After a bit of Black Friday shopping, Yes even in Canada! I got motivated to get out to the shop. The start, the goal is to see if I can clean things up a tad, fix what's broken and install the fancy Leading Link that just showed up from Holland. Thinking I needed some base line measurement I got out the handy little level but I couldn't find a spot where I could see or get any kind of measurement. I decided to take the tub off first. One last shot of every thing together This is what happens when your tilt adjuster fails and you fail to notice for a few Kilometres. This will get fixed Things have been sand blasted over that last bunch of gravel travel And accumulated a tad of mud and debris Hmmm this might need attention
Oh My Goodness, maybe we need to lift the mat up when we clean, Oh yeah we don't Battery box out of the way. Had get a little forceful with the front pivot bolts, Handy to have some extra help lifting especially with my old back. There we go, now I can see things and take a few measurements. Just for a base line. When Brock built the adapters and the sub frame he tack welded all the spots. I can un-bolt every thing and then put it back with out changing the alignment. Handy and yes I did check. Set it and ride it, is my motto. For you guys that want a different view of Brock's handy work
There enough for one day, I'll fuss over a few measurement tomorrow just so I have a base line to shoot for after I have things back on the ground after this little refurbish. I'll decide if I get the tub re-painted along with the fender, I had seam sealed all the seams but they are all showing some rust and there is more nicks and bruises that this picture shows. Patina is what we call it, right? More to come
A well used rig that looks like it was about ready for some TLC. I go through my equipment before and after big trips, but it's the short day trip stuff done in between the big ones that racks up wear and tear (patina building?). I like Brock's handy work, well done!
Clearly, not a Street Queen! Great to see an adventure rig that actually gets used as such. It's well-deserving of a refit, and will then be awesome all over again! I need to figure out a chain hoist for my shop. Due to the height of the bays and loft, we had to build around a massive shear frame, just need to start cutting away the sheet rock to expose it. Definitely a "when the weather gets warmer" project!
When we bought our little house 35 years ago I paced the back yard to make sure I had room for a shop. I used to sit out in the back yard with a beer and visualize where it would be placed. The kids thought I was napping. Five years on when I finally had enough credit to build the shop, one of the first things I ordered was the beam I placed between the walls. Used it more times than I could count. As my back is not the greatest, I now have a swinging crane so I can unload heavy stuff out of the truck. The luxury of lots of stuff crammed into a small space.
When referring to my stuff crammed into my work space, SWMBO calls that: "5 pounds of shit in a 2 pound bag!"
MGV8, you might want to check the pressure in your front tire before going for a ride. I guess it could just be the angle of the photo but that front tire looks low.
That front tire is being replaced before the next ride hopefully. And MGV8 is going to do a step by step guide if we are really lucky.
You are right Flat as a pancake. Leaking valve stem. And yes it is getting the heave ho with the project. Of course I better put some air in it before final tally of measurement. Thanks for the reminder!!
Talking about shops, my racer buddy eamailed some pictures he just came across. I was a lot younger in those days. This is enlisting the help of my friends to put up the Trusses Notice my wife doing her bit by supervising.
Got a tad sidetracked on the sidecar-- Working on one of these for winter grooming our local trails. Got a bunch of time over Xmas so should make some progress.
I got a bit side tracked with some winter fun. I was fussing in my mind as to how I was going to set a base line of measurements so I had something to refer back to. I finally settled on the string method for toe-in. Don't know why I had a hard time coming up with the idea as I do this all the time on the racecar. And yes, I did remember to put air in the tire and finally measured the sag that I have with me sitting on the bike. Just a smidge over 3/4s of an inch, is that accurate enough. For me it is. This is my main reference And this one The bike wheel, looks to be an odd angle but it is vertical The Car wheel Sag reference My version of the String toe measure-- A smidge under 1/2 inch of toe
First thing to do once I was satisfied I could put things back where they were or change things away from where they were. I wanted mock up the new front suspension to make sure I have every thing and under stood how it all went together. First off with the old The leading link comes with a fancy bearing for the top steering head. That had to be changed at the in town shop. A quick call the Ad to make sure I had the right idea. It all fits together quite nicely-- Still waiting on a new Ball joint, so nothing if really in it's proper place but it gives one the idea. Ok now that I am happy with every thing let's take every thing apart. I should mention that I am glad I went through this process as I discovered a small shipping error with some critical parts. Mike at LBS-USA to the rescue, sorted with only a few texts back and forth. Nice to have a resource this side of the pond. Mike, the cheque is in the mail by the way.
Let's continue with the disassembly-- First the Rear shock, yep that one is getting sent out for repair, not much fluid left if the puddle under the bike is any indicator More bits off. What to do with the left over front shock-- Maybe I can re-purpose it here I'll need a new bottom mount-- Ooh what's this-- I'll need a new bottom mount!!! Must be all those rough Canadian roads. Ha! More stuff to take apart-- Lots of muck to clean and bearings to replace. I missed pictures of my fiasco , didn't take any on purpose . As I struggled to release the last bolt so I could take the sidecar frame off I didn't notice one of my jack stands had moved. Some time I am so focused I don't see the big picture. So as the frame dropped to the ground the mighty GS did a slow roll onto it's nose with a mighty crash. More noise and mayhem than any damage. I am in fix it mode so even if there was it would just add to the fun. Well maybe not. Got to focus less and step back to look at the big picture, I tell my self for the umpteenth time Here is the Old Girl sitting pretty again.
Brian You use your rig ! Possibly harder than most of us geography geography ! I think you might find the tilt adjuster excess once you get the leading links installed none of the Euro stuff uses them and the links rigidity doesn't seem to need the adjuster but (grain of salt) my experience is with auto tires in the front 145 to 175 widths.
