87820km

As promised in Winter update #3, I have a to-do list I need to check off... This is the status:

* Fix blinker issue
Blinkers are FIXED =D
* Buy and install new battery
Old battery works like a charm for now, after a proper charge...
* Fix more rotten hoses
Again: Nothing done as of yet. This is fiddle work.  have, however, bought the replacement hoses =)

* Buy and mount top box break light
I have ordered this, and It is something I can do a lot of the work on indoors. I will probably do the mounting on the bike at the same time as I fix the back blinkers. That would we if I had gotten the damn things yet...

* Buy a loud-ass horn

The horn is mounted! This is a separate blog post =D

*Change oil
DONE! Quite easy!
* Change oil filter
DONE! Also quite easy

* Clean properly
Umm... Soon?

* Buy new helmet
Got a new helmet from Schuberth. It is a great helmet, and it deserves a post review of its own!
* Buy new trousers
My old trousers went in the seams.. And I got a nice replacement from Joffama! It will be covered in a post of its own this too...

More to come =D

87810km

I fixed the blinkers =D

It was quite easy, when it came down to it... Unfortunately this was a "spur of the moment" thing, so I actually FORGOT to take pictures, save for once.

Inside the housing for the back light and blinker wireing there was plenty of faulty connections. There were three cable leading to each of the two back bulbs, and on one of them one of these were mounted on all three wires:

These power thieves were mounted but the wires attached were cut but not insulated... I stripped the wires and attached proper cable shoes, and hoped that remedied the problem. Alas! it did not =(

After some more fault searching I realised that the problem most likely was grounding.

I found common ground (pun intended) for the wireing in the back, and went to work:

These two were the culprits.. Or rather: the ground they were connected to. the cables disappeared into the bowels of the bike, so I made a new ground connection, and voilá! I have working blinkers =D

Winter update #3

Do you guys remember my Preliminary winter Todo-List? If not, here it is:


* Fix blinker issue

• The blinkers aren't working properly. Most likely a grounding fault. Nothing done about this yet.

* Buy and install new battery

• Battery picked out, but still awaiting the buy. I am going for a gel battery

* Fix more rotten hoses

• Again: Nothing done as of yet. This is fiddle work, and I don't want to do that in the cold. I have, however, bought the replacement hoses =)

* Buy and mount top box break light

• I have ordered this, and It is something I can do a lot of the work on indoors. I will probably do the mounting on the bike at the same time as I fix the back blinkers.

* Buy a loud-ass horn

• I need this after being backed into. The horn I have now sounds like a small bird farting under a thick blanket, so I was in need of a replacement. Again: Roger to the rescue! I got a horn from his collection of BMW-spares!

Apparently it is loud. It looks like a siren, hopefully, looks aren't deceiving this time!

* Change oil

• Probably get someone to do this for me!

* Change oil filter

• Probably get this done for me too!

* Clean properly

• As soon as spring hits!

* Buy new helmet

• Going to germany. I hope I can buy a decent helmet there cheaper than in Norway!

* Buy new trousers

• Going to Germany for this as well!

New items: Changing the break hoses and break fluid up front. Had a look at it last week, and boy is it brown :p

Winter update #2

It is shopping time! =)

Remember the nice jacket I got from Roger earlier this winter? Yesterday we went shopping in Sweden, and the two MC gear shops in Nordby was to become one. What does that mean? SALE!

Roger bought a brand new HJC yellow opening helmet for about 1500,- NOK ($240). This was less than half price.
As I want a Schubert or Nolan helmet, I (almost) didn't fall victim to temptation. I did buy something:

Matching gloves for me and the wife. The cool part? They match the jacket!

I am quite pleased!

Can't wait for the season to start! Unfortunately, it will probably be a while still. Snow is plentyfull, and frost is an issue for at least 5-8 weeks more.

I am going to England the first week of march. Will be hard seeing all the bikes going about!

Keeping fingers crossed for an early spring! =)

Winter update #1

Yes, WINTER has hit Norway.

This morning I was met by a horrible sight

I put my bike away three weeks ago. She got a quick wash, and nothing more. She is stored in a dry and ventilated, albeit a bit cold, place. The room is big, and there is room for me to work on her there, but I think I will bring an oven and some more light...

Night frost hit us about three weeks ago, and there was a lot of rain. Driving was not really appealing, so I decided to put her in storrage.

Two days after, I got a lovely present from my mothers friend:

It is a Halvarssons Shadow Leather jacket, and it is quite nice. I haven't had the opportunity to test her yet, but it is a near perfect fit, and a present. He bought it for himself after his own jacket got torn this summer, but realized that it was too big after riding with it a couple of times.

Very lovely present, and completely unexpected =) - Thank you very much!



And what are my plans for the winter-season?
Well.. The season is long here in Norway.. I seldom get the bike out before April first. Damn snow!

However! I do plan to fiddle around a bit with my XJ!

Preliminary winter Todo-List:

* Fix blinker issue
* Buy and install new battery
* Fix more rotten hoses
* Buy and mount  top box break light
* Buy a loud-ass horn
* Change oil
* Change oil filter
* Clean properly
* Buy new helmet
* Buy new trousers

87590km

The accident week!

