82 850GL Resto...here we go

[Good Times]

First "Real" Ride

I took the bike to Lake Barkley this afternoon. It was about 60 miles round trip. The bike ran good. The temps were in the 70's with with from 10 - 15 mph. That really taught me something about the pods.

I stopped and fill up with gas and leaving the station the bike just totally bogged down in third. "Oooo...what's going on here?" Turned around to head back to the house and the bike ran fine. "Hmmmm.....must have just been a fluke." Turned around and in the same spot the bike did the same thing. Bogged down, no power, etc. I realized that I was going up a slight hill next to a field with a pretty strong cross wind. The wind was causing it. It was the pods. Have to say that I still like them though. When I twist the throttle she wakes up. It didn't do it the rest of the ride.

Needed a windshield today. 50 - 55 MPH is good, but anything much over that and I feel like I was hanging on for dear life in the wind.

Over all it was a fun ride. Almost perfect day. I feel like the bike is mechanically solid. Just have a few more minor parts on the way. Need to save my pennies for paint and a windshield.

Got to get her looking as good as she is running now.

[Niklas]

vmax.

Is it only me that think that maybe Ymaha V-max stole the feature and design from this model?

[Good Times]

So back out to the lake this afternoon with some folks from church. We do an annual lakeside baptism service. Today was the day. Met other riders at church and headed down early to do some "Quality Control" with the food and make sure all was well before the crowd got there.

It was a perfect day to ride. Temps in the low 80's and a great road to boot. The bike ran well once more. I now know that my speedometer is about 10 mph slow. It doesn't bounce, but is just off. Not sure how to remedy that.



Every major bike maker was represented. Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Harley and Victory. Talk about a duke's mix.

I also have been keeping an eye on my tach drive. I replaced the oil band and seal, but not the drive gear. It's been good so far, but I noticed that it was leaking when I got to the lake today. Rode back and got some pictures.

Now, let me open a can of worms here. I know the tach is leaking because there is oil around it. But does this look like it's from the tach drive or the head gasket?






I am going to order the drive gear for the tach drive. I will also go ahead and put a fresh oil band and seal in as well. Not sure if I need to go ahead and replace the sleeve (part 19 in the diagram). Do you guys with tach drive experience have an opinion?



This is why I'm glad I waited on paint and ceramic coating. I want to get all of the gremlins worked out before I do those things.

I am enjoying riding it though!

[Good Times]

After looking at it more I'm thinking that the leak is from the head gasket. I will replace the tach drive gear. Torque the bolt a little on the head right where it's leaking. Maybe even put a little gasket sealer on that spot as well. Just to see if it helps. Can't hurt.

I'll go ahead and paint the tank and frame covers but will wait on ceramic coating the exhaust.

Then I'll ride.

Top end rebuild will be next on the list, but not soon. Need to catch up with my lending institution (The Bank of Amazingly Supportive Wife) and get my boat running. You've seen it on the pictures just sitting back there pouting since last November. It will need some attention next. Gotta take those kids fishng!

[Good Times]

Some of the last parts to go on the bike:

[Good Times]

Replaced the "holder" (small piece in the front brake lever that closes the circuit) and adjusted it. Front brake light switch now works. Also cleaned up the front of the head with some carb cleaner, torqued the bolt on the front and put some gasket sealer around the place where it was leaking. I got about half a turn on the bolt so it needed to be to torqued. Went for a short ride and it didn't leak, but we'll see what happens when I take a longer ride.

Got the stock grab bar bolts and caps on as well. They look a lot better. Cleans the back of the bike up nicely.

She's still running good. Saving pennies for paint now.

[Good Times]

I've noticed since putting the other frame cover on (I only had one on while waiting for a new cushion/grommet) that the bike has smoothed out and I don't have any more hesitation with a cross wind. Apparently only having one on was creating some funky air currents with the pods. We had 15 - 20 mph winds here today and I rode. Ran smoothe as silk all day.

Also since torquing the bolt and putting some sealer on the outside of the same area, no more oil leak. Sweet!

Still thinking about paint.....hmmmmmm

[jace09]

I noticed you are having a problem with your speedo, if it helps any I had to fix my trip meter and hence I have a really good understanding of the inner workings. Not to mention spare parts. Let me know if you need anything, parts, pics, knowledge, anything at all.

Kimo

[Good Times]

Yeah, I just confirmed that it is about 10 mph slow. I'm wondering if that would have anything to do with the speed sensor. I just don't know. Of course I will add a GPS to the bike before long and will most likely use that. Don't think I want to crack open the speedo just yet.

Thanks for the offer. I'll keep that in mind for future reference.

[jace09]

Has it always been 10mph slow? If so i think i know what it MIGHT be, i will have to take some pics to explain better. But if someone got inside before and took the needle off the post and tried to put it back on, they might have wound the spring forward then put the needle back on the post to get the needle to rest at 0. If they did that then it causes the mph to show slower then what you are going.

I found this out when i rebuilt my speedo.

[Good Times]

I think that the gauge was accurate before the rebuild. The tabs on the speed sensor were bent from tightening the wheel down when they weren't in the notches on the wheel. Didn't know if that would affect the speed. They are notched up correctly now, but the part is still not totally straight.

With the exception of about one minute today, the needle has been smooth, not jumping around. Just slow.

These gauges haven't been opened. At least they don't appear to have been.

[jace09]

I found this video when i was rebuilding my speedo. Wish i had tried his method of opening it up, because i used my hand dremel to split the case. Man that turned out ugly, but thankfully it is covered by the black sleeve. Anyway, his method is time consuming but better cosmetically. Also he explains the inner workings of the speedo that might help shed some light. I just hope you have the same model

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlZrUUqn0Ik

[Good Times]

Great video. Thanks jace. I'll tackle that one day. Probably rebuild the sensor and crack open the speedo. It probably needs to be cleaned and refreshed. The sleeve on ours would cover the bent lip after you were finished with it. Cool deal.

[Good Times]

Ordered my windshield today. Slipstreamer Spitfire Tinted with black hardware.

Believe it or not I am finding my best prices at my local bike shop. Not to mention that the parts staffs are just really good guys to boot. They actually like to help me out and give me the best price they can.

The also had a chrome breather filter in the 50% off bin that I picked up for about $8. That will work nicely on my breather hose.

I like to brag on folks who do good business. JPM Motorsports is worth bragging on.

[Good Times]

There's an app for that....

Wow, what perfect weather we have here today! 70's sunny and a breeze blowing.

I've been toying with the idea of mounting a GPS so I would have an accurate speedometer and for use with directions.

I got to thinking today (dangerous) that there may be a speedo app for my iphone. Did a search and bingo. Downloaded a free version, zip tied my phone to my handle bars and took it out. Worked well.

Then my creative juices got flowing. I have an otter box with an additional belt case for my phone. It's hard plastic and clips in very securely. I don't use it. So I took one of the extra horn mount brakets that I didn't use and attached it to the handle bars.



I took a little two sided 3M tape on the back of the belt holder and stuck it on the metal horn bracket. Seems pretty secure:


Clipped the phone in and I have a free speedometer...



and all of the other stuff I can do with the phone.

Sweet.