Fuel filters and one way valve
The fuel filter elements are the originals from 2005, so it was time to change them. The good thing Sytec still make the bullet filters and the elements are available...
Wiper Motor Smoked
Took a test drive after swapping the shock top mounts. It's a few days until MOT time and this is obviously when things like to break. I had no wipers,...
Shock Refurb Part 2
The ball joints in the gaz shocks were worn out, they didn't have an upgrade unit available with stock BMW top mount/shock positioning. I therefore looked for an alternative which...
Shock Refurb Part 1
Last year the MOT person mentioned there was excessive movement in the rear shock mounts. After some testing it was mainly the top mounts. They are from Gaz Shocks, purchased...
Engine and Gearbox mounting bushes
Recently the alternator hit the chassis when I changed direction, a good indication that the engine and gearbox mounts might need some attention. Unfortunately the alternator bearings were damaged due...
Heater Fan Fix
For a number of years now the heater has caused problems with the fans moving out on the shaft and scraping against the side of the outer casing. The tick...
2019 MOT – handbrake failure and fix
So the MOT tester is a beast of a man and ripped both handbrake cables clean off the mounts! Better it failed here than in an emergancy though. The orginal...
Easy access
Working on the Sportster is great - such easy access to everything!
MOT time
It was MOT time this week. I changed the driver side ball joints as they had a warning last year, the lower one had noticeable slop. I didn't check the...
MOT pass
Yesterday the Sportster passed it's MOT. Testers were ready and waiting as they heard it coming! Advisory on near side lower balls joint so I'll be replacing that. He said...
MOT Pass
MOT Pass - bar a slightly dodgy light on the rear number plate everything is fine Might get some LED's for the number plate lights and solder them in. The...
MOT Time is just around the corner
Got my MOT reminder this week, time to stick the Sportster up on the ramps and see how its doing this year Have noticed a few rust spots that need...
Engine issues
My M20B28 started making loud high pitch noise. The pitch changed with RPM and seem to reduce under load. I thought it might be a loose belt or a shot...
1st Aniversary of SVA pass
I can't believe its been a year and 2300 miles already! It's been little turbulent in that time: Shortly after SVA pass we lost a wing stay (oops) During December...
MOT
It's been a year since the MOT it passed today! No problems at all with emissions on the rebuilt engine. Only one small problem, the hand brake cable had slipped...
A few new bits
Swapped the alternator out today as the old one was showing signs of failing. New one charges properly at 14v. Replaced the blue temp sensor in the hopes of fixing...
Temp Sensor
The reason the temp sensor was not working is that the bigger bit at the end that does the sensing had fallen off! Doh. New sensor from CBS looks a...
Woohoo, runs again
Engine runs again Let the oil pressure come up on the starter again without plugs. It was tad rough to start with as it tends to be. Turns out the...
Diagnosis Part 3
Taken the water pump out, it looks fine. No damage or wear marks. Also taken several main bearing caps off and check the shells. They all look OK slowly starting...
Diagnosis Part 2
On inspecting the sump it turns out the ring terminal for the earth strap has broken, it was in place so that you could not see it had broken. There...
Diagnosis Part 1
Testing Round 1 (not much time): I can hand crank it fairly easily now, it does seem to get a little notchy in places. Also the starter can turn the...