• Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )

They all think I'm mad.

Martin L Batley

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
Yep chatting away at work and they all think I'm mad, even the bike owners. Just because I'm planning on doing some things to the Bird over winter. Oh all right it's a lot of things and will cost as much as the bike is worth if not more without adding a penny to the bikes value. Already paid £900 for a respray including new tail and repairs to nose cone. Now planning on spending more money on fork spring upgrade from Jaws and a new clutch set too. I don't ride hard enough to trouble the suspension and don't do track days. With sixty odd thousand miles on the clock the clutch is probably worn though isn't slipping. That all misses the point though, it's about enjoying doing something I've never done before. It will be a whole new learning experience even if all I learn is next time take it to a proper mechanic. Lol. Then it will be LED lights.
Come the Spring in time for when all the salt has been washed off the roads I'm having the brakes refurbed complete with braided hoses, so that will be another lesson to learn, fitting and bleeding the linked system. When all that's done I'll finish off with some new end cans.
Maybe I should have done this as a poll...
Am I mad or not?
As I said to my colleagues, it's not about the increasing the bikes value or performance it's about having a go at things myself, gaining new skills/experience and seeing what I learn along the way.
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
Wellllllllllll.. what yo intend to do will keep you occupied for a couple of hours ( if you stop for tea and a smoke a couple of times ) , so what you gonna do with the rest of winter ! ??
 

Martin L Batley

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
Wait on some new knees, all set to have them done but the upsurge in Covid has delayed things. The Bupa hospital that was supposed to do the op is now 80% full of NHS patients. Maybe Santa will give me them for Christmas.
Still can't complain.
 

DanBow

Like a leaf on the wind . . .
Club Sponsor
I understand and agree completely. Its the doing it and doing it to something that gives you joy.

Don't forget, or be put off, to post updates or create a specific thread about it.
 

andyBeaker

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
Yep chatting away at work and they all think I'm mad, even the bike owners. Just because I'm planning on doing some things to the Bird over winter. Oh all right it's a lot of things and will cost as much as the bike is worth if not more without adding a penny to the bikes value. Already paid £900 for a respray including new tail and repairs to nose cone. Now planning on spending more money on fork spring upgrade from Jaws and a new clutch set too. I don't ride hard enough to trouble the suspension and don't do track days. With sixty odd thousand miles on the clock the clutch is probably worn though isn't slipping. That all misses the point though, it's about enjoying doing something I've never done before. It will be a whole new learning experience even if all I learn is next time take it to a proper mechanic. Lol. Then it will be LED lights.
Come the Spring in time for when all the salt has been washed off the roads I'm having the brakes refurbed complete with braided hoses, so that will be another lesson to learn, fitting and bleeding the linked system. When all that's done I'll finish off with some new end cans.
Maybe I should have done this as a poll...
Am I mad or not?
As I said to my colleagues, it's not about the increasing the bikes value or performance it's about having a go at things myself, gaining new skills/experience and seeing what I learn along the way.
You are mad:D

Seriously, if it floats your boat then I refer you to my signature below.

Only thing I would say is I can't understand why you want to replace an operative clutch - at 60,000 miles there is a lot, a LOT, of life left in it. Spend the money on a rear shock rebuild instead.....
 

derek kelly

The Deli lama
Club Sponsor
It’s your bike & if you want to spend money on it then it’s your choice, if you are doing it as a challenge to yourself then go for it & well done, the sense of pride when you have achieved your goals will be priceless, maybe when it’s done you could have a ride over & make me jealous.
 

eddyace595

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
What Derek said....Dont look at it as wasting money..Look at it as investing in your
good mental health..If it makes you happy,gives you something to look forward to,
then its a good thing ..
 

DanBow

Like a leaf on the wind . . .
Club Sponsor
I find myself agreeing with Andy, forget the clutch and have the rear shock rebuilt. You might not think it needs it but once it's done you will be amazed at the difference.
 

Martin L Batley

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
You are mad:D

Seriously, if it floats your boat then I refer you to my signature below.

Only thing I would say is I can't understand why you want to replace an operative clutch - at 60,000 miles there is a lot, a LOT, of life left in it. Spend the money on a rear shock rebuild instead.....
John's already done the rear shock for me and yes it was a big improvement. Didn't go for the spacer though.
 

Martin L Batley

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
It’s your bike & if you want to spend money on it then it’s your choice, if you are doing it as a challenge to yourself then go for it & well done, the sense of pride when you have achieved your goals will be priceless, maybe when it’s done you could have a ride over & make me jealous.
Will do.
 

Martin L Batley

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
I know the clutch probably has loads of life left in it, but never having seen one in pieces I'm curious to do it. A kit including springs is only £90,
Find another reason not to replace the clutch then....comfort seat??
Already got one, even got heated grips to fit come Tuesday.
 

JayTee

Si vis pacem para bellum
Club Sponsor
Good for you! Wish you well in your journey of discovery. Personally I find the acts of maintenance, repairs, and general spannering therapeutic and serves to strengthen the bond I develop with my bikes. Nothing better than sitting back in the knowledge of a job well done and certainly beats watching shite on the telly.
If your knees are a problem if it’s feasible invest in a hydraulic bench, my son bought me one for Xmas some years ago and I wouldn’t be without it, takes the aches and pains out of the job(y).
 

Martin L Batley

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
Good for you! Wish you well in your journey of discovery. Personally I find the acts of maintenance, repairs, and general spannering therapeutic and serves to strengthen the bond I develop with my bikes. Nothing better than sitting back in the knowledge of a job well done and certainly beats watching shite on the telly.
If your knees are a problem if it’s feasible invest in a hydraulic bench, my son bought me one for Xmas some years ago and I wouldn’t be without it, takes the aches and pains out of the job(y).
I'd love a bike lift but alas my garage is 50yrs old and there isn't room for one. In fact I have to wheel the bike outside to work on it due to all the other stuff in there.
 

andyBeaker

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
I know the clutch probably has loads of life left in it, but never having seen one in pieces I'm curious to do it. A kit including springs is only £90,

Already got one, even got heated grips to fit come Tuesday.
Have you considered riding it at all?
 
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