Baja Warrior "build" thread

[Panhead5496]

Bike is back and running

Unfortunately I got "taken to the bank" (or whatever the expression is lol) on the repair fees

I didn't think it would be so much for a little engine work... live and learn I guess right. No point being upset now, it's paid and back with me. I might sell the engine and try to break even and get a Predator (I know, I know, should have already done that...like I said, live and learn)

Now back to the build

I have looked over it and I am actually pleasantly surprised how the frame looks. Hardly any rust and all welds look solid. I need to change the oil however.

So order of operations:

Take off engine (change oil, new spark plug [maybe], try to clean it up a little)

Clean and strip frame (Take of wheels, handlebars, etc to get ready to paint)

Paint it

Reassemble!

Lube chain, clutch, etc

Let er rip

And by "rip" I mean hide in garage until Christmas and I can give it to Dad

I think it is going to turn out nice

 

[Texan]

The repair shop didn't even change the oil and still charged you an arm & leg?

 

[Panhead5496]

Well I actually don't know if they did. I suppose I should check first

Now this is a dumb question...how do you know if oil is fresh without dumping it out? See if the dipstick is clean or dirty looking?

 

[Hellion]

Well I actually don't know if they did. I suppose I should check first

Now this is a dumb question...how do you know if oil is fresh without dumping it out? See if the dipstick is clean or dirty looking?

This is a good update. How much did they charge you, parts and labor?

They should, if they’re a good shop, have given you an itemized list of what they did to it...and prior to all this, you should have gotten a written estimate.

Tasting the oil for freshness. Sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Used oil has a smokey-ness to it.

What did they charge ya? And what did they do.
Machine work is very time consuming. Just wondering.

 

[Hellion]

I hope you weren't wearing a sucker hat when you walked in.

Tell me about it. If you weren’t feeling sad before reading this thread, you will be now.


You’re still gonna deprive us of pics Panhead? Pics tell the story, man.

In fact, I don’t believe you got the bike back. There’s no proof whatsoever. This is just depressing.

 

[Panhead5496]

Dang you guys are tough lol just kidding

This whole thing reeks of non-DIY!!!

When it comes to checking the oil, you should just taste it, and compare it to fresh.
I guess that's how the pros do it.

Sigh

This is a good update. How much did they charge you, parts and labor?

They should, if they’re a good shop, have given you an itemized list of what they did to it...and prior to all this, you should have gotten a written estimate.

Tasting the oil for freshness. Sounds like a good idea to me.

I agree 100%. I will probably say something to them about it. I was charged $65...I was ticked when they said that...in hindsight I would have done it differently. I dropped it off and they called me and told me the engine had low compression. They said they would look at it and let me know. Then they called and said they adjusted the valves and compression was good. I took a new carb by (old one was beyond repair) and I thought they would maybe charge maybe 20 bucks to put it on, get it all adjusted, and then let me know BEFORE all of this for an estimate. They just called and said it was ready, I went by, and got hit with a $65 bill

I know, I know, I could have gotten a NEW predator for $95...I am an idiot for not doing my part and asking. Life is full of lessons, I'm going to count this as one and remember next time to ask a lot more questions before it gets to the billing part I'm not too upset, sure I would rather have had a new engine for $35 more, but my dad has been good to me so I'm not getting hung up on this. I will move forward with the project now that it's running

Used oil has a smokey-ness to it.

What did they charge ya? And what did they do.
Machine work is very time consuming. Just wondering.

Ok thank you! I will check it.

See above...$65 the way I see it is it probably took them 3 ish hours to get it right judging by how long it takes me to do stuff, so go figure

Tell me about it. If you weren’t feeling sad before reading this thread, you will be now.


You’re still gonna deprive us of pics Panhead? Pics tell the story, man.

In fact, I don’t believe you got the bike back. There’s no proof whatsoever. This is just depressing.

Well, sorry for making everyone sad

Tomorrow afternoon I am going to get started on it, and I will try to get lots of pics

 

[bob58o]

$65 Isn't too bad. You can't get anything done for $65.
Maybe in Athens GA? Not by me. A machine shop wanted $200 to cut a keyway in a shaft.
Another wanted $200 to mill a head.

If I did work on small engines...
$5/ hr while I take it apart.
Then $50 / hr if you want me to put it back together plus the price of parts.

 

[Hellion]

I agree with Bob. I had figured for sure you’d “been taken to the cleaners” for 2 bills at least.

