Via

Hard to say atm still got rear wheel bearing to do which I'm going to tackle tomorrow if it goes ok (experience with bearings on cars is they never do) and I've got enough good weather and daylight left to give it a quick hose down then hopefully will get it done then. If it ends up still in pieces then that's it for this month as away all next weekend. Yeah, tbh was a confusing one as it was flagged as 'dangerous' as well, but if that's the case surely hard tail bikes are death traps that said I'm not exactly small so a bit of extra bounce won't hurt. If you need a new pair of black forks btw I've got some spare that will fit yours Got round to doing the protection for swing arm today as well, just a square of rubber running from plastic down to swing arm keep it cleaner hopefully.

Old ones are same size so will be same issue and no guarantee another station won't have same view, but new 350mm ones are on now. They turned out an absolute nightmare as the bushings had a metal insert which was slightly larger than bracket on swing arm, had other bushings which fitted but must have been larger than correct ones as when pushed into shock it compressed bolt hole too much for bolt to fit, didn't notice this until I was trying to put bolt in. Luckily had some more with larger holes that finally worked out so 3rd time lucky.

Was hoping this would be finished and would have finished pics by now but ended up a nightmare weekend and since come down with chest infection so been in bed all week. Bike was put back together finally on Saturday ready for it's MOT and after putting some fuel in I got distracted after putting tap on prime and come back to finding fuel all over the floor, so get it all cleaned down and finally started but didn't get a chance for pictures as by this time was late to MOT, weather was disgusting so came back absolutely filthy so will have to get some when cleaned down again. Unfortunately failed on a few bits. Need to do rear wheel bearing and a rear tyre but the most annoying was rear shocks failed which are brand new, when I ordered these I was aware there are two different sizes (300mm and 350mm) so I measured ones already on there which were 300mm but turns out it should have the 350mm ones so these don't have enough travel.

Need to replace rear tyre on ER5 as found a nail in sidewall. Front tyre is fine, is there any benefit replacing with a matched set? Or would it be fine just replacing rear?

Decals attempt 2 Paint is definitely dry now and new decals have arrived. Tank was an absolute female dog, with the starting K / ending ki being at a different angle and curving so ended up having to do the letters separately, happy with result despite this but not a perfect replacement. Rear decals nice and easy just stick on, except they are actually in 2 sections (silver with a black decal edging) and the front peelable seemed to have extra tough glue but being patient I managed to avoid a disaster and all done. Have now put more clear coat on tank covering decals, this will now need a rub down tomorrow and another coat and then it is ready to go back on the bike. Will be given a week to dry properly and then a proper wash down of bike, amazing how dusty garage is, and hopefully get it booked in for MOT next weekend and get some finished pictures.

Confirmed now not going ahead... Gutted!

It was probably the one you dropped....I've had little parts "ping" off (into subspace??) only to find 'em again in totally weird places. But well done on the repair. Get them decals on again. Do you know about the water misting technique? It calms the glue down immensely and gives you a bit more room for manoeuvre. See http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/How-to-apply-vinyl-cut-graphics-and-stickers-/10000000001395173/g.html

No pictures but a happier day today, firstly the damage to the tank after a few coats and few very gentle rub downs (metallic paint so have to be very gentle) and can barely notice it now. Put a few coats of lacquer on as well, was going to lacquer after decals went on but can't do them now and wanted to protect the paint so decided to lacquer and then once decals turn up I'll put them on and another coat of lacquer on top. Next thing was indicator switch, the switch can be temperamental as to if indicators go on or not, left indicator would have to be half pushed in after indicating left to work, right was just random so thought I'll rip the switch apart see if I could fix it or not (nothing to lose if I trashed out would just man I'd have to get new one anyway). Was hoping that it would be an open switch with contacts that were corroded but turned out actual switch was self contained but the actual lever was gummed up and spring holding bearing at end was dreadful so replaced spring and cleaned everything up and put back together when I dropped a tiny screw on floor to be lost forever, very annoying and knew I had nothing to match it so while wondering if I can pinch one from somewhere else not as important I noticed a screw sitting on bench drill table which was a perfect match (no idea where it's from but if left there obviously weren't needed anymore lol). All back together and indicators work spot on now, so £30 saved not getting another set of switches and then subsequently spent again on another set of decals. Also got log book back from DVLA

Ouch! That is painful, I'm sure I'd have said a lot worse lol. Tbh did today and that was my fault

The yellow is primer it's filler primer which only seems to come in yellow lol (and ran out of normal gray). Yeah was all degreased was just rushing and the glue on decal was stronger than paint was lol.

