Don't tap a wire! Unless it's just to provide power to a switch for a relay.

Heated grips will draw some decent current so you want a fused hot wire straight from the battery for that, fed to a horn relay. You want the horn relay activated by the switch but only when the ignition is on...

Mmm...as long as it's a similarly gauged wire I don't see the issue with tapping. The instructions say to do so as well. http://www.heatdemon.com/products/Motorcycle-External-Grip-Warmer-Kit.html?product_id=1103 http://heatdemon-media.precis5.com/0d9ddfc009f4496a9548f3cbb815fd02

I finally got some new levers to go with the GSXR clutch perch.

You probably target fixated on the post, that's why you hit it, you go where you look 

Finally got a good test ride on Saturday with the Kat boys after my service... so far I still see a little oil where it was weeping with the fully synthetic but it could just be left over while the semi synthetic starts its work. I did give it a degrease before hand though so I'll see what happens.

The front end though, now that's a fantastic difference! The clymer had me putting 11mm less fork oil in than I should have, and the difference is incredible... I've contemplated putting some pre-load spacers in for a while because I thought the front end was still a touch too soft even with the Ikon springs, but now with the right amount of oil it's a world of difference... made the tight twisty stuff even more fun!

Luggage options for the new bike are now complete.
Fitted SW-Motech quick release pannier brackets for GIVI E21 Monokey panniers. I like the E21s because the don't noticeably widen the bike and in combination with the SHAD 45l top box should carry all the luggage I'll need for road trips. In the unlikely event I need a bit more more luggage space I can still use my old faithful Oxford tailbag.

The (not as) quick release (as I'd like) kit is easy enough to take off for the majority of the time when it won't be needed. The SW-Motech mounting kits are pretty good. The instructions don't cover the scenario where you have both panniers and a topbox but it wasn't too hard to work out how to fit it together and which bits of hardware would or wouldn't be needed.


There is a floating cross bracket that would normally bolt to the factory fender. I figure it is good for a bit of extra rigidity in the bracketing and will continue to use it. I also had to cut and rewire the indicators and number plate light so I could fit the undertail bracket. I knew there was a reason I should have waited for everything to turn up before changing the tail lights and installing the fender eliminator

After these photos were taken I added some reflective black tape to the rear and sides of the panniers and top box.

I still have a bit of electrical work to do but there is no rush. Front running lights will be converted to double as indicators thanks to some nifty kit from exLED in Korea. And once I've added a Denali Powerhub I'll wire in the USB and 12 power sockets and heated grips.

A new Sargent seat has been ordered. Once that arrives the bike should be ready for long trips. I don't need more power so a slip-on exhaust can wait a bit longer.

I bought 4 brass gremlin bells from a metal caster in Prague. I will secretly put these on bikes at the West Seattle Bike Cave.
The myth of gremlin bells is that they scare away bad gremlins so you ride safer because gremlins are scared by the tinkle of the bells. 

Three important conditions so they work:
1. You CAN NOT buy the bell yourself. It must be a gift.
2. Someone else must put it on your bike. You can not put it on your bike yourself or it will not work. It is OK for someone to buy the bell for you and someone else to put it on. YOU DON'T TOUCH IT! (Well, you are allowed to tinkle it)
3. If you need to move the bell to a different bike or re-install it, YOU CAN NOT DO IT! Someone else must do it.

These hand cast and detailed bells from Prague should bring extra luck and scare away all gremlins. Each one is different.

(Guys - if you see it on your bike LEAVE IT THERE! Even if you don't believe, it doesn't hurt to leave it there. Consider it a conversation piece.)
Who will buy a gremlin bell for HUHSKY?


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Quote from: peteGS on December 23, 2013, 01:52:56 PM



Trolley jacks are handy:




All that's left is to swap out the milk in the handlebars, replace the exhaust bearing, and adjust the bolt tying the handlebars to the exhaust... pretty sure I got that last one right hey Mister? 

