"616" has had her name changed by deed poll.
Her official identification is now OneAlphaNineSierraMike (1A-9SM). For me "616" will do.
Monday's appointment at VicRoads went so well that I don't understand why they couldn't service my request on Thursday. I'll never understand actually - they were handling 3 regos at the same time on Monday, with the same staff that were there on Thursday with just me in the office. I'll have to "let that one go" now.
She run like a charm for 15 minutes on the way to Seymour, then started misbehaving. It felt like the fuel was running low but a top-up showed there were still 10 litres left. On the way back from Seymour she'd barely do 80 km/h. Virtually no power over 4000 rpm.
I've convinced myself that it isn't a fuel issue (although the inconsistant idle probably is). There must be an issue with the ignition. It feels like she's running on full retard once she gets thoroughly warmed up. Most likely the CDI trigger coils breaking down when the oil gets hot.
I have a couple of evenings to get into the LH side of the engine and swap out the Stator & Pick-up Coil Assembly with another completely unknown one from one of the other engines (probably "535").
More later.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Public "Service" Strikes Again
It has been a very messy week.
The weekend proved promising as "616" was thrown back together, photographed and started for the first time in 15 months. She wouldn't idle. I rode down the street about 200m, then back. The headlight retainer clip fell out and sat neatly on the Lower Triple Clamp. The engine had a "not nice" sound to it. The handlebars (new Renthals) appeared to be bent - this later proved to be the Handlebars clamps being 'misaligned' (or damaged).
Monday was St. Valentine's Day. Lost the morning trying to sort out the Headlight & Handlebar issues. Had to do birthday present shopping with Huw after school, which also gave me the opportunity to be more romantic than usual and organise dinner out. Karen Breen and some of her tribe came too for a long meal (service! not!) at the "Mac" in Kilmore. A nice evening anyway due to the company.
Linda had a "very special" birthday on Tuesday, so it was very important to me that this was as special as it could be. So no working on the bike except for deliberately booking "616" in for a Road Worthy Certificate (RWC) Inspection at the local agricultural equipment shop (Alpha McDelta Kilmore - ex Yamaha Dealer - great service and bike enthusiasts to boot). This was a commitment I had no intention of breaking.
Wednesday was difficult.
Sorted the headlight issue by refitting the 'cobbled-together' one that came with her (as opposed to the 'original' one I had acquired). The riveted bracket appears to be a butcher job, but with adequate packing of rubber wedges appears to work. TICK.
The handlebars are another issue. I HATE POOR FRONT-END SET-UP. This is follow-on from my racing days. My brain hates making the symmetry compensation calculations for out-of-square 'bars. I thought the RH handlebar holder stud was bent. So I dismantle everything - not as expected! It appears the rubber mounting bush which is press fit into the Upper Triple Clamp has been damaged. I think this triple clamp set came from the UK. Likely accident damage. These bushes are replaceable and I have 2 'in-stock'. However, every set I have has the steel shell corroded into the Clamp Assy. So I reassemble everything. It isn't a roadworthiness item. CROSS. More work later.
I rush around crazily attending to detail things. I organise a Unregistered Vehicle Permit - I can now test it, ride it to the RWC Inspection and on the the Registration Office (VicRoads) LEGALLY. I take her out around town. Still won't idle or often refuses to drop below 3,000 rpm. The front brake is pathetic (but the pads still need to bed-in). Stones crunch their way past the swingarm because the wheel is too far forward (I cut the chain too short).
I recall it needs a red rear reflector for the RWC. Ride in to the local Service Station. Only huge trailer style ones are there. I buy a pack of two. A quick ride home and a cheap bolt, washer & nut - fixed. It won't stay there past the weekend.
I have to be at Alpha McDelta by 17:00. I get there at 16:50! Phew.
I leave my pretty "616" in their hands overnight & walk to my rendezvous with Linda in Kilmore. I miss her already and worry about her not being home. The Ténéritis is clearly flaring up!
Thursday involved heading to Frankston for a 2 hour chat with with Andy from "Andy Strapz", a local manufacturer of soft roll-top panniers and seat bags. All of my research on luggage has led me here. His product comes well recommended if you aren't looking for 'hard' panniers. Much of the discussion is around the pannier frames and the requirements for construction. I explain my dilemma. Toward the end he suggests that he could call his fabricator. The telecon results in a hand drawn map to "Tony's Place". He has agreed to supply the base frames (square), some tubing and enough brackets to make a frame set. I leave Andy's place significantly lighter in the wallet but with panniers, seat bag (& extension), a pair of Forma 'Adventure' boots, socks, riding shirts and enough variations of straps to tie up the QE2. I could have bought more!
Tony the Welder is a great guy - one of those true blue types who scratch out a living doing what they know. He has just finished knocking out a batch of current model Ténéré frames for Andy. After a half hour of guidance & suggestions I walk away with the bits I need. He asked for $30, I flip him a 50 and think I have a bargain. We're both happy.
