What did you do in your garage today..?

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Today I did 12v conversions on my SP 125 and QT50.

The QT needed it as I changed to a digital instrument cluster and LED headlight. It just needed a new rectifier/regulator, bulb changes and a 2ah battery.

SP125 needed a stator, and a battery so it made sense to do the conversion.

Parts to do both: $90
 
pecan_choco_hurricane said:
Which maverick did you buy and how's it so far during your ownership? can you use it to haul your motorcycle on the bed?
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2023 XLT Ecoboost.

It’s been great, but does show where Ford really cheaped out….like really cheaped out.

But as a daily…really good. Lots of space, kids find it comfortable, good truck overall. Haven’t put the scrambler in the bed yet but I think it should fit fine.
 
Mad Mike said:
Modern solenoids are not serviceable.
...

Solenoids are universal in nature, just be sure to get one for a 600cc or better bike, Atv or snowmobile.
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That's good to know - I had no idea. Never occurred to me until your post to check - and found that the solenoid for my 1987 CBR600F project (dead due to having lost all the plastics) appears to cross-reference to the 84 VF500F. I know my CBR600 started up with no problem. I wonder how many parts might be the same way.

And to think my wife wanted me to get rid of the bike since I wasn't doing anything with it.

Still for $10... seems to be a no brainer to not have to deal with the old-style fusible link especially if there should be no issue. Just hope it will fit into the rubber mount the bike has. I don't really want to fabricate anything.
 
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Mad Mike said:
Stabilize the base with 2 more casters, place them where you have the wood blocks.
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I'll check to see if I can do that in the back. In the front it's not really an option because the linkage for the pedals is there.

Bobo said:
I would try bolting 2 pieces of 1 7/8 “Unistrut” or “Electrostrut” across the bottom. You can get it at any electrical wholesaler in 10’ lengths, Rona carries it in their electrical department and I think Home Depot does too. Great all purpose stuff, I use it for building conduit racks and to hang 500 pound transformers with no problem. If you live in Durham I probably have some kicking around. I also used it to build these hanging shelves in my garage, excuse the mess
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Thanks, taking a look now!

timtune said:
That's a pretty hefty U shaped bottom rail. My inner engineer tells me it's not bending anytime soon.
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Same, but the engineer I live with says reinforce it anyway lol. She loves to overbuild everything.
 
adri said:
I'll check to see if I can do that in the back. In the front it's not really an option because the linkage for the pedals is there.



Thanks, taking a look now!



Same, but the engineer I live with says reinforce it anyway lol. She loves to overbuild everything.
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We must have the same engineer.
 
I'm going to buy those pads because they'll make life easier, and not all cars have an accessible seam the entire length.

The Odyssey does not, and it has cut outs within the plastic below the car just to access these spots. So the long and wide rubber pads with the QJ will not properly seat when lifting.
 
Decided to change the coolant on my "new" Vespa as the dealer had said it hadn't been done in 4 or 5 years.

Also went to run an SAE cable up behind the wind screen. What a pain. Had to remove so much plastic to get access. I thought the Multistrada was bad and that this would be easy because it's small and simple and there aren't that many pieces. Nope.

For some reason the GTS is known to suffer from front-end wobble, often on deceleration. I've started noticing it in the last 6 months. It never did it before, now when it shows, it feels almost violent - not just on deceleration but at low speeds. Other times under the same conditions, it's perfectly fine. Dealer sat on the bike and said my front shocks are shot, even though it only has 8K on it. I was skeptical as it has *always* had the top box on. People claim the top box makes things bad, some claim certain tires. I removed the top box to see. First ride out things seemed OK, but it's pretty intermittent so I'll have to see.

After all this, the good news is I only ended up with 3 extra screws, and only need to special order three. That's a lot better than normal for me. The Vespa seems to have a few oddball fasteners. One is a screw with a shoulder; the other two are self-tapping screws that don't seem to have the same thread as anything at the hardware store.

I'm not sure I understand why they use so many self-tapping screws.
 
Not bike or house related. But I'm throwing a party.
Wasn't even in the garage but in the field.

I successfully used a bolt extractor to remove a stripped phillips head bolt. I had 2 bolts to remove and 2 different sets.

1759373863128.png 1759373913813.png
Both were successful.


Not sure if im celebrating the fact that I finally used one properly or that they damn thing worked as "advertised". To me, they never work when you need them to.

What a great feeling. 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
 
NuggyBuggy said:
Decided to change the coolant on my "new" Vespa as the dealer had said it hadn't been done in 4 or 5 years.

Also went to run an SAE cable up behind the wind screen. What a pain. Had to remove so much plastic to get access. I thought the Multistrada was bad and that this would be easy because it's small and simple and there aren't that many pieces. Nope.

For some reason the GTS is known to suffer from front-end wobble, often on deceleration. I've started noticing it in the last 6 months. It never did it before, now when it shows, it feels almost violent - not just on deceleration but at low speeds. Other times under the same conditions, it's perfectly fine. Dealer sat on the bike and said my front shocks are shot, even though it only has 8K on it. I was skeptical as it has *always* had the top box on. People claim the top box makes things bad, some claim certain tires. I removed the top box to see. First ride out things seemed OK, but it's pretty intermittent so I'll have to see.

