Jun 30, 2001
I came back from the USENIX technical conference in Boston to find that some parts I ordered from Mark Huggett GmbH had arrived. I’m too busy to install them right away. Perhaps next week.
Rocker arm parts
These are the rocker arm parts that Huggett had available. I hope this resolves my ongoing problem with right exhaust assembly. I’m getting tired of having to adjust the end play every 300-500 miles.
vibration damper parts
assembled damper
As long as I was ordering things I got the damping mass. I’d previously got the sliding plates and “coil spring element” from Vech. I’ll soon see if the bike runs smoother with the vibration damper installed.
Jul 12, 2001
It was overcast this morning, so working on bikes finally takes precedence over riding bikes. First I’ll replace parts of the right exhaust rocker assembly, then I’ll install the vibration damper.
removed rocker arm
rocker arm parts: R69S
The rocker arm was removed. All 6 head bolts were loosened as part of the removal so I can tighten them in pattern when the rocker is re-installed. The second picture shows the parts that make up the assembly for the R69S.
needle bearings
ready for anchor
ready to install
I replaced the two supports, the bearing spindle, the spacer bushing, and the two spacer disks. I heated the bottom support and inserted the bearing spindle. The first picture shows the top set of needle bearings before adding the top spacer disk. The second picture shows the top spacer disk in place. The third picture shows the top anchor installed. It was heated so it would drop over the bearing spindle easily.
installed assembly
The assembly was a touch too tight, so I tapped the bearing spindle while holding the top anchor. Perfect. The rocker arm swings freely, there is no end play, and it doesn’t move around. The refurbished assembly is installed, the head bolts tightened, and the valve lash set. Almost ready for a check out ride.
generator w/o damper
generator w/damper
The next step was to install the vibration damper (see above). It didn’t take long. The bike was then fired up for a test ride. Results: The tapping that came from the loose rocker is no longer there. The bike is slightly smoother.
Certain RPMs were always smoother than others. I don’t notice any change in the smoothest RPM ranges, but the rough RPM ranges are now noticeably smoother. Or perhaps it’s only wishful thinking.