Stuff you have been putting off for winter

[sam000lee]

It's starting to get chilly here and I'm probably going to park my GS750 for the foreseeable future and go GS450 only in order to get started on my winter refresh list. Here's some stuff I have been putting off for the past couple of months:

- New intake boots
- Extract and replace broken CCT bolt (maybe rebuild the CCT)
- Valve adjustment
- Airbox overhaul
- Fix tach (keeps snapping cables)
- Clean up and `defog' gauges
- Replace screws holding on the cam cover caps (I strip the head of one every time I take valve cover off, even with impact driver, and barely tightening them down)
- Replace leaky half-moons
- Clean up some electrical stuff
- Finish fixing rear turn signal after somebody knocked the bike over
- Re-enforce cracked headlight bucket
- Patch exhaust and install studs to replace the bolts
- New clutch springs
- Paint triple trees and maybe a couple other bits
- General clean up and maybe a bit of polishing (will try to not get carried away)

What do you have on your "winter refreshment" lists? Not full on projects, just stuff you might have been blowing off for your daily rider.

Here's some pictures of the bike just to make this post a little more interesting (plus I just bought a digital camera that I've been playing with, a Sony a6000)

Cleaned the under seat area the other day which was very satisfying

 

[Burque73]

I recently got a tail trunk to match my Vetter bags and windjammer. I plan to clean it up and rewire the lights before putting it on the bike.

Winter is not much fun in my garage, nor is summer (no insulation). Somewhere in between like fall and spring makes for a nice working temperature. Fall is almost done so I may be looking down the road a bit for this. Then again a small project like this can easily be done in the house....

 

[mnferwerda]

I plan to swap engines since the current one leaks (and burns) a bit of oil. Replace the petcock since it is very hard to turn the lever. And last thing to do is to see if i can fix the tachometer as the needle is not as steady as it once was. Once I get all that done, I may tear into the engine that I took out and take a look around and see if it is worth fixing.

Good thing is every winter, my list of things to do on the bike keeps getting smaller...

 

[Jedz123]

I have an 2008 GSX650F that I want to build into some sort of retro inspired bike... Needs paperwork to be road legal... Likely Liquidate in the Spring.

I have RD200 that needs paint and has a horrible smoking issue which needs to be resolved... Clean it up, get it running good with fresh paint and decals, flip in the spring

My XR1200 needs some custom racks for Givi top luggage and maybe some metal side cases... I plan to rack some big miles on the HD next year...

 

[dorkburger]

..... need to determine the way forward with my bike.... bent frame... I think. I want to try to take measuements, etc and find out where. Potential frame swap upcoming.

 

[Charlie G]

My 1100g keeps breaking tachometer cables as well and I want to confirm that the cable is routed as it should be. I've had to open up several gauges because of loose screws and fogged glass. It's not that hard to gently peal the bezel back to get at them. Every one I've done since the first loose screw I make sure to lock tight the screws, wither they need it or not.

I have an exhaust leak where 2&3 connect to the outer pipes and I want to get this taken care of. Hopefully I don't shear off a bolt in the process.

I'm wanting to strip off my Shoei faring and Vetter top case, saddle bag rack and get the bike back to totally stock configuration.

My 650g needs it's headlight bulb upgraded to an LED unit from ADVMonster. I need to see if I can improve voltage output of the R & R by replacing a melted 7 or 9 connector in the headlight. I did this on the 1100g on top of changing the R & R , Stator and single point ground and have a solid (14.3v) charging system. The 650g tops out at 13.5 volts and at a stop the blinkers won't flash when the brake lever is pulled it. Just need to go through the system again to get max out of it. Never left me stranded in the 8 years I've owned it. I should also replace the R & R to a Series unit like I did in the 1100g. I already changed the connectors and fabricated an adapter plate for that type of unit.

My new to me 06, Triumph Sprint ST needs it's charging system checked, lights upgraded and valves adjusted.

Nice to see you riding and wrenching on these bikes. Good luck with that list!

 

[Guest]

heh, I always have a list for winter, then put it off till the spring 'cause it's just too damn cold in the garage. Maybe THIS year.......

