ric

Just a little update on the YBR ! After a very careful running in period, the engine finally showed definite signs of loosening up at around 3,800 miles. MPG has also improved as a result. I have one 400mile round trip under my belt, probably would have been gone a bit further but I had to turn back once I reached the sea along with several 300mile jaunts. Whenever possible I'm now keeping the bike at an indicated 45mph which for me, is a very relaxing pace. It's a speed which also avoids incurring intrusive vibration, but occasionally I now throw in the odd 55mph on any really long downhill stretches. Riding at these speeds has resulted in the last tankful breaking the 400 mile barrier and returning an extremely impressive 148 imperial miles per gallon. The chain has only required adjusting once so far (its always kept moist with ATF oil) and as far as I can tell I seem to be wasting more 10w-40 through cleaning and checking the dipstick each week than the engine is actually using. My only upset is finding the rear OEM Cheng-Shin tyre worn down to the legal limit in under 3,000 miles. The replacement Michelin however is definitely wearing at a much slower pace. I'm still very impressed with this little bike, it does take a bit of mental adjustment to ride within its mechanical limits, but I've still not been tempted in ascertaining its top speed. The only downside of ownership, and I imagine this applies similarly to all lightweight bikes is the detrimental effect a heavy cross wind can have on its stability and direction when riding on exposed roads.

It's not what you got, but what you do with it that counts I've done more miles in a day on a YBR than on any other bike I've owned (the largest being an 1150) and used less petrol doing it

I bought a new YBR last November to use as a long term economical commuter, simply because I couldn't guarantee how well a second hand one would have been treated by it's first (young?) owner. I paid cash and ended up getting a good deal. The free fully comprehensive insurance was a bonus, although I don't think it would have cost much anyway, considering I have 35yrs of accident free riding. One day last week I went out for a ride around Wales and clocked up a relaxing 300 miles just checking out the countryside. Since purchase it has been averaging just over 125MPG. Having just seen a local CG125 with over 89,000 miles on the clock I have set myself a personal challenge to see what sort of mileage I can clock up on this bike. There's been very few motorcycles (apart from the BMW's I've owned) where I would replace it with an identical model if something happened to it, but oddly enough I would not hesitate to buy another YBR for commuting. I certainly don't intend to spend any money on performance enhancements,simply because the fuel consumption will suffer and I don't ride it above 50MPH. But I have already upgraded the indicators and invested in a brighter bulb for the headlight purely for safety reasons. ric

If the fuel is not leaking with the petrol tap switched on and the engine not running, but leaks with the fuel tap switched on and the engine running, than in all probability your bike has a vacuum operated fuel tap. That aside, your actual problem is most likely that one or both of the float valves are not seating correctly; either because of a sticking float holding them open, or an accumulation of unwanted deposits around the float needle tip caused by fuel evaporation over the winter, or a piece of debris preventing the tip itself from fully seating. If MMO does not work or is not locally available the carbs or if you are lucky, just the carb float bowls will have to be removed to allow inspection of the fuel valve seat which is screwed into the carb body, and the valve needle tip itself, which in all likelihood will be attached to the float mechanism. If your bike does not come with Viton tipped fuel valves as standard, they would certainly be a good long term investment to prevent or reduce this type of problem occurring in the future. ric