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Re: What did You Do to your C-10 Today?

Put the wheels back on the bike after having new tires mounted at my local Cycle Gear. (They actually price matched the American MotoTire price I found so saved about $70 on the pair. Plus they mount and balance for $30 a tire if you buy from them.) Finally retired the Avon AM26 RoadRider I had on the front - got 13k miles out of it. Great tire. I also got rid of the miserable Shinko Verge I put on during COVID when supply chain issues limited available options. That tire was junk and I'm so glad it is gone. Went with a set of Pirelli Sport Demons this time - we'll see how these perform and last.
 

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bpdutton said:
Put the wheels back on the bike after having new tires mounted at my local Tire Rack. (They actually price matched the American MotoTire price I found so saved about $70 on the pair. Plus they mount and balance for $30 a tire if you buy from them.) Finally retired the Avon AM26 RoadRider I had on the front - got 13k miles out of it. Great tire. I also got rid of the miserable Shinko Verge I put on during COVID when supply chain issues limited available options. That tire was junk and I'm so glad it is gone. Went with a set of Pirelli Sport Demons this time - we'll see how these perform and last.
Click to expand...
Would be interested in your opinion of how these tires perform. I've been underwhelmed with my pretty new Avon Spirits.
 
steves1959 said:
Would be interested in your opinion of how these tires perform. I've been underwhelmed with my pretty new Avon Spirits.
Click to expand...
Put 100 miles on them yesterday and I'm pleased so far. Bike is back to feeling stable and planted - similar to the AM26 RoadRider combo I had on it previously (before putting the Shinko on the rear). Will be commuting into the office the rest of the week so I'll be getting more seat time with them.
 
Not today, but yesterday. Coolant temp was creeping up again, finally hit the red when I was pulling into my driveway. Odd, cause it was only 75f out. Heard it trying to boil, so I immediately hit the radiator with a slow flow of garden hose while I left the engine running, cooled down to right in the middle of thr gauge quickly.

Checked my rad fan, was not spinning. Coolant switch bit the dust, and I'm sure I need to replace my thermostat too. Ordered a new switch from Murphs, and I have a thermostat ready to go.
 
Kwakdude said:
Not today, but yesterday. Coolant temp was creeping up again, finally hit the red when I was pulling into my driveway. Odd, cause it was only 75f out. Heard it trying to boil, so I immediately hit the radiator with a slow flow of garden hose while I left the engine running, cooled down to right in the middle of thr gauge quickly.

Checked my rad fan, was not spinning. Coolant switch bit the dust, and I'm sure I need to replace my thermostat too. Ordered a new switch from Murphs, and I have a thermostat ready to go.
Click to expand...

Be real gentle with the thermostat housing when removing the top . It's easy to disturb the oring at the base of the housing and end up with a leak . The oring on the top will be mush . Can't recall if the new thermostat comes with the new oring ?
 
Cra-z1000 said:
Be real gentle with the thermostat housing when removing the top . It's easy to disturb the oring at the base of the housing and end up with a leak . The oring on the top will be mush . Can't recall if the new thermostat comes with the new oring ?
Click to expand...
When I did the thermostat on my dads bike it disturbed the smaller o ring. I plan to just replace it on my bike. Small carb wrenches sure help to get to that bolt in chassis.
As for the thermostat, if I remember right I had to order the o ring a stat separately. They've been sitting in a box since last summer.
 
Left the National this morning around 6:30 and got home a little after noon. ODO flipped over a skosh past 207K in the process. Bike is still running strong.

nat%20mile-L.jpg
 
Cra-z1000 said:
e real gentle with the thermostat housing when removing the top . It's easy to disturb the oring at the base of the housing and end up with a leak . The oring on the top will be mush . Can't recall if the new thermostat comes with the new oring ?
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They do if you order them from us..

Guy... you the dude! How many times have you worked on your Carbs?
 
Murph said:
They do if you order them from us..

Guy... you the dude! How many times have you worked on your Carbs?
Click to expand...
One prolonged time to try and correct a funky idle/just off idle issue that had slowly developed. No success, so picked up a set on eBay that were pristine, and the problem was solved.
 