 

[mhobryan]

heh, I always have a list for winter, then put it off till the spring 'cause it's just too damn cold in the garage. Maybe THIS year.......

I see you live in Michigan. Spend a few pennies and get a torpedo heater for the garage (I got one off of CL for $40 and it included a 5 gallon plastic kerosene tank and a dolly to move it around with). Or go large, and install a natural gas wall heater. My wife and I like to joke that she married me for my beast snow blower (early 70's era 30" auger style Ariens) and I married her for the heated garage. I will tell you this...before the heated garage I planned my major wrenching projects during warmer weather. Now that I have one, I plan them for the winter months. Because let's face it, the riding season is fairly short here in Michigan.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[alke46]

My winter to-do list includes removing and replacing the valve stem seals so I can reduce the amount of oil I go through. Also plan on stripping the tank to bare metal to see if a PO has bondo-ed over where the tank badges belong. Of course, this means I will also be repainting the tank.
Then to check for wear on the bushings in the forks to make it stop oscillating on the right hand curves.

Seems like a small list that could easily be done in just a few days but will likely take me most of the winter to accomplish.

 

[Big T]

I started Monday by moving 4 of the 5 bikes out of my garage and cleaning out the center. (Actually looking for 2 brackets for my GPz).
Now working on selling some of the extra parts I've accumulated and know I won't use. Then, work my way thru the bikes

DRz starting issuee
DR carb issue
Reassemble the GPz (started with a fork seal replacement and front end cosmetics, found that the battery had leaked all over the back).
78 brake issues
79 electrical and fab brackets for the S fairing, then create a dash
Then, start with the Ducati, which needs a complete tear down after sitting for 20 years

 

[Sandy]

Basically doing a clean up on the 1000 this winter. Mechanical stuff will be to pull the clutch basket and deal with the noisy damper springs and replace the nut with an 1150 one. There's a funny noise in the top end I need to investigate, probably new cam chain and pull the tensioner to have look. The spokes (still original) are no longer looking that great and have a rear set on the shelf so maybe order a front set and re-lace the wheels. Bikes working good so really doesn't need much ...just getting fussy in my old age. On yeah, tires again as well.

 

[Guest]

I have a long list as well, but just wanted to comment on the clean crisp pictures you posted. That camera is amazing, it makes me feel like I am right there looking at your bike.

 

[Guest]

I do tons of work to my FZ1 during riding season to keep it up to par. Will probably go through the rear suspension and get the Penske rebuilt, which won't take more than four hours. Did the forks last week.

What have I been putting off till winter? Hiking, Lots of hiking. I avoid it in warm temps, but it's my moto substitute when its cold and becomes very addictive once you start. Will be heading out in a few moments for my fix.

 

[gustovh]

Need to replace the fuel valve on the 850 as well as extract 2 broken exhaust bolts. Next new fork seals and breaks for Suzie Q. Lastly, break in the new rear tire on the 919.

Guess which will be most fun.

V

 

[argonsagas]

heh, I always have a list for winter, then put it off till the spring 'cause it's just too damn cold in the garage. Maybe THIS year.......

That fits my scenario, as well.

I installed an electric heater above the bike, but have only used it once in winter For small jobs it is OK, but for larger ones, not so much.

I have to replace brake pads and that's it.

Weather has been exceptionally warm so far (although yesterday it was minus 14C and right now it is minus 9) but there has been only trace amounts of snow and no sand on the roads. We should get single plus digits next week, so I can keep riding for a while

 

[sam000lee]

I have a long list as well, but just wanted to comment on the clean crisp pictures you posted. That camera is amazing, it makes me feel like I am right there looking at your bike.

Thanks, I'm still learning how to use it so have been just snapping away as often as I can...motorcycles make for fun pictures so I have lots of those haha

I'm hoping it warms up again for a few days in New Engand. Last year around Christmas it was still in the 50's.

 

[bwringer]

In August I completed a long-overdue top end refresh on my GS850G so that I could make the Missouri rally, and it's been running like a top ever since and using no oil.

So the only thing my fleet needs this winter is a valve check on the KLR650.

It's kinda weird, to be honest.