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Austinrider
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 04:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

WARNING.. Im just ranting here, so ignore me if you want....

Anybody else find the service manual to be a pain in the butt?

I had to remove my rear-wheel last night (first time I have done it). Being mindful of the rear-pulley situation I referenced the manual.

Page 2-26(made it up) How to remove wheel
1. Perform action a,b,c.
2. See Section 1.10 (real section) About idler pulley
--- Flip over to 1.10 - after spending 3 minutes locating it (not page 1-10, or figure 1.10, but section 1.10)
-- Section 1.10 -
Talks about inspecting the belt and pulley - nothing says see next section about pulley removal. Next session DOES NOT talk about pulley removal.
Fuck it I said!
Look up in the index: Idler Pulley, Removal page 6-24 (or something like it)
References 1.10 inspecting belt and pulley -
Then goes on to give instructions on removing the pulley.

I thought I would just be turning a screw or something to remove the tension, not removing the whole damn pulley

Also, I noticed that I cant do this with my bike on the rear stand because the suspension is still loaded, so I had to jack the rear up and balance it precariously on my little jack to get that wheel off.

Man, I felt like I was reading stereo instructions jumping back and forth in the damn book.

Mind you, the instructions were pretty clear, but getting them in an organized fashion would be nice.

Thank god for the index in the back of the book I guess.

/rant off
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Buelluk
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 05:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have to agree , the cross referencing is a pain ,no wonder some of the service people screw things up !
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M1combat
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 05:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I thought it was done quite nicely... I can generally find stuff easier and faster than my haynes manual for my Honda or my chiltons/haynes for my Mach 1...
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Bomber
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 06:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

manuals are written that way for a couple of reasons (none of them related to usability)

more than one person can work on the process (wheel removal) at a time, because different folks can write the sub-task

the sub-task (idler pulley) is exactly the same, every time (since it's only written once)

the review process can be parceled out to subject matter experts for each sub-task, which cuts review time greatly

lastly, it cuts down on the length of the manual, as each sub-task (idler pulley in this example) apprears only once, instead of multiple times

again, not ideal, but it's a model that was developed durin WW2 -- tools have changed greatly, allowing technical writers to do a better job, but, unfortunately, only the telecom world has adopted task-oriented procedures (step 1 through step x to remove the rear wheel, all in one place), and that adoption has been spotty
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Darthane
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 07:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Austin - you don't have to unload the suspension to remove the idler pulley.

Want to get the rear wheel off?

Loosen rear axle 15 turns, remove chin fairing and idler pulley, slip belt off sprocket, remove axle.

I do it with my bike on a swingarm stand, no problem.
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Jasonxb12s
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 10:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Now think about the person who has to go into work and write the things day in and day out. Sounds like REALLY stressfull work.
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Kaese
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 11:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The first time I pulled the rear wheel, I found it a pain. Going to each different section was the biggest hassle. But once I did it by the book, I knew the shortcuts for next time. At least it made you understand what is going on as far as the design.
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Captainplanet
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 08:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yep, Darthane is correct. But if you do remove the idler pulley, you need to loosen the rear axle first, so that the tension goes away. That way you can do it on a rear stand no problem.
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Austinrider
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 06:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, I saw that clearer when I put it back together last night.

On a side note: I was replacing my front fairing bracket also (broke when I crashed) and the holes that the turn signal bolts go through on the braket are to small. All my drill stuff is in a storage unit at the back and bottom. Think Im going to cheat and use safety wire and a washer or something to hold it down. Im going to a smaller turn signals that I will attach with velcro so it should work okay. Boy was I miffed when I saw that!
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Xb9er
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 10:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Why not copy the relevant pages from the service manual and not worry about flipping back and forth in the manual. Just a suggestion.

Mike.
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Johnnyxb9
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 10:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My manual has book marks in all of the
"need to know in a hurry" areas. That sounds a little Nerdy doesnt it? Oh well
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Austinrider
Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 12:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

XB9er - I dont take my service manual to work and copy stuff. And I refuse to pay money to get photocopies unless the stuff is essential.

Besides, I never really thunk of that.
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Chainsaw
Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 09:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

At some point I may chop the spine off my manual, feed it through the copier, and put 'em in 3 ring binders. One to get greasy in the garage, and one in the house for reference.
also helps that I have all this fun equipment to do this at work
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Xb9er
Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 10:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Johnnyxb9 - If it's nerdy to use bookmarks, then "I'm a NERD, and proud of it!".

Austinrider - If you have a scanner, then you have your very own photocopier. If not, I highly recommend getting one. They are inexpensive and you will find yourself using it more than you thought you ever would.

Chainsaw - Wouldn't it be nice if we could buy the Manual in .pdf format?

Mike.
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Chainsaw
Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 07:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Wouldn't it be nice if we could buy the Manual in .pdf format?

Damn straight. : ) Especially if it didn't cost $56. $15-25 maybe? I have seen the Parts Catalog for the XB9R in PDF format, provided on this BBS by someone a year or so ago. Professionally created and everything. It's beautiful!
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Henrik
Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 09:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Anyone know the link for that part catalog?? Sure would like to get my hands on a "copy".

The combination Service Manual and Parts Book is ideal for any kind of wrenching. The exploded views in the Parts Book is a big help for getting *all* the parts back together - and in the right order : D

Henrik
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Glitch
Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 09:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Henrick, check your e-mail, I've got a question for you.
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Glitch
Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 09:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Wouldn't it be nice if we could buy the Manual in .pdf format?
Hell I'd even pay for it.
I can't believe I just said that
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Chainsaw
Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 10:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

from last year...

Mookie has been kind enough to post the Parts Catalog 99574-03Y file to his web site. File was provided by Deadmeat. The link is

http://tinyurl.com/kq5f

right-click and save file as...
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Lazyracer
Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 10:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Is there a parts catalog for the XB9S as well?
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Southernmarine
Posted on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 05:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Chainsaw, you have a good link to that?
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