Service

SERVICE

Front-tire emergency

I’d like to know what to do in the event a front tire goes flat on today’s sportbikes while traveling at speed. Today, a rider fell off on the freeway after losing control for that very reason. Fortunately, he only received a broken arm. Peter A. Bollier S. San Francisco, California

It's not necessary to hum “Closer my God to Thee" if you have a fiat front tire at speed, but, then again, it wouldn't hurt. The bad news about a front-tire blowout is that it's one of the most dangerous equipment failures a motorcycle can experience; the good news is that with the use of tubeless tires, blowouts are very rare occurrences indeed.

Tubeless tires can spring leaks, however, and the proper technique for dealing with a deflating front tire is the same as for dealing with a blowout: Stop as quickly as is safe, using the rear brake only. Applying the front brake risks unseating the tire from the rim, resulting in the complete loss of directional control. Even applying the rear brake hard can be chancy, as the weight transfer that results will increase the load on the ailing front tire.

So, the best approach is to brake lightly with the rear brake only, and slow down in as straight a line as possible. Steering input could also unseat a tire running almost fiat, so don V worry about pulling over until you 've almost come to a stop.

More BSA clutch tips

In reference to the BSA clutchslip problem you discussed recently, while its source might be one of those you pointed out, it could also be one of tension on the clutch springs. Unlike a Japanese bike, most British bikes have adjustable tension on the clutch springs. A shop manual is, of course, an essential, but one can get by thusly: Tighten the clutch spring nuts until just one thread appears out of the end of the nut. Then pull the clutch lever in and observe the clutch plate. If it is adjusted correctly, it will release with an even motion and be square with the rest of the plates. If not, loosen/tighten nuts as needed. There is a dimple on the inside edge of the nuts that will engage the end of the spring to prevent it from slackening in use. Also remember that these clutch baskets are not supported on their outer end and therefore are prone to wear on the bearings and the mainshaft, so it should be checked for movement. And when finished with the clutch adjustment, it would do to adjust the primary chain to manufacturer’s specifications. Too tight will also wear the aforementioned parts while too loose will introduce snatch. All this sounds complicated, but in practice it is just common mechanical sense. JefT“Cosmo” Fennema South Elgin, Illinois

V65 Hotrod

After reading your March, 1987, issue and your “Taking It to the Nines” article, I went into search for some high-performance parts for my 1983 Honda V65 Magna. I have checked several places and am still waiting for some replies. Could you offer any assistance in finding these much-needed parts? Patrick Nutter Beckley, West Virginia

An excellent source would he RC Engineering (5 781 Machine Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92649; [714] 898-6033). RC offers everything for the V65 from drop-in cams to stroker cranks to full Pro-Stock motors. The owner, famed drag racer Russ Collins, would be happy to help with your project.