Winter bike maintenance

[Danzio]

Well, its that time again where i take veefa off the road for a couple months and do the usual winter stuff.. brake pads, chain and sprockets, oil, filters, sparkies, tyres etc..

just out of interest who else is doing this and what ya doing over winter, any nice projects going on in peoples garages? using the much needed break from work to innevitably not spend time with your family as supposed to be and with your true love the nc30?

looking for what size the rear wheel nut is for my torque wrench and what torque its supposed to be sone up to after taking off as i don't believe some of the torques in my haynes..lying sh*ts!

also looking for a paddock stand, but thats a for sale thread.

cheers boys :)

[viper_biker]

Re-builds and projects go on all year round and as for what I do in the winter - Keep on riding. My VFR days are numbered with all the really trick bits sold off and left with just a few bits and bobs and the bike to go in the new year. My winter ritual usually involves a good clean with panels off, a service if needed, but as for plugs, chain and sprockets etc, they get done when needed. This winter will see the CBR getting a new chain and sprocket and new wheels in a few weeks.

[Danzio]

Nice! :)

my chain & sproks need doing like as the gauge is just shy of the red zone on the sprocket and im getting a little bit of chain slap when taking off so time for em to go!

what wheels you getting on the cbr? flash ones, dymag? marteschini (excuse my apauling spelling)

[dx400r]

Its glaringly obvious that my chain and sprockets are on the way out so those will be done at some point in the winter. The VFR is likely to go on being used but that might change if the CX project finishes sometime in winter.

Pads I know are fine, plugs have a few thousand km left in them and the oil was done about 3 weeks ago.

No doubt I shall piss off the family with how much time im spending in the garage!

[viper_biker]

what wheels you getting on the cbr? flash ones, dymag? marteschini (excuse my apauling spelling)

Ordered some gold PVM's a week ago at the NEC. Probably won't arrive until the new year, but will be worth the wait.

[Danzio]

Ordered some gold PVM's a week ago at the NEC

lucky nowt,

yeah they will be mate, very nice indeed! would love some dymags for my nc but there far out of my current price range to be spending on wheels!

just tidying mine up a bit, few trick parts make it look a bit better, full clean, and replenishing old stuff (hoses, pads etc etc)

paint owrk on mine is all dandy so a good clean and polish and it'll look great, still tho, in the ongoing pursuit to keep my vfr as standard as possible, to survive its already legendary livery, i knowtice its becoming increasingly hard to stay away from aftermarket gear as its soooo lovely! take greame france' titax levers.. mmm!

[Sligeach]

i like to slacken the chain off and drench it in kerosne and get it looking all goldie again.
then take the pads out (replace if necessary) pump the pistons out almost fully and get at them with the brake cleaner and tooth brush.
Whip the rad off and soak it and clean out the fins.

I do all of that during the normal season just needs doing 3 or 4 times during the winter.