The "Today I did something to my bike" thread

batman_oh · 28-02-2013 12:28pm

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Cant wait to see it in the flesh....just keep leppla away from it the HOOLIGAN!!!!

It's a bad pic as was just about to hide it away after cleaning the salt and muck off! Will get better ones soon

Mr Sheen! · 28-02-2013 12:31pm

batman_oh wrote: »

It's a bad pic as was just about to hide it away after cleaning the salt and muck off! Will get better ones soon

Great machine. How does it ride compare to your last?

nerrad1983 · 28-02-2013 1:35pm

batman_oh wrote: »

It's a bad pic as was just about to hide it away after cleaning the salt and muck off! Will get better ones soon

Lovely looking bike id say you will have some fun on that during the summer

Best of luck with it mate!

batman_oh · 28-02-2013 2:05pm

leppla wrote: »

Great machine. How does it ride compare to your last?

Havent a clue yet really. Had a 320 mile run in the UK of almost all motorway through snow and baltic conditions at the weekend. The front tyre is seriously destroyed on the bike too (rock hard - no idea how he achieved it!) so it handles horribly. Can't afford the tyres until I get paid on March 20th due to VRT, travel etc!
It's a little faster, a little more comfy, has fuel injection (gift) and is a lot better looking though :pac:
Plus there's forged Marchesini wheels, Brembo monoblocs, a full akra evo system and lots of akra carbon to add to the niceness!

Tomohawk · 28-02-2013 7:26pm

Today I spent half an hour under the headset cover soldering up the wires on an halogen bulb upgrade to my LML vespa px125. Nice and bright headlight now after connecting the 4 wires. Next up next week is to get a new rear shock fitted which means dropping the petrol tank out under the seat. Also the rear hub is missing one of its 5 studs but that's an easy replacement job...Don't worry I have the side panels and toolbox for the scoot!

BlackWizard · 01-03-2013 10:29am

Yesterday I took a half day off work. Changed the oil in my forks and replaced a leaky seal. No more lurching to a stop at traffic lights

I also changed the front brake fluid.

goodlad · 04-03-2013 12:32pm

Most recently ive added some rim tape and carbon levers and tonight in painting the top yoke caus its a bit worn looking.

Im also waiting on a price to carbon wrap pretty much everything silver on the bike.

Wonda-Boy · 04-03-2013 2:22pm

goodlad wrote: »

Most recently ive added some rim tape and carbon levers and tonight in painting the top yoke caus its a bit worn looking.

Im also waiting on a price to carbon wrap pretty much everything silver on the bike.

Stick up a few pics G

goodlad · 04-03-2013 3:11pm

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Stick up a few pics G

I will do when its all done. Tbh this carbon wrap is looking a bit too expensive compared to how much i give a ****e.

Gonna suss out maybe spraying the frame, rims and forks instead.

Please Kill Me · 04-03-2013 3:58pm

OK, so it wasn't my bike, but the OH's bike I did a bit on. It's been lying up at the side of the house the last 8 months. So cleaned her up, put juice in her, lubed the chain, put air in the tyres. The battery was dead so I connected her to the car (not running of course) and fired her up. Just took her up and down the estate, I'm transferring my insurance onto her tomorrow and start to use it to get used to being on a bike again. It'll be a few months (I reckon) before my bike is back together, so for now this is my steed. (1993 Super Four) I'm a tad nervous as the last time I was on a bike was the day of my accident (6 months ago now)

Wonda-Boy · 04-03-2013 4:01pm

Still looking very clean....jaysus was it that long ago you had your off, you be back to normal in now time PKM.

Please Kill Me · 04-03-2013 6:14pm

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Still looking very clean....jaysus was it that long ago you had your off, you be back to normal in now time PKM.

