2009 - 2010 Winter Maintenance Thread

[BizJetGuy]

Haven't got them back yet, but I can always put the plate and mirrors back on the 929....

What's your ETA on the forks? I've still got a little work to do in the shed and it looks like rain for the better part of the week. I feel like I can have this be-otch sewn up by Friday.

[Baketech]

Dunno yet...right now OhlinsUSA is awash with button-pushing youngsters that don't know how to work on vintage iron, so the job needs to be done by "Thermosman" himself. Apparently he is tied up right now with some sort of racing thing in Florida...or something. He'll get to them when he returns...

If the weekend forecast (and duty roster) are looking favorable, I'll light a warming fire in the boiler of the backup bike...keep me posted

Edit:
Just got a call saying the forks were done, and going out today. Apparently they consulted some other crusty old dude, name of Petersson or something like that...

Anyway, the stuff is on the way...

[CBR929RE]

Dunno yet...right now OhlinsUSA is awash with button-pushing youngsters that don't know how to work on vintage iron, so the job needs to be done by "Thermosman" himself. Apparently he is tied up right now with some sort of racing thing in Florida...or something. He'll get to them when he returns...

If the weekend forecast (and duty roster) are looking favorable, I'll light a warming fire in the boiler of the backup bike...keep me posted

Edit:
Just got a call saying the forks were done, and going out today. Apparently they consulted some other crusty old dude, name of Petersson or something like that...

Anyway, the stuff is on the way...

you sure you can handle these forks now with all the names dropped in them?

[Baketech]

Meh, I can't ride for chit anyways...I'm only upgradin' for the resale kick...

[Hammer]

Meh, I can't ride for chit anyways...I'm only upgradin' for the resale kick...

And posing at Starbucks.

[BizJetGuy]

Fuseblock, switches and heated grips complete. As a bonus, I managed not to fry any wiring or fuses in the process.

Just the simple stuff, now: Plugs, air filter and oil change. Chain scrub and wax, general cleaning and she should be roadworthy. I think I'll be wrapped up by the weekend (just in time for plenty of rain). The 70* day was quite the motivator. It was also nice to work out in the garage with the door open this evening. Yep, I got spring fever.

[Baketech]

Now it looks like it will piss down rain all weekend...

[rodm850g]

Guys,
I've loaded them into a wheel barrow, Got the VFR up on the lift figured it best to start by taking the thing apart and cleaning and greasing what needed it. Plan was to change coolant get some new tires on ,and grips and a cruise control.I hope who ever installed the old heated grips gets a case of the runs for about a month...they used JB Weld or some poxy product to hold them on.....I managed to save the throttle tube thankfullyso on my check off sheet grips are on and half way through the cruise control. I managed to dump the coolant and have new fresh non-silicate formulae to replace it with. I'll use filtered water for the mix. I've got a call in to my VFR friedn who has owned every model at least one of for some guidance on plug replacement ....got 4 new ones on the shelf. The thing looks funny on the lift with its clothes off.....Oh I did find the P.O. was smart enough to install a K&N to my suprise.....I'll post up pics as its normal to document triumphs as well as failures ....heres hoping for a sucssesful operation
Rod

[slickwill]

My winter maintenance took a huge step backwards today. I can't believe that I'm even going to admit this one, but since I've already been on the phone with the expert I guess I'd better. Those beautiful gear driven cams...I broke one of them today. Snapped it right in half. The replacement is already on the way but wow, this sucks. I was waiting on one last shim to arrive so that I could finish my valve job, it came in today and Jr was taking his afternoon nap so I headed to the garage. I had already done 3 of the 4 cam shafts with no issues, was working on the fourth. Something just didn't feel right to me but I kept looking over and over and visually it appeared that everything was alright. The cam shaft is held in with 8 bolts and you gradually torque down each one of them in sequence. I was just going along gradually adding about a half a turn to each bolt when I heard a big snap. I wasn't sure what had happened but knew it was bad. I immediately started taking everthing apart still not finding anything wrong. I got the shaft out and it came in one piece so still didn't immediately notice the issue. I searched all through the head and couldn't see anything wrong so went back to the shaft and found the crack. I applied the slightest pressure and it came apart in hands. I didn't swear or throw anything at the Seamus tool target but I did almost cry.

I went in broke the news to MrsSlick and then did a phone a friend to see if he had any ideas about what had gone wrong. It turns out that the backlash gear that pre-loads the cam shaft didn't seat down in correctly to mesh with the drive gear. It was holding things just a bit out of alignment. At least I know what not to do. Unfortunately my replacement probably won't show up before I have to leave for Idaho so now things are going to have to sit as is for the next six weeks. Hopefully I can get it sorted quickly when I get home so that everything is ready for the spring stimulus ride.

[seamus]

As I read the "heard a big snap", I mentally threw all kinds of stuff at the Tool Target and confirmed my place in hell with a mental barrage of foul language not seen this side of a truck driving sailor

Then I read your last sentence.

[BizJetGuy]

Must have been something in the air.

I had a proper cock-up tonight, myself. I kinked the braided fuel line while investigating a minor fuel leak after putting the tank/airbox/etc. back on. Off to order the fuel line and crush washer. Amazingly, I flung nothing at the seamus tool target.

[CBR929RE]

As I read the "heard a big snap", I mentally threw all kinds of stuff at the Tool Target and confirmed my place in hell with a mental barrage of foul language not seen this side of a truck driving sailor

Then I read your last sentence.

