Mods mods all kinds of mods!

I printed a new mount for my voltmeter, only to find out the whole thing was dead.  Sad trombone. My guess is that it couldn't handle the vibrations and shook itself to death.  So, I ordered a new one, along with the motocross style handguards I've been wanting.  Both were cheap on Amazon, and arrived in a few days.  The new voltmeter is right where I can see it, plus now includes a power off button!  

The handguards took some bending to get into place and came with quite possibly the worst hardware I have ever seen.  Oh well, what do you expect for under $30.  

I realized I had forgotten to put an oil change sticker on one of our cars, so after I did that I had an idea.  Why don't I use these for my bike?  I have just shy of 500 of them, more than I'll ever use.   So, use one I did. 

After my ride today, I decided I should probably adjust the manual cam chain tensioner, but neither of my 16mm wrenches will fit, it's a really awkward spot and I can see why Honda moved it to the left side of the engine case on the F2 series.  Eh, maybe next time. 

Stay safe out there. 

Mystery Chunk of Magnetic Horror

 At my last oil change, I swapped in a magnetic oil plug.  Today, when I drained the oil to replace the recently replaced shifter seal, my eyes fell upon a horror of horrors. 

It may be tiny, but it's definitely some sort of engine bit.  However, who knows how long it's been in there.  That was the first real oil change since I've owned this bike, so maybe it lived in there previously and the plug just caught it.  There was no other metallic dust, flaking or other signs of metal.  

Like all the other weird things, I guess I'll just keep on keeping on. 

Stay safe out there. 

Project CBR600F: Printing pads and hunting leaks

After an extended ride (for me at least) on Saturday, which involved some rain, and some highway testing, I noticed my shifter had chewed up my newish boots.  The bottom edge of the shifter pad had torn through, so I priced some replacements, then realized I could just make my own and save time and money. 

I don't think this is factory Honda work. 

A little reshaping.

15 min in TinkerCAD

Some time later... 

Perfect!

So, let's go back to leaks.  Leaks have plagued this bike from the start.  Remember project LoL (Lots of Leaks)?  Well, I still have 2, one I thought I fixed and one is new.  The shifter seal is actually leaking worse than before I replaced it. So, during my ride on Saturday, I picked up a new one and plan on swapping it this week. The new mystery leak, is coolant.  Just a dribble on the garage floor, under the stator cover, with a drip hanging off.  However, I cannot find a source.  I pulled the tank and looked but the only thing I can think of is that it's from a hose and ran down on to the top of the crankcase, then down the side to the lowest point, the stator cover.  I topped off the radiator, and will burp it in the next few days, then continue to monitor for leaks.  

I was worried it might be head gasket related, not for any reason beyond my generalized anxiety, so I pulled out my fiber camera and checked inside the engine. Oil looks good, no milkshake of death, and inside the radiator overflow looks good too. 

Stay safe out there... 

Project CBR600F: Pluggin' more leaks, and enjoying the weather.

 Today was a beautiful day to ride.  It feels like early autumn, which is my favorite time of year for basically everything.  I'm hoping to squeeze in a big trip this year, so I've been riding around pretty much fully loaded for a multi-day camping trip.  The only luggage I'm missing is the dry bag full of clothes and a sleeping bag.  

I noticed last week that my shifter seal was still seeping some oil, and I remembered that I had ordered one a while back but was waiting until my next oil change. Might as well do that oil change today over lunch!  Started the oil draining when I got home, and did the seal change, filter swap, and fill up after work.  Nice and easy.  The pick set from Harbor Freight was perfect.  The old seal popped out, hard as a rock, the new one slid on but I didn't have a socket long enough to seat it.  So, I improvised, using the spool from some twine.  It's not stupid, if it works! I also swapped out the stock plug for a magnetic plug I ordered with my first set of jets from Jets-R-Us. 

One less leak!

Purty red plug.

The breakfast of champions!

The 108 Mains are doing great.  I may add a shim under the needle at some point but for now, I'm leaving it alone.  I hope to get out for some long distance runs this weekend.  The seat still sucks, but the foam I added to the cover helps out.  

Stay safe out there. 

Project CBR600F: Pack it up, pack it in. Part 4 With super extra bonus content!

 The wiring was simple, however the automotive wire pack I ordered turned out to be hot garbage, so I used what I had on hand to make the "extensions" between the Honda harness and the brake lights.  It's ugly, sinful, and would make Honda engineers cry, but it's my problem, and it's functional. 

I also added the brake light strobe from Super Bright LEDs that I mentioned previously.  Love these things! 

I also cranked out some 3d printed bits to finish other odds and ends. 

Airbox plug in PETG

Switch plate seal in TPU

"Let there be slightly more light!"

GPS mount, mk1. 

Success!

I also increased the mains to 108. So, really, the only thing left to do is to test ride! 

Stay safe out there...