Bike is naked in the garage...

[lshafer]

...so, I'm wondering what type of maintenance things would make sense while I have a good chance.

Backstory: I sealed my driveway a couple of years ago and even though I covered the bike while it was sitting in the garage (apparently not well enough), a couple of gusts of wind apparently blew some of the sealer up underneath the blankets. Well, I've tried and tried over the past couple riding seasons to get the sealer off the paint with no luck. It looks like really fine dried water spots all over. It's primarily on the right side of the bike on the saddlebag, both fenders and the lower fairing. Some did make it's way on to the left side as well, though not as bad. Nothing that I can see made it to the tank. Anyway, a couple of days ago I stopped a one of our local body shops who's owner I happen to know pretty well. I asked him if he'd be willing to give me an opinion on what to do. He and one of is body shop guys took a peak. They tried some 'high power' bug and tar remover with no luck. They agreed that whatever got on there apparently etched itself into the clearcoat and the only way to fix it would be to wet sand and buff it out. Well, I'm getting off REALLY easy on the cost but he asked that I bring him all the parts stripped down.

Here we are: I removed both saddlebags, complete lower fairing, rear fender (I didn't have to remove the rear wheel), front fender and both side covers. To get the rear fender off I also removed the seats and the bracketting that holds the saddlebags. So, as you can imagine, she's pretty naked. I have a lot of things exposed right now and I thought this would be the perfect time to take care of some routine maintenance. I plan to change the rear fluid but are there other suggestions? How do I grease it up good? Your thoughts are appreciated.

Hopefully I'll get my stuff back and can get things back together next weekend so I'd like to take care of stuff over the week or maybe next Saturday.

Thanks,
Les

[Zak202]

Did you try WD-40?

[dacheedah]

I was going to ask the wd40?? also

[mraf]

Fuel filter, change differential oil, check or change brake pads, change clutch, front & rear brake fluid, remove and clean exhaust pipes, grease suspension and install some trick LEDs maybe if your feeling frisky.

[Eck]

[QUOTE=mraf;671680]
...................., remove and clean exhaust pipes, ...........

[RedRider]

[quote=Eck;671703]

Originally Posted by mraf

...................., remove and clean exhaust pipes, ...........

Inside and out

Actually, this is a good time to double check the tightness of all the bolts. The bolts along the rear fender rail that support the trunk are susceptible as are the bolts up underneath the trunk. Blue loctite is your friend.

Also, raising links if you are so inclined (pun intended).

RR

[Yammer Dan]

Remove rear wheel, grease splines and shaft.

[lshafer]

I didn't try WD-40. I guess I should have asked the experts here first. Oh, well. Too late now. She's in pieces.

I was certainly thinking about leveling links and greasing the shaft and splines. I get a little nervous when it comes to taking that kind of stuff apart though. I suppose it's not too difficult but I'll be on the hunt for some step by step directions to get it done.

[Dave77459]

IIRC, you went to great lengths to remove the fender without taking the rear wheel off. You'll have to remove it to grease the splines. I reckon almost everyone thinks your wheel is off, which is why you are getting the advice you are.

Have you checked brake pads?

A decent project while the fender is off is to install an auxiliary fuse box in the battery compartment. I anchored mine to the plastic piece in the rear, and tightening it down with the fender in place was aggravating. Of course, you may not be a farkler, so you may not need extra wiring.

It looks a little different now, but you can see the anchor bolt I am speaking of.



Dave

[mraf]

[quote=Eck;671703]

Originally Posted by mraf

...................., remove and clean exhaust pipes, ...........

Around here the state uses some of the most powerful anti-icing stuff imaginable. Which will linger on the roads for quite awhile and eat any steel fast. Even though this winter was easy they were spreading this stuff like candy here. Go figure. If I don't throughly clean my exhaust pipes once a year their toast fast. He did say it was naked and he wanted something to do.

[GeorgeS]

Open, and Clean " ALL " the Electrical connectors, ( Use CRC brand, electrical contact cleaner )

then seal up the ones that are expose to road wash, !!! Get a couple tubes of Sealastic, sealant, !!

[Eck]

Here are a few things that you could do while the bike is naked and your just in waiting mode..

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13263

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1705

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=485

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=37353


enjoy.......

Oh, one other thing not many speak of...Check the air in your tires...

[Scooter Bob]

Originally Posted by lshafer

I was certainly thinking about ... greasing the shaft and splines. I get a little nervous when it comes to taking that kind of stuff apart though. I suppose it's not too difficult but I'll be on the hunt for some step by step directions to get it done.

We would be happy to rip than pumpkin out a there at the WI MD at the end of June.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=66042

Lots of us have big hammers and duct tape to fix er up right.



There will be a few there that have done that spline greasin' to help out.

[lshafer]

Originally Posted by Scooter Bob

We would be happy to rip than pumpkin out a there at the WI MD at the end of June.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=66042

Lots of us have big hammers and duct tape to fix er up right.



There will be a few there that have done that spline greasin' to help out.

I'm hoping to meet some people at the WI MD but I don't think I'll let any of you near my bike with a hammer. I hope to have everything done by then that I want to do to it this year... but by then I'm sure I'll find something else.

[Scooter Bob]

If you tackle that drive shaft spline greasing job and get stuck, let me know. I could maybe run up there on a weekend, and say Hi to Mom and Dad in Menomonie while I'm up thata way, or stop in by IH Truck Guy.

And my number's in my profile if you want somebody to talk you through it.

Good Luck, Scooter Bob