Tech Session

[toXic]

RobDogg and I have bounced around the idea of doing a tech day for the Nebraska X riders. This would be a day of wrenching on bikes at either my location (Millard) or RobDogg's (Alvo). He and I have been tearing apart our bikes all winter and can show you some tricks for keeping yours running well while we can also do some modifications - you provide the parts (like replacing front springs, Pair Valve Mod, Ground fix, Clutch Springs, hand grips, risers, air kits) and if we get real ambitous Throttle and Clutch lines. We can change oil, final drive drain and replace oil - stuff like that.

It would be a day of meeting, learning, wrenching, maybe even some riding, beer, hamburgs, hot dogs, beer, music - did I say beer.

looking to see if there is interest in this - it would be held later in April or May so you can get your parts.

The only thing you need to do is bring your bike, your specific parts, a good attitude and a contribution for the food and beer.

We are open to options on the location - vote for your choice Robs - rural but with a beter stocked garage, Andy's suburban - read paved driveway - close to autoparts stores and huge driveway. Or suggest a third place we are flexible.

We may even do a second one of these for guys who want a 240 kit installed - you bring the parts :P

let us know - Nebtiger (andy) out

[VTXHOGG]

Count me in.

:D

[danX]

I'm in. I'm a non-wrench, but I'm interested in learning how to maintain my bike and how to handle some of the mods that I'd like to do. I'll be there.

[PsycleFreak]

Count me in also. I need to get my valves adjusted. I did it once before, 8000 miles ago. Needless to say it wasnt fun, and it took me forever. Maybe you guys can teach me a better way.

[Uncleford]

I'm always in the mood to work on something. Count me in and tell me how much beer to bring :D

[toXic]

Wow we have 7 polled replies - probably more who want to come but did not vote. I think this justifies having a tech day. Rob and I will work on the date and time and post that. We will provide a parts list of stuff you need to have for certain mods so you have time to order.

Andy - out

[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX]

I'm in.

[RobDogg]

tell me how much beer to bring :D
All of it :D

[VTXHOGG]

http://i13.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/7a/44/05_1_b.JPG :lol: :lol:

[Uncleford]

I haven't tried Falstaff yet. There's always a first!

[VTXHOGG]

Uncleford
Just Kidding about Falstaff, :P once heard it called Omaha Champagne.

Getting serious, I wonder If you think we might be able to cut my shocks about an inch during this VTX tech day for Nebtigers and Robdogg's.

What tools would I need to bring?

Really like the low rider look, of your bike UncleFord.

[Bulldog2]

Sounds like this could be an interesting weekend. Wish you guys lived about 1500 miles closer.

Bulldog

[danX]

We wish you could be here Bulldog 2!! Your knowledge about the X seems to me to be encyclopedic!

To all who read this board, I just want to say "thanks!" to Bulldog 2 for his advice about about maintaining my bike. I sent him a PM asking him to order Amsoil for me. He called me last night (Tuesday, 3.15) and walked me through the oil-change intervals, final-drive lube intervals, and the tools I'd need, and then he set up the Amsoil order for me. Within fifteen minutes of our phone conversation, I received an email from Amsoil confirming my order. Easy!! Thanks Bulldog2. I hope your Catskills Ride goes great this year!

[Uncleford]

VTXHOGG... Sure, we could tackle that pretty easy . I have a chopsaw (yes, just a little overkill) to cut the springs and to take it apart is just basic tools. About the only other thing we would need is a vise. Robdogg, you or Andy have a vise? I have one but it weighs about 50lbs and its bolted to my table. If not, I am sure we could figure something out....Oh yeah, thanks for the compliment!

When are we going to have the tech day?

[RobDogg]

I think Chris has one, but if not you're welcome to come over and use mine. I might suggest you tell Chris how much (if any) it changed the ride comfort. I know UncleFord leans a little more towards style than comfort, I think Chris is the opposite :wink:

Andy and I haven't gotten together to set a date yet.

[toXic]

I am thinking either April 23 - that should gie everyone enough time to order parts.

I will put a list together of what you will need for certain mods or maintenance tasks we could accomplish - will post sometime tomorrow.

[Uncleford]

Well, as far as the ride its hard for me to tell. I can still ride on setting #1 when I ride solo and 4 or 5 when I have the wife and bags on. Its true, I do lean more towards style :) but other than the stock seat I have, I can't complain too much.

Occasionally I have bottomed out on #1 setting but mostly its in town around some of the bumps and pot holes. Then again I am only about 170. If you want, Chris/VTXHOGG? you can take a ride on my X on different settings to see if you really want to do it.

