Hot-weather Christmas—Das Eisenpferd ist fertig!

[Altritter]

For the past two weeks or so, I've been having a mechanic friend do a post-purchase technical inspection (18 months after the [purchase) and a minor farkle installation on my bike. It passed the TI with flying colors. In the process, he did the annual fluids service on the bike (Not enough miles since the last service to do a mileage service), replaced a couple of the indicator lights, and installed a new neutral indicator switch.

There was a possibility that the bike had been in deep storage for a significant time before the PO sold it to the dealer, plus, the maintenance records were incomplete regarding some service items, so I didn't want to take chances. Therefore, I greenlighted him to err on the side of over-maintaining where inspections, lubrications, and adjustments were concerned.

My only regret: not having the time to learn from him while he did it. I enjoyed working on my own vehicles in the past, and I dislike lacking time to work on the bike. I don't have enough time even to ride it on many days.

The farkles include fork gaiters and a drop-in LED running/rear brake light module. Shorter shocks are a future possibility, and modular LED brakelights and HI front running lights might follow (when the cash flow permits).

[Justin, he really likes your shift rod, now that he's actually had a chance to use it. He says it shifts much more smoothly than before.]

I hope to have it back by the weekend. Hard to wait!  

JT

[Dave 2]

I'm in the same boat in terms of wanting to work on my bike but not having the time. I said it here before, that mine sat in my garage for a year after I bought it waiting for me to begin the restoration process. Today I'll call the dealer to find out how they are coming along, go over several questions about what they have done and ask for a new front tire as well. The good news is that there has been so much rain in Maine that I have not missed much riding time [smiley=cool.gif] Dave 2

[Altritter]

I've been reading your saga and feeling for you. I consider myself lucky to have fewer issues with mine.

The bike is back! The new center stand (an '83) is a dream. The 82mm side stand springs are working, but they could stand to be still a bit shorter. When bringing the bike off the stand, the springs occasionally aren't bringing the stand all the way into the stowed position. (This might be normal, for I read on this site that it's a two-step operation to retract the stand.) Anyway, a nudge with the foot is sufficient to get the stand up and retracted.

It was nearly dark when my friend returned the bike, and I was involved with other things, so I couldn't go riding.

My friend really likes riding the R65. He has a nice R90/6 and an R1100S and likes them. But he prefers the R65's shifting (especially with Justin's shifter) to the R90's.