Worst jobs on these bikes

[alex]

I am putting it out there that changing the exhaust on the K46 and K67 is the worst.

What is outwardly straight forwards is the single most frustrating and god awful experience.

Removing the stocker; brackets impossible to get normal tools on, a radiator that won't move out of the way even unbolted. Everything is fiddly yet done up with a million Nm. Servo cover bolt inaccessible...

Putting on an after market...springs, the fucking springs, what masochistic anti-christ decided springs had to be place by the exhaust ports.

I am off to the shops now to get a new spring puller as my existing one gave up...

/rant

Whats the job you liked least? The job that seemed easy before you realised the horror of it?

 

[fast_ryan]

Try fitting one on the new M! Getting the carbon fibre fairings on and off is akin to building IKEA furniture without the instructions.

However, the absolute worst job is removing the ABS system and fitting a thumb brake. FML.

 

[oldwobbler]

You feel better now Alex??!!

 

[alex]

You feel better now Alex??!!

7/8...springs. The last one is a doozie. Trying to think of ways to get it on smarter instead of harder. The clamping force of these Spark.it springs is off the scale and they are short...

 

[mattals]

Yeah them springs are a real F**ker....I ended up making my own tool so it was longer to get out the way of the headers.

 

[bananaman]

Makes me feel good having aged past this modding lark

 

[oldwobbler]

Or give it to a garage to do and admire the techs knuckles as he hands you the keys back

 

[bananaman]

Or give it to a garage to do and admire the techs knuckles as he hands you the keys back

Just the fact spending money doesn't make me a better rider lol

 

[alex]

Yeah but I want loud pops and bangs

 

[JamieMac]

Alex, I’ve found after doing loads of full exhaust systems on all makes that it’s always better to build the complete exhaust off the bike and then use a scissor jack (pictured) under the exhaust and you can easily raise the complete exhaust into the exact height/position and easily Align pipes and do all the nuts etc. The jack just holds the exhaust in place and leaves both hands free. They cost very little. Removing radiator is a must as well. J

 

[alex]

The rad off would make it all easy I agree. And an entire Clarke bike lift would massively improve access.
I can't build it off the bike because the collars are loose and need bolting to the block before I add the springs. If the spring needed slightly less than all my strength to heave them into position that would also be magic...
I'll get back to the bike soon and have another go.

 

[JamieMac]

Yep, the aluminium exhaust port adaptors, collars and especially springs are a real pain with the radiator on as you can’t get a square on angle of working for tools but please forgive me if you already have these but I’m assuming you have a rubber handled spring puller (£5) and Akra do loads of different length (rubber damped) free end springs? The correct length spring is only 10-15mm less than attached length. I honestly don’t mean to teach you to suck eggs, just trying to be helpful. Scissor jack and radiator off saves half the time and a lot less frustration. Pretty much half a day from start to finish assuming bodywork on. V4 Ducati’s the worse… j

 

[JamieMac]

I looked up a Clark bike lift. The scissor lift in my pic is 1ft cubed at full extension. It’s just to lift the exhaust up to marry it with the bike. J

 

[IMORTAL_Indian]

The rad off would make it all easy I agree. And an entire Clarke bike lift would massively improve access.
I can't build it off the bike because the collars are loose and need bolting to the block before I add the springs. If the spring needed slightly less than all my strength to heave them into position that would also be magic...
I'll get back to the bike soon and have another go.

You should have rode it to me. I have a full stand. The best tool in the box in my opinion

 

[alex]

Double garage helps too...elbow room to spare

 

[RickS1K]

Don't worry Alex, I have never seen it that tidy, practically it's a single garage!!

 

[alex]

Fwiw, I got the last one on in 10mins when I returned to it. I was able to dismount the headers without the collars moving and so access was rather easy after that.
I still hate exhausts...

 

[Alfaguy]

You should have rode it to me. I have a full stand. The best tool in the box in my opinion

What make is that bike stand? Is it stable - seems very narrow?

 

[IMORTAL_Indian]

What make is that bike stand? Is it stable - seems very narrow?

It’s the same one that Stuart has.

 

[IMORTAL_Indian]

It’s wide and sturdy enough for the bike