer!!!

 

It is cool but something like the Honda 300 recently launched in SA may have been a better bet?  I think if you avoid freeways and carrying too much luggages a 250/300/350 is fine; subject to gearing.

[mazambaan]

My thooghts too. It seems budget was an issue which surprises me but it reaffirms her basic biker values where riding is the top priority and not having the most expensive bike.

 

I have an idea in mind about what the best bike would have been for her and would be keen to hear your opinions. I think a KTM 790 would have been best or Honda NC750X but both, I'm sure, were outside her budget range.  

Also, if riding alone, important (I think) to be able to pick your bike up.  KTM 790 and Yamaha 700 could be marginal.

[Hairy]

She did a good few trips on a RE Himalayan .... so surely the Honda will be faster and stronger

[Gnarly]

Amazing      . And before Wakefield sees this.... one finger on that clutch

 

Man I hope my little one takes to bikes like this too. 

 

Ah, finger on the clutch debate... the sand can get very soft here which is very difficult on the 65's. Around a new track like AD they need to clutch out the sand when needed. Around Dubai, it pretty packed so won't touch the clutch. 

 

Mike Docherty and Clayton Enslin have been helping coach a bit so he's in good hands. Every now and then Sean Gaugain will come down and put his input. (Which is usually just go faster).