*RAW FACTS ABOU YAMAHA
LIBERO G5*
(After my first 500 km on G5 Libero)
First I would like to convey some important information to
the new owners/buyers of the g5 Libero; I learned all of
this the hard-way!! Now I will try to make your life somewhat easier!!
Carburetor setting
of the g5 is set at very lean-tuned
from factory, to provide you with HIGHER mileage. However, the fact is that the carburetor is
simply too lean-tuned (air-screw) from factory, which will irritate you…. HOW?
You won’t be able to **start
or ride** the bike without full choke ON.
Now, it will take you full 15-20 minutes of riding with choke-ON to warm up the
engine enough so that you can finally ride with choke –OFF.
*SO, WHAT HAPPENS IF
YOU RIDE WITH CHOKE ON?*
Answer is nothing but increased fuel consumption. A common
misconception is that riding with choke ON will flood- the cylinder thus
spark-plug with engine OIL. Wrong… trust me.
*What dose Choke-Valve
ACTUALLY do?*
When the
engine is cold, fuel vaporizes less readily and tends to condense on the walls
of the intake manifold, starving the cylinders of fuel and making the engine
difficult to start; thus, a richer mixture (more fuel to air) is
required to start and run the engine until it warms up. A richer mixture is
also easier to ignite.
To provide
the extra fuel, a choke is typically used; this is a device that
restricts the flow of air at the entrance to the carburetor by closing the
venturi.
Now, Choke-valve in Libero g5, cuts air supply to the engine
by closing the venturi of the carburetor. This act increases the proportionate
fuel supply thus fuel consumption.
What is Venturi?
a open ended drum through which the cylinder sucks in air
(which comes through air filter) and air-fuel mix ( which comes from main jet
of the carburetor).
What is air screw?
Air screw is the screw which controls the proportion of
air-fuel mix provided by the carburetor. In Libero g5, (normally in all
carburetors) turning the air screw clock-wise decreases the amount of air
supplied and vise versa.
*So what can I do to
solve this?*
Take you bike to Yamaha service center and ask them to make
the air-fuel mixture richer by adjusting the air-screw. **HOWEVER IF U REALLY
WANT TO/ HAVE TO DO IT AT HOME; *
Ø
turn the air-screw to full thigh (clock-wise)
Ø
then turn the air-screw 1.5 turns (anti
clock-wise)
This should solve the problem mentioned above. Now you will
need choke to Start the bike and ride for ½ (full choke) to 1 km (half choke) to
warm-up the engine. HOWEVER, it must be mentioned that this act WILL reduce you
fuel-efficiently/ mileage.
If you feel that you are getting too poor mileage the turn
the air screw .25 more anti-clock wise (**1.75
from full tight**)
*WHERE IS THE AIR
SCREW LOCATED IN YAMAHA LIBERO G5 ?*
Ø
To the right side of you bike (kick-starter
side)
Ø
Look carefully at the carburetor (back of the
cylinder); it’s a small screw, facing you.(the
screw is not star shaped)
Ø
The screw is located above the float chamber.
If you cant find the screw ask someone, carburetors are very
sensitive. Do not just turn any screw based on guess!!!
Clutch and Drive chain: most of the time,
clutch-free play and drive-chain tightness is not properly adjusted in Yamaha
g5. follow the manual, procedure of adjusting them is given there. However, I
recommend you to take help of Yamaha service center or any good mechanic to do
this job.
If you are still with me (!!!), then let me talk about some
pros-cons of YAMAHA LIBERO G5,
Pros,
Ø
Undoubtedly it’s the best looking bike in 100cc
segment. (Though I hate the 2007 version with body graphics and alloy wheels).
Actually the bike is better looking than many 125-150 cc bikes!! If not
absolutely necessary, I urge u to REMOVE the sharee guard. This sharee guard
kill the looks !!
Ø Excellent breaking and initial pickup (when the
engine is hot enough or when the choke is ON during first 1km)
Ø
Powerful head light (also looks very sexy). Tail
and indicators are good too.
Ø
Comfortable to ride, good suspension and seat.
Ø
Excellent ground clearance. 165mm
Ø
Raised suspension and carburetor (really helps
during rainy season!!)
Ø
18’’ wheel enhances the looks and manages
pot-holes/off-road better (unlike most Bajaj bikes which have 17’’ wheels)
Cons,
Ø
Initial starting and running. It takes time to
understand the exact timing to turn the choke lever OFF. Too early- u stall the
bike. You must kick start again!! Too late – increased fuel
consumption/overheating and stalling the engine. (if the bike didn’t have this
problem, then it would get 110 out of 100 !!)
Ø
The bike really lacks a 5th gear. If
you ride above 60kmph, you will began to feel the need. I mean it. Probably
with a 5th gear the bike could have reached much higher speeds.
Ø
The bike lacks power/torque from 2nd
gear. You can’t start going easily from 2nd gear. If you want to do
it, you will really need to rave the engine hard!! However, once running, this
is not a problem.
Ø
Trade-off between mileage and choke problem is
too high.
Ø
Drive chain often slams against the chain-cover.
Even after tightening it from the Yamaha service center.
I do not consider the following as *problems as they were known to me before I bought this 106 cc, reasonably priced bike,
>not having a self starter
>not going above 87-90 kmph
>not having disc break
>not being really powerful and really responsive to acceleration
>not great for highways
Thank you for being with me,
Sami
Dhaka, Bangladesh
samihasib@yahoo.com