Wrench party

[Houdini]

Grego suggested more wrench parties and I have been thinking the same thing lately.  I need (well - want) some extra hands to mount a hitch on my Valk; I have an idea for a way of hauling a wheelchair on the back of my bike so I can take my wife out riding more often.  I was thinking I could get a bicycle carrier that goes into a receiver hitch and a lightweight wheelchair that I could strap to the carrier.  If anyone out there has any suggestions for a way of transporting a wheelchair on my scoot I am open to suggestions.

I'll open my driveway and toolbox for a wrench party if there is any interest.  I would also like some guidance on pulling my pumpkin for grease; I'll do the work, I would like someone to look over my shoulder and make sure I don't screw anything up.

Sound off if you are interested and if there is enough interest I will schedule a date.  Don't expect a big Daniel style breakfast to be included because I am strictly a survival cook and some of you may not survive my cooking.

Chuck

[RainMaker]

I like the idea of a wrench party as well.  Go for it, Chuck!

[Hollywood]

I just read his post, and talked about wrenching. we have a hitch on ours for a trailor, but our President of the VRMM has a wheel chair mount on his trike, I'll ask Red if he has any ideas on what you suggest you can do to get one on the Valk.
It may be possible somehow. Can she ride comfortably on your bike, or have you thought of a sidecar? you could mount a wheelchair on that possibly. My aunt had MS, back in the 50's, so I can understand some of the problems you're going thru. I'll put you both in our prayers.
What area do you  live in?
we are in Haltom City.

[Houdini]

Hi Hollywood, Mary can ride comfortably; the problem is when we get to where we are going she cannot walk very far.  On a good day she can walk maybe 20 - 75 yards and then she has to sit and rest.  If the temp is over 85°; that distance is halved.  We had a group ride last fall that stopped at a swap meet and I ended up carrying her through the meet.  It is good for my health and strength to carry her around but I can only do that for so long and then I have to sit and rest also.
 
We live in Allen.

[Hollywood]

this is red neck hollywood was telling me about the ideas you has maybe we can get together and come up with something that will work on the chair my brother rides a trike & is in a wheel chair we fabed a mount for it my personal email is redneck@dragonbrethe.com also i'm interested in seeing the viking exhaust

[Houdini]

Viking exhaust???

[Dag]

Viking exhaust???

VIKING EXHAUST:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uua_qvcKvhA

[grego]

Wow awesome sound Dag !

[Hollywood]

sounds okay, I guess you never heard a Valkyrie with 36 inch truck stacks and glasspacks.
Next time you're in Texas, look us up!

[grego]

Chuck I'm interested in a wrench session .I want to learn how to pull the pumpkin for spline check and grease as well...

[Disco]

Count me in, Chuck.  I've removed my rear wheel twice in the last year - the first time with help, the second time (last week), solo.  If we are going to do more than one at a time, I can put the lift, adapter, tools, and supplies in the cage and drive over.  I have a 27mm socket and a 27mm combo wrench for the axle nut and two wine bottle corks to hold the exhaust pipes out from the hangers.  I'll bring extra corks if we are doing multiple bikes.  It's not absolutely necessary, but do you have a 1/2" drive torque wrench?  If not, I'll get the "community one" from my neighbor.

[john]

 
a wrench party  ...
a good saturday morning destination   
never seen allen texas ...   
thank you chuck    : )

[BnB Tom]

I wonder if Dave is going to bring the corks with or without the containers they came from? hmm..
WHEN IS ALL OF THIS GOING TO TAKE PLACE?  I WANNA GO!
Tom

[Hollywood]

keep us informed of the date on the wrenching, we have a Fishfry benefit for our Pastor on the 15th of April(Sunday) and a wedding on the 21st(Sat) at 5 pm in Weatherford, but otherwise pretty open, and don't worry about tools, my husband is a mechanic for JB Hunt and we also have tools at home too, our side business is working on bikes, we can bring what's needed.

[Houdini]

Ok gang, sorry for the delayed response but I’m the only driver in the house and I had to make sure there were no appointments, sporting events, birthday parties etc scheduled.

March 7th is a doable date for me.  How about GDU (Garage Door Up) at 8 AM.  I will be up earlier than that getting ready but I didn’t want to make it too early so people are dragging themselves out of bed and cursing me.  I will have a coffee pot brewing in the garage to get everyone wired for a great day of wrenching.  I will make some food arrangements, it may just be donuts so don’t come expecting a great meal but do come even if you are hungry.

