Today's Wrenching

[stephen914]

Today I set about doing the annual service on the bike. I had previously picked up the fluid for the final drive and the trans. DOH! I realized already I forgot to get engine oil. I thought I had some around, guess not. So I took it out for a brief drive around the block just to warm it up. Then I set about changing the tranny fluid. DOH! The drain plug for the trans is a 14mm hex cap and the largest I have is 12mm. I guess I can’t do that today. So I decided to go ahead and do the final drive. I did have the annual service done last year at 1000 or so miles. The bike now has 4911. So I drained the final drive and the fluid was very clean. Now I am wondering if I should even bother with the transmission fluid. I guess I will go ahead and do it tomorrow once I get the proper hex cap bolt.



I also decided to remove the rear tire and install the carbon hugger I got over the winter from MLS on eBay.


The hugger mounts where the factor shock guard goes using the factory hardware. I decided to use two washers on the bolts when installing it.




The mounting holes


I am a little disappointed. I would have to say its more of a splash shield that a hugger. Over all its got a nice finish and I guess that’s what you get for $59 USD. I guess you get what you pay for.


The left side installed


Right side


I also installed my Rick Mayer seat I had made back in November. I got the basket weave vinyl finish. I am pretty happy with how it game out. It looks great, it doesn’t pitch you forward like the old one, and in the 5 miles I rode it seems pretty comfortable.


one more view of the seat

I decided not to change the brake fluid today also because I am going to be installing stainless steel brake lines and I haven't received the rear one yet. So I will just wait and do it all at once.

[roger albert]

You could run just short of forever on the rear drive fluid, in a pinch. Not that I'm recommending that. The trans however, is another matter, and should absolutely be changed.

hth
roger

[EZ-RIDER]

Hey;

From the looks of the photo is the Hugger touching the pipe if so it will melt or rub a hole thru it. You may want to put some spacers between the hugger and the mounting point.

[stephen914]

Originally posted by EZ-RIDER
Hey;

From the looks of the photo is the Hugger touching the pipe if so it will melt or rub a hole thru it. You may want to put some spacers between the hugger and the mounting point.

Its not actually touching, but its close, within an inch. I will watch it the first couple miles and see how it goes.

[Bob Hancock]

Maybe put an angled spacer in it so that the hugger actually hugs the rear tire a bit more. Just a thought.
PS....wrenching threads with pics are what this forum is all about. Thanks for letting us watch.

[R111S]

Nice write-up on the lower cost Hugger and RM Seat...yes, thanks for sharing.

I got a 14mm Hex-Head Wrench at the local Hardware Store and had it cut down a bit shorter so it would fit in the small confines above the Exhaust Header.

[stephen914]

Originally posted by R111S
Nice write-up on the lower cost Hugger and RM Seat...yes, thanks for sharing.

I got a 14mm Hex-Head Wrench at the local Hardware Store and had it cut down a bit shorter so it would fit in the small confines above the Exhaust Header.

Thanks for the kind words from everyone. I will post more when I install the SS brake lines and other items I may install.