Thursday, February 28, 2013
What to do?
So I'm kinda stuck right now. I know it's pretty essential that I obtain the service manual for this bike. Much of the technical information like the valve timing, fluid information, carburetor adjustments, etc are in the service manual and its vital that I know that information. Well after hours of looking around my farm and my fathers old shop that he used when he was racing, I still could not find this manual; I then resorted to the internet. I couldn't find any online copies, but when I searched Ebay I found one. The manual I found on ebay is exactly what I need, a 1975 MX2 125-250 service manual. The only reason why I'm hesitating on buying this manual is that it's $50! Is it worth the price? Do I have any alternatives? I'm gonna sleep on it.
Thanks for reading!
-Cody
Canned-Ham, The go-to Can Am motorcycle website
Dear Reader
I found this website a couple of weeks back when I was researching for this project. Everything about this website is dedicated to Can-Am motorcycles, primarily the vintage ones like the one I'm working on. There's one section of this site that lists common technical problems of different model bikes. There's a lot of information about my model, the 1976 MX2-250. This is where I learned the various places serial numbers are placed on the bike. After finding the serial numbers I was able to search online and figure out that the engine is a 250, and the frame is a 125. When I asked my dad (the original owner) about the engine swap, he had no recollection of the engine swap. He said "That was too long ago and I've owned too many bikes in my day to remember that bike, sorry!" Anyway, this site is going to be a very valuable resource to me over the next few months.
I found this website a couple of weeks back when I was researching for this project. Everything about this website is dedicated to Can-Am motorcycles, primarily the vintage ones like the one I'm working on. There's one section of this site that lists common technical problems of different model bikes. There's a lot of information about my model, the 1976 MX2-250. This is where I learned the various places serial numbers are placed on the bike. After finding the serial numbers I was able to search online and figure out that the engine is a 250, and the frame is a 125. When I asked my dad (the original owner) about the engine swap, he had no recollection of the engine swap. He said "That was too long ago and I've owned too many bikes in my day to remember that bike, sorry!" Anyway, this site is going to be a very valuable resource to me over the next few months.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Second Mentor meeting 2/18/13
Dear Reader
I met with Mr. Thompson for the second time this past Monday (2/18/13). Due to some previous confusion, we had to re-exchange email address'. Mr. Thompson then viewed my blog, he suggested that I enlarge the photos I've taken. I explained my oil reservoir issue which I blogged about on 2/19/13. My mentor suggested that I try using a router or drill attachment with a brush on the end to break the foam loose, after it's broken loose we decided a vacuum could be the most helpful tool. We narrowed down the obvious fixes that could be done in a week and it came down to this:
I understand having all of these tasks accomplished in one week is unrealistic, so we listed these tasks so I have options. It is likely that I will get stuck or need assistance with a few of these tasks, if that occurs I can simply move on to the next problem that must be solved.
I met with Mr. Thompson for the second time this past Monday (2/18/13). Due to some previous confusion, we had to re-exchange email address'. Mr. Thompson then viewed my blog, he suggested that I enlarge the photos I've taken. I explained my oil reservoir issue which I blogged about on 2/19/13. My mentor suggested that I try using a router or drill attachment with a brush on the end to break the foam loose, after it's broken loose we decided a vacuum could be the most helpful tool. We narrowed down the obvious fixes that could be done in a week and it came down to this:
- Carburetor cleaning
- Oil Reservoir foam removal
- Ready the spare gas tank I found for use (clean)
- Drain all the fluids
- Look for a throttle assembly
I understand having all of these tasks accomplished in one week is unrealistic, so we listed these tasks so I have options. It is likely that I will get stuck or need assistance with a few of these tasks, if that occurs I can simply move on to the next problem that must be solved.
First Mentor meeting 2/11/13
Dear Reader,
As I've recently learned, I'm supposed to document each meeting I have with my mentor in a blog entry. I've had two meetings with my Mentor Keith Thompson thus far. I'll talk about my first meeting in this entry.
On 2/11/13 I had a meeting with Mr. Thompson, it was as this point that I explained exactly what my WISE project is. We discussed the current state the dirtbike, the specifications of this bike, and where I got it. I explained that the bike is a 2 stroke, single carburetor, and has not been ridden in at least 25 years. I told Mr. Thompson my plans for the next week which were to take detailed photographs of the bike, find the owners manual, and clear a spot in my garage and dedicate it to the bike. We decided to meet each week on Mondays, 3rd period in his office.
As I've recently learned, I'm supposed to document each meeting I have with my mentor in a blog entry. I've had two meetings with my Mentor Keith Thompson thus far. I'll talk about my first meeting in this entry.
On 2/11/13 I had a meeting with Mr. Thompson, it was as this point that I explained exactly what my WISE project is. We discussed the current state the dirtbike, the specifications of this bike, and where I got it. I explained that the bike is a 2 stroke, single carburetor, and has not been ridden in at least 25 years. I told Mr. Thompson my plans for the next week which were to take detailed photographs of the bike, find the owners manual, and clear a spot in my garage and dedicate it to the bike. We decided to meet each week on Mondays, 3rd period in his office.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
What I obviously need/ Newly found oil injection problem
This bike has been sitting in a greenhouse for at least 20 years. The sunlight has taken its toll on any plastics, rubber, and fabric. This is a list of things I can see I need to fix/ replace without any dis-assembly.