That's it Pete. Remember, the milk is NOT to be powdered. NEVER use powdered milk in the handlebars. Full cream = good, powdered = very bad.

BTW, I hadn't paid enough attention before with your pipes. What are they made of? They're not stainless cause they aren't blued like trumpies. Their metal content or plating will determine the type of exhaust bearings to use - sorry I forgot to mention this earlier.

Quote from: adidasguy on December 30, 2013, 03:46:50 AM
I bought 4 brass gremlin bells from a metal caster in Prague. I will secretly put these on bikes at the West Seattle Bike Cave.
The myth of gremlin bells is that they scare away bad gremlins so you ride safer because gremlins are scared by the tinkle of the bells. 

Three important conditions so they work:
1. You CAN NOT buy the bell yourself. It must be a gift.
2. Someone else must put it on your bike. You can not put it on your bike yourself or it will not work. It is OK for someone to buy the bell for you and someone else to put it on. YOU DON'T TOUCH IT! (Well, you are allowed to tinkle it)
3. If you need to move the bell to a different bike or re-install it, YOU CAN NOT DO IT! Someone else must do it.

These hand cast and detailed bells from Prague should bring extra luck and scare away all gremlins. Each one is different.

(Guys - if you see it on your bike LEAVE IT THERE! Even if you don't believe, it doesn't hurt to leave it there. Consider it a conversation piece.)
Who will buy a gremlin bell for HUHSKY?

I think these are a great idea. It's nice that not everything in this world is so sterile and secular, and that we can still have faith-based feelings.

I have heard of these called something else, though.

http://www.guardianbell.com/bells.php

Just changed my rear shock preload from 1 to 7

Quote from: ParkerMax on December 31, 2013, 02:29:32 AM
Just changed my rear shock preload from 1 to 7

Stock shock? ... Had mine on 7 too ... But it still needed more.... For my errrrr..... Sturdy physique ... 

Quote from: Janx101 on December 31, 2013, 02:42:45 AM

Quote from: ParkerMax on December 31, 2013, 02:29:32 AM
Just changed my rear shock preload from 1 to 7

Stock shock? ... Had mine on 7 too ... But it still needed more.... For my errrrr..... Sturdy physique ... 

Yeah stock. I did buy the bike of a small fellow, so that would explain it being at 1. If I come into some money I may replace the shock.

5am. Can't sleep. Excited that HUHSKY runs. So changed clutch cable for a shorter one. Adjusted rear wheel. Tightened both wheels. Heck, with brake fluid today he can be ridable in a couple hours. Guess I know what I'll be doing on New Year's Day.

Have some new parts coming:

-R6 shock
-K&N drop-in
-20/62.5/140 jets
-Fork seals
-RaceTech Emulators

Trying to start the new year off right....

Quote from: mister on December 30, 2013, 02:35:54 PMThat's it Pete. Remember, the milk is NOT to be powdered. NEVER use powdered milk in the handlebars. Full cream = good, powdered = very bad.

BTW, I hadn't paid enough attention before with your pipes. What are they made of? They're not stainless cause they aren't blued like trumpies. Their metal content or plating will determine the type of exhaust bearings to use - sorry I forgot to mention this earlier.

Oh no, full cream milk only goes in 

The pipes are mild steel with ceramic coating... what are the best bearings for that?

Just adjusted my clutch and now I can change gears

I kicked HUHSKY out of the house. Its OK. He's making friends with all the other GS500's
Thanks to Brian and Olly for helping get HUHSKY out of the house and back to the Bike Cave.
BrianRC and I rode HUHSKY a total of 11.4km today!
              So exciting to get him on the road.               
The final plastics and tank won't go on for another week or so. Today was the start of a week of road testing.

Looked on CL for older gs's down on their luck.

Found a 96 500e, beat up and sun touched, for 1k.

Wish I had 1k.

Also spent most the morning and night watching most of adidasguy's instructional videos.

Very informative, even if you have done it before, its nice to see an easier way of doing it!