what did you wrench on today??

[rustybronco]

Ripped the clutch apart on the 80 '850 as it has been a bugger to find neutral since I first got it. Found one steel out of spec and another very close to being out. Measured all the frictions and threw in a couple of good steels that I had on the shelf. Changed the engine oil with the Rotella 5w40 I bought yesterday then changed the secondary drive lube over to 75w90 synthetic.

The self propelled mower wouldn't start so I ripped into it as well. Cleaned the cooling fins, pulled off the carb and made sure all the passages were clear. They were. I thought as long as you're into it you might as well adjust the valves and change the oil, right? Still won't start. Checked compression (80 psi), won't fire on ether, so tomorrow fresh fuel and a new plug are in order and we'll go from there.

Tomorrow it's decarbonizing the left cylinder on the riding mower and possibly reassembling the AX-5 transmission out of a jeep.

I suspect it's going to be a long day...

[gustovh]

Got the 80 550 L starting and running fair today. Tomorrow I sync the carbs and dig into the right turn signals that do not work.
V

[chuck c]

Nowhere near as much as I planned. I was supposed to do 3 oil changes, wash my 80 GS450L, and give it a long overdue new chain. I didn't fully manage the chain. The old master link would not come apart so I had cut it which was tricky without hitting the bike. Then dumbass me cut the new chain a link too short. Will need to buy another ML tomorrow after work and maybe get at least one oil change done.

[78gs750e]

today i fixed my half door on my jeep and then put all of the plastics back on my 89 Katana and then took it for a ride. It was a good day.

[pete]

I cranked up the pre-load on the Ikon shocks one notch yesterday, not sure if it's better or not yet. There's one spot on the commute where the rear end gets a little bouncy at 50 - 60kph but unfortunately traffic crawled through there at about 20kph this afternoon so I couldn't tell.

[terrylee]

tearing engine down!

Yesterday I tore the 650 parts engine apart. I had never done one all the way down to getting pistons out. Luckly the engine was in great shape and all bolts came right out and everything separated nicely. It was actually fun and a real learning experience. I'm planning on rebuilding my 850 this winter so was happy to have this one to learn on. terrylee

[loud et]

Nowhere near. s much as I planned. I was supposed to do 3 oil changes, wash my 80 GS450L, and give it a long overdue new chain. I didn't fully manage the chain. The old master link would not come apart so I had cut it which was tricky without hitting the bike. Then dumbass me cut the new chain a link too short. Will need to buy another ML tomorrow after work and maybe get at least one oil change done.

Last fall I installed a new chain , then after a few hundred miles decided I should have gotten new sprockets. Well ( if you don't see it coming already) the new sprockets were bigger......uh, yeah then the chain was literally 1/4 inch too short. Lol
Had to get another new chain. lol At least I used the short one on a smaller bike that needed a new one also
Live and learn.

[loud et]

Stayed up late last night working on my 650.
Installed new Shinko 230's front and rear.
New oil and filter and plugs
Oiled/ greased all moving parts, cables and linkages.

Late night test ride was amazing, running smooth and handling like a new machine compared to riding it on those cracked up old tires.

Plan for today is to do yard work for my mom and later plan on doing a rear wheel alignment, rewire my stator/ RR direct and peel back my seat cover and add some foam. I bought the bike from a short gal who had cut the majority of it out to lower the seat height.

Absolutely loving this bike!

[loud et]

Well I rewired the stator and RR and added foam to my seat.
The seat came out good and is very comfortable compared to before.
I also checked the air in the 650's forks......which I had not done before. They were dead flat.
I think max psi was 37 so I set them at 30 even to see how the pressure holds.
This bike shaped up quickly with some minor going over.
Happy camper here.

[rustybronco]

Mower time

Made a flywheel puller so I could remove the ignition coil.
Now I need to figure out if the intermittent spark issue is the coil, weak flywheel magnets or too high resistance in the spark plug cap (11K).

[michaelj_444]

Very nice

I`m not painting the whole bike so how to clear coat just the pinstripes is the new question. Clear with a brush?

I would have a extra person on hand, they can watch as it is applied as to the alignment. Take your time because you will have to reposition the tape a few times. Take breaks. Once done and happy with your work, clear coat the hell out of it lol.

[rustybronco]

Either sand the existing clear, mid coat clear it and apply the stripes -then clear the whole shebang. OR, sand the existing clear, install the stripes and clear everything. OR use a wax and grease remover, install the stripes with no clear.

[michaelj_444]

Thanks Eric

I like the last idea best as it involves the least amount of work. Same procedure for both the tank and side covers?

Either sand the existing clear, mid coat clear it and apply the stripes -then clear the whole shebang. OR, sand the existing clear, install the stripes and clear everything. OR use a wax and grease remover, install the stripes with no clear.

[rustybronco]

Is this going to be done with aftermarket pin striping, or do you plan on using factory decal's?

If it's just hand applied pin striping tape, automotive dealers have been doing that for years with nothing applied over the top to protect them. Just try not to spill 'petrol' on them.

Same procedure for both the tank and side covers?

The side covers on my '82 GS850G didn't have clear over the decals.

[rustybronco]

Replaced the ignition coil with a new one I bought off Ebay ($50 shipped). Now she should be good for another 30 years.

One project down... 20 more to go.