I'm about to pull the steering stem and yokes for a tidy up. I'm debating between painting, powdercoat or cerakote but the last two options would probably mean pressing the rubber mounts out of the top. I've gone looking for replacements in case I was to do that and damage them in the process but have found nothing - anybody know if they're available at all?
If not then paint it is.
Now there's a question I don't think I've ever seen asked before, no idea on the answer though sorry.
Never seen them as spare,I'd assume they come with a new yoke, as they look to be bonded in. I reckon you'll damage then trying to get them out.
What about just polishing the alloy and a coat of clear?
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Saturday, 12 October 2024, 09:01 AMNever seen them as spare,I'd assume they come with a new yoke, as they look to be bonded in. I reckon you'll damage then trying to get them out.
What about just polishing the alloy and a coat of clear?
I'm pretty sure they won't come out happily also.
Polishing is definitely an option. The previous owner has allowed keys or a key ring to flap around a bit so there's a bit of a mark there that needs to go. I hate it when people do that!
Same here. I used Autosol to polish up the area around the ignition, and the keys live in a leather pouch with only the ignition key sticking out, this doesn't scuff the alloy.
Mate, you can buy stainless yoke cover plate, looks good. About $70 ebay, just glue on job done. Mines lasted 10 yrs so quality good. Key solver is just a clip thingo from locksmith, means always with my other keys but clips off for bike.
Quote from: grog on Saturday, 12 October 2024, 11:21 AMMate, you can buy stainless yoke cover plate, looks good. About $70 ebay, just glue on job done. Mines lasted 10 yrs so quality good. Key solver is just a clip thingo from locksmith, means always with my other keys but clips off for bike.
Thanks, hadn't come across either of those options before.
I don't see them listed as a seperate part, and it's not something I'd see a huge demand for aftermarket.
(https://i.ibb.co/dkqn7JJ/IMG-0158.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5syq2xx)
$377 for a new top yoke, and almost triple that for the bottom one !
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Saturday, 12 October 2024, 01:31 PMI don't see them listed as a seperate part, and it's not something I'd see a huge demand for aftermarket.
(https://i.ibb.co/dkqn7JJ/IMG-0158.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5syq2xx)
$377 for a new top yoke, and almost triple that for the bottom one !
I spent quite a bit of time trawling through parts diagrams with no luck. I haven't looked closely yet but it seems likely they're bonded in.
To be honest I generally dislike the feeling lost through using rubber mounts like these and have replaced quite a few with solid alloy plugs in the past. I've no intention of doing that here but it would be easily done.
Quote from: grog on Saturday, 12 October 2024, 11:21 AMKey solver is just a clip thingo from locksmith, means always with my other keys but clips off for bike.
My solution: Key without anything attached to it. Works great. :cheers:
I have always used a single key on a plastic key fob so I don't scratch the top yoke.
A question for the brains trust. The painter botched it so I've ended up with freshly wetblasted parts again that I'd like to make black.
I'm thinking that the 180 deg C or so that powder coating gets baked at would be an issue for the rubber mounts - thoughts?
If the heat does not destroy the rubber right away, it will most certainly reduce the longevity of the rubber.
I would do the painting myself. My choice would be brake caliber spray paint. I did this when I didn't like the paint quality of my new cooler. Turned out quite well after 2nd try :grin: Still holds up very well. When I botched the first (runners), cleaned it off with thinner. Rinse and repeat as many times as needed. :grin:
If doing it yourself is not your cup of tea, find another painter. If he also botches the job find another one. Rinse and repeat as many times as needed :grin: It's a "good" way to find the best painter in your area! :cheers:
I could definitely handle a rattle can but I hoped a "professional" would do better.
Wish I wasn't such a picky bastard! I've got a long term major build of an XS650 to crack on with after this so I'm quietly testing a few service providers out with the 1400 tidy up.
Quote from: lurch on Saturday, 12 October 2024, 02:20 PMTo be honest I generally dislike the feeling lost through using rubber mounts like these and have replaced quite a few with solid alloy plugs in the past. I've no intention of doing that here but it would be easily done.
I agree that those rubber mounts bring a softness in the feeling which is not that nice.
Another solution to solid allow plugs is to install clip-ons -- one can find "not-so-extrem" ones à la 1100 GSXR (i.e. clip-on bars slightly above top yoke level), but I can agree this is not a a riding position everyone is looking for :) (they should, it's absolutely great! :) )
(note the foamy thingy attached to the key (and that I use for the past 35 years or so) and has always been nice to top yokes as well as my pockets :)
IMG_20240512_123323 (Large).jpg
Quote from: lurch on Sunday, 27 October 2024, 08:25 PM... I hoped a "professional" would do better.
A hope that has been dashed in far too many cases. Making my own mistakes are far easier to deal with. :happy1:
I'll try one more time to have a "professional" put new tires on my (bike) wheels. Every time they put several new scratches on the rims. Getting tired of "having" to patch them up. Got a recommendation from a picky HD rider. If that doesn't work out, I'll open the (thin) wallet and buy the equipment to do it myself.
Quote from: Andre on Sunday, 27 October 2024, 09:38 PMI'll try one more time to have a "professional" put new tires on my (bike) wheels. Every time they put several new scratches on the rims. Getting tired of "having" to patch them up. Got a recommendation from a picky HD rider. If that doesn't work out, I'll open the (thin) wallet and buy the equipment to do it myself.
