what did you wrench on today??

[Guest]

Fed up with my sloppy gear shift (getting worse) so I decided to tackle it last night.

I got a new pivot bolt a little while back but it wouldn't go in even with some persuasion (hammer), so I figured the original pivot bolt must be worn down and the bit it goes through on the lever must be out of round.

So I bought a 12mm drill bit on the way home yesterday and pulled it apart last night.

Measured things up with the verniers and yep, out of round.

Ran the drill through a bit and tidied up with a file and the new pivot bolt is a nice snug fit.

Grease it all up and put it back together... oh dear what's that? A nice big stress crack in the footpeg bracket where the pivot bolt threads into. Lovely.

I'm hoping it's steel not alloy, and if it is I will attempt some of my notoriously crap welding on it today or tomorrow to see if I can improve things.

If not I'll be hunting a replacement footpeg bracket and cross my fingers it stays in one piece until I can find one!

 

[rustybronco]

Pete, which part is all effed up?

http://www.alpha-sports.com/spst/1982 GS450E/19.gif

 

[Guest]

That would be number 2 Dale, just ducked into the garage and took a photo which I've attached.

Also used a magnet to confirm it is indeed steel...

 

[rustybronco]

Coool... something new to practice on!

What amperage? 65~70 'ish?

 

[Guest]

Haha yes indeed! And it's fractured from upshifts by the looks... I suspect that the original heim joints and pivot were flogged out long before I got it but I never noticed and was just used to it.

Now that I've sorted the heim joints I've noticed the pivot and now the stress crack, so hopefully this will get it sorted.

When being followed the other week apparently I was doing a full body heave with my left side while upshifting

 

[rustybronco]

When being followed the other week apparently I was doing a full body heave with my left side while upshifting

I think you need to tone down your youthful exuberance just a wee bit!

 

[Guest]

Hahahaha dunno about "youthful"

 

[Flyboy]

Yamaha XT600 Tenere, that keeps cutting out
Carb strip and clean, owner needs to ge it through roadworthy this week and is in a panic that he is going to miss the deadline.
It has one of those fancy fandangled double barrel carbs with a primary and secondary throat, half VM and half CV type carb.
Got news for him though, he needs throttle cables and the fuel tap needs a rebuild as well.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Well, after rebuilding the front master cylinder again, we tried to bleed the front calipers. The lever still feels weak in the garage but holds the brakes pretty well so far so I don't know. I think I'll finally start it up for a ride by Sunday despite the tank not being done yet and see how everything runs.

 

[Gorminrider]

That would be number 2 Dale, just ducked into the garage and took a photo which I've attached.

Also used a magnet to confirm it is indeed steel...

pete, I have all those bits (no cost)and can mail them to you. Chrome is not great but will work fine. P.M. me if you want them.
They are off an 81 gsx400 but I'm really sure they are identical in these parts.

 

[Guest]

Well, after rebuilding the front master cylinder again, we tried to bleed the front calipers. The lever still feels weak in the garage but holds the brakes pretty well so far so I don't know. I think I'll finally start it up for a ride by Sunday despite the tank not being done yet and see how everything runs.

Strap that lever back to the 'bar over night Scott, you will have a nice firm brake in the morning!

pete, I have all those bits (no cost)and can mail them to you. Chrome is not great but will work fine. P.M. me if you want them.
They are off an 81 gsx400 but I'm really sure they are identical in these parts.

Cheers for that, will let you know if I need anything. I did the "welding" yesterday... I say "welding" because, well it seems to have worked but is not very flash... I did take a photo but haven't gotten it off the phone yet.

I hope to get a test ride today but not sure yet. I made the mistake of overtightening the bolt that clamps the linkage onto the shifting shaft and it snapped, so I need to remove the remaining part this morning and put another bolt in... not so tight

(Tip, don't wrench after a six pack of beer!)

 

[tkent02]

On the new 550, put on the better seat off the '77, looks and feels much better. Flushed the brakes, they were pretty clean. Adjusted the valves, they were almost all in spec. This thing is like a time machine, 35 years old and brand new at the same time.

I like it.

 

[Guest]

Well, seems my crap welding may have done the trick:



I also put the 0.03" shims in so the needles are 3/4 of a notch richer than stock:



Only a short test ride today but it seems the flat spot just as I crack the throttle is gone, even with the mixture screws back at 2 1/2 turns out (down from 3). I think this will let me get rid of the pops, farts, and stalls in peak hour.

Gear changing is much improved, so much easier to flick through the gears now without all that free play!

 

[GreatDane]

Got the new Polaris R/R installed yesterday. Welded (holds but not pretty) new nuts on the backside of the mounting plate so that the mounting method is the same as the original. Had to relocate one wiring connector off of the mounting plate. Man that R/R is huge compared to my original. Painted the mounting plate and then wired everything up. It fits under the side cover but just barely.

The list was down to front brake line and front tire, but sadly had to add gas tank to list. Inspected the tank and its full of rust. The tank was lined many years ago with Kreem, but it has apparently failed. Now have to strip tank and reseal. Not sure If I am going to use Caswell or POR 15. Have read good things about both.

Sigh...12 months and counting....

 

[Guest]

Mate I hear ya'! My 450 was off the road for nearly 10 years, although when I really started getting stuck in I s'pose it was more like 3 years to get done... well worth it though and I enjoy riding her every day

Speaking of riding... the commute today was almost like riding a new bike :dancing:

Gear shifts were much improved and no flat spot as I cracked the throttle, although there will still a few little pops and a couple of times where it wanted to stall. I've leaned the mixture screws another 1/4 turn tonight and see how that goes tomorrow.

Really feeling like it's pretty much as good as it will get though and is continuing to be a ball of fun

 

[Gorminrider]

good oh, pete. You got her back on the road quick! I really wouldn't expect to snap that bit !It was funny happenstance because I had all those parts laying on my bench just like your picture!...

(Tip, don't wrench after a six pack of beer!)

yes, I try to maintain a professional air of sober negativity because I know Gremlins are watching me from the shop's crannies.. They will ambush me, if I show any cheer.

 

[Guest]

Yeah if she's not on the road I have to catch the train to work and I can't cope with that!

And yep, those gremlins are out there! Haha... I find a beer or three can be nice while wrenching... a beer or six is like feeding them after midnight!

 

[JAG]

Redrew the wiring diagram for my 750..... again.

Ordered parts for brake refurbishments are got hold of some new G clamps to help me get the one seized piston out of the rear caliper. That's tomorrows job.

 

[StubbornDutchman]

Got the carbs off the bike last night. O dear me.... I hope I can save them. Will post pictures tonight. There has been a mouse using the opening of one carb as a bathroom for about 10 years. Gotta swing by Canadian Tire or a hardware store to pick up some carb dip on my way home from work. Then dissasembe and complete clean and rebuild. Also will order my O-rings and JIS drivers tonight so they are in ASAP.

 

[Flaggo60]

....There has been a mouse using the opening of one carb as a bathroom for about 10 years. ....

Just in case you don't know, be careful when cleaning out that mouse poop. Wear gloves and a mask. It sometimes carries hanta virus which is deadly to humans....just sayin'.....