Cra-z1000 said:
Be real gentle with the thermostat housing when removing the top . It's easy to disturb the oring at the base of the housing and end up with a leak . The oring on the top will be mush . Can't recall if the new thermostat comes with the new oring ?
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"The oring on the top will be mush"

That's what happened to mine and I had no clue that it had. Bike began overheating during a burn down to Daytona for dinner to meet an AMA dude about straightening out an issue with our charter and insurance. Overheating didn't show up until I was stuck in Daytona traffic. Found that I had to add water before I left.

Anyway, had dinner with the fella, got things resolved, and headed home. Every time I stopped for gas and a smoke, I added a little water. Once home and was trying to figure out what was going on, I found that the o-ring had disappeared. This was causing a vacuum leak so the cooling of the water in the radiator wasn't being replenished with the water in the overflow tank. Once the o-ring was replaced, the issue went away.
 
gbyoung2 said:
"The oring on the top will be mush"

That's what happened to mine and I had no clue that it had. Bike began overheating during a burn down to Daytona for dinner to meet an AMA dude about straightening out an issue with our charter and insurance. Overheating didn't show up until I was stuck in Daytona traffic. Found that I had to add water before I left.

Anyway, had dinner with the fella, got things resolved, and headed home. Every time I stopped for gas and a smoke, I added a little water. Once home and was trying to figure out what was going on, I found that the o-ring had disappeared. This was causing a vacuum leak so the cooling of the water in the radiator wasn't being replenished with the water in the overflow tank. Once the o-ring was replaced, the issue went away.
Click to expand...

FWIW – that down-and-back dinner burn to Daytona was during the 2005 bike races. COG used to have a group eat and meet get-together during the races. This one was at a place in Port Orange and the fella I was meeting from the AMA was Eddie James, also well known in the Iron Butt community at the time. At least one of the other regulars here was at that dinner. When I told my wife that I was going to ride down to Daytona for dinner, she asked me if I no longer liked the restaurants here, where we lived. I kinda chuckled and explained the situation. She’d kinda gotten used to these weird occasions that took me here and there.

gbyoung2.smugmug.com

Non-Stop Trip to Daytona for Dinner, and Home - 03/12/05 - gbyoung2

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gbyoung2.smugmug.com gbyoung2.smugmug.com
 
After two Avon tire failures, one of which left me stranded on a trip home from a rally way up north, I've expressed my displeasure with them several times. I loved the AV45/46 combination with the way they felt, and handled - going through several sets over the years. They, started getting weird handling quirks with the bike beginning to squirm slightly back and forth when slowing to a stop. It was almost like riding a bike whose spokes were loose. The only thing evident was a strange wear pattern on front tire. Wore them down and installed another set. Didn't notice the wiggles, but after a couple of thousand miles I was checking the bike over before I took a long ride to a rally up in the NE Corridor. Noticed what looked like a cut with glass embedded deep in one of the rear tire grooves. Not good, so I replaced the tire with another Azaro that I had sitting in the wings.

On the way home from the rally, the rear went down on me near Scranton, PA. I made it off the I-State to a gas station/convenience store and found the exact same kind of cut/glass appearance in one of the rear tire grooves. No way in Hades was I gonna fix that with a string "worm." To compound matters, it was mid/late Sunday afternoon and none of the local bike shops were open. Probably wouldn't have done any good anyway, finding a radial in that size would have been slim, and also doubtful that "they" would have stuck a bias back tire on a bike with a radial front. Finally decided to call a COG friend back home and came up with his trailer to cart my lame backside back home. That was a long, worrisome day.

NOTE: The shiny bits I was seeing in the "cuts" were not glass, but actually bits of the steel belt that were delaminating in the tire.

I had really liked the Dunlop D205s, but they were discontinued. Wound up settling on a set of Wing-sized Shinkos. My "crazy" riding days were over, so these tires are suiting me just fine.

Bottom line - my bike will never see another set of Avon tires; I just don't trust them.

YMMV
 
Wow Guy, good to hear you are ok, I'm sure a handful of lightly salted peanuts would have calmed your nerves waiting for your friend. ;) I'll keep a close eye on my Avon's. Good to see you again, and thanks for your help.
 
Strawboss said:
Wow Guy, good to hear you are ok, I'm sure a handful of lightly salted peanuts would have calmed your nerves waiting for your friend. ;) I'll keep a close eye on my Avon's. Good to see you again, and thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Prolly.