After all this, the good news is I only ended up with 3 extra screws, and only need to special order three. That's a lot better than normal for me. The Vespa seems to have a few oddball fasteners. One is a screw with a shoulder; the other two are self-tapping screws that don't seem to have the same thread as anything at the hardware store.

I'm not sure I understand why they use so many self-tapping screws.
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Is yours a 300 by any chance? I have the GTS 250, still no wobble or issues other than the voltage regulator I replaced when I bought it.

Did you always have the wind screen on? I'd stay by taking that off and making sure you have the right bar end weights on. I think I remember some wind screens came with bigger bar end weights to change out when you installed the wind screen.
 
oioioi said:
Not bike or house related. But I'm throwing a party.
Wasn't even in the garage but in the field.

I successfully used a bolt extractor to remove a stripped phillips head bolt. I had 2 bolts to remove and 2 different sets.

View attachment 76171 View attachment 76172
Both were successful.


Not sure if im celebrating the fact that I finally used one properly or that they damn thing worked as "advertised". To me, they never work when you need them to.

What a great feeling. 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
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I feel a big help is using one of those along with (I don't what they're called) those punch screwdrivers that turn when you hit them. Whatever they're called I'm going to order one for when it's needed (thankfully not needed......yet).
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
I feel a big help is using one of those along with (I don't what they're called) those punch screwdrivers that turn when you hit them. Whatever they're called I'm going to order one for when it's needed (thankfully not needed......yet).
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The best solution to stripped bolts is having the right tools and skills to get them out without stripping them. Sometimes stripping or breaking fasteners is inevitable, most times it’s preventable.

  • Things I have learned to prevent stripping/breaking fasteners:
  • If it’s stuck, brute force isn’t the solution, learn to feel the limits of fasteners.
  • Use the right size, unworn screwdrivers or sockets.
  • Impact and heat are helpful. I like impact drivers and low toque impact guns.
  • Penetrating oil is helpful, but often needs patience and multiple applications.
 
adri said:
Is yours a 300 by any chance? I have the GTS 250, still no wobble or issues other than the voltage regulator I replaced when I bought it.

Did you always have the wind screen on? I'd stay by taking that off and making sure you have the right bar end weights on. I think I remember some wind screens came with bigger bar end weights to change out when you installed the wind screen.
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This one is the 09 GTS 250ie.

Bike has the heaviest bar ends Piaggio sells according to dealer- that’s how I came to being told my front shock was done. I’m skeptical there as I would think the symptoms would be much more consistent- instead for me, it pnly happens sometimes.

I had the screen off yesterday but didn’t consider running without it. Is your thinking that the wind is catching the screen and causing vibrations? For me the problem only manifests at low speeds - say below 15 km/h.

In fact I want to put the larger touring screen on - at higher speeds (say over 80) wind noise is pretty bad. Once I duck my head just a bit behind screen, it’s quiet.

Took it out for an early morning run for the Stacked breakfast special without top box. Again no wobbles.

i do hope I can keep the top box on. I stupidly decided to go and pick up some Amazon packages at Best Buy - as a new Vine member I’m getting so many packages I need to spread my deliveries around. That was a mistake. I was able to jam the desktop humidifier in the pet carrier but had to take out some stuff and zip tie them to the rear rack and then put another box between my feet. LOL.
 
NuggyBuggy said:
This one is the 09 GTS 250ie.

Bike has the heaviest bar ends Piaggio sells according to dealer- that’s how I came to being told my front shock was done. I’m skeptical there as I would think the symptoms would be much more consistent- instead for me, it pnly happens sometimes.

I had the screen off yesterday but didn’t consider running without it. Is your thinking that the wind is catching the screen and causing vibrations? For me the problem only manifests at low speeds - say below 15 km/h.

In fact I want to put the larger touring screen on - at higher speeds (say over 80) wind noise is pretty bad. Once I duck my head just a bit behind screen, it’s quiet.

Took it out for an early morning run for the Stacked breakfast special without top box. Again no wobbles.

i do hope I can keep the top box on. I stupidly decided to go and pick up some Amazon packages at Best Buy - as a new Vine member I’m getting so many packages I need to spread my deliveries around. That was a mistake. I was able to jam the desktop humidifier in the pet carrier but had to take out some stuff and zip tie them to the rear rack and then put another box between my feet. LOL.
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How are the head bearings feeling? Weight transfer forward and worn or mal-adjusted head bearings can be unhappy. How is tire pressure? Tires have any strange wear patterns?
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
I feel a big help is using one of those along with (I don't what they're called) those punch screwdrivers that turn when you hit them. Whatever they're called I'm going to order one for when it's needed (thankfully not needed......yet).
Click to expand...
My advice - get the long handled ones, not the short squat ones. Makes getting to the right spot easier. I had to borrow a neighbour’s Vessel Megadora to get to some screws the other day. I have the squat Vessel that takes interchangeable bits but could not maneuver it properly.
 
This application had a 1/2 inch (length) bolt screwed Into a threaded part of an aluminum extruded header. (Automatic washroom opener header).
These bolts were factory installed (most likely with some power tools) and had the " self tapping " end on it.

It needed to be removed to allow for attaching a brackett and longer bolt.

I did use my M12 impact gun with a new Phillips bit. Slow and steady but no go. Once it was stopped I tried other bits. Then finally pulled out the drill bit to make a hole, out the extractor in and tapped it with a hammer a little to get it to bite.
Then slowly reversed it.
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