A stutter, a spark plug, a V-Rod, a Slingshot and a bike named Tweeks

[cowpuc]

When T.J. came over to show me his gorgeous new 2003 ST1300 a while back, Tweeks and I had the honor of showing the 2 of them some of our back roads. While doing so, I couldn't help but notice that Tweeks motor had developed an attitude right at the bottom when I wickt her hard (she had her hands full running with that Honda). Nasty little stammer that neither she nor I really cared for..

Sure,, the old gal is closing in on 300k and showing her age but still, something was just not right,, something vague and elusive.. She usually pulls hard right off the bottom,, having had no second gear for many many miles, her and I are used to challenging her torque curve so we both know what she is capable of in torque language..

I clipped the tie wraps that secure her side covers, thinking I may need to check her carb diaphrams that I had repaired years ago with Yamabond #5 , pulled her battery cover (noticed right away her battery was low - filled it) and pulled the lid on her air box.. Yanked the KnN, cranked er up - all slides came right to life and looked perfectly responsive and in unison but there was that stutter, worse with no air box.. The unwelcome guest sounded more pronounced on number one for some reason..

Grabbed an 18mm deep well 3/8 drive, stuck a 1/4 drive adapter in it, dropped in a 3 inch 1/4 drive extention, stuck a ratchet to the whole mess and pulled the plug.. Pics below show what I found.. The porcelain on the plug was perfect on half and dark on the other - kinda weird.. My eyes aint the best these days but I thought in the sunlight I could see a tiny piece of, what looked like weld slag laying on it - take a peek and see if you see what I am talking about..

Headed to the parts store for plugs on the Helix, noticed my neighbor was working on his truck, stopped to show him the plug, he begged me to ride his new V-Rod into town (160 miles on it) to help him break it in. Came back with plugs and his V-Rod a few hours later. Gapped plugs and installed.

Changed out her oil and filter, cleaned the air filter. Grabbed the gauges. Warmed her up and shut her down, pulled the manifold nipples - shock of my life!!

After ALL that riding last year, that old girl had only dropped 2 marks (pounds - heckters - heliums - hgs,, what ever ya call em on a vacuum gauge) on the number 4 cylinder! A quick tweek with a flat head screw driver and, PERFECT - carbs are synced, oils done and NO MORE STUTTER = Tweeks is a happy camper!!

Tip talked me into letting her go along on Tweeks and my maintenance test ride after I told her I needed to test the maintenance I had pulled on Tweeks in preparation for Maintenance Day down in a place called Oberlin Ohio. I thought it was a good idea cause Tippy isnt going to be able to make it to Oberlin, besides,, Tweeks really likes having Tip along - kind of girl girl thing or something..

 

 

That beautiful lady did just fine, hitting on all four - Tweeks was running perfect again too!! After we had been out for an hour or so Tip asked about stopping and seeing if Babbitts in Muskegon had a Slingshot. We have both been wanting to see one first hand ever since @CarbonOne mentioned he was buying one. Knowing that Larry would probably have his in Oberlin this year and that she wouldnt be there I said agreed, we headed to Babbitts!!

 

 

I have always thought that the pictures I have seen of the SlingShot reminded me of The Batmobile.. Matter of fact, if I were ever fortunate enough to own one, I may be tempted to paint it black.. If you have a second to veiw this next vid, keep that comment in mind as you watch it - listen carefully for the name of the salesman at Babbitts.

 

 

WOW what a gorgeous machine!! The ONLY one they had was SOLD and the salesman said it would probably be August before they had another. He also said they have deposit on one.

Larry,, if your reading this, YOU HAVE VERY GOOD TASTE MY FRIEND!!!

After leaving Babbitts we headed on a North by North East drift on Michigans back country roads. Yapping away about the Slingshot, then noticing how easily the three of all slid right into our CTFWing drift mode we rode out the day...

Been a fun couple days..

Puc

[YamahaLarry]

Great read and loved the video of Tweaks and Tip. You seem to have a very happy and strong relationship with both.

[Marcarl]

Wow Scott and even the right color,,,, u should have bought it!!!

[Flyinfool]

Puc Puc Puc Puc Puc

 

 

You actually let poor old Tweeks get carboned up?

You been hangin around with to many Harleys and 2nd gens to keep the carbon out of the old girl? You know she needs to breath once in a while.....

[SilvrT]

Was at the Vic shop last Saturday and did a demo ride on a Vision. They had at least 10 Slingshots there, 4 of which were a drab green color ... obviously a special order for a client. All but one were sold units. Wasn't able to test ride that day but dealer said maybe in a week or two.

 

Seems around here those things are selling like marbles shot out a Slingshot!

[cowpuc]

Puc Puc Puc Puc Puc

 

 

You actually let poor old Tweeks get carboned up?

You been hangin around with to many Harleys and 2nd gens to keep the carbon out of the old girl? You know she needs to breath once in a while.....

 

Das Fool is no fool!! I LOVE the way you think Jeff - I gotta sneaking hunch that ol Tweeks would agree with you 100%, only thing missing in your equation is the air humidity factor.. Dry air, open space - high speed driften instead of this high humidity, slow poke Harley/2nd Gen following dinky dalton riding :crackup:

 

That being said,, knowing your deep appreciation for high moisture in the air/moisture ratio's and all that, it comes as no surprise that you left that part of the equation void BUT that's ok, you and me - we still be good bud's!!!!!!

 

 

TWEEKS OPINION OF ALL THIS!!