When frustration just grabs you by the short and curlies...

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 4:06 am

I was gonna start the 985 today. WAS...
Just had to put the exhaust back on, and then give everything a once-over to make sure it wasa ll torqued, tightened and buttoned up.
Well- never knew this, but the studs on the head for the exhaust collars are 6mm on the 750, but 8mm on the 900. After a futile scramble through the shop, I could only come up with 3 nuts. I live 35 miles from town, so, an hour and half later, I'm back at it.
After drilling the collars to fit the larger studs, TWICE, the right side went on fairly smoothly. Moved around to the other side, and had a struggle getting the pipes into the ports so the collars would slip on far enough to start a nut. After installing and removing about five times, I finally noticed that the edge of the #2 pipe was hanging up on a burr in the port. Knowing this, I could then flex it a bit and get it to seat, but not centered enough to allow the collar to slip on. I tried removing the pipe at the lower joint and it helped a little. Still a no-go though!! I finally took my grinder to the end of the pipe and gave it a little love. I sanded the sharp edge off the end with a flap wheel. Reassemble again, and this time we're home!! Yay!!
Now, however, after so many on/off cycles, the outboard stud on #1 has galled threads and a siezed nut. Ugggh! I was fortunately able to remove the stud from the head, force the bad nut off, and break out the tap and die set. I chased the threads and they cleaned up pretty well. Re-install, a new nut and finally wrap it all up.

New record-just under 8 hours to install the exhaust! Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:57 am

Call me weird - sounds like a great day to me!

In the garage, working with your hands, tinkering with a bike, overcoming challenges - what's not to like?

beerchug

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:46 pm

Look on the bright side, you have the tools, equipment and the abilities to work through every challenge,, though frustrating, I'm betting you had a great feeling of satisfaction when you finished.

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:01 pm

Led Zepplin is always ready to assist in these matters.

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:17 pm

Any day spent in the shop is a great day! Just really wanted to try this thing out. I got three different parts packages for three different bikes in the morning, and still have 2 bikes to get to. The Desert 100 is only a couple weeks away and I can't get the dirtbike on the lift until the 985 is done.
I do love my life/wife though!!!

Cool

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:36 pm

dannewman wrote:

Led Zepplin is always ready to assist in these matters.

So is beer/booze. Of course these sometimes can make a simple situation become a frustrating situation. beerchug

Hawk Joined: Jan 10, 2012 Posts: 439 Location: Chicago

I've had those kind of days too....one little simple project turns into a all day event...

When in doubt...Drink.... beerchug

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:40 pm

Always remember the mechanic's axiom..." Every 10 minute job is just one broken bolt away from a 3 day ordeal"

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:05 am

bs_racer wrote:

Always remember the mechanic's axiom..." Every 10 minute job is just one broken bolt away from a 3 day ordeal"

I am there today,, helping a friend with an oil leak,, initial thoughts should be an easy fix,,after 4 hours today, I decided the softer easier way would be to pull the engine - - tomorrow .

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:56 am

Today went no better. Two seemingly fried starters. Had to abandon the CB for a bit and get the KTM on the lift. That did go a bit better

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 1:56 am

I call that a good day. Nothing had to be disassembled and taken somewhere else for machining.

+1 on the Led Zep.

...maybe throw in some Dropkick Murphys.

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 8:43 am

Sounds like a normal day to me!

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:36 pm

Now, just imagine if you had to pay a mechanic to do all this for you .... it's part of the adventure. Life could be much worse.

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:44 pm

MatBirch wrote:

Any day spent in the shop is a great day! Just really wanted to try this thing out. I got three different parts packages for three different bikes in the morning, and still have 2 bikes to get to. The Desert 100 is only a couple weeks away and I can't get the dirtbike on the lift until the 985 is done.
I do love my life/wife though!!!

Cool

Good job Mat,

Can be frustrating as hell and every time I get into this kinda shit I swear off ever trying it again. But after it's done and you do get to crack open that victory beer, it's all worth it and can't wait to do it again. Dunno, maybe we're gluttons for punishment. I do know I (usually) get a tremendous amount of satisfaction outta those ordeals. And yes, a faithful, supportive and tolerant wife can make the difference between torching the whole damn garage and rolling away on a sweet test ride and coming back with a smile to start putting away every damn tool you own and then some.

beerchug