Getting a small bit of riding in on the Nighthawk...

[thomas.clark]

heya Rusty and Blok,

if'n ya don't mind a younger guy coming along, my new 83 650 is itchin to stretch her legs and make some friends.  She's got a few little issues I'm working on, like Blok, but will hopefully have cleared up soon.

Thomas

[Blok]

Errrr, how old do you think I am?  

Oh, wait, I put my glasses on and saw your avatar picture...I guess you are a bit younger than me.

[Rusty B]

Hey Thomas
Welcome to the forum, there is a great bunch of people on here.
If you are having problems, there are guys and gals on here that know how to fix it. All ya gotta do is put out what the problem is and ask for help.
It helps if you put in your signature what kind of bike you have that way everyone knows what iy is that is causing trouble.
You are welcome to ride with us, when we get it together.
There may be others too. Niteman out of Tampa wants to go too.

Rusty    

[Blok]

Ok, since ya asked: Here's my latest problem. The clutch has no pressure so we were going to check the hydraulic fluid. But the sight glass is way too cloudyso we were going to open up the resevoir and add some fluid, if needed. However, the bolts on the lid are tiny, not very tall and seem to be rounded off a bit so nothing fits on them. What's the easiest way to get those darn things off without killing the lid, part bike or myself? 

[thomas.clark]

yeah, this place is great! I'm already getting a ton of help over in the tech help threads.  thanks for the tip on the signature... fixed

I'll keep an eye on this thread - sounds like a good FL meet is in the works 

[niteman]

on them. What's the easiest way to get those darn things off without killing the lid, part bike or myself?  

3/8 Impact driver. Works wonders. (Note: the type you hit with a hammer, not an air/electric powered impact driver). You can pick them up at any auto parts store, Sears, Harbor Freight, etc...

[Blok]

Hmmm, maybe we can all meet this winter at some state campground...like Manatee Springs?

[thomas.clark]

... like Manatee Springs?

Don't tease me!  that would be awesome.

[Blok]

I spent many many weekendsas a kid at Manatee Springs, camping with my famil (seven kids, usually with a friend or two in tow...what else can you afford to do? )

But, you know, that would be a blast......won't be hot so no bugs, won't be hot so no crowds...... sounds like a good weekend to me. What do you guys say?

Of course, the quicker I get my bike running, the quicker I can go 

[niteman]

I'd  be up for that if the bike is...Sounds fun.

[Blok]

Well, I'm trying to find a moto mechanic that will work for a What A Burger Taquito. Or maybe a moto mechanic adviser who can point me along the right way.

But as for the campout, it does sound like a cool idea....

Even more incentive to get everything worked out. Is there a step by step thread on how to do simple routine stuff that any 12 year old could do while blindfolded? Does it have pictures? 

[niteman]

Even more incentive to get everything worked out. Is there a step by step thread on how to do simple routine stuff that any 12 year old could do while blindfolded? Does it have pictures?  smiler

Pick up a Service Manual for your bike...
Seriously though, if i can figure it out...anyone can. I didn't have one of those dads that was mechanically inclined at all. Everything I need to do I figure out for myself through bloody knuckles and lots of patience...and a manual.

[Blok]

I picked up a Clymers manual for it off ebay for $2. Thing that has me thrown is that the first page I opened it to was a page about 3/4's of the way through a complete engine rebuild...

I think the main problem is I have had no time at all. 12 hour work days, then 3 kids = no time. But that's just an excuse so this weekend, work will get done! Or at least started! Or at least a taquito will be eaten! 

[tpederson]

If you problem is not having clutch pressure, you usually have to do a reverse bleed on the NH hydraulic clutch.  It involves bleeding the clutch like normal on the slave cylinder.  Then you put a wrench on the banjo nut (big nut on the master cylinder), put a rag over the wrench and nut, pull the clutch lever, loosen the banjo nut to get the air out, then tighten the nut, and release the lever.  Do that a couple of times, our bikes build up air at the master cylinder.  I got mine for extra super cheep because the guy thought I needed a new clutch.

[Blok]

I'm hoping that's all it needs. Hopefully, I'll get to it this weekend.

[Blok]

Well, just bought a slave cylinder off Ebay, so hopefully, the bike will be rideable this weekend!

Our business has eased up a little (got busier, actually, but that's good so we hired more employees, so it has eased up on me, now I only work 12 hours a day  ) so I will get hte MSF tihs month then it's time to plan the NightHawk Campout!

[thomas.clark]

nice!  I'm deep into my own hydraulic nightmare, but will hopefully also have my NH in fine riding style soon enough.  Good luck!

[thomas.clark]

Hiya Blok - did you get your clutch working?

On meeting for breakfast/lunch/ride/camping/whatever, how's November look for everybody?  I've been given a free paid day off for being a good boy at work, and it's good through the end of November. 

Also, I mentioned the camping plan to my wife, thinking that she would want to come, but she said I should just go and have fun motorcycling and make friends.  What say ye - is this a trap? 

[Blok]

It is but sometimes, only sometimes, it is worth it.

I should have it ready to go by then so maybe we can...mid November?

[Rusty B]

The way my days off fall I will be off on the 21st of November, If that works for yall.
Have to find a meeting place bor lunch or whatever.
Works for me

Rusty   

[niteman]

November whatever works for me! I am typically off on the weekends with weekdays being a little more iffy. I'm up for whatever.

I also mentioned the camping thing to my wife and she had the same idea as yours Thomas...go, have fun. Only with my wife I know its not a trap She's great...that's why we're still able to stay married.

[isleofmanfan]

 Let us now raise our drinking vessels in a toast to marital bliss.  Here, here!    

[niteman]

  and the occasional  lol

[Rusty B]

My Wife said go and have a good time, and I know it is not a trap.
But sleeping on the ground is just not my thing these old bones just don't like that sort of thing any more.
I have many fond memories of doing that, and having lits of fun.
I'll go back home that night, or find a motel.

Also "A Big Hand For The Little Lady"      Hmm  Henry Fonda?

Rusty    

[thomas.clark]

Oh, Rusty, you completely lost me.  I know the movie's plot, but am lost on whether there's some marital advice in there 

ps. I'm not sure how likely my participation in this affair my be - i'm finding out that my new-to-me nighthawk may be (okay, it is) a minor-problem-riddled basketcase  , and my otherwise willing wife has wisely put the brakes on funding more repairs  .  On the bright side, we're in agreement (for the moment) that it doesn't make sense to take a big hit by selling it, so I'm trying to find ways to scrounge up cash for repairs