henzilla
01-31-2008, 09:30 AM
Finished up clutch replacement on Helen's '95 yesterday afternoon and had a great road test shakedown. At 59K miles,the release spring plate was worn and the plate was out of spec.There was no sign of any lube on clutch contact points or on any of the splines. Bike had been sitting waiting on that cold/rainy day, my retirement got here first:clap
Telling on myself, had one expensive mishap(lesson) I had it ready to go last Thursday and was installing tank.Thought it was on the front mounts and plugged in fuel pump connectors as I installed fuel lines. I noticed the tank sitting crooked and moved to left side to see. I had missed the front rubber,so lifted tank enough to line up mount....Heard a pop and that electrical short sound:doh . I had made contact between rear mount arm and the positive battery terminal( never had a plastic cover on battery term)....As I saw the puff of smoke,I knew it was not good. The brown ground lead had energized and melted the insulation on the lead to the tank. I walked away for a few to question why I got in a hurry...the contact had shorted out lead and now no sound of a fuel pump...:doh again!!!
So...on the phone/computer looking for a used mounting plate...Boneyards was sold, found one at Recycled Cycles...Thanks Fred!! Had part in three days and installed in 20 minutes...loved hearing the purr of the fuel pump. Lesson learned to cover the positive terminal and to make the electrical connection LAST! I got in a hurry and it bit me.Cost me $200 more than budgeted.
Other than that side expense, the new clutch,cable and fluids/lube makes it feel like a new bike again. First BMW clutch replacement, having done other wet clutches and a few cars. The bike looks like it will never go together again when tail is raised, but it did and I am going to ride it this weekend to wear this set of tires out. After riding the Hexheads mostly,the '95 still is a very fun bike to throw around. We just picked up a 99 S which is a little zippier,but the roadster will be close behind in Helen's mirror.
Telling on myself, had one expensive mishap(lesson) I had it ready to go last Thursday and was installing tank.Thought it was on the front mounts and plugged in fuel pump connectors as I installed fuel lines. I noticed the tank sitting crooked and moved to left side to see. I had missed the front rubber,so lifted tank enough to line up mount....Heard a pop and that electrical short sound:doh . I had made contact between rear mount arm and the positive battery terminal( never had a plastic cover on battery term)....As I saw the puff of smoke,I knew it was not good. The brown ground lead had energized and melted the insulation on the lead to the tank. I walked away for a few to question why I got in a hurry...the contact had shorted out lead and now no sound of a fuel pump...:doh again!!!
So...on the phone/computer looking for a used mounting plate...Boneyards was sold, found one at Recycled Cycles...Thanks Fred!! Had part in three days and installed in 20 minutes...loved hearing the purr of the fuel pump. Lesson learned to cover the positive terminal and to make the electrical connection LAST! I got in a hurry and it bit me.Cost me $200 more than budgeted.
Other than that side expense, the new clutch,cable and fluids/lube makes it feel like a new bike again. First BMW clutch replacement, having done other wet clutches and a few cars. The bike looks like it will never go together again when tail is raised, but it did and I am going to ride it this weekend to wear this set of tires out. After riding the Hexheads mostly,the '95 still is a very fun bike to throw around. We just picked up a 99 S which is a little zippier,but the roadster will be close behind in Helen's mirror.