Got my 6 clutch springs and 4 airbox-to-carb boots today. You were right about Freedom Cycle - they were great. The total price was $64. That made me very happy.

The carb boots are soft and pliable... I can't believe the difference. The old ones are hard and impossible to bend without cracking.

This should make it a whole lot easier to put the carbs back. Last time I had to pry the rack in place with one of those cartoonishly large screwdrivers from Lee Valley.

Anyway - I think my new bike shop is Freedom.

I'll post a followup here when she's running again.

Cheers,
John

OK the carb boots were awesome! Those carbs are so tight with the airbox there will never be a problem.

The clutch sprfings were too short by 8mm! Clearly the wrong kit. I put the old ones back for now and will get a new kit.

When I re-assembled the right hand engine cover with water pump cover I have an extra allen bolt!!! I can see no place to put it... yikes!

Also, the philips screw on the right crankcase cover that also holds down the rigid metal coolant pipe seems to be stripped or something. I don't know why that would be but in any event it doesn't want to screw back in.

And there seems to be not enough tension on the clutch cable. Maybe I didn't engage the teeth on the engibe cover in the right location.

My pal has a set of taps and dies so maybe we can fix it.

My next bike is going to be almost new!!!!

Cheers,
John

Hey what is the address for Freedom Cycle. I tried looking them up on the net but found to many results.

http://freedomcycle.ca/

They're a Canadian shop in Halifax Nova Scotia... great shop IMHO.

I've had great experience with them - their parts guys are friendly and spend time getting the parts sorted out and giving advice. I wrecked a bike awhile ago and they gave some really good discounts on parts and apologized when they couldn't get the prices lower than they did...

Their mechanics are good and their new lead in the back is great - another guy you can discuss what needs doing, what should be done, and feel comfortable saying if you get in there and this is bad just fix it.

Sales people are good - they don't push you onto the top SS bike and actually listen to what you want from the bike - I said I was looking for a sport tourer and was considering something like the vfr or the zzr. He showed me the floor zzr600, the z750 and even a consignment katana 600. All 3 bikes were possabilities -- then he showed me the fz bikes... again nice bikes. This year I'll be going back and maybe just maybe I can get a new bike... the 650 ninja has promise as it looks like a comfortable every day rider. I also am a sucker for the vfr. Don't worry you won't loose me to the dark side completely...

Cheers,
woot.