Since winter doesn't want to let up, I decided to do some things to the bike. Tires were the first priority. I had 3 riding seasons and almost 20000 miles on my original set. I didn't think they were getting dangerous, but they certainly were due. I checked with the Minneapolis Triumph dealer, Motoprimo, and they wanted around $300 for new Metzlers, mounted and balanced. Then I saw that somebody here had bought tires online, so on a whim one evening, I ordered some tires for about $200. They were at my door in about 3 days. Good deal, I thought.
I fully intended to mount the tires myself, but then decided I had other things to do, and I didn't really want to make the effort to accumulate the tools right now. I am also doing some remodeling on my townhouse. There's not enough time, and not enough money. I took the wheels off and hauled them down to Motoprimo. Unfortunately I didn't ask the price before driving down there. 76 bucks!!! I was already there so I said go ahead. grrr.... I think I'm going to start driving down to Maple Plaine to do my business. That's 40 extra miles one way, but I hear they are much easier to deal with, and it's a deserving, small, family owned business. They also sponsor the only RAT group that I know of in Minnesota.
Now I was on roll. I ordered a Memphis Shades Poptop from Dennis Kirk to compliment my MS Slim. That came yesterday and I mounted it up last night. I had to raise the fork clamps for the shield to clear the head light. I got it on and I think it looks good, but now the Slim sits higher above the headlight than I'd like. I might be able to adjust if a bit. Maybe I'll write more about that another time.
Over the weekend I finally broke down and ordered the Freak. The Freak comes with 160 jets, but I also ordered some 150s on BikerThug's suggestion. He said that would work better with my Staintunes. Then, since I already had the rear wheel off, I commenced to rip out the air box. What a chore. I didn't cut it up, but I took all the screws out so I could take the top off the box. I thought I could split it in two pieces and get it out easier. I pulled the top out, but the bottom was still stuck. I finally found the allen screws holding the ignition switch, and once I pulled that out of the way, the box came right out. No going back now. Later that evening I got an email from Newspeedmaster telling me the the Freak kit would ship the last week in March. Backordered 2 weeks. Hmmmm.... Oh well, with all the snow this week, there is really no possibility of riding anyway. The bike will just have to sit like that for a week or two, no rear wheel, no rear fender, wires dangling under the seat, just pathetic looking.
So, when it all comes together, my favorite ride should be all freshened up and ready for the summer.
I like it. Yeah!
Cody
Not pretty!