Suggestions for my Unicorn.. - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

ajay_vishvanathan · 10-14-2010, 03:04 PM

Hi everyone.. First i thank this website for helping me choose a bike..

im happy with the bike.. its the good old honda unicorn (2005) yeap dont be amazed.. i bought it in a second hand market ^_^

i got some issues with it.. please help me in that regard..

1) i feel wobbly sometimes when i drive.. like its sawing from left to right.. just like its drunk..

solutions that didnt work :-

-changed the front tyre..
-checked the tyre pressure regularly..
-wheel-throw both the wheels..
-some time back i changed some ring like thing just below the handle.. that ring-like thing got ball-bearings in it..
-gave my bike for servicing..

thats when the problem started.. after i gave my bike at a honda showroom.. MANY problems started to appear.. and this is one of them.. please give me a solution for that..

2) I read in many places that K&N filters are good..

-shall i change them or shall i keep the company stock one..
-if the advice is to changing it.. what would be approx. cost involved in it..
-which model would do good..??

3) Since my unicorn's got a mono-suspension..

-can i increase the seat height i.e. elevate the seat little higher..

4) i changed the front disc plate yesterday.. but i dont know whether the disc oil is available in the box or not.. its simply impossible to check it.. btw the disc is not really effective.. i mean not like other discs where slight touch can put the brakes.. i agree its effective.. but not that effective.. but comparatively ok..

5) how frequently should i change the engine oil?? please enlighten me in that regard..

6) any other maintenance tip..

7) how to make sure the electrical s work cool?? the key turns the engine off at a slight jerk.. and i almost fall off with the engine shut down suddenly.. luckily i have clutch handy.. prevents the tyres from stopping suddenly resulting in sudden brakes..

i also do many things like giving it a choke start and warming up the engine and all that stuffs..

anything else?? please let me know..

Aryan · 10-14-2010, 09:10 PM

Query Approved.

dj_666 · 10-14-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay_vishvanathan

Hi everyone.. First i thank this website for helping me choose a bike..

im happy with the bike.. its the good old honda unicorn (2005) yeap dont be amazed.. i bought it in a second hand market ^_^

same here, the difference being i inherited it

i got some issues with it.. please help me in that regard..

1) i feel wobbly sometimes when i drive.. like its sawing from left to right.. just like its drunk..

solutions that didnt work :-

-changed the front tyre..
-checked the tyre pressure regularly..
-wheel-throw both the wheels..
-some time back i changed some ring like thing just below the handle.. that ring-like thing got ball-bearings in it..
-gave my bike for servicing..

thats when the problem started.. after i gave my bike at a honda showroom.. MANY problems started to appear.. and this is one of them.. please give me a solution for that..

possible issues :

- forks bent/worst case chassis bent due to impact during collision(paint is a wonderful make-up artist !)
- Steering cones may need looking into
- Unequal fork oil levels
- sometimes simple things as a loosely tightened fork/steering head bolt cold turn out to be a major headache.

2) I read in many places that K&N filters are good..

-shall i change them or shall i keep the company stock one..
-if the advice is to changing it.. what would be approx. cost involved in it..
-which model would do good..??

With a performance filter, getting the tuning right could be tricky.
Since the bike's running less than optimal now, pointing out the root cause of a problem would be more tasking after such modifications.

In any case you do want to change it, there are many threads running around about the same.

3) Since my unicorn's got a mono-suspension..

-can i increase the seat height i.e. elevate the seat little higher..

The Unicorn has a fixed length shock absorber. A small but insignificant adjustment can be made by adjusting between 'soft' and 'hard' modes.

4) i changed the front disc plate yesterday.. but i dont know whether the disc oil is available in the box or not.. its simply impossible to check it.. btw the disc is not really effective.. i mean not like other discs where slight touch can put the brakes.. i agree its effective.. but not that effective.. but comparatively ok..

If the level viewing glass in the brake fluid reservoir(the box) is blurred, there are two star screws on top of the reservoir - you know the rest
Uni's brakes are unlike on/off brake switches on other bikes - more effort ensures you don't lock the wheels easily when you grab a handful.

5) how frequently should i change the engine oil?? please enlighten me in that regard..

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/universal-threads/4789-engine-oils.html

6) any other maintenance tip..

hmmmm....i wonder which dedicated website would offer you the know-how of Indian bikes

7) how to make sure the electrical s work cool?? the key turns the engine off at a slight jerk.. and i almost fall off with the engine shut down suddenly.. luckily i have clutch handy.. prevents the tyres from stopping suddenly resulting in sudden brakes..

it reminds you of the beast within !!!
jokes apart, does this happen in neutral too ?

i also do many things like giving it a choke start and warming up the engine and all that stuffs..

anything else?? please let me know..

