Random photos

I use zip ties at the ends of mine on the CB-1, as I got tired of losing properly tightened nuts and plates.

 

Those are called chain adjusters. They slide over the rear axle and fit into each end of the swing arms on the RC26's. You use the nuts to pull the axle backward until the proper tension is achieved on the drive chain.

The bolt part sticks out rearward. I saw a photo of those being covered by a silicone cover on an auction site page and thought it'd be a great idea to both protect the metal from corrosion and also provide a more refined look. So I bought some of the little silicone bolt covers (1/4") and will be using them on all my bikes that have these chain adjusters.

The ones in the photo need a good cleaning, which I intend to do. I just wanted to share the concept of the little bolt covers.

 

The Blue Kaplan bike didn't have any when it was delivered. No rubber cushes either. It's maiden voyage was interesting. Traveled about 3 feet...ha ha.

In retrospect it swayed me to change out both front and rear wheels for the right ones with new tires so served a purpose I suppose......

That's it on the left. It still needs a chain guard. I put a set of Joe Nelson rebuilt carbs on her. Freaking things sounds and runs GREAT!

 

Got some dup. keys made today for that Red VF750F I just got a few weeks back. Gonna try my hand at stamping the code on with a stamping kit I just got. My scribing isn't all that great.....lol.....

 

I need to source better Honda replacement keys. Those look decent.

 

As some here know I keep most of my bikes at a storage unit facility. Right now I have several units rented. Most have cylindrical locks but a few use what's called a disc lock, which is closer to a conventional padlock.

The storage unit company automatically charges you for a lock (or locks for units with two doors) and what they charge you is about double for what one can buy them for elsewhere. So I usually buy elsewhere, give the manager back their lock, and get credit back on my cc.

I recently bought a pair of cylindrical locks for my latest 2 door unit that use the same key. Anytime you can reduce the number of keys you are doing good. The problem is after 1 use, one of the locks quit working. I got them on eBay and the seller clearly stated "no returns" so I'm just going to eat this one, even though I could go through the motions, for $20 it's not worth my time.

So I was noodling around and found an eBay auction for TEN cylindrical locks that all use the SAME key! Brand new too. Cost to my door was under $24. They arrived today and I was able to confirm they work. I only used one of them so far, but will return and replace all the others I have right now with these resulting on me only having one key on my key ring.

The downside is -I only have 1 key right now - so God forbid if I lose it - yikes! So I went on the company's website that sells them and ordered 6 more keys - total for that order was only around $20 more so I have that in the works.

Finding this eBay auction was quite a score!

Of course, I will be working my tail off in the off season when it cools off to get down to only 1 storage unit. That would be manageable from a financial aspect. Right now it's ridiculous.

These green locks are the ones I just got......




Here are the existing ones I am replacing and some of the keys. One of the keys on the ring is for a disc lock I have on one of the units - the rest are all cylindrical. You may be able to see I've numbered each key and have a corresponding number magic markered on each unit just above the lock so I know which key to grab.

 

Never seen those. Do they provide any security?

I remember the old disc lock fiasco. I got all of mine replaced with new ones that also could be broken into by a blind monkey child. lol

 

To be honest, I just want something to keep the honest people honest.

This facility has security cameras and a gate you can't open without a code. And the gate shuts down at 10pm until 6am each day.

That doesn't make anything necessarily burglar proof.....but at this point I have bigger fish to fry!

My goal right now is to have the least amount of inconvenience as possible, hence the single key for all locks, and to get my property set up so I can store everything here instead of paying the man.

 

What was the lock you were replacing doing or not doing that makes you say it stopped working? What the locking mechanism seized up? I don't mean to sound like I am being critical of your mechanical abilities. But I have seen a few people fighting with their locks to turn and easily fixing them with graphite. Even the graphite from a lead pencil. It is great stuff to free up a lock. And the best part, it does not cause a build up of crud in there after time.

 

Roget that

 

It was one of the chrome locks as shown in the 2nd pic.

I hear you on the graphite but this was a brand new lock and trust me I played with it quite a bit and on more than one occasion before raising the white flag. It will be drilled out next visit I make and replaced with one of the new green ones.

As far as working with locks - so far I've been successful in freeing up two RC26 fuel cap locks which were so gummed up most would have probably just given up. This one is FUBAR....lol.....

Thanks!

 

After a mental health break.....I got back on the Blue tank today to finish things up on the interior cleaning.

I had filled it to the brim with plain water last time I worked with it so drained all that out today and put my electric power washer to the inside. Going in though the top you can stick your wand all the way in towards the back and get right into all the corners good. I did what I could from the bottom but that hole is too large to get my wand in like the top. Still, after several of these sessions I'm confident the tank can be put into service again without any issues.



The exterior has quite a few surface scratches I will need to compound out plus there's a dent that I will try to pop out with my PDR kit.


BTW, the power wash did some good because it dislodged two more chunks that were leftover from the last cleaning session. I looked inside using a flashlight and it's clean as a whistle. I ended up poring some WD40 in it and sealing her back up for now but will get some photos at some point later on when I have the time.




I have a nice sending unit and the locking cap is working good. Just need to blow out the petcock tubes and install the petcock.




Next up are two RC15 tanks, both of which have locking caps without keys, which sucks. I will have to find a solution to that.

 

oh dang, I have the same problem. I have a key less gas cap stuck on a fuel tank I want to use.

 

What year and model?

If it's a 2nd Gen you may be able to get the key code by snaking an endoscope in through the sender hole and reading it from the underside of the cap. That's how I got this one. Once you have the code you can get a key made. I used a guy who does them by mail.

 

NC35 fuel tank. I text the guy who bought my 400. He was going to check on the key. I am unsure if the key even had a number. It wasn't the original key. Never had one for that bike.

 

If you just want the tank - you could always drill out the lock. Looks like aftermarket caps are available.

If this is what your cap looks like - doesn't look like it has a code on the underside of the cap:

eBay

 

But the photo here shows a key code stamped on the key so.........

https://www.cmsnl.com/products/cap-comp-fuel-fi_17620mr7027/