I've got pictures of the tire issues - somewhere, but can't find them at the moment (typical).

I'll respond to your personal note a little later. Gotta get "cleaned up" to look somewhat civil for an invite to a local Mason's dinner honoring Viet Nam era vets. I'm not a Mason, but a local riding buddy is and asked me to come.
 
gbyoung2 said:
After two Avon tire failures, one of which left me stranded on a trip home from a rally way up north, I've expressed my displeasure with them several times. I loved the AV45/46 combination with the way they felt, and handled - going through several sets over the years. They, started getting weird handling quirks with the bike beginning to squirm slightly back and forth when slowing to a stop. It was almost like riding a bike whose spokes were loose. The only thing evident was a strange wear pattern on front tire. Wore them down and installed another set. Didn't notice the wiggles, but after a couple of thousand miles I was checking the bike over before I took a long ride to a rally up in the NE Corridor. Noticed what looked like a cut with glass embedded deep in one of the rear tire grooves. Not good, so I replaced the tire with another Azaro that I had sitting in the wings.

On the way home from the rally, the rear went down on me near Scranton, PA. I made it off the I-State to a gas station/convenience store and found the exact same kind of cut/glass appearance in one of the rear tire grooves. No way in Hades was I gonna fix that with a string "worm." To compound matters, it was mid/late Sunday afternoon and none of the local bike shops were open. Probably wouldn't have done any good anyway, finding a radial in that size would have been slim, and also doubtful that "they" would have stuck a bias back tire on a bike with a radial front. Finally decided to call a COG friend back home and came up with his trailer to cart my lame backside back home. That was a long, worrisome day.

NOTE: The shiny bits I was seeing in the "cuts" were not glass, but actually bits of the steel belt that were delaminating in the tire.

I had really liked the Dunlop D205s, but they were discontinued. Wound up settling on a set of Wing-sized Shinkos. My "crazy" riding days were over, so these tires are suiting me just fine.

Bottom line - my bike will never see another set of Avon tires; I just don't trust them.

YMMV
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Wowser! - Guy I am glad nothing beyond an inconvenient day came as a result of the tire failure…

After repeated same model tires coming apart like that I certainly cannot blame you for refusing to use them again, and Thank You for the notice to others!

Wayne, Carol & Blue
 
2andblue said:
Wowser! - Guy I am glad nothing beyond an inconvenient day came as a result of the tire failure…

After repeated same model tires coming apart like that I certainly cannot blame you for refusing to use them again, and Thank You for the notice to others!

Wayne, Carol & Blue
Click to expand...

Fortunately, the rear of the bike started feeling a little squishy, so I knew there was a need to exit the I-state - NOW. I was right at one of the Scranton exits and made it to the station without any real drama.

That was coming back from the 2013 Fall Foliage Rally up in Lake George - AND - I located the pictures of the kaput tire:

2013%20Fall%20Foliage%20Rally%20045a-L.jpg


2013%20Fall%20Foliage%20Rally%20043a.jpg


The previous Azaro tire failure had an identical issue, but I caught it at home before it had any significant air loss out on the road.
 
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1. Before the National Rally, I replaced the KZ900 handlebars I’d been riding for the last 5 years, with after market LTD bars.
( 1.25 inches narrower than the stock 900 bars, and besides, the guy that loaned the 900 bars to me DID want them back eventually!)

I’m happy with the new bars


2. Installed the AirHawk seat cushion my wife won at the national.

Now for a test ride
 

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gbyoung2 said:
Prolly.

I've got pictures of the tire issues - somewhere, but can't find them at the moment (typical).

I'll respond to your personal note a little later. Gotta get "cleaned up" to look somewhat civil for an invite to a local Mason's dinner honoring Viet Nam era vets. I'm not a Mason, but a local riding buddy is and asked me to come.
Click to expand...
I have a Avon RoadRider that has some main carcass delamination? They said they'd warrenty it. But I need to dismount it and mail it to them. *sighs*
 
nerobro466 said:
Did it ever go away? *shivers in $350 wasted*
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I'm also running Spirit STs, with a 110/80 front. After struggling with some very weird unsettling handling above 40mph or so, I replaced my steering head bearings, and experimented with preload, ending up quite a bit looser than I expected (still no loose clunk or anything, but negligible tension on them). Between that, and perhaps the tires breaking in for a couple hundred miles, I'm really happy. It's stable and more nimble than my 450lb old 600 Ninja (albeit that bike is on bias-plys, and an oversize front, with narrow clip-ons, etc). Until I got that sorted out, though, it felt real sketchy, and I too wondered if I'd wasted my money on them.

