Still trying to get the bandit going...

Hi Mate, Yeh I did open the carbies up the first time, the second time I took the carbies off completely.

Simon what is the actual timing? I noticed you haven't uploaded the manual yet but are you able to scan that page for me please? The symptoms you're describing seem similar to what I was experiencing but the fact it ran on a push again tells me that the timing couldn't be that far out.

 

Well according to the fiches there are two options for the signal generator rotor. I've got one of them, and in a conversation with simon it's likely to be the one for the bike with the HP restricted to under 40. Which sounds right, as the model I have is the restricted one (GSF250P). I can't see any obvious problems on the stator wires, I fully checked that out earlier and it looks good.



When I stripped her down I admit I couldn't find anything obvious but I replaced two pistons and all the rings anyway (I was skeptical about one but I could get a good deal on two and four sets of rings). The low compression numbers were a bit worrying considering the bike did start and ran pretty well but only from a decent push (wouldn't start from the ignition).

Anyway she's almost back together now. Just got to do the timing, reassemble the clutch and throw her back on and check compression again - fingers crossed!!!

 

Thanks mate.

Yeh I found that pretty quick with the cylinder head off lol. Honestly the thread is way behind where I'm at now, I'm sweet on everything except maybe the timing, but I think I'm gonna trust what the GJ73A manual says. Any tips on the cam chain tensioner and where to let the slack go? People have told me to have the slack between the intake cam sprocket and the crank shaft sprocket, install the tensioner (it's an automatic tensioner) put a squirt of oil around here and there and crank the engine a bit which should see it tighten up. I'm a bit nervous about skipping some teeth though, even when the tensioner in the chain is slacking inbetween the cam sprockets.

 

Well... got her back together to see what she does and whoops compression numbers are even lower. Can't see why, 2 new pistons and 4 new sets of rings - maybe the rings are stuck in the grooves or something. May put some oil down the spark plug hole in the hope it loosens things up a bit.

The only other problem it could be is the valves... I did "clean up" the exhaust valves that were back stacked with carbon, may have been masking some clearance issues.

 

Well I just did the timing myself, and it was pretty straightforward. So unless it's skipped a tooth not sure that would be the issue. But doesn't hurt to check. Valve clearances I didn't check though. It was something I was hoping I could get away with doing later heh...

 

Timing pics, looks right to me. Cam chain guide is on the underside of the valve cover so I put the cover on before rotating the crank (otherwise the chain skips upwards on the teeth slightly).

 

lol thanks for the help mate.

These photos are without the tensioner in. I put the tensioner in afterward and then put the cover on, as the cam chain guide at the top is actually attached to the inside of the cover as you would know.

If I put the tensioner in without the cover on, the chain goes tight but then jumps up slightly and sits very high on the teeth. I'll take the cover off and show you the photo. I may be doing it wrong but if I rotate in that situation the chain actually starts to slide over the sprockets rather than engaging them so I'm not sure what's going on. I tried to take all the slack out of it by keeping it tight between the sprockets and loose between the crank and the intake sprocket but it made no difference. Action the tensioner and it jumps. Now it could be that the cam chain itself is stretched but I am skeptical on that one.

Simon, just reading your comments there - is it definitely the first line AFTER the "T" rather than the T itself? This is pretty important lol. I've read both of them and I had it on the mark after the T as per the GJ73A manual but maybe I made it wrong again.... that would explain a lot!! :S

 

Well, don't know if this is good news or bad news. Gave it another crack and this is where she ended up. Notice the grooves at the end of the cams aren't parallel to the engine. They can't be at TDC I tried everything, unless the 16 pins is wrong (but it's not from what I can tell). I checked the compression, same reading so it didn't make a difference.

Hmm....

 

Here's my last attempt, I've done it to death.

#1 is 85 psi (125 wet)
#2 is 135 psi
#3 is 100 psi
#4 is 100 psi

After a last attempt this weekend I think parting her out would give me a little satisfaction, next time I'll start with a non-imported bike that has a bit more information around.

 

Well, I had a bit of a brainwave today. Stupid of me not to click on this earlier.

I was actually out by 180 degrees on the timing. Should be on the compression stroke TDC not the exhaust stroke TDC. Having fixed that up, compression numbers are a little more respectable (all dry) 125/125/125/100. That's actually better than what it was when I got it so that's progress, right?

I figure now I need to piece the rest of the bike back together and try a push start if she doesn't start off the key (I'm doubting she will but I'll try anyway).

Last ditch effort before she becomes pieces to give others a bit of hope (a glorified way of saying wrecked!)