Carts
Hello all, I wanted to introduce myself and ask for some wisdom.
I own an SP5 I bought from an ex member of the site who did live in Plymouth. Bought the bike as a Sunday bike as having others for commuting and touring. I've only used the bike a little getting it up to Glasgow as I was working away in Moscow. Now back in UK had the bike serviced, during the service they noticed the tank was leaking at the bottom rear and fixed the leak. After a little run the leaks back, it looks like maybe the bolt from the rear suspension (Like a parallelogram) may be rubbing on the tank? I looked through the search facility but haven't seen a similar issue. I believe that the suspension is set to give lowest seat height, and I am now over 17stone 😯 (ummm I did enjoy Russian hospitality a bit) may be causing the problem. I am now working in Aberdeen was trying to figure out the problem before getting in garage. Was wondering if anybody was aware of similar issue or could offer advice. I think I'll need to set up the suspension, was going to set it to factory setting, but unsure what these are?
I am getting a little frustrated as want to play with my new toy, love the feeling when it comes on cam, but need time to get use to the handling, Sorry I've only just introduced myself and asking questions but tend to be a lurked on site by nature.😏
Cheers
Carts 😳
mikesps
Hi Carts, and welcome.
The front of the suspension rocker will tend to move down and away from the tank when those of us who are gravitationally challenged sit on the bike. I am a little more challenged than you are at the moment 🙁
Does the SP5 have an alloy tank? I seem to remember that it is steel, but I may be wrong on that. If so, it may have rusted through at the bottom which is quite common on the Monster and 900SS. Or it could be cracked on the seam, or the seal on the fuel level sensor is leaking. Have you taken the tank off to find the spot?
The 888 manual is in the file section and settings are on pages D24 and D26.
Mike
hindsight
Hello - Good to hear of another SP5 in Scotland (that's three that I know of, my own included).
I used to live in Aberdeen, I'll give you a shout if I find myself up there on my 888.
Carts
Hi Mike, thanks for response.
Don't know if steel or alloy tank (will have a play with a magnet over weekend). The leak seams to be more like a pin hole than a crack. The seal was put over a 1 1/2 inch area. I need to take of the repair first to see total damage. The fact that the seal was chipped from the outside made me thing that something was hitting the tank. Wasn't sure if it was when the suspension fully extended?
Thanks for the info on suspension settings will have a noisy. Was thinking of using a company called MPG (I think) next to Ducati Glasgow to help set up suspension. They were talking £100 for full setup. Thought it may be a good idea to get a good base setting seeing the age of the bike and the number of people how could have played with it.
Hindsight, didn't know I was in such an exclusive club, Don't know if I will commute to Aberdeen on bike, was keeping it for Weekend runs in to the Highland and borders.
Cheers
Dave
Jasper
Hi Carts,
I had Exactly the same problem on my SP5 last month.A minute pin prick of a hole! I sealed the inside of the tank with this,SUPERB!!:
http://www.flowliner.co.uk
And then put a carbon patch on the outside!!
mikesps
The suspension guy next to DG is supposed to be very good.
Mike
hindsight
mikesps wroteThe suspension guy next to DG is supposed to be very good.
Mike
Stewart Miller - He set up my SP5 last year. Made a world of difference (it felt rough in comparison to my previous 888 Strada, which had a full Maxton rework).
I promised to take the shock back to him for a regas/rebuild. I'll get around to doing that this year.
Highly recommended, and he loves 888's as well 😄
Carts
Thanks Jasper, looked at the Flowliner website may be the way forward. Perhaps it was not a mechanical issue that caused hole and subsequently just wasn't sealed properly?
Nice to have confirmation that Stewart time is worth it. After a quick conservation on phone he said he didn't have to much experience on 888 but that just may be him being conservative compared to other models.
I now from past experience of putting Ohlin's and Wilber's on to a BMW R1100s what a difference good equipment makes. My plan was to get the bike running best I could and ride it through the summer then make a decision in autumn / winter what work (if any), I want to do. I tend to keep bikes for some time and as long as I bond am planning to keep her for a long time. My ideas were to improve handling via Suspension and lightning (£ dependant) rather than any major engine performance upgrades (thought being if wanted a faster bike there plenty to pick from and most a lot cheaper) but am looking for any more economic changes that will improve engine performance.
Jasper
Carts wroteThanks Jasper, looked at the Flowliner website may be the way forward. Perhaps it was not a mechanical issue that caused hole and subsequently just wasn't sealed properly?
Nice to have confirmation that Stewart time is worth it. After a quick conservation on phone he said he didn't have to much experience on 888 but that just may be him being conservative compared to other models.
I now from past experience of putting Ohlin's and Wilber's on to a BMW R1100s what a difference good equipment makes. My plan was to get the bike running best I could and ride it through the summer then make a decision in autumn / winter what work (if any), I want to do. I tend to keep bikes for some time and as long as I bond am planning to keep her for a long time. My ideas were to improve handling via Suspension and lightning (£ dependant) rather than any major engine performance upgrades (thought being if wanted a faster bike there plenty to pick from and most a lot cheaper) but am looking for any more economic changes that will improve engine performance.
Stewart did my suspension as well.Superb.
The part where the tank holes,is the water trap for the fuel pump!! It's the lowest point in the tank.
Carts
Thanks for all your help, Will defiantly go to Stewart now for Suspension setup. And am looking on line for how to seal tank. Think I need to look inside if I can over weekend to assess the damage / rust inside
Cheers
Carts
Hi Jasper, triying to fix leak and managed to get into tank this weekend for a look, I got some of the furniture out but can't get the fuel pump out, presume I have to do that before putting flow line stuff in? How did you get it out if you did?
Having a good look seems to be a least 3 holes in area. It may need more drastic surgery but really would like to fully strip internals of tank first.
Carts
Thanks for the help above, finally got the bike going. I used Flowliner as Jasper recommended; it seems to have done the trick. Cheers Jasper
I've now been able to use the bike over the last two weekends and I think I like it 😁 defiantly a glorious sound when it goes. The only trouble is getting it out of the road I live on without starting any car alarms or have the locals chasing me with pitch fork when I get back 😏
Managed to get the bike as well to MPG who's set it up for my weight, slight miscommunications as I wanted to set up geometry as well, but didn't have time, the downside is he said there was little damping in the forks (the bottom screw on the leg, Cant remember if that's rebound) so they will need a rebuild, Just started to do some research on the site to see what my options are, Suspension is the main area I am happy spending money on the bike so if any of you have any opinions please chime in.
hindsight
Good to hear. When are we going to see some pictures? - and purely out of interest, which SP5 number are you (out of 500)?
I have 130:
On the suspension front, I've had a number of bikes overhauled in the past by Maxton. They do a tremendous job.
Carts
Thanks for that Hindsight, my SP5 is number 112, Ill send some pictures when I stop enough to take some, The only pictures I have at moment are on the back off or by breakdown vehicles 😡 but I don't think that a college I should have on this site. Was driving around Wanlockhead and did think I should have stoped to take some pictures.
Maxton certainly is an option but would rather build up a relationship with a local firm if possible.
When out 2 Saturdays ago and managed to bump into a SP5 owner Angus at Largs, is he the other SP5 owner you know off? Had a chat for about 15 mins before he left.
Winther
Hi Cart and welcome.
If your tank is in steel, you can fix the pin hole with soft solder. I have done this in many years on veteran cars and it works.
Clean surface down to bare metal, use a paper thin piece of brass to cover hole and then apply soft solder with a hot solder iron. No need to fill the tank with water, as there is no danger for explosion😯
