New bike rider, new Nighthawk

[natechiaro]

Thanks I ordered a new stator that should be here soon.  I hope that fixes it and I don't have to buy a rotor.  Are the rotors magnetic on these things?

[Tstang429]

Nice bike

[natechiaro]

Thank you I brought it to a mechanic yesterday to put the alternator on, hopefully that will fix it.  If not, the only other part it could be is the rotor, and that's not likely.  I should know within a few days.

[natechiaro]

Have you changed out that gassy oil? Some new oil may help with your clutch issues.

I've been wondering about that.  The clutch slipped a few times opening up the throttle on the way to the mechanic.  I tried repeatedly to do it again, without it slipping.  Maybe the fresh oil has made it more grabby and I won't need a new one soon.  Nice bike by the way.  Do the four-into-two exhausts make more horsepower?

[natechiaro]

I got my bike back yesterday, it was with the mechanic for about a month.  They are busy with the snow vehicles this time of year.  It was nice to go for a ride even in the rain, and it's especially nice to shut it off and be able to start it again.  Most of the weather here in New York is rain or snow, so if I only ride on nice days my bike would be more decorative than anything else.  The clutch seems to be good, no more slipping.  The clutch cable was adjusted so it engages about an inch from the handle grip now, before it didn't engage 'till almost all the way out.  The fork fluid was topped off and I added 10 pounds of air, so the front shocks work much better now.  The only thing that seems to need attention is a slow oil leak at the front cam chain tensioner, I forgot to mention it when I was talking to the mechanic.  It's not a big deal, but I'm going to call and ask about it..the smell takes some of the fun away.

[natechiaro]

I adjusted my chain today, I think it had more than three inches of play.  I would think that would be part of the inspection, but maybe not.  It was nice to find it easy to do, it is now between the recommended 5/8"-1".

[natechiaro]

I paid $850. It's going to need a new clutch after all, it slipped again recently. I think it's also going to need a brake caliper rebuild, it's grabbing a little. I found out that leak at the cam chain tensioner is just because it needs a rubber plug and I found a small screw is missing on the instrument cluster when I took the cover off to check if any bulbs were burnt out.  None were burnt out, but the oil light was missing so I bought a new one and put it in. I ordered the instrument panel screw and a cam chain tensioner plug, but I think I'll wait until next year for the brake caliper rebuild and clutch.

[natechiaro]

I also tightened the chain a few days ago, I think there was more than 3 inches of slack.  There has been a lot of neglect on this bike.