Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

I dont know about the Tusk, but the aluminum Happy Trails can add some resonance to the bike. I've been tempted to get them Rhino Lined to hopefully quiet the echo'ish sound from them. Plus they hurt like a MF'er when you bang your knee against one climbing on.

 

Yeah I’m not a fan of my tank bag. Probably only used it like twice as it was a gift. Easier to carry the backpack. I really want to build a cafe bike project. Love those bikes and that era.

 

Well got the KLX front end off . The bearings had some grease but the bottom one had something in it that was causing it to bind a bit when trying to turn it with the grease in it. I cleaned it out with kerosene and it spins real good now. The races look fine no scoring. When the grease gets here I will repack and reinstall everything. I think that will take care of the squeak and the weird feel.

 

I'm going to need to figure out a stand option soon to get into mine.

 

The jack I have came with the lift when I bought it used a few years ago. It fits perfectly under the skid plate.

 

My dirt bike stand is made out scrap 2x4s. I have a fancy stand on my Christmas wish list

 

I use a 2x4 and floor jack currently to lube the chain, definitely need something less sketchy for bigger projects.

 

I bought one of these from Harbor Freight(caught it on sale). Worked great for the little Rally when having a tube replaced.

 

Buddy invited me for a ride with a guy we used to work with. Sounded cool……until I realized this guy is a NEW rider! Glad I was behind him. Dude dropped the bike 3 times just coming to a stop. After the 3rd time, bike was leaking oil and we escorted him back home. Oof. I told him to get some time around his neighborhood and at the park a few blocks from his house. Offered to go practice with him if he wants. Practice is always good. After we left, I told my buddy a heads up woulda been good! Apparently, he didn’t realize he was a new rider either. Something must’ve got lost in translation.
Nice bike! 24k miles on an 2005 HD

 

I got a good deal on a used HF table lift and I aleady had a set of front and rear lift stands. I had an old scissors jack from a car and had our welder at work find off the crimped top portion that was designed for use on a car and he welded on a flat steel plate. That works well for holding the front end of the bike up when removing front forks.

 

I have a drc hc2 stand which has done well over the years and still functions. But have upgraded to a scissor lift. The scissor lift is so much nicer to move the bike around in the garage and just being able to take wheels or whatever else off without kneeling on the ground.

DRC:





This is the stand I have:

$142 VEVOR Hydraulic Motorcycle Lift Jack Table, 350 LBS Foot-Operated Motorcycle Scissor Jack Lift with Wide Deck, J-Hooks, ATV Dirt Bike Scissor Stand with 4 Wheels

link

 

I love my tank bag. Use it almost every time I ride. It’s just a cheapy from cyclegear but I have no complaints. The magnets are plenty strong and it never moves. I also have a tail bag that goes over the pillion seat if I need to haul something that won’t fit in the tank bag. I don’t like riding with a backpack.

https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/bilt-v3-mini-tank-bag?sku_id=10049880

 

Pretty similar to mine. Bit works fine doesn’t move, just not practical as I just carry my helmet and stuff with cause of theft issues.

 

Been using tank bags since my first bike back in the 80's. Rarely go without one except for my work commute when I just throw my stuff in the saddlebags of the FJR.

 

Did my good deed for the day.

Riding home after work, 96 degrees with a heat index over 100, I'm headed north on I-83 about 2 miles from my exit and I see a motorcycle on the shoulder of the road on the southbound side and a young guy sitting in the grass not far from it. Debated what to do, hop off and just get right back on heading south with only the tools I have on the FJR or go home and grab the Tacoma? I figured heading home first made the most sense. I have no clue how long the rider has been there, and I can at least grab them a bottle of water to take back. Not knowing what the problem might be I grab the gas can for the lawn mower that has close to 2 gallons in it, the tire plug kit from under the seat of the FJR, a small compressor that can plug into the 12v socket in the truck, and water.

I'm on the scene within about 10-15 minutes of passing him going the other way. Arriving there's already a work truck sitting there with flashers on and the rider is sitting in the truck in the AC with the driver. As I approach he opens the door and I hand him a water first then ask what happened. Young Hispanic kid he tells me he thinks he might have run out of gas. Small Ninja and he hasn't had it long. Told him I brought fuel and we can pour some in and test his theory. I warn him it's not premium so I only want to pour in enough to get him to the next exit 4 miles away where there are 2 gas stations. We poured in about half a gallon and after cranking it for a few seconds it catches and settles into a decent idle. He asked me what he owed and I told him he didn't owe me anything. I said this is what riders do, they look out for one another.

 

I keep a bicycle cable lock under my seat and run it through the sleeve of my jacket if I’m leaving the bike for a while. Helmet locks under the rear seat. The tank bag is just big enough to hold my wallet, phone, keys, and insurance/registration while I’m riding so I don’t have to worry about things in my pockets.

 

Pretty cool of ya. Need more folks in the world like that

 

There was a guy I met through the FJR forums, Jason Williams screen name was Jwilly. He was known for always stopping to help people. When my g/f and I got hit head on at an event in TN in 2019 he was at that event and was one of the first people up to offer us help. When another forum member crashed and his bike was destroyed, Jason flew from GA to OK using his own frequent flyer miles to pick up the members replacement bike and ride it to SC to deliver it to him before he was even healthy enough to ride it himself. We lost Jason in 2022. He'd been out riding with 2 other FJR forum members and split off to head home for a quick shower before attending his daughter in laws baby shower. Running late he went to the shower first so he would be there for the surprise. It was on his way home from that event when he was hit by a left turning car and killed on impact.

I rode 750 miles in under 12 hours to attend Jason's celebration of life. I learned more than I'd known prior just how much stuff he did for other people. His business partner told us that he had never changed so many flat tires in his life as he did riding with Jason. Any car or bike pulled over with trouble meant stopping to at least offer help. It even meant showing up for an important financial meeting sweaty and with dirty hands. I felt I owed it to my friend. It's what he would have done.

 

Sounds like one hell of a guy.

 

He was. We toast him at every FJR forum event on both coasts. His ashes were given to various riders to be spread at places that were dear to him with one simple caveat. They must be delivered to that spot at FJR nominal speed, 3 digits. I can attest this mandate has been followed and part of him is on Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Push Mountain Road, Spearfish Canyon, and Baja Mexico.

I wish I'd known him longer.