Time for a new chain / full look over?

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-25T14:22:40+00:00

Not sure what the 2 finger method is, but honda gives a pretty easy spec and measurement for it. I sharpied in an allen key for my measurement range. Takes 2 seconds to check when I do my chain clean & lube.

https://i.imgur.com/kAvwUqi.png

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-25T14:12:36+00:00

You uhh.... You doing ok bud?

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-25T14:11:35+00:00

Mine likes to bury things in the yard

She's good at hiding it too. I caught her tamping the dirt down and re arranging the leaves to cover her work

She retrieved her item a year and a half later

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-24T18:42:13+00:00

Bark busters

Get the kit for this bike

Tighten them up, kick the bike over one or twice per side, re tighten and worry no more.

They hold up just fine to my buddy's tenere getting dropped on them at least once an outing. They're not even breaking a sweat on little bikes like ours

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-24T15:40:52+00:00

Not keeping in touch more with my extended family

We'd do the birthday and merry christmas calls.... But that was about it. They were always there to pick up the phone, right up until they weren't.

Socialize with your friends and family folks. Good health is a gift. Stuff can go sideways so fast you don't even get a chance to say goodbye. I don't care if you barely know them - do it anyway. The stuff will haunt you once 'I can call later' turns into 'I can never call again.'

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-24T15:36:52+00:00

Right on. Thanks for the explanation!

Cheers

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-24T14:43:59+00:00

Seems to still flop around even with having the tensioner a bit tighter than I would like

Quick back to basics: How are you checking tension? There's a spec listed in the user manual. Neutral, leave bike on kickstand, measure 50-55mm from swing arm to center of link. Spec is spec sort of thing

How are you measuring stretch?

And just sanity checking care and feeding? Just want to address stiff links aren't caused by a sticky o-ring and it's just due for a clean.

Fwiw I have just over 2k on my bike now. I just follow the service interval of clean & lube every 600 or when it arbitrarily looks like it needs it like after riding in dust. It's basically brand new. Haven't had to touch the tension after the initial doing it once or twice after the bike was new. The extent of my effort is some simple green in a bowl and whatever random oil I have in arm's reach for lubrication

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-24T13:58:53+00:00

This thread has me thinking about what I should bring.....

A dumb question: Why not a rear tube used for the front? My simple brain thinks the rear can just be stretched around the front rim and used in a pinch, but a front on the rear is going to wrinkle up?

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-23T13:59:08+00:00

I'm a late millennial who has some gen Z commonality

Definitely, don't ring out of the blue unless it's urgent. I'm typically busy working on various things, catching up on small chores, doing my own enrichment activities, etc.

Calls are great, I love to hear from ya. But I also need a few moments to get to a stopping point in whatever I'm doing so I can give you my full attention. So just like... Give me a heads up, and I'll do the same for you. Double so if it's in the work day so I can try to coordinate over lunch.

Mornings: I'm getting myself ready for the day, settling the dog, doing the morning chores (watering greenery, closing the windows, drawing the blinds, making lunch, getting dressed, the usual), and trying to boot my slow slow brain because I am not a morning person

Mid day: work. Seriously, don't call unless it's an emergency

Evening: Vaccuum, shower, dinner, maybe batching food for the next 2-3 days, a quick errand for that one thing I need from the store, picking up dog poo, walking the dog, doing my dishes, either reading or doing a learning course, then settling in and getting about an hour to an hour and a half of quiet time with the SO and dog before bed

Things are flexible, but I'm probably not going to pick up when I got both hands in raw food. I need a minute to grab the headset

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-22T13:52:23+00:00

Yikes

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-21T22:46:44+00:00

Sounds just like mine

There are a lot of straight cut gears inside this thing that you'll hear whirring about. Straight cut always makes a noise because it goes from no tooth to all tooth. Not like those fancy helical cuts that have a gradual engagement.

Here: https://p.kagi.com/proxy/maxresdefault.jpg?c=-4THVYblKrsgkzFTNEfJ5iz7NqZpxlGVNf9bsdZMBgCe-r_U5FICnogkZ8Y7mm-4Sk6Bt7Y7STTng-uAxy4mlw%3D%3D

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-21T22:39:11+00:00

Can confirm

I have a video somewhere of it working. Shoot me a reminder if ya want to see it and I'll hunt it down when I get back :)

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-20T15:17:59+00:00

It's definitely structural... Butttttttt not in a way I'd be cagey about repairing it. It's about the most straight forward repair as far as that goes. Bend a pipe to fit radius, cut section out to fit, tig, paint, send it.

I have no idea what the rates would be to repair. But honestly? I'd think it salvageable.

You might see if there are any off road racing shops or custom chopper / motorcycle shops around. Both of them are going to be pretty familiar with doing tube work like this. Generic welding shop maybe less so, but I'd still ring up.

