Bush mechanic - a little Gravel Rash removed

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Masked up and etch primed

Aluminium engine paint

Three coats then Clear Coat, 2 coats

Fit the Staintune

When it cures, I'll give it a little polish up and the Last Blast is (nearly) as good as new. Well, good enough for the Bush Mechanic.

Cheers

 

[Aussie_imp]

Looks good. I couldn't tell the difference. How are you finding the Dart?

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Looks good. I couldn't tell the difference. How are you finding the Dart?

I haven't yet. I am still one armed but going crazy enough to give it a try soon. If I hang over the tank I should be able to avoid straightening my left arm. Clutch operation not a problem. To keep the missus happy will leave it for another week.

Cheers

Just watching our evening news. For those of you living in Tornado land, I sincerely hope that you, your families and friends are all OK.

Tony

 

[Aussie_imp]

Cool. Hope you are back on the bike soon!

Andy

 

[Tortuga_imp]

Hehe, he said "bush mechanic".

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Hehe, he said "bush mechanic".

Sure did. And proud of it.

Cheers

 

[the Ferret]

Nice work Ptero... in the future might I suggest you keep the rubber side down and the shiny bits up eh?

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Nice work Ptero... in the future might I suggest you keep the rubber side down and the shiny bits up eh?

Thanks, and yep, very careless of me.

Cheers

 

[The Spaceman_imp]

Looks good. I couldn't tell the difference. How are you finding the Dart?

I haven't yet. I am still one armed but going crazy enough to give it a try soon. If I hang over the tank I should be able to avoid straightening my left arm. Clutch operation not a problem. To keep the missus happy will leave it for another week.

Cheers

Just watching our evening news. For those of you living in Tornado land, I sincerely hope that you, your families and friends are all OK.

Tony

Take your time my brother. Just 'cause we're young and handsome it doesn't mean we have to be young and reckless too. She'll be there when you're ready.

Very nice restoration work there, BTW. I almost envy you having the fun project to work on. Almost...

 

[redbirds_imp]

Hehe, he said "bush mechanic".

Cracking a smile here! Very nice work that Ptero. Can't tell it was ever damaged by the pics.

 

[Cormanus]

Bike looks great, pterodactyl. Were there scratches in the cover? How'd you get them out?

Wise words from the Spaceman. Don't be too hasty.

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Bike looks great, pterodactyl. Were there scratches in the cover? How'd you get them out?

Wise words from the Spaceman. Don't be too hasty.

Rubbed them out with ever decreasing grades of wet and dry (1200 the last). Not deep enough to need a file or compromise the integrity of the casing, but very ugly. If your bike is unfortunate to suffer "drop rash" it is not a hard job, just takes patience. If anyone is tempted, it is best to rub the whole casing back rather than try to patch.

Better still take ferret's advice

And thanks Spaceman, I'll take that on board.

Cheers

 

[Cormanus]

Bike looks great, pterodactyl. Were there scratches in the cover? How'd you get them out?

Wise words from the Spaceman. Don't be too hasty.

Rubbed them out with ever decreasing grades of wet and dry (1200 the last). Not deep enough to need a file or compromise the integrity of the casing, but very ugly. If your bike is unfortunate to suffer "drop rash" it is not a hard job, just takes patience. If anyone is tempted, it is best to rub the whole casing back rather than try to patch.

Better still take ferret's advice

And thanks Spaceman, I'll take that on board.

Cheers

Thank you kind sir.

By the way, wasn't there a wonderful film called Bush Mechanics?

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Bike looks great, pterodactyl. Were there scratches in the cover? How'd you get them out?

Wise words from the Spaceman. Don't be too hasty.

Rubbed them out with ever decreasing grades of wet and dry (1200 the last). Not deep enough to need a file or compromise the integrity of the casing, but very ugly. If your bike is unfortunate to suffer "drop rash" it is not a hard job, just takes patience. If anyone is tempted, it is best to rub the whole casing back rather than try to patch.

Better still take ferret's advice

And thanks Spaceman, I'll take that on board.

Cheers

Thank you kind sir.

By the way, wasn't there a wonderful film called Bush Mechanics?

