What kind of maintenance and mods are you doing this winter?

[redliner1973]

The real question is not what we PLAN to do this winter, but what we wil actually GET DONE this winter!!! myself, go through my wiring/connectors, etc. new bearings for the wheels, fork reseal (again), new rear shocks, possibly install an intercom system :twisted:

[Anonymous]

.......It hasn't got bad enough that I really see it as being enough down time due to the weather to get anything done........

Well yeah man, you live in New Mexico! Its like paradise there right? I love your state but have never been, just seen books and pictures and heard stories. Lots of history.....pretty rough winters there eh?.....gets down to like 70 or 60? hahahaha 8O

....The real question is not what we PLAN to do this winter, but what we wil actually GET DONE this winter!!!.......

soooooo true.....my winter promises to be long so hopefully I will get something done! First thing is the brakes.....

A bit late...I have been riding in winter and it is now spring going on summer...you guys are in the wrong part of the world Smile)

...lucky dog. Not all of us can live in tropical Australia with beautiful weather and pristine coastline all year round!

[RacingJake]

I'm looking at installing a 1166cc pistion kit at 13-1 this winter. Can't wait for Spring.

Jake

[mdole]

[quote="77gs550"]

.......It hasn't got bad enough that I really see it as being enough down time due to the weather to get anything done........

Well yeah man, you live in New Mexico! Its like paradise there right? I love your state but have never been, just seen books and pictures and heard stories. Lots of history.....pretty rough winters there eh?.....gets down to like 70 or 60? hahahaha 8O

Actually where I live I'm at 6000 ft at the house and hit 9000 ft on the way to work so it can get cold not nearly as cold as when I was stationed in Great Lakes (North Chicago, USN) but still down below 0. My comfort zone is if its 50 F at my house I'll ride in comfort as it should only get down to 30 worst case. But then every winter in the past few years I'll keep dropping what I think I can handle usually if its colder than 20 at the house that?s about the coldest that I'll ride to work in because that puts the coldest part of the ride at 0 or less.

That?s cold in clear weather. If we have been having snow I'll take the 4-wheel drive. But I have ridden in quit a few times that I rode back in the snow or on icy roads.

Mike

[Anonymous]

I had no idea! Thought it always looked like those roadrunner cartoons out there, never considered the various elevations. 0 degrees.....snow!? 8O

[Anonymous]

Hey all, Canadian here, East Coast too. I hope to get TO November, not THROUGH it. Although I guess I might be able to get to the middle of it if the snow doesn't come too early. It'll be way too cold by then without a fairing or windshield. Anyways, here's what I'd like to do on my 81 GS400

1. Brake pads front and back.

2. Change fluid, maybe new line, should I go to braided?

3. New Chain.

4. New sprockets, change rear sprocket to get more highway speed, 140km/h just isn't enough.

5. New tires.

6. Body work:
a) Tank - dents and new paint

b) All other parts ainted to same colour as tank

c) front fender, but that should be here soon

7. Change exhaust, that should also be here soon

8. Clean all electrics

9. Four new MATCHING signal lights(stock rear now and 1973 Triumph on front)

10. Change front rim, that's coming with the fender

11. Change brake handle, also with the fender

12. Routine maintenance

13. Anything else that comes up, if I even get that far, winter is long though so I could. Should be on the roads again by my birthday at the end of May. Can't wait.

[QuaiChangKane]

Not that winter's fully intolerable here, but cold enough that a beer and some Pink Floyd in the garage wrenching on the bike sounds more inviting than stiff wrists and head colds...


1. Strip to frame, re-fab wiring harness.
2. Clean and paint frame.
3. New swingarm bushings and wheel bearings.
4. Strip and polish forks.
5. Rebuild and repaint calipers (possible 4-pot swap).
6. Fix whateverthehell is causing that annoying low-idle clutch rattle.
7. New coils, wires, plugs.
8. Pods, pipe, jets.
9. Minor body work and new paint.

And if the money holds up....

10. Progressive fork springs
11. GSXR rear shock
12. '80's GSXR guages
13. 4.5" wheel conversion
14. Full PowerBronze bodywork


Now, are we taking bets to see how much anyone actually gets done this winter???


-Q!

[QuaiChangKane]

Wait!! I forgot polishing the swingarm and cases!!!!

[Billy Ricks]

Q,
I polished my stock swingarm up until I get around to installing the banana swingarm. The finish on the stock piece is tough to cut, I think it's powdercoating, maybe some type of epoxy. I tried paint stripper and abrasives, neither cut the finish. Finally I tried something I had heard about before, Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. It took several applications but it did the trick. As the finish comes of the bare aluminum will turn black from the cleaner. But it polishes out and the cleaner makes the job easy.

[Anonymous]

Winter is very short here so not much time to do much. I want to strip it and paint the frame. I am also thinking about tearing it down for a new timing chain and tensioner. Oh yeah, a new chain and spockets.

I plan to change the handle bars before winter and maybe a wind screen.

It usually gets a little cold after Christmas and only last a few weeks. I guess it is like New Mexico with a lot more humidity

[QuaiChangKane]

Many thanks for the heads up, Billy.



-Q!

[Anonymous]

what will I do

Update the r/r, stator and coils. I have been bite by the gs electrical bug. But I love the bike, so it will be done in a couple of weeks. Keep ridin" and smilin"

[Anonymous]

THE BASEMENT BATHROOM
BEEN DOING THE BIKE STUFF ALL ALONG AND THE HOUSE has been on the back burner, oops!