March 01st, 2014

As I'm still missing one rear wheel, today I decided to play with my bike, rather than play on it. I've got the weekend to myself so I spent some time doing some jobs that have been building up. The main ones were the fitting of the Evotech radiator guards and Airblade screen that arrived last week. I did the screen first and as the bike still isn't wearing her side fairings, the removal of the nose was pretty easy. I've gone for a slightly tinted double bubble screen to replace the clear standard one I've had on. I didn't want to go too dark, so this is a pretty good compromise. It should help the airflow when riding as well. Well that's the theory anyway

Next came the job I was worried about and it indeed turned out to be a bit of the faff. I was able to get access to the radiator bolts without having to remove the battery cover, which was handy, but I did have to sort of move my alarm out the way, which resulted in a mid afternoon trip to B&Q to get some longer cable ties. B&Q on a Saturday is a weird old place and you know that you'll find somebody from every corner of society in there. I'm always disappointed with their tool selection, but then again, they don't claim to be a stockist of really decent handtools. 
Anyway, after some encouragement and a few choice words on my behalf, I got the covers on. Now the only reason I got these was to stop the possibility of getting a stone in one of the radiators when on the continent. They'll probably help in the UK too, but I'm certainly going to be keeping an eye on the temperature gauge and see if they have a negative effect.

Next on the list was the check and possibly replace the clutch plates. Dry clutches make this so much easier, so off everything came. I was kindly given a set of part worn plates as an interim, just in case mine were shot. They're certainly low, but still have enough life in them and I'll definitely get some new ones in there before July. 

The final job was to clean the inside of the swingarm. Not being able to get to it as really been annoying me so as the wheel is out....and still sat in a workshop in Cambridgeshire, I had as much access as I needed. WD-40 helped shift all the grud out of the way and I used a pick to scrape away all the old chain lube gunk from underneath the inside of the chain.

Now I know it will get dirty again, but that's not the point. The only annoying thing is now I kind feel the need to polish the pipes, but this is why they invented fairing panels.