3 April 2009, 1000hrs

I had just spent about 1.5 hours on my roof, fixing shingles (again) due to some high winds. About a week ago I ordered a set of Sonic Springs (0.90) and PJ1 10W fork oil. I ordered the seals and bushings from Service Honda as well.

I have a choice here. Do I fab up my missile launcher/50 cal pushbuttons or put the rear back on and prep for valve cover removal, or finish up the MIG?

I had some red RTV kicking around, rather than purchase some black, I put on the red and drilled out the rivet holes to accept 3/16" aluminum rivets. I sealed the end caps and riveted the stainless straps and end caps back on. I then RTV'ed the can to the pipe and put it up to dry.

This entire process took way too long and before I knew it, it was time to leave to go pick up the Ninjette. Brand new, one owner, never titled.

I took the trip to West Springfield with my 5x8' trailer and the HF wheel chock. My first ride of the year was about 1/4 mile on the 205R. Gorgeous condition, and my wife has always had used bikes, this'll be her first new one. Got the bike back to the house after down pours and heavy rain. Slapped a bow on it

4 April 2009, 0530 hrs

My wife went to work (thankfully no flat tire this weekend). I was able to spend some more time before the kids woke up at 7am.

I put the rear wheel back on and started disassembling the air box. I haven't had the box cover off in a couple of years and found some nice insulation and whirley birds from a tree. They must have been added when I had my old house with the detached garage. Luckily nothing made it through the filter.

P4040012.JPG

P4040013.JPG

P4150026.JPG

I've decided to get some UNI filter Foam (BF-4), tear out the paper and use the foam (but that's another entry...)

5 April 2009, 1100 hrs

Continued to pull the airbox. I've never had the airbox completely off, and I didn't realize that there are no less than a dozen hoses connected to it. I took out the sharpie and labeled every hose so I'd be sure to get it right when I put it back together.

With the airbox out, I moved on to releasing the radiators and the oil cooler. It was at this point that I realized that getting the front valve cover off is going to be a real pain in the rear. After much fiddling around it was free. I set it on the bench and covered it with a clean rag. The rear cover came off quite easily.

I set the pistons to 1 TDC on the compression stroke and pulled out my feeler gauges. Crap. They are all WAY too big.

I called a buddy that raced quads and he said he'd check his and bring them in to work.

P4040014.JPG

P4050015.JPG

P4050016.JPG

P4050017.JPG

I can't help but take a picture of my daughter when she comes to the 'shop' to "help daddy". Her brothers are usually in the other part of the basement riding bicycles and wreaking much havoc. She comes in and, every single time, messes up my socket set.

5 April 2009, 2100 hrs

I can't do any more valve work, but my fork stuff should be coming in this week, so I started to pull the forks. This is when I realized that I should have pulled the forks before taking off the front valve cover. Would have made the cover so much more accessible.

Time was again getting short so I finished the soldering of the missile/50 cal buttons. Really, they go to the garage door opener that I have. I hot glue the case and velcro it inside the front fairing.

P4040007.JPG

I'll try to finish pulling the forks this week before doing the valve check. It'll be so much easier without them in the way.