Some more progress today, and pictures to show. I did take some with Meg's SLR, but haven't got hold of them yet!
As the front wheel's currently off the scooter pending a new front tyre (please hurry up, post man) I thought this would be a good time to get the exhaust off, cleaned up and painted whilst the weather's still hot.
Removing the exhaust, however, has meant finding a couple of hidden horrors. The exhaust is actually not in great shape.
However, getting it off meant I was able to take a look at the mounting bracket and re-insert bolts using copper grease. Happily, nearly every bolt for removing the exhaust, rear calliper and bracket has a 12mm head, which is a nice bit of design. The bracket behind was actually in excellent condition, so I've shelved plans to re-paint that one for now.
The other horrible realisation is that the pins for the calliper are seized solid, though the pads have a huge amount of wear left in them. So, I've applied penetrating spray and a hefty helping of hope that I'll be able to move them at a later point.
Anyway, back to the exhaust, which actually has a few holes in the side that faces inwards towards the wheel. Unfortunately, the bracket that supports the rear hugger has also given up.
It was time to sand the exhaust down, remove any loose flaky parts and make repairs with an exhaust putty where possible.
We'll have to come up with a new solution for the broken off hanger. I can't weld
So, in the background I've also been working on the luggage rack support bracket, which has been removed; again, 12mm bolts; and the two pannier rails I made earlier in the week. One's a bit more straight that the other, but you can't have everything! Time for a bit of painting. The exhaust was repainted (after being plugged with exhaust gum) with Granville Cylinder Paint - a £8 tin seems to be lasting me for years and it's tough as old boots. The other metal parts are getting a white primer coat before being reprayed black.
I know it doesn't look the best; I just like my exhausts to last.
Since you last saw these brackets, I've tidied them up a touch; filed off any rough edges, removed burrs and de-rusted them.
Anyway, it's been a good day's painting. Tomorrow I'll see if I can free the brake calliper pins again, so that I can copper grease them and reassemble. I need to know that, if I need to take them apart on the road, they're going to come free for me!
I'm looking forward to reassembling the new, shiny, painted exhaust with no holes. I know the brush paint job isn't the most beautiful way forwards, but it does seem to keep the rot at bay for longer than the spray jobs I've done in the past.
Anyway, back to the job in hand!