nimblebee
Member
You're traveling along, everything's fine, and suddenly ..."kaput" ... motor stops.
Now you could call roadside assistance or your person to come and help pick you up; but maybe you don't have cell service, and no way to call?
This is a good reason to let someone reliable know about your trip plans, in case you're overdue, someone will know your route and can come looking, if needs be.
Don't leave your "safety person" hanging: make sure and let them know you've completed your trip safely. Otherwise, your discourteous actions could result in no future cooperation.
Conundrum: no means of communication, no one is coming, you have to rely upon and help yourself. What to do, where to start troubleshooting?
Supposing you've tools and spare parts: start with easiest things to check, imho: "suck, squeeze, bang, blow"
a) Out of gas? This does happen sometimes (don't ask me how I know lol)
b) Fuel shut-off open and gas flowing to carburetor?
c) Do you have spark? Hopefully, you have spare spark plug or else "spark tool" to check for spark.
d) What about compression? If a gasket is blown, there's majorly air leaks, may not be sufficient compression for combustion.
Loose head bolts can cause loss of compression, loose carburetor = no fuel input.
Avoid trouble, do yourself a favor: No duh! check and tighten everyhing before beginning trip.
Beyond these fairly quick and easy-to-check items, it's possible having engine damage beyond quick/provisional repair on roadside.
In scenario can't fix problem on roadside via swapping out CDI, or whatever else, with spare parts and tools on hand?
Without "motor" part of "motorized bicycle" you're left with only "bicycle part."
Hopefully, you're in good enough shape and close enough to destination, where you're able to finish trip using pedal power.
Having spare parts and tools to affect common repairs on the road is good, but even better is pre-trip inspection, fixing problems found, before heading out on the road.
Now you could call roadside assistance or your person to come and help pick you up; but maybe you don't have cell service, and no way to call?
This is a good reason to let someone reliable know about your trip plans, in case you're overdue, someone will know your route and can come looking, if needs be.
Don't leave your "safety person" hanging: make sure and let them know you've completed your trip safely. Otherwise, your discourteous actions could result in no future cooperation.
Conundrum: no means of communication, no one is coming, you have to rely upon and help yourself. What to do, where to start troubleshooting?
Supposing you've tools and spare parts: start with easiest things to check, imho: "suck, squeeze, bang, blow"
a) Out of gas? This does happen sometimes (don't ask me how I know lol)
b) Fuel shut-off open and gas flowing to carburetor?
c) Do you have spark? Hopefully, you have spare spark plug or else "spark tool" to check for spark.
d) What about compression? If a gasket is blown, there's majorly air leaks, may not be sufficient compression for combustion.
Loose head bolts can cause loss of compression, loose carburetor = no fuel input.
Avoid trouble, do yourself a favor: No duh! check and tighten everyhing before beginning trip.
Beyond these fairly quick and easy-to-check items, it's possible having engine damage beyond quick/provisional repair on roadside.
In scenario can't fix problem on roadside via swapping out CDI, or whatever else, with spare parts and tools on hand?
Without "motor" part of "motorized bicycle" you're left with only "bicycle part."
Hopefully, you're in good enough shape and close enough to destination, where you're able to finish trip using pedal power.
Having spare parts and tools to affect common repairs on the road is good, but even better is pre-trip inspection, fixing problems found, before heading out on the road.
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