Boo

Part 2 of my DIY Karcher baking soda blaster: a splash cabinet made from a spare shelf unit and insect screen for about 700 yen, why the baking soda pipe clogs, and mixing baking soda with water (about 1:5 to 10).

A summary of my DIY baking soda (wet) blasting with a Karcher pressure washer: a 1.5 m hose and no air leaks were the keys, what failed, splash protection, and why anodising still comes off.

Wet blasting a spare Honda XR250 rear brake caliper with #120 glass beads and a Karcher pressure washer: caked-on brake dust removed, the hidden KS6 mark revealed, and a trial on the seal groove.

Wet blasting the aluminium fork axle holders of a Honda XR250 (XR250 BAJA) with #120 glass beads and a Karcher: masking the anodised tubes, baking soda vs glass bead results, and why the clean-up put me off.

Before-and-after photos of baking soda blasting the outside of a Honda XR250 carburettor with a Karcher pressure washer, what it did to the rust, and rinsing, drying and rust prevention afterwards.

My first try at baking soda blasting with a Karcher pressure washer and a cheap blasting kit: before-and-after photos of a 250 cc crankcase, the mess it makes, and why the baking soda feed was unstable.

Aiming the twin headlights on a Honda XR250 BAJA: separate up/down and left/right screws for each light, covering one light at a time, and checking against a car parked in front.

Thieves cut the chin strap, not the lock. How I lock my helmet through the chin bar with a 60 cm RAINCORE cable, plus carrying it or hiding it in a top box or seat bag.

After fitting an engine guard to my BMW G650GS, the bike felt more stable and compact, but every oil and coolant change now means removing the heavy guard.

Fitting a Wunderlich side stand plate to a 2012 BMW G650GS cut the parked lean from about 20° to 15°. Why some bikes lean so far, how to fit it, and the downside to watch for.

Checking rear brake fluid level and colour on a BMW G650GS and Honda XR250 / XR BAJA: where the reservoir is, why the level drops (pad wear or leaks), and resetting the diaphragm.

Lacing a 36-spoke XR250 / XR BAJA front wheel: which hub holes to fill first, getting the last spoke in, reading the rim nipple-hole directions, and greasing the threads.

Setting chain alignment on a BMW G650GS: loosening the 24 mm / 19 mm axle, using a chain alignment tool on the rear sprocket, and keeping it straight while torquing the axle to 100 Nm.

The XR BAJA's 14 L tank vs the XR250's 9.7 L: about 120 km more range at my BAJA's 28 km/L, the real benefits on tour, the extra front weight, and model-year fitment cautions.

Removing, cleaning and oiling the speedometer cable on a Honda XR250 / XR BAJA with 75W-90 gear oil: which end the inner wire comes out, the nut that drops out, and refitting order.

My G650GS rear linkage had full complement HN1816 bearings. A same-size caged HK1816 has much lower load ratings, so I greased and reused the originals.

Genuine Honda (88255-KAE-871) and Suzuki (56700-45400) rubber mounts stop the fine buzzing in motorcycle mirrors. Thread sizes and how they worked on my XR250 and G650GS.

Fit an oil seal by the lip, not the markings. The basic rule, front fork seals, and the double-lip IKO DS seal that faces either way depending on the purpose (G650GS swingarm).

A #10 fork oil can be 32.7 or 48.1 mm²/s depending on the brand. Viscosity at 40°C for Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KYB, Showa, Öhlins, WP and more, and how to choose.

Replacing the swingarm pivot needle bearings on my BMW G650GS with NTN HK2216: pulling them out, raising the puller, pressing to 4 mm depth, and fitting IKO DS seals.