Anybody else like this?

Just curious.

I bought my Maxim the end of April and had it checked out at a mom and pop Yammy shop. They changed the fluids and gave it a thumbs up. I want to make some improvements such as a new fuse block, in-line fuel filter, fix the trip meter etc. I don't want to do it during the riding season though since it's too short in Vermont as it is. Anybody else postponing improvements until after riding season?

mikeg

 

You would be in good company as there are many members up in the northern latitudes that put big changes off until the season ends. Poke around, you'll see quite a number of them.

 

pfft. Northern lattitudes? I live in indiana, I get to ride through october if past weather trends are any indication, and I'm putting stuff off till winter.

 

count me in! my bike hasnt even gotten new spark plugs yet, it runs and thats good enough for me until this winter...then ill shred into everything on it.

 

Me too, even though I have the luxury of 2 1/2 running motorcycles, I'm putting off any "big" projects (read more than a 1 or 2 day teardown) on any of them until the season chokes off...although postponing sparkplug replacement sounds like rationalizing to me, what is it, a 10-minute job?

 

im holding off till late october early november to do my big stuff.

 

Live in Florida so when do I put off a major job till????????

 

Maybe during a hurricane.. :wink: Thats if u have a garage 2 work in..

 

ive got big plans for the bike during the oh so harsh iowa winter

 

I'm holding off.
Took long enough to get the bike running well enough to ride, now it's saving me so much gas every week I can't bear to get into my truck




ok, that's not completely true. It's so damn much fun riding that I hate my truck now.

 

Winter to-do list is new petcock, inline filter and 10.5 shock installation. Also basic PM fuild changes.

 

I've got a huge list to take care of this winter. Hopefully I will be doing a bobber conversion then(and hopefully it will be ready come spring time.) I figure it might be better to build in the winter than be like my dad- he used to throw chains on his tires and ride in the winter.

 

You don't get much time to ride in New England. This season hasn't been all that good. We sat in a weather pattern that instituted late afternoon thunderstorms for almost 10 days.

I did pull the Carbs on my 900 and go through them and get the 900 tuned-up for its new owner.
I haven't found a new owner, though, because I haven't really put it on the Market.

But I will.

I'm going to put new Swqingarm Bearings in my Max -- THIS Winter.
Right now ... I'm riding it whenever the Sun's out!

 

I 'wanted' to ride this season - but fate was against me... But once I get this pig fixed up - got a whole notebook of 'things' to do this winter, and next season - RAIN OR SHINE I will be out there!

;-)

 

Spark plugs are only a 10 min job if their not siezed in the head, if they
are and you press it can ruin a season. If it's running ok, then you know what they say, "if it aint broke, don't fix it".

With my luck i'd pull the threads out of the head and the weather would suddenly go from wet to dry and warm.

 

Fuse Block and in-line filter are quick jobs too.... I'd get them done now...save any big jobs for the off season.

 

I think if I knew it was time to do Plugs ... I would just pop them out of there and throw a new set of Sparklers right back in!

It IS the wise thing to do.
You get to look at the Plugs and determine how thing are going.

Then, you toss 'em (or save them for tuning) and start the next day on a brand new set of the Plugs of your choice.

It take me more than 10-minutes.
I have a ritual I follow that I picked-up almost 45-Years ago.
I do a little dressing of the Plugs Ground Strap.

I put the Plug in my vice.
Shoeshine the Ground Strap with some 800 to give it a polished surface.
Gap the Plug.
Treat the threads with AntiSeize
Install them using "Pinky-finger Torque"

I just tighten them until my Pinky finger can't handle any more force.
45-Years and still wrenching!

 

We all have our winter projects.

1. Adjust valve clearance

2. NEW yamaha fork seals

3. New BRANDY & NEWSKI ( Thanks rick I went looking for that brand LOL)clutch plates

4. NEW chain

5. New tires

Sure glad i get 4 months of winter to do it all

Spring fever startup

1. National cycle windshield

2. New Helmet

3. Icon standard boots.

and maybe get some hard bags.

 

I'm worried about even trying some of the 'quickie' projects since I've never worked on motorcycles. I'm willing to get dirty but I figure I'm going to be slower at doing things until I get some experience under my belt. It's running so why mess with it. I've managed to put over 1000 miles on it even with this soggy summer in Vermont. That definitely beats the average for the previous 25 years since I just rolled over 19K on it this week.

mikeg

 

The question is: "HOW" is it running?
If its running good; you can stand pat and take care of things later on.

A few maintenance chores wouldn't hurt to put under your belt.
An Oil and Filter change; for instance.

Draining the Oil and slipping-in a new filter takes about an hour if you haven't ever done one before.
Once you start doing your own Oil Changes; you gather the needed items and tools to make doing the job routine.

An Oil Drain Pan with a goose necked spout.
The right two Sockets to get the Drain Plug and Oil Filter Bolts loose and out.
A collection container for disposing the used Oil.

Pretty soon the job takes less time because you develop a system.
Then, you get so good at it you can do an Oil Change without spilling a drop or making any kind of mess.

Replacing your Spark Plugs is another easy maintenance item.
You feel better knowing you've done the maintenance.
The bike runs better and you don't have guilt feelings about neglecting doing those things because you were apprehensive about messing-up.