Next mission;
Getting the suspension setup for my weight.
I used the Racetech tool to calculate what I would need for my weight, bigger tank and riding style.
The forks feel great so I suspect that they might still have the stock springs but I will have to investigate that once I have the tools to open the Xplor forks.
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:06
I was way too eager to ride and did not even set the sag but it didn't take long to realize that the shock spring is way too soft
The shock has an obvious oil leak too and when I removed it today, I found the spring is a 42N/mm unit.
With bigger tank, I'm gonna need a 50n/mm. That's a huge change
Finding a 50 was a bit hard so I settled for a 51N/mm, seeing as I have to cater for my luggage.
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:08
Oh and another thing that needs attention is the clutch.
When warm, it works like a charm but again, when cold, its doing some funky shit: it wont disengage
I let it idle for like 5minutes, pull the clutch lever many times, revving the bike a bit too and then it still slams into gear, instantly killing the bike. WTF?
I took out the plates, thinking that they might be installed incorrectly. Not.
The metal plates did show discoloration and all where pretty much on the service limit, but seeing as the weather had only a couple days available for riding, I put all plates back, reverse bled the hydraulic clutch and went riding.
It might have been a bit better, but I decided to order a clutch kit + the 6 dampening rubbers as they were clearly ready to be replaced
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:10
Van Laar wants 200Eur for a shock rebuilt
To that I say GFY
I ordered a seal kit from Allballs:
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:17
following youtube instructions, its pretty easy.
Of course I 1st removed the screw on the reservoir in order to release the nitrogen.
Shock in soft jaws:
After cleaning this up a bit, I could easily press the seal down to reveal the locking circlip
The shaft with shim stack and seal could be pulled from the housing once I removed the circlip.
The oil looked OK-ish
New seal kit:
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:20
Started bleeding this bad boy.
What a mission!
Best way, according to what I now know/think is to bleed it through the top of the reservoir bolt (pointed out by the red arrow below)
I did not have the required fitting for this, so I bled it by:
1) removing the compression valve housing
2) carefully squeeze any air bubbles from the system
3) top-up with oil
4) place cap back
5) cycle shock trough a couple strokes and feel for air gaps in the stroke (pretty evident in most cases)
6) pull shock plunger all the way back
7) repeat
I did this at least 5 times and also topped up the reservoir after adjusting the piston position
Bad camera work here but i measured and adjusted the piston position to 10mm here by:
1) pressing the piston all the way down through the bleed hole
2) push it back to top -10mm
3) spew oil all over your garage floor through said bleed hole
Went to Van Laar Suspension yesterday to have the shock filled with nitrogen.
He tested it and reckoned I bled it well enough.
"well enough" in his books, means awesome in mine!
All is now ready to be fitted with my new 51NM spring
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:23
Decided to replace the clutch + cush rubbers
cush rubbers were totally warn and I'm glad I replaced them while I was "in" there
I torqued the inner basket nut to 80nm, fitted the new plates and now I ready to ride again
Finally!
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:30
Been waiting for almost a Month for my Acerbis tank and by chance saw a second hand one for sale.
So i cancelled my order, and got this unit for 109Eur less
Great that it still has the instructions and mounting screws + O-rings available.
The new tank uses the existing pump and fittings.
I decided to replace the filter too: (thx propje
)
Pump fitted, and tank mounted. All went without much hassles.
The Acerbis is well made and fits perfectly
As can be seen here, this tank is quite a bit wider. I've used wider tanks before but it will make a difference on tarmac vs offroad -> to be seen
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:31
Final part was to fit the tank shrouds and side covers.
The shrouds fitted like a glove, the side covers are a bit more of a stretch but I managed eventually.
I must say, I like its beefier look
Post Merge: 30-01-2021, 11:37
Almost a perfect fitting tower side cover:
Got me some stickers on black Friday sale
I had to reposition the indicator, fitted to the most convenient location:
Finished the other side's decals last night and took it for its 1st ride, since fitting the recently added parts.
I now notice the slightly wider tank and also the increased wind protection, provided by the extra side covers + tank.
On tarmac, it's definitely more DS worthy now, but of course that means sacrifices offroad. -to be determined
The new clutch feels.. like new