I have a decent supply of tools and a motorcycle jack; if you have any specific tools you need ask in advance so we can make arrangements.  Dave, go ahead and bring your tools and you and Tom can bring corked bottles, if you so desire.  I have a 10’ X 10’ canopy to keep the sun off of our heads if necessary.

My question for the experts; I had all of the o-rings changed on the rear drive approximately 10,000 miles ago. Should I order new ones or can these be used again?

Location:  1108 Roaring Springs Dr. in Allen

Make your way to highway 75.  Get off on Exchange parkway and head east approximately 1 mile; you will pass through two lights.  Take the first right past the second light, that is Roaring Springs Dr.  We are the forth house on the left.  Phone number is 972-359-0149 if you get lost or want information.

Chuck

[Daniel Meyer]

My question for the experts; I had all of the o-rings changed on the rear drive approximately 10,000 miles ago. Should I order new ones or can these be used again?

I change them everytime because I bought in bulk and they're cheap (and it's cheap and easy insurance).

That said, if they aren't flat, cut, pinched, or stretched you can reuse them.

[Houdini]

Daniel, your response leads to a few questions.  Will you be attending the WP?  If yes, will you sell me a set of o-rings?  If no to either questions, will you post a link to where we can buy the o-rings outside of a Honda Dealership in bulk?  Since this scoot needs to last me many years I would rather err on the side of caution and go ahead and replace them every time I service her.

Thanks!

[Daniel Meyer]

Daniel, your response leads to a few questions.  Will you be attending the WP? 

I don't expect so...I think I'll be in Clarksville. Anything's possible though.

If yes, will you sell me a set of o-rings?

If you or somebody that's attending wants to come by next week sometime, sure!

If no to either questions, will you post a link to where we can buy the o-rings outside of a Honda Dealership in bulk? 

You can get them anywhere that has a good selection of o-rings. They are standard rubber and there is no advantage to upgrading them to one of the exotic flavors of o-rings (the rubber is the best for this application/use).

I bought mine here: http://allorings.com/

I don't have the sizes with me to post. You can get the sizes off the Honda microfiche on HDL (here: http://www.hdlparts.com/ )

[Dag]

O-Rings

HONDA 91302-MA6-003 O-RING (61X2) All Models
HONDA 91358-MG9-003 O-RING (50.5X3.5) All Models
HONDA 91356-MG9-003 O-RING  (39.5mm x 2.4mm)

Carolina Bike & Trike VI-1 O-RING KIT (Three O-Rings) All Models  http://www.carolinabikeandtrike.com/ORings.htm


http://www.valkyrienorway.com/partsfinaldrive.html

[RainMaker]

Hey Chuck - get an extra set for me - it's time do do the maintenence on mine as well.

See you there!

Mark aka RainMaker

[Disco]

Roger that, Chuck.  I'll bring lift, adapter, tools, moly paste, service manual, and corks - no bottles - and see you Saturday 7 March around 08:00.

Without getting too far ahead, I'd like to float a rebuild-the-forks idea for the next wrench party.  I have seals, oil, and a set of Progressive springs on the shelf that need to be installed sooner rather than later.  I know BnB Tom wants to do his, too.  Rumor has it that even Wanderer wants to do his.  I've never done it, so all I can do at first is help. 

[Houdini]

I'll have a set on my shelf by the time this idea is confirmed.  We can have a fork-a-thon that weekend and hit some twisties to try them out.

Chuck

[grego]

I hope to be there ; still working out a schedule conflict.
How tough is it to do this spline check regrease task on an Interstate?
Do the bags come off?
Where do I get some moly lube {part number/brand]

[Hollywood]

we'll try to come, if Redneck's not working on something he has to get out. he may have an engine swap that weekend. I'll let you know. H

[Houdini]

Hey Grego, when my splines were greased last time the bags were taken off.  It looks to me like attempting to do the job with the bags on would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible.  I plan on taking mine off.

Chuck

[Daniel Meyer]

I hope to be there ; still working out a schedule conflict.
How tough is it to do this spline check regrease task on an Interstate?
Do the bags come off?
Where do I get some moly lube {part number/brand]

Bags need to come off, but the rails and pans can stay on. Only the bags have to be removed (4 screws each I think).