Well it seems last few weekends been non stop and not much to show for it. Just the paint left to finish off, the fairing is all finally done (minus a fine rub down and then polish of clearcoat). I think the colour goes well... Tank has been taking a lot longer to prep though, had a dent I needed to fill which I'm impressed with (but annoyingly no before photo) so back today from weekend in Reading and got on with the paint, was very happy with finished article a nice even coat. Then after leaving it until touch dry I thought it would be a good idea to put the Kawasaki decals on, knew I was rushing but thought it would be OK... Absolutely gutted! Since then I have tried smoothing down and repainting but can see it's a patch job, not going to be noticeable to anyone but me probably but I'm fuming with myself and now no chance of getting it done this weekend as need to order new decals

Yeah I know I would have been birched by now if he was serious Stu is a good old sap, really spruces up these forums. Will go now before it gets any more acorny.

There's nothing humorous about racist trees they should all be chopped down and burnt! Plus this forum only specifies not motorbike related so technically valid place unless it's for only non funny non motorbike related posts in which case I humbly apologise.

Sheffield tree fellers assault allegation investigated - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-42834479 This is the part that made me giggle though... Damn even the trees are racist now.

All refurbed and second hand master cylinder turned up today so all ready to go back on bike. Can see one cylinder is a bit more pitted but feels smooth and no leaks.

Had a Sony Xperia Z5 premium before the S8 and that had fingerprint sorted, it put the sensor in the power button on the side, no idea why others haven't done that because it worked perfect. The rear mounted sensor on the S8 is ok once you get used to it. Have that and iris unlock on, normally use fingerprint as just pressing finger on sensor also turns phone on (so why not do what Sony did and put it where power button is?) And iris is a bit slower but use that when I've got gloves on or hands are wet. Loving the S8 otherwise, would always stick with android now but no brand loyalty I go with what's best at time for me and this time round was Samsung. Very capable phone and very few crashes or glitches I've had with other brands. Default keyboard sucks though so bought swype.

Not really but the seals seem very 'sticky' even cleaned down they don't want to slide over seal, didn't want to try too hard as would need them out again for when I get new seals. Got a seal kit for £20 and 2nd hand master cylinder for £16 so not too bad.

Pistons cleaned up ok, put some tape round a torx socket piece then tapped into piston and put into bench drill and cleaned with abrasive pads got rid of all corrosion but little pitting nothing to be overly concerned about though.

Same weather I've got so given up for today, not much more I can do now anyway. Got the pistons out, even at the end they were a nightmare used a spanner to stop one popping out before the other, with about 5mm worth of piston left one pulled out on the other still stayed stuck, got it it in the end but was stupidly tight. Will get some new seals now, not sure if I should just bite bullet and order new pistons or attempt to clean them up myself. The new lever has got mirror hole but after all the effort to dechrome rest of bike it looks odd now lol, so new master cylinder to order as well. So much for no more expenditure lol.

They are still very tight but new cylinder moved them with ease (and they do move back enough to not lock when pressure released). That said I think a rebuild definitely needed so all coming off again till that's done.

Update... Ignore everything I've said so far lol Seal not leaking as running down from a loose banjo... Caliper is fine BUT my master cylinder is knackered, taken of bike and filled up nothing pumps out of it... When bleeding it did get jammed in so took it off and managed to get cylinder unstuck (hence loose banjo ) but guessing internals still jammed as it does naff all. Got a spare one to use for now but not really in with appearance of rest of bike lol...

[mention]Westbeef[/mention] When pushed back in caliper was completely detached from bike including brake line and no way they could have been pushed in by hand, used a small g clamp which pushed them back fine but was hard work. [mention]fastbob[/mention] They haven't been disassembled at all, apart from looking a bit grubby and low pads caliper looked fine so left it as is just pistons pushed back and cleaned, won't come out at all with brake lever. Tried yesterday and just leaks out of seal and pistons in same place despite multiple pumping of brake. Got the 2001 model with the ER6 caliper already Seals were definitely ok before so thinking when pushed back I've pushed the end bit of piston (the normally uncovered part that picks up all the crap) past seal so won't seal now. Will drag myself out of bed in a minute to try getting them out without destroying and update.

They did take quite a bit of force to push back tbh didn't think anything of it are the time as used to car ones being a PITA to push back at times (bent the metal rod on wind back tool doing current car ones, they are horrendous). Did not see any noticeable dirt or corrosion though. Well will give compressor another try if not will have to get a set of those removers.

Nothing with the seals, they were fine so didn't touch them caliper taken off, wound pistons back and cleaned caliper down. Then been sat for couple of weeks till today when I put front wheel and forks back on.