When you find time, please go through actively discussed forum topics. If it doesn't do anything else, it will surely broaden your thought.

ride safe. ride hard.

shubhanker · 10-16-2010, 11:32 PM

1)The steering screw needs to be tightened, 2 min job..any local mech can do it..
2) K&n is no joke..if you know somebody nearby who has got it on the unicorn, take his advice or start reading about proper jetting..if you can't spare time for proper jetting and experimentation, don't go for it..
3)If the window on the disc brake oil box appears brownish, the oil's good..when the oil level starts to fall, it starts appearing whitish..
4)Regarding engine shutdown, change the key lock..it's become faulty..
5) Hard riding, change oil at 1500kms..normal riding 2500kms..Some people might not agree,but whatever the oil may be(synthetic or mineral) change it at above mentioned intervals..

happy riding

ajay_vishvanathan · 10-16-2010, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shubhanker

1)The steering screw needs to be tightened, 2 min job..any local mech can do it..
2) K&n is no joke..if you know somebody nearby who has got it on the unicorn, take his advice or start reading about proper jetting..if you can't spare time for proper jetting and experimentation, don't go for it..
3)If the window on the disc brake oil box appears brownish, the oil's good..when the oil level starts to fall, it starts appearing whitish..
4)Regarding engine shutdown, change the key lock..it's become faulty..
5) Hard riding, change oil at 1500kms..normal riding 2500kms..Some people might not agree,but whatever the oil may be(synthetic or mineral) change it at above mentioned intervals..

happy riding

thanks bro.. so summing it up..

1) i must tighten the screw
2) change key lock..

actually i think that the key lock thing.. the honda service center guys did it wantedly.. it was fine before i gave it for servicing.. but those fellas did it on purpose i think.. thanks bro.. any idea how much would it cost if i changed the lock?? can a normal mechanic do it??

ajay_vishvanathan · 10-16-2010, 11:47 PM

@ DJ_666 sorry bro.. i didnt see the solutions in red..

ajay_vishvanathan · 10-17-2010, 12:03 AM

regarding the wobble..

i changed the oil seal (of the front shocks ofcourse..) and topped the oil..
the bike is smooth now.. wobbles reduced..
but i have a feeling.. that road conditions might effect that..
i leave the handle.. it goes to the left or right.. now its going straight more.. its reduced by atleast 90%
i take into consideration that bad road conditions and sitting posture is effecting it.. any comments on that ppl?

some more doubts..

-my disc brake is new.. the pads are about 1-2 months old.. the brake plate is hardly 1 week.. but i dont find the brakes much effective..
is it due to the flow of brake fluid in the box attached to the disc plate.. if yes.. how do i check it?? can a local mech do it??
or is it that the parts are new.. takes time to get working.. u know just like a arranged marriage where couples take more time to get along.. :P

SriramEfunds · 10-23-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay_vishvanathan

-my disc brake is new.. the pads are about 1-2 months old.. the brake plate is hardly 1 week.. but i dont find the brakes much effective..
is it due to the flow of brake fluid in the box attached to the disc plate.. if yes.. how do i check it?? can a local mech do it??

Usually, while replacing with the new pads, we abrade a bit so that the braking becomes effective. Try doing it and see the result, if not already done.

srpsinu · 10-24-2010, 12:11 PM

Regarding wobble issue pl check if the rear swingarm has sideways (left & right) play.
check the tightness of swinarm centre bolt & replace swingarm collar + needle bearing if necessary.

ajay_vishvanathan · 10-24-2010, 01:19 PM

sorry.. whats a swingarm??

10-14-2010, 03:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
ajay_vishvanathan UniBiker.. Join Date: May 2010 Location: The Pearl City.. Posts: 58	Suggestions for my Unicorn.. Hi everyone.. First i thank this website for helping me choose a bike.. im happy with the bike.. its the good old honda unicorn (2005) yeap dont be amazed.. i bought it in a second hand market ^_^ i got some issues with it.. please help me in that regard.. 1) i feel wobbly sometimes when i drive.. like its sawing from left to right.. just like its drunk.. solutions that didnt work :- -changed the front tyre.. -checked the tyre pressure regularly.. -wheel-throw both the wheels.. -some time back i changed some ring like thing just below the handle.. that ring-like thing got ball-bearings in it.. -gave my bike for servicing.. thats when the problem started.. after i gave my bike at a honda showroom.. MANY problems started to appear.. and this is one of them.. please give me a solution for that.. 2) I read in many places that K&N filters are good.. -shall i change them or shall i keep the company stock one.. -if the advice is to changing it.. what would be approx. cost involved in it.. -which model would do good..?? 3) Since my unicorn's got a mono-suspension.. -can i increase the seat height i.e. elevate the seat little higher.. 4) i changed the front disc plate yesterday.. but i dont know whether the disc oil is available in the box or not.. its simply impossible to check it.. btw the disc is not really effective.. i mean not like other discs where slight touch can put the brakes.. i agree its effective.. but not that effective.. but comparatively ok.. 5) how frequently should i change the engine oil?? please enlighten me in that regard.. 6) any other maintenance tip.. 7) how to make sure the electrical s work cool?? the key turns the engine off at a slight jerk.. and i almost fall off with the engine shut down suddenly.. luckily i have clutch handy.. prevents the tyres from stopping suddenly resulting in sudden brakes.. i also do many things like giving it a choke start and warming up the engine and all that stuffs.. anything else?? please let me know.. __________________ The Babe is Mine.. She's UniBabe.. Thats Me Here On Facebook..