As far as parts...I have V&H pipes still in the box but I am going to order the heavier clutch springs and front progressives. I also need a valve job, but there is only so much time in a day so whatever we have time for is good with me. Take care guys...

[VTXHOGG]

Just getting back to normal, came down with the flu Wednesday.

Modified shocks look sharp, and may not be as practical for me, but the mod would help me determine what length of progressive shock to get if they don’t work out. I’m going to try to buy a second set of shocks be for I start cutting. Uncleford how much did you cut off?

I do have a small vice that bolts down to a bench, I would be happy to move it, maybe I can figure out a base for it. Or I can do the shocks here.

Do you guys have a list Items that you will be working on.

[Heavy]

I'm in on the shock disassembly and cutting. If I figured out how to do it, I could use some tools at Star City... I'm scheduled to work the 23rd, so I don't know if I'll make it. Does anyone want to walk me through the disassembly of the rear shocks??? I have a spare set to play with, and want to expose the springs....

[Uncleford]

Hey Guys, If I remember right I cut about 2 coils total off the springs. The first time I cut them I only cut about 1 coil. It was a noticable drop and looked good but my OCD kicked in and I wanted more. With that said I believe it was 2 coils.

Anyway....there are some guys out there that made a nice tool to take the springs apart but I just don't have the brain power to come up with anything really exotic. This is what I did....Take the shocks off the bike. (support the bike with a jack, because the fender will contact the brakes on the right side..yep that sucks) Wrap the bottom of the shock where the bolt goes through w/ a couple of shop rags (protects chrome) Get a 3/8 extention or equivalent that fits in the eyelet. (where the top mounting bolt goes) This gives you leverage to turn it CCW. I had my brother grab the chrome part of the top of the shock and compress it down. This IS a pain but is doable. When it is down far enough (about an inch) the nut on the main rod inside the shock will be exposed. Take a 17mm wrench and put it on the nut. Hold it in place and turn the eyelet CCW until it comes off. (Don't worry about the spring exploding as your partner is holding it firmly) Slide the top cover off and your spring comes right out. The coils are wound differently on each side. One side is progressive (coils wound tightly) and the other side is not. I took them and put the progressive side down on the bench and measured about what I wanted to cut. From there its trial and error. Like I mentioned earlier, I cut about a coil off to begin with and then later wanted more so I took more. After the first cut its much easier to take apart because the spring isn't as tall so there isn't so much to compress.

I hope this helps. If anyone is confused about any part let me know. I will try to help as much as I can. Take care :D

[Uncleford]

Heavy, I am not sure about exposing the shocks. I would figure we could take a bandsaw and cut them nicely enough but I would worry about the chrome flaking. I think it would look great.

[Heavy]

Sons of Thunder can expose the coils, and I wouldn't think it would be that difficult. I assumed they made some nice cuts, and polished the rest. I don't know. I'll have to try this since my spare shocks are just sitting in the workbench.. Thanks.

[Heavy]

Well, I got the shocks apart. The covers are dented though. I went to Star City, and used a chop saw to cut one coil off of each spring. It worked well as it put the needed flat edge on the end. I tried cutting the covers, and I obviously need some practice. A buffer/grinder wheel ought to clean them up a bit, but I still have to work with the dented top covers, or not use them at all. I lucked out though, the coils are powder coated gloss black :) so I don't have to get them coated...

I'll try to get them back together Tuesday, and post pics.

[Uncleford]

Hey Bud, how did you dent the top covers?

[Heavy]

We pushed the covers down, then used a screwdriver to pry some space to get to the 17mm nut. The dents came trying to keep the wrench on the nut. My inexperience, but after looking at the shocks naked, and talking with Trevor (Star City Service Manager) we all liked the looks of the shock without any of the covers.... I'll polish them tomorrow, then hopefully take some pics on Tuesday. I like them, and again, the coils match the gloss black of the bike......

[VTXHOGG]

Heavy

How much of the shock did you cut off?

[Uncleford]

Bummer on the dents. So I gather you cut the covers with a chopsaw? Cool. Waiting for pics

[Heavy]

I cut only one coil off of each spring. I didn't want to shorten it so much where I would have to shorten the shock shaft. I'll try it, and see what it looks like.

[RobDogg]

PLEASE CHECK THIS THREAD IF YOU WANT TO DO ANY WORK ON YOUR BIKE AT THE TECH DAY!

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.p ... 395#576395 (http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=576395#576395)