I've got about 3,000 miles on the Spirit STs now, and they're wearing great. I'm running 40psi front/42psi rear. I picked up a set of wheels and the other parts for the 17" conversion, but honestly, as long as these tires keep running the way they have so far, I may just stick with them as long as they make them.

I do notice them feeling a little "wandery" on grooved roads and weird pavement, but it's not enough to make me nervous.
 
I drove roughly 700 miles yesterday and the day before. I was hoping that the tire problem would go away.

............. it didn't.

However, I think I do know what the issue is. My topbox is the givi clone, round body topbox. I think it's vortex shedding, as if I get close enough to be in the smooth, though fast moving slipstream of something BIG... the problem goes away.

Next up, is a ride without the topbox. If that solves the wobble, I need to figure out if a trip strip, or something else to get flow seperation.

Also, this was a failed attempt at ironbutt.
 
nerobro466 said:
I drove roughly 700 miles yesterday and the day before. I was hoping that the tire problem would go away.

............. it didn't.

However, I think I do know what the issue is. My topbox is the givi clone, round body topbox. I think it's vortex shedding, as if I get close enough to be in the smooth, though fast moving slipstream of something BIG... the problem goes away.

Next up, is a ride without the topbox. If that solves the wobble, I need to figure out if a trip strip, or something else to get flow seperation.

Also, this was a failed attempt at ironbutt.
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What windshield are you running? Perhaps the combination of windshield and top box is making it worse?

During my struggles, I experimented with a few different windshields (stock shield, cut-down stock, and a Rifle), but didn't notice any difference between them. None of mine are particularly very tall, though, with the tallest one I tried being the Rifle with the 17" top shield.
 
Murph said:
You will be amazed at what different helmet/ screen will do
Click to expand...
Yeah, and I already have a bobblehead of a helmet. It's a 6D, which is noticeably bigger than my previous HJC in the same head size, due to the two layers of foam with the rubber buttons between them. But, it's just as comfy and (not quiet), but is supposed to have a lot better crash protection, especially for rotational impact.
 
There's been a worrisome slow drip from an overflow tube when the bike is parked in the garage. The gasoline would have evaporated without a trace but for the Super-Tech TC W3 I add to every tank religiously. The Super-Tech left a aqua colored residue on the concrete. The carbs were rebuilt by SISF quite a few years ago (maybe 2019?) . I added Berryman B52 carb/injector to the tank and rode to Greenville for lunch with my wife and a friend - about 190 miles round trip and I'm happy to see there's no more drip.
It was a cloudless late summer day and a wonderful ride.
 
Day off so did an oil and filter change. While I was at it pulled out my No-Mar and removed old tire and installed a new 17” Dunlop Roadsmart 3 on my “new” ZX-7 front wheel. Hardest part was getting the old dry tire off. Now to swap over the rotors and balance it, in addition to putting on a new rear Roadsmart 3 , plus all the fairing, stock windshield and I’ll be all set for the Last Blast meet👍👍😎
IMG_2017.jpegIMG_2016.jpeg
 
56taskforce said:
This is usually a fun running post on most automotive boards, sorry if there is already one here.
I did do a search and came up empty.
Ok here we go, since my bike is multiple colors needing body work paint and I am currently not able to ride it because I am waiting for a new cooling fan. I have decided since I have to remove all the body panels in order to replace the cooling fan anyway I will start on the body work and panel repair while they are all off. I have cut my riding season short in order to Do complete maintenance and a repaint. I plan on adjusting the valves, possibly removing the carburetors and sending them off to Steve oh and of course replacing that cooling fan that started screaming at me the other day. To complete the project I ordered a complete Hardware kit from Murph as well as caliper rebuild kits, fairing extenders and a new windscreen.
Click to expand...
Finally got around to attempting carb cleaning. So far with all the help from members and online resources it is going well. Will reinstall today and once I receive the fuel bag from A will fire it up and see if it will idle once the enricher is disengaged. Before that happens going to remove engine side boots and clean and lube to make install easier then removal was.
 
