The least reliable component

[Jean]

COUTION! thread degradation in progress.
After reading the original post, I now believe it's the RADIO that is causing all the problem.

Actually, if the bike has a radio, I suspect it's a lot newer than anything most of us are using for our experience.
How about some feedback on this thought?

[Major Softie]

Depends. Does the radio have tubes?



Vanzen thinks it's perfectly safe to run your tube radio tubeless, but I think he's just living dangerously.

[Airbear]

And (I'm going to beat Jean to this one) ....

... all radios have CAPACITORS.

Ta Da!!

[Major Softie]

So, I pulled all the tubes in my radio, cleaned the connections, and put them back together after covering them with dielectric grease, but I noticed my capacitors are oil-filled. So, I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but how often should I change the oil in my capacitors, and what is the best oil to use?

Also, I notice that it is getting harder and harder to get good European or American made tubes. Are the Chinese tubes okay? Is there really any difference?

[Deleted User 72]

So, I pulled all the tubes in my radio, cleaned the connections, and put them back together after covering them with dielectric grease, but I noticed my capacitors are oil-filled. So, I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but how often should I change the oil in my capacitors, and what is the best oil to use?

Also, I notice that it is getting harder and harder to get good European or American made tubes. Are the Chinese tubes okay? Is there really any difference?

You forgot silicone.

[ME 109]

You guys have absolutely no idea how reassuring you are to me

I'm normal!

[Jean]

Took the words right out of my mouth, Airbear!!
BUT, for true, I was reading some old moto-mags last night and read where someone else had noted the switches on his new (by Airhead standards, anyhow) bike were failing. He mentioned he did not have this problen with his /5. This leads me to believe the NEW bikes either have cheaper innards in their components or have been redesigned to "improve" them. Maybe they are undersized for the current they carry?
I understand the best Fleming Valves are made in Russia, if you can find a supplier.
MS. When you find the drain-plug on those oil-filled caps, THEN is the time to change the oil. They have been known to self-alert you to the need to change the whole can if not the whole radio!!

[Major Softie]

So, I pulled all the tubes in my radio, cleaned the connections, and put them back together after covering them with dielectric grease, but I noticed my capacitors are oil-filled. So, I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but how often should I change the oil in my capacitors, and what is the best oil to use?

Also, I notice that it is getting harder and harder to get good European or American made tubes. Are the Chinese tubes okay? Is there really any difference?

You forgot silicone.

No! The dielectric grease WAS silicone! Not James' kind though.

[Garnet]

I'm normal!

[Jean]

I LOVE it when he shouts like that....