Well after a nice warm welcome I have decided to start a thread about things I might want to ask or just observations I find while I get my newly acquired 14 up to scratch.
So far I'm just doing the forks, new tyres, under tank stuff, I'll probably take the fuel pump out to see if it's had the connector tied mod, and whatever else is under the tank to do.
My first observation after refitting the rear wheel with the new tyre is that after 3 or 4 attempts at tightening the axle nut I find I must leave about 3" of slack in the chain so the correct play is there after the nut is tightened :rolleyes:
I'll post a pic of the forks once the polishing is complete, I feel lost not having any alloy to polish and there will I'm sure be other things to talk about as I go through the process, I'll also check the steering head for lube and correct tightening, right now it feels a little tight? Could just be the drag of the brake hoses, forks are off, I did notice a little wandering in straight lines at slow speed but this is probably the front tyre but a too tight steering can do that as well.
The bike came with a staintune muffler and the original muffler came in a box as well, I'm thinking I prefer the look of the original and to my old ears the staintune is a tad loud so I'll put the original back on n see how it goes/sounds.
That's about it for now.
Quote from: Nic on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 08:41 AM
The bike came with a staintune muffler and the original muffler came in a box as well, I'm thinking I prefer the look of the original
Really? :hat:
Quote from: Snapey on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 12:14 PM
Quote from: Nic on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 08:41 AM
The bike came with a staintune muffler and the original muffler came in a box as well, I'm thinking I prefer the look of the original
Really? :hat:
Yep, well I haven't even dragged it out of the box, could be anything?
The original K7 can is here generally known as "Bazooka". To be allowed to put that on your bike you need a weapons permit. If you don't have a permit: Bad taste will do just fine :devil:
To mitigate above issue Mr. Suzuki supplied a Yoshimura can in a box with the K7. Let's see if you are in luck :cheers:
each to their own, just ask Irish for his opinion on oem can
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 05:21 PM
each to their own, just ask Irish for his opinion on oem can
Each to their own is right.
All the staintune does is make more noise to add to the wind which everyone complains about and makes you think you are going faster.
If it's all about show I wonder my anyone would buy a 14 to start with.
Also all the noise does is attract attention, I can redline all the time and no one notices.
Quote from: Snapey on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 12:14 PM
Quote from: Nic on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 08:41 AM
The bike came with a staintune muffler and the original muffler came in a box as well, I'm thinking I prefer the look of the original
Really? :hat:
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder :)
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 06:57 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 05:21 PM
each to their own, just ask Irish for his opinion on oem can
Each to their own is right.
All the staintune does is make more noise to add to the wind which everyone complains about and makes you think you are going faster.
If it's all about show I wonder my anyone would buy a 14 to start with.
Also all the noise does is attract attention, I can redline all the time and no one notices.
I agree, the noise of the staintune is not something I like, as I've entered into cootdom I like quiet better n better, besides, there's something loose inside this one.
Im probsblt biased but you need to get a full Akrapovic system to make the 1402 sound like it should :stir:
Quote
I agree, the noise of the staintune is not something I like, as I've entered into cootdom I like quiet better n better, besides, there's something loose inside this one.
Nic, there is a silencer/restrictor on the end of the Staintune that can be removed. It makes a noise that sounds like a rattle or something loose inside at low revs. I have a Staintune on a DR350 and it makes a similar noise.
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Thursday, 13 February 2020, 10:58 PM
I agree, the noise of the staintune is not something I like, as I've entered into cootdom I like quiet better n better, besides, there's something loose inside this one.
Nic, there is a silencer/restrictor on the end of the Staintune that can be removed. It makes a noise that sounds like a rattle or something loose inside at low revs. I have a Staintune on a DR350 and it makes a similar noise.
Mine's gone.
So I dug the "Bazooka" out of the box and put it on the bike, it's in pristine condition, I like the look of it from the side but man it's freakin huge and out there from behind isn't it :facepalm:
Still working on polishing the forks so I haven't started the bike to hear the Bazooka. Checked and lubed the steering head bearings, I reckon the castle nut was too tight myself. I have one fork polished and the other is still at the 240 paper stage and my arms hurt from all the stinkin sanding.
When the polishing is done I shall pull the forks down and fit new seals and bushes, not expecting that to take too long, it's just the sanding, I'm finding it hard to want to keep going :frustrated:
Here's a progress pic of the fork polish, the one on the right I started sanding n then thought I better take a pic before I go any further, I couldn't leave those mongrel looking things on the bike.