Luckily not my accidents! However; two of my friends and fellow bike riders got hit by cars within a week. Both are fine, luckily, and neither of them to blame.

One of them got rear ended while accelerating out from a crossing, just getting the green light. His bike isn't to badly beaten: Busted engine guard and some covers cracked and scratched. The bike is okay. My friend is okay.

The other one you all know. It is my friend who just got a "new" CBR. He got hit by a car that was changing lanes with its driver not looking before turning. He got hit rather badly on the side and his bike suffered a bit of damage: Busted fairings, busted foot-peg, busted engine covers, bent handlebar, busted driving gear and so forth.
Good luck with the insurance companies both of you!

Actually I ALMOST had an accident myself! I was driving home from work, when a huge lorry in front of me decided to break hard in a tunnel. I had good clearance to it, but I fully lock-braked and stopped hard.

It then proceeded to begin backing in the tunnel!

There are several things wrong with this: First of all, in Norway it is against the law to stop in a tunnel. Secondly, it is illegal for a lorry to back without a spotter.

I started honking my horn, heavily, but to no avail. I had to back my bike as fast as I could, but this was on a down-slope, meaning I had to back uphill. Luckily, the cars behind me started honking as well and the lorry driver stopped backing the moment he hit my tire. After getting around the lorry I began shouting at the idiot. He replied with his middle finger. Idiot...

Car drivers of the world:

PAY ATTENTION!

Todo:

• Buy a loud ass horn! (Will  this from Biltema do? (105db))

87004km

Time to change sparkplugs!

I noticed that one of my sparkplugs weren't properly fitted , so instead of just tightening it, I took it out to have a look at it!

What a filthy little bugger!

So! Agian I went to MC-artikler to stock up on things, and came home with these:

The plugs are from the store (76,- NOK ($12), the little metal piece next to them is a small spark plug gap adjuster I got from my dad a couple of months back. I will finally have use for it =)

The plugs are an exact match to the ones I have already, but it is always good to check is the gap is correctly adjusted!
The almighty Haynes manual calls for a gap between 0.7 and 0.8, and all plugs were delivered to spec. A nice gesture from NGK, as I have used other brands before that I had to hammer into having the correct gap.

The book also claims that the Carbon Fouling on the plugs are sooty deposits leadning to misfire and weak sparks. Caused by an over-rich fuel/air miture, faulty choke (hope not!!!) or blocked air filter.
For those who remember back to my earliest entries, one of the first things I did was to replace an etremely clogged and dirty air filter. Let us hope all is well now!

Out with the old ones, and in with the new!

And what a HUGE difference!

The old ones look really dirty and worse for wear. I do not think fuel mixture has been ideal!  I really do hope that it has been rectified by replacing the air filter, but I think next season that the bike needs an adjustment of the carbs!

What a Motley Crew!

The bike starts easier with the new spark plugs, and it runs smoother. I did, however, discover some rotten hoses that need replacing rather quickly.

To-do:

• Change locks in Givi bags
• Fix indicators
• Fix rotten hoses

86943km

Huge difference!

The new seals aren't leaking, and there is actually oil present in the forks =)

The change from 5w oil to 15w oil made the forks stiffer, and improved on handling quite a bit.
The mechanic also changed the front wheel bearings, which removed a little vibration and some noice.

All in all it cost 2935,- NOK ($474), but worth it!

To-do:

• Change fork seals and oil
• Fix indicators
• Buy and mount new top box with break light
• Change locks in Givi bags

Also took a trip to the cabin in sweden. It is a 320KM round trip. She is great on longer hauls, and I had no need for a break to rest my back. Millage was approx 0,5l/10km.
 
I was greeted at the cabin by someone special, who saw me comming on the bike and said "Daddy? UUUUUP!!!" - I guess someone enjoys sitting on daddy's bike =)
 

86920km

Time to get the seals changed!

Off to the repairshop today, to change oil and seals. Hope this will improve handling and breaking!


To-Do

• Change fork seals and oil
• Fix indicators
• Buy and mount new top box with break light
• Change locks in Givi bags
• Tighten Givi rack
• Mount Autocom

86912km

How about mounting an autocom?

I have an Autocom Super pro avi I took off my previous bike. I use it for recieving calls and listening to music. I have ordered a second helmet kit from MC-Oslo aswell, since my wife wants to ride with me =)

I had one little problem, though: Where to mount it? The box isn't that big, but there are several wires to be led everywhere. I need to connect it to power, and there are also wires to connect to the helmets, a bluetooth dongle and an auxillary wire for my mp3-player.

The Bluetooth-dongle has a long wire for easy mounting. The same applies to the aux-cable. They are both about 1,5m.

I searched the bike for a decent placement, and for a while I considered the inside of the front fairings. After a little consideration, I decided against it, as it would be very explosed to the elements. I did, however, find a suitable place for it: The little storrage compartment in the back of the bike!

The compartment is almost perfect; not to much water and fairly easy to access it when I need it. Not to logical how to lay the cables, but I found a solution.

First, I mounted the box in the back using adhesive velcro bought from Biltema. They are for outdoor use, so they should stick.

