What did you do to your bike today?

[MrOzz]

Why go through all that trouble? You don't need a gasket for the valve cover. A nice thin bead of RTV works great (actually BETTER than a gasket) and cleans up much easier than a paper gasket the next time you need to get in there.

I agree. I use this, http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...ute_Gasket.htm , and never had it fail.

[je2wheeler]

Okay

I agree. I use this, http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...ute_Gasket.htm , and never had it fail.

Thanks to you both, I will look it up and frame the gasket when it gets here.

[cywelchjr]

I installed the new brake pads I finally got in for my front brakes. Had to make pads from different vendors, but at least they are both semi metallic (sintered), the reason for that is a long story and maybe one for another time.

I also finally figure out why the two prong auto cancel mod that I did over a month ago wasn't working. I figure out that you need a good ground for the relay for it to work. Switched it to a good ground and it works great.

Also fixed the tail lights on my Vetter trunk that quit working. Had to fix the ground wires that broke. Found that there are some other problems with the sockets, so it looks like a light fixture replacement is in my future, so I'm looking at what might work for a replacement, trying to decide if I want to try and stick with 4 lights or go to two wider lights instead (I've been thinking about making the outer two into turn signals instead of brake lights, can't do that if I change to just two lights though).

[crazy steve]

I'm finally getting the SG painted today... who hoo! Jalapeno Red!

[jwhughes3]

I picked this pepper to help you Steve...

More accurately SWMBO picked it

Is it gonna be this color?



John

[3Phase]

Yuasa GYZ20-HL

Today I installed a new battery and changed the engine oil and filter.

The new battery is the latest sealed battery from Yuasa; roughly $130 before tax; pre-activated and charged at the factory so it just hooks up and away you go.

Manufacturer	Type	Amp hr
Yuasa		GYZ20HL	 20

L	W	H	L mm	W mm	H mm
6 7/8	3 7/16	6 1/8	175	87	155

Wet wt.	Terminal	Acid oz	Charge	CCA @ 0* F (-18*C)
15.7	14	N/A	2.0	310

Here's a picture of the new battery installed in my XS. The GYZ20-HL is not the same length as the stock battery so there is enough extra space left in the battery compartment to store an emergency blanket and a bar of soap!




So far the new battery spins the starter and fires the ignition as if the engine was filled with fresh 0W-20 oil instead of 20W-50 oil and the charging system voltage/current readings show that it likes the new, very clean, battery too.

[natemoen]

Scott, what is that little black box with the U shaped wire in it up in the left corner of the pic?

[crazy steve]

That's the main fuse on the '80-81 bikes...

[natemoen]

That's the main fuse on the '80-81 bikes...

That is not at all what I expected that to look like. Interesting.

[3Phase]

Nate, I'm really not sure why the main fuse is under the left side cover on the Standard models but Steve's got it.

The black box is just rubber with the 30A fuse inside. The Red wire on my XS has been replaced with a 10 gauge wire so it's much larger than the ~14 gauge stock wire.

The Red wire comes from the battery terminal on the starter solenoid and goes through the rubber fuse housing and cap on the left side.

The wire loops back into the cap on the right side to the top fuse clip.

The fuse goes into the body, the cap slips over it and the Red wire continues from the lower fuse clip up to the regulator/rectifier output and the ignition switch.

[crazy steve]

Colorsanded and rubbed out the paint on the SG tank and sidecovers.... boy, is it red...

Tomorrow, I'm gonna finish that sucker...

[planedick]

Tune up

Yesterday Pete came by for a tune up proir to selling his bike, so since I had all the "stuff" out I decided to do mine too. Synch, adjust, synch, adjust.... Checked fluid levels too.

[3Phase]

I took off from Arizona this morning at about 6:30 AM and got home at noon o'clock.

Columbo being Columbo: one of the two Chevy van horns I had mounted broke its spot welds somewhere in the desert and fell off so I'll have to find a new low-tone horn.

The new battery works great! but gas milage was better with the 750 final drive. It's down around 35 MPG at Arizona-legal speeds but it sure is a lot of fun to ride with an 1100 final drive again!

[GARTHXS]

Repaired the restrictor for my vacuum advance installed new irridium plugs tapped to. 032 some fresh gas and air in my tires And went for a spin runs great!

[mrdigitech]

Lunch Break

I just put in a TC fuse block in on my lunch break at work. I think I got some funny looks as I was cutting wires and such in a parking lot in downtown mpls.

Makes me wonder how easy it would be to hotwire a bike and take it home in broad daylight

Cheers!!