what did you wrench on today??

[bobgroger]

Dropped the new TPS in on the VSTROM. Certainly made a difference in how the bike is running. When I removed the old one while shooting it with the multi meter I found a dead spot which would explain the strange fueling issues I've been having. I also pulled the spark plugs because it's been running very rich for a while which I attributed to the TPS going out. But I found the rear plug in perfect shape and the front plug full of soot :/ which would explain the random miss at idle that it's been having for a bit. Years ago I damaged the spark plug cap and ignition wire and patched it back together with epoxy. I'd imagine that water has found its way into the wire or cap or both and it's finally starting to take it's toll. New wire and coil (because they're only sold as a unit) is 65ish dollars and a new cap and associated seals will be about 30. So just under a hundred dollars to get that fixed up.

The price of parts for the newer bikes seems quite a bit higher than the old GS stuff. Just the gaskets to do a valve adjustment on my C14 is $125. And book time is 5 hours, but DIY averages 8. Cams need to come out....

 

[gustovh]

About half way with this project, a Klinker helm.

v

 

[aclaytonb]

With two large horns, that could be an amazing motorcycle helmet.

 

[gustovh]

It will finish out around 10 lbs. toooooo heavy for me.

V

 

[Redman]

Did not involve a wrench, but....

Noticed that the oil pressure light was not coming on when turn on the key.
Pondered on that a bit. THen noticed the sidestand light would go out when picked up the side stand before start the engine.
Pondered just a bit more.
Reached in there, pulled off the oil pressure sensor connector and put it back ... and there is oil pressure light and the sidestand light both on, good, that was the problem ... pulled up the sidestand, and the sidestand light still on, started engine and both went out. Okay, that was a good functional test.
Take it off again, ana a little spritz of contact cleaner, put it back. All fixed.

So great to be familiar with my GS.
Observe a symptom, deduce probably cause, investigate and fix it immediately.

Anything simple happen on the BMW, and Oh Crap, i am reading thru manual, searching forum, getting frustrated,.... and probably take to dealer. E x p e n s i v e .

 

[Guest]

Attempted to repair the dead tachometer. Disassembled, lubed and replaced 2 capacitors - no change. So I instead installed the tachometer guts from a 1993 GSXR 750. The tach now works but reads high by about 700RPM, but I can live with that. There may be an adjustment available on the circuit board to dial in the ratio, but that's a job for another day.

Also swapped out the broken trip odometer for that from the 1993 GSXR.

 

[Darin Jordan]

Prepping the Carbs to replace the Needle/seats (K&S) with genuine Mikunis, and replacing the bowl gaskets, after discovering that the gaskets were dragging on the side of the floats on #3.

 

[Grimly]

One of these arrived in the post today...

Which makes all the previous struggles with deeply-recessed valve guide seals a thing of the past.
Job jobbed.

 

[Grimly]

Work continues apace (snail's pace).
Got around to grinding in the valves this afternoon. No seat burning, but quite a few mottled markings that were shallow enough to lap out without any danger of grooving the valve head angled sides. The resulting finish lines were nicely positioned, both on valve and seat, but it's a fair warning to not let valve clearance checking slide too far. Previously, I'd been checking them at long intervals, as the pattern of useage was long steady speeds for long distances, and clearances hardly changed. The past couple of years it's been getting worked harder, and things started to change more.

 

[Guest]

Got valve clearances checked and fixed, replaced stator (rick's) polished covers on both sides, replaced DOCC badge and SUZUKI badges, cleaned electrical contacts on fuse box, polished highway guards cleaned frame. .... still lots to do.. need to get the tires changed and balanced and tune the carbs... might get to go for a ride later this month.. sigh

 

[Guest]

Got valve clearances checked and fixed, replaced stator (rick's) polished covers on both sides, replaced DOCC badge and SUZUKI badges, cleaned electrical contacts on fuse box, polished highway guards cleaned frame. .... still lots to do.

You did all that today!?

 

[Guest]

You did all that today!?

Finished that up..been whittling at it for a week ...lol

 

[cowboyup3371]

After replacing the battery I pulled out of my 550T for Charmayne last week with her new one this morning, I installed the wiring for my new GPS mount on the Bandit and replaced both headlight bulbs with Silverstar Ultra ones. We'll have to wait until later in the week to see how well they work

 

[Burque73]

I wrenched on the neighbors swamp cooler. Temps are supposed to be in the 90's this week.

 

[Kingjoel]

I wrenched on my 1978 GS1000 all day. I installed an original air box, removed old rusted luggage rack, installed rear turn signals, replaced battery, remounted windjammer faring, and a few days ago changed five shims This old bike runs GREAT! I do have a concern about air leaks between engine and carb. Idle at 1.2k rpm, when starting fluid is sprayed on a couple intake boots rpm goes to 1.75k-2.0k. It really runs good though.

 

[ddaniels]

I put new grips on Saturday. Nope, no wrench involved.

 

[Jedz123]

Re-geared my T120, go to 22:30 for the test if you don't watch me yammering on...
Running -1 in the front and +2 in the rear. The bike is now very light in the front under acceleration, pretty quick for a parellel twin.

 

[limeex2]

Getting ready for Brown Co. Hooraw. Pulled top end off the 1100 motor while valve job is being performed. Here's the topend@ 33k. Has massive oil leak. Piston has a nice wash along the edges. Have had a spare motor for probably 25 yrs. Never seen rain because it was run a 1/4 mile at a time. Interior of this motor is v/g cond. But needed the valve train work

 

[aclaytonb]

Was going to post a pic of the water heater I just replaced but realized that I took it out and put the new one in faster than I can change the jets in the 550. Compared to GS wrenching, the water heater was too easy....

 

[limeex2]

Here's the cyl's going into above mention bike. Notice what happen's when one's brain is not connected to hands. Please engage brain while working on bike. Cleaning excluded. Used Belzona 1111 epoxy to fix up broken. We have this at work and is pretty slick stuff. https://www.primeltd.com/info/19773/How-to-Repair-a-Cracked-Engine-with-Belzona-1111/