croach1776 said:
Finally got around to attempting carb cleaning. So far with all the help from members and online resources it is going well. Will reinstall today and once I receive the fuel bag from A will fire it up and see if it will idle once the enricher is disengaged. Before that happens going to remove engine side boots and clean and lube to make install easier then removal was.
Click to expand...
A heat gun will be your friend for the airbox side. It will soften them up so you can get the engine side to line up better and then flex the airbox side into position. remember to hook up the cables before you get them all the way into position.
 
Not today, but over the winter I have been working on my 05. I am upgrading the GPS, so tank and panels came off for the wiring exchange. Next the handle bars are to be replaced with heli-bars.

I have not been happy with the fork brace that came on the bike. It was making the forks stick a little, so with the brace removed I need chip guards. That ment the forks had to be removed. With the forks out I decided to put in emulators.

I am in the final stages of reassembling everything with just the inner fairings and side panels to install. Get some gas (I drained the tank to remove it) and hopefully ride it this week.

We did get out on the 99 this past weekend. Only about 60 miles but she started and ran great. Tires only lost about 2psi over the winter. My 82 GPS 550 got about 30 miles also.
 
Jpd11958 said:
Not today, but over the winter I have been working on my 05. I am upgrading the GPS, so tank and panels came off for the wiring exchange. Next the handle bars are to be replaced with heli-bars.

I have not been happy with the fork brace that came on the bike. It was making the forks stick a little, so with the brace removed I need chip guards. That ment the forks had to be removed. With the forks out I decided to put in emulators.

I am in the final stages of reassembling everything with just the inner fairings and side panels to install. Get some gas (I drained the tank to remove it) and hopefully ride it this week.

We did get out on the 99 this past weekend. Only about 60 miles but she started and ran great. Tires only lost about 2psi over the winter. My 82 GPS 550 got about 30 miles also.
Click to expand...
Shim the fork brace to eliminate the stiction.
 
Yupp, EZ to shim the fork to fix that stiction problem.

Are you installing Gold valve Emulators or (the more frugal) Fork Dampers?

Also good to stiffen the springs while you're in the forks.

Ride safe, Ted
 
I followed the link in the emulator post for the frugal ones. They are now about $60.00. 6 larger holes in the metering tubes and 4 holes in the emulator plate. 2 turns of preload on the emulators. I have progressive springs and am starting with just the emulator length cut off. I can get back into the springs and shorten and spacers if needed. I do have preload adjustments in the caps also.

I don't have a fork brace on my 99 and feel the ride is ok for how I ride. I am hoping to get the ride on the 05 as good as the 99 or better. If I do then the 99 might get emulators too.

I know that ride is hard to compare with different seats, windshields, bars, loads, ect.
 
Walked past FreeBird today and the 14. Neither has a good battery. Haven't visited the back forty where the others are languishing for a bit. Need to drag the Turbo out again and see if I can get her running.
 
Well, here we are! Bought a 47L Givi top box in GA off marketplace when I went up to see my son and watch Nascar last month. Finally got it mounted tonight! Still need to hook up the wires, but, MRS Dakotarider seems happy!
 

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connie_rider said:
Did you mount it to just the stock rack? If so, how did you do so?

Ride safe, Ted
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Ted, I had a Givi bracket from my parts bike I was going to use. But, the box came with a monolock bracket ,and mine didn't fit. I did have so.e spacers and an aluminum plate that I used as the base plate. It bolted to the stock rack location. Also installed Throttlemeister from parts bike. I didn't even know I had them! I thought they were just stainless weights.
 

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While going thru my’00, during a break in the smoke we’ve been plagued with in Western NC due to the horrible wildfires here in Polk County, discover my carb plugs were cracking. There are (3).IMG_2443.jpeg
Replaced these with OEM about 2 years ago.
Glad I found them in my driveway as opposed while riding.
Had some aftermarket that I had purchased years ago from my ‘83 GS1100ED.
Fit perfectly and have more in my toolbox.
Just a reminder to check yours.
 
