I was saying in my last blog it had been months of the Sportster project looking like it would be forever before I could get it on the road, if at all, then suddenly it was a sprint to the finish with me taking it for it’s MOT today.
*sigh*
On Friday I had what felt like acid reflux, by Saturday it had moved to an irritating cough and feeling crap. I did a test and yup, it’s covid. Super. I was OK with it if it was just going to be a bit of a cough. I went to bed and then it really kicked in. Solid headache the painkillers just wouldn’t touch, lasted until this morning, sweating then shaking so bad my whole body was going into muscle spasms, my bones aching,etc etc. All the good things.
I forced myself to crack on with my bike jobs on Sunday. I refitted the ignition barrel, replaced the cover on the ignition timing module, glued the (temporary) indicators into place, (just to pass the MOT, I’m replacing them and doing a proper job fitting the new ones) and rigged a fix for the too long outer cable on my throttle cable.
Just had to replace the clutch plates. I stripped the side down and used the “simple, homemade clutch compressor tool”. Either the pipe was the wrong size (I ordered the size it said on the video) or my clutch is slightly larger. The bloody ring wouldn’t fit. Then the bar that goes across the ring bent under load. I spent ages trying to drill through a really tough bit of steel but I think I blunted my drill bits. In the end, in desperation, I went back into my shed and tried this ring with a bridge and screw handle. It’s the proper clutch compression tool! D’oh! I must have bought it then forgot.
It had been hours of pushing through feeling shite and forcing myself to carry on, and I wasn’t thinking straight with it. Anyway, whatever the excuse, I didn’t take time out to google how to properly use the tool. I think I didn’t have it torqued down enough. In trying to get the retaining snap ring out I used too much force (because it wasn’t properly untensioned) and I broke a piece of the clutch basket off.
I could have cried.
Today, with a clearer head I’ve gone back in, and sorted a work around. The piece that broke off released the central bolt thing, so I had nothing against which to tighten the compressor. I’ve taken the clutch and primary off completely and ordered a long bolt. I should be able to feed it through the compressor tool and the whole clutch basket. Tighten up and remove the other retaining clip and it’s good to go.
I’ve had to order bits from abroad so I’m probably going to be waiting for a few weeks. I’ll take the time to properly fit the new indicators and make sure everything is ship shape and Bristol fashion. By that time my new exhaust might have arrived.
I’ve dropped a bollock with the replacement clutch basket inner as well. I ordered it then read up. It seems you have to use a press to get it out (which I don’t have) and you have to know what you’re doing (I don’t) or else you can warp it. I ordered a second hand complete clutch basket. Balls. That’s a lot of money for not reading the instructions.
Apparently it only just over a fortnight until Germany, for my marathon. I hope I’m rid of the covid and don’t get any long covid.