Hi,
Been a while- but since May have done 2,500 miles. I do not commute on the bike though any more because of my work life has changed and thus the miles will not increase anywhere near as they used to.
But i've done a bit on the bike, in amongst my other projects which have taken some of my time too (including my ETZ 250 w/ 298cc (piston ring broke and took piston with it), and my ETZ251 (clutch slips and stalls at idle (seems to be electrical as runs nicely otherwise- been a long term problem)), and welding work I've been putting off on my car.
In the past few months on the ES specifically I have:
-Changed hand grips,
-Cleaned up the ignition switch connectors and wire terminals to remove some voltage loss (bike charges better now with lights on- I'm happy with where it stands here and I'm not going to look into it anymore),
-I have repaired the horn by disasembling and cleaning connections,
-I put on a new coil (this solved my small electrical issues (stalling at lights) which progressed into extreme problems with running over time - it was just more noticable with lights on), the coil that came with the bike was not original (dated '77 instead of '72) anyway, so may have been a problem in the past already or someone leaving the key on,
-I've done various maintenance things obviously like cleaning the brakes (though has started squeeking lately- plenty of life on shoes and all of the shoe is making contact) and adjusting/lubricating chain. Additionally, changing the oil after initial running in period after rebuilding gearbox, there is still some warp in the rear brake drum. But it's not too bad and i've lived with it until now.
-I have fitted a mirror onto the bike by lathing my own adapter to take the place of the brake lever pivot bolt so now I can see safely behind me,
-I have lowered the main needle (to middle, default position) as it seems it was running a bit rich and this is part of the problem to the bike 'bogging' at low RPM, high gear applications. It might still be running rich as the tip of the needle looks a little damaged to me, but I need to get a new one.
-Rewelded the seat support bracket as my previous one had failed.
There are a few things which need attention still.
-I have recently realised the holding bracket for the headlamp lens was broken after a ride when I saw the lens almost falling out the front - I have yet to fit the replacement I have,
-The rear suspension is too tough for my liking, and all four have likely never been rebuilt anyway. But the adjusters are of course typically seized. That requires some heat and time and patience. I don't have two of those..
-I still have yet to even install the replacement chain gaiters, it's just a messy job I keep putting off.
-I have yet to caustic soda the exhaust - I took the rear apart off recently and it was quite carbony for only 15,000 miles. Perhaps some old owners used straight motor oil sometimes.
-The speedo, which whilst accurate within a couple of MPH initially after re-building, after a period of time, esspecially noticed after coming back from a camping holiday on the bike, now reads 10mph too fast! It is interestingly consistent in the range and doesn't wander, it just means I need to do '40 mph' according to the clocks to actually ride at 30mph. And as I say, consistent that if I want to do a real 60mph, I must do 70mph according to the clocks. The mileage counter drum itself ticks nicely over the miles and accurately! I have yet to take it apart again, but it's intruiging... Ideas? (cable is new).
I am very pleased with the MPG of the bike, it is by far the most economical vehicle I have and despite reading and not initially believing the 60Miles per gallon vs 75miles per gallon difference between ETZ and ES, I am very happy with the outcome. It has given me some savings in the last few months which is handy in the time of excessive fuel price, not to mention I am the only one who earns money in the household- these last few months have been extreme.
https://www.fuelly.com/driver/blurredman