2017 Versys 650 Grand Tourer - ongoing review

[Kwacky]

I've bought some corrosion block grease for the little greenie. Rather than getting it cleaned and ACF50'd before the winter, this year I thought I would get some grease and a paintbrush and see how effective the grease is.

It's from the same people who do ACF50 so I'm hoping it's going to be good.

Otherwise I'll have a rusty bike next spring.

[Kwacky]

The bike is now heavily covered in road grime and crud. I've not washed for a few weeks now. I've no idea what it's going to be like when I do.

The plan is to leave it until the end of Feb then I'll give it a good scrub and see what the winter has done to it.

For now all I'm doing each night is wiping all of the lights clean so I can still be seen and most weekends scrubbing and lubing the chain.

I'll need to get it booked in for a service in March.

[Cav]

You may find the your wheel and linkage bearings could do with being stripped, cleaned and relubricated if it's as bad as it sounds.

I don't imagine you'll have too much of an issue though

[Blade]

You may find the your wheel and linkage bearings could do with being stripped, cleaned and relubricated if it's as bad as it sounds.

I don't imagine you'll have too much of an issue though

Good tip Cav. I do mine annually but it's an often missed piece if maintenance although vital to a good / safe handling motorcycle.

[Kwacky]

Now that I've got a garage I want to start doing a bit more of my own maintenance on the bikes.

The Versys warranty is up in May, so I want to get it serviced and checked over before then.

Stuff like the linkage lubing is something I would want to start tackling. The Versys is very basic so it should be a decent tool to learn on and if I feck up I've got the Honda as back up

[Cav]

I've never done mine but think I will try and get it done before Porto. Just keep adding stuff to my list haha

[Blade]

Absolute doddle to do but you will need an abba superbike stand or similar as you need the suspension unloaded which you cant do with a regular paddock stand lifting of the swing arm.

[Kwacky]

I do have an Abba stand.

[Cav]

I used axle stands on my fixed pegs and put a heavy chain through the front wheel

[Kwacky]

2 year / 25,000 mile service.

The bike is doing well. No issues. The oil was cleaner than expected. The air filter was filthy but that's unsurprising given the muck the bike gets covered in.

The paint is fading on the fork lowers so they're going to respray them for me at some point.

[Rossgo]

That thing has served you well Kwacky

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Kwacky]

She's 2 years old next month. Mostly the kwak has faired pretty well against the winters, 2 tours and generally shit treatment I give it. There are some bits which need a polish or could do with being replaced with stainless steel parts, but those are only minor grumbles. The rear shock has made a big difference. I'm going to stick some money aside for about autumn time with a view to upgrading the brake lines.

[Kwacky]

This poor bike has been left in a corner of the garage. I was going to work on it last weekend but illness laid me out.

The rear has a puncture I can't fix long term. I was going to get it replaced but while I was thinking about it the Avons were suggested.

So I've ordered a pair of the Avon 3DXM based on the recommendations from Frankie and D6Nutz. I'll see if I can get the rear patched up to get me to Tipton.

[D6]

It looks in good nick. How did the acf50 grease trick go?

[Kwacky]

Really well. It's worth getting. I used a brush and painted it on.

[D6]

Where did you paint it? Just moving parts or body work, fasteners and engine too?

[Kwacky]

Exposed metal work. Bolt heads. Suspension links. The usual spots. Not on the engine.

[Kwacky]

New tyres on. I've asked them to keep the front so I can pick it up next week. It's only got 4k on it.

Afam chain and sprockets on order. 13,000 miles might not be great but that's a year for me. I can handle that. The sprockets look fine as does the chain but it's got a few stiff links now.

[duke63]

Did you go with the Avons in the end?

[Kwacky]

Afam chain, renthal rear and JT self cleaning front sprocket fitted. Just under 28,000 miles on the clock.