Andy sells the completed frames he has developed for upward of $300. They are model-specific, and he doesn't have any for older models. I get to do the R&D for my frames and I bet that will be more than $250 worth. Never mind.
While I was talking to Tony, Sue (from Alpha McDelta) called to say "616" had passed its RWC Inspection. Yay! All they had noted, was that she wouldn't idle & the speedo didn't work. The speedo stopped on the way to Kilmore. I hadn't panicked as I knew that a working speedo wasn't necessary for pre-88 bikes. It was just annoying.
I had 4 hours to get from Frankston to Kilmore, release "616" from Alpha McDelta, then ride to Seymour to process the registration documents. I arrived at VicRoads Seymour at 15:50 - 40 minutes up my sleeve. The young lady asked if she could help me. I explained why I was there.
She simply said "You know you need an appointment for this.."
"No".
"Well you do, do you have the RWC?"
"Yes..."
"Show me", she said.
I obliged, hoping that she'd see reason & relent her requirement.
"The next available appointment is Monday, 09:30 - Do you want me to check other offices?"
"Yes"
"We have the earliest available - 9 AM Monday".
I wanted to stamp my feet & scream!!! All they had to do was spend 3 minutes going outside to confirm the Chassis & Engine numbers. Because they are stamped into their respective locations a blind person could do it! I was the only customer in the office with four people on the other side of the counter. No, I have to have an appointment! Just in case I pop up during their tea-break, which runs between 10:00 & 16:00! You see, if I don't make an appointment then they can't charge me $40 to make one.
I HATE THE VICTORIAN PUBLIC SERVICE (what an oxymoron), ESPECIALLY VICROADS, MORE THAN I HATE A MIS-ALIGNED FRONT END. I actually need to be involved with them about 3 times a decade - every time it is a complete pain-in-the-behind.
Anyway, I am over my hissy-fit now.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday will disappear without progress as we are travelling to BrisVegas for more of the "special birthday" celebrations with Linda's family. It should be a good time and well worth time away from 616. I just hope my bosses are understanding about my not coming into work until lunch on Monday....
More & more I'm thinking the cam cover has to come off to diagnose why she performs so poorly & won't idle. Maybe Monday night - she needs to be presented in one piece for Registration. It scares me that I might find something "not nice". It would be too late to fix it then. Can I afford a current Ténéré? Don't think about it.......
The weekend proved promising as "616" was thrown back together, photographed and started for the first time in 15 months. She wouldn't idle. I rode down the street about 200m, then back. The headlight retainer clip fell out and sat neatly on the Lower Triple Clamp. The engine had a "not nice" sound to it. The handlebars (new Renthals) appeared to be bent - this later proved to be the Handlebars clamps being 'misaligned' (or damaged).
 |
| 39E-000616 on 13-February-2011 just before being started for the first time in over 14 months. |
Monday was St. Valentine's Day. Lost the morning trying to sort out the Headlight & Handlebar issues. Had to do birthday present shopping with Huw after school, which also gave me the opportunity to be more romantic than usual and organise dinner out. Karen Breen and some of her tribe came too for a long meal (service! not!) at the "Mac" in Kilmore. A nice evening anyway due to the company.
Linda had a "very special" birthday on Tuesday, so it was very important to me that this was as special as it could be. So no working on the bike except for deliberately booking "616" in for a Road Worthy Certificate (RWC) Inspection at the local agricultural equipment shop (Alpha McDelta Kilmore - ex Yamaha Dealer - great service and bike enthusiasts to boot). This was a commitment I had no intention of breaking.
Wednesday was difficult.
Sorted the headlight issue by refitting the 'cobbled-together' one that came with her (as opposed to the 'original' one I had acquired). The riveted bracket appears to be a butcher job, but with adequate packing of rubber wedges appears to work. TICK.
The handlebars are another issue. I HATE POOR FRONT-END SET-UP. This is follow-on from my racing days. My brain hates making the symmetry compensation calculations for out-of-square 'bars. I thought the RH handlebar holder stud was bent. So I dismantle everything - not as expected! It appears the rubber mounting bush which is press fit into the Upper Triple Clamp has been damaged. I think this triple clamp set came from the UK. Likely accident damage. These bushes are replaceable and I have 2 'in-stock'. However, every set I have has the steel shell corroded into the Clamp Assy. So I reassemble everything. It isn't a roadworthiness item. CROSS. More work later.
I rush around crazily attending to detail things. I organise a Unregistered Vehicle Permit - I can now test it, ride it to the RWC Inspection and on the the Registration Office (VicRoads) LEGALLY. I take her out around town. Still won't idle or often refuses to drop below 3,000 rpm. The front brake is pathetic (but the pads still need to bed-in). Stones crunch their way past the swingarm because the wheel is too far forward (I cut the chain too short).
