who loves ya, baby?

[Iahawk]

my bikes, that is...showed my bikes a little love tonight with an oil and filter change and brake fluid change on the Ninja 300. Mobil 1 4T, Kawi OEM filter and Bel Ray Dot 4 fluid. I had enough brake fluid left over to also do the brake fluid on the Helix. Fluid was dark (on the Helix), even though I changed it a year and a half ago. I think I didn't clean out the reservoir well enough as last year it wasn't brake fluid in there but old, dirty brake paste! I think the fresh fluid slowly dissolved the film in the bottom of the reservoir. Oh well, new fluid all the way around.

I know not everyone like wrenching on their bikes, but I find it a Zen like experience to be in the garage working on my bikes with good music playing in the background.

[monkeybongos]

[quote author=Iahawk link=topic=33035.msg231906#msg231906 date=1671079954
I know not everyone like wrenching on their bikes, but I find it a Zen like experience to be in the garage working on my bikes with good music playing in the background.
[/quote]

I can see the zen part, but only if you  a) know what you're doing   b) have a clean, organized garage
I'm starting to qualify for "a", but nowhere close to "b".  Still get enjoyment out of improving the ride,
the process will be much more fun when the garage is in Hawk-like condition.

[Neil955i]

I can see the zen part, but only if you  a) know what you're doing   b) have a clean, organized garage
I'm starting to qualify for "a", but nowhere close to "b".  Still get enjoyment out of improving the ride,
the process will be much more fun when the garage is in Hawk-like condition.

Couldn't agree more MB.  My garage is a tip thanks to 'er indoors who thinks it a legitimate household over-spill storage area!  Have to move the bikes out if I want to work on them.

[Iahawk]

I'm lucky to have a 3 stall garage which gives me room for 2 cars plus my bike/scoots and other machines. It gets a little tight but if I want more room I pull a car out and use that area for bike work. A clean floor helps but what really is a game changer is having a ton of bright lighting. I installed high output led lights in place of the old incandescent bulbs plus added 12 additional led shop lights. The older I get the more light I need!

I also grew up with zero knowledge or ability to fix anything mechanical, so acquiring those skills (and tools) has been very satisfying to me.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Can we get photos of where the oil filter is located and the brake fluid reservoir?
Watched a crazy video the other day of a shop in Asia or India where they were making oil filters. Machines were stamping and forming and folding things - but a lot of it was done my hand.
Stig

[Iahawk]

can I send more pics??! Oh, yeah!

Maintenance is very easy on the little Ninja. Oil filter is at front bottom of engine, behind header pipes. Easily accessible after removing the small, lower fairing. 3 screws and 2 panel clips. I always put aluminum foil over the exhaust pipe that runs under the filter to direct the oil into my drain pan. A no mess oil change.

Front master is not hidden like on our Kymcos. Easy access!..and with the caliper and master on same side of bike bleeding it takes less contortion.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Hawk, what's this thing?

And, your filter is in the same place as my son's CB500X Honda. To keep things clean...I removed a little panel down there.
Also - found out I really did need to buy the proper JIS screwdriver to get the 2 reservoir screws out in my Forza and my son's Honda!
Those little rascals were TIGHT!
I bought new Honda screws to replace the ones buggered when I topped my Forza's fluid level. No problem when I used proper JIS screw driver.
It's not like you could use an impact screw-drive on top of those reservoirs!

Stig
Keep posting snaps!

[Iahawk]

keen eye! Those are my Denali led driving lights I installed a few years ago. They are almost as bright as the main headlights but I have them aimed as driving lights so they don't blind anyone. I prefer to be as bright and visible as possible. I'm sure some people don't know what the heck kind of bike is approaching them when they see me coming. I always ride with my brights on, too, so this pic shows what I always look like. (I don't ride at night). 6 bulbs up front, high beam, low beam, 2 'city lights' - small led in the upper, outside corner of each headlight and 2 driving lights.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Cool lights!

You "don't ride at...."  what!?
🙂

Stig