instructional video taping about to begin...

[Pat Kelly]

I can already see copyright infringement from "Tim the Toolman Taylor"

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Prom,

Great tips! Fortunately, I don't plan on putting myself on camera very much, hence no need to worry about camera stare! When I did the carb work, I verified that the viewable area matched the work area. With my editting software, I can add titles,stills, and also the AUDIO Instructions LATER, so I can just do the work, and then make the audio track later, and merge the two! I like the idea of posting the script here for critiquing before the final edit!

It's going to be a larger and longer project than I first thought! With just the carbs, I have over 1-1/2 hours of tape done, however I'll be editting it down a bit, and the carbs are fairly more complicated than other components, so they are worthy of that time!! Might end up being a BOX SET of videos!?

As to thoroughness, we all know we're not perfect, and there is still the chance that things/tips/techniques may be omitted or left out. A disclaimer I made as part of my intro was that the video was not intended to be the video to end all videos on how to work on these machines, and that if people still have questions, they needed to come here and ask, as well as they still needed to acquire a manual!

[Shuriken]

Good ideas, guys.

At my job I had to watch a printer repair video. It was very boring and not very well done at all. It was too hard to see the details. If there would have been someone operating the camera instead of it just being mounted in one spot, it would have been much better.

I agree with prometheus. I am very interested in these kinds of instructionals because everyone does things a little differently. We all have a few good ideas and tricks. I think the videos should be very specific. For example, not just a video on "brakes" but a video on "changing brake pads," or "brake bleeding," or "installing stainless lines," or "master cylinder repair." The idea is to be as specific as possible.

Carbs could get interesting. Perhaps a vid on cleaning and a vid on setting them to spec, for each model year of carbs... etc.

I'd be highly interested in a tranny video or big bore kit install. Did I mention HIGHLY interested?

Engine top-end would be neat, especially if it started at preliminary steps through engine removal from the frame to engine on the workbench to finished.... etc.

Ben

[sermn8ter]

New owner with tool dropsy

Count me in Uncle Spot. Just bring mine to GA with you in the spring. I need something like that bad. If it comes in a computer case I can work magic with it, but if it sits on two wheels I can't do much with it, although I am trying to learn. What a great help a visual would be.

[prometheus578]

ae7f,
My intent was to cover everything brake related, from how the system is supposed to work, to how to repair it when specific parts fail. I'd use my daily runner for simple things such as bleeding and pad replacement, and I have a spare "F" and a "G" model out back (neither of which has seen pavement for 5-10 years) to demonstrate how to clean the gunk out of the system and rebuild. (First lesson would show me whacking the calipers with a rubber mallet to unstick them so I can push the bike!)
Sample outline:

1: Overview of brake system
A: Master cylinder
B: Brake line and fittings
1: Rubber
2: Stainless
C: Calipers
D: Rotors
2: Repairing and rebuilding components
A: Master Cylinder
1: Disassembly
2: Inspection
3: Cleaning
4: Reassembly
5: Installation
B: Brakelines and fitting
1: Stainless vs Rubber *
2: Replace or reuse banjo fitting washers
C: Calipers
1: Disassembly
2: Inspection
3: Cleaning
4: Reassembly
5: Installation
D: Rotors
1: Removal
2: Inspection
A: Checking thickness
B: Checking rotor warpage (runout)
3: Installation
E: Brake pads
1: Removal
2: Inspection
A: For wear
B: For glazing
1: Resurfacing
3: Replacing
A: Role of pad shims *
3: Bleeding the system
A: Bench bleeding the master cylinder
B: Vacuum bleeding
C: Reverse bleeding
4: Tools
A: Tools needed
B: Tools nice to have
5: Common problems and remedies


* I don't have stainless lines, but would cover the benefits, such as getting rid of the "Rubber hose expansion and flex.
* MY runner doesn't have pad shims, and unless one of the two out back has them, I'd just have to explain their purpose.

Quite an undertaking, and I'd entertain comments and such to ensure that I don't leave anything out.
I'm afraid that a video would be quite lengthy, but well detailed.
Time involved... no matter. Am soon to start my winter layoff.
(I was offered a position by Raytheon Polar Services as an "alternate" Light Vehicle Mech [snowmobiles, quads] for McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Seeing how the flight to New Zealand left this morn and I wasn't on it, I guess that the four Primary mechanics managed to medically qualify in time. Shame that I blew $100 for a passport and $400 to get a perfectly good, though disqualifying, wisdom tooth yanked)
So, unless I get a phone call stating that there was an injury or someone snivvelling about being cold (was -104 at Vostok Station last week), I either film a video or spend 5 months on the couch watching Oprah, Maury and Dr. Phil.
Is my life tragic, or what!

[prometheus578]

Now THAT'S bogus!!!

I'm mad!
I spent all that time typing an outline like Mrs. Oxenschlager taught me in sixth grade... just to have it print out all nicely straight up and down; no indents nor spacing!
...makes me want to date ugly women and play with penquins!

[randy]

prometheus578,

If I were you, I'd re-think:

5B2: replace or re-use banjo fitting washers


Always replace. re-use is a gamble. And if they leak, you gotta re-bleed. No worth it, just replace 'em.

My $.02

[Jerry]

FWIW....

I am going to order a CD/DVD duplicator for work. Wouldn't be a problem for me to buy my own blank media and run dups of whatever you guys produce. The machine is a Kanguru 16x 1 to 3 (makes up to 3 copies at a time) for a little over $1 K. Let me know if this is an option for anyone.