You did good. Next time though, you must consult Dr. Mckutzy or one of the others in-the-know...

 

[Panhead5496]

$65 Isn't too bad. You can't get anything done for $65.
Maybe in Athens GA? Not by me. A machine shop wanted $200 to cut a keyway in a shaft.
Another wanted $200 to mill a head.

Interesting. That makes me feel better then.

I'm actually about 30 mins from Athens in the country, just say Athens because people know where it is

I agree with Bob. I had figured for sure you’d “been taken to the cleaners” for 2 bills at least.

You did good. Next time though, you must consult Dr. Mckutzy or one of the others in-the-know...

If they had said that much I would have said...it would have been bad, we'll say that lol



Anyway, got it all apart today. Wheels off, engine off, all that's left is the frame going to paint tomorrow. I think you'll see in the pics that the frame doesn't look to bad. I've decided not to do a super elaborate paint job, just a little sprucing up. I'll get some black Rustoleum and that will do

I have some more good news. When I got the front wheel off I was looking at the shocks and they weren't as rusty as I thought. I banged them on the ground a few times and they both broke lose and work now! Not as smooth as new obviously but they do work.

I tried to crank the engine again...fired right up. I have to get a return spring though, not sure where the one it came with went lol

Only thing still to get is a seat

Oh, and the chain breaker I got works great. The chain was a bit rusty but it pushed right through.

Enjoy the pics...not much to look at, but I'll get some more tomorrow when I start painting



Huh, looks like my engine fell over

 

[mckutzy]

Hehehe... Thanks Hellion...

I made one for my bike by wandering the alleys a few blocks from my house, came across an office chair. Stripped it from the material(fixed another chair I had from the base) and use that to shod my seat...
I used a kneeling pad used for gardening, as the foam cushion...
The seat is about the most learned from DIY projects one can do for their bike/kart projects...

 

[MTNSleder]

Kewl Bike!

Hidden message you didn't know about hehe.. these pics look funny...

 

[Hellion]

Did you source a seat yet?

KartFab suggested GoPoSpo and at $29.99 seems a good deal until you add in shipping.

Here's two evilbay sources:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Baja-MB165-MB200-Mini-Bike-MB200-195-992022001-Baja-OEM-Black-Seat/391541019072?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Seat-for-Baja-Mini-Bike-MB165-MB200/321791051277?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

No connection with either vendor, just passing along the intel....

 

[Panhead5496]

I made one for my bike by wandering the alleys a few blocks from my house, came across an office chair. Stripped it from the material(fixed another chair I had from the base) and use that to shod my seat...
I used a kneeling pad used for gardening, as the foam cushion...
The seat is about the most learned from DIY projects one can do for their bike/kart projects...

LOL that's awesome! I want to get a nice looking one since it will be a gift.

Did you source a seat yet?

KartFab suggested GoPoSpo and at $29.99 seems a good deal until you add in shipping.
No connection with either vendor, just passing along the intel....

I actually haven't yet! I haven't checked the GoPoSport shipping price yet, I will see what to get. I appreciate those links as well, those both look nice. Thank you



More updates

Got it painted. Looks awesome. I did semi-gloss black and it covered well in just one coat.

I put it all back together, no issues with that

Front tire seems to be holding air ok. We'll see what happens when used.

Got to the chains, and realized I needs some more links. Going to get some tomorrow. I might have to get new chain...not sure. Where is best source for that??

Handlebars are on as well. I left them chrome, all else is black, nice contrast! Unfortunately I broke the brake lever, got to get another one

Throttle is hooked up too, but I realize it has no return spring...got to rig that up.

I do have one issue though. I changed the oil (which came out black!) and let it idle with new oil for maybe 5 min. Gave it some gas (no chains yet) and it started smoking badly. I did the new oil on somewhat of an incline so I thought maybe it had too much. I let some out and it was black after 5 mins or so...that doesn't seem good?? When I change my Baja oil after a few months it's not that black...?

So should I let it idle more and then change to some fresh oil (my theory is it will get the crud out?) and see if that stops the smoking? Why would it be smoking??

Also, I ran out of daylight to take pics I'll try for some tomorrow


I forgot to add I found my box of parts from when I put a TC on my Baja. I have the chain guards, chain cover, height shield, and the whole plate with gears I am going to use! I also have some leftover chain

 

[MTNSleder]

Did you source a seat yet?

KartFab suggested GoPoSpo and at $29.99 seems a good deal until you add in shipping.