I also bought some cable threaders with rubber covering and bolt holes. These items set me back 67,- NOK ($11)

The threaders are perfect for this job! All the cables I need fit through.

It made the mounting process very easy and it looks nice.

However! There seems to be a problem with the sound. When I turn on the heated grips, the autocom restarts. It is also rather unstable on the bluetooth connection. Could this be because they are connected to the same powerloop?

I have some investigating to do!

86751km

Time to go shopping!

Off to biltema I went, and this is what I got:

New fuses!

(49,90 NOK ($8))

New fuse holder!

(29,90 NOK ($5))

Some cable shoes!

(39,90 NOK ($6,50))

Took out the old fuse box, and cut the wires, making sure that I didn't get any of them mixed up.

What is left now is some clean up work, to make it look better, and to attach things properly.

My handywork isn't pretty, but I got the job done. Note the busted relay, taped together on the left hand side!

Any ideas on waterproofing and securing the area around the fuses a bit better? The old fuse box had a lid, and that was probably for a reason. Anyone?

The hotgrips work perfectly now, and I can enjoy warm hands during our wonderful Oslo summer.... (11c and rain this morning =( )

According to the xjbikes forum, this, along with thin oil in the forks is a common problem on this bike... Well, not anymore!

Time for a brand new To-do:

• Change fork seals and oil
• Fix indicators
• Buy and mount new top box with break light
• Change locks in Givi bags
• Tighten Givi rack
•  Mount Autocom

86677km

Ordering new keys for the givis!

I tried getting new keys for my givi. It isn'tpossible.

Apparently I need new cylinders, as givi doesn't make spare keys.

mcartikler wanted 650,- NOK for ($108) three locks, which I find a bit stiff...
I found them online for 210,- NOK ($35)  with shipping from the UK, so again I'll play the waiting game. (and it sucks... I'll rather play hungry, hungry hippos)

Edit:

The locks are here now! (August 4th)

To-Do:

• Change fork seals and oil
• Install heated grips
• Order keys for givi boxes
• Fix indicators

86677km

The indicators need fixing!

Whenever I try to use them, they only light up in the back and do nothing else. The old relay blinks a little when I smack it, but it is split and busted.


I assumed that it was a busted relay or similar. I bought a new relay at http://www.mcartikler.no/ for 39,- NOK ($6,5), but to no avail. It does nothing.

I needed a different one, and wemoto had in stock just what I needed! I thought.....

...I was wrong...

I called yamaha, and they told me that a new relay could be ordered for 902,- NOK ($150). Apparently there is a special relay for this bike =(

Luckily, I found someone on €bay willing to sell me a relay for 200,- NOK ($33). Now I must play the waiting game...

To-Do

• Change bulbs in instrument panel
• Change clutch wire
• Change fork seals and oil
• Install heated grips
• Change airfilter
• Order keys for givi boxes
• Fix indicators

85950km

The changing of the clutchwire and the airfilter.

As I need the bike for a trip in the beginning of July, I need to change the clutchwire ASAP. My old Shadow had a hydraulic clutch, so this was a new challenge for me!

Time to purchase "The answer to life, the universe and everything" (295,- NOK ($49)):

And, of course; A new clutch wire. - I found one in mcartikler.no that fits, for 198,- NOK ($33). Also bought a new airfilter airfilter for 206,- NOK ($34).

Changing the airfilter was easy. Remove the side cover, un-strap the tool box (NEEDS CLEANING!), remove another cover, throw out old filter.
It was a notable difference with new and old filter. She pulls much more air now! (sorry, no pictures, didn't think about it)

Here is the old clutch wire:

It hardly moves at all:

BIG difference with the new wire, bike is possible to drive! =)

TO-DO list:

• Change bulbs in instrument panel

• Change clutch wire
• Change fork seals and oil
• Install heated grips
• Change airfilter
• Order keys for givi boxes
• Fix indicators
• Buy and mount new top box with break light
• Fix everything else
• Clean tool box

85880km

I got the bike home, and got a chance to look over her properly. I checked the air pressure, and there wasn't much air in the tyres. It is supposed to be 36psi in front, 42 in the back but it was 16 and 22 (!!!) She needs air.
After filling the tyres, she rode quite a bit better. Can't belive I didn't check the pressure while riding her the first time! (Can't belive the seller didn't checked it either...)

There seems to be a lot of small things wrong with the bike.

• No light in the instrument panel
• Wobbling speedo gauge
• Not able to set clock
• EXTREMELY hard clutch
• Broken seals in the forks, and hardly any oil
• A lot of loose screws and things not tightened
• OOOLD airfilter (Almost black and full of leaves)
• Scratches, bumps and bruises
• Rotten grips
• Rotten fuse box
• Rattling Givi rack
• Broken keys for box
• Dirt everywhere!
• Very faint light in High beam/neutral/oil bulbs
• Indicators not working

TO-DO list:

• Change bulb in instrument panel
• Change clutch wire
• Change fork seals and oil
• Install heated grips
• Change airfilter
• Order keys for givi boxes
• Fix indicators
• Buy and mount new top box with break light
• Fix everything else