[Rocketman]

How tough is it to do this spline check regrease task on an Interstate?
Do the bags come off?

Bags need to come off, but the rails and pans can stay on. Only the bags have to be removed (4 screws each I think).

Yup.  Four screws each.  Removing them is a piece of cake if they're empty (becomes harder when you're on the road and packed for a two-week trip with the wife  ).  Hardest part of removing an empty bag is standing there with it in your hands, and realizing that you didn't prepare somewhere to set it without scratching the paint by setting it on the concrete.  Now you have to set it down to lay out a cloth to set it on, but you don't have any way to set it down to prepare a place to set it down...
Not that I've done that.  I always look ahead and prepare what I'm going to do before I do it.
[No comments permitted from Tinman, Lyn-Del, or anyone else I've wrenched with...]

[Houdini]

Hey Chuck - get an extra set for me - it's time do do the maintenence on mine as well.

I ordered a five pack from Carolina B&T so I got ya covered Mark.

[Doc809]

Will there be anybody at the wrench party who can help Joe install a light bar on his std?  Yep, Dave, it's the one I bought from you that still has not been installed.  If anybody can help, plan on him being present.  I have acute care rotations that weekend.  This school stuff is getting in the way of my life!!!! L

[RainMaker]

Thanks, Chuck!!!!

Doc - I can bring some tie wraps for that light bar.  No charge.

RainMaker

[BnB Tom]

WOW!  This sounds like a '2-dayer'.  I think I'll add a sleeping bag to my list things to bring.

[Houdini]

Without getting too far ahead, I'd like to float a rebuild-the-forks idea for the next wrench party.

If any one else wants to install some Progressive springs on the front of their Valk; I found, and ordered, these today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-MOTORCYCLE-PROGRESSIVE-SUSPENSION-FORK-SPRING_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQitemZ370112580891QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Three sets left at $45 total, including shipping.

Chuck

[BnB Tom]

Good call Chuck.  Just completed purchase..  now there are only 2!

Tom

[RainMaker]

one

[godfire]

Zero. Thanks for the heads-up Chuck!

[Houdini]

Another question for the experts...

What do you guys think about these fork seals?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110345750440&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=

[Wanderer]

Another question for the experts...

What do you guys think about these fork seals?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110345750440&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=

I'll chime in while we are all waiting for Daniel, Stan, Curtis, et al to respond. When it comes to any seal, not just fork seals, I always prefer to go with OEM whenever possible, but if you are concerned about how your seals will respond to a side load from vice grips or maybe if you are buying a spare set to throw into your saddle bags those look like they would do the trick. Failure usually results from a friction abrasion of the seal material going over a ruff spot on the fork tube, usually bug parts that don't make it into your teeth, or simply road grime and old age. Just my opinion and worth almost as much as you paid for it! ~Jeff

[5_19]

Greetings from Dublin, I could bring some real DUBLIN DR PEPPER. The wife and kids are of to Florida for spring break. I am looking for something to do, and if you don't mind I drop in a little later than 8:00. Acoording to google it's about 160 miles. I figure about 10 if I leave at 7. I could bring some tools and my digital vacuum gauge contraptions for syncing carbs if anybody is interrested.

[Houdini]

if you don't mind I drop in a little later than 8:00

All are welcome and I'm sure some will drift in and out during day.  Stop by whenever you can.

When it comes to any seal, not just fork seals, I always prefer to go with OEM whenever possible

I consider seals just like I consider any component of my scooter; someone may make a better part than the manufacturer.  The same reason we all ran out and bought Progressive springs; they are better designed than the factory ones.  Do any of you mechanics have an opinion on after marker seals?  What do you guys use?

Chuck

[Patron]

Hi gang,

I have never used anything but the OEM seals so I don't have any opinion on whether these seals are better or not.  I think the progressive springs everyone is buying are a great spring for the valk.  I have the progressives and have nothing but praise to give them.

I sure wish I could make this wrench party but unfortunately I am going to be leaving for a run thru Big Bend on Saturday March 7 then crossing the border into Mexico on Wednesday and riding to Acapulco to meet my family for spring break.  So, I will be gone for about 3 weeks.  You all have a blast; I know I will be.

Stan