And so ended the dream.....

 The dream ended as she was shipped off to her new owner in Victoria. 

Life's little turns......

Had a little accident in the Alfa, and then some dramas about getting it fixed so long story short....I bought another bike with the repair payout - 2006 Honda CBR600RR. Got it for a good price with Yoshi exhaust, Power Commander, and Ohlins steering damper.

....and where have I been?

Busy, busy, busy. A lot on at work, then a new role, contracting with a different organisation, holding my first photography exhibition (http://owenflynn.com/projects/) plus putting some time in on my own business (http://zenitil.com.au) - has all left me with little to no time (or money) to spend on RGV. I did have a week off between roles and spent it building this (took a lot more of my time than I thought it would).

Nearly 3 years...disgraceful

Hard to believe that it's coming up on 3 years since I rebuilt the engine in the RGV and fired her up for the first time. Here's the latest clip of a little maintenance run the other weekend. I really need to get this on the road......

New Commuter - KTM 640 SuperMoto

Been another long while but I've picked up a KTM640 SuperMoto for the commute to work. Good fun but sometimes it does not go as planned as you can see below.

RGV is not far from being on the road probably by March next year if all goes well.

Proof of life post

Yes, still here and waiting to get it on the road. Family and work commitments aka no money or time are keeping me from getting this thing rolling. We'll get there.

Pulled on the RGV

I took her out for a little test ride and it became expensive....

More motivation to get it on the road asap!!!!!!

Tygon 2375

Loooooooooooooong time no post. Got a new job and have been pretty busy. Have also run into a money drought for the bike but we're slowly getting that back under control.

I managed to get the Tygon hose I've been chasing and this is the stuff I recommend:

It's a little different to the HRC hose, more flexible and rubbery but it does not sweat brake fluid which is the biggest thing. While I was in there I put a new seal in the rear master cylinder and that has stopped the other fluid leak I had and I now have a consistent brake pedal.

A few new clips went on the carb rubbers and on went the airbox. I still haven't got the carbs right so they'll have to go to Bogaart for a tune. The seals are next (front forks and kick start). I've found a new problem with the clutch cable going tight when the bars are put through their full motion so will have to look at that as well......money, money, money.

I had her out for a spin and it runs fine, kicks into power band but then revs and loses some mojo, either a slipping clutch or carb problems - not sure but it'll be a Bogaart question....money, money, money. I've pretty well done as much as I can now and just need the funds for the last couple of bits.

WTF over!

Decided to fix the indicators today and what a debacle that turned into. I'm running led indicators and knowing you can't use the normal flasher I went off and bought a LED specific bike one.....and it didn't work. In looking at that the rear brake light was also no longer working???? Checked the light itself and it was fine, the brake pressure switch was playing up. Maybe I don't have enough pressure in the line?....Why is there brake fluid on the rear sets? FAAAARKKKKKK!!!!! Long story short, the brake switch is cactus - need a new one. The master cylinder has been leaking brake fluid past the reservoir attachment seal - need to replace the seal or replace the whole master cylinder. My uber sexy HRC race reservoirs are still sweating brake fluid plus the lines have clouded - have to consult with the seers at RGV250.co.uk for some advice on this one.

Went back to the original indicator flasher and decided to load up the indicators with after market resistors so it will flash - need to buy them.

One step forward and about 6 backwards....I hate having to revisit parts I've already "fixed" ;-)

Getting there...slowly

Fixed the power valves - I had the servo pulley on the wrong way which didn't help, so flipped it, then setup the top cylinders cables correctly and I now have working power valves. Timing them was pretty easy as I was expecting some sort of black magic ritual.

Off with the exhausts and in with the new gaskets and around the block for a quick spin, awesome. I'm supposed to keep it to 6,000 for the first 500 kilometers but couldn't help a quick excursion to 9,000 - just to check if the power valves were working of course.

What's left:
Time the power valves
Fix the indicators
Kick start seal is leaking
Front fork seals are leaking - and front feels pretty soft
Rear brake is ordinary - check pads
Tune the carbs
Sort out leaks from both exhausts
I'll be sorting out the electrics and then it's time to fix the leaks before it's off to Bogaarts for a dyno tune. and then rego.

