what did you wrench on today??

[BurntKittyForge]

Quickie from Monday. Put the original fairing mounted mirrors on in hopes of a photo op that did not occur.
4 years ago on election day a local guy put up and old Reagan / Bush campaign sign in his front yard.
I was hoping he would again yesterday and stage an "old" photo of my bike. The mirrors are ugly, but I'll leave them on for the winter. The bar end ones are always in the way when the bike is parked for the winter so I take them off. Now if a warm ish day comes up and I go out, it's one less thing to do.View attachment 48332

Thanksgiving is coming up, four day weekend!!! Mainanence time (Mine will be spent working on truck...
I was looking at same fairing as your model But couldn't tell size from pics. Looks awesome in that pic!
Still thinking of one for my GSX1100G , was surprised how similar looking different years Suzukis are while looking at fairing pics the other week. Funny idea to put up old election signs BTW.

Been mostly "wrenching" on new zipper in my leather coat lately. Came up with folding the new one in half, and sewing it right on top of the old zipper and close as possible with the leather seam.
Got so sick of sewing wanted to rivet it in with rivets and call it a day.
Might go over it with thicker needle (got few from walmart) and some thick hemp thread (for leather)...
Can't be on computer at same time lately.
Have a bad cut on one finger, working with.
Joann fabric was ONLY place that had right zipper, they warned me to use a machine only...
First try, sewd half backwards (couple hours)
Good thing though because figured out to double it over. When I cut some old zipper the thread just pulled out there, have to leave the old one underneath.

This leather coat is an old "Rothco" brand from a surplus store. weighs atleast about six pounds or more.
Has a liner w/ zipper too. Plain looking (Just what I wanted back then). Had it a long time and new one's similar cost too much...A repair/ shoe/ dry-cleaner wanted $60 for new zipper replacement, can see why now...

 

[dorkburger]

Nothing on an 1150es is svelte.....

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Thanksgiving is coming up, four day weekend!!! Mainanence time (Mine will be spent working on truck...
I was looking at same fairing as your model But couldn't tell size from pics. Looks awesome in that pic!
Still thinking of one for my GSX1100G , was surprised how similar looking different years Suzukis are while looking at fairing pics the other week. Funny idea to put up old election signs BTW.

Been mostly "wrenching" on new zipper in my leather coat lately. Came up with folding the new one in half, and sewing it right on top of the old zipper and close as possible with the leather seam.
Got so sick of sewing wanted to rivet it in with rivets and call it a day.
Might go over it with thicker needle (got few from walmart) and some thick hemp thread (for leather)...
Can't be on computer at same time lately.
Have a bad cut on one finger, working with.
Joann fabric was ONLY place that had right zipper, they warned me to use a machine only...
First try, sewd half backwards (couple hours)
Good thing though because figured out to double it over. When I cut some old zipper the thread just pulled out there, have to leave the old one underneath.

This leather coat is an old "Rothco" brand from a surplus store. weighs atleast about six pounds or more.
Has a liner w/ zipper too. Plain looking (Just what I wanted back then). Had it a long time and new one's similar cost too much...A repair/ shoe/ dry-cleaner wanted $60 for new zipper replacement, can see why now...

A few funny things in there:
Putting up old election signs; We have a few cracked pots running here every year, how 'bout this guy's name: ?SI OSIRI?? Yeah he claims to be descended from the Egyptian sun god. HA!!!
I'm having problems with my leather riding jacket's zipper, the tab came off. I've been using wire to attach it.
Once many years ago, I considered playing acoustic in folk clubs. So I scouted some for a look see. No, I did not fit into that scene, wearing my biker jacket and playing rock with an acoustic guitar.

 

[Guest]

Did some more maintenance to the DR600. It's got a manual adjusted balancer chain on it which I've never looked at, I'm pretty sure I could hear it making some noise and sure enough it was pretty loose, tightened things up and she's good for another 6000kms.

2016-11-20_08-19-56 by Rob Ert, on Flickr

The bikes always been a buger to kick over when cold regardless of all the work/adjusting I've done to the carb. Took it off again today and made sure the pilot circuit was spotless and readjusted the float as well as the mixture screw for the new "Mr Big" pipe I recently put on and she fired up on the 2nd kick. The real test will be tomorrow morning though, all in all a good reason to celebrate.

2016-11-20_08-20-25 by Rob Ert, on Flickr

 

[Jedz123]

Did some more maintenance to the DR600. It's got a manual adjusted balancer chain on it which I've never looked at, I'm pretty sure I could hear it making some noise and sure enough it was pretty loose, tightened things up and she's good for another 6000kms.

2016-11-20_08-19-56 by Rob Ert, on Flickr

The bikes always been a buger to kick over when cold regardless of all the work/adjusting I've done to the carb. Took it off again today and made sure the pilot circuit was spotless and readjusted the float as well as the mixture screw for the new "Mr Big" pipe I recently put on and she fired up on the 2nd kick. The real test will be tomorrow morning though, all in all a good reason to celebrate.