Awesome job there Nic :onya:
Quote from: KiwiCol on Friday, 14 February 2020, 03:47 PM
Awesome job there Nic :onya:
Thanks Col, Just on the Bazooka:
I can't have that Monstrosity on the bike so I've ordered a restrictor from Staintune. Also, how's the weight of the thing.
As for weight, it's probably similar to a twin system on the earlier models.
Looking good there Nic :onya:
Well the forks are all polished up, new seals and bushes etc. FFS I spent 1/2 an hour making up a tool to hold the guts but didn't need it, Allen bolt did up both times with no dramas.
Forks are back on the bike. I'll finish up the front end tomorrow.
I decided to put an old pair of Oxford heated grips on, I had a half used tube of Tarzan's grip, I dunno if it's going to even set with no air in there, anyone know what glue I should use? No air in there, brfff, that never stops the tube going hard when you next need some.
Better a tube of Tarzan's grip than a grip of Tarzan's tube. Couldn't resist.
Quote from: Nic on Saturday, 15 February 2020, 02:48 PM
Well the forks are all polished up, new seals and bushes etc. FFS I spent 1/2 an hour making up a tool to hold the guts but didn't need it, Allen bolt did up both times with no dramas.
Forks are back on the bike. I'll finish up the front end tomorrow.
I decided to put an old pair of Oxford heated grips on, I had a half used tube of Tarzan's grip, I dunno if it's going to even set with no air in there, anyone know what glue I should use? No air in there, brfff, that never stops the tube going hard when you next need some.
Better a tube of Tarzan's grip than a grip of Tarzan's tube. Couldn't resist.
Had the same with my forks, no need for a tool.
Polish up looks great.
Thanks Eric, well I've just finished up wrestling with the front wheel, I can't believe the drama, I eventually got the axle threads to engage with the other side but I had to be Hercules with the ratchet, it was really weird and no, they aren't cross threaded.
I think what happened is this:
When I put the front guard on I forgot the brake hose retaining brackets that go on the back bolts, this has thrown the forks out of wack and made it almost impossible to do up the axle, when I put the calipers back on, the left one went on easy, the right one wouldn't go on, I had to loosen the pinch bolts and lever the right fork out about 3mil, I spose this is how you know the forks are aligned? Iv'e never had so much drama putting a wheel on.
Tomorrow weather permitting, I'll go for a nice test ride and hope the bike now will lean into corners. I forgot to put those bug stoppers on the forks, I think it looks better like that. I remember I did the exact same thing when I had the Bandit :rolleyes:
Amazing job mate, looks excellent and your speed getting it done, pit crew material. Had same front wheel prob once, front had been out. My remedy was fit everything but left bolts loose, axle went in easy then just tightened everything. Not sure if correct way but it worked.
That makes sense to me Grog......
Nice work Nic, looks great. :cheers:
Thanks again fellas, man I'm in no hurry to sand any more alloy, 240, then 320, then 600 then 1200. The worst is the 240, that's where all the work is, these forks are really rough under that clear coat, lot of sanding and it's a real dirty job too. I spose it's all worth it in the end, looks better in the flesh too.
Nic
The new grips come with super glue.
Many years ago I replaced 240 wet & dry with one of these. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3M-8S-FIN-Light-Deburring-Wheel-Fine-Scotch-Brite-Silicon-Carbide-6x1x1-8S-LD-WL-/221493743004
Sisal & calico mops on a buff mean the other wet & dry grades are kept for painting and your fingers still have skin too. :onya:
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Saturday, 15 February 2020, 07:19 PM
Nic
The new grips come with super glue.
Thanks mate, I took the left grip off n put in some 5 minute araldite, didn't think of super glue :facepalm:
The throttle grip is on pretty tight but if it loosens up I'll go the superglue.
Quote from: Nic on Saturday, 15 February 2020, 05:16 PM
Thanks Eric, well I've just finished up wrestling with the front wheel, I can't believe the drama, I eventually got the axle threads to engage with the other side but I had to be Hercules with the ratchet, it was really weird and no, they aren't cross threaded.
I think what happened is this:
When I put the front guard on I forgot the brake hose retaining brackets that go on the back bolts, this has thrown the forks out of wack and made it almost impossible to do up the axle, when I put the calipers back on, the left one went on easy, the right one wouldn't go on, I had to loosen the pinch bolts and lever the right fork out about 3mil, I spose this is how you know the forks are aligned? Iv'e never had so much drama putting a wheel on.