What I need (as of now).
Recently discovered problem with oil injection
This bike is a 2 stroke, meaning there are 2 revolutions of the pistons for each power-stoke. With all 2 stroke engines you must add oil into the gas, the oil acts as a lubricant for the piston within the cylinder. This specific bike does not require the rider to mix oil and gas. There is a separate tank in which oil is stored, this is located within the frame. The oil is fed into the gas line as needed, this makes the chances of adding the wrong amount of oil to gas less common. After much research I learned that within this oil tank, there is a foam like substance to prevent the oil from moving/ splashing during riding. This foam deteriorates overtime and if the bike is ran with loose foam in the oil tank, the foam will clog the carburetor.
I now need to extract the foam from the tank within the frame. The best way to do this (I believe) is to first, remove the gas tank. Now that the gas tank is removed, the area of the frame in which oil is stored is revealed. A wide hole should be drilled, wide enough to allow tools to access the tank and scrape the foam out. From here, it's a tedious process of vacuuming, scraping and washing the foam out of the frame through the hole I have recently drilled. After all the foam is removed, replacing the foam is not necessarily important because it did not serve an important purpose. From there, all there is left to do is weld a patch over the hole I just drilled.
What I need (as of now).
- Carburetor to air-box rubber boot. (This rubber boot is decomposing before my eyes)
- Front and Rear fenders
- Brake/ Clutch Cables
- Tires
- Throttle assembly and throttle cable
- All fluids (Transmission oil, engine oil, gas)
Recently discovered problem with oil injection
This bike is a 2 stroke, meaning there are 2 revolutions of the pistons for each power-stoke. With all 2 stroke engines you must add oil into the gas, the oil acts as a lubricant for the piston within the cylinder. This specific bike does not require the rider to mix oil and gas. There is a separate tank in which oil is stored, this is located within the frame. The oil is fed into the gas line as needed, this makes the chances of adding the wrong amount of oil to gas less common. After much research I learned that within this oil tank, there is a foam like substance to prevent the oil from moving/ splashing during riding. This foam deteriorates overtime and if the bike is ran with loose foam in the oil tank, the foam will clog the carburetor.
I now need to extract the foam from the tank within the frame. The best way to do this (I believe) is to first, remove the gas tank. Now that the gas tank is removed, the area of the frame in which oil is stored is revealed. A wide hole should be drilled, wide enough to allow tools to access the tank and scrape the foam out. From here, it's a tedious process of vacuuming, scraping and washing the foam out of the frame through the hole I have recently drilled. After all the foam is removed, replacing the foam is not necessarily important because it did not serve an important purpose. From there, all there is left to do is weld a patch over the hole I just drilled.
The first look
Today I went down to my garage to investigate the bike. I learned a lot that makes my research much easier. First off, by searching the serial online, I learned that the frame is from a 1975 MX 175, the engine is from a 1975 MX 250. Both of these bikes are far more common than the model I previously thought the bike was. After talking with my father I learned that behind our garage, somewhere, there is a 1975-78 Can-Am TnT 175 frame and engine. Although this is not the model of the bike I am restoring, many Can-Am parts are universal and if need be, I will use parts from this bike.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
First 2 week outline
Dear reader,
The first two weeks of my project, I plan to use as a diagnostic/ research period. I'm going to take the bike out from storage, check the fluids, see if there is any missing parts, and take photos of the bike. Toward the end of the two week period I will begin to set up my work area. I'm going to designate a space in my garage for this restoration that will be organized, clean and a space of my own. I want to start shopping for parts that I know I will need such as decals and tires, these should come easy although parts like the fenders, brake cables and seat may be difficult to obtain. These parts may have to be restored instead of replaced.
The first two weeks of my project, I plan to use as a diagnostic/ research period. I'm going to take the bike out from storage, check the fluids, see if there is any missing parts, and take photos of the bike. Toward the end of the two week period I will begin to set up my work area. I'm going to designate a space in my garage for this restoration that will be organized, clean and a space of my own. I want to start shopping for parts that I know I will need such as decals and tires, these should come easy although parts like the fenders, brake cables and seat may be difficult to obtain. These parts may have to be restored instead of replaced.
What it's all about
Dear reader,
This blog is to track the progress of my WISE English project. Wise is an English class offered at my high school. The first semester is devoted to normal English lessons (books, reports, etc.). In the second semester, we are given the freedom to create our own project. We are required to attend class once a week, the rest of the time we are supposed to be researching, journaling (blogging) and executing our project. At the end of the semester we present our project to a panel of people who grade my project. The grade is based on my timeliness, goal accomplishment, and organization.
I've been around dirt bikes my entire life because of my father, he was raced in the 70's and introduced them to me at a young age. I've always been fascinated with them and within the past few years, I started doing my own maintenance and teaching myself the mechanics of them.
My project is restoring a 1976 CanAm GP 250 dirtbike. My father raced Motocross in the 70's and this was his bike. I plan to make this bike function again, (it's been decades) and make it aesthetically pleasing too. I would like to refurbish the plastics, decals and the seat. The engine probably won't take too much to run, but I want more than a running engine, I want it to purr. I'll replace the gaskets, fluids, piston ring, and anything else that could prevent the bike from running well.
Thanks for reading! I'll post photo's of my progress!
- Cody
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