8 year lurker - thought it was about time I said hello (Phleep)

**Phleep** · 10th October 2013, 19:29

Hi Guys/gals,

Registered a long time ago to flog off some leather pants and hopefully start participating in biker discussions without having to catch a ferry.

Since I am probably going to start asking inane questions whilst trying to get my latest project up and running (gsxr1100wt) here I am.

In case someone is interested...

I got into bikes randomly by just "having a go" at someone's house when I was 18. Managed to grab a. '83 GSX250 in good nick down in Christchurch and puttered around on that for 6 months until it chipped a valve when heading north to cross Lewis Pass. So as to catch the ferry I had booked I used the magic student loan to invest in an '83 VT250 and hoof up the east coast towards Picton.

After a couple of years someone decided my bike was too functional and drove head on into it whilst I was riding. My temporary bike ended up being a CG125 of dubious condition which was also destroyed a month and a half later when I was t-boned.

These two incidents caused the horrific harm of giving me a small graze on both shins and ripped my trackpants.

I now acquired an NSR250 which was set up for the track but once "streetfightered" I was back on the road. This bike turned out to be a bit dodgy and about a year later I bought a. '87 VFR400 and flogged off my smokemachine. The VFR400 was by far my favourite but due to lack of a garage it started to fade after a couple of years and I needed to sell it before it was too far gone.

A few years later I was given my father's old '99 GS500E and rode that until a year and a half ago when I sold it for a car to have a break from motorcycles (the GS is hardly inspiring).

So, after much babbling, here I am with the biker's itch. I hope to get this neglected 1100 gixxer back on the road and start being an active member here.

Cheers,

Phil

TLDR: Had a few bikes, need to ride again.

**paturoa** · 10th October 2013, 19:49

Welcome, pics are mandatory for your bike.

**Akzle** · 10th October 2013, 19:52

you should put the tldr at the top.

Infact, you could have left the rest out.

I like the vans without the windows.

**Tazz** · 10th October 2013, 19:52

Sorry to hear about your track pants man! Guts. Pop in for a coffee if you're ever through Picton.

**BigAl** · 10th October 2013, 19:53

Cool story bro, seems like a colourful history bike wise.

Once you get back on two wheels you'll regret not doing it sooner, all the best with the project.

**Phleep** · 10th October 2013, 21:32

Photos probably are a good idea. Bike isn't pretty at the mo. Still looks like the day 2 pic except I have a rear wheel bike stand now. I have been sanding and painting some rather rusty brackets, getting cables fixed, and sorting out some ruined bolts.

On that topic, what is the best way to purchase replacement bolts? I have found an NZ based online store that sells packs of ten but most bolts are only between 2-6 which makes ten appear excessive. A set like some I found on ebay would be good.

**Phleep** · 10th October 2013, 21:35

Originally Posted by Akzle

you should put the tldr at the top.

Infact, you could have left the rest out.

I like the vans without the windows.

But if I put the tldr at the top no one would read the rest!

**Tazz** · 10th October 2013, 21:36

Originally Posted by Phleep

On that topic, what is the best way to purchase replacement bolts?

Blacks Fasteners. They can do pretty sweet discounts too depending on who serves you.

**Phleep** · 10th October 2013, 21:41

Originally Posted by Tazz

Blacks Fasteners. They can do pretty sweet discounts too depending on who serves you.

Cheers. Seems that they don't have a store in Wellington. I have spotted a different fastener store on the Ngauranga Gorge so I'll take some ruined bolts there and see what they can do. I know how those places love non bulk purchases - Schrodoco (sp?) used to grumble a bit back in the day when I would scrounge bolts.

edit - I've found them. www.hpfast.co.nz looks like it's worth a go.

**Gremlin** · 10th October 2013, 22:58

Another handy place for bolts and screws is Anzor: http://www.anzor.co.nz/wellington-branch

**russd7** · 12th October 2013, 13:03

Originally Posted by Phleep

Photos probably are a good idea. Bike isn't pretty at the mo. Still looks like the day 2 pic except I have a rear wheel bike stand now. I have been sanding and painting some rather rusty brackets, getting cables fixed, and sorting out some ruined bolts.

On that topic, what is the best way to purchase replacement bolts? I have found an NZ based online store that sells packs of ten but most bolts are only between 2-6 which makes ten appear excessive. A set like some I found on ebay would be good.

pleased to see you lifted the carpet in the office before taking the bike to bits, carpet can be a bugger for hiding those little washers that ya happen to drop from time to time

**Phleep** · 13th October 2013, 21:15

Originally Posted by russd7

pleased to see you lifted the carpet in the office before taking the bike to bits, carpet can be a bugger for hiding those little washers that ya happen to drop from time to time

Had just salvaged an office desk from my old office before the bike arrived so using that as a bench. I have to say a corner desk is actually pretty convenient for working on a bike. Shame though that we have too much junk in our garage to give myself more space at the mo.

I have just checked the valve clearance today and found the exhaust valve/cam gaps were consistently 0.001 inches under the minimum 0.008. I have assumed it deliberate for the moment due to the fact they were all identical gaps and the effort of not ignoring it is quite high - there may be some unknown modification since this bike has done 60k which is plenty of distance for someone to do something. Intakes are all good though.

Have already fixed the throttle and choke cables, sanded and painted copious amounts of brackets, wrestled with seized brakes and stared blankly at the sheer quantity of different nuts and bolts I now have distributed around the desk.

Now I just have to figure out how to check the carb floats and put them back on the bike. After that I can put the engine fully back together and test the damn thing again.