| Author | Message | ||
     Ourdee |
I rode a TW 200 in a safety course last year. I thought it was so much fun that I've been looking for one. I finally came across a non running one out in the middle of nowhere. The price was so low, I knew if it was to far gone I could part it out and not lose. The guy told me it was running and stopped. The compression just left. Bike was covered in mud and had been sitting in the garage for 5 months. After getting it home I hosed it off and started checking it out. I pulled the head a few times. Put new valves in it and played with the cam timing a dozen times. It has spark, carb was clean inside, electrics work good, but even ethyl ether would not get a response out of it. Compression still seamed off and it made a whistle sound when turning the engine over by hand. So, I pulled the head again last night. This time I pulled the jug off. Bingo. I had noticed oil in the airbox and the boot behind the carb was not on right. Dirt had entered the engine and got between the rear shirt of the piston and the jug. Next the piston skirt could not transfer heat to the jug. Heat built up in the piston, rings start glowing red, aluminum piston starts melting. combustion gas starts pressurizing the crankcase causing oil to travel through the vent tube into the airbox. What would seam sudden to the owner's buddy riding the bike, it looses compression. I found a used jug and piston from a year older machine on Ebay shipped for under 70 bones. It went into the mail today. The bike has under 10k mi. on it and I'm the 4th owner. I didn't get all the history on it but the owner prior to me traded 2 guns for it running. It is a 1988. I am hoping to use it for a snow bike to commute 15 mi. to work on this winter. Here are pics taken after the hose.      | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I would love to have one of those! Every time I teach a MSF class they are one of the last bikes people will pick. Easiest thing in the world to ride. | ||
| Ourdee |
There is a trick to getting riders on them. Line bikes up by seat height. Same number of bikes as students. Line students up by height. Have them step forward and learn how to mount the machine. Too easy to ride. | ||
| Stevasaurus |
When I did the MSF class, I was actually HOPING to get the TW. I got a Nighthawk instead. Those TW's look like a lot of fun! | ||
| Paw |
I owned one when I was 17. I loved the big fat tire threw a lot of mud. Yes it was a lot of fun. Was thinking a trying to get another but never did. | ||
| Rainman |
After teaching MSF for 10years, I can testify the TW is the easiest bike to ride, almost as easy as my Blast, but with a better friction zone. OK, my blast has a friction spot.... | ||
| Microchop |
My first street legal bike too...very easy to ride and fun. Love that fat tire. | ||
| Mrmoen |
i love those little bikes | ||
| Lovemybuellman |
That was the bike I rode when I took the MSF course. I picked it over the others because I like having a neutral or a sport bike riding position as apposed to the laid back cruiser potion and all of the rest of the bikes were little cruiser type bikes. I thought that bike was a fun little bike to ride and wish i could find one really cheap to teach the wife to ride on. I though (this is firebolt020283 I am was on my wifes computer) (Message edited by lovemybuellman on October 11, 2009) | ||
| U4euh |
Rubberdown has one and also uses it for his pit back at the track. I'll tell you at VIR and all the grassy area's, this bike is a hoot to ride! Wish I could find one for a good deal just as a knock around do all bike. | ||
| Ourdee |
I just saw an 87 on CL for 500 with under 4000 mi. Mine just started for the first time since I've owned it. Now I will fine tune the valves and put fresh oil in it. It just sat there and purred after I put the E-bay piston and jug in it. I wonder how much insurance will be. | ||
| Ourdee |
I rode it around the yard and have determined it needs a new clutch. At least it won't cost much. |