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cragantler said:
While going thru my’00, during a break in the smoke we’ve been plagued with in Western NC due to the horrible wildfires here in Polk County, discover my carb plugs were cracking. There are (3).View attachment 41147
Replaced these with OEM about 2 years ago.
Glad I found them in my driveway as opposed while riding.
Had some aftermarket that I had purchased years ago from my ‘83 GS1100ED.
Fit perfectly and have more in my toolbox.
Just a reminder to check yours.
Click to expand...
I've noticed that these tend to start cracking surprisingly early. When I did the carbs on my 600 a couple years ago, I used some long ones from an aftermarket assortment, and they were showing cracks last year. Not enough to leak, but enough to see. I think they may have been smaller than idea and the additional stretching caused them to crack sooner.
 
Finally got my oil changed (I usually do it at the end of the season, but didn't get around to it last November). At least I had help this spring.

Then it fired right up, and I took it out for a 30-mile spin. It felt great to be out again!

1000012700.jpg
1000012705.jpg
 
howiwishu614508 said:
Seth -

Nice looking bike! It's easy to see that it has been well loved. It is, in fact, the only silver C10 I thought was nice looking.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Good thing the picture isn't sharp enough to show the winter's accumulation of dust that I haven't washed off yet. I keep a cover on it in my garage, but I do a lot of dusty work, and it seems to still find a way to collect under the cover.
 
Not "today", but this past Friday (04/04/25) . Even tho' I've been starting the bike every couple of weeks to keep the carb's jets flushed out, I finally got it off the lift (to conserve garage floor space) and took it out for a 25 mile, or so run around the local roads. This is the first time I've ridden it since last August since I picked up the '22 Ryker Sport. Hope to get it on the market in a couple of weeks. Was considering taking it on a planned ride down to Williamsburg on Saturday but settled on the '67 305 CL77 instead.
 
Not today yet yesterday. The 12th. Took the 2000 out for a spin after installing the new carb vacuum port caps. Makes a huge difference with response and general overall running. Really didn’t notice much with them cracked but something to keep an eye on.
Thought it felt better so put my Delvevics back on. Took them off in the fall due to an annoying backfire I could not get to go away.
Put on and now with the new caps: no more backfire. 😎😎✌️👍
 
Messing around with an idea and used some leftover metal screen and made a cover for the fairing gap. Part is almost unattainable yet this matches my others guards. 2 zip ties and I’m good.IMG_2506.jpegquite well.
 
Big test runs yesterday and today before work after rebuilding the carb bank, cleaning/coating the fuel tank and all other general tune up activities. Left the plastic off the bottom for now. I kind of like that way though.

My employer let's me park Ms. Funnly inside my work space......life is good......
 

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rickburres9698 said:
Big test runs yesterday and today before work after rebuilding the carb bank, cleaning/coating the fuel tank and all other general tune up activities. Left the plastic off the bottom for now. I kind of like that way though.

My employer let's me park Ms. Funnly inside my work space......life is good......
Click to expand...
How did your test runs go? Feeling pretty good?

I love your machine’s name!

Wayne, Carol & Blue
 
steves1959 said:
Would be interested in your opinion of how these tires perform. I've been underwhelmed with my pretty new Avon Spirits.
Click to expand...
As a follow up - I have 2500 miles on the Sport Demons now and I really like them. They handle well at all speeds. Front tire is barely worn at all and the rear is just starting to show some wear. Got caught in some wet weather a couple of times and had no issues with traction. I'll put them on again when the time comes.
 
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bpdutton said:
As a follow up - I have 2500 miles on the Sport Demons now and I really like them. They handle well at all speeds. Front tire is barely worn at all and the rear is just starting to show some wear. Got caught in some wet weather a couple of times and had no issues with traction. I'll put them on again when the time comes.
Click to expand...
I have Sport Demons on my 600 and have been happy with them. Although the handling is pretty sluggish compared to the Concours (especially considering the almost 200lb weight difference). I'm not sure how much is due to the tire model and bias-ply construction vs the Avon Spirt ST radials on my Concours, or the front tire size. The 600 is supposed to have a 110/80-16 on the front, but that hasn't been made in motorcycle tires for decades, so I am running a 120/80 which fits fine, but is kind of fat and wide. I'm considering trying a 110/90 next time, although the height may be a tight fit under my fender (perhaps why the bottom of my fender has a section rubbed and melted off; I wonder if a PO ran that size once).

