I have decided to make one thread for all my posts about the work I'm doing on my 2007 Norge, rather than over-populate the forum with a load of disparate threads.
The Norge runs. I've had it running, it was lovely. There was a big red ! on the dash, accompanied by the word 'SERVICE' which concerned me rather but as I got down the road that went out. Thank goodness for that. The engine felt lovely and was a little quieter so I think doing the valves helped. It popped and banged more on closing the throttle, so that might be something to think about later but for now, very pleased. The 30k rear shock bought for £20 to replace the 59k original feels much better just over that short distance - I'm sure it'll feel even better when I've properly set up the static sag.
10 miles later, I got home again to change the various oils. Like my old R1150GS the engine, gearbox and final drive all have their own oils and so I set about changing them, starting at the back.
I got the CARC oil out easily and cleaned up the magnet on the sump plug. There was very little swarf present, which was pleasing. The old oil didn't look too bad but it'd seen better days so I wasn't unhappy to make sure it was done. The manual has torque ratings for almost everything - except the final drive sump and filler plugs (or if it did, I couldn't find 'em). After a bit of thought and checking other values, I did them up to 28Nm like the rating for the gearbox drain plug. A minor niggle was that to get all 380cc in, I had to take the block from under the front wheel so the rear wheel would lift a bit higher. This was annoying because the engine oil was draining and ran faster with the front wheel propped up. Note to self for next time ..
The engine oil didn't, frankly, appear to be the 3.6 litres that should be in there, although the dip-stick had shown the level as good. I suspect there's some left in the sump, which is okay because to properly clean things up, I shall be removing it. The external oil filter sits above the level of the bottom of the sump and so I need to remove the sump to clean it. It's in the manual and everything. I am nervous of exposing the sump but on the other hand I really want it done, I've got the required gaskets and I really do wonder when it was last done.
Which leaves the gearbox. I removed the sump plug and drained the oil. As with the other oils, it looked okay if not the cleanest ever, but then it's done >5k and I don't actually know when it was last done. I have the service book and that says 54,921 miles but exactly what got done, who can say. Anyhow, my problem started when I went to put the sump plug back in. It seems the previous owner, or the people that last serviced it, used some gunk to keep a failing thread sealed. The sump plug goes in but doesn't even begin to tighten up, it just goes round and round and round. Curses.
Some most excellent advice from a good engineer friend led me to order a couple of items from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MSSTE8H/ & https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001IWTVO/ to tap in an M11 to replace the M10 that I have yet to get back out. I shall leave the old sump plug loosely in until the weekend as I don't want to leave the gearbox sump drain open. I can't say I am looking forward to having to do this, but it's all part of the learning wossname and I've dealt with a lot worse from other bikes.
Next job is the sump cover, extension flange and oil filter. I will want to clean it out and then look at the internal filter to see if that needs doing too (I bet it will).
The Norge is giving me a little grief, but I am really enjoying working on it and I will def. know where it stands on all service points once all this is done. Also I am going to really enjoy riding it too
The Norge runs. I've had it running, it was lovely. There was a big red ! on the dash, accompanied by the word 'SERVICE' which concerned me rather but as I got down the road that went out. Thank goodness for that. The engine felt lovely and was a little quieter so I think doing the valves helped. It popped and banged more on closing the throttle, so that might be something to think about later but for now, very pleased. The 30k rear shock bought for £20 to replace the 59k original feels much better just over that short distance - I'm sure it'll feel even better when I've properly set up the static sag.
10 miles later, I got home again to change the various oils. Like my old R1150GS the engine, gearbox and final drive all have their own oils and so I set about changing them, starting at the back.
I got the CARC oil out easily and cleaned up the magnet on the sump plug. There was very little swarf present, which was pleasing. The old oil didn't look too bad but it'd seen better days so I wasn't unhappy to make sure it was done. The manual has torque ratings for almost everything - except the final drive sump and filler plugs (or if it did, I couldn't find 'em). After a bit of thought and checking other values, I did them up to 28Nm like the rating for the gearbox drain plug. A minor niggle was that to get all 380cc in, I had to take the block from under the front wheel so the rear wheel would lift a bit higher. This was annoying because the engine oil was draining and ran faster with the front wheel propped up. Note to self for next time ..
The engine oil didn't, frankly, appear to be the 3.6 litres that should be in there, although the dip-stick had shown the level as good. I suspect there's some left in the sump, which is okay because to properly clean things up, I shall be removing it. The external oil filter sits above the level of the bottom of the sump and so I need to remove the sump to clean it. It's in the manual and everything. I am nervous of exposing the sump but on the other hand I really want it done, I've got the required gaskets and I really do wonder when it was last done.
Which leaves the gearbox. I removed the sump plug and drained the oil. As with the other oils, it looked okay if not the cleanest ever, but then it's done >5k and I don't actually know when it was last done. I have the service book and that says 54,921 miles but exactly what got done, who can say. Anyhow, my problem started when I went to put the sump plug back in. It seems the previous owner, or the people that last serviced it, used some gunk to keep a failing thread sealed. The sump plug goes in but doesn't even begin to tighten up, it just goes round and round and round. Curses.
Some most excellent advice from a good engineer friend led me to order a couple of items from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MSSTE8H/ & https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001IWTVO/ to tap in an M11 to replace the M10 that I have yet to get back out. I shall leave the old sump plug loosely in until the weekend as I don't want to leave the gearbox sump drain open. I can't say I am looking forward to having to do this, but it's all part of the learning wossname and I've dealt with a lot worse from other bikes.
Next job is the sump cover, extension flange and oil filter. I will want to clean it out and then look at the internal filter to see if that needs doing too (I bet it will).
The Norge is giving me a little grief, but I am really enjoying working on it and I will def. know where it stands on all service points once all this is done. Also I am going to really enjoy riding it too
