Valve Clearance Check on my Pulsar 200NS

It’s been 14,000km since I had my engine top rebuilt in Chiang Mai and I’ve not done the valves clearance check on my Pulsar 200NS. And since it was the Chinese New Year holiday and I’ve completed my CNY visiting, with some time at hand, I decided to DIY the valve clearance check this afternoon.

To get to the valves, the following has to be removed: tank cover, fuel tank, air filter box, and then the valve head cover. I’ve previously blogged about the removal process of the above.

Remove these 4 special bolts from the engine head cover.

After removing the 4 bolts on the engine head cover / valve head cover, carefully remove the cover taking care not to damage the gasket. I visually inspected my head gasket and found it to be in excellent condition (approx 6 months old), and although I bought a new piece for this procedure, I had decided that it was good enough to re-use. I’d probably replace it if / when it starts to leak. Continue reading “Valve Clearance Check on my Pulsar 200NS”

Pulsar 200NS Front Sprocket Cleaning

When was the last time you opened up the front sprocket cover when chain cleaning? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been rather lazy to do just that. For the last 10,000km since the chain and sprocket set was replaced, I don’t recall myself opening up the front sprocket. After all, why does one need to? Especially if you’ve been diligent about cleaning and lubing the chain, right?

I WAS SO WRONG!

MASSIVE accumulation of gooey, pasty gunk! I would estimate this pic to contain only about 1/4 of the total gunk I eventually removed!

Continue reading “Pulsar 200NS Front Sprocket Cleaning”

Passed my Class 2A License Test!

3 practical lessons, 3 weeks, $300, and I finally got my Class 2A driving license!

For those who are unfamiliar with the Singapore tiered driving license scheme for motorcycles, (regardless of age and driving experience,) motorcycle learners start off with a Class 2B license which limits the rider on a motorcycle with engine below 200cc. You’ll need to wait ONE YEAR before you can register for lessons for the next tier. Passing the next tier, Class 2A, will allow you to ride a motorcycle of up to 400cc engine capacity. Again, you need to wait for another ONE YEAR before you can register for lessons for the next tier – the coveted Class 2 unlimited cc license.

The 100-minute Class 2A theory lesson in BBDC.

Overall course structure for Class 2A comprise of Continue reading “Passed my Class 2A License Test!”

Kabuto Ibuki Flip-up Modular Helmet Review

And so I’ve used the Kabuto (formerly OGK) Ibuki flip-up modular helmet for over 2,000km now. I bought this as an early Christmas present for myself and have blogged about my initial impressions of the helmet here. And since then, I’ve used it in almost every weather condition typically experienced in this part of the world – from hot 34degC afternoon sun, to super humid late afternoons, to cold mornings, day, night, light drizzles and even super heavy torrential downpours.

That’s me and the brand new Kabuto Ibuki before coming out of the store.

Continue reading “Kabuto Ibuki Flip-up Modular Helmet Review”

Sunday Morning Ride to Tg Piai (Again!)

Yet another sgBikerBoy Sunday Morning Ride! Running out of ideas for nearby places to ride to, we decided to head to Tanjung Piai again. Anyway, it’s been almost a year since I last rode there. But for my riding buddy, Siu Hon, this was a first experience for him. Anyway, like they say, it’s not about the destination, but it’s all about the ride.

So, my 200cc Pulsar and Siu Hon’s recently acquired 600cc Yamaha XJ6 Diversion met at B-Point, Johor Bahru. We settled for a quick breakfast before setting off. In the previous ride there, I used Waze to guide me. Waze seem to suggest a more conservative route – sticking to the main roads, heading to Pontian before turning south towards Kukup and Tg Piai. For this ride, we decided to use Google Maps instead. Google Maps seem to suggest a shorter (faster?) route that will take us through some really minor roads. Hey! We’re on motorcycles! After all, what can be more fun than taking the small roads right?

The Google Maps route to Tg Piai.

And it was such an amazing Continue reading “Sunday Morning Ride to Tg Piai (Again!)”

It’s time to say goodbye…

It’s time to say goodbye….

You’ve been with me for a year, and we sure have traveled serious distances together. I’ve brought you to multiple Malaysia trips. We’ve even went on a tour to Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. We went through thick and thin together – through good weather, and some really bad ones; on good roads, and some horrible ones. I will always cherish the times we spent on these trips.

Bye bye…

But now, it’s time for me to bid you goodbye…. Continue reading “It’s time to say goodbye…”

Bajaj Pulsar 200NS DIY Maintenance Guide

I’ve received many requests for information on how to perform some DIY maintenance on the Pulsar 200NS. In this Bajaj Pulsar 200NS DIY Maintenance Guide, you’ll learn the following:

  1. Fuel tank cover removal.
  2. Fuel tank removal.
  3. Air filter replacement.
  4. Coolant replacement.

Some of the tools required:

  • 8mm, 10mm and 12mm hex sockets
  • Hex bit set
  • Phillips-head (+ shaped) screwdriver
  • Long-nose pliers

Continue reading “Bajaj Pulsar 200NS DIY Maintenance Guide”

sgBikerBoy reviews RainX Plastic Water Repellent

My past experience with RainX on my car windshield was somewhat good. The product delivered its promised – water bead and roll off the windshield even while traveling at speeds around 50kmh. Even without using the car wipers, visibility in rain was significantly improved. I eventually stopped using it as it caused my wiper to jitter and then I got lazy with the reapplication.

With its superb water beading efficiency, I’ve always wanted to apply it onto my motorcycle helmet visor. It would have been awesome if it worked as well on the helmet visor in the rain. However, I’ve always knew that the original RainX was not compatible with plastics. It even says so on the label. And so I gave up on that idea.

The bottle of Rain-X Plastic Water Repellent.

Until I came across the RainX Plastic Water Repellent! In fact, it says this Continue reading “sgBikerBoy reviews RainX Plastic Water Repellent”

Why do motorcycle front and rear tires have opposite tread patterns?

You will notice that many performance motorcycle tires not only are available in different sizes, but ALSO specifically for the front and the rear of the motorcycle. Sometimes, manufacturers may also have the exact same size of tires for the front and the rear of the motorcycle, leading some to ask – are they the same? If they are the exact same size, can I use a “rear” tire for the “front” or vice-versa?

Pirelli Angel CT tire size chart. Notice they have it in 80/90-17 for front and the exact same size for the rear too?

In short, the answer is Continue reading “Why do motorcycle front and rear tires have opposite tread patterns?”

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