Kiwirider
Active Member
Ok, here I go. Not sure how much sence this will make. Have only had my dog for about 2 months. This is an update on what Ive done so far.
Brought the bike from a cycle shop locally. Wasnt even after a bike at the time. Was just bored and stopped in the shop for a gander. Id been looking online (ebay) for choppers for a few years so had a fairly good idea of what I wanted. When I seen it. Well you can guess what happened.
The bike was in ok condition. Needed ALOT of TLC. So thats what she got.
Firsty. This what she looked like at the shop.
The tyre as I got it. Replace 2 days later with new Metzeler.
The day after I got the bike from the shop I rode up to Missouri to visit family (390miles). Thats when I learned ear plug are my friend. Was atcually a surprisingly comfortable ride. Im used to sports bikes (predominent in New Zealand as our roads are more suited to that type of riding), so sitting back was a nice change.
When I purchased the bike, the odo/speedo was U/S (unservicable/broken), so didnt want to ride with much more without it. So while the Dakota digi was on its way, I figured a full srevice was in order. So with the help of this site (and Gasmans How To's) this is what was done.
Up on the Autozone lift. Had to run the back tyre up onto a block, then balance there and scoot the lift under, jack it up to take the weight. Then hop off and lift it right up. Cleaned/re-oiled air filters. Dielectric grease to what ever connections I could find and shrink wrap any connectors I had that would fit. I also tried to tidy up the wiring a little, but it wasnt to keen to be moved around to left it. I also found an area that had the under side of the tank rubbing and exposing some bare wire. Some more shrink wrap and insulation tape and sorted for now... I hope.
Engine oil.
Trans oil.
Primary oil.
When I pulled the primary plug I found this: (have been assured that this is fairly normal. Was shitting bricks when I first noticed it).
I was told the bike had a full Pre purchase Inspection/service by the shop. But this is the oil that came out. Somehow I doubt it had anything done to it. Since this service Ive done another 1000 miles and the oil still looks new, thus confirming my suspicions.
Now, Im pretty anal (have been told OCD) when it comes to cleaning vehicles. So I knew I had alot of work ahead of me on this one. To clean the engine I used a can of engine degreaser gel and a small scrubbing brush to get in between the fins.
Engine Intake side at purchase.
Engine Intake side after some TLC
Engine Primary side at purchase.
Engine Primary side after TLC (new plugs and leads and wired up some LED's, did the whole engine for about $35)
Finally the Speedo turned up.
Damaged old one.
Replacement dakota Digi.
As you can see, the Aluminum was in pretty bad shape. This buffing was only 30secs rubbing. I still have a loooong way to go. But that will come when I pull the fork oils/seals and redo the front and rear wheel bearings.
And finally... Not the best pic in the world. But its 100 x better than when I started.
I guess my OCB payed off.
I also had dynabeads added. But the tech at the shop...... you guess it.... dropped the bike! He had the bike on the kick stand when he drained the rear tyre, so when it got low it rocked onto the rim and went over. He caught it and said there wasnt any damage. But on closer inspection it hit the tyre changer machine, dented the head light and also scratched the lower chrome exhaust sheild. Wasnt pissed it happend (shit happens) but was pissed he didnt own up to it. The shop owner was great though and is fixing everything.
Dont get me wrong. I still have a metric shit ton of work to do to get it up to scratch. Need to check the fuel pump, making that wering noise when low on gas. It didnt used to do that until just lately. Replace fuel and balance tube with braided and an inline filter. Looking into putting a glass bowl filter with the filter element removed into the balance tube so I can moniter the tank fuel condition at a glance. Will post pics when I get that done. Forks/seals/oil, replace or repack all bearings I can do myself. Brake pads. Polish the hell out of all the aluminum as its in a shit state (doesnt have the chrome package). Look into rockers as I can hear it through the ear plugs.
Am going to try to fab some mounting hardware for the Big Dog saddle bags I got. No way Im paying over $700 for a few bits of bent metal. Dont worry, Ill only mount them when me and the Mrs go for a few long trips. Actually thinking of a way to mount them with just a few bolts. So when we get where we're going I can just pull them off.
