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Took my Honda CM125CC for its MOT today and it passed. Got three advisories but nothing major and it was good to have another pair of eyes picking up on some bits that I had missed. It just goes to show how you can spend hours checking things over and can still miss things that are obvious when its pointed out.

This is a big milestone and for me completes phase 1 of the project which was to get the bike back together and road worthy again. I’m going to ride it a bit now before embarking on phase 2 which is to really bring it back to top condition with lots of re-chroming and a professional paint job.

I’ve already placed orders for some engine bits I know I will need and a full gasket set. The full engine rebuild will come later in the year along with stripping to the frame and getting the frame powder coated and the centre stand mount repaired. I still have a long list of things that are not perfect for me but for the moment I am just going to enjoy two wheels again…and don’t you just love that feeling of paying just 16 quid for your road tax!

Well I am almost ready for an MOT.

I found a really good website for advice on MOT checks. See my Blog Roll.

I went through and did my own MOT inspection trying to decide if there is anything the tester is going to reject. I still have lots of things which are not right for me but that doesn’t make them MOT failure points.

I fixed the increasing engine rpm as the handlebars were turned. Caused by the thottle cabling being incorrectly routed. I have adjusted the brakes and throttle and double checked the chain tension. I took a critical look at the forks. They have corrosion but are not leaking oil. Everything bounces up and down as it should. Steering is free with nothing binding and the wheels and bearing are all in good shape. No swinging arm movement where it shouldn’t be. Lights all work and don’t flicker if they are tapped and the headlight points in the right direction. Tyres are ok, not perfect but they have tread in the right place. Even re-fitted the crash bar.

All ready for a trip to the MOT station.

And so to the chain. I knew it was knackered but waited until I could afford some top notch sprockets and a heavy duty ‘O’ ring chain.

I jacked the bike up to get the back wheel off the ground and tried to undo the rear wheel nut. And then I tried a little harder. Then I was belting seven shades of stuff out of it. Four hours later I had the thing undone. It had rusted solid.

 I took the old chain off and boy was it warn out. I could almost join it up by bending it sideways. I removed the front sprocket cover (need to take the gear change lever off to do that) and then removed the sprocket. Came off easily. Having finally got the rear wheel out I remove the circlip and removed the sprocket from the wheel. Swapped the drive bolts to the new sprocket and added it to the wheel. The drive bolts were a little rusts so I added a spot of grease. Don’t know if that’s good to do or not but I did it anyway. I put new break linings in while I had it all apart. Put the wheel back on the bike and having cleaned up the main bolt I slid it back into place and loosely tightened everything. Added the chain to the sprockets and and fitted the spring link to hold it all together. I roughly set the chain tension and stood back to admire my handiwork.

Hmm. I wonder what that big circlip on the floor is supposed to do? I guess I am taking it all to bits again! Removed the wheel and fitted the washer and circlip this time. Checked everything six times before refitting the wheel and attaching the chain again. Again I roughly set the chain tension. 

I have read many books and taken advice on setting wheel alignment. I personally find all the methods very challenging and tedious but I usually end up with some bits of string wrapped round the wheels and on my hands and knees trying to measure gaps between string and wheels. Once I think its right I check chain tension and then tighten everything up. Then I check it all again and find its moved. I usually end up doing this three of four times before I am satisfied its the best I can get it.

I then attached the chain guard. This is the first time its been on the bike. Discovered it doesn’t fit.Actually its not the chain guard its the rear suspension unit thats wrong. It fouls on the chain guard. Guess I am buying new rear suspension units at some point! Managed to gently bend the chain guard to a point that it would fit without touching anything. Its not perfect but it works for the moment. 

Refitted the sprocket cover and gear lever and checked everything still works.

I rechecked all the bolts were tight.

Just for information. I have experimented slightly with changing the ratios on the sprockets. At this stage I really don’t know if I will achieve my objective but I wanted to have a fairly relaxed cruising speed with relatively low engine rpm. I am hoping for good fuel economy on my commute to work so have gone for plus one tooth at the front and one less at the back. Will it achieve what I want or will I end up with a completely intractable bike. Dunno but I will find out when I ride it for the first time.