Instead of running a string of trailing wires through I thought I would try to create a harness to encompass as many of the ‘bulkhead to panel’ wires I could.

I was at a meeting in London last week so popped into the City based Maplin which had a load of useful bits and pieces .. one discounted package was a series of different sized expandable sheathing for wiring.

Great stuff … took the 7 coloured and 5 white cables I have prepared so far .. hopefully at least 4 of these will be spare !

Graham at CIAS kindly dug out the engine oil I need from stores so its ready to go in once I have finished fiddling with the oil cooler. Managed to work out last night that with the cooler on I cant get the lower cowl on and off !

I reckon that with the cooler matrix connected I will be able to remove the lower matrix scoop, and support the oil cooler on a temporary bracket on the bulkhead when removing the lower cowl. May even rivnut a hook on for that purpose now.

That would mean – a full lower cowl removal would take approx 5 minutes or less, so not too bad.

Drained the delivery oil last night. Not much in there – around 250 ml

This involved cutting the factory nicely twisted wire lock. So photographed it before as they make a neat cross over wire and then twist lock it.

After refitting the drain plug I re tied

Looking this morning (in daylight vs darkness of last night !) at the photo – it could be a little tighter 🙂 so will re-do

Been a bit tied up recently but started cracking on again last night.

Got the tank out, having secured the battons underneath to brace the tank into position. These have now been treated with polyurethane to seal and small thin strips of anti vibration tape added. a larger pad was added to the cross over joint to ensure that doesnt rub on the tank base.

Whilst I was bed bound managed to get a lot of bits ordered and sorted. New larger diameter braided oil pipe arrived which I trimmed lat night. This will need some work to plan the routing so its not so close to the exhaust bits and mainfold pipes. Possibly secure it to the engine fram which will hold it firmly in position without constricting a straight (ish) run !

Refitted the temporary fittings of the bus bar with rivnuts – these are a great way of making a neat (resuable) fitting.

Short lay off due to an unexpected operation that has left me with a hoarse voice !

Anyway, managed to get the fuel guauge sender unit added to the tank after the prep work to clean and prepare the area.

Then fitted the 1″ x 1″ battons underneath to provide rigidity and no later or fore and aft movement of the tank due to vibration

TLAC provide a neat little pack to hold the standard motorcycle size battery (same as my Aprilia RSV !).

They have a neat updated diagram that shows how it goes together .. combination of bending metal and cutting/filing edges

Another job I have been skirting around and on the ‘too difficult’ pile !

Cracked on last night and managed to get the two engine top cooling ducts trimmed down around all sides and internal air dams as well so that it was a neat fit and the top cowl still had a good change of fitting.

The other challenge was to get it sufficiently on so that the plug leads would push on easily and not be prised off !

There is still some finer trimming to come back to allow the addition of the 1″ wide rubber leading edge that makes the seal between duct and cowl at the front. Then finally the cut of the intake holes in the top cowl.