Here's two evilbay sources:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Baja-MB165-MB200-Mini-Bike-MB200-195-992022001-Baja-OEM-Black-Seat/391541019072?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Seat-for-Baja-Mini-Bike-MB165-MB200/321791051277?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

No connection with either vendor, just passing along the intel....

Panheads fully capable of fabbing up a Custom seat for his mini bike. What happened to Do-it-yourself?

---------- Post added at 06:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:04 PM ----------

I do have one issue though. I changed the oil (which came out black!) and let it idle with new oil for maybe 5 min. Gave it some gas (no chains yet) and it started smoking badly. I did the new oil on somewhat of an incline so I thought maybe it had too much. I let some out and it was black after 5 mins or so...that doesn't seem good?? When I change my Baja oil after a few months it's not that black...?

You are clearly a noob when it comes to oil changes...

Oil over time and use will go black.. simple. Have you ever notieced when you change oil on your car, it black..

You probably and most likely filled it with to much oil.... You most likey filled it right to the top, tecnicaly your not suposse to do that but everyone dose, and with the inclantion you deffintly got to much oil...

Now your new oil turned black because you drained the oil quickly and did not give enough time for all of the old oil to get out, there's nothing wrong with the oil its fine....

Now if ya what your New Oil not to go black, let it drain out overnight so that all the old oil drains out....

Now my oils grey... that most likely means there's lots of gas in the oil due to me not shutting the gas line off... And if your oils white that likey means there's water in it and the water has mixed with the oil.... But why would water be in the engine

Hope that helps..

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

You sound like the old Indian weather oil.
If the oil is warm then it must be hot outside, and if oil is cold it's chilly outside.
If the oil is swinging the wind is blowing....
Jeez sledder.

 

[Hellion]

.....
I do have one issue though. I changed the oil (which came out black!) and let it idle with new oil for maybe 5 min. Gave it some gas (no chains yet) and it started smoking badly. I did the new oil on somewhat of an incline so I thought maybe it had too much. I let some out and it was black after 5 mins or so...that doesn't seem good?? When I change my Baja oil after a few months it's not that black...?

So should I let it idle more and then change to some fresh oil (my theory is it will get the crud out?) and see if that stops the smoking? Why would it be smoking??

Also, I ran out of daylight to take pics I'll try for some tomorrow


I forgot to add I found my box of parts from when I put a TC on my Baja. I have the chain guards, chain cover, height shield, and the whole plate with gears I am going to use! I also have some leftover chain

Uh. I guess this confirms that the shop didn’t change the oil for ya. That woulda cost you extra.

Old oil is, well, black ...or a very dark brown. Totally normal. If it’s black and comes out very slowly, even when warm, and chunky then you have sludge and some serious internal wear I’d bet.

Where was it “smoking badly”?

My view is that it is merely excess oil, spilled oil and oily fingerprints just burning off...until I hear some better adjectives.

 

[MTNSleder]

You sound like the old Indian weather oil.
If the oil is warm then it must be hot outside, and if oil is cold it's chilly outside.
If the oil is swinging the wind is blowing....
Jeez sledder.

He's clearly a Noob.. just explaining it in detail...

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Uh. I guess this confirms that the shop didn’t change the oil for ya. That woulda cost you extra.

Old oil is, well, black ...or a very dark brown. Totally normal. If it’s black and comes out very slowly, even when warm, and chunky then you have sludge and some serious internal wear I’d bet.

Where was it “smoking badly”?

My view is that it is merely excess oil, spilled oil and oily fingerprints just burning off...until I hear some better adjectives.

I second this.

If you have black oil. And do a normal procedure oil change. Fill with new oil and run for just a little while and drain, the new oil it will be dark.

With out fully disassembling the engine, you will never get all the old oil out. It will discolor the new oil quickly.

But the solution to pollution is dilution.

 

[Panhead5496]

All right guys, that makes sense. Thanks

And it appeared to be smoking out of the exhaust, or just out of that side of the engine. Didn't do that before I changed it. I'm going to get some more and let it drain better next time. It didn't look "chunky" lol.

I guess I used too much

---------- Post added at 08:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:30 PM ----------

I meant to add that I need a pullstart. The one it came with doesn't work worth squat lol. I've found some on eBay I'll link in a few

---------- Post added at 09:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:58 PM ----------

Here is one, good price? https://www.ebay.com/itm/370891907484#rwid