Performance reality check..after 33 years!

[tubsaeng01]

Out & about enjoying me recently acquired '76 DX..which is a very nice condition standard spec bike with apparently a rebuilt engine (I'm not very mechanically minded)...it seems to slow down on the slightest gradient more than I remember when I last rode & owned one in back '77/'78!.....not had any motorcycle since ...apologies if this sounds a bit stupid, but got no-one to converse with on this subject other than this forum!!..

I'm 11 and a half stone - it winds up quite well in first 3 gears...change up to 4th at about 35 mph seems/feels far enough without thrashing (?)- don't want to damage it of course - then on to 40mph-ish if its flat road (doesn't feel like it wants to do much more without really having to really hammer it to try - which I haven't done yet!)..and the slightest gradient knocks you almost straight back to 35mph and possibly having to drop a gear to keep up the pace.......is that sort of about right?

As said, apologies if this sounds plonkerish!..my memory, which may be hazy, was that they held a constant pace a bit better on varying roads....or am I expecting too much?!..any comments/thoughts/insults welcomed!!.....

[marky]

i think generally every bike is different but i think it should be a little more responsive than it is, however how accurate is your speedo 35 could actually be 40 doubtful but possible

[funkymoped]

There is always things that you think are different, weight is always a factor, as you say the engine is rebuilt it will inevitably loosen up the more miles you do, I have a philosiphy wich is probably wrong, "Ring its neck" dont pussy foot with her, cain it like you did when you was 16.

[tubsaeng01]

Thanks for response Marky & Tony.....appreciated!....

..on a cold start this afternoon noticed a fair quantity of exhaust smoke escaping from around the castle bolt on exhaust attaching to barrel ... which quickly reduced as the exhaust heated...that's obviously not helping at all!! ... I'll sort a tighten up and/or new exhaust gasket then we'll see how it is!...

[marky]

good luck and let us know how it goes, where bouts in the countryare you out of curiosity

[pertheswede]

It's all part of the joys fizzy ownership!

[tubsaeng01]

Reponse to Marky..just outside Portsmouth.....will put a post on shortly to try and contact the 2 or 3 members I know are very nearby to see if they want a meet up etc...

[rustyrim]

I’m Eastleigh way, near Southampton.
I agree: "Ring its neck" dont pussy foot with her, cain it like you did when you was 16.”
I’ve had right run around with my Fizz, running rich and spluttering while running in a rebuilt engine. Apart from missing a raised needle, causing it to run rich, all it needed was a dam good thrashing. Its running ok now.
Ride it hard, when it tightens, roll off the throttle. It all came crystal clear today.

[Candygold16]

I ride my FS1E up and down, several gorges a day, its slow and i have tweaked and tweaked with it ! Its running well know, but i still get the same problems, although my FS1E was on incorrect gearing, but Per soon sorted that out ! I am enjoying life in the slow lane !

[tubsaeng01]

Thanks for your comments folks...exhaust gasket done now...seems a bit better responding now..

Nearly had an argument with a family friend motor cycle mechanic that did the exhaust gasket for me (who it turns out worked on fizzies when they were new/about in '70's) ...who still insists 20:1 oil mix is too rich with modern much better oils! (I started another thread above on this earlier/above so won't go on here!)...decided to 'agree with him' to keep the peace! ...but I'm going to stick with 20:1 good quality mineral as so many of you boys say on here....even though it smokes a fair old bit even when hot!...I will try caning it harder at times to clear it out and we'll see how we go!!..