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The Motorcycle Thread

Discussion in 'Permanent Threads' started by Nettdata, Oct 23, 2009.

  1. Nettdata

    Nettdata
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    Mr. Toast

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    Nice! Congrats!
     
  2. Fiveslide

    Fiveslide
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    I wanted to post this tip about extending the life of your motorcycle, since this one is new and I can actually show you a good example of how little manufacturers care about lubrication on new bikes. You could feel the slightest thin film of grease on them, but that's it. It felt like the parts were sprayed with a waxy grease, rather than a good grease. Visually, you couldn't tell there was any grease there.

    You, or your mechanic, should absolutely be breaking down your motorcycle and greasing these bearings. When you first buy a new one, a used one, and then periodically as you use the bike. Especially when new, or when you pick up a used bike. Manufacturers simply do not put enough grease on the bearings, and too few first owners know it needs to be done.

    On-road motorcycles don't get exposed to nearly as much sand, dirt and grit that gets in these bearings, but it is still a good idea to do it when new. If you do it on a new on-road bike, you can probably not worry it again for years.

    Off-road bikes, if you don't pack these bearings with waterproof grease, they will fill themselves up with grit, water and just get destroyed much quicker than you can imagine. I will probably be doing this again when I replace the rear tire, just for a check and fresh grease. Then decide how often I want to break it down when I see the condition at that time.

    These suspension bearings are constantly moving when you ride. They need more grease than manufacturers put on them. If you don't grease them, you will eventually have to replace them. If you do grease them, and then do it periodically after that, you may never have to replace them.

    The job is not as intimidating as it looks. There were 5 pins/nuts for the swingarm and linkage. The worst part was remembering where all the body/seat/subframe hardware goes. Just put those back in the holes after you remove those parts, so you don't have to remember where they go.

    Your axle bearings are most likely sealed bearings that do not need this treatment. But, you should check parts diagrams to be sure.

    Yes, I did this in my living room. The weather is crappy, and I wanted to watch TV and work slowly. It's not like there was any dirt or grease on the bike to get everywhere.

    Screenshot_20251026_214924_Photos~2.jpg

    Screenshot_20251026_215045_Photos.jpg

    Screenshot_20251026_183808_Photos.jpg

    Back together, actually ready for first ride.

    Screenshot_20251029_132019_Photos.jpg
     
  3. Puffman

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    That is one nice looking motorcycle. Thank you for the tips.
     
  4. Fiveslide

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    First upgrade. Clutch side got the same treatment. CNC'd aluminum, anodized, with laser cut model/displacement. They fold, so they're less likely to snap like the stock ones. Stock levers are dumb, and more expensive than the cool shit.

    Screenshot_20260319_195103_Gallery.jpg
     
  5. wexton

    wexton
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    A very long time ago, i went out to start my gsx-r750, came back out and it was on it's side. The mirror and clutch lever broke. So i ordered them up, and by the time they got here i had actually fall in love with the shorter stubby clutch lever. I never replaced it.
     
  6. Fiveslide

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    The main reason I will always replace them, particularly on off-road bikes and quads, is the little knob on the end is there so you don't get stabbed by the lever in a crash. It happened to my friend, one of the fastest among my MX racing friends, just on a slow ride to a neighbor's house. He didn't even have a helmet on, just a slow ride, and has a big, roundish scar on his just under his ribcage. The front end washed out from under him when turned in their gravel drive.

    There are many options for stubby levers out there now, and they're cheap. The kid and I went to track, with that old lever, but I know it adds risk to the ride. I stopped by the closest dealership on the way, but they weren't a Suzuki dealer, so they said they didn't have anything in stock that fit it.
     
  7. Nettdata

    Nettdata
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    Too funny... way back in my very young and early bike owning days, I parked my gsx-r750 with the side stand on a hot piece of ashpalt in the sun... and I, too, came out to it being on it's side.

    It must be some sort of rite of passage for bike owners.
     
  8. Fiveslide

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    My parking spot outside my office had a bunch of little rectangular indentions in the pavement. My street bikes never fell on the kickstand side because of heat, but one did get blown over to the opposite side, because I parked in a bad spot for the wind direction.
     
  9. Puffman

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    I often advise beginning riders to buy a used older smaller bike to learn to ride on. My reasoning is sooner or later that bike is going on its side. It can be a side stand not fully opened, hot asphalt, just moving the damn things. It is easier to stomach a used learner bike getting damaged than your brand new, not yet fully paid for Ducati getting its tank damaged.