What have you done for your bike today????

[scratch]

Found where the gas leak on Piper's old bike is...the fuel line from the tank.

[mister]

Yesterday: wheelies. Teeny, tiny wheelies.

Squid...

[mister]

Caressed it as I walked past it in the garage.

[GS500Schultz]

Found a new gas leak... And wired in my new speedometer

[Janx101]

Ooooh shiny!

[JM500]

Found a new gas leak... And wired in my new speedometer

Tell me more! Details!?

[GS500Schultz]

bought it on ebay came fresh from China lol
Unlike most China gauges it's programmable. Wheel size, amount of cylinders, fuel warning, miles/Kilo switching.

It's pretty sweet i'm not gunna lie. Just need to make brackets now for everything.

[PantheraLeo]

I ordered a new 140/80 Battlax tire, and a new rear shock (based on numerous threads here).  I went with the Katana 600 replacement.  I found an '06 on eBay for 34 bucks.  The threads I have read make it sound pretty simple.  How does the estimated 3/4" lift on the bike affect side stand and center stand function? 

It looks like to me my center stand will still clear the ground, but I am not sure if my side stand will have too much lean after the change.

Here is the soon-to-be-installed shock.

[gsJack]

According to wiki the Kat 600 shock will raise rear 1/2-3/4" and the 140/80 will also raise it another 3/4" so it could be 1 1/2" higher in the rear.  I've had 130/90 rear tires on that raise rear 1" without a problem.  You might have to be careful parking on slopes though.

As it gets higher it's easier to get bike on the centerstand but you could reach the point where the rear tire doesn't clear the ground on the center stand.  Might have to put board under it.

[PantheraLeo]

Thank you, GSJack!

Currently, my 210 pounds (stock springs, stock tires) makes it so that the side stand scrapes a bit when I am seated on it and I engage/disengage the stand.  I also feel like it is a bit too upright when I use the side stand, so I hope this will improve it's angle, without going too far... 

It looks like to me the center stand has just under 2" of tire clearance, so I guess it will be okay.  If I gotta put a board under it after all this, so be it.

[Janx101]

Kat 600 shock on mine, lean on side stand is ok...

centrestand still ok but maybe 5mm/quarter inch clearance from ground on rear tyre...

never measured static height of seat etc but not that noticeable when sitting on bike. .. till you ride! .. then you notice it's better....

Be careful with the preload of it though! ..  position 5 on old one does NOT mean you need position 5 on Kat! ... start from 1 and adjust up to suit you after riding some of your usual roads. ...

Its a LOT stiffer. .  Even with my 310 lbs geared up on it! ...

Also adjust/play with damper setting till you find your pref.. .. it's easy but makes noticeable changes to your ride comfort!

[Janx101]

Bugger! .. forgot. .   Also... install is fairly easy.. . So long as you also remove the link bolt down bottom so link can swing easy. .. if you don't then it's still doable but you will swear more! Lol

[Janx101]

Sigh. .. mutter mutter. . Its 4am on train to work. .. ALSO! ... install with damper screw facing RIGHT side of bike... easier access once installed! .. thinking. ... use good wrenches not crappy ones. .. use a torque wrench for final. . If you have one. .. take off heel plates for easier vision while install. ... thinking. ... sit the bike on a bigger block/milkcrate/bike chassis lifter that's much higher (so back wheel is about 3" or more from ground before start work) than centrestand. .. also for better access!

[NortwestRider]

Got " Dora " back from my son,so now she will have a dry place for the winter.


I know a lot about a few things,a little about a lot of things but I don't know everything about anything !!.

[DevilDesire]

Changed the brake fluid, the old one looked like rusty old car anti-freeze.... braking is now 10 times better. Bought Motorex chain lubricant. I also ordered red rim tape and tomorrow I'm thinking of ordering a small Puig windscreen.

[PantheraLeo]

Thanks, Janx. 

Although your message delivery was unconventional, I think I picked up a few things that will save me some trouble, sir.  When the work is done, I will update.  It appears that the shock replacement will happen prior to the tire replacement, since my shock shipped this morning and there is no word yet on the tire.

[Janx101]

All my deliveries are unconventional ! Lol. .. BTW. .. you HAVE upgraded the front suspension already yes? ..  it gonna mess with safe? handling if you haven't! ... usual is front first then rear. . Or both simultaneously. ..

[PantheraLeo]

All my deliveries are unconventional ! Lol. .. BTW. .. you HAVE upgraded the front suspension already yes? ..  it gonna mess with safe? handling if you haven't! ... usual is front first then rear. . Or both simultaneously. ..

I haven't.  Here is why....I have limited mechanical skill, and a limited bike budget.  So I'm very confident I can manage the rear shock switch and the cost is very low.  I also must have a rear tire, my current one is in bad shape.  The installation of this tire is something I need to have done by a professional. These two items are my November projects. 

Maybe I can tackle the forks in December/January, with a goal of having the suspension done front and rear, and my exhaust replaced with a sexy growling Yoshi by spring.  Make sense?

Roaring via Tapatalk.

[Janx101]

Fair enough... just be aware that the front end will still feel very squishy while the rear will be much much firmer. .. I haven't ridden with such a configuration so maybe the racer boys or the old hands can chime in on the yes or no suitability here?

[PantheraLeo]

Fair enough... just be aware that the front end will still feel very squishy while the rear will be much much firmer. .. I haven't ridden with such a configuration so maybe the racer boys or the old hands can chime in on the yes or no suitability here?

I agree it should be a priority.  Your recommendations for firming up the front, sir?

My visit to SonicSprings (I read several threads referencing that site) tells me I should be getting some SV650 0.90kg/mm Sonic Springs.  I read the replacement procedure and I might just be able to do that if it is as straightforward as it sounds.