I recall it needs a red rear reflector for the RWC. Ride in to the local Service Station. Only huge trailer style ones are there. I buy a pack of two. A quick ride home and a cheap bolt, washer & nut - fixed. It won't stay there past the weekend.
I have to be at Alpha McDelta by 17:00. I get there at 16:50! Phew.
I leave my pretty "616" in their hands overnight & walk to my rendezvous with Linda in Kilmore. I miss her already and worry about her not being home. The Ténéritis is clearly flaring up!
Thursday involved heading to Frankston for a 2 hour chat with with Andy from "Andy Strapz", a local manufacturer of soft roll-top panniers and seat bags. All of my research on luggage has led me here. His product comes well recommended if you aren't looking for 'hard' panniers. Much of the discussion is around the pannier frames and the requirements for construction. I explain my dilemma. Toward the end he suggests that he could call his fabricator. The telecon results in a hand drawn map to "Tony's Place". He has agreed to supply the base frames (square), some tubing and enough brackets to make a frame set. I leave Andy's place significantly lighter in the wallet but with panniers, seat bag (& extension), a pair of Forma 'Adventure' boots, socks, riding shirts and enough variations of straps to tie up the QE2. I could have bought more!
Tony the Welder is a great guy - one of those true blue types who scratch out a living doing what they know. He has just finished knocking out a batch of current model Ténéré frames for Andy. After a half hour of guidance & suggestions I walk away with the bits I need. He asked for $30, I flip him a 50 and think I have a bargain. We're both happy.
Andy sells the completed frames he has developed for upward of $300. They are model-specific, and he doesn't have any for older models. I get to do the R&D for my frames and I bet that will be more than $250 worth. Never mind.
While I was talking to Tony, Sue (from Alpha McDelta) called to say "616" had passed its RWC Inspection. Yay! All they had noted, was that she wouldn't idle & the speedo didn't work. The speedo stopped on the way to Kilmore. I hadn't panicked as I knew that a working speedo wasn't necessary for pre-88 bikes. It was just annoying.
I had 4 hours to get from Frankston to Kilmore, release "616" from Alpha McDelta, then ride to Seymour to process the registration documents. I arrived at VicRoads Seymour at 15:50 - 40 minutes up my sleeve. The young lady asked if she could help me. I explained why I was there.
She simply said "You know you need an appointment for this.."
"No".
"Well you do, do you have the RWC?"
"Yes..."
"Show me", she said.
I obliged, hoping that she'd see reason & relent her requirement.
"The next available appointment is Monday, 09:30 - Do you want me to check other offices?"
"Yes"
"We have the earliest available - 9 AM Monday".
I wanted to stamp my feet & scream!!! All they had to do was spend 3 minutes going outside to confirm the Chassis & Engine numbers. Because they are stamped into their respective locations a blind person could do it! I was the only customer in the office with four people on the other side of the counter. No, I have to have an appointment! Just in case I pop up during their tea-break, which runs between 10:00 & 16:00! You see, if I don't make an appointment then they can't charge me $40 to make one.
I HATE THE VICTORIAN PUBLIC SERVICE (what an oxymoron), ESPECIALLY VICROADS, MORE THAN I HATE A MIS-ALIGNED FRONT END. I actually need to be involved with them about 3 times a decade - every time it is a complete pain-in-the-behind.
Anyway, I am over my hissy-fit now.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday will disappear without progress as we are travelling to BrisVegas for more of the "special birthday" celebrations with Linda's family. It should be a good time and well worth time away from 616. I just hope my bosses are understanding about my not coming into work until lunch on Monday....
More & more I'm thinking the cam cover has to come off to diagnose why she performs so poorly & won't idle. Maybe Monday night - she needs to be presented in one piece for Registration. It scares me that I might find something "not nice". It would be too late to fix it then. Can I afford a current Ténéré? Don't think about it.......
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Lack of Progress
Monumental FAIL! This is how a work colleague would put it.
The last post suggested I'd have the bike legally rideable. Nearly 2 weeks later and it still isn't registered. Work commitments have been in the way. I guess that is the prime reason why the rebuild has been 15 months to get to this point.
I have the next week off work. We are in Brisbane next weekend - the Gorgeous One has a special birthday event. Therefore, I have exactly 5 days to get "616" ready. No time for blogging. See you soon!
The last post suggested I'd have the bike legally rideable. Nearly 2 weeks later and it still isn't registered. Work commitments have been in the way. I guess that is the prime reason why the rebuild has been 15 months to get to this point.
I have the next week off work. We are in Brisbane next weekend - the Gorgeous One has a special birthday event. Therefore, I have exactly 5 days to get "616" ready. No time for blogging. See you soon!
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