A girly mechanic speaks.

Originally Posted by Jayneflakes

and I cleaned out her air box too.

Replacing the Spark Plugs was so much easier than I thought it would be

I poured in just over two litres of Oil

Airbox is often overlooked , mine usually has bits of leaves in there that get sucked in despite there being a whole engine and snorkel in the way

Spark Plug replacement , best thing ever to help with this ? My square table leg , it`s just the right size to hold the Radiator away and get my great big paws in there to work on the bike

Takes 2.3 litres of oil

Originally Posted by xXBADGERXx

Airbox is often overlooked , mine usually has bits of leaves in there that get sucked in despite there being a whole engine and snorkel in the way

Spark Plug replacement , best thing ever to help with this ? My square table leg , it`s just the right size to hold the Radiator away and get my great big paws in there to work on the bike

Takes 2.3 litres of oil

Oh, blocking up the airbox may not be a bad idea if you think your garage may have mice

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...?&R=EPI-101074

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Oh, blocking up the airbox may not be a bad idea if you think your garage may have mice

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...?&R=EPI-101074

Bugger me Pink , that is bad LOL .

On a side note, that piece of square table leg I use to hold the Rad away from my knuckles , it can be used to prop your tank up as well if it is cut to the right length ...... the picture in Ralph`s link gave me the idea . Two Birds with one stone and all that

[Jayneflakes]

Thank you every one for some great tips...

Oh and I saw the little gibe about the girly mechanic. You are a cad and a rotter!

Right, I am off to soak in the bath and maybe watch Transformers II while I am in there.

Love you all XXXXX

[Spanner Man]

Good afternoon all.


I echo Badgers comments about a job well done, & I see you actually read the manual before starting to work on it. That's not a bad idea, you'd be surprised at how many folks don't, & then end up making a right expensive pigs ear of things.

A genuine Suzuki oil filter should be tightened two full turns after the 'O' ring has just come into contact with the engine. They can leak if they're not done up to this level. I can't comment on pattern filters, because I don't use them.

Some years ago I had a customer with an XV535. After it's winter lay up it was sluggish & pumping black smoke everywhere. It turned out that a mouse had filled the airfilter, (which is like an upside down top hat), with bird seed. So it might pay to bung something in the air intake.


Cheers.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by xXBADGERXx

Takes 2.3 litres of oil

More than that, I'd wager, the curvy takes that with no oil cooler. Plus some amount to fill the new filter.

[punyXpress]

re: Spanner Man's tip on blocking the air intake - make an unmissable note & put in an unmissable place so you know to remove it before trying to start the bike.
If you brim the tank, don't prop it up until you've used about a gallon or it will leak from the filler cap - it did on my K2

[Jayneflakes]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

More than that, I'd wager, the curvy takes that with no oil cooler. Plus some amount to fill the new filter.

My dealer told me it was closer to 2.7 litres when I bought the oil. When I put it in, it was level with the F line at first, but this dropped off somewhat and needed topping up a few minutes later until it was back up to the F Line again.

Just been out and checker her again, just making sure that no oil was dripping from any where and she was fine. I felt genuinely sad to close the garage door on her after the fun I had sat on Carol's Snap On pad all wrapped up against the cold. That was the happiest I have felt for days.

I have wondered about maybe training to be a motorbike mechanic, but I imagine it rapidly loses it's fun when you have to work on rusting old sheds every day, still it can't be any worse that working for a leading national bike shop, fixing cheap mountain bikes.

Once again folks, thanks for all of the tips and advice. It has been gratefully received from all of you lovely folks. I feel all warm in side now, time for a group hug.

[yorkie_chris]

It will probably need another top up after it has been run. Also check again around the oil filter for leaks. As you can imagine 80psi is harder for the seal to hold back than none.

[Jayneflakes]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

It will probably need another top up after it has been run. Also check again around the oil filter for leaks. As you can imagine 80psi is harder for the seal to hold back than none.

Thank you YC, will do. I have plenty of spare oil because I bought a four litre can.

Out of interest, why don't the plastic bottles of oil all come with an easy pour spout? I had to hunt around for a clean funnel in the garage for ages.

Actually, now that I have done this to my SV, maybe I can make a start on Carol's GTR... It is such a monstrous bike, but the seat is like an armchair.