Gilera at the clinic

Gilera at the clinic

My Gilera has been feeling sick lately, suffering from multiple diseases. He got the Parkisons as well as the ‘Fart’inities.

The symptoms for the ‘Fart’inities is: a series of pops when the bike decelerates, similar to the sound of those noisy mat rempits when they try out the backfire. For me, I’m impressed that my bike can do that automatically. Hopefully I don’t offend or accidently challenge any bikers on the road with my ‘Fart’inities. Hee..

On the other hand, the Parkisons had caused my bike to shake tremendously with some metallic parts clanging. Only god knows at which part of my bike was it shaking. I though it was not serious. Maybe it was some loose parts of the bike. Previously, when I bought over the bike, the individual numbers on the number plate (which used to be metal characters screwed into the plate) used to vibrate causing the similar metallic clanging sound. I solved it by changing the characters from the metallic type to the sticker type.

At the bike shop, after changing the engine oil (which is long due by about 3 months!! Yikes!!) the mechanic told me that the Parkisons might be due to some loose metal parts at the belting area (similar to a bike chain). He suggested to me to allow him to ‘operate’ on the bike to better diagnose the problem. I hesitated at first as I feared it would take a long time to do the diagnosis and repair. As I was too lazy to come back to the bike ‘clinic’ for frequent check-ups, I decided to go for the operation to cure the Parkisons once and for all!

The mechanic opened the bike’s belt assembly cover. To my horror, I observed that the sponge filter that was supposed to sieve the air intake was badly damaged. Imagine having rummaged lungs. I thought that this might be the cause of the ‘fart’inities. After disassembling the screws, belting system and the clutch auto (The part where the bike chain loops at the front axle. Similar to the axle of a bicycle at the foot peddle area.), the mechanic discovered that the clutch auto was heavily worn out causing the part to be so loose that it was rubbing against the other metal parts. Sooner or later, the worn out part would give way. He said that if I had rode the bike till the part failed, it might cause the belt to tangle with the rotor parts causing the bike to skid. Sounds fatal and guess it was not B.S. Shucks..

After the change, the bike was cured of the Parkisons. Was I glad. Now I can corner my bike like mad.. (Kidding..) However, the ‘fart’inities was still there even though the mechanic and I ‘concurred’ that the damaged filter caused the ‘fart’inities. Nevertheless, I’m very happy that at least one of the recurring Parkisons disease is cured.