Hey all,
I have been AWOL for a long time, and alas my poor machine has been up on blocks. Life is getting back to normal, so I put all the pieces back on from pulling the machine apart over a year ago. The electrical work I did shockingly worked out just fine, despite gas sitting in the tank (with some stabil) for a solid 18 months it turned over great. I was all set to be excited and then I tried putting the machine into gear to hear it run (I had a few adult beverages before hooking things up so was not going for a test ride).
Apart from my electrical melting the only issue I had before the machine sat out under a cover for 18 months was a bit of a leak dropping oil onto my clutch, so I popped off the tranny filler to see if I was low, and lovely clean red fluid came out (making me think it was not low). I didn't check the final drive (I guess I should) but I can not decide how much I hate the sound coming from the machine when it is just idling in second gear.
Maybe it is just wheel, but it sounds off to me, FYI I very unprofessionally snagged a video and you can hear the grumle about 20 seconds in. Trying to work out if I am just done for, and since this year is better than last I fear if I wait to do the clutch myself it will be another season with no riding so may just ride over to Battleys and get them to do it and maybe a full 36K service (hmmm, that is starting to sound really expensive just typing it).
I was so excited that once I put in the battery it fired (not sure when/where I got this battery that doesn't fit in the machine) bit I would appreciate any suggestions people can give. I sort of just want to put on my armor and go up and down my road at 5 MPH for an afternoon and see if it gets better or worse, but I imagine that is the worst possible thing to do.
Footage of machine running here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tilRBtsRwqo
Brian