Most of the wiring is re routed now. Brake calipers front and rear given a quick overhaul. Exhaust back on, controls, brakes, clutch and throttle ready to go. New bash plate underneath the engine and a few minor tweaks. Not much more to do now, another session and all should be back on the raod for a test run.
I've been somewhat distracted of late, so some motivation in the evening has shown a rare chance to make some real progress. I'm fully aware that i could have dropped this bike off somewhere to fix, but ill me much happier, more trusting of it when its done, plus its good fun... Swingarm and brakes fitted. Wheel on and suspension all set nicely. Its a bit hard re-routing all the wiring under lights, so ill finish that next when i have some good daylight. Found a nice little crack in a subframe bracket when checking and assembling. That's all welded back now, i suspect when the bike dropped from the stand, after the stand and other mounts fell off, this bracket might have taken a hit. Its light, and just holds some plastics, but glad i saw it.
Wheels are built now. A long standing annoyance with the KLX was the lack of available stainless spokes. Only "chrome" available, which all died short deaths unless polished every 7 minutes. Found some nice black anodised ones to lace the wheels up with. A coat of black gloss on the rims and hus, paired with some new brake rotors front and read should work nicely. Had a 130 rear typre off the Megelli in the shed which replaced the work out rear, and a new set of rubber on the front to finish it off.
Frame is ready, welding all done and a nice slick coat of paint. Its ready to be put back together. Got a few new bits to add on, giving a slightly new feel, and adding some motivation for the slow work. Black all the way.
Here's the culprit up close. Very tricky spot to access. Had to completely (100%) dismantle the bike to access it. Its welded up now, and getting a coat of paint. (Matte black with a clear coat). Should be back to assembly time shortly.
A pretty harsh life, not much love and lots of work. A few surface spots of rust, and some pretty regular footpath work, gutter drops, unsealed roads and a lack of care all combined their forces last week, when a slightly rusty weld on the frame gave way. Bike dropped, frame split and now its on the workbench. Severity of broken weld = minor quick fix. Location of broken weld = literally the most inaccessible spot on the planet. My two options were basically to juggle a welding road in a tiny gap, and hope to lay down a good weld, with a blast of paint to cover; or do it properly. Ouch. The minor weld, means a full tear down, to the bone. Ill weld it properly, repaint the frame and reassemble. While I'm at it, i might as well have some fun......
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Kawasaki KLX
This D-Tracker is the daily ride. It gets treated pretty mean, and now i'm paying the price for not showing it enough love. It barely gets a wash, likes to ride on beaches in salt, enjoys pavements and footpaths, and its favourite passtime is going long stretches between services. It's paid me back with a broken frame... Archives
February 2016
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