Bike is an 05 which puts it at 12 years old... Millage is 30K Miles... Currently having a problem with the starer switch and when I took it apart today I found the wire broke off from the switch contact. New assembly is $75 and I am thinking about buying that instead of soldering it back together.
Which leads me to think about replacing a whole bunch of part on the bike.. I don't really want to replace the bike as nothing new out there is really catching my eye. Anything in the same class is usually about 10-20hp below what I have now and feels too skinny. Not to mention I don't really want a naked bike either.. So, I am thinking about replacing a whole bunch of parts.. Currently this is the list I am thinking of doing:
-Kill Switch Assembly (but leaving throttle cables which looked pretty good for never lubing them in 12 years. Will lube them up while I have it disassembled)
-Front and Back Brake Caliper Seals and New OEM Pads (keeping the rotors as new OEM are rather expensive and I haven't checked the current ones thickness, also I have HEL SS Lines)
-New Chain and Sprocket
I have had good shops put on tires and look things over, but I have personally never done the following things that I assume should be done:
-Greased; Swing arm bearings, shock bearings, front and back wheel bearings, steering head bearings
-Replace Fork Oil or do anything with the shock
-Spark Plugs (I have had a new set since 2009, but have never put them in. No misfires or any issues)
-Valve Clearance Check
-TPS Check
-Idle Check
Since I have never ridden any other bike, I don't have much to go on. The bike currently runs and rides like a dream. I don't have any complaints!! But my guess is that its probably time to start replacing things. I am really more concerned over the bearings. I can count the times I have ridden in rain on both hands. Wheel spin is a few revolutions and steering side-to-side motion has no stickiness at all. I'm not really sure what the lifespan of most of the bearings are, but if they need to be replaced, I feel now is the time. (I do not want to keep taking the bike apart, I want to ride it!!)
Also with the wiring. Not really thrilled to find that a wire just broke off and I am wondering now if maybe i should replace some of the other harness's or even some of the wiring runs. Again, I have never owned a 12 year old bike so any suggestions, I am all ears!
Oh and parts I have replaced are the battery, air filter, Clutch Cable, brake fluid and coolant a bunch of times. If I do need tools to take the wheels off, I think I have seen an Axel tool before.. Do I need that to change the sprockets and chain? Any help and Opinions are appreciated!!
Which leads me to think about replacing a whole bunch of part on the bike.. I don't really want to replace the bike as nothing new out there is really catching my eye. Anything in the same class is usually about 10-20hp below what I have now and feels too skinny. Not to mention I don't really want a naked bike either.. So, I am thinking about replacing a whole bunch of parts.. Currently this is the list I am thinking of doing:
-Kill Switch Assembly (but leaving throttle cables which looked pretty good for never lubing them in 12 years. Will lube them up while I have it disassembled)
-Front and Back Brake Caliper Seals and New OEM Pads (keeping the rotors as new OEM are rather expensive and I haven't checked the current ones thickness, also I have HEL SS Lines)
-New Chain and Sprocket
I have had good shops put on tires and look things over, but I have personally never done the following things that I assume should be done:
-Greased; Swing arm bearings, shock bearings, front and back wheel bearings, steering head bearings
-Replace Fork Oil or do anything with the shock
-Spark Plugs (I have had a new set since 2009, but have never put them in. No misfires or any issues)
-Valve Clearance Check
-TPS Check
-Idle Check
Since I have never ridden any other bike, I don't have much to go on. The bike currently runs and rides like a dream. I don't have any complaints!! But my guess is that its probably time to start replacing things. I am really more concerned over the bearings. I can count the times I have ridden in rain on both hands. Wheel spin is a few revolutions and steering side-to-side motion has no stickiness at all. I'm not really sure what the lifespan of most of the bearings are, but if they need to be replaced, I feel now is the time. (I do not want to keep taking the bike apart, I want to ride it!!)
Also with the wiring. Not really thrilled to find that a wire just broke off and I am wondering now if maybe i should replace some of the other harness's or even some of the wiring runs. Again, I have never owned a 12 year old bike so any suggestions, I am all ears!
Oh and parts I have replaced are the battery, air filter, Clutch Cable, brake fluid and coolant a bunch of times. If I do need tools to take the wheels off, I think I have seen an Axel tool before.. Do I need that to change the sprockets and chain? Any help and Opinions are appreciated!!
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