Yeah, 6 months now. Thanks man.

minidazzler · 05-03-2013 3:03pm

I am right now in the middle of fixing my stuck pistons, but it started raining, I need to bleed push through another piston and have no compressed air to do it, so I have to stop work

Bastardin weather!

nerrad1983 · 05-03-2013 5:27pm

Just back from a nice spin from my place over The Gap in to Hollywood for a cuppa, then on to N81 Baltinglass, Tinahealy, Aughrim, Rathdrum over the Helter Skelter road back up to Laragh again and the Back home to Newtown

Hadnt been out on the bike in AGES

Absolute cracker of a day, sun shining all day long was a bit cold over the gap but other than that it was ideal

underwaterdog · 05-03-2013 8:23pm

Today I changed the throttle cable on my BMW F650ST without removing the tank and pretty much only using the in board tool kit. Quite impressed with myself.

Also rewired the brake light in the lock box as the previous owner had it interferring with and letting water in under the seat.

CJhaughey · 05-03-2013 8:28pm

My two new tyres arrived from Oponeo.
Took the old AM44 Distanzias off and fitted the Mitas E07's.
Putting the cush drive back together I noticed the bearing in the sprocket carrier was rough and rusty.
I couldn't get the old seal out without bending it, so I have ordered a rear wheel bearing kit from the US, two seals and three bearings.
Have to wait for that to arrive before I can refit the wheel.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 05-03-2013 9:14pm

Noticed by steering damper is pissing oil and needs replacing

(€€€)

The bike wasn't tracking correctly at lower speeds and I went through the usual tyre pressure checks, bearings etc and found nothing amiss, then went to work on the brakes (I thought one might be binding) then I noticed the damper.

I'm sick :mad:

Hotblack Desiato · 06-03-2013 12:13am

underwaterdog wrote: »

Today I changed the throttle cable on my BMW F650ST without removing the tank and pretty much only using the in board tool kit.

Toolkit tools are usually made out of really crappy alloy, better to keep them for emergencies only and get better tools for use at home.

Today I... put a new brake cable into my son's buggy. Was a right sod to fit, any clutch cable I've done on a bike was easier than this

arybvtcw0eolkf · 06-03-2013 2:57pm

Inspected and cleaned front and rear brake calipers, replaced the worn front pads with new.

nerrad1983 · 06-03-2013 4:07pm

Changed the oil and filter on the gsxr

Was the first time doing work on a bike it went ok, getting the fairings back on was a little awkward:o

Next job is to change the air filter and plugs although that looks a little bit more complicated :rolleyes:

minidazzler · 06-03-2013 4:29pm

Finally stopped raining so got the Caliper stripped and the piston cleaned nicely. Got it all back on and together just before the rain started again, so the pads aren't near the disc yet, that's a job for tomorrow.

Wonda-Boy · 07-03-2013 11:04am

nerrad1983 wrote: »

Changed the oil and filter on the gsxr

Was the first time doing work on a bike it went ok, getting the fairings back on was a little awkward:o

Next job is to change the air filter and plugs although that looks a little bit more complicated :rolleyes:

Cant wait to see the boike Darren....getting it primed and shiny for the summer. Leppla will be well pissed his bike is not the cleanest anymore :pac::pac:

KamiKazi · 07-03-2013 11:09am

Today I set up my new GoPro Hero 3 ready for Cadwell Park at the weekend :cool:

underwaterdog · 07-03-2013 12:00pm

KamiKazi wrote: »

Today I set up my new GoPro Hero 3 ready for Cadwell Park at the weekend :cool:

Looking to get one of these. Which did you get and where did you get it from? How much did it cost you?

KamiKazi · 07-03-2013 12:10pm

underwaterdog wrote: »

Looking to get one of these. Which did you get and where did you get it from? How much did it cost you?

http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/

Got the white version, with 16gb class 10 card & carry case for £232 all in

Wonda-Boy · 07-03-2013 10:45pm

underwaterdog wrote: »

Looking to get one of these. Which did you get and where did you get it from? How much did it cost you?

Check out the Drift Ghost HD also on the same site....its a cracking camera. I am looking to get either the GoPRO 3 or the Drift Ghost. I much prefer the look of the drift and the specs are equal if not better then the drift.

minidazzler · 08-03-2013 4:47pm

Took my brake calipers off Tuesday to fix the pistons which were seized. Only back on and fixed now because of the rain :pac: On the upside I learned a LOT about brakes in the last few days and how they work.

