Joined the forum several weeks ago to learn 'from the horse's mouth' what I needed to know about the Yamaha TW200. The direct result:
Just picked up Millicent today (alway remembered this name from the Elmer Fudd/Bugs Bunny Cartoon w/ the large Slavic female bunny named Millicent)...
I digress. She is a 2002 TW200 with 6400 miles on her. She looks good all 'round, minor cosmetic issues like a bent front brake lever and slight scratches on some of the plastic bits. She looks new from 3 paces. Anyway, after riding her gently and not-so-gently for most of the day (Slavic women are quite sturdy)...
1. The clutch clutches at the very end of the lever travel. It's not grabby, but only because I'm now managing it well. I'm an experienced rider and it grabbed the first few times I rode her. I checked the return spring at the motor & it's installed correctly. I checked the adjustment screw barrel at the lever, and it looks like it's adjusted almost the whole way out - not much thread to go. Does this indicate a worn clutch & I should just expect a clutch replacement at some point dependent on my enthusiasm? Or is there another way to adjust the clutch to bring the friction point in a bit?
2. I managed a top indicated sustained speed of 67 mph, and a steady-state ride at 60 revealed a slight miss/hesitation. Would this indicate the need for a valve adjustment or other maintenance? The previous owner (I am the 3rd owner) had no documentation of any service whatsoever, promising only that the oil was changed at the end of every riding season. Compression is excellent. Valves have not been adjusted to his knowledge and definitely not under his ownership over the past 3 years. What can I do to remedy the miss at higher rpms, and possibly the top end as regards to speed? I weigh 160 lbs, and I thought that 70 mph or a bit more wouldn't be an issue on on a long flat stretch while tucked in tight... How much $$ is a valve adjustment, and can it be done at any motorcycle shop, or would I be better served at a Yamaha shop? I saw the post on valve adjustment on this board, but it was for a different model Yamaha. I've never adjusted valves before, although I do have deck screws...
That's it for now. The bike is excellent around town - perfect size for my 30" inseam, and I like the thumper - my previous bike was a 2002 BMW R1150R (opposed twin), and I feel like I've traded up in regards to maintenance and simplicity. The maintenance schedule on that BMW was a bit much. I just want a bike I can hop on and go, you know?
Thanks for reading, and any suggestions/advice are very much appreciated. Many thanks and "laaarrrge kisses" from Millicent.
Just picked up Millicent today (alway remembered this name from the Elmer Fudd/Bugs Bunny Cartoon w/ the large Slavic female bunny named Millicent)...
I digress. She is a 2002 TW200 with 6400 miles on her. She looks good all 'round, minor cosmetic issues like a bent front brake lever and slight scratches on some of the plastic bits. She looks new from 3 paces. Anyway, after riding her gently and not-so-gently for most of the day (Slavic women are quite sturdy)...
1. The clutch clutches at the very end of the lever travel. It's not grabby, but only because I'm now managing it well. I'm an experienced rider and it grabbed the first few times I rode her. I checked the return spring at the motor & it's installed correctly. I checked the adjustment screw barrel at the lever, and it looks like it's adjusted almost the whole way out - not much thread to go. Does this indicate a worn clutch & I should just expect a clutch replacement at some point dependent on my enthusiasm? Or is there another way to adjust the clutch to bring the friction point in a bit?
2. I managed a top indicated sustained speed of 67 mph, and a steady-state ride at 60 revealed a slight miss/hesitation. Would this indicate the need for a valve adjustment or other maintenance? The previous owner (I am the 3rd owner) had no documentation of any service whatsoever, promising only that the oil was changed at the end of every riding season. Compression is excellent. Valves have not been adjusted to his knowledge and definitely not under his ownership over the past 3 years. What can I do to remedy the miss at higher rpms, and possibly the top end as regards to speed? I weigh 160 lbs, and I thought that 70 mph or a bit more wouldn't be an issue on on a long flat stretch while tucked in tight... How much $$ is a valve adjustment, and can it be done at any motorcycle shop, or would I be better served at a Yamaha shop? I saw the post on valve adjustment on this board, but it was for a different model Yamaha. I've never adjusted valves before, although I do have deck screws...
That's it for now. The bike is excellent around town - perfect size for my 30" inseam, and I like the thumper - my previous bike was a 2002 BMW R1150R (opposed twin), and I feel like I've traded up in regards to maintenance and simplicity. The maintenance schedule on that BMW was a bit much. I just want a bike I can hop on and go, you know?
Thanks for reading, and any suggestions/advice are very much appreciated. Many thanks and "laaarrrge kisses" from Millicent.