For the want of a nail..

[Speedy1959]

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"

[seth]

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.

[Red Biker]

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 

Red

[Speedy1959]

Thank you both.
Appreciated.

S.

[Mick_J]

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.

[KiwiCol]

Bloody expensive puncture Speedy. 

[gsxbarmy]

After all this you must have nailed it....

[Red Biker]

The wallet has taken some hammer though 

[ARH]

 

After all this you must have nailed it....

[Mister Fishfinger]

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.

[Speedy1959]

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. 

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.

[seth]

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.

[Speedy1959]

Thank you my friend..
I actually value your praise.

Thanks again.

S.

[gsxbarmy]

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 

[Speedy1959]

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