Big Day Today In The Garage!
Okay! I spent the entire day in the garage today getting some stuff done on the bike. My main goals were to get the front brakes bled correctly, get the horns mounted, and finish by cleaning up the rear end. Well I'm happy to say that I completed all three and have a bunch of pics and videos for you guys!
As Tony said, there was air in the master cylinder and after cracking the banjo bolts and applying the brake, I started to build pressure. I made sure to cover everything well first as to not allow any fluid to spill on parts.
I then went back to the calipers and sure enough I was able to start getting a firm lever. After bleeding the calipers two more times, I was satisfied with a now "rock hard" brake lever! Thanks Tony!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nSNC2fDRAw]YouTube - Brake Bleed Complete[/ame]
After the front brakes were done I switched my attention to the PIAA Horns. I needed to be able to lift the horns up a bit and also bring them forward as well for clearance. I removed the horn bracket with a 14mm box wrench after marking it for two bends. I didn't want to start bending things with the bracket attached so as not to break anything. I made the two bends on the first bracket giving it a 5/8" lift and a 5/8" offset.
Once that was done I attached the bracket back on the horn. I tested the horn and it sounded great! It made a huge difference as you can see in the next picture. On the right is the way it was and on the left is after the modification.
As you can see in this next shot, the horn now has clearance from both the fork guard and the front fender.
This is what it looks like with the instrument bracket and headlight assembly in place. There was plenty of room "lock to lock"
I removed the bracket and headlights and started on the other side. It was done pretty quickly. Here is a shot of the offset and then another with the way they look now.
Here is a video of the install and some infor pertaining to Eric's experience with the horns when he was fabbing them up.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-NYT-nYmX4]YouTube - PIAA Horn Fab[/ame]
I will still have to use some mounting hardware from work to make it look more professional. I brought it home but had left it upstairs. I'll get to it on Saturday.
When I finished the horns I tidied up the brake lines.
Next on the agenda and last for today was to clean up this:
And This:
And this disgusting mess:
I spread some 1mil poly on the floor under the rear of the bike, grabbed my bottle of kerosene, my rags,my Honda spray cleaner and polish, and got to work. My goal is to have the bike look as clean as possible without actually breaking it down totally. I laid down and got into every nook and cranny I could reach with the kerosene. I removed the rear caliper mount and was able to clean it spotless with the exception of worn spots. I did the entire undertail section and lower shock mount, dog bone mounts, centerstand, whatever I could reach on the shock, etc.
Here are the "After" pics:
The inside of the swingarm actually has a mirror finish after using the Honda Polish.
The lower shock mount:
Find some dirt....I dare ya!
I am super happy with today's progress and while I was typing this I got a call from my friend who told me that the painter now has the tank emblems and can start work. I hope to see it real soon.
Saturday will be "Rear Brake Line" day and hope to have the wheels back on the bike. I will also be removing the fork legs and doing a full video "how to" to post here on the site. Stay tuned as the end is in sight!
P.S. Thanks to Tony, Eric, and everyone else who has given me such great tips!