so wednesday last week i found myself with a day off (new job) and set about playing with "Bertha".
I've shifted all the cables around to allow for better routing and air flow, dropped on a set of LSL flat bars, bled the clutch up, changed the front brake lines over to allow for better adjustment on the bars, she now runs one long line down to the right hand brake caliper, and a shorter line up and over the mudguard to the left hand caliper.
My other half's ex-boss ('s uncles brothers sisters nephew) kindly donated me a PRISTINE rear shock before he sacked her a week before christmas. I decided to set about looking at fitting it and realised i want the back end off completely to do it at which point i realised i may as well do it and dogbones (jack up kit) at the same time, so this is on hold.
..whilst eyeing that up though, i set upon the exup valve...
not good news

had to cut three bolts off and smack the hell out of it with a hammer to get it off. Once it came off, it revealed a multitude of sins!!
two of the three mounting points were that badly corroded they broke off, the exup valve itself is seized to the valve plate and will not move.
I'm in need of a full rebuild, the only thing salvageable are the bush that sits in the far side of the exhaust (doubt it) and the metal gasket.
I've eyed up parts on CMSNL and i can quite happily say i'm not paying that. Anybody know of anywhere that sells NOS or second hand spares that wont cost an arm and a leg..?
or do i bite the bullet, buy the black widow system and rip the exup system off completely?
cheers chaps!