 New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2012
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I am the new owner of a 2002 Triumph Bonneville America.
And I think this might be sad news for the old timers of this site.
I bought it from Robert Wade. Yes, that is right. One of the founders of this site.
I have been riding Motorbikes ALL my life. But this is my first triumph. I don't know what took me so long.
And I don't know if I will be able to contribute anything to the site, but I know I will learn alot and I will say thank you now.
I already know I need to slightly adjust the carbs on this bonne.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Welcome and how bout posting a pic of "the one that started it all"!
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Cool back story! Heritage means a lot around here so you're already on first base. Welcome to the site and the bike! 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,074 Likes: 83
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,074 Likes: 83 |
As FJ would say.. this post is useless without pictures! It's been awhile since I've seen the old girl. Did he give you the front fender to put back on it? 
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Dang, that's a proverbial blast from the past. Dang!
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
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I thought only Harley riders rode without gloves? 
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
When your membership was up for approval yesterday afternoon, I saw you hailed from Indiana. Robert and Indiana are synonymous to me. fwiw, Robert was not one of the founders, Robert is the founder! I rode through Evansville this past June 27th, what a day and a month ago? Stayed in Madisonville, KY that night. Thoughts were of Robert, John and well, Abraham Lincoln! Tell City, The Mighty Ohio River. I digress. Welcome to the forums Kevin! Grab a camera, ride to the dam outside of Evansville and snap a series of photos. Go to the waterfront in Evansville too. Then submit those photos to the featured Member rides Section on this site. We are all anxious to see your ride, that former ride of the man who created this online community and whom we hold in high regard!
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,270 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,270 Likes: 17 |
Front fender, Robert didn't need no stinkin front fenders.
What's old is new again.....nice.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Welcome! Post some current pics and then get out and ride that bike.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Wow... that's not just ANY bike you have there. Very nice and welcome! And yes, we need pictures. 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 103
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Wow, thank you for the warm welcome. Robert posted the bonnie on Craigslist. I always look just for entertainment. But I saw his listing and had to call him. He drove it out to show me that evening. I live on a hwy that ALL the locals use for motorcycle rides. It is a perfect S curve ride. I bought it that night and he delivered it to me the next day. And one of the only purchases I have made other than my house where buyers remorse did not exist. This bike was meant for me. I will be taking some pics for you on my property. And taking a ride to the damn would be awesome. I just wish I had more time. I am a committed company owner trying to finish our season. www.gore-galore.com. But I will see what I can do with some pics tomorrow. I have a new camera so this will help me work with the new camera too. Robert sold the flat black parts and put the bike back to close to factory condition. Stock front fenders, rear fender, and tank. And removed the gators, and put the forks back into stock condition. But with the awesome drag pipes, and drag bars, and the upgraded air intake. It has some difficulty starting cold every time. But that does seem to be a triumph tendency. HE let the Bonnie set for a little too much time and the carbs laquered up so he had them rebuilt. But I don't trust shops too much. So, I don't think the carbs are tuned very well. and idle seems a little low too. thanks again and will try to get some pics up tomorrow. I will see if I can impress some of you with my photography skills.
Last edited by goregalore; 07/28/2012 9:53 AM.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11 |
As a lover of all that Halloween is, and also Triumph, Welcome!
Ride safe!
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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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 |
Welcome Kevin!  Yep, that IS the bike that "started it all", alright. (...btw, that low idle issue you have should be able to be rectified by just turning the idle adjuster knob clockwise...it's located just underneath the left carburetor)
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: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2012
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Thanks Dwight,
I haven't been able to research anything on specifics of this awesome bike yet. So, that is very helpful. And I know just what you are talking about.
I need to get a service manual too.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Quote:
As FJ would say.. this post is useless without pictures!
It's been awhile since I've seen the old girl. Did he give you the front fender to put back on it?
The more I study this bike like this the more I like it! 
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 |
There's an interesting story on why the bike is painted flat black...
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 103
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Last edited by goregalore; 07/29/2012 7:31 AM.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,270 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,270 Likes: 17 |
Sporting a Bridgestone up front. How many miles on this machine?
I don't see where anyone ask, did Robert have any other bikes he was riding?
You'll probably get tired of be asked 'Robert' questions but like a couple of other members he pretty much fell off the planet.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Tell all/. I would love to hear. The more history I get on this bike the happier I will be.
I think it is the coolest thing ever that THIS is the bike that started it all.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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He doesn't have any other bikes
It really isn't for me to answer for him, but
Robert told me that he felt selfish spending time riding this motorcycle when he could be spending time with his family. So, he bought a CJ7 jeep so the entire family could go out with the top off.
The bike only has 5800 miles on it.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,270 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,270 Likes: 17 |
"The bike only has 5800 miles on it."
Wow!
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Well that front tire might serve you better as a prop for your business rather than a contact patch for your ride! That is, if it is the original tire. It is a Mag Mopus though and NO ONE replaces the front oem tire with same. Therefore that tire has to be full of cracks and hard as a rock. Looks cupped too. What, 11 years old? (DOT 3501)?
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2012
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Yes, it is a Bridgestone Mag Mopus, but it looks very good. It still has the rubber vent hole sprews still on the tire. I didn't have the best light but the tire looks close to perfect.
However tell me more.
I was looking for excuses to put white walls on it, and get wider tires if I can safely put wider tires on the same rims.