One thing I have noticed is that the HRC reservoirs are sweating in the heat. I haven't come across this before and will need to keep an eye on it.

What's next??

The sticker kit has arrived and...I don't like it. The bike will not be a Rossi Camel replica. I've used the number plates and some of the sponsor stickers but will go with my original preference of Nikon and Racetech as "sponsors".

The replacement battery strap arrived from Tyga - cheers guys, appreciated you sorting that out for me.

I picked up the exhaust gaskets from Springwood Suzuki but will wait till I've got the power valves sorted out before fitting them. Speaking of which I worked out why the PVs wouldn't turn.....Power Valve motor was seized. Luckily I had a spare and have swapped it in - just needed to change the front cam and it's in there.......now to time them. I've got one very slightly frayed power valve cable and I'm tossing up whether to replace it or not.........

Sunday

More work on the bike:

Fitted up the key barrel, replaced the rear brake reservoir with a full size HRC unit. Put the old rear on onto the front which means I can get the levers where I like them. Topped up the coolant and gearbox oil. Hacked up a battery strap from a battery strap from a boat. And then.....took it out for a spin. It's everything a 2-stroke racer rep should be - light, easy to manouver, pulls well and the gearbox is great - shifts like butter.

Unfortunately there is a new list of things to fix:

Time the power valves
Fix the indicators
Kick start seal is leaking
Front fork seals are leaking - and front feels pretty soft
Rear brake is ordinary - check pads
Tune the carbs
Sort out leaks from both exhausts

...and there is more, getting there....slowly.

Saturday - IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!

Up early and went to get the key cut....they've moved, after a quick spin 4 suburbs over they took an hour.....and no joy. Back to Tommy at MMM Motorcycles for the chain and luckily he had the replacement part for the carb. Aired the tyres on the way home. Back home, gave up on the battery or rather it gave up the ghost, quick run out and picked up a new one. Worked out the key myself. Fitted the battery, kicked, and kicked, and kicked and....nothing No spark, started chasing down the problem - corroded ignition fuse, kicked again and.....let the smoking commence!!!

Friday Night

Petrol in the tank, 35:1 premix - running Motul

Charge the battery

Bled the rear again

Broke the throttle adjustment on the carb putting on the airbox.....F**KING HELL!!!!!

Ready for tomorrow

Getting closer.......

We're getting closer and closer to firing up this little beasty.

Charging jack is in

Rear brakes are done

Tank being flushed and cleaned today

Key recut this Saturday

New chain as well

Petrol, air the tyres, gearbox oil, and coolant and away we go!!!!!

Should be a fun Saturday.

Where have I been

A long time between posts but have had a bit on - son has been in hospital, started a new job, sold the Gixxer and Harley, and life got in the way.

However, a little has been completed, rear shock reservoir is sorted, tail is off for the battery charging cable to be hooked up, finish having he key cut is next......we will get there.


- Posted from my iPad

RGV hitlist gets smaller...and bigger

Some more achieved...and some more to do.

• Subframe re-aligned - Done


• Rear shock reservoir mount - Done


• Chain


• Power valves timed


• Refit exhausts and gaskets - Done


• Side stand switch and wiring - Done


• Extend rear wiring - Done


• Shift linkage machined - Done


• Mirror mount gaskets - Done


• Key re-cut for ignition
  

and some extras:

• Add charging plug to wiring


• Coolant


• Setup rear brakes


• Mount rear shock reservoir


• Flush fuel tank

Harley is fixed

The new carby for the Harley arrived yesterday and I fitted it last night. Fired her up this morning and it ran fine. Now for a test ride out on the streets and see how much of a tune it needs.

It's a good feeling to be mobile again.

New fuel atomiser

Ordered the new carb in from the states with a polished slide and other improvements.

No work done on the RGV but....

I did get out for a spin on the Harley. Great fun.

Well at least for a while until I got back home and found I had a flooding carb. Good excuse to just replace this one rather than trust it on the trip to Canberra and back.