I recently bought an '02 LeMans. The bike has 13K miles and was well maintained. The previous owner removed the steel wool from the cans, but is otherwise stock. The bike is wonderfully smooth and rides like it's on rails. However, there are two issues where I would benefit from those more experienced with the brand:
1. The bike has a very severe kick between 3600 and ~4000 RPM. Not above and not below This can really suprise if you roll through this range in a turn. Other threads on this forum seem to reference the issue, but I didn't realize how severe. Staying above this RPM isn't difficult, but it seems a waste. The bike pulls like a truck from 3 grand and is otherwise very smooth. Can I presume this is typical behavior and enter the ongoing debate about PC III fixes/Stucci X-overs and the like? Any thoughts on how I could confirm this is typical behavior? I'd really planned to just ride this summer and play with mechanicals/dump money into it over winter...
2. The bike very occassionally dies unexpectedly as I come completely off the throttle to a stop. Say less than one in ten times. I quickly learned to be careful restarting by letting the clutch out fom a roll as the engine torque can lock the rear. Anyway, the bike restartsreadily and seems to idle fine. Staying on the throttle a little is an easy enough fix, but why tolerate this?
My general question is whether these "complaints" are just part of the MG charm and provide the motivation for off-season wrenching, or is there something going on here I should pursue with a local shop? Thanks...
