Swingarm stand wanted to borrow

[Colapop]

Thanks to the Kendogs I secured the use of a swingarm stand. In doing so I was able to start on some maintenance issues I've been wanting to get at, namely cleaning and tensioning the chain in the first instance. I've learned a couple of valuable things that I maybe didn't fully appreciate other people saying;
Never under-estimate the effect maintenance can have on your machine. Just by cleaning and tensioning the chain, the bike feels so much better. There's a lot less noise and the pick-up (?) feels better. I took about 50mm (I shit you not!) of slackout of the chain. After the cleaning there was a shitload of dirt grease and crap in the container.
A thank-you must go to the inventor of the toothbrush. Magnificent for cleaning hard to 'Reach' crevices and not too bad on the bike either. You can never have enough rags or turps. After using up a litre without getting past the chain itself I went and got a 4L container and managed half of that before I was through. None of this is news to those of you who are maintenance guru's or mechanics but may help anyone too shy to have a go at some simple maintenance themselves. Get a manual and see just what you can do.
Lastly - friends. These are people who will lend you tools, advice and help if you need it. Never be afraid to ask questions. They may not know the answer but between the 2 (or more) of you you could work it out during the discussion.

[James Deuce]

Did you take your front sprocket cover off? There'll be oodles of flung off chain lube in there. Don;t need a stand for that either.

[Colapop]

Nope I didn't want to bugger up the clutch. I have yet to read that bit in the manual... I cleaned it pretty good with the toothbrush though.

[James Deuce]

Nope I didn't want to bugger up the clutch. I have yet to read that bit in the manual... I cleaned it pretty good with the toothbrush though.

Que? It should have anything to do with the clutch at all.

But reading the manual is a great idea.

[MSTRS:Me]

Que? It should have anything to do with the clutch at all.

But reading the manual is a great idea.

Sprocket cover plate doubles as the slave cylinder mount on these (at least does on the 1100)
Col - it isn't a probem to remove it tho. Just don't operate the clutch lever until the plate is re-installed & bolts are tightened

[sAsLEX]

Que? It should have anything to do with the clutch at all.

But reading the manual is a great idea.

My NC the clutch rod pushes against some "thing" in the sproket cover so one could concievably fuck that up taking the cover off.

[MSTRS:Me]

Here's a piccy. Leave the rod mounted in the grommetted inner casing

[Colapop]

So that rod looks like it slides? I have to be careful about removing the clutch plate then?

[MSTRS:Me]

No no. You no rissen cookie boy.....
Unbolt the sprocket cover (the whole thing). The clutch slave cylinder should be a seperate casting bolted to the spr.cover. Leave the slave cyl bolted. Carefully loosen the spr.cover and pull away from the gearbox casing until you can see that rod. Hold the rod to stop it coming out of the gearbox (actual clutch is in there).
Behind the spr.cover you will see either...1. the front sprocket, and in front of it a rod sticking out of the gearbox (if you can follow instructions that is)....or 2. a great pile of gunge as Jim2 said.
Whatever....just leave the rod alone and clean the area as reqd. Clean the INSIDE of the spr.cover, taking care not to get any crap thru the hole that the rod goes thru (into the back of the slave cylinder.
Now refit the spr.cover, taking care to feed the rod thru the grommetted hole, bolt tight. THEN may you play with the clutch lever.
GOT IT???
Sheesh.....

[crazybigal]

those U shape axle stands work a treat ! just put a rag on them so you dont scratch your swingarm

I like that advice (coz wood is good) but then the chain and bits I want to get at are on the low side. Thatwould make things difficult wouldn't it?
PM sent Trudes..

[ManDownUnder]

Thanks MSTRS. And that's anyone in Welly (not restricted L/H) It'll probably have to be something heavy duty as the RF is no light weight!! I need to clean and adjust the chain. I also want to have a good look at the suspension - it seems very squishy.
Ta in advance.

For what it's worth - I bought one off FROSTY for the RF and it's actually not too heavy. Tis the only way to lube the chain though.

If you're stuck for a stand:
1) Have a friend handy
2) Put bike on side stand
3) Turn handle bars full right lock
4) Grab back of bike (RHS) and handle bar and lean the bike further onto the stand/lift the rear wheel off the ground
5) Spin and lube... spin and lube
6) Now lube the chain

[ManDownUnder]

Cola - don't underestimate the effect of cleaning the airfilter either mate.

WOW!

[Colapop]

No no. You no rissen cookie boy.....
Unbolt the sprocket cover (the ....blah blah blah... words ... blah blah blah....
GOT IT???
Sheesh.....

Yeah yeah yeah. So beat me with a wet bickie next time I ask for advice!!
Well, I took the sprocket cover off and not the slave cylinder. Got a whole lot more gunk and crap outa there that I hadn't reached before. I rode around the block and now that the whole chain and both sprockets are clean there's virtually no noise coming from the them. Now I'm all keen and raring to go! I have to take the tank off to get to the air cleaner and that'll be the next task. It won't be long and I'll be able to do a complete rebuild and race set-up!! You guys will shake in your boots when you see me coming round to lap you...
What's that?? Oh right, it's reality coming back... It is a good feeling though, to learn new stuff and do a good job of it. The more maintenance I can do the better off I'll be both in knowledge and financially (more $$ to spend on bike bits!)
I'll think I'll have a celebratory beer.
Cheers all for the help and advice.

[riffer]

Hey Col -

A couple of things before you take the tank off.

1. Take the back bodywork off first. It makes it much easier.
2. Undo the reserve switch bolts. Otherwise you can't turn the tank around and put it on the subframe and you can't do much to the bike when both hands are holding the tank and you're thinking "what the fuck do I do now?"

While you're taking the tank off take the time to waterproof the coils.

The coils sit on the inside of the frame rails under the tank and the right one in particular is EXTREMELY sensitive to getting water in it. Also, the low tension wires to the coils are right behind the steering head and can get water in them too. I had a shit of a time in the wet until I sorted these.

Basically get some Vaseline and smear it inside the contact plugs and where any water can get in too.

And be careful when you put the tank back on. Put the tank on first before the rear bodywork - you stand a good chance of scratching the front of the rear bodywork just at the front if the tank if you don't. I'll show you my bike one day...

Cleaning the air filter does cool things. A nice clear air filter gives you a really good growl from 5-7,500 until that cool turbine effect kicks in.

[Colapop]

That's something else I found out about while tinkering - my bike has been dropped (I don't think heavily) and I need to get some minor repair work done to things like fairing mounts. The little tail/joiner piece has been glued in with some rubbery white shit smeared all around the inside of it and one of the left hand side fairing mounts is bust. I'll need to get in to see crazefox to get some screws for the fairings too (only some are missing )

I'm off to read some more of the manual now - a bloody good read it is too!