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rod185651
Learner
6 Posts
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Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 7:03:26 PM
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G'day Guys and Gals, I just bought my VN from my girlfriend last weekend as she was sick of it breaking down, I felt sorry for the old thing and thought with a bit of nurturing and a lot of maintenance I might be able to raise it to a car to be proud of. I've always liked the commodores but as a motorcyclist I haven't actually owned a car for over ten years, but with the cold snap we are having down here in Sydney I'm already glad I bought her. I look forward to chatting to you all regularly and hope I can contribute as much as I learn from you Guys. Cheers
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Tonto
P Plater
67 Posts
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Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 8:33:07 PM
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Hey rod...you'll love it here..very helpfull and lots of knowledge getting about. And your right about TLC....look after the ol' girl . My vn has almost clocked 360K, and still going well |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 11:38:26 PM
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You'll probably have to check the oil, plugs, filters and ignition module first. Can guarantee this poor machine is only breaking down because of "criminal" neglect. They respond well, and are mostly easy to work on |
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VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
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Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 08:18:27 AM
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G'day buddy and welcome to the family!! What sort of bike do you ride mate?? |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer? Understeer is when the driver is scared. Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
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rod185651
Learner
6 Posts
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Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 7:21:50 PM
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Thanks for the warm welcome guys, yep an oil change is happening this week end for sure, I've got two bikes a Suzuki GSXR 600 and a Kawasaki ZX9R Street fighter. |
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VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
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Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 9:20:04 PM
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Nice!! I got a Blue and Gold 2008 Hayabusa. You will have to post some pics of all of the above (cars and bikes) ;D |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer? Understeer is when the driver is scared. Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
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rod185651
Learner
6 Posts
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Posted - 21 Jul 2010 : 6:55:12 PM
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Sorry I haven't been around, I have been pretty busy, will it affect my welcome if my new car is a VP not a VN? |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 22 Jul 2010 : 01:04:51 AM
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Not at all, VP is close enough. Anything that bolts onto a VN will bolt onto a VP, just one had improved a few things |
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rod185651
Learner
6 Posts
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Posted - 22 Jul 2010 : 10:14:07 PM
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Cool, when I changed the oil I couldn't believe how bad the old oil was. Invested in a new windscreen and now I'm thinking of changing the transmission oil (Automatic) Is it pretty straight forward to do? or should I get a mechanic to do it? I should be able to put it up on some ramps. |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 22 Jul 2010 : 11:54:04 PM
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There are two options: 1. undo the sump pan and carefully lower it into a drain pan. 2. undo the cooling lines into the radiator, place a drain pan under them both. With the transmission in park, let the gearbox pump itself dry. Am unsure of the correct proceedure on that one, but I'm sure one of the guys will have a more detailed plan. The manual says "sump pan off." Remember not to tighten the sump pan bolts down too hard, or you will damage the gasket.
Automatic transmission fluid is a cherry red colour when new, and like engine oil, the darker the colour, the more urgent the need to change it. Remember to do it when cold so as not to singe yourself with either hot metal or hot oil. The trick is to tension the sump pan they way you'd tension a cylinder head; a little tension on each nut in a pattern, until all are at the correct tension. Once the pan is sealed, you fill the transmission up from the filler tube, until it reaches the full mark on the dipstick. Pretty sure it's 4 or more litres, check when you've put 4 litres in; you check the oil on an auto with the engine running, in park. |
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VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
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Posted - 23 Jul 2010 : 10:15:52 AM
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Dropping the pan is the only way to drain oil unless previous owner has had the pan upgraded with a sump plug then of course you just have to remove the plug. Can get messy!! Good luck let us know how you go Cheers Wayne |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer? Understeer is when the driver is scared. Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
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rod185651
Learner
6 Posts
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Posted - 23 Jul 2010 : 1:09:02 PM
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Thanks Guys, I will change the tramsmission oil in the next week then. |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 23 Jul 2010 : 2:02:10 PM
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Another "Cheat note" in changing the transmission oil: if your drain pan is big enough to take in the width of the pan, raise the front of the car and slowly undo the bolts. don't take them off completely, just undo them enough to separate the sump pan from the gasket. The weight of the oil will hopefully split it, and drain about half the oil in the process. This will make it much easier to lower the now half full sump pan to the ground without making a huge mess. |
Edited by - Mechknight73 on 23 Jul 2010 2:05:27 PM |
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rod185651
Learner
6 Posts
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Posted - 23 Jul 2010 : 9:55:02 PM
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Thanks mate! I didn't even think of the weight, all my time of working on bikes.... weight isn't usually an issue. |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 24 Jul 2010 : 7:17:03 PM
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Remembering dropping one, I know not to repeat that mistake lol. In theory, you could fit a drain plug to an auto gearbox, by using the sump plug from an old engine sump. Cut around the sump hole, cut a sump pan to fit that piece of metal, and you have one drain plug. So long as the weld is continuous, and the sump plug doesn't foul the valve body, or any internal components, it should work just fine. All you have to remember is that the sump plug has to be the absolute lowest point on the pan.
Of course, I'm assuming that both the sump piece and the transmission pan are made of the same metal. |
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