Oh, bother.

Decided to refit the farty collector box, after last weekend's
angle-grinder bolt removal fest.

Inserted new Alu rivnuts, and set them in liquid metal. Set to, and it
was all a bit awkward fitting the collector to the exhaust pipes.

Judicious use of a lump hammer ensued, and all was well - plonked the
silencers on, and tightened up all the clamps.

Key in, fired up, and it sounded like a squadron of Lancasters was
taxying threough the garage.

Investigations with a lit ciggie revealed a blow between the exhaust
and the collector.

Once unbolted, the gasket sleeve fell out in pieces.

Ho hum, on the 'phone tomorrow, then.

At least the MOT's not due until the 30th.

 

New sleeves fitted, bolted it all up, couldn't get the silencers on -
too far back.

Unbolted the lot *again*, re-seated the collector to the headers with
the trusty rubber mallet in an uncompromising manner, and all is well.

It no longer sounds like it's farting in a vat of custard.

I couldn't be arsed to refit the exhaust protectors, heat shields,
side panels, seat, fairing sides or running lights, so that's the rest
of the week spoken for.

I did, however, fit the power line for the Zumo to the CB. The battery
lives under a huge empty box under the seat - there's so much room
under there it's daft. [1]
It also afforded the opportunity to fit the tank cover properly.

Now it's all run-in, and serviced (£129.17!), it's ready for some
landmark grabbing on the way to and from the Black Horse.

Unless I take the Wing.

Or the CBX.

Decisions, decisions.

[1] The benefit of twin rear shocks. I was musing on this the other
day - how modern does this sound? Three bikes; six rear shocks,
fifteen speeds.