Today, I declined an invitation to a crawfish boil to tinker with Cassandra.
Cassandra got sassy on me & didn't let me successfully complete all the tasks that I planned.
Today's plan was to remove the sissy bar & install OEM grab bar, re-wire brake light, change oil & filter, and replace fork boots.
Task #1 remove the sissy bar & install OEM grab bar --
When I removed the sissy bar, I realized I didn't store all the hardware to the OEM stock grab bar. Off to Honda dealership I went for 1 bolt & 1 screw. Also picked up some fork oil that I would need later. Got back home, bolted the grab bar on, and connected my wires with handy-dandy electrical tape. Left blinker didn't blink. (Will investigate further later.) Right blinker works.
Task #2 Re-wire brake light -
Tail light works, brake light does not. Will investigate later.
Task #3 Change oil & filter -
Loosened drain plug, drained oil. (Cut the bottom 5 inches from a 5 gallon bucket because my oil pan that I usually use was too tall for my bike on the center stand.) Tried to get the bolt off so I can change the oil filter but some &$*$&#*$* rounded off the bolt!!! I called the Honda dealership & they told me that the bolt was in stock and it would be $3.82. I left immediately to go fetch the bolt. Upon arrival, the parts lady apologized to me, and told me that the $3.82 she quoted me was for the pin. If I needed the bolt, it would be $45. For $45, I get the bolt, the spring, and housing for the filter. I decided to delay the purchase and drove 25 miles back home... empty handed. I did not change the filter, but put my drain plug back in and put fresh oil in the motor.
Task #4 Replace fork boots
Zowey Batman! What a chore. I think the old fork boots have been on that bike since 1975. Instead of having a rubber texture, they were more like a hard plastic that I had to cut and pry off the fork. I really hate that I had to take the brake line loose to replace the fork boots because I have really had a hard time getting my front brakes right. I bolted my brake line back after I got the fork boots on... and tried to bleed the brakes but I have not really had any luck. Will try again, but this time will follow the exact instructions in the Clymer's manual.
The simplest task that I did today was charge my brand new battery.
After I charged the battery, I tried to start the bike. It took a lot of tries... Does it take a while for the new fresh oil to circulate around the motor? Other questions that I wondered today: if the brakes are not properly bled (therefore do not engage), does this prevent the brake light from coming on? Does the blinker have to be grounded in order for it to work? (If not, I will check my workmanship with the black electrical tape.... maybe I don't have a good connection.) I ended up leaving the tools strayed about outside because the 1 day I set aside to work on her has grown into 2. I'll pick the tools up tomorrow after I am done. I came inside & found the discussion about the oil filter conversion
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=16004.msg210623#msg210623. I am debating if I want to go this route instead of buying the bolt from Honda. I don't want to ride Cassandra naked - I like the highway bars. Looks like I'll have to forego the highway bars if I convert to a spin on oil filter. Not so sure I like the trade-off. We'll see...
I am hoping to get this bike tip-top for this riding season. I really want to get the bugs out before next Saturday's "blessing of the bikes." It will be the first organized bike outing of the season. It is such a Harley-town around here. I don't want anything to go wrong with Cassandra for her to get picked on by the Harley guys. I prefer for her to be admired instead of admonished.
Anyone else have a hit & miss day where you had a list of things you wanted to get done & then not everything goes your way?