And yes, it only has 5800 miles on it. That was one of the main reasons I bought it. THat kind of mileage on a 10 year old bike is amazing.
Last edited by goregalore; 07/29/2012 8:14 AM.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2012
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I just ordered a hayne manual, oil pressure gauge and oil temperature gauge from NewSpeedmaster.com
Now were cookin
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
The tire is 11 years old. Need I say more? How it looks is moot. imho  No worries, just a heads up. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2 |
WTH Moe? You were in Madisonville & didnt stop by to see me....
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297 |
Wow, welcome. I never had the pleasure of meeting Robert as he vanished right after I bought my tba. I hope his disappearance wasn't my fault. Heck, I could be responsible for both Robert and Uncle Phil leaving.
Anyway, congrats and welcome.
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Welcome Kevin. Like many it was Robert's review on some other site that brought me to this site (well the first version anyway, some will remember it) in 2002 and convinced me to buy my Speedmaster in 2004. Glad that a bit of history resurfaced here . I understand Robert's priorities, I took about a twenty year hiatus from riding while raising my kids. Perhaps he'll get back into it someday.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64 |
Love the website, my sister is heavy into that stuff for Halloween. I love Halloween too but don't spend a bunch of cash on it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I was looking for excuses to put white walls on it, and get wider tires if I can safely put wider tires on the same rims.
Dunlop was (yes, past tense) the only manufacturer left making a tire that would fit the front wheel of our bikes. It is the K177 WWW. If you act quickly you should still find one out there. I just bought the last remaining K177 in Canada but they are rare and not made anymore. Oh, and it's oversize (120/90-18) but works with a slight fender mod. The rear is still easy to find (Dunlop K555 WWW) and is the same size as stock.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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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 |
Speaking of your new acquisition being "the one that started it all" around here, Kevin...I was wondering if you'd do us a favor and check the VIN placard on the right side of the steering head for the Date-of-Manufacture(month and year...though the year should be "2001"), and also if you could relay to us what the VIN number is.
Ya see, every once in a while somebody will start a thread about who around here might own the earliest made Bonneville America, and it's my guess that yours might be the earliest one made of anybody's and might even pre-date moe's, who I believe owns the earliest one made up to now, as far as we presently know.
(...this is nothing that can't wait 'til ya get a little extra time on your hands, of course...I'm just a little curious about this, that's all)
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: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2012
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Thedog 33,
thanks for the complements. It does the job. Been in business for 14 years now, and growing every year.
Keith,
thank you for the info on the tires
Dwight,
I will check out the vin and post the production dates. Not sure about posting the vin on a public forum. Is that kind of like a social security #, or am I just being a big dork.
Now, where is the best place to start a thread on this bike that I can keep going back to and showing the mods I make etc... I just want one thread rather than jumping around to different categories.
Last edited by goregalore; 07/30/2012 6:59 AM.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Quote:
Thedog 33,
thanks for the complements. It does the job. Been in business for 14 years now, and growing every year.
Keith,
thank you for the info on the tires
Dwight,
I will check out the vin and post the production dates. Not sure about posting the vin on a public forum. Is that kind of like a social security #, or am I just being a big dork.
Now, where is the best place to start a thread on this bike that I can keep going back to and showing the mods I make etc... I just want one thread rather than jumping around to different categories.
What's the harm in somebody ordering you an extra ignition key? You could probably substitute a few with asterisks and still provide the requested info.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Quote:
Love the website, my sister is heavy into that stuff for Halloween. I love Halloween too but don't spend a bunch of cash on it.
I live in one of those cities that goes nutso over Halloween. I got in trouble for mention some of the happenings before but it's lots of fun.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Now, where is the best place to start a thread on this bike that I can keep going back to and showing the mods I make etc... I just want one thread rather than jumping around to different categories.
You could put your updates and mods in the Custom Corner section. I personally never liked what Robert did to his bike, but I can understand the whole bobber and minimalist thing.I'm glad it''s in it's original condition and I hope you don't go to far off the deep end.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Quote:
Now, where is the best place to start a thread on this bike that I can keep going back to and showing the mods I make etc... I just want one thread rather than jumping around to different categories.
You could put your updates and mods in the Custom Corner section. I personally never liked what Robert did to his bike, but I can understand the whole bobber and minimalist thing.I'm glad it''s in it's original condition and I hope you don't go to far off the deep end.
You should open a thread in the Member's Rides forum. When you want to go into minute detail about a particular modification perhaps a new thread for each said modification/customization in the Custom Corner forum would be in order. Posting photos of your ride through time is still better served in the Member's Rides forum.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 103
Adjunct
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OP
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I did check the date of production. I took the bike for a ride and I didn't have a pen to write down the vin.
but it is dated 10/01 to start.
Thanks for all the input
Now, I just need to figure why I am getting so much carb backfire (popping). I replaced the 4 vacuum caps on the carbs.
I need to look for dryrot around the carbs. But I also think a synching is in order.
But it pops hot cold or anywhere in between.
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64 |
It should pop some on decel if it is jetted right.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: New Owner of Robert Wade's Bonne
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The Dog33,
It pops on decel. But that is not the popping I am talking about.
I am talking about popping and you can tell it is the carbs backfiring. You can hear it through the filter. It isn't supposed to do that.
I read it does that when there is a vacuum leak. So, I am looking for the leak.
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