Continuing - So what did you do to your bike today...?

[Boa]

Went to see my Dad in Cambridge today. Fueled up for the run home, checked the top box lid was locked and the top box moved.... soon spotted one of the arms had cracked, lucky I didn't lose the whole lot as one had completely broken and the other was only just hanging on when I got home.




One side had broken before, so more welding and a bit of reinforcement required. Pretty good really they've always been on the bike and usually with plenty in.

Bloody hell Col, how many cattle grids did you ride over?

[Hooli]

Those Givis always do that!

If you strip the covering back it's only got a spot weld holding it rather than a proper seam all the way around. So it's designed to break.

The one I've got in the garage I'll eventually get tidied up will get welded properly before being re-powercoated.

[Irish in Oz]

Those Givis always do that!

If you strip the covering back it's only got a spot weld holding it rather than a proper seam all the way around. So it's designed to break.

The one I've got in the garage I'll eventually get tidied up will get welded properly before being re-powercoated.

I think they are actually originally braised, I've had one side of mine split but similar to Kiwi edge of the weld. While tigging the repair it was braise rod that I reckon I seen around the mounting post, it does give a smoother finish that probably why they do it because it looks better.

[Hooli]

Those Givis always do that!

If you strip the covering back it's only got a spot weld holding it rather than a proper seam all the way around. So it's designed to break.

The one I've got in the garage I'll eventually get tidied up will get welded properly before being re-powercoated.

I think they are actually originally braised, I've had one side of mine split but similar to Kiwi edge of the weld. While tigging the repair it was braise rod that I reckon I seen around the mounting post, it does give a smoother finish that probably why they do it because it looks better.

You might be right, I remember a brassy colour but being unable to do such things I'm never sure which method was used.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Last few jobs this afternoon: the front disc bobbins all given a spin and a squirt of CRC, then brake cleaner to degrease the friction surfaces. A polish and wipe over front to back, including forks, swing arm and frame. Glad I did, because I found the rh rear chain adjuster was loose.  Taking the BMW for a run with the club tomorrow, then that gets a wash too.

[Hooli]

60k service on Snotbox today. I had another go around it to try & work out where it's bent, I think it's the frame tbh. The rear wheel isn't central to the bike & as the swingarm hangs off the engine I'd assume one of the many times it's been down the road in the past the engine has twisted in the frame.
Plus, and this one confuses me, the yokes aren't lined up with each other. The top one is rotated right compared to the lower. You'd think that'd have to be bent forks right? well turning the forks 180 degrees, which should make the twist go the other way, has zero effect. I can't work that one out.
Anyway it's a bit straighter to ride than it was & I've got the rear wheel straighter so it won't eat the chain as quick. That's as good as it's getting as it's a snotter not a keeper.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Headstock area twisted then?

[Hooli]

Headstock area twisted then?

As the frame is a cradle that just bolts to the head, barrels & very top of the crank case I suspect it's bent there or towards the headstock. The swingarm hangs off the engine so any twist where the engine mounts would make sense.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Ah, so the engine is a stressed member of the frame. Yes, a twist in the upper frame would be possible.

[GSXKING]

Honda stole a lot of this style from Ducati.
Frame looks absolutely flimsy by comparison.

[Tony Nitrous]

Another 109K's this morning. I like the knobbly tyres but the bitumen and gravel roads chew them up.  All done for at 2,803K's.  I can fit a long lasting better road one, but I'll be stuck in the mud somewhere.

Might try a Dunlop 606 next.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

First small test run with new clutch and brake levers.

Reason I replaced them is the excessive vertical play at the perch, the bronze bushing at the pivot worn to an ellipse, all resulting in a significant clunk when engaging 1st gear, even when hot, which is not common, in my view, of Suzuki wet clutches.

New levers, no play, nice smooth lever action.

Idled the bike up to operating temp, then held the clutch in for a count of 10 to see if the plates would separate of their own volition.

Dropped it into 1st, it did thump, and the bike lurched forward even with thr clutch held in.  My first thought was "oh crap" or words to that effect.  Bite point is a bit further out as expected, but not too bad.  Smooth take up as per usual.

But, then when selecting 2nd, smooth as always.  Back to 1st, same, back to neutral also the same.  Then when selecting 1st again, smooth as silk, no clunk or thump, nothing.  Tried that a dozen times, even going from 2nd to neutral and back to 2nd. Nothing, just a satisfying click into gear.

Happy days, I call that a win.

Brake lever also very nice, brake feel a little better, will do a few more hard stops next time around.

[KiwiCol]

Hoo'd a thunk new levers could achieve that result.  Good on ya Eric.

[Tony Nitrous]

Hoo'd a thunk new levers could achieve that result.  Good on ya Eric.

I love my new levers. Billet / folding / adjustable.

Suzuki were doing a warranty swap on front master cylinders, I don't know anyone who had a drama, but apparently someone had.

I told Suzuki its not going to happen, unless the levers fit the new master.

They do so I did.

I've used Pazzo on a couple of bikes, but I do like the Gilles Tooling alternative.

[Hooli]

I've been at the Pissed As A Newt rally up near York with a mate, it was a great chilled weekend and the Bloo Thing's first rally with me. Proper small rally, maybe 250 people and very relaxed. Being only 4 mile from York we caught a bus Saturday & went for a wander around the old town, The Shambles, Valhalla Viking bar etc.

My mad mate Tyke is from Kent & has done a 600mile round trip on L-plates with her 125. For those in lesser countries that means she's not allowed on motorways so has to go through a load of towns near parts of the A1M. It did get her the longest distance female award & at least a dozen folk congratulating her for riding so far on a small bike.

As usual I didn't take many pics.