Fitting Radiator Guard.

[nitemares]

I had been digging through the threads chasing information on Radiator Guards and I ran into DAVAMB and a discussion he had been having. I sent him a message and surprise, surprise a radiator guard arrived at my house in the mail.

I have been doing some big hours at work and getting time to fit it has been an issue....started today.

He is a photo sequence of the stuff I did. Many thanks to Davamb for the guard.

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Next message has more pics.....

[nitemares]

....more pics.

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....more to come.....

[nitemares]

.....and more

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[nitemares]

It is getting a little cool here now. I have sprayed the guard twice and have now hung it up inside the garage.

Fitting pics tomorrow.

The guard has two coats of gloss black engine enamel now.....looks shiny.

[Wombat]

yeah, Dave gave me one too. Fitted it, but now gonna take it off and spray it BLACK!

Bob

[davamb]

Gis a pic of yours before you cut loose with the spraycan please Bob, I thought it might look better on your bike unpainted.

[nitemares]

Fitting continues this morning.

I did notice that the slightest contact with something causes a scratch in the black paint. May have to investigate some sort of clear sealer to help.

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[nitemares]

Finished now.....

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The only issue I had is the the holes were slightly....on one hole....out of line....about 1/3 the width of the hole. Being a non mechanic and semi-smart bottom....I decided that I could undo all four bolts...then just get all four started and do the guard up bit by bit and it would be fine.

Well it left me with the top right mount bolt not doing up easily....should have thought of something when that happened. But NOOOOOOO, being the knuckle head I am I have exerted more horsepower and snapped the bolt off in the frame.

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So I need to find the same bolt....10mil hex head....and get the stub of the old one out of the frame. Hmmmm. Easy out here I come.

Overall the process was fine.....tougher paint....and ensuring the holes line up before you tighten....yes I do have a number of rat tail files....say idiot....you know you want to.

Thanks again DAVAMB. I will add to this thread after a few rides and let you all know how it is going.

[Homer]

I've been thinking of getting a guard for my radiator. How much are you selling these for Dave???

[Wombat]

You can buy M10 hex heads from Bunnings

Bob

[Wombat]

Gis a pic of yours before you cut loose with the spraycan please Bob, I thought it might look better on your bike unpainted.

It's a bit too obvious left as alloy, Dave. Gonna spray mine satin black instead of gloss. Still on the lookout for that washer kit from Bunnings - had a look at my local one this morning but no luck, will have to look at one of the larger outlets (are the rubber washers, so it doesn't rest hard on the radiator?)
Got my old TDM850 wire mesh guard back on in the meantime.

Bob

[davamb]

Yep, it also holds the guard out proud of the radiator a bit too, so nothing touches due to vibration. You attending BSHTFU this year Bob? I can bring some along then if so.

Painted mine matt and I thought it looked ok, but I wanted to see what it looked like raw. Alas, never had the chance as it was the prototype and the guy had bent the top mounts the other way so the unsealed side faced out and it needed paint to cover the dings incurred in the manufacturing process.

Sorry Homer, missed your post there. I could get some more run off if there's enough interest to do a batch (say 10 minimum). I'll hassle the sheetmetal dude for a price next week. Let ya know when I do.

[fung]

BSHTFU ??

[Wombat]

Yes I am Dave. Trying to justify getting a service before or after the rally, either way I'll need one soon as well as fitting new chain and sprockets.

BSHTFU - Bucko (2wheels forum legend - passed away on the way down to the World Supers at PI a few years back)
Bucko Says Harden The Fuck Up Rally held at Mt Panorama, Bathurst.

Bob

[Wombat]

Well after doing a 13 hour stint at the Uni yesterday.
Whipped off the old chain and sprockets.
Put new JT front and rears on (17 & 42t) with new gold anodised ProBolts
Bought a decent chain this time (RK525GXW) only bummer is its a rivet link - not much experience with them.
Bought a rivet link chain tool and a few spare rivet connecting links just in case I stuff it up.
Then it started to rain
Tomorrow all I have to do is connect the chain, do up the front sprocket nut, align the chain and put all the covers back on.

Got bike back from a service yesterday, too. 101,000kms. Mechanic said its running fine but next service will probably whip of the covers and do the valves as well as replacing the camchain. Noticed this morning there was a bit of oil around the lower oil feed pipe and waterpump (oh no, not again!) but after a bit of investigation it looks like it might have come from the end bit of the clutch cable (my guess is THEY lubed it as the clutch action is very smooth now) and this is just the excess coming out of the cable. Will give it a wash and degrease tomorrow and keep an eye on it. Pop it back there thru the week if it plays up as I'm going on a rally on the long weekend.

Bob