Subject: RE: LOOP SPARES
Author: Tom Bowes
Date: Dec 23, 2001, 9:10 AM
Post ID: 1709221660
Bob,
I carry about the same stuff (no carb parts) along with some spare
control cables, if it's going to be a long jaunt. I also carry a few
spare lamps and fuses, a wiring diagram, a points file (remember those?)
and a spare tube. Also, some heat shrink tubing and a disposable
cigarette lighter (along with some Scotch 33+ electrical tape for making
temporary repairs).
Robert Hawkes wrote:
I carry a kit with plugs, points, condenser, fuel screens, a few extra carb parts, fuel line and misc nuts and bolts for emergency situations. |
Personally, I can't see carrying a spare U-joint as they are not subject
to sudden, catasrophic failure. Most reports are that they tend to go
gradually with increased vibration in the right peg/floorboard being
sympomatic. I've yet to hear of anybody breaking a U-joint, unless it
was already worn out and in need of replacement.
| I have heard of guys carrying u-joints (parts book names it a "double joint") and other guys say that if you don't horse the clutch you won't break your u-joint. Just wondering about other parts that may be weak. Thanks and Merry Christmas to all. Bob Hawkes |
Look, there's a reason that a good number of these bikes are still daily
riders after 30-plus years of use, and the reason is because there just
aren't that many parts that break with any regularity. Does this mean
that one can get by without doing proper maintenence? No, but it does
mean that you can spend more time riding and less time worrying about
what will break next if you do the initial maintenance and do it right.
The problem many times is that just because things LOOK OK, they are
presumed to BE OK. E.G.. a guy picks up a thirty-year-old bike, and
instead of stripping down the drive train, swing arm, steering head,
wheel bearings and pivot shafts, and re-greasing everything, he simply
starts to ride. After all, nothing APPEARED to be wrong. A year later
he's got a pile of junk that is in need of new everything because all
the old stuff ground itself to death due to a lack of good-old-fashioned
grease.
If I had to identify the one system on these machines that would most
likely make your fun-meter continuously indicate a ZERO, it would be the
electrical system. With the CEV electrical components there is no "fudge
factor" that will allow you to get away with any neglect in the "keeping
things clean and tight department".
Tom
'70 (July '69) Ambassador
'82 V50-III
Shelby Township, Michigan