Summer will be here soon.

The rear tyre has been replaced, and already has a few ks on it.

Winter approaches

Mind you, even in the worst winter, there are still fine weekends for riding.

The bike is going well, but the rear tyre is worn. This I won't replace myself - I'll pay one of the local motorcycle shops.

Replacing fork seals

I'm not going to provide a blow by blow description.

The bike has no centre stand, so you need a jack to lift it.


Remove the brake caliper, and support it with cable ties

After the fork leg has been removed, stripped and cleaned, you need to drive the top bush back in. I used a piece of 40mm plastic drain pipe to do this.

The new fork seal needs to be protected from damage - this can be caused by pits or marks on the top of the fork leg. I wrapped the leg in food wrap, which I oiled with fork oil before sliding the seal into place.

The seal was driven into place using the drain pipe, with a joiner on the end.

For complete instructions for this job, see the service manual.

Fork seals.....

My right hand front fork has been weeping oil for some months, and I've been wiping a dirty ring of oil off the fork leg after each ride. Today, after a short ride I noticed a splash of oil over the dust seal. The fork leg makes a sucking sound when the forks are compressed, and when I was cleaning up, I found oil on the back of the brake caliper.

Looks like it's time to fit those fork seals I bought last year........

Is it really that long since I updated the blog?

It's getting into summer here, so rather than write about motorcycling, I've been doing it.

The bike is going well, but sometime soon I'm going to have to fit new fork seals - I'll have pictures and words for this here, afterwards.

Two weeks ago, I went on a motorcycle safety course. It was informative, and a lot of fun. I'd like to thank the organisation who ran it, Ride Right Otago, for their efforts.

If you get a chance to do a similar course, take it. It may save your life.

A good weekend for riding

The small city I live in is surrounded by hills, with many good winding roads through them. On Sunday, I rode south, past the village where I spent most of my youth, and then over Saddle Hill to Fairfield, and back to Dunedin.

On Monday (I work Tuesday to Saturday) I went north, up the harbour to Port Chalmers, and then inland on a back road towards Waitati, then along the old north highway (long ago bypassed by a motorway) to town. A very enjoyable ride.

The workshop. I have lined the end of the garage with cheap wallboard, and painted it white. As you can see, there is still a lot of organising to do.





The new toy - a mini lathe. Now I have to teach myself to use it.