Saturday, August 29, 2015

Concours TPS replacement

After eight years and 126,500km the low battery warning on the Connie's Tyre pressure sensors was becoming a bit more insistent (although still clearing once things warmed up a bit) and with a pair of shredded PR3's needing to come off it seemed like a good idea to do the batteries.

Over the last couple of weeks I trolled the Concours forum, watched a few YouTube videos and consulted with Dad about the job.  Tyres were then ordered and I picked up a couple of batteries and some other bits in pieces.

Mmmmmm, fresh rubber...
Then last night I started to get organised by removing the front mudguard, rear hugger and muffler to get a head start on the job.  This morning while waiting for Dad to arrive I removed the front wheel and got setup to remove the tyre.


With help soon on hand we got the front tyre off and pulled the sensor off the rim.  Dad then popped it open and we started working out how to fit the new battery.



The original battery has tabs fitted to it and these are soldered to the circuit board.  We spent quite a bit of time fiddling around with a few options while doing the front one but eventually had the battery in and tested.  The next job was to fit the new rubber and test the sensor.

I rode up the rode a few hundred metres (no muffler, front guard and only 12psi in the rear tyre - gulp) and the sensor roared into life.  The rear sensor was reporting a low battery...

Next up was to remove the rear wheel and repeat the job on it's sensor.  I'd never removed the rear wheel before but now after the job I reckon that it's an easier job than the front.

No mucky chain to get in the way

Rear sensor in position
This time around Dad was a lot quicker and had the new battery organised in about 15 minutes and made a really neat job of it too.  In another 8 years time it should be simple to just swap out the battery...


The new rear was soon on the bike and I was off to test the sensor again, the neighbours surely enjoying the sound of the Connie sans muffler and the crackling and popping when I buttoned off the gas.  And yep, we had two working sensors!

The main part of the job done, Dad departed and I carried on bolting back on the rest of the bits and pieces.  Now all I have to do is get a WOF and I'm all set for next weekend's Black Top ride.

Spot the difference 

16 comments:

  1. Go Murray. It's about time you popped your rear wheel cherry! Where's the bleeding hand photo?

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    Replies
    1. Didn't want to disturb the younger readers...

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    2. What about us older readers?

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    3. What about us older readers?

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    4. You mean the one's that can't remember if they hit publish already?

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    5. I don't know what you mean?

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    6. I don't know what you mean?

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    7. Here we go again...

      Go for a ride or something!

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  2. Hope you took a video of yourselves changing the battery in the rear tire (that went so well.) You'll need it in 8 years to show you how it's done again.

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    1. The thought crossed my mind but no, we didn't. Maybe in 8 years we'll be able to download our memories onto our phones and replay them in 3D...

      How horrible...

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  3. You two are too funny.

    That battery replacement looks really tedious.

    Hey we actually got out on the motorcycles yesterday - a nice 10 hour ride to 4 different dams I think. Will do a post next week to prove it. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Shock, horror! A motorcycle ride!




      Can't wait for the write-up!

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  4. New tires are a nice thing! Are those PR4's?. I haven't bought new tires in a while and I see the PR2's that I used to use have been replaced and now they're up to the Pilot Road 4's now... No Tire Pressure Monitors on my bikes but it's good to know that the batteries are replaceable...

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    1. Yep, PR4 GT's. They'd be sweat on your 14 too. TPS is fantastic, it has given me quite a few early warnings of punctures. There are aftermarket TPS systems available.

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  5. You probably won't own the connie in 8 years time!

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    1. You reckon? We'll have to wait and see I guess. Best motorcycle ever made my man!

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