Tomorrow weather permitting, I'll go for a nice test ride and hope the bike now will lean into corners. I forgot to put those bug stoppers on the forks, I think it looks better like that. I remember I did the exact same thing when I had the Bandit :rolleyes:
Did you check front wheel runs free ? I had the same after replacing front wheel bearings. When i had the left axle threaded receiver flush with the fork, wheel would not spin freely and the discs grabbed the caliper. I think its to do with the bearing offset inside the hub. Grog is right, fit it all up loose, get the axle in, nip it up. Spin the front wheel and grab the front brake lever, this centres the wheel, hold it and then do up the pinch bolts on the lhs only. Zip tie the brake lever to the bar if you want. Then do up the caliper bolts (25nm each i think), then do up the axle nut (100nm), then do up the rhs pinch bolts (23nm). Check everything and then good to go.
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Sunday, 16 February 2020, 06:19 PM
Quote from: Nic on Saturday, 15 February 2020, 05:16 PM
Thanks Eric, well I've just finished up wrestling with the front wheel, I can't believe the drama, I eventually got the axle threads to engage with the other side but I had to be Hercules with the ratchet, it was really weird and no, they aren't cross threaded.
I think what happened is this:
When I put the front guard on I forgot the brake hose retaining brackets that go on the back bolts, this has thrown the forks out of wack and made it almost impossible to do up the axle, when I put the calipers back on, the left one went on easy, the right one wouldn't go on, I had to loosen the pinch bolts and lever the right fork out about 3mil, I spose this is how you know the forks are aligned? Iv'e never had so much drama putting a wheel on.
Tomorrow weather permitting, I'll go for a nice test ride and hope the bike now will lean into corners. I forgot to put those bug stoppers on the forks, I think it looks better like that. I remember I did the exact same thing when I had the Bandit :rolleyes:
Did you check front wheel runs free ? I had the same after replacing front wheel bearings. When i had the left axle threaded receiver flush with the fork, wheel would not spin freely and the discs grabbed the caliper. I think its to do with the bearing offset inside the hub. Grog is right, fit it all up loose, get the axle in, nip it up. Spin the front wheel and grab the front brake lever, this centres the wheel, hold it and then do up the pinch bolts on the lhs only. Zip tie the brake lever to the bar if you want. Then do up the caliper bolts (25nm each i think), then do up the axle nut (100nm), then do up the rhs pinch bolts (23nm). Check everything and then good to go.
Seems good, thanks mate.
The super glue supplied with Oxford grips l found to be junk. Both grips finished up slipping. l re-glued them using Sikaflex 221 windscreen urethane. Ain't moved again.
Reading all the guff on the 6 pot calipers, I decided to have a look on the bay for 4 pot ones, there was a sv1000 pair on there but not much else so bugger it, I bought em, I have ordered seal kits for them thinking I might as well spend the dough on the 4 potters than on the 6ers. Hope the pistons are good, won't be surprised if they're not though. I'll be needing new lines soon as well.
While I was adjusting all the suspension settings I noticed the rebound on the rear shocks were 2 on one side and 3 on the other. Haven't ridden the bike since due to shit weather. Maybe go to Duckberg ( Canb ) tomorrow.
Looking good mate
I just got back from what is usually a 157K ride, give or take, now with the speedo healer it's only 133K. I thought I read somewhere that the healer doesn't effect the odo? Wrong!
Yeah, it cuts the odo back by the same percentage as the speedo. Bit of a nuisance, but it's either 1 or the other.
The spreadsheet I keep for fuel use makes allowances for this & adjusts the km run between fills to give me real world figures.
My newly purchased used 4 pot calipers were sent to another one horse town other than my own one house town by the Aust Post Clowns, realizing their mistake, the calipers were sent back to Sydney, they say to expect delivery on Mundy.
I have new seals to go in there but need to see how the pistons are, hope they're good.
You're a busy man Nic. :onya:
Quote from: KiwiCol on Friday, 21 February 2020, 03:02 PM
You're a busy man Nic. :onya:
Well mate, now that the fork sanding is done, I can take my time, there is still a lot to do before I can sit back and admire the bike. I need to buy a cheap pressure washer to blast the dross off the underside, main stand and rear of engine, underside of both guards and the front of the engine needs a real good take down, clean and repaint. While that's getting done, I want to remove the headers and polish those up. There's no point having a bike that looks great from 10 feet away, then you get in there n see all this pox that has been allowed to accumulate. I'd like a better looking set of handlebars down the track as well. And the seat, while it's nothing like the torture seat on the bandit, I feel the front section needs to be built up so the thing is more level so you don't get monkey balls from sitting on ya nuts. So my mate Mick at MJM seats in Goulburn will be getting some work one day, nice block Mick.
I was toying with the idea of heated gloves but $400+ is too much at this point so I have the Oxfords and I just put the old DL1000 hand guards on the other day, naf looking but winter is coming.
