Stupid fool didn't read the manual (GPZ500S)

duncanpage · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

My bike has been off the road for the last few weeks while i finally attempted to fit the replacement parts i'd ordered ages ago.
I managed to fit a new set of sprockets & a chain, new throttle cables, wire in a 12v cigarette lighter socket to charge my satnav, I also managed to adapt my satnav holder to fit just above (partially obscuring) the rev counter but still enableing me to see all the lights, speedo, temp gauge, etc & not get knocked by the handle bars whilst on full lock! All in all feeling pretty happy with myself...that is until i took it for it's first ride!

Perhaps I my suspisions should have been roused by the fact that the rear wheel wouldn't spin as freely as before, or perhaps when I heard a wering noise whilst riding down the road, or when I heard what sounded like metalic particles clattering around somewhere beneath my seat, or when a screeching noise regularly errupted from between my feet!
Needless to say if i'd have thought more of these noises I wouldn't be in the trouble I am today! At the time I was riding from Harrow to Twickenham with a friend on the back to look at a scooter for his wife. As we had an appointment to keep or we'd loose the scooter we both tried to ignore the strange sounds & ignore that feeling that lurks in the back of the mind that strange noises on motorbikes could lead to disaster!
Our journey to & from Twickenham were uneventful, but upon closer inspection today I've found the truth behind the strange noises & how my uneasy feeling should have had more attention paid to it.

When fitting the back wheel i'd fitted two spacers in the wrong places. The left & centre spacers I'd somehow switched so the bearings were locked solid & after removing the sprocket carrier I've found that most of the bearings have been ground into powder! Fortunately wemoto supply all three bearings so I'll be fitting them when they arrive in the next few days.

I feel a bit of a prat because when I finally took the time to read the Haynes manual it has a lovely picture clearly showing the the spacer on the outside of the sprocket carrier!
I'm putting it down to "one of those mistakes you never make again"!

Feel free to laugh, write how stupid I am, etc. I deserve it!

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Could have been worse. The whole lot could've seized and had you off.

You'll need a decent circlip plier to remove the big circlip over the bearing and you will need a good punch with a clean face because there isn't much room to get on the inner race to knock it out. Buying a proper punch will save you a lot of time in the long run.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

timjim · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Karma :

its nice for someone to own up to their mistakes..we all make them and can hopefully learn by them...you were lucky..very lucky!!
The same or similar mistake happened to me,but it was done when a tyre shop was fitting a new rear tyre and left out the spacer between the sprocket carrier and the wheel..i ended up having to buy a new rear wheel,carrier,bearings and the garage even had the cheek to say it was my fault and that there was no spacer in when they took it apart!?!!my lesson learnt???..if a jobs worth doing..do it yourself!! Twisted Evil

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Similar thing happened to McJamweasal on here. Lack of spacer caused the sprocket carrier bearing to collapse. Made a nasty mess of the swinging arm.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

konsoli · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Karma :

At least no serious damage was done.

thegubner · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Karma :

Got any pictures of the bearing?

duncanpage · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

Here's a few pictures of my bike mid "repair" (perhaps "mid destruction" would better describe it!)
Notice the hi tech top of the range canopy - it seems everytime I work on the bike it rains...hence no Haynes manual out & a very good excuse as to why I didn't look at it properly Embarassed

That's all that's left of the bearings. It seems two of them decided to join up!
Wont be doing that again! Brick Wall