Motorbike Wanabe
Member
This one is for all you deep technical types. I was out riding the Andian after installing a new Manic Mechanic hub and 40T sprocket (love it by the way) and I was going up a long, slightly steep hill. I was in some traffic so I was trying to keep the speed up to limit my exposure to the chrome bumpers going by. I gave it a little more gas and heard one "ping!" (like a tap, a tooth jump, but not so violent or something like that) and the engine vibrated a little more. I let up and the shake went away. The engine seemed a little down on power but I made it home.
When I checked over the engine, I noticed that the spark plug was out about 7-8 threads. Yup, it was backed out enough that I could see the threads. My first thought was that the theads stripped and the plug backed out but, when I tightened it back up, it went back in and sealed okay. I checked everything out and took it back out for a ride. It seems to have more power (obviously this is reasonable since the plug was loose but, it seems to vibrate more when I give it gas. Now, full disclosure, I've recently put in different fuel with a lot more oil in it. I'm thinking that may be contributing to the increased vibration also because I noted that it ran smoother when I reduced the oil. I typically run about 32:1 but, I ran out and my friend had 8oz. of oil so we rode up to the gas pump, put in all the oil and found out that my 2 gal. tank only holds about just over a gallon. I figure its like breaking in the engine again.
I hear that these cranks are 2-3 peices, and I'm wondering if possibly it might have twisted or shifted and therefore, out of balance? There is no different noise than normal under any driving situation. Maybe I'm thinking too much.
When I checked over the engine, I noticed that the spark plug was out about 7-8 threads. Yup, it was backed out enough that I could see the threads. My first thought was that the theads stripped and the plug backed out but, when I tightened it back up, it went back in and sealed okay. I checked everything out and took it back out for a ride. It seems to have more power (obviously this is reasonable since the plug was loose but, it seems to vibrate more when I give it gas. Now, full disclosure, I've recently put in different fuel with a lot more oil in it. I'm thinking that may be contributing to the increased vibration also because I noted that it ran smoother when I reduced the oil. I typically run about 32:1 but, I ran out and my friend had 8oz. of oil so we rode up to the gas pump, put in all the oil and found out that my 2 gal. tank only holds about just over a gallon. I figure its like breaking in the engine again.
I hear that these cranks are 2-3 peices, and I'm wondering if possibly it might have twisted or shifted and therefore, out of balance? There is no different noise than normal under any driving situation. Maybe I'm thinking too much.
