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Why I hate my Talon

5.2K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  AZTalonX  
#1 ·
Ok, so I am not all that bright, but I can find my way around. But this thing is making me nuts.

I have never seen a machine that is sooo hungry. It eats tools, nuts n bolts anything that you can possibly drop. It is a master at hiding things. Add that to 9 pound torque bolts. really, 9 pounds, my love for her is stressed.
Today is no different. Doing my first service, drain the oil, very impressed with hole locations under drain plugs. Right into the drain pan. Pull the filters, think they were lined up too. Replace filter covers, and wipe things down, and WTF, look at the oil running off the bellie pan towards the front door. I guess the filters missed the targeted hole by a bit.
Ok, my bad, shoulda paid better attention. so now I have a mess on the garage floor, again.

Start to change front final drive. Place mentioned oil drain pan underneath, and unscrew drain plug. Well that little bastard slips out of my hand hits drain pan, and manages to go right down the hole into the previously mentioned motor oil. I think my drain pan and the Honda are in cahoots. Undo the fill cap, it slips outa my fingers and lands on frame in a place where only a 3 year old could fit his fingers to retrieve. So pour oil into a bucket, get drain plug, pour oil back into drain pan, ready to refill. Put the correct amount of gear oil in, heaven forbid Honda could use an even number or ounces, and try to retrieve the fill cap. After the machine allowed the fill cap to run around the frame like mouthwash in the morning, I get it back, and put it in.

The rest of the project was easy.

This machine hates me! I will take it out for some well deserved abuse this weekend.
 
#3 ·
I was working on my truck last week and one of my uncles was watching me and he said something similar. I could afford to pay my mechanic 3x my cost for a job I can do but skinning your knuckles and getting dirty keeps you feeling good about yourself (after you spend 2 hours saying the F word).

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#8 ·
I own a Honda Valkyrie. In fact, I've owned probably 10 of them in every model and color. Working on them is so simple that owners have called them "simple machines". They really are that easy to maintain. I'm down to 1 now. A 29 year old tourer. What does this have to do with my Talon? Really just what the OP was talking about. I thought I'd learned all possible cuss words, but the Talon has refreshed my memory. I've done several services on it now and it is getting easier. I am thankful that they have placed holes in all the right places to access drain plugs so you don't have to remove the skid plate. Haven't had any real bad experiences with oil changes yet. Adding 32" tires sure helped with the crawling around part. I need to get a 4 wheel mechanics dolly. I sure have enjoyed driving this thing.
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#9 ·
Ok, so I am not all that bright, but I can find my way around. But this thing is making me nuts.
I 100% agree with you Gordo! The number of times I have dropped a nut, screw, bolt, or other such thing and the Talon reaches and and gobbles it up is off the charts! I have never had a vehicle that is so effective at adding hours to easy jobs due to dropidous. Those dang drain holes in the floor of the cabin get me every time…then off comes the skid plate, again.