Request for Sticky!

There are some issues which come up quite often, in particular "I just got this 30 year old bike and what do I need to do to make it ride-able?" or some variant thereof. BigFitz has his list. There are a few other things which should probably be added as well, but I think that would make an excellent sticky ...

Replacing fuse box ...
Replacing rear drum pad ...
Checking dates on tires and brake lines ...

It often serves as a good introduction for someone to ask their questions with them being repeated regularly, but at the same time, it would be good to have a consistent stock reply to the "how do I restore this to safe working condition" general questions.

Thoughts? Consensus?

 

+1. surprised there isn't one already. Good idea.

 

This is a good one.

 

Write it up with the links to necessary posts. Then submit it to rickomatic, or robert for inclusion in the FAQ final section

I have also thought about a good internal links post for different topics.
internal links: a post containing links to all the relevant post for that topic (pods, carbs, brakes, etc...). Similar to a bookmark/favorites function.

Ghost

 

I'd be happy to write it up, but I think it would be good to get people to provide their thoughts on what should be included.

 

I'd like to see a bigfitz-type list of things to do & check for new people before they start riding the XJ they just bought. Just my .02 cents.

 

I reckon its a great Idea as the size of the list would put new owners off making the bikes and spares cheaper for us lot

 

Here is Fitz's list. It is pretty comprehensive. I suggest that perhaps there are two forms: one covering everything and the second covering what you *have* to do to keep from becoming a roadkill statistic. For example, checking the stator isn't really necessary to keep you from becoming roadkill, although it might leave you stranded.

So here's his list, anything missing? Do we want a safety only list - a paired down version?


- check tires, condition, and date codes. Anything over 6 years has to go.

- inspect wheel rims for damage or excessive runout.

- replace front brake pads.

- inspect disc brake calipers for damage, wear (thickness), or excessive warpage/runout.

- VISUALLY check rear brake shoes for wear/delamination; adjust rear brake pedal linkage. This is very important. Delamination is common, the only way to detect it is to SEE it. xjbikes.com/Forums/vie...15874.html

- check and adjust if needed operation of front and rear brake light switches.

- replace rubber brake hoses (check the mfg date stamped in them).

- unless known to be otherwise, plan on rebuilding the brake master cylinder and caliper(s).

- check and clean/replace the air filter element.

- change all fluids: fork oil, engine oil, final drive oil, and brake fluid.

- check and repair any engine or drivetrain/suspension fluid leaks.

- replace fork seals.

- replace tach drive oil seals (if applicable.)

NOTE: almost any original oil seal or engine case gasket will need to be replaced when its cover is removed for the first time.

- check and adjust/lubricate/replace steering head bearings.

- check and adjust/lubricate/control cables and speedometer and tachometer (if applicable) drive cables..

- replace rear shock absorbers.

- electrical system inspection, replace fusebox and most probably alternator brushes.

- check battery condition; replenish fluid (distilled water only!).

- clean the battery terminals.

- check all lights for proper operation and brightness (headlight, tail/brake light, turn signals, dash illumination).

- check horns for proper operation and loudness.

- check stator resistance.

- check rotor resistance.

- check battery.

- check coil primary, secondary, plug caps resistance. Inspect plug caps for looseness or loose resistor cores.

- check and adjust camchain tensioner.

- check engine cylinder compression; record your findings.

- check and adjust valve clearances; record your findings.

- drain carbs, check for foreign matter in bowls, install in-line fuel filter.

- disassemble and clean carbs, replace all rubber o-rings and other worn parts.

- "wet-set" float levels to spec.

- check function/operation of fuel petcock; correct any leaks and/or rebuild the petcock if indicated.

- Install a new set of properly gapped spark plugs.

- Vacuum synchronize carburetors, with YICS blocked.

- Adjust mixtures using a ColorTune, or by ear using the idle drop method.

Once all that's been done; and any unserviceable parts replaced along the way, you'll be good to go.

Except for maybe the seat; for "all day" comfort, have the seat redone with modern foam and have them take the "dip" out to give you some room to move around.

Start with a service manual.

