Topic: Free tweaks and random tinkerings...

[asom]

I have no money to put into the bike right now.  Do you guys have any "housekeeping" ideas so I can continue to improve my bike without spending any money?  Or under 20$...

thanks
Scott

[fastbroshi]

  I guess you could clean it up real good.  Go through the wiring harness and put dielectric grease on all the fittings, make sure your tires are properly aired up, check your brake fluid, points gaps, valve clearances, lube your cables, clean your helmet/boots/jacket, armor-all your seat and tires (jk).

[cameron]

carbs. fiddle with the carbs.

[manjisann]

Fastbroshi is right, especially about the wiring harness. Probably the single biggest thing you can do is clean all your electrical contact points.

I'd avoid fiddling with the carbs, it always cost me money when I do that 

I suppose the real question is where your bike stands now, is it currently a reliable runner and you just miss wrenching, or is it a complete basket case and you are itching to get started but lacking funds you are trying to brainstorm stuff to do till the coin becomes available?

Brandon

[faux fiddy]

I heard bad things about armor-all on the seats, especially on the flat stock seats.

It makes them a bit too slick, and  friction helps you stay on board  on hard acceleration.

[fastbroshi]

jk = just kidding

[dave500]

dont touch anything where plan A becomes plan B !

[johnyvilla]

Weight loss plan for the bike?

[fastbroshi]

I guess it would be pretty cheap to not eat

[Stev-o]

clean clean clean...and then polish. Nothing like a clean bike.

[MaaseyRacer]

Weight loss plan for the bike?

Don't forget the rider.  Simplest way to go faster is to put down the fork.

[asom]

bike runs pretty good.  i was looking for more like a daily/weekly/monthly type maintainance stuff. 

so far...
air pressure in tires, clean bike...no armorall on seat or tires, clean electrical contacts, dielectric grease(I'd have to buy), I've been told I should double check my idle circuit in the carbs(doesn't idle quit right.), lube cables.

anything I should take off and clean inside? 

thanks for the advice folks!

[johnyvilla]

Fork oil is inside and can be changed.

[Frankenkit]

carb cleanliness is next to godliness.  so is all other bike cleaning, for that matter.  Some people like graphite cable lube, I like progold teflon stuff. goes in like a solvent and will clean a LOT out of a cable you already thought was clean.  It's a little $$ for just a cable lube, so I use it for my bicycle chains and cables, too.

PlastX from mcguiars is awesome on clock faces, turn signal lenses, etc...
Nufinish you can get cheap at harbor freight and will put a great shine on your tank...
but if all else fails, just a roll of shop towels, q-tips and a can of WD-40 for $8 will clean 9/10 of your bike pretty decently, Tin foil and WD-40 does a good job with heavily soiled rims... then add $3 worth of Brake Kleen for the 1/10 that the WD-40 won't clean (carb internals, heavily greased stuff, etc.

If you already have high-pressure grease and a grease gun, grease up your swingarm zerks, too, while you're at it.

[754]

Best bang for low bucks..

 smaller front sprocket

 drag bars or clipons..

 Slamm that sucker down
 Remove aircleaner.. maybe..

 remove part of baffle..

[lrutt]

I'd say do a brake system flush, change fork oil. pull chain and clean it good. pull sprocket cover and clean in there well and inspect. check points timing and clean points. check your valves. go through all the wiring. check your steering neck bearings and lube them up. that will keep you busy a long time for very little cost.