I'm not going to complain too much about this because I've more than got my money's worth out of this one, but I think my oil pump may be on its last leg on my '04 Speedy. Just shy of 106K miles, and she still runs like a bat out of hell, but idling at a red light, there's not much pressure registering on the British Customs right-side mounted oil pressure gauge. Even at full- tilt boogie she's only getting up to maybe 60 psi. Stopped in traffic, or at a long light, barely off '0', and it doesn't take long for the oil light to try to get my attention.
So, what to do?
I know it's involved, and expensive, and yeah, a Big Bore kit sounds nice. BUT IS THAT REALLY A GOOD IDEA WITH 106K MIKES ON THE ENGINE ALREADY????
For those of you that remember, I have sampled every oil change ever done on this bike at BLACKSTONE Labs, and the last two reports weren't bad, even after puncturing the oil filter and having the motor seize up on me.
I've had 2 back surgeries since then, my home flooded Memorial Day last year, I was released from my position as Service Consultant I'd had the last 16 years, brought home the '09 Speedmaster with only 6K miles on it at the time....so the last two oil samples were from the oil left in the dump when it seized, and an oil change I had done 1K since - but they were both highly encouraging, considering the motor had run dry and seized. (After a new oil filter and fresh oil, it would not crank over - only squealed as the starter motor tried to turn it. Then two weeks later, the day I brought the '09 home, she started and has run fine ever since - in traffic, 90+ degrees in heavy traffic, 2-up...whatever I've asked of her, and I've been intentionally hard on her from the standpoint of "getting on it" all the time, every time, even 2-up, and the only issue I've had is trying to find Neutral after she gets warmed up. But what with the house a mess, and me unemployed and recovering last summer, until this Spring I haven't been riding much. This past Spring though, NCAA Baseball season, I rode a lot, switching from one bike to the other every other day, mostly making the 160 mile round trip to Huntsville, Tx, and back, often 3 days in a row.
So. What to do? Is she worthy of a Big Bore? Worthy of even replacing the oil pump? (Or is even THAT just a matter of installing new pump gears???)
If the consensus is to get after it and fix it, I have no problem committing the resources towards doing just that. I'm just not real sure what to expect when I start down that path...
All things being equal (and they're not), if I had to choose between the two bikes, I really enjoy the '04 more. I like the way it handles and the more nimble steering. And the cams and long TOR's. Both bikes have the same tire's, Progressive fork springs, stock shocks, but the '09 just feels heavier and bigger somehow, while the '04 feels a lot more fun.
Just checking the general consensus here. All thoughts, and most opinions MIGHT BE appreciated.
