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Gliera DNA 125 newbie questions

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 5:07 am
by Enzymus
I'm a completely new motorcyclist, so I figured I'm gonna drop my bike day in day out anyway, why not buy one that's already roughed up and save myself some money?

So I did. The only problem is it was delivered by a guy who doesn't know about bikes so I learned very little about this bike.

1) Is the DNA 125 supposed to be 4-stroke where the DNA 50 is 2-stroke? It's confusing.
2) Whereabouts is the oil tank? I think it's out of oil (the indicator meter on the left is empy, one on the right is half full).
3) What oil should I get?
4) It's not starting. The delivery guy says it doesn't start when it's cold. So I need to warm it up first. Does switching it and leaving it on accomplish that?

As soon as I can start this bike, I'll take it to get checked.
Thanks in advance.

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:39 am
by TechTMW
Very nice little scoot there.

1) the 50cc is a 2-stroke for power reasons. (2-strokes make more power than 4-strokes) Unfortunately, 2-strokes are being discontinued for emissions purposes (They are dirty) So, most small bike manufacturers are switching to four strokes, like your 125.

2) this bike has no "oil tank" per se. It is a "wet sump" engine which means that the oil is stored inside the engine. I believe the indicators you are referring to are on the digital readout (?) If so, one indicates fuel level and the other (Presumably the 'empty' one) indicates water temperature as the bike is water cooled.) This is normal, unless I misunderstand your description

3) You should get oil specifically for that bike from the piaggio/gilera dealer. This bike features a CVT transmission (the workings of which I am not familiar.) If you have the Owner's manual, it should detail the type and specification of oil the bike takes, which may be available at an outlet other than the dealer's.

4) I'm not understanding your starting problem.... does the bike not turn over ?

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:22 am
by Enzymus
1) I got hold of a copy of the service and repair manual which confirms what you said. But I'm still confused about something - DNA 50 uses regular unleaded but last time I tried a 2-stroke bike (a sports replica of some sort) the guy says it uses mixed petrol (and some funny oil) so I assumed that's what all 2-stroke uses?

2) Yes, I think both you and my seller are right. I just cooked up this oil check thing because training taught me that's what I do before I ride. I guess it's not necessary with this bike.

4) I'm not grasping what you mean by "turn over" (English is my second language). I more or less just don't know how to start the bike. (I learned on a Suzuki GN 125, easier and very different)

Thanks again.

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:24 am
by Nibblet99
1) it takes unleaded petrol, with a dash of 2-stroke oil poured in the tank

2)Oil is checked by holding the bike upright, and looking through a little glass window near the bottom of the engine (normally on the right) their should be two marks next to the window to show the maximum and minimum levels

4)there's probably a black choke lever to pull out on the left side near the top of the engine, which will give it a little more fuel to get the bike started. after 2-3 minutes, you should push it back in

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:42 am
by Enzymus
Those sound exactly like what I was shown and forgot. I will give them a try.

5) Now, for a mildly dodgy scenario:
I put my bike in the garage. It's shut well. After about a week, there was defintely nothing usual about it, but like I said, I then went in and switched on the electric on the bike to try to start the engine (my maintenance manual says I'm not supposed to start the engine in a garage, I know now, anyway, it's probably irrelevant). And I had no success. The garage was shut well again.

About 3 days after THAT, I went back in and there's a mild smell of petrol in the garage. Could it be anything worrying like a leak?

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:54 am
by Nibblet99
5) theres probably a fuel tap on the left side of the bike, which normally should be set to OFF, when you park the bike. Sounds like you left it to either ON or RES. It's not a critical mistake so don't worry too much.

I wouldn't recommend smoking in the garage till the smell has faded

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:59 am
by Aggroton
check your plugs...battery?

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:29 am
by Enzymus
Hmmm the lights and display come on alright so the plugs should be alright?
BTW, I don't have the owners manual. I bought a service and repair manual though. I even found stuff like oil check and coolant check, but I can't find the bit that tells me where the choke is - it's not a street term for another name in the manual, is it?

Thanks again.

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:38 am
by TechTMW
Could be "Fast Idle Valve or Lever"
or "Starting enrichener lever"
or "Cold start"
...