I have a 110/80-R18 Avon Spirit ST on the Concours, so that gives it a very sharp and nimble feel.
 
SethInIllinois said:
Finally got my oil changed (I usually do it at the end of the season, but didn't get around to it last November). At least I had help this spring.

Then it fired right up, and I took it out for a 30-mile spin. It felt great to be out again!
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2andblue said:
How did your test runs go? Feeling pretty good?

I love your machine’s name!

Wayne, Carol & Blue
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All seems right with Ms. Funnly's health now. She's an 02 and has been ridden some. Not the prettiest girl out there but she is always happy to see me and go wherever I point her. Confident enough to go see my mom over in Fulton Missouri this next Saturday. Thought I might stop off in Ballwin, Mo. at the tech day Gary Mazzola is hosting. I can make it an on the way stop. I normally avoid St Louis metro and burbs like the plague but it will be worth it. Not planning to do any maintenance there but thought it would be good to meet some folks and soak up some motorcycle goodness and knowledge from the others in attendance.

Never really been much of a, "joiner" myself...well um uh, if ya don't count that whole Marine Corps thing anyway, but I am happy to be a part of COG and I intend on doing my part to always ride more....and safe.... Ms. Funnly sends her love to 2andblue...
 
Day off so decided to tackle my front tire. Installed “new” valve, from eBay, in September when I put on my 17” wheel. When I rode it last, while checking the air pressure, pre-ride, I noticed the rubber on the stem looked cracked.
Ride to work and almost home I noticed the front end feeling off. Got home ok.
Checked air next day and had about 20psi,
Ordered new valve from Partzilla. Pulled out the No-Mar and got to it.
Wheel off, tire off, old valve off and reverse process😁
Everything back together and working well.
While I had the belly pan off to jack it up, figured it be a good time to start the summertime 1/2 naked look.🤣🤓
 
connie_rider said:
Are both 17's installed now, and was it a big difference?

Ride safe, Ted
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Been running the Mean Streak wheel for about 5 years. Made a difference.
Added the ZR-7 front last October and set the sag properly with my “Slacker”.
In between the rear and front, I did the Racetech springs, emulators, fork brace and C-14 shock.
Dunlop Roadsmart 3’s front and back.
Really makes it feel like a whole new and different bike. Cuts into the curves smoothly and steering seems lighter.
 
cragantler said:
Been running the Mean Streak wheel for about 5 years. Made a difference.
Added the ZR-7 front last October and set the sag properly with my “Slacker”.
In between the rear and front, I did the Racetech springs, emulators, fork brace and C-14 shock.
Dunlop Roadsmart 3’s front and back.
Really makes it feel like a whole new and different bike. Cuts into the curves smoothly and steering seems lighter.
Click to expand...
IMG_2152.jpegIMG_2039.jpeg
 
SethInIllinois said:
Finally got my oil changed (I usually do it at the end of the season, but didn't get around to it last November). At least I had help this spring.

Then it fired right up, and I took it out for a 30-mile spin. It felt great to be out again!

View attachment 41187
View attachment 41188
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Hey Seth, where did you get the sheepskin on the seat sir? I think I need one those.
By the way our bikes look like twins...
 
rickburres9698 said:
Hey Seth, where did you get the sheepskin on the seat sir? I think I need one those.
By the way our bikes look like twins...
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It's a Medium sheared black from Alaska Leather (see link below), sitting on my late-model Corbin seat. The later Corbins have a rider pocket area about 2" longer than the stock 94-up seat and old Corbins, and the medium sheepskin fits the larger seat area perfectly. You could trim it down if your seat is one of the smaller ones. It is a very nice sheepskin, and has a nice elastic strap around the front, and buckle strap under the bottom.