Anyway. Its a work in progress.
More to follow.
Cheers all.
Dean.
Brought the bike from a cycle shop locally. Wasnt even after a bike at the time. Was just bored and stopped in the shop for a gander. Id been looking online (ebay) for choppers for a few years so had a fairly good idea of what I wanted. When I seen it. Well you can guess what happened.
The bike was in ok condition. Needed ALOT of TLC. So thats what she got.
Firsty. This what she looked like at the shop.
The tyre as I got it. Replace 2 days later with new Metzeler.
The day after I got the bike from the shop I rode up to Missouri to visit family (390miles). Thats when I learned ear plug are my friend. Was atcually a surprisingly comfortable ride. Im used to sports bikes (predominent in New Zealand as our roads are more suited to that type of riding), so sitting back was a nice change.
When I purchased the bike, the odo/speedo was U/S (unservicable/broken), so didnt want to ride with much more without it. So while the Dakota digi was on its way, I figured a full srevice was in order. So with the help of this site (and Gasmans How To's) this is what was done.
Up on the Autozone lift. Had to run the back tyre up onto a block, then balance there and scoot the lift under, jack it up to take the weight. Then hop off and lift it right up. Cleaned/re-oiled air filters. Dielectric grease to what ever connections I could find and shrink wrap any connectors I had that would fit. I also tried to tidy up the wiring a little, but it wasnt to keen to be moved around to left it. I also found an area that had the under side of the tank rubbing and exposing some bare wire. Some more shrink wrap and insulation tape and sorted for now... I hope.
Engine oil.
Trans oil.
Primary oil.
When I pulled the primary plug I found this: (have been assured that this is fairly normal. Was shitting bricks when I first noticed it).
I was told the bike had a full Pre purchase Inspection/service by the shop. But this is the oil that came out. Somehow I doubt it had anything done to it. Since this service Ive done another 1000 miles and the oil still looks new, thus confirming my suspicions.
Now, Im pretty anal (have been told OCD) when it comes to cleaning vehicles. So I knew I had alot of work ahead of me on this one. To clean the engine I used a can of engine degreaser gel and a small scrubbing brush to get in between the fins.
Engine Intake side at purchase.
Engine Intake side after some TLC
Engine Primary side at purchase.
Engine Primary side after TLC (new plugs and leads and wired up some LED's, did the whole engine for about $35)
Finally the Speedo turned up.
Damaged old one.
Replacement dakota Digi.
As you can see, the Aluminum was in pretty bad shape. This buffing was only 30secs rubbing. I still have a loooong way to go. But that will come when I pull the fork oils/seals and redo the front and rear wheel bearings.
And finally... Not the best pic in the world. But its 100 x better than when I started.
I guess my OCB payed off.
I also had dynabeads added. But the tech at the shop...... you guess it.... dropped the bike! He had the bike on the kick stand when he drained the rear tyre, so when it got low it rocked onto the rim and went over. He caught it and said there wasnt any damage. But on closer inspection it hit the tyre changer machine, dented the head light and also scratched the lower chrome exhaust sheild. Wasnt pissed it happend (shit happens) but was pissed he didnt own up to it. The shop owner was great though and is fixing everything.
Dont get me wrong. I still have a metric shit ton of work to do to get it up to scratch. Need to check the fuel pump, making that wering noise when low on gas. It didnt used to do that until just lately. Replace fuel and balance tube with braided and an inline filter. Looking into putting a glass bowl filter with the filter element removed into the balance tube so I can moniter the tank fuel condition at a glance. Will post pics when I get that done. Forks/seals/oil, replace or repack all bearings I can do myself. Brake pads. Polish the hell out of all the aluminum as its in a shit state (doesnt have the chrome package). Look into rockers as I can hear it through the ear plugs.
Am going to try to fab some mounting hardware for the Big Dog saddle bags I got. No way Im paying over $700 for a few bits of bent metal. Dont worry, Ill only mount them when me and the Mrs go for a few long trips. Actually thinking of a way to mount them with just a few bolts. So when we get where we're going I can just pull them off.
Anyway. Its a work in progress.
More to follow.
Cheers all.
Dean.
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