Over 2 months since I've done an update, I'm getting slack!
Coming up to 1000k's on my bike and all's good, just thought I'd note a few observations after not riding it for over 20 years and how it feels to be riding a 40+ year old bike.
1. Clutch still a bit grabby when going into gear the first time after it has sat for longer than a day, sometimes enough to stall it, after that perfect, snicks into gear perfect and all other changes are nice, Oh and finding neutral when hot and stopped, damn near impossible, seems to be a common thing, might play around with it over Winter.
2. Rear brake squeals like a banshee, I've had the pads out a couple of times and roughed them up but no change. Another Winter project there I think might have to disassemble the whole rear brake system and start again.
3.When I first started this build I thought I would get away without a centre stand, but I'm really missing it so I dragged it out of my parts bin and made a start at cleaning it up. At some stage in it's life a PO had broken the foot rest off it, as seems to be common and then did a very average repair on it. I have been trying to clean up the crappy welds as best I can and have made up a piece of steel to get welded on and strengthen it.
A bit more work to do on the stand once I get someone to weld it up for me, and then add some grease nipples as per 5twins suggestion in one of his posts.
Apart from those little niggles ( and really they are no big deal) the bike is really nice to ride, just perfect to jump on once or twice a week and go for a little cruise.
And that's all I want it for, I didn't build it for interstate cruising although I'm sure it would take it in it's stride.
Oh. almost forgot, did an oil and filter change at 500k's old oil looked good still pretty clean with no sign of any metallic particles, adjusted up the timing chain then and the tappets. I will do it again at 1500k's
And speaking of interstate cruising, it's that time of year when I head off on the annual trip with a bunch of mates, this year we are going North up into New South Wales, mostly riding back roads and hoping to make it to the Australian Motorcycle Museum at Nabiac on the North coast. This year will be a bit different as my usual ride buddy has injured his shoulder and cannot ride so we will have a support vehicle with us. Looks like where in for some pretty hot days so will be handy having cool "refreshments" on hand.
The boy's reckon I should be taking the XS as I won't have to carry anything, maybe when I've done a few more longer rides and see how it goes then. Besides I've got an extremely comfortable Street Glide sitting here ready to go.
See you all in a week or so.
Mick.