At 37k what's worn out?

[weasel01]

My bike has just over 37,000 mi. what should I be watching on this thing as a typical wear item/s?
It seems to run great (so far) and though it shifts "like a truck" it seems to stay in it's selected gear and neutral is easy to find and the clutch feels solid and smooth.
Judging by the condition of the bike when I got it I'm about 99% sure it has seen no real maintenance beyond adding fluids....maybe a couple of filter changes over the last ten years........

[steve hawkins]

Tyres should be by now

I think you have plenty of mileage in her yet.  

On the old motobins site, they would have you believe that you should be changing valves at 40,000 miles.  But I think perhaps they are trying to drum up business.  They recomend 60,000 for the R80/100 when everyone else recommends 80-90,000.

But I would start to be paying attention when you are doing the valves on a service to ensure they are not tightening up.  You will know anyway.

You have probably another 20,000+ miles before I would be even start taking a closer look at things.  Your clutch might start to slip at 80,000  time to change the rear main seal as well.

As long as you are doing your servicing at the required intervals, you should be okay.

Freshen up the top ends when you have doubled your mileage.  You'll probaly need a timing chain by then as well.

[Bob_Roller]

It wouldn't be so much of a case of worn out parts, as it would be to take various things apart, clean, inspect, re-lubricate and reassemble.

Remember you have a 26 year old vehicle, how many vehicles this age do you see on the streets where you reside ?

It can be a bit labor intensive, to get all the items accomplished, then you don't have to be concerned about them for some time .

Clean, inspect, re-grease the wheel bearings, steering head bearings, swing-arm bearings.

Replace the OEM rubber brake lines.

Check the condition of the front brake pads.

I know it's not recommended, but cleaning a re-lubing all of the control cables (throttle, choke).

Clean and lube the speedometer drive cable, and replace the rubber boot that goes over the cable at the transmission .

Check to see if you have a black and gray ignition coil, if you do, plan on replacing it, because it's a problematic part .

Removing the starter, for a good cleaning, inspection, and re-lubrication .

Check the condition of the alternator brushes.

Replace the rubber parts in the carburetors .

Transmission input spline lube .

Replace the rubber boot over the u-joint area, and the throw out bearing boot at the back of the transmission .

Remove the rear brake pedal, clean and re-lubricate the bushing/bearing .

While you are this far, remove the clutch and check for wear.

Replace the rear main seal and oil pump cover o-ring.

If you have the OEM BOGE shocks, it would be a good idea to start looking for a replacement set.

Clean inspect and re-grease the final drive splines, and rear wheel splines, check the final drive output seal, and the brake cam for oil leakage , check the brake shoes for wear and oil contamination.

How old are the tires, the is a 4 digit code molded into the side wall, it will look something like : 1409, which would be a tire manufactured in the 14th week of 2009 .

[weasel01]

Bob thats exactly what I was looking for I received my new manual yesterday so now i'm dangerous!

Tires are shot..... tread is still ok but dry rotted and hard.

Planned on doing the wheel bearings next....there is a guy in town here that wrenches on airheads but it couldnt be that tough to replace them could it?

I got my eye on pulling the transmission been reading that chapter over and over....cant be that hard can it?

[Justin B.]

Don't just replace bearings for the helluvit just because they are "old".  Tapered roller bearings will probably outlast the bike if properly cared for so just clean 'em up and re-pack if they are stiill OK.

[steve hawkins]

I suppose it depends on the condition of the bike and whether you have bought it to ride or to be taken apart in the workshop.

What have you bought - a neglected project bike or a goer?

Does it have any service history?

Has it spent tha last 5 years in the back yard without being ridden.

Is there anything about its past you can be sure of?

I am in agreement with Justin - unless it is wrench time you are after.

Steve H

[Bob_Roller]

He mentioned that other than a few fluid changes, nothing has been done to the bike .

From a few threads he started over the last week, on jobs that he has done, it's apparent, that nothing has been done to the bike in quite some time .

All of these things don't need to be accomplished right now, but after reading the postings here on R65.org over the last 5 years or so, these are areas that need to be looked at .

If I had to assign a priority to these items, it would be : check the bearings, and accomplish the trans input spline lube first .

[weasel01]

The bike is what I would call a "neglected goer"

I have read about horror stories of the bearings seizing up fusing to the
axle locking up at speed ....not so nice.

Since I dont know the bike it seemed like a good thing to do..I am sure they have never been repacked with grease.

[steve hawkins]

Looks like you have a handle on it.

If it were me, and it was my only set of wheels, I would try and do a rolling restoration on it.  Mechanicals first.  A bit at a time.  But do the easy jobs first.  

Make a list like what Bobs done and then work your way through it.  I did it with my R100 hack recently, although I have not yet split the engine and gearbox - a job for next winter.  It had 83,000 miles on it.  Most of it is done and the bike is going well - well enough for me to be taking to France next month - equivelant to a trip down the shops to you guys in the States.  Doubt if I will cover much more than 800 miles there and back.  A weekend jaunt and I wont be caning it.

I would spread the cost/jobs over the next 6 months and go through the bike a bit at a time, doing a job then riding the bike, etc.  That way you can get to know her and she wont be laid up for a long period.

Unless you were looking to do a big road trip, then you might be better off diving in and getting it all done.  But you risk turning your bike into a box of bits and it staying that way.

If the mileage is correct, you should not have too many surpises.  

Good luck with it.