Winter Jobs

[Lee]

Well, winters properly arrived now.
It's not a lot of fun in the garage when it's freezing cold, but the weekends mean there's plenty of opportunity to tick a few jobs off the list of things to do.
Some time ago, I identified a sheared fork pinch bolt. It's a job I've been putting off for a while. Last week I finally got it all drilled out. There's currently a nut and bolt in there at the moment, until Geoff comes round and taps out a new thread.

A new pair of tyres have been fitted to the aprillia and a new tank had also been fitted under warranty due to blistered paint. It's getting an oil change next week.
Yesterday, I carried out an oil change on the twin and fitted a new filter. It too needs new tyres before spring.

Had anyone else lifted a spanner yet this winter? If so what have you been up to?

And David, before you ask me where I've got my parts and tyres from. Don't.
You're starting to get on my tits.

[titus]

Changing my grips and polishing it a bit more, Boris had just been serviced before Winter, 👍

[Betty Swallox]

The tanks on the Aprilia are prone to swelling Lee but I thought they'd got that sorted out on the later bikes, at least you got a new one under warranty as most Aprilia parts cost a fortune and that's if you can get them.

I've done nothing to my bike so far but might get it serviced once i remortgage the house lol

[Wheelnut]

I dunno whether it's because I'm getting older but I struggle to raise the enthisiasm to go tinkering in the garage these days. Washing the thing and the basic checks is enough for me.

I really used to enjoy pottering on in the garage - especially with electrickery stuff.

[David]

To maintain the T&C's of the extended warranty on the RT, is was serviced at a BMW dealer in September 2016.
A pair of new tyres were fitted just before this service.
For the winter, fuel stabiliser was added to a full tank of petrol.
The brake calipers were cleaned, pistons exercised & pushed back to prevent binding.
Although not due from a mileage point of view, replaced the dirty air filter whilst the panels were off.
The bike was thoroughly cleaned & treated with an anti-corrosion product.
Battery charged as required.

[David]

With Bob's Bike, decided after 35 years to have the petrol tank repainted for the second time.
Before removing the tank, the carbs. were drained & flushed through with fuel containing fuel stabiliser.
When the tank is replaced, it will be filled full of fuel with fuel stabiliser added.
Whilst the tank was off, did some service items which are due in the next 200 miles or so.
The valve clearances were checked & all ok, all control cables were lubricated.
Front brake calipers were cleaned, pistons exercised & pushed back to prevent binding.
Battery charged as required.

[Deleted]

Both my sports bikes have had the usual November stuff done :

Good wash n wax
Chain cleaned and lubed
ACF-50'ed
Oil n filter changes
Fuel stabiliser put in
Up on paddock stands
Optimisers plugged in
Winter duvets placed over them.
SORN'ed

Set calendar for spring !!

[David]

Nov 21, 2016 15:21:17 GMT @rivercop said:

Both my sports bikes have had the usual November stuff done:

Fuel stabiliser put in
Up on paddock stands

Out of interest, which fuel stabiliser do you use.

I use Millers Classic Tank Safe, www.millersoils.co.uk/automotive/tds-automotive.asp?prodsegmentID=452§or=Classics

Both wheels are off the ground using the centre stand, plus a scissor jack under the sump.

[Deleted]

I use the Putoline Fuel Stab. Never had a problem starting even once after 14 months in storage.

[David]

Not sure if fuel stabilisers are really necessary, but for £6, I don't mind giving the fuel system a treat.

Bob's bike was stood for 51 weeks without any, drained the fuel out of the carbs, flushed them through with petrol from the tank, pushed the button and hey presto, fired up first time.

[Lee]

I was chatting with a chap on the island recently who did some work on a bike of mine.
I told him it might be smokey when started as I'd soaked it in wd40 before parking it up. He told me that if you're soaking a scrambler for the winter, you should use a silicone oil rather than wd40. Something about it being kinder to rubber hoses ?

[Wheelnut]

I think the theory goes that the paraffin content in WD can swell the rubber. Perhaps.

[titus]

Scottoiler Anti Corrosion spray is good Soapy and water based ☝️️

[David]

Are ACF-50 or XCP products safe to use on rubber.

[Wheelnut]

Nov 22, 2016 5:51:05 GMT titus said:

Scottoiler Anti Corrosion spray is good Soapy and water based ☝️️

Yep, I'm a fan of scottoiler fs365 - which reminds me, I need to get some more.

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2016 21:12:44 GMT Wheelnut said:

I think the theory goes that the paraffin content in WD can swell the rubber. Perhaps.

Guy did a test with WD-40 and totally submersed rubber parts in WD-40 and left them for 3 months. No difference in them at all.

www.motorcyclistonline.com/mc-garage-video-will-wd-40-destroy-your-motorcycle-chain-o-rings

[Deleted]

Repair a radiator and acf50 the bike. My garage is detached from my house so I have to pluck up the courage to brave the cold. I have an oil radiator but that's like pissing in the rain.

[David]

A quality garage day today, on Bob's bike, electric fan heater on = toastie.

Dealt with a minor amount of corrosion on the frame tubes beneath the tank while it's off getting painted.
Rubbed down to bare metal & painted with Hammerite Smooth Black.
Won't be seen but at least it'll last a bit longer.

Polished the bike, then applied ACF-50 using the oily rag method.

Looking forward to getting the tank back.

[Retired rigworker]

I have only seen my bike once since I came back from the Manx and that was to unpack the top box still got the fly's on it..............on the front Lee not the back lol

[David]

Slapped some ACF-50 on the frame tubes beneath the tank on Bob's bike.