2016-11-20_08-20-25 by Rob Ert, on Flickr

Wow I'm jealous... Wish my Sunday looked like that!!! Half of my managers are on vacation and I had to come out of my office to cover operations... Which is great and nice to be on the front line with my team but I'd rather be wrenching and drinking a beer.

 

[uk gs nut]

Been doing some off season maintenance on my 1000. Had some issues this year with dropping on 2 cylinders, found that its a Dyna S failing so temporarily fitted old points system. Going to fit new Dyna and have just fitted honda cbr 3ohm coils with new leads. Checked valve clearances and a couple were at 1.5 thou so sorted them, some are at 4 thou and I'll leave them. Got nice big sparks now so should be great with new Dyna, also noticed on pictures on web the pick-up coils have changed. Is that to stop the Dyna fails I wonder ?.

 

[Guest]

I'm in the process of painting my 900F. I used a Rustoleum aircraft remover for the paint on the tank. I'm amazed at how well this stuff works! Spray it on, and the old paint literally starts popping/dropping off! This is factory paint, too. It reminds me of hitting an old enameled pot with a hammer. It will soften the stripes, but it's good idea to use a blade scraper to get that off.

 

[wyly]

converted my cbx to twin pot brakes, completed the install yesterday... I solved a few issues that come with conversions but there are still fitment problems I'm not happy with... so today I'll take off all the calipers and disassemble them to try solve the issues.

 

[fastbysuzuki]

Checked the valve clearance, renewed the intake manifold orings cleaned oiled the air filter and whilst the air box was off I checked the breather it was partchally blocked when I blew down the tube that goes to the cam cover there was a fair resistance, I tried to scrape out the rust/grunge but ended up forcing a large kitchen knife down the slot from either side to clear the debris. That's a very narrow passage,it makes you wonder how many Gs are running around compleatly blocked.
Am I right/wrong to think suzuki changed the airbox from metal to plastic at some point?
naxt job is to remove exhaust and drop the sump and check the oil strainer.

 

[uk gs nut]

fastbysuzuki, I had the same problem with my GS1000 chain drive with steel airbox from a shaft drive. Gunk would gather in the pipe and cam cover breather box mesh filter bits. In the connecting pipe I fitted a T piece and a small filter, problem solved. It could be our damp weather .
View attachment 48543

 

[fastbysuzuki]

Good idea, I have not had a problem with the pipe or cam cover gunging up it was the slotbin the airbox however I may well fit your idea.

 

[dorkburger]

Socks....

Socks....

View attachment 48555
For the 10 people here with no kids, you will find out if you have any that you will end up with countless sock rags. They generally suck as rags - not very absorbent. I use the ankle socks to keep unused safety glasses in, and maybe for wiping up heavy grease, etc. I was looking for a proper rag last night and dumped around 40 socks out. I stuffed the small ones into a full size sock and stuck it under the leaking dishwasher door until I get a seal for it. I then patted myself on the back for "ingenious" use of sock rags....

 

[fastbysuzuki]

I only end up with half of the number that goes in the washing machine it seems to have the ability to eat socks and they are never seen again anyone else have the problem?

 

[Redman]

.
................... countless sock rags. They generally suck as rags - not very absorbent..../...

I collect old socks (white crew socks) for use in the garage/shop.
I find them great for cleaning rags, can wrap around exhaust pipe for the chrome cleaning even buffing the back side that cant get hand into, great for the plastic cleaner, great for the wax application and buffing.

As for your leaking disshwasher, take one of those socks and wipe scrub along the door seal, both the door and the cabinet. Maybe some build up there preventing a good seal. I have found it leaks dribbles once and maybe next and then next it slobbers all over a big puddle. So have learnt to wipe the seal down at first sign of a dribble.

.

 

[dorkburger]

I forgot about the cleaning / polishing aspect. I dont do it often, but as you mention, I will take an inside out sock and use it for that purpose.
Thanks for the dishwasher tip, but its unfortunately not that.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Made a decent attempt at fixing the fenders today finally. I think it turned out fairly well as the bulge is gone and what's left would be more indicative of rocks hitting the sides. I still need to fix the rear of the fender as it seems to be too flared out but it's not going to affect operations

 

[Charlie G]

Cowboy,

That looks like a pretty good job. I need one of those "soft headed" hammers. Is it a Plumb brand?

 

[cowboyup3371]

To be honest I am not sure, it's just one I picked up at Sears last week when I got Charmayne's Christmas gifts; if you want I'll try to get over to the garage tomorrow and look at the sticker on it

 

[Charlie G]

If you think of it. I'll look a Sears next time I go to town. I didn't know they still made them. Thx

 

[bobgroger]

Better hurry. The next time you go, Sears may not be there....Shame, really. I always liked Craftsman. Not much else about it though....
http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/26/investing/sears-kmart-kenmore-craftsman/