I fit my own enduro & adv tyres and static balance adv wheels. More for peace of mind that I can comfortably handle a puncture hours (or even days in some cases) from any kind of support but also so that I know it's done right. I'm giving some serious consideration to something like the Rabaconda Street Tyre Changer so I can handle all of our bikes but they sure ain't cheap.
Quote from: Andre on Sunday, 27 October 2024, 09:38 PMQuote from: lurch on Sunday, 27 October 2024, 08:25 PM... I hoped a "professional" would do better.
A hope that has been dashed in far too many cases. Making my own mistakes are far easier to deal with. :happy1:
That's one reason I still do stuff myself. I know if I pay for it to get done, I'll have to redo it properly anyway so why waste the time & money to start with?
Spongey, i did mega ks on Ducati with clip ons.Very easy to go too fast, now days back doesnt bend as much. I agree, great riding position.
After riding my ZX14 for 6 months now I like the low bars. I sit on the gsx1400 with it's high bars and ponder putting lows on it or just selling it.
Grog, I don't think the low bars make you ride faster but it sure is fun when you do.
See I find low bars make ya faster as it's so uncomfy to ride slow, you go looking for the wind to support you.
I don't like them though & my right arm goes numb trying to ride anything with clip-ons, one of many reasons I sold that Sprint GT.
Quote from: Nic on Thursday, 31 October 2024, 12:52 PMAfter riding my ZX14 for 6 months now I like the low bars. I sit on the gsx1400 with it's high bars and ponder putting lows on it or just selling it.
Grog, I don't think the low bars make you ride faster but it sure is fun when you do.
I have identical Renthal 789 bars on 3 of my bikes. They sit me up and take some weight off my arms and hands, they should be a lot better for me considering my age and health, the clip-ons on my GSXR and Busa's should be far worse leaner down and forward more but lower bars just feel "right" to me. Recently when I ride a more sporty position bike and don't give it a second thought, I jump on something with higher bars and it feels like a chopper!
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 03 November 2024, 08:25 PMQuote from: Nic on Thursday, 31 October 2024, 12:52 PMAfter riding my ZX14 for 6 months now I like the low bars. I sit on the gsx1400 with it's high bars and ponder putting lows on it or just selling it.
Grog, I don't think the low bars make you ride faster but it sure is fun when you do.
I have identical Renthal 789 bars on 3 of my bikes. They sit me up and take some weight off my arms and hands, they should be a lot better for me considering my age and health, the clip-ons on my GSXR and Busa's should be far worse leaner down and forward more but lower bars just feel "right" to me. Recently when I ride a more sporty position bike and don't give it a second thought, I jump on something with higher bars and it feels like a chopper!
Tony, I'm 70 and thought my low bar days were well n truly over but the ZX14 has the 30mil bar risers and I just love riding it, the best part for me tho is no more arse pain and the seat is rockard :whatever: Oh and, wind noise is different on the ZX than sitting up on the naked 1402. Seems to be less leaking air into the helmet in winter with the low bars. With the 1402 in winter I'd get cold air right on my left eye no matter what helmet, none of that on the ZX. The ZX has Michi road 6 tyres and I reckon the bumps are much softer than the Pirelli Angel GTs on the 1402. I won't be going back to Pirelli's even with the cost of the road 6's.
Quote from: Nic on Monday, 04 November 2024, 07:10 AMQuote from: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 03 November 2024, 08:25 PMQuote from: Nic on Thursday, 31 October 2024, 12:52 PMAfter riding my ZX14 for 6 months now I like the low bars. I sit on the gsx1400 with it's high bars and ponder putting lows on it or just selling it.
Grog, I don't think the low bars make you ride faster but it sure is fun when you do.
I have identical Renthal 789 bars on 3 of my bikes. They sit me up and take some weight off my arms and hands, they should be a lot better for me considering my age and health, the clip-ons on my GSXR and Busa's should be far worse leaner down and forward more but lower bars just feel "right" to me. Recently when I ride a more sporty position bike and don't give it a second thought, I jump on something with higher bars and it feels like a chopper!
Tony, I'm 70 and thought my low bar days were well n truly over but the ZX14 has the 30mil bar risers and I just love riding it, the best part for me tho is no more arse pain and the seat is rockard :whatever: Oh and, wind noise is different on the ZX than sitting up on the naked 1402. Seems to be less leaking air into the helmet in winter with the low bars. With the 1402 in winter I'd get cold air right on my left eye no matter what helmet, none of that on the ZX. The ZX has Michi road 6 tyres and I reckon the bumps are much softer than the Pirelli Angel GTs on the 1402. I won't be going back to Pirelli's even with the cost of the road 6's.
I have a near new pair of Angel GT2's I removed from a bike gathering dust. They are awful. I can see why they get so much negative feedback and why they were taken off sale in the USA.
H2 SX SE and Gen-3 Busaboth have nicer bars than my GSXR and older Busa's, but on both bikes the cruise control is the game changer, being able to sit up, relax my grip etc makes sporty bikes less of a drama.
Oooi Tony, you'll have Irish Jeff on yer ass with comments like that. :happy1:
Angel GT2 wear uneven and induce weaving, im on my 3rd set of original Angel GT, no complaints. Rode my Mates MT10 with GT2, first off didnt like tread pattern. Riding i reckon i could actually feel vibration at all speeds.