Ditto...I keep a bunch of different files around for those type of things. The word "grinder" scares me when working with small and often softer metals. Remember.....you can take it off but you (often) can't put it back on. File and test...file and test...
________________________________ From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tue, August 10, 2010 8:40:19 PM Subject: RE: [Nighthawk Lovers] A day's work + seat woes I would adjust the shape of the latch or reciever (on the seat) with a file rather then a grinder, mabey a dremel depending on haw far you need to go -----Original Message----- Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:26:15 pm To: [email protected] From: "Kurt Nolte" <[email protected]> Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] A day's work + seat woes My fetish for fixing things continues... My rear tire was finished and mounted today, so I picked up the wheels after work. Also picked up my seat latch cable and two new front brake pads (I was down to metal on /both/ pads). A nice package of bolts, nuts and a new chain adjustment collar also arrived today. I was a happy camper, let me tell you. Also picked up a 3/8"->1/2" drive adapter, to be able to properly torque the axle nuts and such, and a fresh little bottle of brake fluid. Got the front wheel put on, no problems, brake pads likewise. Bled brakes, all is well in the world. Move around to the rear wheel. Again, no real problems, axle slid in nice and smooth, without the awkward "hole is where!?" moments I had the first time I put the wheel back on while replacing the chain. Cleaned out the collar slides while I was in there, gave them a very light little coating of dry graphite so they'd slide smoothly. Chain back on, tensioned, axle tightened, life is good. Rear brake cam was lightly lubed too, no more squeak there, with a very high temp (850F) rated grease. No melting and sliding down on the shoes for me, no thanks! Bike now sits on it's own two wheels, with a gorgeous new rear tire and the chain guard newly reinstalled. Perfecto, she's a thing of beauty! Ride around the block, she moves and brakes and stops and goes with ease and far less noise (front brake) than before! Life is good! So I moved on to the "cosmetic" issue of attempting to install parts to fix my seat. I have a new cable and a new key switch for the latch mechanism. I disassembled the rear fender area, removed the latch, cleaned it out and again squirted a little dry lube down into it so it slid buttered smooth, no effort or snags at all. Reinstalled the mechanism, installed the cable, futzed with the rear seat latch key cylinder.... and promptly got the seat /stuck/ on the latch. Moment of "oh shizbuckets!" as neither turning the switch nor pulling directly on the cable pull managed to disengage the latch enough to let me pull up the seat. Moment of rapid breathing as I feel I've managed to dork something over and will have to bust the "new" seat to get it off of there, I remember that I have the tail off and can just slip a screwdriver up in there to release the latch the rest of the way. Ten minutes of futzing about and the seat is off, and I'm now annoyed. Put the old seat, which is minus latch clip, back on and reattach bungee cord. Bleah. Any suggestions? Should I start hunting up a new latch piece to go on the bike? Break out the grinder and take a little nip off the tip? I know I need to somehow make a little collar and plate to hold that switch more securely, 17 year old plastic isn't holding up anymore to that kind of twist. Thanks folks! -Kurt On to the seat -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscri -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