No worries. There was a TV doco, a little offbeat but kinda engaging:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/documentaries/stories/s359476.htm

A short YouTube excerpt:

Bush Mechanics

Cheers

 

[Tyke57nz_imp]

Fit the Staintune

G`day Pterodactyl, I see you have a Staintune fitted and wonder what clearance you have between the bottom shock absorber mounting bolt and the exhaust itself with no rider whilst on centre stand or sidestand. I had one sent through by my brother and the clearance seems minimal after comparing with the original unit which has a factory deformation in that area to allow a large clearance. Photo would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Fit the Staintune

G`day Pterodactyl, I see you have a Staintune fitted and wonder what clearance you have between the bottom shock absorber mounting bolt and the exhaust itself with no rider whilst on centre stand or sidestand. I had one sent through by my brother and the clearance seems minimal after comparing with the original unit which has a factory deformation in that area to allow a large clearance. Photo would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Side stand

Centrestand

Clearance is about 5mm, by eye. If you want precise will measure tomorrow. When the suspension is working there should not be a problem. I have applied a deal of force and can't put the muffler against the suspension. I think you would have to have a severe drop for contact to occur. Monitoring of the mounting bushes should be part of routine checks. On the other hand if you want to remove the lower shock mounting bolt then the Staintune would have to be removed. Not a big deal. There are a number of members on the forum with Staintunes and no reported problems. If I can be of any further help let me know.

Cheers

 

[xpacpal1x_imp]

If your Staintune lacks clearance near the shock, loosen all bolts (actually, completely remove rear bolt) and twist the entire muffler in order to reorient its positioning at the point where it attaches to the exhaust. You will eventually find a position which allows the rear of the Staintune to clear the shock by a nice margin and also seats the rear mount bolt and rear exhaust mount tab nicely with the rear factory mount point. I experienced the same issue and am OCD with respect to these things. I think what happens is that we're all happy to simply get the thing on at the first attempt...it is only later that we focus on the details (primarily how it hangs at the rear mount point). Again, I suggest you budget 15-20 minutes to the effort...twist it around and push it in and out as necessary at the point where the Staintune connects with the factory pipe, it is likely not bent or improperly manufactured...you just need to find the positioning which seats the Staintune correctly at both ends.

 

[Tyke57nz_imp]

Fit the Staintune

G`day Pterodactyl, I see you have a Staintune fitted and wonder what clearance you have between the bottom shock absorber mounting bolt and the exhaust itself with no rider whilst on centre stand or sidestand. I had one sent through by my brother and the clearance seems minimal after comparing with the original unit which has a factory deformation in that area to allow a large clearance. Photo would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Side stand

Centrestand

Clearance is about 5mm, by eye. If you want precise will measure tomorrow. When the suspension is working there should not be a problem. I have applied a deal of force and can't put the muffler against the suspension. I think you would have to have a severe drop for contact to occur. Monitoring of the mounting bushes should be part of routine checks. On the other hand if you want to remove the lower shock mounting bolt then the Staintune would have to be removed. Not a big deal. There are a number of members on the forum with Staintunes and no reported problems. If I can be of any further help let me know.

Cheers

Thanks for that, appreciate the time and effort. Was getting a bit late for me last night, will go out with a different mindset and get it sorted.

If your Staintune lacks clearance near the shock, loosen all bolts (actually, completely remove rear bolt) and twist the entire muffler in order to reorient its positioning at the point where it attaches to the exhaust. You will eventually find a position which allows the rear of the Staintune to clear the shock by a nice margin and also seats the rear mount bolt and rear exhaust mount tab nicely with the rear factory mount point. I experienced the same issue and am OCD with respect to these things. I think what happens is that we're all happy to simply get the thing on at the first attempt...it is only later that we focus on the details (primarily how it hangs at the rear mount point). Again, I suggest you budget 15-20 minutes to the effort...twist it around and push it in and out as necessary at the point where the Staintune connects with the factory pipe, it is likely not bent or improperly manufactured...you just need to find the positioning which seats the Staintune correctly at both ends.

Thanks for the info, was running a little late and probably should have left everything in the box till today. Will go out with a different mindset and it will all be sorted. Cheers

 

[emptysea]

Hehe, he said "bush mechanic".

Pretty sure "Bush Mechanic" was The Spaceman's nickname in high school.

 

[davidsargee_imp]

Watched the youtube link about "Bush Mechanics", they remind me of some people I know back in Louisiana, in fact, I have a cousin that is probably an alpha "Bush Mechanic".
Bike looks great, Ptero. How's the arm?