Maintenance for the month of April is finally, done. The Bike had a lot of down time but that was my fault. When I started this month, all I wanted to do was replace my front wheel bearings. Well that turned into a slow and expensive lesson.
It started the week after my leg surgery. I went to start the job. When I quickly realized I could not have my leg bent that long. So, I put the wheels back on and decided to wait a little while longer.
The second attempt was going very well. I got the wheels off. I got the Front knuckles off. Of course, the right side was a little more stubborn. It turns out the lower right Ball Joint was, shot. It did not want to let go of the Knuckle. Finally, after a bunch of swearing I took the A-Arms off and pressed the ball Joint off the Knuckle and out of the A-Arm. No big deal I thought. I already had replacement Ball Joints, just in case. I pressed the Hubs out of the Knuckles, Pressed the Bearing out of the Knuckles, and press the Bearings off, of the Hubs. I was thinking to myself, this is going great. I will be able to go for a ride on Sunday. I continued my work, and pressed all the ball joints out of the A-Arms.
Now it was time to start putting it back to together. Step one; Press the new Ball Joints into the A-Arms. That went great no issues. Step two; Press the new Bearings in the Knuckles. That also went smooth. Step three; Press the Hubs into the Knuckles. That is where things went to crap. I did not realize it until after I had it all back together and put the wheels on.
When I pressed the Hubs into the Knuckles, I had already installed the new bearings. I did not have the correct receiver cup. I busted the seals on the bearings when I installed the hubs. I'm sure it would have been very humorous, if I was to ride the Spyder in this state. The wheels were wobbling all over the place, just sitting there. Shortly after realizing my mistake, more cussing and swearing ensued.
Now that it was Sunday evening, I missed my ride (more cussing). Now I needed to get more bearings. I picked up the phone and called My service guy. I told him my dilemma. As always, he was very helpful. He said he would order the Parts on Monday, and should have them within a week. Again as Always, He came through. The following Saturday, I took the Knuckles and Hubs down to his place. Of course, he has all the proper tools. He pressed the bearings in the Knuckles, and the Hubs in the Knuckles without incident.
I got the Spyder put back together, and took it for a test ride. What, the heck is that clicking? It is rolling nicely, just like when it was new. But, what is making that clicking? It turns out the clicking was from my wheel weights. They were hitting the bottom of the Ball Joints, as the wheels rotated. Dang, I have to get them re-balanced.
Saturday, before going to sleep (I had to work all night on Friday). I took the wheels down to have them re-balanced. I told them to be sure and put the weights out side the centerline otherwise, they will hit the ball joints.
Sunday, April 25, 2010. I put the wheels back on. I gave the Spyder a tune up. I have re-packed my Hindle exhaust. I did an Oil change, greased the Zirc fittings. I went for a little test ride. The Spyder is running great. The new bearings and ball joints really make a difference.
It started the week after my leg surgery. I went to start the job. When I quickly realized I could not have my leg bent that long. So, I put the wheels back on and decided to wait a little while longer.
The second attempt was going very well. I got the wheels off. I got the Front knuckles off. Of course, the right side was a little more stubborn. It turns out the lower right Ball Joint was, shot. It did not want to let go of the Knuckle. Finally, after a bunch of swearing I took the A-Arms off and pressed the ball Joint off the Knuckle and out of the A-Arm. No big deal I thought. I already had replacement Ball Joints, just in case. I pressed the Hubs out of the Knuckles, Pressed the Bearing out of the Knuckles, and press the Bearings off, of the Hubs. I was thinking to myself, this is going great. I will be able to go for a ride on Sunday. I continued my work, and pressed all the ball joints out of the A-Arms.
Now it was time to start putting it back to together. Step one; Press the new Ball Joints into the A-Arms. That went great no issues. Step two; Press the new Bearings in the Knuckles. That also went smooth. Step three; Press the Hubs into the Knuckles. That is where things went to crap. I did not realize it until after I had it all back together and put the wheels on.
When I pressed the Hubs into the Knuckles, I had already installed the new bearings. I did not have the correct receiver cup. I busted the seals on the bearings when I installed the hubs. I'm sure it would have been very humorous, if I was to ride the Spyder in this state. The wheels were wobbling all over the place, just sitting there. Shortly after realizing my mistake, more cussing and swearing ensued.
Now that it was Sunday evening, I missed my ride (more cussing). Now I needed to get more bearings. I picked up the phone and called My service guy. I told him my dilemma. As always, he was very helpful. He said he would order the Parts on Monday, and should have them within a week. Again as Always, He came through. The following Saturday, I took the Knuckles and Hubs down to his place. Of course, he has all the proper tools. He pressed the bearings in the Knuckles, and the Hubs in the Knuckles without incident.
I got the Spyder put back together, and took it for a test ride. What, the heck is that clicking? It is rolling nicely, just like when it was new. But, what is making that clicking? It turns out the clicking was from my wheel weights. They were hitting the bottom of the Ball Joints, as the wheels rotated. Dang, I have to get them re-balanced.
Saturday, before going to sleep (I had to work all night on Friday). I took the wheels down to have them re-balanced. I told them to be sure and put the weights out side the centerline otherwise, they will hit the ball joints.
Sunday, April 25, 2010. I put the wheels back on. I gave the Spyder a tune up. I have re-packed my Hindle exhaust. I did an Oil change, greased the Zirc fittings. I went for a little test ride. The Spyder is running great. The new bearings and ball joints really make a difference.
