Yup. Mine was top one. A good soak and a few light taps and bingo. The hugger bolt was tricky, behind the rear wheel. More WD40 had it off.
Watching this with interest so i can steal intel for mine! EJ would be great to have a poke around so ill ping you email
Following @Birdie ’s advice (and others on here) it’s probably beneficial to remove & regrease annually. Start spraying something like Transyl (or worst case WD40) into the gaps in the swingarm now. I know (from posts) Steve had a nightmare getting his out; mine came out easily, much to my surprise (payback came with the front sprocket). However, I’m convinced mine only came out relatively easily due to the fact I’d been treating it regularly to sprays of penetrating lubricating fluid.
You may as well get the ExactStart cables from him as well. Much as it pains me to blow his trumpet for him, I just fitted a set to my 748 and they're bloody brilliant, what a difference when starting. Just don't tell him I said that
Hi all, Making some progress. Got a few of the fixings and brackets off and dropped off at the zinc platers this afternoon. Only new bits are the Dzus fastners: Then, I popped into the bodyshop to have a check on progress. I very nearly wet myself, don't think I have smiled so broadly in years. To my eye, they are doing a fantastic job. I spoke to the chap doing the work rather than the owner. He told me the original carbon fibre was in very poor shape. Lots of pinpricks showing through the first two coats of lacquer. So, they are keeping going. The chain guard/hugger was the worst. Here's a little sneak preview of where they are up to - this is the edge of the chain guard/hugger. I cannot believe the difference, and it's not finished yet: Fairing nose is all sprayed up and waiting for lacquer, then they apply the new number board. It looks great so far. Really happy with how things are going so far, bar the odd issue that inevitably crops up on a nearly 20 year old bike. Now getting itchy to reassemble. Once I have everything back, I will try and sort before and after pics.
Owatrol Owatrol Transyl Multi-purpose penetrating lubricant releasing oil 400ml Aerosol And found in boat shops this one's in Aldershot Hants "Pacermarine"
Another interesting day. Exhausts off last night - upper bracket on middle piece was cracked, barely holding on. As they were off, decided to give them a qucik buff up. No where near professional standard but I am happy with the results. So, this morning off to another new contact, local specialist metal work and welding firm (my bodyshop man cant TIG weld stainless steel). This afternoon, picked up the repaired bracket and refitted exhausts. Its amazing how you get to know a bike even with such a light refresh as this. Finding many items of wear, old bodges (the bracket had had a previous repair that had failed), perished parts etc. So far, really enjoying this. Fingers crossed no more issues (LOL). Before you shout, the allen bolts are simply there to ensure I don't lose any bits while the originals are replated.
A nice job done on the pipes; how was that done? Harpic and elbow grease? Also, what's the spring rating on your rear shock? Can't quite read it.