My idea of fun, head bearings and valve clearances.

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Well the bandit's on 44k miles. So thought I should check the valve clearances, and give it an oil change etc whilst I'm home with a nice big garage etc.

And the steering was very notchy, as if some wiring was catching on something behind the headlight as I turned the bars.

So I thought I'd check the head bearings aswell. Didn't expect them to be bad, I only replaced them 8k miles ago.

https://www.bristolbikers.com/images/Bandit-temp/IMG_9254%20(Small).JPG

https://www.bristolbikers.com/images/Bandit-temp/IMG_9255%20(Small).JPG

Not only were the bearings bone dry, they were also knackered. Luckily I had a spare laying around, so I replaced it. It handles much better now!!

https://www.bristolbikers.com/images/Bandit-temp/IMG_9261%20(Small).JPG

I was kind of hoping the clearances would be way out so I could fix something. But they were pretty much perfect. The middle two cylinders' exhaust clearances were a touch tight. So I sorted those, but I'm pretty sure they could have been ignored.

Now all it needs is an oil change.

Gaz

Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

God bless screw+locknut valve clearance adjustment Thumbs Up

____________________
Hard livin', hard luck.

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Christ I miss my bandit.

Screw and locknut with enough room to actually fit your hands in to check and adjust.

You have to be built like a borrower to work on the gsxr Laughing

____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Yeah I probably wouldn't have attempted it on anything much newer tbh.

Gaz

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Gaz,

As you probably know, when you do head bearings you are supposed to get a handful of grease and using your other hand roll the bearing in the grease.

You kind of press it into the palm of your hand until you can't pick any more up on the rollers and in the shell and thats pretty much the only way I know to grease them properly.

The other way is to warm some grease in an oven and dip the bearing in, but this is quite messy.

If you didn't do either of those things, then they'll need doing again soon! Smile

____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

I just did mucho smearage. On both the inner bit, and the outer bit. And then a load on top for good measure.

It'll do for me.

Gaz

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Arg you bender, I'll take em out again in the next few days. MZ engine is priority at the moment, the new crank's in, just making sure I've got everything wedged in there before I seal them back together.

Gaz