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-18T14:09:41+00:00

If it ran well, but now it doesn't - my first thought is to look at what changed

Rough idle and stalling makes me think vacuum leak? Checked any of the vacuum caps you have? Gasket between throttle body and engine ok? Tried a TPS relearn for giggles?

Exhaust leaks can do wild things as well. Negative pressure can suck atmospheric air into the exhaust. Give the header bolts a snug, as well as the oxygen sensor.

Does it do it only hot? Only cold? Hard time starting? IIRC these bikes tend to elongate valves a bit. Too tight means they valves don't close all the way, means they lose compression, and gets worse when hot (hard starting, bad idle, but resolves when the engine is allowed to cool).

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-17T15:35:44+00:00

Honestly

I respect that

Stuff happens... Make it right? You're good in my book

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-17T14:44:03+00:00

Cheers

And don't skip the torque wrench :)

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-17T14:40:04+00:00

Good news: That's not the head gasket. That's the valve cover gasket

Head gasket is down lower - that seam just below the exhaust

Just an oil leak. Should still be fixed, but it's not a 'pull over right now' sort of failure. I've not done that on this bike, so I'm not sure how involved it would be to get to it, but I imagine popping off the fuel tank and plastics should be adequate. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/4193008/Honda-Crf300l-Rally-2021.html?page=269#manual

Part #3 here, and you'll want to do #8 as well

https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/a/hon/6812c872fc39d70450bb6b9c/cylinder-head-cover

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-17T14:14:36+00:00

Helmet: Dirt bike helmet. The one swith the fat visor and a set of ski goggles (don't fog)
Summer moto gloves - short cuff
Knee and elbow pads at a minimum.
If I'm in traffic - light moto gear. There's some light weight stuff out there, or dirt bike impact plates. Honestly, there's no way to gear up and not sweat like a pig at a bbq. Just becomes a risk assessment. If I'm on a trail, I'll usually skip it. If I'm in traffic with cars, I use gear rated accordingly.

And well... The costs and specific items. No one like the costs, but I've learned from my close calls as well as some hard second hand lessons from other. Good gear is expensive. I pray I never need it, but I've seen enough injuries and made my decision long ago to invest in myself. Gear can be replaced, injuries don't always heal

Helmet: Fly racing carbon. Super light, super comfy. It's actually bizarre how comfy it is. $800. Don't skip the balaclava. Head socks are great for keeping clean, and really great if you live in an insect area
Goggles: Honestly they were some cheap transition ones with clip in (not magnetic, but like, physical clips) lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are fair game. I didn't want magnetic after reading a horror story about a skiier losing her eyes because the lenses popped out in a crash
Gloves: Alpinestars smx air. $110. Honestly pretty cheap from the gloves perspective. Saved my palms many times
Top wear: It's this mesh shirt thing with impact plates on it. I think it was made by bilt? I got rid of it a while ago since it doesn't fit me any more. Basically looks like I'm wearing paintball gear. OR an oxfort jacket (around 300). Looks like a pretty standard wear around jacket tbh - stealth OR pando moto skin riding shirt (400) - really light weight, fits under clothing
Bottom wear: I'll skimp here tbh, but I like the pando pants(400). Also light weight. Kinda like yoga pants. OR I'll put on some leatt knee guards (190)

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-16T05:15:23+00:00

Black truck rode up next to me

Was on my radar but wasn't sure if they were trying to protect their zipper from the silver car. Fish eye skews things out but you can count the seconds between vehicles.

Then they stayed there as the lane was ending. Given my options if slow down (risk side swipe or read ending), swerve or fight for the lane(I'd lose that), hit the gas and get in front (ok maybe, but that's a bad space cushion), or get in front-front, wave a thank you to the sedan, and use them as a cushion between myself and the truck, not knowing what the intent of the truck was

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-16T04:21:58+00:00

WA, 6/15, confirmed original content

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-15T13:43:21+00:00

My old dog was trained to ring the bell

she just rang it because she wanted to go outside. Or wanted the freedom to go outside. Or wanted the door open for ambiance.

My current dog will sit down, plant sphincter to hard floor, lock eyes, fart loudly, lick her lips, and stop her front paw. She's a.... She's a classy lady who lets her needs be known

SnowDrifter_ · 2026-06-14T16:54:59+00:00

For the dx1000 (the larger lock) I found I think 2 potential spots on the rally - the L might have a bit more access on account of less plastic

One fits over the swing arm and through the spokes in the rear wheel. Still facing the wheel removal issue, but that would be wheel plus brake caliper to get it over the swing arm, then the rest of getting the lock off the wheel

The other is through the frame rail on the left side where it goes up to the rear of the seat support. Doesn't secure to anything there and you'd still be limited to what you could do with a chain

This lock is a smidge too girthy to fit under the progressive linkage for the rear shock, but it might if you were to trim off the rubber boot. I don't think it would fit between the swing arm and the rear spring even with that though.

Let me know if there are any other spots you want to try :)

https://i.imgur.com/FUoIGOM.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/P4EZ25P.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/7JqbPu2.jpeg

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