 

would I be right in thinking you guys dont have a yearly roadworthy test Like our MOT over here

 

great idea, I had been thinking of doing something among these lines but have just been super busy, as there seems to be at least a post per day that is under the category of "New to the site, just bought this bike" and then everyone just kind of adds things like checking the tires, brakes, lines, valves, etc.

It could be nice to be able to send them to a shortened version of the "new to the site look at this" as yes, all of that information is pertinent and should be addressed at some time, but it can also seem daunting and the person may end up doing none of it while the SAFTEY issues such as brakes, tires, and the dire importance of checking your valves HAVE to be done. As some may not know that those are things that MUST be done nd not looked past.

This way they don't have to look at that long list and have no idea where to start, and end up doing none of them.


Just my thinking. A full out to do list already exists, I think that this should be more of an - Immediate, do before you ride it anymore - type list/tutorial that can be linked when the new member posts come up.

I'm not saying that those types of posts are bad, hell i even posted one and was so grateful for the responses, I was just trying to think of a way that could be easier and clear to new members.

 

Maybe a safety checklist seperate from a maint checklist, I know they intertwine at places, but as Rastacia noted earlier, new folks can be easily overwhelmed. I dunno-just throwin out ideas here, but youre on the right track I think. Save a lot of time typing for sure!

 

....then you could put in the UK section.....

lol

dave

 

ha very good . you actually wouldnt need it in the UK section as we have our bikes tested for all these things every year to legally use them on the road

 

What's MOT?

I assumed that we were no longer capable of putting threads in the 'final FAQ' section, since it looks so out of commission. Is it just new or something? If we can still sticky things, hell, why hasn't this been done already?

There's a whole hord of things we should sticky, actually, but since we have a whole stinkin' website, why not use it? Lots of stuff would be better as static pages. We have the forum, but why not go change up the home page, and make some new subsections of the site. That would be the best, and would make us more google-friendly and user-friendly anyways.

I can help do this if someone can get me permissions...

 

An MOT is a test once a year where every motorcycle or car has to pass a tough roadworthy condition test .
For bikes it is : bearings /tyres /brakes/footpegs/frame/wheels/exhaust/steering/alignments/lights and everything esle electrical and most things from ricks post
So buying a bike in the UK provided its had a recent MOT it should only need the visual safety check any rider should do everytime he goes out on a bike .Its a PITA but it sounds quite good compared to what you guys are getting

Its only when problems arise that people start going into the carbs , Valve clearances should be done no matter what bike it is

 

Ministry Of Transport.

Sno says he's planning on changing out the site software, but hasn't given a timeframe.

 

Maybe some donations would help it along a bit. Sno spends his own time and money keeping this site up, and I can assure you, it's not cheap.

 

We have an inspection requirement here in theory, but it's very... minimalist.

 

fintip, wwj750, et al.,

Good ideas and that is kind of where I am thinking when I mentioned a shorter safety list earlier.

I agree in particular that there are a number of specific posts which would serve as excellent Information pages which should be static and under the FAQ's. I would, however, discourage a response to riders of: that's covered in the FAQ, go read it, and instead encourage people to provide the link along with additional comments. That keeps it more personal and more friendly ... the reason most of us are here in the first place.

So, does anyone have some specific suggestions of threads/posts which would merit such attention? As I said, I am happy to do the work of assembling things together, I just need input from you folks.

For the newbies, what have you found most helpful on the site? What was/were the most important thing(s) that were brought to your attention when you either first started lurking or joined up?

 

The most comprehensive"what to do" list that I've seen is from the British
XS1100 site.The recommendations are pretty thorough.


Sorry,you'll have to cut and paste the URL


http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/index ... pic=4659.0

 

I don't know about the rest of Canada but here in Ontario you only do an MOT inspection when licensing a vehicle/motorcycle or if you haven't renewed your sticker in a reasonable amount of time after it expires. And then its done by a licensed auto garage. And lots of them don't even look at the bike!

 

Here in the US, you can drive around things held together with baling wire and duct tape. Don't laugh, I've seen it. I have also seen many which looked like it was the rust holding them together ... mind you, not motorcycles ...