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More Maintenance Work...trip Time!


Tightwad

1,105 views

In preparation for the Dallas to Dillon run, I needed to do some maintenance work big time. 28,900 miles on the clock, I bought the bike with 14,000 miles...so more than half are mine now. Only averaging 7K miles per year, but this trip should blow that away....3500 miles estimated total.

In April I put a new back tire on (Bridgestone BT021). Less than 2K miles, I hated to remove it, but I did anyway. I installed new tires front and rear, replacing the Pirelli Diablo front. The front wasn't totally dead, but it wouldn't have made another 1K miles, let alone 3500. I put both tires on the shelf...never know when you will need a spare to get you by. I will be looking for a deal on more new tires pretty soon...6 months or so I would guess. I found it pretty tough to remove that back tire when the tread was so new, but the Mojo-Lever, Mojo-Blocks and Harbor Freight Tire Changer setup made quick work of it. I used my Marc Parnes balancer to get the balance down...it's within 1/4 oz now. I realized my 3 tire gauges give 3 different readings, but i set as close to 36 front and 42 rear as I could. Tire Gauge I am taking reads a couple pounds light I think.

As part of my maintenance work, I changed the oil...Mobil 1 10w30 with a Fram Tuff Gaurd filter. I had the filter on the shelf already, and a couple quarts of the oil. I like running synthetic because I get more miles between changes. I forgot to buy a new sealing ring for the drain plug...so i am going to hope this one lasts one more install! I noticed I was a bit low on coolant...bottle was empty, and the Radiator was a cup or 2 low. I added some distilled water I had...never use tap water...especially not Dallas tap water.

In addition to the oil changes, I also bled the brakes and cleared out as much of the old fluid as I could. With the Speedbleeders installed brake bleeds are VERY easy, just a bit time consuming. I found my mightVac wasn't strong enough to pull the fluid easily, but a couple pumps of the lever would do the trick, and the Speedbleeders kept the fluid from sucking back in. I didn't notice any air bubbles to speak of. I hate bleeder nipples...why don't they make them tapered so hoses will seal easier on them?

I also installed my Pro Oiler chain oiler. This has been sitting on my shelf for 3 months or so...finally got around to it. Seems to be working well, i am keeping my eye on it.

I also replaced the side Pod Panels...thanks Ki-Speed! I wanted to install the Datel meter in the right panel instead of the homebrew meter I had there, and the left panel had the corner broken off somehow. I had fixed it (easy to do, works well) but it was ugly. Mark had a spare set he sent me, so I took this opportunity to install them.

I also replaced the final Bike Bolts on my bike in the front plastic part (if front of headers) to the black head version I was supposed to receive with the kit initially. If you order Bike Bolts, color matching means when the panel is black, the bolt is black. When the panel is painted, the bolt is painted. Great service from them, and i love that they sell the Well Nuts and Plastic Rivets...those have been popular items on my website.

Recap:

28,900 miles:

Bled Brakes

Changed Oil

Added 1.5 quarts of Distilled water to the system

Changed Tires

Installed Chain Oiler

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