Author Topic: Good luck or bad? (Read 3008 times)

P248 · « **on:** April 22, 2018, 18:12:43 »

I’m not sure whether I’ve been lucky or unlucky.
In less than 48 hours’ time I’m supposed to be leaving on the Vee for a 10 day trip thro northern Spain and France. I was doing a last check over the bike this afternoon (Sunday) and discovered a puncture n the rear tyre. So I took the bike off the centre stand to move it out of the garage to remove the rear wheel and one of the centre stand bolts fell out, AND the thread is too knackered to replace it. So now I’ve got 1 working day tomorrow (Monday) to get the tyre replaced and to either replace the bolt or remove the centre stand.
I’ve found a fairly local tyre dealer online that has taken an order for the tyre and made a booking for fitting at 10.00am on Monday, so fingers crossed that they actually do have the tyre in stock when I arrive there. If that works I’ll then try to find a bike dealer that can replace the centre stand bolt for me, or if not I’ll have to remove the stand myself until I get back.

Wish me luck.

PS. Any tips for removing the stand, please? I’m mainly concerned about dealing with the spring.

old git · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2018, 18:22:11 »

I've never removed the stand from my V-Strom but normally removing the bolts will allow any tension on the spring to be released and facilitate easy removal. Lucky or unlucky? Better now than grief on holiday. Enjoy your trip.

kwackboy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2018, 21:45:32 »

Lucky , I'm my opinion. As said , better now than on your trip.
Best solution to removing the spring is to have a decent spring puller . If you have an inner spring pull them one at a time and then release the remaining bolt .

P248 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2018, 23:31:23 »

I tend to agree. It's lucky I found the problems before my trip, but I do feel a little unlucky to have had them at all.
're spring puller: where would I find one of those in the hours available to me before my trip? Many many years ago I had a job in a folding bed factory. We used to use old screwdrivers with a notch cut in the side of the blade to install the springs holding the wire mesh base to the side frames. I wouldn't want to do that now, in fact it convinced to go back to university and finish my degree. In any case, I'm not sure that particular lodged tool would work in the space available under the bike.

Graham62 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2018, 23:40:15 »

If you know some one with a trampoline they might have one to put the springs on. like this. https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjX8May-c7aAhWLANMKHb7WCDUYABAKGgJ3Yg&ohost=www.google.co.uk&cid=CAESEeD24PPLkoPQIiKXex-jibhw&sig=AOD64_3xR8cMoAu9yDrtqdfkN-9q1Stsbw&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwi8rMCy-c7aAhXsJ8AKHZb6AbkQ9aACegQIABBD&adurl=

P248 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2018, 04:27:38 »

Delivery on that item from Tesco Direct is 4-7 days; I wonder if our Tesco local has one in stock?

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2018, 08:52:58 »

Or a fishing tackle shop close by..................
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-Knot-Puller-Tool-Rig-Making-Tool-Carp-Sea-Fishing-Hair-Rig-Tool-/171658807260

King Orry · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2018, 09:14:36 »

Or use a tent peg puller like this..
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-king-size-camping-peg-extractor-p143597
Or make one from an old tent peg.. or use the claw of a suitable hammer, or use a ring spanner.. or drill a hole in a bit of copper plumbing tube. or use any number of suitable tools or bits of stuff lying around.
definitely ‘lucky’ to have discovered the faults beforehand, have a great trip.
Will be heading that way soon myself so look forward to pics, and a report back. ????

P248 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2018, 16:13:50 »

Thanks all. I've just got the tyre sorted and am about to put the wheel back. And a local Suzuki dealer, Ford & Ellis have promised to squeeze into their workshop on the morning as I go past on my way to Portsmouth. They'll either fix the stand, or, if they can't fix it, they'll remove it and we'll figure it out when I get back.

Lincsman · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2018, 16:22:15 »

That's good of them, hope it all works out OK for you. Enjoy your holiday.

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2018, 17:08:10 »

Hope you get it sorted. Have a good trip.

Freddyfruitbat · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2018, 17:14:17 »

Couldn't you just wire the stand in the 'stowed' position, as a temporary measure?

P248 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2018, 07:08:30 »

I'd prefer to have the stand working properly. If that's not possible, I'd rather have it out of the way completely. Wiring it up was always Plan C if nothing else worked.

P248 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2018, 11:09:33 »

Sorted! Ford & Ellis fixed it first thing and would accept payment only for the new bolt itself, no labour. Great customer service. Thanks very much to them. I'm on my way now. See you in a couple of weeks time!

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2018, 12:12:12 »

Enjoy.

SuzukiSte · « **Reply #15 on:** April 24, 2018, 12:20:00 »

Ride Safe enjoy the trip.

Graham62 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2018, 13:23:49 »

That's great news ride safe and enjoy.

P248 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2018, 20:53:54 »

Thanks for all the good wishes. I’ve just arrived home from my trip. I travelled across northern Spain and up through France with a long time buddy; in fact this was the 40th anniversary of our first European motorcycle trip together.

The Vee went really well and was completely reliable. Suspension soaked up rough road surfaces and the bike was completely stable (I think a previous owner had the suspension tweaked).
But(t), that seat is so uncomfortable. My RC8’s seat causes me less discomfort. I’m 6ft 5in and I seem to sit very close to the step in the seat.
Thanks again to Ford & Ellis in Chesham for sorting out my centre stand at the start of the trip.

King Orry · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2018, 01:26:00 »

Sounds like you had a good trip, glad to hear it.

P248 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 05, 2018, 11:12:20 »

We really enjoyed it. I can heartily recommend northern Spain in particular. Spectacular scenery, very little traffic, and roads that must have been designed by bikers for bikers. We'll be going back.