When I took the "Taxi" to the track, I found my temps were almost in the red after 6 or 7 laps, on a couple occasions, I came in early to ensure I didn't cook her, I know the thermo switch worked, I knew there was new coolant so It could have been a dodgy thermostat or my radiator is cactus. Phil popped in today so we ripped the tank and carbs off and pulled the thermostat out, all I can say is wow, how shagged was that bad boy. I found that a few people had used replacement ones from Repco so I swung by and grabbed a 44mm thermostat from a Daihatsu Charade, alas it didn't fit properly, so I check the spares box and managed to find a 44m thermostat from a Suzuki Across, fitted perfectly, reassembled the bike and I let it run for 20 mins and it did its job, it was scary how bad the old one was. Stoked !!!
Mate I would sack the entire pit crew for missing that ....especially your head mechanic that sits around in a chair all day.
I guess it's bound to happen, when you ride an "old" bike. I'm not afraid of bad brakes, leaking oil, etc, all things I can see. But the parts I can't see is what concerns me most. Even a small little noise (normal, but I never noticed) will freak me out. In your case, it turned out to be the thermostat. There's a guy here in Sydney that heard some noise from his MC19 engine, nothing too bad. Heading back home and the engine "exploded". Bearings came off, seized piston, bent and broke everything around that piston, including the engine block. Isn't that amazing, how your MC22 is doing so well, after 20+ years of work? And most of this time, on the hands of learners, first bike owners. Gotta love the MC22.
