Just taking the SOBoxer to the local repair shoppe...

....to get the forks rebuilt (springs, seals, oil and femidoms).

That got me to thinking. When was the last time I took the bike to get
someone else to work on it? I think this is the first time.

I took the bevel box to have a helicoil fitted in the early 90's, but I
think that's it. It has only ever been in dealers' workshops for MOT
tests, it's not been off to anyone else to be worked on since May '89.

No wonder it feels a tad odd taking it and leaving it.

 

Must be rather like leaving a loved-one in hospital.

Last time (AFAICR) I left a bike to be fettled by a dealer was when it
was under warranty (after 273 miles) in 1959

 

Double check they have routed and reattached the brake line between the
callipers properly before you set off.

If it's not seated properly it will snap off and leave you with a back brake
and lots of luck and a need for a stiff drink should you wish to come to a
sudden halt.

DAMHIK etc

 

Make sure they put the front wheel back in the right way around.

Unlike the bloke recommended by Wessie, who put mine in backwards when
he did my fork seals.

I don't know why it wasn't picked up on the MOT last year - most likely
for the same reason I didn't pick it up - you don't normally check these
things.

It was picked up this year - but fortunately SOBoxer wheels can be slung
in either way around.

 

I need to ensure the brake lines are right anyway as they're not say
quite right in the fairing since I replaced them with new last year.

The bloke that's doing it [1] has an excellent reputation round here for
doing stuff right, so I'm sure it'll be fine...

[1] As he's a built a reputation as a Ducati specialist, there's usually
lots of Italian exotica parked up but there's often a few unusual bikes
that the main dealers probably wouldn't touch. When I dropped off the RT
this morning there was a rather pretty Katana (1000/1100 - didn't check)
and a Norton F1 rotary in for work. Last time there was a Kwak H1.
There's usually an original Raleigh Chopper with Captain America cycling
helmet too though, so so it's not perfect

 

I try to avoid using the front wheel if at all possible.

Ensuring that the top box is full of my father's recipe bread pudding
helps in that regard