Oil change @ 31k

It’s been a while since this blog has been updated. Monster has had a couple of friends joining it in the garage, so over the last year only put around a 1000 miles on it. It's ready for its next oil change, including brake and clutch fluid and replaceing some crush washers in the oil cooler. Otherwise still running great - plan to put a few more miles on it this season.

Lights

This has been an issue with Monsters and it finally decided to show up on the 796. The high/low beam lights went out. They would just not come on. The blubs were not out as the high beam switch was still working. Ended up being the light relay. Fuses were ok; switch was fine, connector was ok. Ended up being the relay. Cost to get it diagnosed and fixed. $150. ~$12 part.So far the lights are on and running.

Olympics

Amazing ride this month through the Olympic range. First one with the new exhaust with the modified db killers (bored out original 6 and an extra set 6 holes drilled in). 

Running with Arrows

I did my first long ride around the Oregon coast with the Arrows installed and while they sound amazing - they are way too loud even with noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs in.... so the plan is to put the DB killers back in... and see how it sounds/ runs. If nothing else, will try to modify the DB killers to find a good balance of sound.  

 

Battery installed

Installed a new battery Yuasa ($145), which is the OEM brand. This is my third battery since buying the bike. First time taking a stab at installing it. As others that own this model have said, it is a pain to install, although not horribly bad. 

Hopefully I got everything put back correctly. 😊

Arrows

 They are installed and they are LOUD!! 

Arrow darks

I finally got a new set of exhausts for the Monster. I had Arrow's on my S2R which I really liked, so went with the same brand... and after listening to the various YouTube videos, I liked the tone the best on them as well.  Had to order from Italy since no one in the US carries them anymore. That took about 5 weeks to get here - 2 weeks for the shipper to ship, 2 weeks in customs and then a week to actually get here. 

First thing, I wanted to remove the baffles/ DB killers which are required for all exhausts made for the road in the EU + now to comply with Euro5 laws, they have to actually weld these in, so people don't take them out. So, these came with small metal pieces that were tacked on to the baffle/ exhaust. Removing these was fairly simple, couple of taps with a screwdriver/ hammer and they came right off. Then came the c-clips.  Super tight, and required pliers specifically designed for taking them out.

Taking the baffles out was a pain.  They just did not want to come out.  Tried WD 40, pliers, vice grips but they would not move.  Ended up getting a slide hammer and hooking it to one of the holes in  the baffle and that did the trick. 

Now next step is actually getting them on the bike. 

Tabs that welded on. 

DB killers/ baffles. 

Exhaust with baffles

Without baffles

Exhaust

Spring 2022

Hitting 12 years  I think I’m going to get a new exhaust for it. I think it totally deserves something new. 😊 

30k

Feb 2022 and really about 29,300..... next major service completed. New belts, oil change.  Only one valve needed adjustment this cost about $1,000 with labor. 

But wait, that is not all, the bike slightly tipped over in the garage (still not sure how) so also needed a new side-stand and gear shift lever :( - adding about $500 or so. And soon will need a new battery and potentially a starter.  I could probably buy a new bike for the amount spent on maintenance but still keeping this one. 

Diablo 120/70/17

New front tire for the Monster - the old one started buckling a bit after about 6k miles. Bike's at 29,550 miles. Pirelli Diablo Rosso III ~$150 for the tire and $60 for the install.  Ready for scrubbing. :)

28k

No big updates. Bike hit 28,700 miles. I expect the service light will come on in another couple of thousand miles.  Added a couple of carbon pieces to it.  Been riding it a bit more this season with a few all day rides and it continues to run along.  

Drip, drip

Even though we are in the midst of winter, I start up the bike every few weeks. On one of the last start ups, noticed a small drip of oil by the clutch cylinder - a known issue with these bikes. Given it hasn't happened in the 11 years, not a surprise. Took it in to the shop where I was expecting a hefty bill, but it was essentially a 5 min job. The cylinder still looked ok - the seals on the shaft that runs through the engine to the clutch cylinder seemed to be leaking - so a quick replacement of the seals and so far (and keeping fingers crossed) no signs of oil. Cost $10. :)

New tire - 26,672

Rode out to the Olympic National Park over the weekend. Taking the ferry across the Puget Sound. On the way back noticed the steel cords showing on the rear tire so now need to find a place to replace the tire. 

Bike's at 26,672 miles. 

Previous tire - Pirelli Diablo Rosso II

Update

Got the tire, a Diablo Rosso III and then had to find a place to install it since nearly every shop was full and earliest I could get in was two weeks out.  So two weeks later, new tire is on the bike - have not had a chance to scrub/ test it out, but looking forward to it. Total with the tire/ installation $215. Also tightened/ cleaned up the chain.  :)