GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => General Technical discussion => Topic started by: Speedy1959 on Wednesday, 07 March 2018, 06:43 PM

Title: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Speedy1959 on Wednesday, 07 March 2018, 06:43 PM
For the want of a nail my ride hath stopped.
For the puncture it caused my wheel was removed...
For the wheels removal the swing arm was removed for a regrease..
For the cleaning of 13 years of muck and grease the crack didst appear...
For the replacement swing arm an endless chain and sprocket was bought...
For removing a sprocket an impact gun was bought..

All for the want of a rear wheel nail!

P.S The saga isnt over yet..
So more chapters may be needed for this "Ode to Joy"
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: seth on Wednesday, 07 March 2018, 06:56 PM
It's been a bit of a saga but look at everything you've learned .
You'll gain so much confidence from doing it yourself hopefully never having to pay expensive shops again .
And you'll have the piece of mind that everything is good with the bike once it's finished.
:clapping: :salute:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Red Biker on Wednesday, 07 March 2018, 07:28 PM
Seth's right Speedy, you have to remain philosophical about these dramas otherwise you'd go mad!

You start with a seemingly simple job that grows into a monster!
I had it with the oil change this year but thanks in no small part to the help on here I'm nearly there now👍

Stay patient and positive  :onya:

Red
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Speedy1959 on Wednesday, 07 March 2018, 07:44 PM
Thank you both.
Appreciated.

S.
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Mick_J on Wednesday, 07 March 2018, 09:33 PM
I'm sure we've all had similar experiences, at least you are in a position to do it, or get it done.  When I was very, very poor I had to sell a bike as I couldn't afford to replace parts.  Another way to look at is that the nail could have saved your life.
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: KiwiCol on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 01:18 AM
Bloody expensive puncture Speedy. 
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: gsxbarmy on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 02:59 AM
After all this you must have nailed it.... :facepalm:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Red Biker on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 03:36 AM
The wallet has taken some hammer though  :whistling:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: ARH on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 04:32 AM
 :tumble: :tumble: :tumble: :tumble:
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Thursday, 08 March  2018, 02:59 AM
After all this you must have nailed it.... :facepalm:

:tumble: :tumble: :tumble:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 04:51 AM
Quote from: mjgt on Wednesday, 07 March  2018, 09:33 PM
I'm sure we've all had similar experiences, at least you are in a position to do it, or get it done.  When I was very, very poor I had to sell a bike as I couldn't afford to replace parts.  Another way to look at is that the nail could have saved your life.

This is spot on. If you hadn't removed the swingarm you wouldn't have found the ticking time bomb of a crack. Much better to find it now than when banked over in the outside lane at 85mph.

And also working on bikes is therapeutic. It used to be an annoyance when I was a youngster and the bike was my only transport (and I was skint), but now I get a lot of pleasure from it. Also, getting that sprocket off now might be hard, but the longer you leave it the harder it will get. And the weather is rubbish anyway, so might as well get it done.

Positive attitude and the support of like-minded peeps on this site - works wonders.
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Speedy1959 on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 05:22 AM
Thanks Mr Fishfinger (and all of you who replied).
Bike is re assembled now with the replacement swing arm..
I will tackle the sprocket nut within the next week. Impact driver arrives tomorrow and new sprocket nut the day after..
Did take her for a short spin as its a lovely evening and I wanted to find out if i had forgotten to tighten anything up.  :grin:

I gave the sprocket area a thorough degrease and clean. I couldn't believe how much junk / gravel and general crap came out...

Major improvement on quality of gear change..
I am very impressed.

Just noticed my genuine Suzuki oil filter is very rusty (due to salt) so I shall renew oil (Halfords semi) and filter in the next week or two.

Its only been a couple of weeks since i have been out on Sophie but its such a rewarding experience when she comes out..
Definitely the best all round bike i have owned.

Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: seth on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 05:32 AM
It's probably even more satisfying as you've done the work .
Once you have changed the chain and sprockets and done the oil and filter changes .
Sit down and work out how many hours you have worked on your bike then times that by £60  and your answer in the minimum it would have cost in garage bills .
What ever that amount is spend it on something you really want as you earned it .
Well done on your progress so far.
:clapping: :hat: :salute:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Speedy1959 on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 05:40 AM
Thank you my friend..
I actually value your praise.

Thanks again.

S.
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: gsxbarmy on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 09:09 AM
Quote from: seth on Thursday, 08 March  2018, 05:32 AM

Sit down and work out how many hours you have worked on your bike then times that by £60  and your answer in the minimum it would have cost in garage bills .
What ever that amount is spend it on something you really want as you earned it .


