Do I strip or not?

[martybabe]

Question, This is aimed at bikers that go places on a bike, because they've got a bike, not for the die-hards and commuters.

I wanna strip my GSX1400 down for the winter, do some suspension mods, powder coat, rust prevention etc.It's in good nick for it's age but good isn't good enough. I'm afraid I'm a bit anal and if my pride and joy isn't immaculate, all is not well in the house of martybabe.

The problem is this crazy weather, just as I commit to stripping, after days of rain and crap, you get one of them lovely cool but dry sunny days. If my bike is in bits when such days occur, I have a tantrum of epic proportions.

I was supposed to have a DR650 by now to ride through any old shite but plans don't often work out in my neck of the woods. :laugh:

So do you guys strip for the winter or isn't the kiwi winter long enough for restorations, he asks hopefully?.Or do you all have two or more bikes, in which case this is'nt a problem. I do hope the latter is the case, strengthens my multi bike plan against the bride. :laugh:

For all those that tuned in expecting strippers, I know who you are, check out pix bellow then back to the pron section. :laugh:

[FJRider]

The strip doesn't take the time... doing the business (properly) while the gear is off DOES. At the end of the day, its YOUR decision. Two bikes are good... but you never would be home to do "the business"...well not as often as you could be. PLANNING each stage, prior to the strip works best. Book the tradesmen so less time is wasted. Draw up a plan listing times for each stage of work...and GO / STICK to it.

[martybabe]

The strip doesn't take the time... doing the business (properly) while the gear is off DOES. At the end of the day, its YOUR decision. Two bikes are good... but you never would be home to do "the business"...well not as often as you could be. PLANNING each stage, prior to the strip works best. Book the tradesmen so less time is wasted. Draw up a plan listing times for each stage of work...and GO / STICK to it.


Now there speaks an organised man. Good plan thanks. Coincidentally, I've stripped loads of FJs over the years, still reckon it's one of the best bikes ever made, but pommy winters (the wet and grey wanna kill yerself kind) last about six bloody months anyway, well it feels like it, so it's not really been a prob before. Cheers FJ

[AllanB]

The plan is a good idea.

Get into it now, the weather is at mid point regarding winter so it will still be shit for a month or two.

For its age? how old is your GSX1400 - can't be more than 5 years or so.


I'm very anal about the appearance of my bikes as well so I say go for it NOW. I made the mistake a few years back on a previous bike to pull it down late winter and consequently missed on some of the best warm end of winter riding we had had for years!

[Headbanger]

She looks great with her clothes off.:rockon:

[martybabe]

The plan is a good idea.

Get into it now, the weather is at mid point regarding winter so it will still be shit for a month or two.

For its age? how old is your GSX1400 - can't be more than 5 years or so.


I'm very anal about the appearance of my bikes as well so I say go for it NOW. I made the mistake a few years back on a previous bike to pull it down late winter and consequently missed on some of the best warm end of winter riding we had had for years!

Ah, That's the fella, can't bear that I might miss out, I'm such a baby.:laugh:

The 14 is presactly 5 years old, how perceptive but there are the beginnings of rustyrot that need attention now, some would laugh if I showed em the decay of which I speak but it's my baby and it deserves it, I'm having nightmares of monster rot setting in while I sleep. :no:

[skidMark]

Ah, That's the fella, can't bear that I might miss out, I'm such a baby.:laugh:

The 14 is presactly 5 years old, how perceptive but there are the beginnings of rustyrot that need attention now, some would laugh if I showed em the decay of which I speak but it's my baby and it deserves it, I'm having nightmares of monster rot setting in while I sleep. :no:


You would have a heart attack if you saw my suzuki.

[martybabe]

You would have a heart attack if you saw my suzuki.

:clap: I fookin would. Don't tell anyone but I have been known to take bikes on test rides, take em home and clean em up and return em. There's something very wrong with that. :rolleyes:

[Drew]

:clap: I fookin would. Don't tell anyone but I have been known to take bikes on test rides, take em home and clean em up and return em. There's something very wrong with that. :rolleyes:

Yes there is something very wrong with that! But I walk into shops, sit on a bike and feel compeled to wind some more spring on the rear, lessen the rebound damping and start bouncing the thing up and down to get the set up better. Similar thing I guess.

[martybabe]

She looks great with her clothes off.:rockon:

Amen Bro, Obviously a lack of pie shops in her neighbourhood. :drool:


Yes there is something very wrong with that! But I walk into shops, sit on a bike and feel compelled to wind some more spring on the rear, lessen the rebound damping and start bouncing the thing up and down to get the set up better. Similar thing I guess.

Ah, a fellow obsessive, yes you can always make em that little bit better, well maybe not but fiddling is healthy. :apint:

[skidMark]

Ah, a fellow obsessive, yes you can always make em that little bit better, well maybe not but fiddling is healthy. :apint:


If you play with that you will go blind.

[DMNTD]

Don't tell anyone but I have been known to take bikes on test rides, take em home and clean em up and return em. There's something very wrong with that. :rolleyes:

I have done the same mate,you're not the only loon around :wacko:

[toebug]

I always make sure I have a second bike before i strip anything! And everything does get stripped! But then that works when you have 5 bikes like I do!

[martybabe]

If you play with that you will go blind.

I fail to (see) your point. :whistle:



I have done the same mate,you're not the only loon around :wacko:


Thank cripes for that, that's two normal people, whats up with the rest of em?

Back on topic and falling in line with (the plan befroe you dismantle plan) any one know of a good powdercoat operation and or polish shop in the New Plymouth area? oh and who's that suspension guru on KB, might have a word with him ,one of the rear shocks isn't shocking too well.

