Author Archives: AboutWr

Time to Get New Tires (March 26, 2012)

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So I just happened to look at my front tire the other day & realized how cracked it is.  Just for kicks I also checked the rear tire and it wasn’t quite as bad with cracks long ways but had a few deep ones the short way.  Checking on the age of the tires reveals them to have been manufactured in 2005 (back) and 2006 (front).  Pretty old for a set of tires.  The front one’s always had a slow leak so I’ve had to put air in it every week.  Picture is my method of jacking the bike up – put on center stand, put bricks under front of crankcase, tie handlebars back with bungee cords (and put sponge between brake lever & grip to keep brake pads from being pushed out).

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Brake Light Connection (November 22, 2011)

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Noticed my brake light wasn’t coming on all the time, even after changing bulbs.  So what do I see when i open up the seat & finally get that 30 year old plastic connector separated?  A slightly melted connector.  This was making intermittent contact between the wires.  Solution, cut the connector out & simply connect the wires directly with bullet clips.

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Brake Light Pedal Switch (September 26, 2011)

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This has been a busy month for broken/if it’s not broken fix it things.  I noticed the brake light kept staying on all the time, even when I wasn’t moving.  The culprit – the rear brake switch (right foot pedal) spring has sprung.  No matter how it is adjusted it just keeps staying in the on position instead of springing back to off when the brake is released.  Solution, remove spring & connector.  Brake light no longer works when only using rear brake but since I always use the front brake as well it is not a big deal.

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Blinker Fix (September 26, 2011)

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Finally installed a new right turn blinker.  LED.  Got these online for 4 for $20.  Eventually will replace the front left one so they match but need to find an LED blinker controller that works with my bike before I can replace all four with LED blinkies.

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Center Stand (September 26, 2011)

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So why doesn’t every bike come with a center stand?  How is one supposed to change a flat tire, align a tire, or what when the bike is leaning on a side stand?  Anyway, bought a used (of course) center stand off of ebay & installed it.  Then noticed that something’s not quite right.  The stand, while centered in the bracket (it will not fit any other way) rubs on the left side of the tire when in the up position.  So apparently my swing arm is not quite aligned, or something.  If the stand is centered there should be equal spacing on either side of the tire, but … there’s not.  There is sufficient room on the right side that makes it look like if centered there should be sufficient clearance on both, but for whatever reason there’s not.  At least I can use it when a) changing tires, b) tearing the engine down like I am now (August 2013 at time of writing).

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Starter Button Replacement (September 10, 2011)

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One of the problems with a 30 year old bike is having 30 year old rubber and plastic pieces.  These pieces eventually dry out, becoming brittle, and break.  Sometimes these parts are small, like the starter button.  Note the hole just below the yellow word “START” on the right, to the left of the grip.  This is where a black plastic button about the same size as the hole should be.  After 30 years it broke one day when I pushed it.  So I had a friendly session with the handle & found out a) there’s a reason it is an insulated button, an uninsulated metal button will blow the main fuse, b) you can shock yourself if starting your bike with a key (by inserting it into the hole) while not wearing gloves.  Sometimes hard to find part, occasionally can be found on ebay for about $8.

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Blinker Broken (September 7, 2011)

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Just happened to notice when leaving the post office that my right front blinker is not only not blinking, it is hanging by the wires as I’m driving down the road.  Sigh.  This is what can happen when you buy NOS (new old stock) items that are rubberized & have been sitting on a shelf for about 30 years.  The rubber dries out from sitting (just like tires do) and once it starts getting bounced around & vibrated from the bike being driven it slowly cracks and then simply breaks one day.

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Windshield (June 2, 2011)

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So I’m thinking I should add a windshield so it will make my life riding easier.  I think.  After ordering, and while attempting to install, I find out the handlebars on the bike are not the original – neither the 12″ ape hangers or the Kawasaki standard.  There isn’t room to add front turn signals (another post), and there’s barely enough room to add the windshield mounting clamps.  What happens over time is that the windshield ends up rubbing on the tachometer and speedometer & both of these will put stress cracks in the windshield where they rub.  Windshield is not currently installed, but it does help break the wind – most noticeably when going over 45 mph.

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Exhaust System Design (May 25, 2011)

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Now I ask myself, “If I were designing something wouldn’t I want to make it easier on myself if I have to use it?”  The answer is yes.  Now look at this picture.  Note where the exhaust pipe ends and where this lines up with the bolt at the end of the axle holding the rear tire on.  See anything wrong?  Yep.  Can’t take the tire off without taking off the exhaust system.  Now think about this.  This is a bike with an exhaust pipe on each side of the tire.  Even if you could take the castle nut in the picture off (you can’t) you still couldn’t pull the axle out.  How hard does this make it to change a tire?  Well first you have to take off both exhaust systems – all the way up to where they connect to the engine block.  Yeah, dirty job that adds time … then you can take the back tire off – provided you have a center stand in the first place …

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Fuel Tank Sensor (May 2, 2011)

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As I’m learning more about the bike and what is working and what’s not I realize there’s a fuel tank sensor.  Apparently it does not work.  Why doesn’t it work?  Well 1) the wires connecting it to the tachometer gauge are missing, and b) look at the picture, apparently it was leaking gas so a previous decided to simply seal it in order to fix it.  One of these days when I have a spare gas tank I might see if i can fix this …

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