What have you done to your MT today ? contd

[NeilM]

The MT500 passed its MOT today.

The headlamp needed adjusting apparently, which the boys did for me, also they advised I check the back brake as the pedal seemed to be running out of travel before the brake was fully engaged.

I did the same adjustment to the back that I did a while ago to the front and adjusted the actuation lever on its spline, then whizzed up the road, gave the pedal a good jab and locked the back wheel.

I'd say that was sorted then.

Oh and the baby oil thing worked great on the seat, it feels positively sofa like now.... well, less like a plank, and more like a motorcycle saddle.

[JackC]

I took the seat and tank of to see if I could find an oil leak (quite a bad one). The return pipe clamp to the frame under the tank was goosed so I assumed it was the cause. I replaced it put it back together and took it out for a run. Oil everywhere. It looks like it is coming from the cylinder head area at the rear. Tappet cover looks ok and the oil is dripping just above the cylinder head joint (the fins above) so it looks like fixing my oil leak is going to be another wee MT500 adventure.

JackC

[MTBrown]

It can be very hard sometimes to work out where the oil is originating. I would recommend cleaning off all the old oil and then taking it for a short test ride to see if the leak can then be narrowed down - there's normally only a few places it can leak from! The problem I've found with the MT head is that it very easy for oil to leak from one spot to then be spread by the slip stream some distance away making diagnosing the source very challenging!

[NeilM]

Today I have made a small upgrade to the lighting on my 500.

First step was to replace the festoon bulb with an LED unit, then I tapped into the same circuit and added a pair of 10W LED spot lights, these are mounted either side of the headlamp using two of the headlamp cowling mounts and a couple of longer stainless screws.

I have an identical pair of spots on my VStrom and use them as day running lights rather than add to the light on the road, although they inevitably do. On the MT I have aimed the two spots a little below the dipped beam so that I can use them for both purposes. However, with a couple of 10mm spanners and a 5mm allen key I could soon change the aim of the lights and make them earn their keep properly.

I have not bothered with a relay for the spots as total current including the LED festoon lamp is around 2 amps.

Next lighting upgrade will be an LED headlamp bulb and then an LED tail light bulb, although I have yet to find one with a really good brake light function.

For those who do not think an MT should have such things as day running lights, mine has an electric start MZ engine so is already non standard, and shortly it will have a stainless steel exhaust system. I prefer a practical bike for today's roads, plus pretty much all the mods I make could be reversed if another owner wanted to restore my bike to original specification.

[microliteRon]

Sounds like a good job , wish I had the electrical skills to do the same, hopefully you will now be seen much better by other road users

[NeilM]

Sounds like a good job , wish I had the electrical skills to do the same, hopefully you will now be seen much better by other road users

That's the idea.

It seems to work on my Suzuki, and as I intend to do more on/off road miles on the MT500 in 2021 there are going to be times when I'd like to be a bit more visible.

[deadgrass.]

Denise said i shouldn't mess about with the bikes today ,
and suggested we have a few glasses of wine instead
i agreed reluctantly,
anyhow while she weren't watchin i sneaked int shed,
i set the valb creerences,
sparc plub gap,
tyre freshers,
foil lebl,
made sure old fuel in

all ready for next meet,

ave.

[Sloppy Link]

Started on service....all going well right up to the point one of the bolts holding the oil filter cover wouldn’t budge. Ended up buggering the head. Drill. Easyout. Now got to find a local supplier to replace. Apart from that, service is going well, just not taking the half day I promised my wife it would take. She had to put the Xmas decorations by herself. Ho-hum.

[Sloppy Link]

Hurrah, Salisbury Plain test ride!

[pop]

Mot looming...given the old girl a good looking over ..all seems ok and she's running great, ringing to book in tomorrow ..fingers crossed,,!,