First job for today was bonnet off. This wasn't the easiest task to execute on my own, it was pretty early this morning, and there was no evidence of my neighbours who usually wander over for a chat, find out what's going on and lend a hand if needed. So with the winds gusting, I safely lowered it onto the front of the trailer avoiding any mishaps. I then needed to get the side panel off to gain access to the exhaust system. Some fixing areas had rivnuts attached, others has stainless dome head screws that were three times as long as they needed to be, secured the other (most inaccessible) side with fiddly little nyloc nuts. A 5 minute job turns into 20! I shall definitely be sorting some quick release system out for the body panels, Dzus or something else....
I need to sort out the exhaust end can which, although looking very nicely made and certainly in good condition (AB item?) is clearly too loud as I failed the 105Db noise test at Snetterton in November. I'm hoping I can get away with just re-packing it, but I guess whilst its off, I should look into the catalyst side of things too, as this is stipulated in the 750 MC regs.....
Then just simply followed a methodical list of disconnections to be performed. Coolant drained, oil drained, fuel lines off, loom off etc.
The reverse system on this car (as bike engines have no reverse gear), is made up of an additional bike starter motor, grafted onto the chassis rails so that it engages on a gear on the engine output shaft/prop coupling. Pulling levers and pressing buttons usually ends up with just a horrible grinding noise and no motion, so, as this needed to be removed to assist in engine removal, it will be something else to look into fixing..
My mate from work had offered to pop round to help me lift the engine out. I though I wouldn't bother taking the engine hoist from the FS workshop as the engine would be light enough, I knew the weight of the engine from when I collected the spare the other weekend. With everything undone I just went balls out, and lifted it on my own, bending at the knees with a straight back...!
It was then just a case of making notes and taking photos to remember where everything went. I had a tidy up of tools and put the engine in the garage. I'm on night shift come Monday, so I'll drop the spare in to see if it works as it should. The guy I bought it off gave me a guarantee for what its worth, he seemed nice enough, we'll just have to see...
It was just as I was throwing the cover back on the car, as my mate from work rounded the corner walking his dog....so he came indoors to see what DIY I'd been getting up to around the house....
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