Sad day in my stable. Took Red my '82 1100E out today, since I couldn't figure out what the knocking sound is coming from, she failed about three miles from the house. I think from the noise, it may have been the starter clutch all along. I replaced the clutch basket a couple of weeks ago with a tight one I got off eBay and it still had the noise, then checked the rotor bolt and it was tight, so I let it sit till today. Eric mentioned he had a starter clutch once was deforming the plate, but I didn't get the chance to check it out. The noise would disappear if the idle was above 1,500 rpm, so I figured it would be ok for a local easy ride. Not.
After getting saved by my wife and trailer, I took the Cavalcade to meet the folks for lunch. We went on a 150 mile ride on it yesterday going up to Daytona without a single issue, except my son picking up a metal splinter in the rear tireo the FZ6, giving it a slow leak. Afterwards looking for where my seat upholsterer opened a shop, I noticed the Cade was getting a little hot. Not quite in the red, so no worries, but a minute later I hear a pop and coolant starts squirting out from under the left side cover. It looks as if it split a hose. I wasn't far from the shop I work at, so I rode it there and waited for the wife to rescue me a second time in one day. God it's good to be married to a good woman.
On the bright side, I got some bolts from ACE before this happened to do a rear master cylinder swap on my FJ11. The Brembo master from an '05 R6 is a perfect match. Just have to get longer mounting bolts with locknuts, since it's not threaded like the FJ master, and swap the plunger ends. The R6 is too short, but the FJ part threads right on no problem. I may one day do a swingarm and rear wheel swap with the R6 wheels and parts I have left over. I would love to get modern rubber under it. I have found some FJ and custom mod threads where they have use the FZ6 swingarm with minor modification, but I doesn't have as much of a radical look. Really not much different looking than the Fj swingarm, so if keeping a stock look was the goal, it would be the way to go.
Taking a break to eat dinner then it's back out to do the front pads and change the fluid, and pull the carbs to clear the #2 pilot jet. I finally got a new chain on it Saturday night, before I found out the master took a dump. I'm really looking to ride it again, it's been sitting idle for the last year.
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