Maintenance on an "Old Dog"

[Peckerwood]

Not sure if I'm posting this in the correct forum, so excuse me if I'm messing up. I recently posted a question concerning replacing my rear shocks, and I got some great ideas from y'all. So I'll throw this out too. I have a very well maintained '04 Mastiff, and I intend to do a lot of riding this summer for a change, didn't get much seat time last year. So I got a great, but 11 year old bike, but I realize that time takes a toll on parts. I've always been good about changing trans, primary, and engine oil, plugs, keeping the air cleaner clean, tires up, clutch and primary chain adjusted, carb adjusted, etc. You know, all the normal stuff. I have no performance issues at all (except worn out rear shocks; we covered that). I'm thinkin' that I can't remember the last time I changed my fork oil and brake fluid, though, so these issues probably need to be addressed. So, my question is this-since I'd rather do the work up front instead of breaking down on the road because I didn't cover all the bases, what other maintenance or wear issues should I be looking at on an 11 year old bike? (fr'instance, I just noticed my clutch cable is beginning to fray; that could have sucked 50 miles from home.) Thanks in advance.

 

[woodbutcher]

i don't know about the mastiff, but the K9 forks call for 10K but i have found that it is better at 8.5K; if you are talking about the outer sheath fraying on the clutch cable, more important the inner cable. that is what does the pulling, but then i would suppose you already know that. look at all the gaps in the case at the gaskets for any sign of leakage. start the season out easy and keep watching for oil.

 

[FrankBDPS]

For what it cost I would change the clutch cable if it is showing signs of wear. Drain the tanks and pull the fuel screen out and clean it. Check the throttle cables and inspect the electrical. If you get up this way let me know.

 

[Peckerwood]

Thanks, Wood-yeah, the inner cable. New cable on order from my local shop. And when I change the oil, I always look underneath the bike for signs of oil seepage; nothin' yet. And Frank-great idea regarding the petcock screen, we all know about the tank liners, eh? I always store the bike for the winter with a full tank of fresh gas and a couple shots of sea foam, but I drain the tank completely before starting the first time in the spring, just so I don't risk running stale shit through the system. So with the tank drained, the job's already half done. Electrical all good, it's got an old school Harley style re-wire job now. And thanks for the invite to the North Coast, will do.

 

[FrankBDPS]

Don't go to the north coast stop about 50 short!