We limit access by GUESTS to protect our members from spam, hacks and trolls. Please register to gain access to all our resources.
Posted by Troll
- November 10, 2014, 08:02:21 AMGood luck. We will help you with any questions and could even supply some correct answers!...The things I outlined are not difficult, but are necessary...and often overlooked.
Posted by Sparks500
- November 10, 2014, 06:40:41 AMI agree, completely. But, being an electrician, not a mechanic, I needed a clymers manual to guide me. It arrived last Wednesday and I'm getting started on all those things.
Posted by Troll
- November 09, 2014, 09:44:11 AMThere's that funny word...assumed....again. Did you consider changing the coolant? How about the brake fluids? 99% of people "assume" brake fluid is a lifetime fill...After a lifetime as an auto tech, I can guarantee that the only time brake fluid gets changed is when there is a component failure. DOT 4 brake (and clutch) fluid will absorb moisture and deteriorate, even with the improvements in master cylinder sealing. The majority of "frozen" calipers where the pistons are the actual problem are due to water in the system. The calipers also deserve a once over, and the slider pins need to be lubed with silicone brake paste....nobody even THINKS of that until there is a problem. It's not total use, here, but age. Cables need to be lubed, final drive oil should be changed....steering neck bearings need to be repacked....Not trying to get in your face, but this is a finely crafted precision device, capable of many years of reliable service, but only if you do YOUR part...besides, working on you bike is a bonding experience!
Posted by Sparks500
- November 09, 2014, 09:32:30 AMWell, in all fairness, I did make a few assumptions. The bike is spotless, like the day it was first sold. The po is a fireman that was very meticulous, so I assumed the oil was kept up. And, it may be just fine, but, someone just added an extra 1/2 qt. on th last change.
Posted by pcarrell
- November 09, 2014, 09:23:57 AMOh, no disagreement from me! Gotta do the fluids regularly. Climate alone dictates the change, let alone mileage.
Posted by Troll
- November 09, 2014, 09:10:25 AMIt's not just that it was sitting for so long that prompted me to change the fluids, it's the "unknown" quality of what was in there. When I bought my car last year, I did the same thing, even though there was an oil change sticker on the windshield that told me when the last changes was done, but not with what....Really, starting out on day one with a base line is really the only way to be sure of anything...and then there are those who change once a year...How can you do that to a machine? You need to change, at a minimum twice, no matter how little you ride. Leaving the oil from the Summer in over the winter just promotes internal deterioration of the engine....Which is cheaper? An oil change, even if it's $50, or a crankshaft? I'm expecting that my Drifter will have about 100,000 miles on it around Drift-In time. I would expect nothing less than total reliability from it and so far, it's not disappointed me. Preventative maintenance means I can go on a trip with confidence, not trepidation.
Posted by pcarrell
- November 09, 2014, 07:52:06 AMQuote from: Troll on November 08, 2014, 21:28:31 PMYou found your bike in a barn and it'd had so little use over the years that it actually had moss growing on it. I'll bet you changed all the fluids right away!I would, and did changes all the fluids on my bike as soon as I got it home.
Posted by Troll
- November 08, 2014, 21:28:31 PMI don't know what it is with people and oil changes...i change 3x a year, or every 3,500 miles...I would, and did changes all the fluids on my bike as soon as I got it home.
Posted by Sparks500
- November 08, 2014, 20:38:17 PMThis is my first oil change with this bike. I should have done this sooner. Although, the oil didn't look too bad, I just don't know how long it's been in there. Don't like over filling with oil, especially since this is a recall bike that may have excessive oil pressure.
Posted by pcarrell
- November 08, 2014, 19:28:21 PMI was going to say, I drain at the screen and 3.5 is topped off.
Posted by Troll
- November 08, 2014, 18:57:08 PMthat's a bit too much. Mine holds EXACTLY 3.4 QT. Measured it many times....I can get 3.5 in if I drain the oil at the pick up screen. 3.4 puts it exactly on the "high" mark in the window.
Posted by Sparks500
- November 08, 2014, 18:17:03 PMAnd, I'm a bit troubled: I just drained a bit over 4 quarts of oil out of this baby.
Posted by Sparks500
- November 08, 2014, 18:02:15 PMJust an update. Part #99999-0032 is the replacement cartridge filter. Just ordered 2 off ebay at 9 bucks apiece.
Posted by Sparks500
- October 30, 2014, 17:19:48 PMcalled the biggest dealer in the area yesterday and asked him about replacement cartridges, and he had no idea what i was talking about. he put me on hold to ask someone in service about it, came back and said that he could order the whole kit for me at 17 dollars, but he hadn't ordered one in years. said everyone just went back to stock filters.
Posted by Sparks500
- October 23, 2014, 16:13:12 PMI would check your engine numbers to be sure. It would be really bad to have your oil filter blow off and dump engine oil right in front of the rear tire.