Let’s move on to the remaining work.
First up is the air filter replacement. The color is completely different. It feels great starting the new year fresh.
If your hand can fit, wipe down the inside of the box as well.
We’re changing the oil to Newtech NC50 10W-50.
Bikes from this era have an awkwardly sized 21mm hex head. We’re swapping it out for the current standard 17mm drain. Occasionally replacing the drain bolt feels nice.
I don’t trust aluminum drains because I worry the head and body might separate—it’s unsettling.
Filling the oil filter with oil before installing it seems to shorten the scary break-in period.
We didn’t find much. No problems is the best outcome.
We were about to replace the plugs, but the head cover area looked slightly weepy…
As part of the oil-cooled maintenance, we replaced just the gaskets in the oil passages.
The number one cap was cracked and the fit was quite loose.
Only cylinders 1 and 4 are black, as if targeted… I’m starting to suspect the coil.
We replaced the rear recently, so we’re doing a full front brake and clutch fluid change. The surrounding area was corroded, so we cleaned it up with a whetstone.
The owner mentioned the side stand has a lot of play. Let’s check it out.
First we’ll straighten the spread stand, then insert shims to my preferred gap for adjustment.
Just cleaning it up nicely subtly makes the whole bike look better.
Notice the shape of the side stand receiver. Side-mounted side stands loosen very easily.
If you use the shape wisely, it should resist loosening.
Fix it so the surface in the image makes contact when the stand is deployed and engaged. The key is that it won’t move even under load.
If you adapt it to be quick-detachable, be careful—relying only on bolt tension to hold the stand usually bends the bolt. I think it’s safer to physically hook it somewhere or use face contact locking.
The oil cooler hose is another part worth replacing while we’re at it. ¥13,700–¥14,500 (per hose, varies by year)
The owner brought the muffler, and we’ll take it in for inspection tomorrow.
