Motorcycling – Page 8

July 7, 2008

7 Days and Counting

The trip is getting closer, right around the corner actually. We leave next Monday the 14th at 0-Dark Thirty.

Bike is ready, though I need to double check everything and I’ll pack this weekend.

Whilst on my trip I’m going to do everything I can to avoid work. I will be ‘connected’ when I can be to update this blog mostly and journal the trip.

Technology that’s traveling with me:

I’m taking a super small HP 2133 sub notebook. Space is critical and I thought this would fit the bill just fine. It’s loaded with Vista and I have to say I’m very under-whelmed with both performance and battery life, even with the BIG battery. But it beats nothing I suppose. It’s wifi equipped and I’ll be taking my CrackBerry with Verizon coverage and tether-ability.

I’ll also be using the iPhone (current generation) as my primary communications device.

To give you a sense of just how small this thing is, or just how large my D830 is, here’s a shot of both of them with the iPhone as a frame of reference:

Yeah, it’s tiny.

I’m in the process now of loading up all the prerequisite software which includes but is not limited too: MapSource with 2009NT maps, Streets and Trips, and other utilities.

July 1, 2008

14 days and counting

or there about…

In about 14 days we’re off… Off to the Bad Lands, MT. Rushmore, Gillette, Wyoming, Yellowstone, Golden Colorado, Pikes Peak and other such fun places.

At a bare minimum we’re going to Gillette and Golden. I don’t have our full itinerary yet but it’s something like this:

It will be a mix of hotels and campgrounds. The bike is ready and I’m ready.

I can’t wait. I plan to update the blog as we travel if I can.

May 20, 2008

Riding in the rain.

My daily commute is only 20 miles, which for me is really just a tad too short to get fully dressed for the weather. As such I tend to commute on only the nicer of days. Gas prices being what they are have made me start reconsidering that a bit.

Most people think riding in the rain on a motorcycle is uncomfortable and/or more dangerous. I suppose it can be more dangerous but it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.

In fact, I somewhat enjoy riding in the rain if I’m properly equipped. I’ll ride in most weather conditions with the exception of snow and ice if I can avoid it.

I have heated gear, an electric jacket liner and gloves for cold weather. This also helps keep your core warm on those chilly 50 degree rainy days like yesterday. I also have a nice pair of water proof riding boots.

Preparation is key.

Yesterday when I left for work the weather forecast looked like this:

What I failed to account for was the call for rain in the latter half of the day.

I had on a jacket that’s normally water proof, and always have rain gear with me. What I didn’t have where water proof gloves or my boots on.

Merrells like these:

Merrells

Aren’t the best shoes for riding to begin with, but for my short commute I usually just let it go. Let me tell you; they completely suck in the rain.

By the time I ran my errands and got home in the 50 rain, I was all but frozen from the cold hands and cold feet. Did I mention that the controls for my heated liner were in my tank bag, which was at home? It wasn’t one what I’d consider one of the fun times on the motorcycle but it was memorable.

Yeah, I think I’ll double check that forecast next time.

February 3, 2008February 3, 2008

Avon Storms

At the last tire change I put on a pair of Avon Storms.

I decided to try the Storms because many folks claim the are “the @#$@$”. Outstanding handling and performance as well as reasonable life.

I had to replace the first rear right at 6k, which considering I got a good 7k out of the previous Metzlers wasn’t what I had in mind. The front still looked ‘great’ although the handling was starting to deteriorate. I mounted a new rear and marched on.

We’ll 5000 miles later I was very sorry. The front went to hell at about 8000 miles total, but we were on our way to the Void Rally and didn’t have time. The tread still looked good but it had started to wear really lopsided.

After the rally I ordered up a new set of Pilot Road 2’s. Now weather and other factors meant it would be about 3 months before I’d get those mounted.

The following are photos of the Storms:

2nd Rear after 5k miles. Well into the wear bars but probably has another 2k left in it. Somewhat flat spotted in the middle but I’d venture out of those 5k miles, only 1200 are slab, so I’m not impressed.

The front:

I didn’t like the Storms and won’t buy them again.

They took a crap load of weight to balance.
I didn’t like them on tar snakes and painted lines. Very, very slippery.
I felt their wet weather performance was only mediocre, not outstanding.
Life is poor in my opinion. To me there were a step backwards from the Metz Z6’s

October 29, 2007October 30, 2007

Let the fun begin [FJR 1300 Final Drive Seals]

This starts back here at “My FJR thinks it’s a Harley”, or better yet a BMW.

I received all the seals that I ordered from University Motors in Fargo, ND. (Whom I highly recommend. They saved me almost $40 in parts after shipping.)

Tonight I started tearing into it. I drained the final drive (oil was still pretty clean), then proceeded to remove the rear wheel and take the pumpkin off.

Since it was leaking from the weep hole, I really expected to see a LOT of fluid in the swing arm. I at least expected a good amount. I didn’t find that. I know for a fact it was leaking from/through there as it was dripping.

Grr….

I also expected to see the inside towards the final drive at the end of the drive shaft good and lubed. It was, but not as much as expected.

It almost looked like it was leaking between here as the bottom of the entire final drive was pretty nasty too, but I think that’s only because it ran to the bottom.

You can see the bottom half (not on the towel) is dirtier around the plastic shield but it’s not as nasty as I’d expect if it was leaking from here.

I’m a little torn at the moment as to which seals to replace. I have them all 🙂

Seal #34 is easy, #12 not so much, as I’m going to have to find that ‘special’ tool.

I’m going to post up on the FJRForum and see what the consensus is.

Update: Well, after inspecting all the parts, I can’t really see where it’s leaking from. I still think #34 or #12, others on the board thing I have an issue with O-Ring #20 but I’m not convinced.

#34 was ‘dirty’ so I cleaned everything backup and reassembled it. Did the normal maintenance for this time of year, greased the splines and changed all the fluids. We’ll see if it continues to leak.

After putting it all back together I came in to find that I’d received the ECU recall notice. So if I’m taking it in for that, might as well have them fix the seals under warranty at the same time.

We’ll see how it goes. I really haven’t had the altitude surging issue that others have noticed or had issue with.