Push Rod Tube Grommets

[montmil]

Handled this chore on the 1981 R65 several months ago so now...

On the 1978 R100S, one danged grommet has gone from weepy to seepy and I don't need leaky. I will remove the jugs and replace all four PR tube grommets. All required gaskets and o-rings on hand. Plus,

A new AGM battery arrives Tuesday. On a battery tender, the wet cell lasted but 28 months, enduring Bob Roller-style garage temperatures. Removing the OEM-size battery requires detaching the sub frame's upper bolts and tilting the battery box to the rear -after removing a couple batt box attach nuts. The AGM has slightly smaller dimensions that will be appreciated. It's also 9.5 pounds lighter.

But that rear fender sure needs some love. Off it comes for a cosmetic overhaul and repaint. May as well replace that scruffy fender attach hardware as long as I'm in there.

Just one little seepy grommet. And so it goes.

[Barry]

9.5lbs is a handy lump of weight to save.

The bike will be faster !

[Bob_Roller]

Monti, what brand battery was it ??
28 months, not bad for the heat aspect .
It's just amazing how heat destroys a battery !!!!
In a more temperate climate, you get a bit of notice that the battery is coming to the end of it's service life, with this heat, they just die, no warning .

[Barry]

They say a batteries life is halved for every 15 Deg F increase in temperature and the damage is irreversible. Not much you can do about it except park in the shade but I guess you always try to do that anyway in a hot climate.

[montmil]

Roller Bob: The battery was a wet Yuasa 28Ah spec'd for the Airhead. I broke it in using Snowbum's 24-hour bench set up prior to installing in the bike. Battery was a happy camper until two weeks ago.

Barry H: Not sure what the baseline temp is from the manufacturer but even with the shop ventilated to ambient air and a fan circulating the hot air, temps frequently hit 110-115 degrees F in the l-o-n-g Texas summers.

The new AGM from Staab is a 22Ah. Should wind up the 100S just fine.

New battery due to arrive tomorrow. I'm also firing up the big smoker to do a brisket, rack of pork ribs and a whole chicken. Also will begin the removal of the 100S' jugs. Should be a fun day as Pretty Wife is heading to CowTown to visit her sister. I'll be alone and unsupervised!

[DeeG]

I did a bunch of R & R work on 76 R90 two winters ago, brand new push rod seals leaked. grrr... Ended up putting some Halomar on it.  Used it on the cylinder sleeves as well.  Stopped the seepage. Killed me to have to do it.  I hate having to use stuff like that.

[montmil]

Sometimes, DeeG, you just have to do what you have to do. Totally understand.

[Justin B.]

I put an R65 battery-box in my R100 and the Universal 20 AH AGM battery from Staab slides in and out without a hitch!  

[montmil]

I put an R65 battery-box in my R100 and the Universal 20 AH AGM battery from Staab slides in and out without a hitch!  

Had I known this, I might have gone that way. As it is, the new AGM is the same height and length as the OEM bed-wetter. Thinner by about 1.25-inches. The battery hold down clamp grips the new battery quite securely. Had previously removed acid-induced rust from the battery box and repainted it. Fortunately, no issues from the dead wet one.

[Justin B.]

The R65 boxes make a perfect replacement when using an AGM battery.