I woulda picked the whole bike up............ and and then put it back down realizing I had better throw something smaller and less expensive.

[Shenders1]

Where might I purchase a Tool Target? I'd get quite a bit of use out of it.

[BizJetGuy]

Where might I purchase a Tool Target? I'd get quite a bit of use out of it.

Amazingly simple. However, I recommend use of two blankets: one hung at least 12 inches from a wall and a second on the floor to contain unintended noise from any tool flung at the first blanket as it falls to the ground. I suggest a moving blanket for thickness and durability (I also own a british car so my tool target is subject to a higher rate of use).

This is the highest tier service I've done on the Ape to date. Maybe it's the cold garage, winter doldrums, sporadic working opportunities due to travel and family obligations or just the current cold, rainy weather stemming my enthusiasm and motivation but I've had the irrational thought of *gasp* trading it in for something else. Nothing's been easy on this service and the little things are starting to really annoy me - like the three separate locations that have to be accessed to drain oil for a routine change (the sump, the engine drain and the filter), the tribal knowledge that one must have to know to angle the tank to the right, not the left to avoid kinking the braided fuel line. That was a $120 mistake. I'm sure my mood will change once the weather shifts and I get this thing off of the centerstand but right now, I have a wandering eye. And if an estute dealer smells blood in the water, I'm afraid a good deal (read: trade-in value) might make me switch camps.

I'm not there yet, though.

[slickwill]

My new camshaft showed up today. World record shipping time for the USPS. I clicked "buy" on eBay around 7pm Friday night. It shipped sometime Saturday, showed up today. I've got it bolted in. I just have to torque it down and start the reassembly process.

[Baketech]

Where might I purchase a Tool Target? I'd get quite a bit of use out of it.

I prefer the "Frustration Box" myself. Easier to keep in the toolbox...goes where I go...

Maybe it's the cold garage, winter doldrums, sporadic working opportunities due to travel and family obligations or just the current cold, rainy weather stemming my enthusiasm and motivation but I've had the irrational thought of *gasp* trading it in for something else.

Get ahold of yourself man...if you trade that bike, we'll likely disown you...

You just need a ride that's all...

[BizJetGuy]

Get ahold of yourself man...if you trade that bike, we'll likely disown you...

You just need a ride that's all...

You know me - I couldn't trade it in for something "normal"...

I did need to be grasped by the shoulders and shaken a little. Thanks, mang

[Baketech]

Did you see the weekend forecast? How about a short ride this weekend....

[BizJetGuy]

Did you see the weekend forecast? How about a short ride this weekend....

I doubt my fuel line will be here by then

I'll have to let you know but my magic 8-ball says "doubtful"

[ND4SPD]

You know me - I couldn't trade it in for something "normal"...

I did need to be grasped by the shoulders and shaken a little. Thanks, mang

I wouldn't disown you if you traded it for an RSV4.

[BizJetGuy]

Confession. I sat on a V-Strom today.









and I liked it.

[Baketech]

Burn him...

[luvtolean]

As I read the "heard a big snap", I mentally threw all kinds of stuff at the Tool Target and confirmed my place in hell with a mental barrage of foul language not seen this side of a truck driving sailor

Rinse and repeat will...

[HondaGalToo]

I'm getting there with minor projects compared to you guys! The 929 needs nothing this year...except to be ridden more! The VFR got a service at the dealer a few months back...including rebuilding all brake calipers, something I wasn't willing to learn on the linked brake system. I just need to install the new tires on the Viffer soon...gonna spoon on a set of Dunlop Qualifiers that I got at no cost for doing 15 NESBA days during the 2008 season.

The gixxer got the suspension done a few months ago by GMD computrack. Penske double-clicker and 20mm fork kit. I purchased new sprockets and a chain. I put the sprockets on last weekend. Tonight, friends with the chain breaker/rivet tool are coming over to help me put the chain on. Then it'll need the antifreeze swapped for water + Water Wetter, brake fluid flushed, and new tires.

It's getting there! It's been getting warm here and the flood waters are receeding...almost time to ride!

[Baketech]

Confession. I sat on a V-Strom today.

and I liked it.

Have a go on a 2010 Multi, and it will cure you of that troubling illness...

[BizJetGuy]

Have a go on a 2010 Multi, and it will cure you of that troubling illness...

Except for that pesky finance issue.

You got those forks back on? I'm going to try and wrap things up tonight. Been stuck on the road for the past two weeks and tired of seeing the damn thing in pieces so there's motivation there. Saturday looks good weather-wise but I believe I'll be spending it at the zoo with the spawn. Sunday looks to be shaping up as a rainout but I'm tempted to say "ef-it" and shake her down.

[Baketech]

No go for me this weekend...maybe next?

Spent the week installing a new SCS*, so the bike is still in pieces...



*Savage Containment System....aka backyard fencing.

[BizJetGuy]

No go for me this weekend...maybe next?

Spent the week installing a new SCS*, so the bike is still in pieces...



*Savage Containment System....aka backyard fencing.

Probably not - my dance card is full with Easter. Easter egg hunts, church, etc.

We suck.

[Baketech]

Ergh...hadn't looked at the calendar...

[BizJetGuy]

Fuel line replaced, oil and filter changed, new air filter installed and general clean up of gunk at front sprocket - it's like a rubic's cube to get in there and I don't think it's ever been accessed to get rid of all the chain wax/lube build up over the years.

Just need to continue clean up and put all the tupperware back on this evening and we'll be ready to ride... just in time for the rain tomorrow