Yay for knowledge.

johnk123 · 08-03-2013 4:54pm

There are plenty of discount codes available to knock about 10 or 20% off the Ghost cameras.

Have personally had Go Pros for years and they are great.

KamiKazi · 08-03-2013 8:07pm

johnk123 wrote: »

There are plenty of discount codes available to knock about 10 or 20% off the Ghost cameras.

Have personally had Go Pros for years and they are great.

TBH I bought it as a learning tool for racing, being able to see my lines, braking points etc when not buzzing with adrenaline with be invaluable I think.

spiggotpaddy · 08-03-2013 8:51pm

Time for a brake service.

I got nearly sixteen thousand out of these.

A quick clean up.

A dollop of copper grease.

Back together, dust cover on and then change the fluid, may aswell do the clutch with the left over.

Wonda-Boy · 08-03-2013 10:33pm

Good stuff, nice bandit too.

spiggotpaddy · 09-03-2013 6:28pm

I removed the ugly seat lock/ helmet holder.

And snook it in beside the rear brake resovoir.

serious3 · 10-03-2013 12:05am

did the chain and sprocket on the trophy as i was getting some chattering when rolling off the throttle, i was thinking the front sprocket was fecked, little did i know:( turns out the sprocket teeth were fine, but the nut holding it on was loose allowing the thing to chatter and rattle about that much it actually wore the normal square splines into points:mad: luckily the output shaft is ok. other than wondering what the hell triumph were thinking making the sprocket cover part of the oil ciculation for the engine, thats about all i did!

thecivvie · 10-03-2013 11:28pm

Replaced all the Deauville's panniers hinges and reset the catches. Also replaced some of the binocle lamps with LEDs to stop the lights flashing when the indicators are on

nerrad1983 · 11-03-2013 12:35pm

nerrad1983 wrote: »

Today i exchanged my licence for the new type un-restricted A learner permit

Was a disaster, sometimes i really wonder where they get the staff in the licence department :rolleyes:I never heard as much crap out of someones mouth!!!!

firstly was told that there was no such thing then they didnt no the price to charge me and finally was told the 2 photos i had were no use even though they were took in there machine

Asked for a supervisor and in the end it was sorted within a matter of minutes

Should have it in the post in the next 2-3 weeks

Received this in todays post, 4 weeks to the day since i applied for it

Now get Ibt module 5 sorted

Then haunt insurance companies and get this new bike on the road asap!

Ayrtonf7 · 14-03-2013 10:48am

So, up until now my dad had been picking up the parts for my bike and he had been showing me how to put em on.

After waiting a good two weeks with an exhaust and a back wheel lying on my bedroom floor I decided it was up to me to fit at least one of these things on. So I went for the easy peasy exhaust.

Had a few little problems getting the first one off. Had trouble finding an alan key that would fit the space comfortably. But eventually I got there. Put the new one on without much of a hitch. Was a little loose at the start but I Jimmied it in there nice and proper. Unfortunatly as I was tigheting up all the screws the alan key slipped on one of them and made a dogs dinner of it. The screw itself was pretty old so I guess I shouldve replaced them all...

Being new to allthis maintenance stuff im wondering where would be a good supplier of a vast library of screws and bolts. Theres a good few Id like to replace and Id imagine they would be cheap enough too order.

Just on a side note I also replaced the shagged speedo cable and gave it a quick hose down!

underwaterdog · 18-03-2013 9:13pm

I noticed while checking my lights recently that the front brake would only operate the light when I really pulled in the lever on my BMW F650 Strada.

A bit of googling and investigation and I found that the after market hand guard was preventing the full operation of the brake light switch. The hand guard even showed wear from the switch.

A bit of a scrape with a hot knife and a file to smooth it down again solved the problem.

I now have a nice a sensitive brake light now.