I'm still figuring out what I like best. The sheepskin is more comfortable than the Corbin alone, but the Corbin is hard as a rock. In that photo you can see a bit of foam peeking out, and I'm still experimenting with some different types to see what works best. I'm also working on modifying an older Corbin or stock seat with some custom foam.

www.alaskaleather.com

Medium Sheepskin Buttpad - Motorcycle Seat Cover

Affordable Sheepskin Motorcycle Seat Cover. Keep your buttbones from burning! Our Sheepskin Buttpads will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter!
www.alaskaleather.com www.alaskaleather.com
 
Thanks Seth.

I will get one ordered this evening.

I have a Russel leather, "Day Long" seat but I can not use it due to my 29 inch inseam. Those of us who are vertically challenged can not deal with the extra height and shape of the saddle. See attached pic. And I lowered my bike for a better fit. I never ride 2up anyway as my wife worked an ER for about 12 years and will not come near a bike.
I put a stock seat on and I have been able to stay on the bike for 4 hours at a time in relative comfort. Adding a sheepskin pad should make it even better. Would like to do the 1000 mile baby Iron Butt at the end of June if I have enough confidence in my bike by then?
 

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rickburres9698 said:
Thanks Seth.

I will get one ordered this evening.

I have a Russel leather, "Day Long" seat but I can not use it due to my 29 inch inseam. Those of us who are vertically challenged can not deal with the extra height and shape of the saddle. See attached pic. And I lowered my bike for a better fit. I never ride 2up anyway as my wife worked an ER for about 12 years and will not come near a bike.
I put a stock seat on and I have been able to stay on the bike for 4 hours at a time in relative comfort. Adding a sheepskin pad should make it even better. Would like to do the 1000 mile baby Iron Butt at the end of June if I have enough confidence in my bike by then?
Click to expand...
That looks a lot like the RDL I have on my '02.

1746209637065.png

1746209729793.png
 
rickburres9698 said:
Thanks Seth.

I will get one ordered this evening.

I have a Russel leather, "Day Long" seat but I can not use it due to my 29 inch inseam. Those of us who are vertically challenged can not deal with the extra height and shape of the saddle. See attached pic. And I lowered my bike for a better fit. I never ride 2up anyway as my wife worked an ER for about 12 years and will not come near a bike.
I put a stock seat on and I have been able to stay on the bike for 4 hours at a time in relative comfort. Adding a sheepskin pad should make it even better. Would like to do the 1000 mile baby Iron Butt at the end of June if I have enough confidence in my bike by then?
Click to expand...
Looks nice! I have not tried one, but I hear some folks really like the early flat-style OEM seat. Which, on that note, I would take some measurements of your seat and the area you'd like covered with the sheepskin and look at the other shapes/sizes Alaska Leather sells. I use mine on a late Corbin, which has a bigger, rounded butt cup, so it's possible another size/shape may fit your flat-style seat better. https://www.alaskaleather.com/collections/sheepskin-buttpads
BTW, their "Helmet Hitch" hangers are really nice. I ordered a couple when I got my sheepskin, and they're a great helmet wall hanger.
www.alaskaleather.com

Helmet Hitch® Motorcycle Helmet Wall Hanger

Perfect wall hitch to hang helmets on! Holds helmets flush against any wall.
www.alaskaleather.com www.alaskaleather.com
 
bpdutton said:
We all know Silver (dammit) is the fastest color...
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2001 is my favorite color, but this one came up in too good of condition for too good of a price to pass up. If anyone has one and wants to swap plastics, let me know...

Gray is also too close to the asphalt pavement color here in the midwest. It's like it was meant to be camouflaged into the road.
 
SethInIllinois said:
Looks nice! I have not tried one, but I hear some folks really like the early flat-style OEM seat. Which, on that note, I would take some measurements of your seat and the area you'd like covered with the sheepskin and look at the other shapes/sizes Alaska Leather sells. I use mine on a late Corbin, which has a bigger, rounded butt cup, so it's possible another size/shape may fit your flat-style seat better. https://www.alaskaleather.com/collections/sheepskin-buttpads
BTW, their "Helmet Hitch" hangers are really nice. I ordered a couple when I got my sheepskin, and they're a great helmet wall hanger.
www.alaskaleather.com

Helmet Hitch® Motorcycle Helmet Wall Hanger

Perfect wall hitch to hang helmets on! Holds helmets flush against any wall.
www.alaskaleather.com www.alaskaleather.com
Click to expand...
Will do. Thanks for the tip!
 
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