The advantage of being the IT department.....

[jacksf]

We're going to have to pay $1k per copy? Isn't that a little steep??

[prometheus578]

I think the $1K is in Kangaroo dollars, so is somewhat cheaper.
As for the Banjo Pressure Washers... They are of a soft, coppery alloy(though I've seen aluminium). The purpose, as you know, is to provided a "crushable" pressure seal. I believe our bolt and hose fittings are flat faced, though I've seen some with ridges for more bite. To reuse a pressure washer with those may be inviting trouble.
But either way, placing a piece of #600 grit sandpaper on your workbench, and swirling the washer over it several times, soon removes any indentations and brings you back to a nice, smooth surface for a seal.
I will mention that the manuals recommend replacement, but there are alternatives.
(The factory and the manuals recommend replacing the brake hoses every four years. I'd be on my 6th set by now...)
To repair, replace, or to take the bike to a mechanic are options that I have to leave to the owner to decide.
You do make a valid point, though, Randy. Which brings up... at what point can we deviate from the factory norm and enter the realm of practical necessity? What are the legal liabilities involved? And as a mechanic working in the industry, am I considered legally more culpable? (...should have known better)
HHhmmmm...?
What about resurfacing glazed pads instead of replacing them? What one does to their own bike is different than telling someone else that it's OK to do it to theirs.
Suppose this video series give someone a misplaced sense of mechanical competence, where it is obviously lacking and trouble ensues.
Ummm... errrrr.... How about.... maybe I can just send in a coupla' shots of me fixing a horn?
I just read the disclaimer for the Clymer's Manual. "Blah, blah, blah... persons engaging in the proceedure do so entirely at their own risk"
That, then, shall be our watchword.

[DiverRay]

Ron;
Yes, I will try to help out, as long as you don't let the secret out about my past I will be busy with work over the next two months, but I may be able to ride over and help at least one weekend. I do need to replace the transmission in my daily ride, and should have parts this Thursday.
As for the copper crush washers, they can be reused safely. All you have to do is heat them up with a propane torch, and drop them in water. That will aneal the copper, and allow them to deform once again.

[UncleSpot]

prometheus578:
I like the way you think:

1) idea(s)

2) thought process/reasoning done BEFORE the project is started

3) outliine; to follow, for 'rough draft'

4) outline highlights broken down into smaller segments (chapters/single subjects)

5) 'dry run' with subject matter (repairs/ restoration / regular maintenance) until it's *almost* second nature (I do NOT like watching 'instructional videos' where you hear 'indecision', or it's clear that the person presenting it is unclear, or not 'rehearsed' enough - it doesn't instill confidence as you're trying to learn to do something new...)

6) video tape the process - with good lighting, different angles (to cover *every* 'angle), and thoroughness.

7) ...the 'audio' doesn't necessarily have to be 'exact' and 'precise' at the same time as the 'video' - this can be 'cleaned up' or 'over-dubbed' in the editting process.

8) edit the project: video 'conhearancy', audio 'timing', chapter templates - or other graphics to make the project work better.

9) transfer the tape to DVD

10) print an outline with the DVD



I've done dozens of presentations for my line of work: vacuum tube amp repair, speaker reconing, writing articles for several trade magazines, and associated seminars over the past 2 decades, so I know this is a lot of work, and can take some time (from start to finish).

My idea was to find some people that would like to help with different parts of the project: somebody that was good at graphics, somebody that was good at editting, a person with a good "presentation voice" to do the narrating/explaination, etc.

I can provide the shop for an environment out of the elements, that has good lighting, adequate work space, several different cameras for the filming, and several bikes for the 'work platforms'.

My initial idea was "general maintenance":
1) oil (& filter) change: engine, final drive, etc
2) tune up (spark plugs & timing) and carb sync
3) Front and rear brake pad install &
brake bleeding
4) pulling wheels to change tires

...and then move on to more involved things, such as:
1) replacing clutch plates and springs
2) s.s. brake line installation

...and then on to more difficult subjects like:
1) carb rebuilds and adjustments
2) transmission fixes/rebuilds



DiverRay and Pat Kelly:
YOU guys have forgotten more about mechanics than I'll EVER know, and your input (or direct help) would be extremely helpful (AND welcome).

If anyone would like to contact me direct on this project, please feel free.
I'm in my shop M-F at 7am-6pm PST, Sat 9am-5pm
e-mail: Ron@unclespot.com
tel: (209) 578-2990
and my cell is (209) 578-2990
If you get an answering message leave your name & tele. # and I'll call you right back.

XSive regards,
UncleSpot

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Ron,

I had similar ideas, trying to cover primary simple maintanence items;tuneup, oil and fluid changes, clutch and timing chain adjustments, etc., and then onto the other MORE common larger repairs like carbs, valve clearance/shims, replacing clutch plates, rebuilding brakes, tranny fix, etc.! Mainly wanted to cover the things that most of us would encounter with owning these machines, or acquiring a basket case to restore.

I'll let someone else split the cases for that level of teardown!
T.C.

[Street_Rat78]

Video...

I would damn sure like to get my hands on one these videos once they are finished. Would be an invaluable asset.

Just a suggestion, I didn't see anyone mention a whole lot about the petcocks or fuel lines. That was quite a task for me to undertake, and seeing it happen would have made it a lot easier in my opinion.

Keep us updated...

[jeffe]

Don't forget pick up coils.