Gina has failed an early mot but still valid until 2 Oct

[RobShed]

Rides fine although you can feel the notchyness in the lower race.
Offside rear brake pipe corroded (rear to front). We know the front left and rear are linked but unsure where but likely in the front leg shield vicinity. The tester is adamant it needs replacing.
Obviously a lot of body off stuff so labour could cost the earth and outweigh real world value.

1. Likely total cost please ? Am awaiting an estimate so forum ken is a great bench.
2. Is it actually worth doing. Gina only cost £950 over 4 years back so am guessing worth 650-850 quid.
3. Does anyone on here fancy it. Great tyres, mid-service ditto belts, rack and top box. 2 keys. Runs and rides well. Silencer repaired.Looks smart. All fuel pipes changed and a 1-way fitted as the pumps on these can get tired with carb fall back.
4. What to do ?

[macplaxton]

1. No idea. I do everything myself here.
2. That's for you to decide.
3. No, but thanks for the consideration
4. Toss a coin  

I wouldn't have thought it would take too long to get the under tray off and side to tackle the brake hose. Half-an-hour off... half-an-hour on? Another 30 to route/change it?

Looking at this diagram (cribbed from Fowlers), the front to rear pipe from the distribution valve is in two halves. Where is that joint? Not sure why. Not even sure why it needs replacing. Mine appear to be braided.





Head bearings only need minimal plastic removal just round the bars/digidash. Nothing below.

I guess if I didn't get distracted it's be 3 hours on the clock? Or have I forgotten something?

[Dave Milnes]

Lower head bearing is easy and cheap. Get the bearing from any bearing supplier the spec is 3200 7x (Check but this is what I used on my 500Evo and I think all models are the same) about £18.
Remove the front wheel, mudguard and callipers.
Remove the bar covers and pinch bolt and lift off the bars and support carefully.
Lift off the plastic cover from the top nuts and drift the lock nut loose and remove undo the main nut and remove - keep all bits in order.
Lift off the spacer then allow the forks to drop down and out.
Lift out the top inner race then using a long piece of round bar as a drift, knock out the lower outer race.
Drift the old inner race off the fork tube.
Replace in reverse order, nipping up the main and locknuts so the forks turn freely but there is no free play. You may need to nip a bit more after a few miles. Don't be tempted to over tighten or the bike will feel really weird.
The brake pipe will need pretty much all the plastics removing from the front fairing to the rear lights. Never known this to corrode or even how he has been able to spot this as it's totally covered. If he means the rear flexi and assumes it's one pipe all the way to the front splitter it might be a lot easier. Not familiar with 250SL so not sure.

[RobShed]

Thanks both muchly.
Joe Porter MC’s in Shrewsbury has experience of these luckily.
New OEM full top and bottom headstock bearing set ots £60
4 different brake pipe combos apparently so on his bench tomorrow for a looksee. Non-stock items costing £40-123 so may opt for custom braided or pipe.
Quote is ~350 all in which seems ok.
The tester at Honda used a flexible light scope underneath in the area of the manifold but on the monocoque so rear flexi but as you say can’t spot a juncture. Last years ticket mentioned a ‘pulsing’ ..
The headstock refurb will be the easiest and the rear brake pipe flexi a pig.
All being well, she should to fight another day.

[unchained]

If you decide that your mechanic is asking to much, I am only down the road in Telford. Providing we can source the parts OK, then you are welcome to bring it here and I can easily do those bits for you.

Bob

[RobShed]

Headstock bearing kit arriving Mon with custom brake pipe being locally made for Tues.
Hopefully Gina ready Wed and will book a free retest Fri. I am confident but thank you for your kind offer. I will advise total cost as Joe Porter is impressing me with info updates and fully expect cost to be under estimate.

[RobShed]

£289 happy with that

[RobShed]

So glad I got this done and didn’t bin her.
Rides and stops brilliantly and is my go-to 2 wheel ICE steed.
Great maxi scooter and so well built for an Italian product.

[unchained]

Glad she's sorted, the numbers on the road still are getting fewer so it's good that one more is saved.

Bob

[RobShed]

Cheers Bob, and ta for your offer of help.
The custom brake pipe extended to up nearly behind the lock flap (under the keys) so quite a pig to fabricate with Nickel deemed the best option.
Gina’s a honey.

[macplaxton]

Good to hear that she's sorted for another year.