10-14-2010, 09:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aryan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Delhi/ Shillong Posts: 18,274	Query Approved. __________________ ...in search of that perfect world - My Travel Blog :)

10-16-2010, 11:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
shubhanker pOwEr HuNgRy ToUrEr Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indrapuram, Ghaziabad Posts: 193	1)The steering screw needs to be tightened, 2 min job..any local mech can do it.. 2) K&n is no joke..if you know somebody nearby who has got it on the unicorn, take his advice or start reading about proper jetting..if you can't spare time for proper jetting and experimentation, don't go for it.. 3)If the window on the disc brake oil box appears brownish, the oil's good..when the oil level starts to fall, it starts appearing whitish.. 4)Regarding engine shutdown, change the key lock..it's become faulty.. 5) Hard riding, change oil at 1500kms..normal riding 2500kms..Some people might not agree,but whatever the oil may be(synthetic or mineral) change it at above mentioned intervals.. happy riding __________________ If U haven't Seen GOD, U haven't gone fast enough

10-16-2010, 11:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
ajay_vishvanathan UniBiker.. Join Date: May 2010 Location: The Pearl City.. Posts: 58	@ DJ_666 sorry bro.. i didnt see the solutions in red.. __________________ The Babe is Mine.. She's UniBabe.. Thats Me Here On Facebook..

10-17-2010, 12:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
ajay_vishvanathan UniBiker.. Join Date: May 2010 Location: The Pearl City.. Posts: 58	regarding the wobble.. i changed the oil seal (of the front shocks ofcourse..) and topped the oil.. the bike is smooth now.. wobbles reduced.. but i have a feeling.. that road conditions might effect that.. i leave the handle.. it goes to the left or right.. now its going straight more.. its reduced by atleast 90% i take into consideration that bad road conditions and sitting posture is effecting it.. any comments on that ppl? some more doubts.. -my disc brake is new.. the pads are about 1-2 months old.. the brake plate is hardly 1 week.. but i dont find the brakes much effective.. is it due to the flow of brake fluid in the box attached to the disc plate.. if yes.. how do i check it?? can a local mech do it?? or is it that the parts are new.. takes time to get working.. u know just like a arranged marriage where couples take more time to get along.. :P __________________ The Babe is Mine.. She's UniBabe.. Thats Me Here On Facebook.. Last edited by ajay_vishvanathan; 10-17-2010 at 08:47 AM. Reason: some more problems i face..

10-24-2010, 12:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
srpsinu Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bhubaneswar Posts: 57	Regarding wobble issue pl check if the rear swingarm has sideways (left & right) play. check the tightness of swinarm centre bolt & replace swingarm collar + needle bearing if necessary.

10-24-2010, 01:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
ajay_vishvanathan UniBiker.. Join Date: May 2010 Location: The Pearl City.. Posts: 58	sorry.. whats a swingarm?? __________________ The Babe is Mine.. She's UniBabe.. Thats Me Here On Facebook..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Doubts regarding Unicorn and a good Service Centre For Unicorn in Bangalore	nj_gamer	Help Me!	6	08-18-2010 08:27 PM
[What Bike]: i'm to buy my first bike, need suggestions	sauravalwaysurs	What Bike?	31	03-20-2010 09:44 PM
[What Bike]: i'm to buy my first bike, need suggestions	sauravalwaysurs	What Bike?	4	03-01-2010 06:19 PM
Need suggestions for my ZMA	yatishankar	Help Me!	3	12-12-2009 05:48 PM
Looking for suggestions and company	fasterthanthefastest	The Tourer	6	03-26-2009 09:15 PM

Register Now for FREE!
Are you registered on xBhp yet? If not, do so now and start participating to be able to share photos and experiences with other members. It will also enable to you have a chance to be a part of xBhp contests and roadtrips in the future! Username: Password: Confirm Password: E-Mail: Confirm E-Mail: Birthday: Image Verification I agree to forum rules