Sorted List

I've ranked my list of todo tasks by importance. Some of the items will probably move around, since it will make sense to do some items together. For example, checking the fuel petcock and checking the air filter both require removal of the 'fake' fuel tank, so those will probably be done at the same time. They're roughly ranked in each category in the order that I intend to do them.

Mandatory:
These items are either safety items (tires) or not replacing them could cause further damage to other parts (springs, trunk), so they really should be completed before I start riding again.

Replace Trunk
Replace Handlebar Cover
Check fuel petcock
Replace front fork springs and set preload
Change front tire

Should do sometime this Spring:
These items are things that should be done sometime this Spring, but don't have to be done before I start riding.

Oil and filter change
Replace gas cap gasket
Check air cleaner
Check final drive oil
Polish windshield
Lube speedo cable and gears
Change brake and clutch fluid
Replace spark plugs

Nice to have:
These items are some amenities that would be good to have, and I probably already have the parts.

Install aux fuse box
Install GPS
Install headset plug
Install flashlight and tire gauge holders
Change grips
Install cruise control

Extended to do list:
These are items that are 'someday' items, or are items that could be done as small projects but are not a problem if I don't do them. Things like the sockets for the heated gear would be nice to have this Spring, so they might get interleaved with the should do items.

Repair mirrors
Install radiator trim piece
Check carb synchronization
Trip odometer
Tachometer lightbulb
Trunk liner
Trunk light
Garage door opener
Tool kit
Sockets and controllers for heated gear
Grip heaters
Aux power socket
Thermometer
Voltage monitor/meter


One of these days I might stop making lists and actually start doing real work!
Since posts without photos are boring, here's a photo of me on the bike, ready for my first real ride on it. I usually look happier when riding, but I was squinting while looking into the sun. I'm usually also wearing a helmet and sunglasses!

The List

On August 28th I acquired a 1998 Honda Pacific Coast.



It needed a few small repairs, but they could wait until colder weather put a damper on riding. Now that winter has arrived, it's time to get started. There's three categories of things to tackle: Repairs, maintenance, and upgrades.

Here's my list, in no particular order of importance:

Repairs
Replace trunk - The existing one was cracked when the previous owner was rear-ended. This not only keeps it from being watertight, it also means the top and bottom of the trunk don't line up correctly, so the trunk needs a little help when closing.

Replace handlebar cover - The existing top handlebar cover is cracked, so it doesn't support the bottom piece like it should.

Repair mirrors - These were snapped off when the bike fell over when it was rear-ended. They seem to be holding on just fine, but I think a little adjustment and repair to the parts that hold them on would help.

Install radiator trim piece - A plastic trim piece is missing around the top of the radiator.

Check fuel petcock - After a ride the faint smell of gas lingers in my garage. I suspect that perhaps the fuel petcock is leaking a little, which is a known problem on PCs.

Maintenance
Replace front fork springs and set preload - The current springs allow the fork to bottom out on some larger bumps.

Change front tire - It has some small cracks in the sidewall and doesn't have much tread left.

Change brake and clutch fluid - I doubt these have ever been changed, so it's time.

Check air cleaner - I don't know when this was replaced, so I need to check it.

Replace spark plugs - Again, I doubt these have been replaced so worth a look.

Check carb synchronization - The carbs were supposedly synchronized right before I bought it, but it seems to idle a bit rough, so I'd like to check it.

Check final drive oil - I don't know the status of this either, so I may replace it, too.

Polish windshield - There's a scuff in the lower part of the windshield that I can probably polish out.

Replace gas cap gasket - It's cheap, and could also be the source of the gas smell.

Trip odometer - It doesn't always reset to 0, so I'd like to fix that if possible.

Tachometer lightbulb - One of the dash bulbs is burned out. I may consider replacing them all with LEDs.

Lube speedo cable and gears - Probably has never been done, so it's time.

Oil and filter change - I haven't put on the recommended 8000 miles, but it seems like something I should do over the winter.

Upgrades
Install GPS - I've got a Zumo 550 that I'd like to mount on the bike.

Install headset plug - To get the music from the Zumo to my helmet I'll need a headset connector.

Install aux fuse box - To power the extra electronics I need to add a fuse box.

Install flashlight and tire gauge holders - I have a dual AA flashlight and tire pressure gauge that I'd like to store in the upper part of the trunk, alongside the gas strut.

Change grips - I don't care for the grips that are on there now, so I'll change them out.

Install cruise control - I have an Audiovox CCS-100 cruise control that I want to install on the bike.

Trunk liner - I'd like to line the trunk with something soft, so that my helmet doesn't get scratched in it. I'd also like to look into making a false floor, so tools can be stored at the bottom.

Trunk light - So I can see in the trunk at night.

Garage door opener - I'd like to wire an easily accessible push button to activate my garage door opener.

Tool kit - The Honda toolkit is pretty good, but I'd like to assemble a slightly more complete kit to carry on the bike.

Sockets and controllers for heated gear - To power the heated gear that I'd like to wear when it gets colder some PWM type controllers and power sockets are needed.

Grip heaters - They're cheap, and I think they could save me from needing heated gloves, so since I'm swapping out grips I might as well put them on.

Aux power socket - I'd like to put an auxilliary power socket on the bike, perhaps hidden under the passenger foot peg, to connect either a battery tender to or my mini air compressor.

Thermometer - An ambient air temperature readout would be nice to have.

Voltage monitor/meter - Since the PCs alternator isn't all that powerful, I need to install a meter or idiot light to monitor the electrical status.


A lot of stuff to do, and not all of it may get finished this winter. We'll see.