I calculated at least 3 Lamborghini Galliardo's for all the hours I worked on mine and other forum members bikes over the past 10 years. Unfortunately all I can afford though are the Matchbox variety  :doh:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Speedy1959 on Thursday, 08 March 2018, 05:19 PM
Dave..
Be thankful I dont live nearer to you..
I live up . . . . "There!!!"
Beyond the wastelands of Watford Gap !

In an area thats got . . . . .  "Northerners" !!!!!!

Hooo Ha Ha Ha Haaa
:stir:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: gsxbarmy on Friday, 09 March 2018, 03:05 AM
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Thursday, 08 March  2018, 05:19 PM
Dave..
Be thankful I dont live nearer to you..
I live up . . . . "There!!!"
Beyond the wastelands of Watford Gap !

In an area thats got . . . . .  "Northerners" !!!!!!

Hooo Ha Ha Ha Haaa
:stir:

I have been known to venture north of Watford from time to time Simon, but think I got away with it LOL. A few videos around of me working on bikes around Birmingham and Yorkshire do exist  :onya:

Not too sure if I would get a visa though now  :happy1:
Title: All done !! Yipeee
Post by: Speedy1959 on Friday, 09 March 2018, 04:04 AM
Hi all,

The electric impact driver arrived at work today..
When i got home I was pleasantly surprised to see the new sprocket bolt has also arrived (Thank you Fowlers)..

I thought No time like now..

Removed the sprocket cover and speedo sensor thingy..
Ran the extension lead outside to my bike plugged the Clarke impact gun in..
Now before I go any further I must reiterate that previously a neighbour and I were swinging on a breaker bar.. So much so that the bike very nearly came off the center stand WITH NO REAR WHEEL !!

So I approached this impact gun thingy with massive scepticism!
I remembered the advise about holding firmly to avoid a broken wrist..
The bike was in 1st gear so it would offer a bit of resistance..
I pressed the trigger and literally 2 seconds maximum and I was looking at the threaded shaft without a nut!!
I was so gobsmacked I actually disbelieved what I saw..
I rather pathetically peered into the end of the impact socket to see if the nut was there...

Seriously I cannot recommend this gadget highly enough..
I still cant believe what little work it made of that nut..
What a bloody amazing bit of kit!!
I then slackened of the rear axle and wound the chain adjusters all the way in to give the maximum slack.
Thankfully there was enough clearance to remove the old sprocket and replace with the new one..


Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Andre on Friday, 09 March 2018, 04:34 AM
Amazing what the proper tool can do :onya:

However, I was hoping you would have tried the candle trick as I am a low-budget guy. :imrgreen:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: gsxbarmy on Friday, 09 March 2018, 05:00 AM
Brilliant - glad its come off at last!!!
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Red Biker on Friday, 09 March 2018, 06:34 AM
Quote from: Andre on Friday, 09 March  2018, 04:34 AM
Amazing what the proper tool can do :onya:

Bit harsh Andre, he's doing his best 😀
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: seth on Friday, 09 March 2018, 06:39 AM
Great getting a new toy .
Well done @Speedy1959
:clapping:

@Andre did you try the candle trick yet I will give it a good next time I change a sprocket just to see if it makes any difference.
:cheers:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Sweaty on Friday, 09 March 2018, 06:58 AM
Excellent result Speedy, i didn't realise how good these gun's were either. Glad it worked out after the past drama's & you nearly have a new bike now  :clapping:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Andre on Friday, 09 March 2018, 07:01 AM
Quote from: seth on Friday, 09 March  2018, 06:39 AM
Great getting a new toy .
Well done @Speedy1959
:clapping:

@Andre did you try the candle trick yet I will give it a good next time I change a sprocket just to see if it makes any difference.
:cheers:

Nope, have heard about it here for the first time. Tempted to get a new chain kit even though the chain has quite a bit of life left. Giving that I have a number of things with priority to do, you will probably have tested the candle trick before me. Looking forward to your (and others) report on that.
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: seth on Friday, 09 March 2018, 07:03 AM
Me too you can't beat the correct tool if you have it and sometimes it's all that will work .
I'm lucky having a spare bike so can play with the other bike I'm not using
:cheers:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 09 March 2018, 07:19 AM
My air gun will even undo a staked nut, whilst still staked!   & that's only a 310nm gun.  Good toy to have I reckon.

Just checked, it's only 310nm.
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: Andre on Friday, 09 March 2018, 08:06 AM
A spare 14 would be great, especially in a red/black scheme   :drool:
Title: Re: For the want of a nail..
Post by: seth on Friday, 09 March 2018, 08:23 AM
I do like it  :smitten: