FJRiders.com

So....

My registration expired in August. I got the inspection done. Yesterday I went on the state renewal website and due to it being expired so long I have to go into the office to get it done. However, due to COVID-19 the offices are closed. However, the governor has declared a state of emergency and issued a waiver to keep people from feeling like they need to go to the office until 60 days after the offices open. So, I guess I'm ok.

gixxerjasen wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2020 3:55 pm So....

My registration expired in August. I got the inspection done. Yesterday I went on the state renewal website and due to it being expired so long I have to go into the office to get it done. However, due to COVID-19 the offices are closed. However, the governor has declared a state of emergency and issued a waiver to keep people from feeling like they need to go to the office until 60 days after the offices open. So, I guess I'm ok.

Until you are not okay!..

gixxerjasen wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2020 3:55 pm So....

My registration expired in August. I got the inspection done. Yesterday I went on the state renewal website and due to it being expired so long I have to go into the office to get it done. However, due to COVID-19 the offices are closed. However, the governor has declared a state of emergency and issued a waiver to keep people from feeling like they need to go to the office until 60 days after the offices open. So, I guess I'm ok.

Several years ago the State of Florida closed all the state DMV offices. They turned the duties over to the counties. Of course the counties didn't hire any extra people or have the capacity to handle all the business. It was almost impossible to get a tag or DL renewed. Finally they allowed you to make appointments. Before you would have to show up about 7am and hope you were waited on before 4pm. At 4pm they closed even if you were in line.

So finally they let you do most things online. You can renew tags online. Most of the time you can renew your DL a couple of times before you have to go in. So trips to the DMV are very infrequent anymore.

Also, they did away with inspection stations. So all you have to do is provide proof of insurance to renew your tag. ( Cars, motorcycles do not require insurance in Florida.)

I thnk I have been to the DMV twice in the last 10 years. Once to get my motorcycle endorsement added(can't do that online.) Then a few years later to get my enhanced license the one with the star on it.

Our governor has stated that due to the nature of the beast he cannot issue any order to override the NC DOT rules and regulations of expired registrations. That must be done by the general Assembly. Which isn't meeting. So, technically, we'll be getting ticketed for expired tags even though there's no one open to inspect motorcycles. Amazing....

335 miles today - rode up to Natchez, MS with 3 other holligans. We gave it hell, ya'll. I behaved myself when conditions called for it. But otherwise, I railed the ole red girl like I stole it!!!

Had a good time today.

Okay, I got a brand new bit, put it in a socket wrench, used some rust release overnight, and got a really good set of vise grips (not brand name though). And gave it a shot. Nothing!! Mother trucker!! The bit spun in the hole. Now what?? Help please. Gonna try some heat, but worried about that being near the brake lines.

I'm assuming you don't have an impact driver... Torch it, stay away from rubber..... wrap them in foil if you think you're going near there... now go look in your toolbox for a Torx bit that is close or slightly big, first stick your 5mm back in and give it a coupla good raps.... now hammer in the Torx bit, heat the caliper, etc......

Okay. Heated the bolts up and it did the trick. Just something wrong about taking a propane torch to your bike. Used the vice grip and socket method. I pounded a 5.5mm Allen head bit in there since it slipped the 5mm one a little. I definitely need new bolts and pins now.


Thanks for all your help.


Oh yeah I have an impact driver. But those are big hammers!

Cav47 wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2020 11:13 pmOkay. Heated the bolts up and it did the trick. Just something wrong about taking a propane torch to your bike. Used the vice grip and socket method. I pounded a 5.5mm Allen head bit in there since it slipped the 5mm one a little. I definitely need new bolts and pins now. Thanks for all your help.
Oh yeah I have an impact driver. But those are big hammers!

Cav47,

Happy to hear, you got the pins out. The correct flavor of Anti-Seize compound will help to avoid a repeat of this problem.

In case you need one next time, impact power tools and impact screwdrivers are not the same things.

Google for IMPACT SCREWDRIVER. They usually come as a kit, with some adapters and various screwdriver bits. These will usually be the heavyweight 5/16" Apex bits. Normal Apex bits are 1/4" at the shank. Add the screwdriver bit you need to one end of the tool (Torx, Allen, spline, JIS, Phillips, sockets, et c.). With the bit set firmly in the bolt, turn the screwdriver handle in the direction that you want the bolt to go. (It will screw or unscrew the bolt, depending on which way you turn the handle.) Hit the end of the screwdriver handle solidly into the bolt with a small maul or hefty hammer. The tool will push the bolt inward, and twist the bolt a few degrees. This trick avoids stripping screw heads, and the shock (impact) helps to loosen a stubborn screw bolt.
HTH.
.

