Art, what page is that on? I called myself looking in the Clymers last night but no luck. I did work 14 hours yesterday though. That's my excuse!  

SavageCounsel wrote on 02/07/16 at 12:06:43:


You have me a bit confused.....why did you need to bump start the engine with the tank off to get a compression test?  Normally the test is done using the starter button.....you did the test by pushing the bike in gear?

A reading of 120 psi is really low.  If that reading is accurate, that is a low of compression and I am surprised the bike will start.  That low compression, along with the oil burning indicates your piston/rings/cylinder are not in good shape.

It is time for you to decide what to do.  Do you have the ability to take the engine out of the frame, remove the head and cylinder, and put it all back to together again?  Is the bike worth spending $ 400 to get a good used stock piston/cylinder and the needed gaskets - or $ 800 for the parts needed to install a Wiseco?  Likely you can buy a good late model 5 speed engine for a similar price - and it will have the starter torque limiter to help prevent broken pieces if the engine were to kick backwards on the shutdown.  

Or....do you part out the bike and buy another one that requires little or no work? In this area $ 1,500 - $ 2,000 can buy a very nice used bike that is ready to ride.

Alas, still waiting for my battery to ship. I will do a more proper test once it's in and post the results.

Bump startin was fun but I am sure you guys are right. And yes I coasted it in second and popped it in gear to get a revolution for the test.

I am find spending some cash and rebuilding the engine. The work is part of the fun for me.

I love this bike. We have a love / hate relationship.

How can I compression test with the bike running with the spark plug out? The tool goes into the spark plug hole. Am I missing something?

Dave,

Thank you sir. I'll post results when I get the battery in. Thanks for bearing with me. I appreciate the sage wisdom and patience.

SavageCounsel wrote on 02/11/16 at 07:25:24:


I bought my EarthX 3 years ago, and I have never had it on a trickle charger yet (they don't want you to do that and it is best just to leave it alone as it holds the charge a long time).  Each spring I hit the key and it fires right up.

My bike is stored in a heated garage, and I don't ride in the cold and my bike always startes within a second of hitting the starter button.....I never have to crank for an extended period.  The battery is incredibly light and works fine - however you must never leave your key on and run the battery down completely......they claim that when you do that the LiIon battery suddenly becomes useless and cannot be restored.

Since you just bought a new battery...might as well use that until it is worn out.

Alright folks. I got battery installed and ran compression test correctly. I did it twice and got 155psi both times. So I am within specs. What is the next step?

I still don't understand this oil leak.

Is it on the outside of the engine....or is the oil inside the engine and the oil is fouling the spark plug electrode?