Author Topic: Don't know my own strength (Read 11311 times)

Falcon 269 · « **on:** 11 December 2011, 05:08:24 pm »

Undoing suspension linkage bolts today to grease the bearings and swap out the shock for an R6 one (Ohlins needs a service) and I managed to wrench the bike off the centrestand.

Heave-ho with a 17mm spanner on one of the dogbone bolts and before I knew it, bike had rotated over the fulcrum and down she went on the right side. Good job in a way 'cos I was lying on the left ... mind you, I'd have taking a few bruises to save the Akra can. Crash bungs prevented any damage to bodywork or tank but the can fell onto the shaft of a hammer. Doh! $:\$

I think I'll be able to do a cut 'n' shut job to take out the damaged section. Hope so. Meanwhile, I'm feeling mighty clumsy and dumb ... note to self, R1 forks shift the balance point of the centrestand and make it easier to throw the bike over.

Mike

ghostbiker · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 December 2011, 05:25:43 pm »

DOH! but hey at least it will make a nice stubby :P

devilsyam · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 December 2011, 05:38:59 pm »

tbh mike akro are not the best looking when cut down

email sent

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 December 2011, 05:57:50 pm »

There's cut-down and there's just plain stunted, mate. That one is definitely proof that size does matter.

I'm hoping that I will get away with shortening mine by just a couple of inches at most. If not, ebay here I come ...

bludclot · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 December 2011, 06:48:51 pm »

replacement sleeve? the raplcement rivets and bands are cheap enough (or were when i bought them a few years ago)

alternatively if the can was disassembled (which it would have to be to be cut down) it looks like the type of dent that will push out and then the inlet cap could be turned 180 degrees... i don't think it's quite the disaster it might appear at first...

i forgot to put the side stnd down once and rolled my rear paddock stand out from under my r6. i dived under the bike and took it upon myself to cushion it from the wall and garage floor. the next few moments didn't see me thanking myself for my decision but once missus had somewhat rescued me (after some shouting for help) and healing started i was pleased that i had done it. the bike was unmarked, i hurt in a few places. i'm not sure i should have shared that story....

GrahamB · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 December 2011, 06:52:54 pm »

that will look perfect with a few inches chopped off it.. . preferably the dented inches.

BMCfaz · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 December 2011, 07:09:59 pm »

Oops!! But it's a good excuse to cut down the can; it'll look excellent as a stubby!

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 December 2011, 07:37:30 pm »

Yup, accentuate the positive ... it's the only way.

I was toying with the idea of polishing it earlier this month. I guess fate has tipped my hand ... well, tipped something at least.

karlo · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 December 2011, 08:40:57 am »

Drill the rivets, knock the dent out best you can and turn the sleeve so the damage faces inwards Mike.

bludclot · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 December 2011, 09:35:12 am »

there's a weld line as long as the sleeve on the inside - hence turning the sleeve doesn't have the desired effect.

there's a replacement carbon sleeve from the states for £60...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Carbon-Fiber-Exhaust-Sleeve-AKRAPOVIC-/230715038703?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35b7b01bef

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 December 2011, 10:04:09 am »

Thanks for the link, Bludclot.

I'd prefer titanium still and I could get a repair kit from Akra for £180 (eek!) or an unmarked used Akra for around the same amount off ebay. I'll be getting the tools out later this morning to see what's possible repair-wise first.

ZiggyCol · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 December 2011, 11:57:46 am »

Quote from: Falcon 269 on 11 December 2011, 05:08:24 pm

Undoing suspension linkage bolts today to grease the bearings and swap out the shock for an R6 one (Ohlins needs a service) and I managed to wrench the bike off the centrestand.

I've come close to doing this before and now always 'tie' a strap between the centre stand and front wheel to prevent this when performing such work.

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 December 2011, 05:38:43 pm »

Quote from: ZiggyCol on 12 December 2011, 11:57:46 am

I've come close to doing this before and now always 'tie' a strap between the centre stand and front wheel to prevent this when performing such work.

Exactly what I'd decided to do after the event.

Like the man said "Experience is what you get just after you needed it."

cable tie · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 December 2011, 08:13:58 pm »

you silly old foccer

ONLY JESTIN .

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 December 2011, 08:32:23 pm »

Actually, Dave, exactly the same thoughts crossed my mind as I was lying with my right arm pinned under the rear wheel.

Capt · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 December 2011, 10:10:27 pm »

Similar thing happened to me, well I tripped over me feckin dog who was sleeping by the back door step & the Fazer broke my fall. The rear of the exhaust just gouged the swing arm, new end can required, rear footrest hanger & sold the feckin mutt to pay for it. Didn’t half pi55 me off & still does.

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 December 2011, 04:27:17 pm »

Whew, I think I got off lightly ... trimmed 4cms off the sleeve today, cut back the baffle tube and wadding and hey-ho, slightly shorter but good as before. Doesn't titanium make lovely white sparks!

Managed to polish out the marks from where strap was previously and I'm just waiting on some genuine Akra stainless rivets before refitting the titanium strap around the end.

Lucky escape, methinks.

mickdel · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 December 2011, 05:15:02 pm »

Crikey Mike, that is still a seriously ugleee exhaust! Get it changed old man. S'almost as bad as Luke's cuttofuck one. I see he advertised it as an "Akra Stubby", and didn't mention it'd bin damaged and he'd wielded the inch removal device.

devilsyam · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 December 2011, 06:59:10 pm »

wot you on about mick ??

think your on about someone else i also dont like the tone wadda i do to you in a passed life

here's my advert

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,954.0.html

i dont see akro anyware

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 December 2011, 07:19:04 pm »

Hi Mick

Luke's cutdown Arrow looked pretty good on the bike and sounded right rorty. Considering he was on a 'make & mend' budget at the time, I thought it worked out really well. And polishing titanium to a mirror finish ain't no cakewalk.

As for mine, I think the traditional oval-shaped can works best on the Gen 1. I've had the Blueflame Tri-Oval and a round, stubby Mivv GP and neither went as well with the lines of the bike, IMHO. Perhaps you'll see it differently when the Akra is back on the bike. It's gone from being 470mm to 430mm and it could well be an improvement being that little bit shorter.

At least my wallet hasn't be shortened by my mistake.

Cheers!

Mike

Kosmic Kartman · « **Reply #20 on:** 13 December 2011, 07:45:08 pm »

Mike, I've been pondering over my response to this post for a while now. And I've come to conclusion that the only advice I can give to a profesional like youself is...

FAZERS HURT WHEN THEY FALL ON YOU.

DON'T DO IT AGAIN.

cable tie · « **Reply #21 on:** 13 December 2011, 08:07:48 pm »

Looks like a cracking job you done there mike.

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #22 on:** 13 December 2011, 08:39:49 pm »

Almost good enough for your standards, Dave.

And Ad, thanks ... I don't know how I'd get by without your wise counsel

Mike

The Male Whale · « **Reply #23 on:** 14 December 2011, 10:15:38 am »

Pics on bike required!

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #24 on:** 14 December 2011, 12:36:38 pm »

Quote from: The Male Whale on 14 December 2011, 10:15:38 am

Pics on bike required!

Will have to wait until the New Year. I'm picking up some of Luke's dogbones while I'm in the UK over Xmas so that I can give the R6 shock a proper try. The rear sits way too low with the standard 'bones so the Fazer is off the road until 3 Jan earliest. Can't wait to get it all bolted back up properly again. Hate it when the old girl isn't roadworthy ... doesn't seem right, somehow.