CRM Ownership 1 year on

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Eddie Evans
2016NWAA
2016NWAA
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Posts: 461
Joined: 15 Aug 2007, 19:05
Bike Owned: MK3
Location: N Wales
CRM Ownership 1 year on

Post by Eddie Evans » 31 Aug 2008, 22:21

The CRM was bought for trail riding
Just over a year ago I bought my Mk3 CRM sort of off E bay.
I checked the bike over and all seemed OK so handed over the cash.
It travelled back from Northumberland on my Sidebike transporter(KLX in The pic)
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One of the first jobs was an MOT, The lights etc. worked so all was well there and it passed.
I had taken it to the centre on the Sidebike and as I loaded back on noticed that there was no nut on the swinging arm :o
Back home I looked for a nut to fit without success. A closer look revelled it was mushroomed.
I tapped a hole in the shaft and bolted it up so that I could ride it around a bit to make sure that there was nothing else wrong with it. All seemed OK.
I tried for several evenings to release the shaft but it was solid. My solution was to cut it out. Now that was a job and a half
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I had already bought another swinging arm which I fitted with new bushes and bearings so once that was on it was up the road for a test. All seemed OK
Next test ride all seemed OK so I opened her right up as you do. :roll:
It was struggling to reach peak revs in 6th so I dropped it into 5th before shutting down ready to turn into my street. It cut out :?: Now I suspected that it was more than a normal stall so when it did not kick up I pushed it the 50yards home.
It had spark, it had fuel but
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I think the root cause was that some grit or aluminium dust had got into the cylinder even though it was well covered, whilst I ground the swinging arm out. :oops:
This was turning out to be bad news, it was a real chore.
Nothing for it but a rebore and new piston etc.

I ran it in as carefully as possible I was not taking any chances with the theory of thrash it from the crate.
Soon after running in I met up with Slider for a days ride in the Peaks.
I was so nervous of blowing the engine as it revved up those stony climbs but other than banging my ribs :cry: the day ended well.

Surely it could handle a ride through some bogs though to be honest I still did not really trust the bike.
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It dieselled at one point (running with the ignition off, firing off the hot carbon on the cylinder head) but it kept going once it had cooled down. There had been a slow coolant leak that I could not find until on the next days ride I noticed coolant seeping through the top hose on the RH rad.
This sorted out the leak but the temp light was coming on on long slow slippy climbs.
A search on here and the guide to fitting the Computer fan :BB

For the last few month the bike has performed admirably in all type of terrain

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I know that nothing lasts for ever, hence buying a MK2 engine to recon as a spare but I am not envious of the latest orange offerings as I ride this 14 year old trail bike along the most difficult of trails.
TBM 's article said the best trail bike ever and I think that that is bang on.
A now very happy CRM owner :D

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Gwyn
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Location: All over , WALES.
Re: CRM Ownership 1 year on

Post by Gwyn » 01 Sep 2008, 08:57

Excellent write up with pics Eddie 8-) 8-) :) I agree mate, CRM's are an excellent all round Trail bike. So easy to maintain. When i get home from a ride, it's just a wash down, lube the chain and top up the 2t oil, and i'm ready to go ago again (in between services of course), brilliant :D :D :D
Mud, Sweat and Fear


91-MK2


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