I intend to start in the next couple of weeks so have your clasic bikes ready for the impending heat wave, whilst I'm awaiting a crucial chromed nut or something. :doh:

[skidMark]

oh and who's that suspension guru on KB, might have a word with him ,one of the rear shocks isn't shocking too well.



Robert Taylor ...

[martybabe]

Robert Taylor ...

Cheers Mark.:niceone:

[helenoftroy]

:clap: I fookin would. Don't tell anyone but I have been known to take bikes on test rides, take em home and clean em up and return em. There's something very wrong with that. :rolleyes:

If you had that DR you could be doing it in the dirt all winter and work on the strip as well:whistle:

Actually mite be a bit nippy outdoors for the pale skinned boy......:Oops:

Lol I have so wanted to clean up some bikes Ive test riden too.Just want to give them some TLC

[MIXONE]

:clap: I fookin would. Don't tell anyone but I have been known to take bikes on test rides, take em home and clean em up and return em. There's something very wrong with that. :rolleyes:

Strip it then when you need a ride come over borrow mine and take it home and clean it.:niceone:

[martybabe]

If you had that DR you could be doing it in the dirt all winter and work on the strip as well:whistle:

Actually mite be a bit nippy outdoors for the pale skinned boy......:Oops:

Lol I have so wanted to clean up some bikes Ive test riden too.Just want to give them some TLC


:killingme:killingme This pale skinned boy was actually a member of a short lived, fireman based, stripping group, called hot stuff. We did two shows and we're laughed off stage twice, apparently the fireman get up wasn't enough to overlook the 3 inch winkies. :laugh: Cruel cruel women.

Helen, could ya pm my wife and tell her to stop spending my goddamn DR650 money on unnecessary household crap please. She's so gonna get it. :2guns:

[CB ARGH]

:clap: I fookin would. Don't tell anyone but I have been known to take bikes on test rides, take em home and clean em up and return em. There's something very wrong with that. :rolleyes:

You should've been my mate two years ago... I would've let cha take my off road bike for a testy after the bike and I got "Dirty".

------

My tip, do the strip now. Get it over with, so that you can be back on the road in time for summer.

[martybabe]

Strip it then when you need a ride come over borrow mine and take it home and clean it.:niceone:


Ha, you wish............................ok,:lol: when can I come and get it.

[helenoftroy]

:killingme:killingme This pale skinned boy was actually a member of a short lived, fireman based, stripping group, called hot stuff. We did two shows and we're laughed off stage twice, apparently the fireman get up wasn't enough to overlook the 3 inch winkies. :laugh: Cruel cruel women.

Helen, could ya pm my wife and tell her to stop spending my goddamn DR650 money on unnecessary household crap please. She's so gonna get it. :2guns:

:rofl:Hot Stuff eh......the mind boggles:devil2:

Think I'll stay out of marital discussions on 2nd bikes:doh::spanking:

Im divorced and theres 3 bikes in the garage......:rockon::niceone:

[martybabe]

:rofl:

Im divorced and theres 3 bikes in the garage......:rockon::niceone:

Mmmmm, well it's worth thinking about innit.



So, kiwi meteorologists, have I got time to strip her down before the good weather comes back, I'm guessing but I think maybe a month before she's ready to go back out there.

Any tips for attacking and preventing the rust on the frame, without powder coating, big job innit.

Gonna book the engine cases in for some polish and powder but it's the frame that looks shabby and I don't wanna take the engine out. :no:

[AllanB]

I like this thread - its good to know that there are others out there that look after their bikes - especially when purchased new - it is easy and rewarding to keep them tidy and pays off in the long term with resale.

I've often walked around bike shops looking at two year old bikes that look surprisingly tired. More surprising when the shop has a couple of salesmen just standing around doing nothing - grab a cleaning cloth ya lazy buggers.

[martybabe]

I like this thread - More surprising when the shop has a couple of salesmen just standing around doing nothing - grab a cleaning cloth ya lazy buggers.


Oh yes!, picked up one of those small windscreen jobbies in a shop in Wanganui, covered in dust. :gob: so I gave it a quick rub down and the salesman said I'll get you a price on that sir. I said, I don't want it mate, it just needs a clean, look at the state of it . :laugh:

Dusty things in a bike shop and all you buggers do is go on about climate change, perspective people! :angry2:

Think I may have a touch of o.c.d eh.

Ere, wheres my anti rust advice, mighty oracles?

[ynot slow]

Be warned the winter in the Naki can be great,I personally used to take a weeks holiday around mid July,if lucky you get fine weather and no wind,if lucky it might be 3 or 4 days in a row.Then in August/September it can be crappppppy:cold:,just when you think the shite winter has gone,or should have,as the season approaches spring or early summer.

Do us a favour and strip the bike,that way weather will turn out great for us:scooter:,it'll just piss you off,especially if your wife is unchained,clothed and let out of the kitchen to spend another bikes' money on trivial things like food,beer(delete beer must have),clothes,batteries for her watch(why she needs a watch when the stove has a clock),et al.:scooter:

[Max Headroom]

Do a careful estimate of how long it will take, and an even more thorough budget, allowing for any unexpected surprises.

Then triple the timeline and double the budget.











P.S. Don't ask me how I know this formula.

[FJRider]

I fail to (see) your point. :whistle:



Thats because he has his back to you.... :innocent:

[martybabe]

Now then, perfect bloomin example, just about to get the spanners out, resigned to a long and abysmal winter, when we have one of the best riding days in the Naki for ages. :angry2:

Just been for a lovely ride round the mountain, covered in snow, sun shining off the sea, bloody glorious. What would have happened if the bike was in bits eh eh. the dog would have got a piece of my mind that's what.

Two bikes is the only bloody answer. I'm on it. :yes:

[MIXONE]

Don't give the dog too big a piece of your mind.Save a bit for yourself or you'll end up being an Ozzy.