Yes, agree. We all (most anyway) like to do a bit to the bike when we get it, to make it our own. $400 for the gloves isn't too bad really, I was looking at some on e-bay & they $700 odd NZD. Have their own battery in each glove, nice bit of kit, but bit rich for me & the amount of winter rides I do.
But, if I had them, I could do more . . . thinking, thinking . . .
You have some nice rides down there, not too crowded either. I wear sheepskin mittens in winter, better by far than gloves, would love to try the heated gloves but while all the reviews blair on about keeping the back of your hands warm, to me it's more important to "try" and do something about the fingers. With the sheepskin mittens the only bit that still gets cold is the end of the thumb, the hand guards help, fingers are usually warm being mittens, they are bulky but what price warm hands. The ones I have I actually bought from NZ, they only go to the wrists so I got some sheepskin and sewed extra on so they are gauntlet shape, only the butt end of the thumb gets cold, missed it by that much.
When I still rode during nasty weather I had a pair of these. Go over the bar ends. Easy on/off. Worked very well in keeping fingers warm and dry.
Farmers use them on their quad bikes here Andre. Think they are a great idea.
At it again today, took the tank off and had at the pair system. Made a couple o plates, nice and clean under there now. Air filter looks new, Iridium CR9EIX plugs in there, one step colder than stock, they look a good colour so I'm leaving them in, not that I have a choice out here in the nothing but the price or Iridiums is a tad shocking to this ignorant prick.
I backed off the steering nut, it was about 1/2 a turn too tight, I'm sure I didn't do it up that much, usually just a hair after it takes up, which is where it is now n it's nice and free flowing. I used the digital spring gauge thing before I adjusted it, it took just over 3 kilos to move the bars :rolleyes: now it's about 50G, it's a really small step from 50G to the so called recommended 200 to 500Gs IMO n I'm happy with that, I can always nip it up if need be but I'm confident it'll ride reeeeaaaaalllll good now, no more wandering.
I'm stopping for a spot of lunch n then into the tank to do the wire tie mod on the pump n check the tea bag.
Oops, I just remembered, I still need to block off the airbox :facepalm:
Put it up for sale on Gumtree
Quote from: KiwiCol on Saturday, 22 February 2020, 12:26 PM
Put it up for sale on Gumtree
I thought you might want it :P
Alrighty then, I had the fuel pump out, I think this pump may not be very old, there was just a little bit of corrosion in the metal bowl, I zapped that with the dremel and a wire mop. The tea bag was a little dookey but nothing too bad and the hi pressure filter was clean as, nothing came out when flushing with carb clean.
I went on a 20k test ride out on one of our back roads, even though the road is bumpy as hell and it was pretty windy I must say I'm starting to fall in love with the bike now. And the satisfaction knowing my tea bag's clean :happy1:
Seriously though, this is one hell of a bike, the tyres are broken in and I was able to give it some on the back road, also not a hint of wandering now.
I'm coming to the end of this thread I think, I'm waiting on the 4 pot calipers but after that it's just detailing the bike.
Time to just ride it now Nic. Youre plan was perfect, get it all done first then just maintenance. Enjoy.
Quote from: grog on Saturday, 22 February 2020, 05:56 PM
Time to just ride it now Nic. Youre plan was perfect, get it all done first then just maintenance. Enjoy.
Thanks grog, yes I've had the bike for a few weeks now but haven't ridden it much. It's ready to be my bike now. When I first got it, it had out of shape front tyre and it didn't want to turn into slow corners so why would you want to ride it like that. Then the list started, I'm really glad to be on the home straight now. Really enjoyed the ride today. :onya:
Good on ya Nic. We all like to put our stamp on our new bike. New tyres always brings out the best in them. :boogie2:
4 Pot calipers arrived today, from a wrecker they were pretty clean, I had the seal kit ready to go so I hastily pulled everything apart, pads are plenty usable and my biggest fear, the pistons, turned out to be in great shape as well. After an hour or so I had them ready to go on, I was gonna paint them but thought they looked ok as they are.
I did one side at a time, pinched the rubber brake hose with vice grips, very little mess, bled the first one, then did the same again on the other side.
Went for a leisurely trundle down the Araluen mountain to bed everything in, stopped off at the pub, it was a beautiful warm afternoon around 3.30 so I had me a beer, two punters, the barman and me, I stayed just long enough for the one middy.
My thoughts on the 4 pot calies, I think I like them better than the 6ers, the immediate response is softer, reminded me of my old twin disc kwaka, they don't come on all of a sudden, there's plenty there though if you need it and again I have the satisfaction of knowing the state of my brakes.
Still loving the bike big time.
Here're a coupla pics of the bike n caliper. Cheers :cheers: