 Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
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One MAIN problem with living in paradise (The land of no snow or ice) is NEVER having time for maintenance, as EVERY weekend is a riding weekend, albeit NOT always with the Trumpet, but riding one or more of our Two Wheel Wonders. After six years of low/no maintenance  (did I get your attention Ian?), (yeah, it's an '05, but I didn't buy it until '07), I made THIS month Maintenance Month.  I checked and shimmed the valves for the first time ever, changed the air filter elements for the first time ever, aligned the rear wheel (ok, this is done with every tire change, but this was the first time ever without a tire change), and re-packed the baffle packing, yes, for the first time since originally built, and even lubed the chain for the first time since the GA. Rally. (ok, lubin' the chain is a lie, but I'll get to it soon) It's amazing how LOUD/SHARP the exhaust note can get over time without noticing it! With a little help, everything was completed today! She still sounds GREAT, but without the "Bark" she's had lately, the little holes in the air filters are orange again, and when I snuck a little peek up her rear end today, I saw pink again! Damn life's good! All set now till 2019! The OLD packin (What's left of it!)  The NEW packin'  The alignment (Yeah, he THINKS he's at Bonneville)   CAN YA SEE THE PINK!  A little closer  H2's NEXT! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
At first I thought your "seeing pink up her rear" was a joke about, well you know, everyone has one. I laughed anyway. And then I saw your last pic and it clicked. Anyway ... Is that fiberglass for mufflers or is it just house insulation? Cos if its the latter it may not last very long. Well done on the long overdue maintenance. It's a good feeling huh. 
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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OP
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ME, JOKE, not in my DNA.  Yes, it's FMF's Performance Packing material, bought through J.C.Whitney. (the baffles where made by copying FMF's Power Core exhaust system.) Yes, house insulation would blow-out with-in a few weeks, if not with-in a few days. I've used new construction "Fire safeing Thermal Fire Protection/Fire Stop" material ("Bear Hair") in the GS, and you could actually SEE it blowing out, like fine dust particles, under WOT.  The original packing material was the standard grade packing offered by J.C.Whitney, and lasted about five years, to the point of what you see in the first pic. I only wanted the same, BUT they sent me the better grade. Guess I'll see just how much better, over the NEXT FIVE YEARS! The $10 package did both baffles, and I still have about 60% left over. (You DON'T pack it tight, as THEY'LL well you THAT decreases performance and sound absorbing ability) Now for the test! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Good job there buddy, now since yer done with all that and have it fresh in yer noggin, why don't ya head up this way and help me with my over due valves.
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Sure! Cover my gas, tolls, and motel. $400 should do it.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Another joke, man you should do stand up.
Shoot, I'm cheaper than you are and you think I'm gonna dish out 400 smack-a-roos. That just crazy talk.
And I can't think of a single toll booth 'tween here and there.
But if ya did happen to be in the area at some point I got a spare room ya could crash in and the wife is a mighty dern fine cook.
Last edited by Leithal; 08/21/2013 12:39 PM.
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42 |
IM digging your front light turn signal mod. Can you give me some details on how you went about moving them from the handlebars to the headlight. I think that looks super sweet and I wouldn't mind doing something similar on my speedy. I hate my blinkers on the bars.
Ride hard, ride fast, see the road in front of you and never worry about what is behind, unless you are checking on your buddy.
Instagram: @livemotofoto
Twitter: @livemotofoto
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42 |
Also wanted to ask if you are rocking clip on bars or clubman bar on your bike.
Ride hard, ride fast, see the road in front of you and never worry about what is behind, unless you are checking on your buddy.
Instagram: @livemotofoto
Twitter: @livemotofoto
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Another joke, man you should do stand up.
Shoot, I'm cheaper than you are and you think I'm gonna dish out 400 smack-a-roos. That just crazy talk.
And I can't think of a single toll booth 'tween here and there.
But if ya did happen to be in the area at some point I got a spare room ya could crash in and the wife is a mighty dern fine cook.
Hey Matt! I think you SHOULD take erle up on his offer here!
I mean, have you PRICED what Triumph dealerships charge for a major tune-up like that lately??? It'd be WAY more than 400 smack-a-roos, ya know!
And besides, you'd get the pleasure of erle's company for a while TOO!
(...wait...in THAT case maybe erle should give you a 50% discount and only charge ya 200 smark-a-roos for you havin' to put up with him, huh...well, as they say, "EVERYTHING'S negotiable"!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Erle is slowly transmogrifying his bike into a Thruxton, those are clip-on bars and sit a little extra low. When you live in Florida you have to prep your bike for all the hairpin swamp curves and those gnarly peg scraping freeway on ramps. 
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
HEY Sam! I just went to your linked website, and I gotta say your beautiful photos were almost makin' me long a little bit for my ol' stompin' grounds of L.A....well, that is until I thought of how crowded with people and traffic my ol' stompin' grounds are, anyway.  I also greatly enjoyed reading your "Deus Ex Machina" write-up in your website. That W650 Street Tracker was one nice lookin' machine, especially. You seem to have a way with words AND the camera. Well anyway, it appears you haven't "formally" introduced yourself to the fold around here as of yet, so please take the time to do so in the "Lounge"'s "Who are you, Why do you live where you live?" thread if ya would. Cheers, and welcome to the site!  (...and erle, sorry for the sidetracking here...though I STILL say you should ONLY charge Matt 200 smack-a-roos if ya go to his home and tune-up his bike...and JUST of course 'cause he'd have to put up with ya!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
I actually beleive I'm fully capable of doing it myself, thank you. I wuz just mess'n round a bit. But fer realz if any of y'all happen to be going thru the area yer welcome to stop by, just give me a heads up first.
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
So, ya say you can adjust the valves on these babies yourself then, eh Matt?! Well then in THAT case, what would YOU charge ME to get out here to Sedona and do THAT for ME??? 'Cause ya see, I haven't had the valve adjustment done on MY bike in over 24K miles MYSELF! (...and I figure if you could give ME one of those "Puttin' up with you discounts" TOO, then I could maybe save a whole lot o' money TOO!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
In that case I'd have to charge EXTRA, cause I'd be puttin' up with YOU! BTW I said I was capable, never said I've done it, so um yeah we can "practice" on yours first. 
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
OH, and I forgot to add here Matt that while you're at it, I'd like to have you replace those cheap ball-bearing head bearings on my baby too, and replace 'em with those roller-bearing little numbers like Pat just did to his bike...'cause I'm SOOOOO tired of all this head-shakin' stuff my bike does at around 40MPH TOO!!! (...whaddaya say?...maybe worth an extra 20 bucks to ya to do that for me TOO???)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
THATS IT!!! I've got it figured out, we all just need to have a HUGE week long MAINTENANCE rally. And we're gonna talk Chad into hosting it!
Does yours really have the "shakes"?
Last edited by Leithal; 08/22/2013 4:16 PM.
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep, she does. And it seems to be gettin' worse about the last 10K miles or so.
And when I read Pat's recent thread about his replacing his with those roller-bearings I said to myself that when it gets cool enough down there in Scottsdale AZ for me to venture down there and take my baby to the Triumph dealer for that long overdue valve-adjustment, I'm gonna have 'em replace those head bearings too!
(...I figure by November it MIGHT cool down to about 80 degrees in the low desert by then, and so I'm just gonna keep ridin' her around UP HERE at altitude until that time...I just will NEVER figure out how people down there in "The Valley of the Sun" can take those triple-digit temps all Summer!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Just outta curiosity how many miles you got on that 02 model that was assembled, sold/bought and resistered in November of 2001?
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,494 Likes: 6
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,494 Likes: 6 |
'04' Black America
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42 |
Thanks for the tip. I will head over to the lounge and write and little something something. Im new to forums so I'll have to get a little schooling as to the appropriate etiquette. Like all good things I will learn it in time.
Ride hard, ride fast, see the road in front of you and never worry about what is behind, unless you are checking on your buddy.
Instagram: @livemotofoto
Twitter: @livemotofoto
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
I'll admit I'm somewhat of a "piker" here, Matt. 38K total.
(...but in my defense, since I bought that 550 Spyder about 6 years ago now, I've done a lot of canyon carving with THAT baby around here as much as on the BA)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yeah Steven...the classic ol' refrain of Phoenicians, alright!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
...man you should do stand up.
...And I can't think of a single toll booth 'tween here and there.
A.) I thought about it, but I prefer sit down better. They pay the same!
B.) 408-East-West Expressway (toll), to Florida Turnpike (toll) to I-75 in Wildweed.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
IM digging your front light turn signal mod. Can you give me some details on how you went about moving them from the handlebars to the headlight. I think that looks super sweet and I wouldn't mind doing something similar on my speedy. I hate my blinkers on the bars.
The stock turn signals are still connected to the original location on the controls, though I did have to add a modified bracket to the stock bracket, to compensate for the changed angle of the bars.
They are real clip-on's, and mounted JUST UNDER the top triple tree, as high as possible.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
...And besides, you'd get the pleasure of erle's company for a while TOO!
(...wait...in THAT case maybe erle should give you a 50% discount and only charge ya 200 smark-a-roos for you havin' to put up with him, huh...
NOW WAIT JUST A DAMN MINUTE HERE... 
Well, on second thought... 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
...slowly transmogrifying his bike into a Thruxton...
BEYOND THRUXTON
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42 |
Quote:
Quote:
IM digging your front light turn signal mod. Can you give me some details on how you went about moving them from the handlebars to the headlight. I think that looks super sweet and I wouldn't mind doing something similar on my speedy. I hate my blinkers on the bars.
The stock turn signals are still connected to the original location on the controls, though I did have to add a modified bracket to the stock bracket, to compensate for the changed angle of the bars.
They are real clip-on's, and mounted JUST UNDER the top triple tree, as high as possible.
That is f*^king wicked! Im going to assume that you are not a very tall guy if your bike has clip-ons on the triple tree. Do you find that riding position to be pretty comfortable with the forward mounted controls?
Ride hard, ride fast, see the road in front of you and never worry about what is behind, unless you are checking on your buddy.
Instagram: @livemotofoto
Twitter: @livemotofoto
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Actually Sam, erle has mentioned before around here that this present riding position he has on his bike is just a temporary thing, and that his next idea is to move his footpegs so he can ride around like this here.... . . . . . . .  (...erle has always been a very limber guy, ya see...yep, EVEN in his advancing years!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Quote:
since I bought that 550 Spyder about 6 years ago now,
I wouldn't be be neglecting regular valve adj. on a engine of that type, #3 exhaust valves burn up quick.
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Very true, Ryk. And thus the reason I have 'em checked about 3K miles on average. And of course because they're the easy screw-type adjusters, it's much easier and cheaper to adjust 'em than on the shim-over-bucket type such as on our bikes.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
That is f*^king wicked! Im going to assume that you are not a very tall guy if your bike has clip-ons on the triple tree. Do you find that riding position to be pretty comfortable with the forward mounted controls?
As 20 or so members on this site can testify to, I've rode this configuration through five states, over 2,500 miles, in two weeks time, including the '12 GA. Rally, and ran the Disney World half marathon two days later.
NO, I DO NOT find it uncomfortable in the least, or I would not do it.
I understand lots of the "Older geezers" will disagree, but, that's THEIR problem, not mine.
Leaving on trip;
http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/pp309/Opissant/DSC_0514.jpg
On the 129 during the trip;
http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/pp309/Opissant/img_2584.jpg
I'm 57, 6'-0", 190 lbs, of LEAN MEAN FIGHTIN' MACHINE!!!
http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/pp309/Opissant/Picture1-3.png
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Routine Maintenance! (or the LACK of)
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
...And of course because they're the easy screw-type adjusters, it's much easier and cheaper to adjust 'em than on the shim-over-bucket type such as on our bikes.
AMEN!
WHY couldn't ours be this way?!! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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