Spring Maintenance

[Charles Scappaticci]

Since I have decided to keep the GPZ, it's been time to get some
maintenance caught back up and get the bikes ready for summer.

I had a valve adjustment done, cam chain tensioner adjustment (mine's a
manual adjuster) and a carb sync. I've added, new plugs, new rear brake
shoes, changed the oil and I cleaned the air filter, added Techron to the
fuel to help clean the carbs and greased the rear brake pedal.  Whew!  She
should be good to now for the summer, but I also intend to pull the counter
shaft cover and clean and see what is leaking oil,  It looks like the
shifter seal is leaking slightly, but I suspect it's a combination of
thrown chain lube and the seal leak.  I've already got the new seal so it's
just a matter of installing it.

Next I changed oil in the BMW 800GT and finally got around to installing
the K&N air filter I bought for it nearly a year ago.  It involves removing
all three left side fairings and a few other parts to get to, I knew it
would be a PITA and it was.  Now all I need is warmer weather, not the
heavy snow it's dropping at the moment.

I got back last Tuesday from Bike Week at Daytona Beach and have made the
decision to go to Sturgis this August so as to have been to both in the
same year.  Last time I rode to Sturgis was 1997, the year I acquired the
GPZ.  Will be nice to take it again.

Charles S.