A day's fettling ...... and some more :-((

[D-Rider]

Spent a while working on the bikes today.

Fitted a new top box to Daniel's CB125 (he's been whining for ages that the one he had was too shallow to get his helmet in).
Not only that but this morning the lock jammed on it - so, although it greatly lengthened the job as it was a bit of a game to remove the old one, I guess the new one was fitted at the point it became essential.
The one additional job was to make up a new mounting for his L-plate .... the old one was stuck on the old top-box ... the new top-box doesn't really allow that.

Last weekend I did some work on Joe's scooter as the MOT was due. Joe hasn't used it for a while as he takes the car to work. Anyway, I had to free up the rear brake as the shaft that passes through the drum had seized - wheel off, shaft out, clean up and re-grease. Front wheel swap .... had picked up another with a good tyre on it - cheaper than buying a new tyre! ........ and then struggled to start it. When it did fire up I think it may have woken the dead. So having removed the pipe, I found it looked as though the mice had been at it - no wonder it was hard to start (2-stroke .... lack of back-pressure....). Anyway, got some stuff a bit like gun gum and filled and bandaged it ..... sorted.
MOT'd and taxed mid week.
Did a few more minor things to it today ..... and am thinking I may use it to commute to work instead of the Falco.
Yes, it's a bit horrible to ride but I can't see it adding to my commuting time and it should cost a lot less!

Finally I did a bit to the Falco:
Yesterday, riding to and from work, I found that it wasn't changing down properly. I'd remembered a few people had reported similar and that their linkages needed cleaning and lubricating.
Well today I had a look and discovered that the problem with mine wasn't so much in the linkage but the pivot of the gear lever on the footrest. Stripped it down, cleaned it and re-greased .... then did the rear brake pedal too.
Then I decided I'd better check the chain as I'd thought it had got a bit slack. Looking at it, it's very slack at one point but about perfect elsewhere ..... in other words it's knackered. With the Scottoiler I'd hoped for more than the 16,000 miles I've had out of it - but then its first 4,000 or so were before the scottoiler was fitted.
Fortunately I do have a chain and sprockets in my box of bits ..... I picked it up with a load of other Falco spares and although not new it's hardly used.
I've checked it (thinking it's bound to be a triple S - given what's been written in that other thread) and am glad to see it's a DID.
Just need a soft link now so that I can fit it.

[Falcopops]

good work Andy.

If only I could get the time to do some work, I've got mated over from the UK at the mo and I've been spending all my time swimming and drinking, bugger!

[D-Rider]

.... so today, Sunday, I thought I'd do some more ....

First stop was the bike spares shop to get one of those soft-link things so as I could change my chain.
It's always open .... it was shut .... as were 2 other bike shops - so that plan was out (suppose I should be pleased as I'm not a great fan of sunday trading).

Then this afternoon I thought I'd check the brake pads on the car.
Just taking the wheel off and my mum rings ... always nice to hear from her .... but it's beginning to get dark. Anyway eventually off comes the wheel but the callipers are a bit odd - at least compared to what I'm used to .... and then I remember I don't yet have a manual for this car .... just for every other car I've ever owned .... so as it's getting dark I put it back together without having checked the pads .... must gt a Haynes ....

Then I'm about to put the Falco away .... it won't start .... so I try the (formerly) infallible throttle open method. eventually it fires and then dies ... and refuses to go again. In disgust I've chucked it deep in the garage and Joe's scooter is now sitting in its place as I'll take that to work tomorrow instead.

[DavShill]

Don't worry Andy- the falco fairies will breath on it tonight and she'll start fine tomorrow. Better plan to use the scoot though just in case.

[Samray]

and the w/e started so well!