Washed my 09 and put it up for sale. Sad now. She has been a very good motorcycle.

Bumped this up for caliper pins.......
viewtopic.php?f=60&t=2343&p=116314#p116314

......................

raYzerman wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2020 1:36 am ......................

You are so eloquent.

danh600 wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2020 4:19 pm ... Then a few years later to get my enhanced license the one with the star on it.

I want a star on my driver’s license! How do you get one? <jealous>.

Uncle Hud wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2020 7:10 am

danh600 wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2020 4:19 pm ... Then a few years later to get my enhanced license the one with the star on it.

I want a star on my driver’s license! How do you get one? <jealous>.

I wouldn't recommend The School of Jwilly. BTDT, no star awarded...

Just sayin.....

Here, stars mean you went into the DL place (DPS here) and brought your original birth cert, ss card, and something that confirms your residence (utility bill).

I can go get one now (and pay) or wait until it expires in several years and THEN do all that and pay. I'm waiting.

Okay, one last, well prob not LAST, but one MORE THING. I cleaned up the clutch side pistons and caliper real good. The pistons were moving real easy. I moved over to the throttle size and put a crushed can in the caliper to keep the piston from popping out when I worked on throttle side. Well, the can didn’t work. When I compressed the throttle side with my hand to clean it up, the clutch side top side piston popped out just a little.

I was able to slide it back in there really quick. I bet I will have to re-bleed the brakes, but what else??? Did I mess up dust cover and other stuff behind the piston? Now what???

Oh yeah, great post Ray about the brake pins on the other thread. I will be ordering new HONDA ones. One of my brake caliper retention clip things is a little bent up and I would like to snag one of those if anyone knows a cheaper source. Thanks again.

Straighten out the clip, they're like $30!! Use the one from the other side for reference. If you want a new one, just buy a used caliper much cheaper.
Best use a set of brake pads when moving pistons out (no rotor), that will leave you plenty safe... live on the edge if you have only one thin pad if you want them out more...
If you leaked any fluid, you will need (or highly recommended you do) to bleed that caliper, but do both while you got the stuff in your hand. There is no "dust cover", it's just a rectangular x-section O-ring so to speak with square edges to scrape off dust. There's a second one a bit further in, and the two keep the pistons tracking straight. No harm done if you got the piston back in, just bleed it.

Cav, I personally want to congratulate you on how far you have come to having a particular maintenance job named after you. Only a few of us have distinguished ourselves to be at this level and we would be proud to welcome you to our ranks.

FYI, you'll have to rebleed, probably dont' need to replace those seals, but....now that you have popped one out, and you have to bleed, maybe it's a good time to replace them. Something to think about, I'll let others chime in on that.

Tip I learned this past week with the DRZ. If you use compressed air to push out those pistons, it doesn't take much air pressure to pop them out. It also doesn't take much air pressure to smash your finger with them and say all sorts of bad words in the garage.

As Red stated, impact screwdrivers are awesome. Almost absolutely required for removing the little screws in the brake disks on a car if the car is quite high in mileage. Worked like a charm and they are inexpensive on Amazon.

rbentnail, one of the better things they do here in Texas is to license out oil change places and various mechanics to do inspections. Next town over is a Kwik Kar Oil Change and they do motorcycle inspections as well as car inspections. The nice thing is they trust that if you pulled into the parking lot and stopped fine that your brakes pass inspection. This is unlike the motorcycle dealerships that insist on taking your bike for a test ride. After seeing the local guy lock the rear brake on my bike and slide sideways to a stop declaring my brakes were fine, it was the last time I ever set foot in there. The good news with the oil change places is that when I arrived I was attacked by three mechanics helping out with my inspection. They said thanks to the quarantine it's been dead, maybe 5 to 6 customers per day. I've been in and out for one car and two bikes and suspect if I can get the brakes sorted on the DRZ that I'll have a third quick inspection.

My level of screw up is not near your name brand level of GixxerJasen’ing something. I mean, you have trademark status right? Lol. Even Xerox, Kleenex, and GIXXERJASEN have a ring to it. Just kidding man. We all know we mess up fixing stuff. Some of us are just smart enough to fix them before others see them or we run out of ideas and have to ask on the forum. Lol. I am thankful we have the smart people here that will always bail us out.