RossKean
Well-Known Member
Spring - the Riding Maintenance season begins...
Anyone other than me put off doing certain maintenance items for too long?
I just brought up a list of stuff I had planned to do last season and only about half the items were ticked off.
Lists get made in the dying weeks of winter in anticipation of the new season. When the weather finally turns, I spend the time riding rather than wrenching - at least until you get to the point where maintenance (or the lack thereof) threatens being able to ride at all.
I'm not there yet but my list of "stuff" is getting longer, not shorter. Garage isn't heated so there isn't much that can be done until it gets a bit warmer. I think I have to schedule a dedicated week or so if I am going to get stuff done. (Sometime in early April?) No cheat days. Some stuff is really simple and really routine while other items require advance planning and significant commitment of uninterrupted time.
Suspension
Fork oil change - BUT I really should be considering bushings and seals which is a big deal. Had a leak last year but fixed with a Seal Mate. Just a matter of time.
Rear Penske shock refurbish - Logistically complicated as it has to be sent off to get done - I don't have the tools, parts or expertise (but I have a spare I can install temporarily)
Clean, lube and service suspension "relay arm". Major PITA - have to remove centerstand and suspend the bike.
Swingarm - has never been dismantled and serviced in 130,000 km. Probably OK but...
Service drive shaft and U-joint. PITA but easy since it all has to come apart for the swingarm and other suspension stuff anyway.
Steering head - lube and retorque (A service item that gets put off because it takes time and isn't critical) Wait too long and you are faced with replacing bearings.
Past due for a valve clearance check and I have been putting it off - hate doing these.
Spark plugs and coolant change happens with valve check as well.
Throttle bodies should come off for a clean (not fun!)
Throttle body sync
Fuel injectors. Might be time to have them cleaned and evaluated. I have a spare set (and fuel rail) I got off eBay for cheap that I might just swap out.
Electrical stuff! No "problems" but I have been procrastinating for over a year
I want to install a "barrier strip" so I don't have stuff hanging off the battery. I already have a fuzeblock hooked to the battery and some stuff gets powered from that.
Rewire Clearwater lights to barrier strip. Fuzeblock too.
Install LED headlights (I have had them for two years)
Clean and adjust windshield mechanism - have to take nose fairing off anyway for some of the electrical work.
Install LED voltmeter (I have had 2 years)
Install Powerlet socket for heated gear - more secure than the coax I am using
Tidy up a bunch of wiring including wiring for trailer hitch
The aftermarket removeable topbox has LED brake and turn signals built in but I have never gotten around to hooking them up...
Really simple stuff (rarely gets put off too long - items for a rainy afternoon)
- Oil and filter
- Rear drive fluid
- Clean/lube rear brake pivot, shift linkage
- Clutch and brake hydraulic fluid flush
- Replace shifter rubber
- Air filter
- General maintenance, lube and adjustments
- Check wheel bearings
Probably other stuff will crop up once I get into it.
Would hate to pay a shop for all of this! I work for beer.
Anyone other than me put off doing certain maintenance items for too long?
I just brought up a list of stuff I had planned to do last season and only about half the items were ticked off.
Lists get made in the dying weeks of winter in anticipation of the new season. When the weather finally turns, I spend the time riding rather than wrenching - at least until you get to the point where maintenance (or the lack thereof) threatens being able to ride at all.
I'm not there yet but my list of "stuff" is getting longer, not shorter. Garage isn't heated so there isn't much that can be done until it gets a bit warmer. I think I have to schedule a dedicated week or so if I am going to get stuff done. (Sometime in early April?) No cheat days. Some stuff is really simple and really routine while other items require advance planning and significant commitment of uninterrupted time.
Suspension
Fork oil change - BUT I really should be considering bushings and seals which is a big deal. Had a leak last year but fixed with a Seal Mate. Just a matter of time.
Rear Penske shock refurbish - Logistically complicated as it has to be sent off to get done - I don't have the tools, parts or expertise (but I have a spare I can install temporarily)
Clean, lube and service suspension "relay arm". Major PITA - have to remove centerstand and suspend the bike.
Swingarm - has never been dismantled and serviced in 130,000 km. Probably OK but...
Service drive shaft and U-joint. PITA but easy since it all has to come apart for the swingarm and other suspension stuff anyway.
Steering head - lube and retorque (A service item that gets put off because it takes time and isn't critical) Wait too long and you are faced with replacing bearings.
Past due for a valve clearance check and I have been putting it off - hate doing these.
Spark plugs and coolant change happens with valve check as well.
Throttle bodies should come off for a clean (not fun!)
Throttle body sync
Fuel injectors. Might be time to have them cleaned and evaluated. I have a spare set (and fuel rail) I got off eBay for cheap that I might just swap out.
Electrical stuff! No "problems" but I have been procrastinating for over a year
I want to install a "barrier strip" so I don't have stuff hanging off the battery. I already have a fuzeblock hooked to the battery and some stuff gets powered from that.
Rewire Clearwater lights to barrier strip. Fuzeblock too.
Install LED headlights (I have had them for two years)
Clean and adjust windshield mechanism - have to take nose fairing off anyway for some of the electrical work.
Install LED voltmeter (I have had 2 years)
Install Powerlet socket for heated gear - more secure than the coax I am using
Tidy up a bunch of wiring including wiring for trailer hitch
The aftermarket removeable topbox has LED brake and turn signals built in but I have never gotten around to hooking them up...
Really simple stuff (rarely gets put off too long - items for a rainy afternoon)
- Oil and filter
- Rear drive fluid
- Clean/lube rear brake pivot, shift linkage
- Clutch and brake hydraulic fluid flush
- Replace shifter rubber
- Air filter
- General maintenance, lube and adjustments
- Check wheel bearings
Probably other stuff will crop up once I get into it.
Would hate to pay a shop for all of this! I work for beer.
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