Wonda-Boy · 19-03-2013 10:33am

Tightened my chain for the 1st time in ages....thats all she needed. Well a good scrub would not go astray to be honest.

spiggotpaddy · 21-03-2013 9:24pm

Time for a rebuild for the cr.

serious3 · 21-03-2013 11:14pm

finished fitting the ram mount for the gps, wired it all in, sat back congratulating myself on a job well done when i noticed that the front left headlamp was cracked ffs..... £140 plus postage for a s/hand one

Tomohawk · 28-03-2013 8:15pm

This afternoon with a break in the weather i.e. no snow showers and a bit of sun, I decided to change the rear shock absorber on my LML 125cc scooter. First I had to take off the sports seat, then drop the tank out and disconnect the fuel gauge. Then I had access to the 13mm recessed nut that holds the top of the shock in place under the seat. I loosened this easily enough by hand with a 13mm socket then undid the 17mm bolt on the bottom of the old shock.

Out came the old shock...

I then superglued the extender bolt to the rubber top shock and then superglued the new shock itself together using loctite automotive glue and inserted the new shock and redit the assembly process with the top nut and bottom bolt.

Here's the new BGM 50 euro shock in place!

I am happy with the results and it took about 45 minutes in total with a ciggie break in between, cold work all the same...

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-03-2013 9:18pm

^^ I miss my Vespa

designbydan · 01-04-2013 12:52am

Noticed the front forks were leaking, so. . .. after seeing a low cost solution to leaking forks on either this or another biker forum I :

Took the dust covers off, Soaked up the bit of oil that was under them, cleaned the masses of dirt and grime from them with a few sh**ty business cards I'd gotten off vistaprint years ago, and put the covers back on after cleaning around them too. and now. . .

No leaking forks !! . All it took was some tissue, about 11 or 12 crap business cards, and 20-30 mins of careful cleaning.

Prob the best result I've ever gotten from a "save yourself money by simply. . . " tip from the internet.

minidazzler · 03-04-2013 12:11pm

I'm looking at getting a new chain and sprocket set for my 125 Varadero. Can anyone tell me what to look out for? Does more teeth = Better or worse? Will the chain come assembled or will I have to get a chain breaker/riveter?

KamiKazi · 03-04-2013 12:44pm

minidazzler wrote: »

I'm looking at getting a new chain and sprocket set for my 125 Varadero. Can anyone tell me what to look out for? Does more teeth = Better or worse? Will the chain come assembled or will I have to get a chain breaker/riveter?

changing the number of teeth on either sprocket will change the gearing of the bike, making it either accelerate faster and have a lower top speed or vice versa.

Wossack · 03-04-2013 1:28pm

you'll need a riveter alright, unless you get a chain with a clip (dont get a chain with a clip..)

as above, lowering the gearing, will result in an increase in acceleration, with a reduction in top speed. That would be either increasing the size of the drive sprocket, or reducing the size of the driven sprocket - or both. Doing the opposite will raise your top speed, at a cost of acceleration

just fyi - depending on your speedo pickup, this may lead to inaccuracies in your speedometer/odometer

goodlad · 03-04-2013 1:35pm

I went down 1 tooth on my front sprocket on my SV. It deffo accelerates smoother but im sure the speedo is wrong now. I have been told that whatever way the speedo is on the SV that its still gives an accurate reasong no matter how much i change the teeth on the sprockets but im just not entirely sure.

KamiKazi · 03-04-2013 1:38pm

goodlad wrote: »

I went down 1 tooth on my front sprocket on my SV. It deffo accelerates smoother but im sure the speedo is wrong now. I have been told that whatever way the speedo is on the SV that its still gives an accurate reasong no matter how much i change the teeth on the sprockets but im just not entirely sure.

If the speedo is driven off the front wheel it will be accurate, if it's driven off the engine it'll be wrong.

Wossack · 03-04-2013 1:40pm

from a cursory google, it looks like the sv650 has its speedo pickup from the front wheel (all models?), so shouldnt be effected by gearing changes alright

Often its taken from the front sprocket speed, which would change if you tweaked the final drive ratio

minidazzler · 03-04-2013 5:11pm

Fcuk, my speed sensor is on the front sprocket. Have yet to find OEM online, but won't be purchasing for a few days anyway, hopefully I can. Though, I suppose even if I got one with 3 extra teeth on the large it wouldn't be too bad.

Better than the next closest I found with 53 whereas OEM is 44.

The "Today I did something to my bike" thread

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