The ongoing saga of Mr. Brokenbits....

[More_Miles]

I seriously think I need to change my screen name here. More Miles just isn't cutting it any more. I think Mr. Brokenbits is more appropriate.

Lets see, so far we have the incredible disappearing axle nut (which I now think is my fault as opposed to anything mechanical,) the unbotching of a wiring harness and the bent fairing mounts. And that's just this season!

And now this.

I went out for the second ride of the year. The first was yesterday for an hour or so. The roads are in crap shape, rough, pot holes, frost heaves, sand in the riding line, sand in the corners, etc. In other words, typical New Brunswick roads. I got home and put the bike back in the shed. I had to take a second look as something just didn't look right.



And here's the culprit.





I knew I was going to need new silencers this year. I just didn't know I was going to need them so soon!

I figured I'd start putting this here so that at least others can learn from my mistakes. I guess the moral of the story is don't ride a 30 year old RT like it's a GS! By the way, I know the saddle bag latches are buggered or missing.I have an alternative method of securing the bags. It consists of 1/4-20 stove bolts, fender washers and wing nuts. They are the victims of LAST year's bad roads.

On a positive note, I at least think I fixed a chronic oil leak. The right hand valve cover has always needed two gaskets. I always thought it was warped. The last time I tried to remove the studs so I could lap it flat, I couldn't get them started. This time I managed to get the double nuts tight enough so that they wouldn't just turn in tandem. Out came the studs and onto the sheet of glass with the wet/dry sandpaper. I'm amazed at how far out of true it was. I had the original machine marks and subsequent gouges polished clean out of the sealing surface on the leading and trailing edge. The centre still wasn't even touching the plate!

Bolted and cleaned up then went for a 200 km ride. The previously mentioned silencer issue cropped up but my boot wasn't covered in oil spray this time! Win one, loose one.

[More_Miles]

I meant to stick this in the Airheads subsection. Kbasa or Flood if you want to move it, please do. Thanks!

[Stan_R80/7]

Thanks for the cautionary tale. I just cleaned up my silencers using a scotch-brite and some wd-40 - I am continually surprised how well WD40 works as a cleaner. FYI, the newer krauser bag latches can work with your mounts and bags if you ever want a better bag latch. Capital cycle has them: http://secure.capitalcycle.com/Hepco...700.101+00+01/

along with Seibenrock: http://shop.siebenrock.com/02/020212...=1&w=502&h=308

and Motobins: http://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage....02.00.01&go=GO
Motobins sells the frame adapter separately: http://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage....=700.114&go=GO

[bmwhacker]

Maybe make an annual event of washing that pig.

[More_Miles]

Originally Posted by bmwhacker

Maybe make an annual event of washing that pig.

What do you think rain storms are for? Besides my driveway is a particularly greasy mud this time of year and the roads are an interesting amalgam of sand and snow melt run off.

Now, in true Carleton County fashion, I've "repaired" it with bailing wire! At least until the new bits come in.

[bmwhacker]

Gotta admit I haven't properly "washed" my sidecar rig for 2 years....just a little wipe down now and then.
I recently noticed I have mummified grasshoppers cooking on the lower cylinder fins from 2011.
The "poser" Harley guys would faint.