Making a Trustworthy Caponord

[Britt]

I've noticed at least to Capo owners very recently become fed up with their bikes and sell them off. Then I was talking to one owner that had his on Craigslist, and he was at the point he couldn't ride it without wondering where it would stop running and need to be hauled home.

I was thinking about all of the useful info that I've picked up from the forum that has helped me towards making my Capo as reliable as I possibly can. It would be nice to have a list of the items that your collective experience has proven to be the Capo's weak points that can leave you stranded. I haven't been stranded but I've been trying to address all of the known issues before one of them bites me.

I'm thinking only about the things that are likely to leave me stranded. Not annoyances such as rattling rotors or a noisy worn chain roller.



So.... what would you add to the list?

• Aftermarket ignition coils
• Address brown and white charging system connectors
• Replace rectifier with aftermarket or MOSFET type
• Good battery
• Metal fuel connectors
• 150 amp starter relay
• Clutch slave (replacement seal or aftermarket slave)
• Side stand switch (clean internals and add dielectric grease, and be aware how to bypass if it fails)
• Fuel tank vent / check valve (replace with straight connector)
• Wheel bearings/seals (at least have a set handy)

Maybe a comprehensive list with good links to "how-to's" can be compiled. If it's already been done..... nevermind....

[Stanleybobly]

not all fuel pump wiring is bad, at least the first models were prone to dissolve on the (grey) epoxy filling and oxidate on the terminals (ethanol moisture)
my 2003 made RR was stone hard at the (black) epoxy filling....

so I think later models made after 2003 are good.

[Precis]

Britt
We have 2 Capos in the family: I replaced the starter relays pre-emptively - both were working fine when swapped out; ditto the fuel fittings (though one snapped!) and rec-regs.
Our brown connectors (2001-builds) are fine, as the wires seem to be soldered.
I replaced one bike's clutch slave, wheel bearings & brake rotors because they were stuffed - on the other: so far, so good - though the rear disc seems to pulse.
The higher-mileage bike is on its original 2001 battery, the other has been replaced; we haven't had any coil failures (total mileage 70,000km) or any sidestand switch or tank-vent issues.
Both bikes run Scottoilers and the vacuum pipes are in good order.
They "live out" on the patio, but share a battery tender.

[the_toe_cutter]

A battery bug, not an ordinary voltmeter, a battery bug.
Has already made me aware of a ailing battery that would have eventually left me stranded. An ordinary voltmeter would have not given any indication to this.

Spare in tank corrugated hose and efi hose clips.

Puncture repair.

[Leanit]

I'm thinking only about the things that are likely to leave me stranded. Not annoyances such as rattling rotors or a noisy worn chain roller.

• Aftermarket ignition coils
• Address brown and white charging system connectors
• Replace rectifier with aftermarket or MOSFET type
• Good battery
• Metal fuel connectors
• 150 amp starter relay
• Clutch slave (replacement seal or aftermarket slave)
• Side stand switch (clean internals and add dielectric grease, and be aware how to bypass if it fails)
• Fuel tank vent / check valve (replace with straight connector)
• Wheel bearings/seals (at least have a set handy)

You know, for all the pissing and moaning that goes on, everything on that list can be sorted in a day. Faster if you're better at removing wheel bearings than I am.

[Stanleybobly]

You know, for all the pissing and moaning that goes on, everything on that list can be sorted in a day. Faster if you're better at removing wheel bearings than I am.

did that list (except the bearings) in approx. 4 hours(no rushing) !

[Britt]

As a new owner, I spent a lot of time reading and learning about the faults that need fixing. I figure it might be nice for other new owners if there was a single place to read about the "must-do" improvements. All the info is on the forum, but it's a bit scattered.

[Stanleybobly]

new topic (sticky) with the list above linked to each how-to-topics
who is the moderator here?

[Capsil21]

I do agree a how to section would be welcome. I have been to other forums not related to motorcycles and the How-To was much appreciated. U-tube helps on occasion. Rear wheel bearings is on my short list.

Dave

[tomkn]

Is the Dash fix worthy of the list? My dash was ok when I surrendered the bike but now does not light up now that I have bought it back and it is reasonably common from what Iv'e read.As an ex Avionics/ electronics tech I do not enviseage problems following the fix in the thread. I will admit that this is a do it yerself fix thread and not everyone is trained to NASA standards with a soldering iron, so it may not be worthy of this particular list.
Anyone got a circuit diagram of the dash?

[Caporoberto]

Hi Tom,

Is this of any use to you?

http://motardsardechois.free.fr/Page...%20anglais.pdf

[tomkn]

Yes thanks Roberto

[Precis]

Hey Tom, if you find you need some bits - I've got a crunched dash from Liz's bike that could be plundered. PM me if you need details.
Having fun with the rebuild yet?

[JohnG.]

not all fuel pump wiring is bad, at least the first models were prone to dissolve on the (grey) epoxy filling and oxidate on the terminals (ethanol moisture)
my 2003 made RR was stone hard at the (black) epoxy filling....

so I think later models made after 2003 are good.

No fuel probs with my 2002 Capo which has occassional had E10 91 now at 95k klm
and no real dramas otherwise just a few dumb ass things I did...

[Britt]

Links added to my list at the top...