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Was just curious as I thought someone else asked a while ago where everyone was. Just got off COMMUNITY MAP and noticed there were 377 EXPIRED members and 272 SUPPORTING members. I was surprised to see so many members that I personally know that are on the expired list and was curious if it was mostly because of Covid 19 . I know that there would be less ridding and fewer places to go but figured it would be worth the $12 yearly to keep in touch at least. But that is my opinion and I understand there can be many personal reasons for this. Well I hope everyone is doing well and hope to see whoever I can this year!!!

@Junior @Pasta Burner I'm a MMIT (Motorcycle Mechanic In Training), working on my youtube certification, 🙂 so with that in mind, lowering the front end was not 'easy', as there are a # of steps involved but it was also not the most difficult thing I've done. If I recall, it took me 3-4 hours from start to finish, with a lunch break thrown in and just being very methodical and intentionally slow. If you are mechanically inclined, you can do it, just take your time and I recommend looking at the exploded view drawings first so you can pre-visualize what the process will be. You can read more about the steps required here: I would recommend removing the tank as the first step, having it out of the way gives a little more room to work and you won't risk any scratches. You will have to remove the front fairing and then remove the nuts holding the inner fairing so you can pull it out of the way. I took an extra step of removing the stereo head unit to make that easier and it probably added no more than 10-15 minutes total for removal and reinstallation - just made it easier to get the inner fairing pulled away. With the inner fairing loose and pulled away, I used a ratchet tie down attached to garage rafters to hold it up and out of the way. Ended up doing the same with the handlebars because they just wanted to flop around. I recall the fork tubes did not want to move at first and it took some coaxing, but then it was easy. Just make sure you make a mark for your starting point and ending point. I'm pretty, uhm...anal..., so I used a set of calipers to get the final position of each side exactly the same, by measuring from top of now protruding tube, to the top of the triple tree. As far as complications with other areas of handling, I will say I experienced the opposite of complications. The handling improved, IMHO. I went with only 1/2" as I did not want to make a drastic change without knowing what the end effect would be. I was shocked at how noticeably better the handling was. The steering was quicker and the bike felt more nimble. This makes sense considering the change, albeit relatively small, was changing the overall bike's geometry in the direction of sport bike (vs. easy rider chopper at the other end of spectrum). Coincidentally, you could install lowering links in the rear (a seemingly much simpler process) and that would move the bikes geometry in the other direction away from sport bike and towards chopper. Lowering the front and going to 4-piston calipers on the front brakes have been the two mods that made me fall in love with my venture all over again. I did a 5,500 mile trip last summer after those two mods and absolutely, positively would not go back to stock setup there. When I come to a stop now, I am able to very gently slow to a stop, with both front & rear brake, then casually bring my left foot down in complete control. Prior to the brake change, I never felt like I had a fine touch on the front brake, it was either not enough or stabbing it to stop, which coupled with not being able to flat foot, had me pulling my right foot off the rear brake so I could get both feet down as I came to a more abrupt stop, making matters worse. Now I feel like a pro when I roll into a stop and if I need to make a more urgent stop, can do so with total confidence, on both braking and balance as it stops. And I'm a big fan of the corbin seat on long days in the saddle. I know some people do not like the firmness, but with some fine tuning of the backrest, I find it very comfortable on long 500 mile days.

How about something like this

Here in Southern Manitoba , having coffee sitting on my couch ...It is minus 26 degrees out there now heading down to minus 30 tonight ..Tomorrow not much better , most everyone here is ready for that first day of spring

Start with the carbs. After all they have been through and the story you shared, I bet something isn't right in there. Take them off, open them up, throughly clean them and make sure the right jets are in the proper ports, then set the floats and check all linkages and connections. Don't go by what you see when you take them apart, go by the specs.

I'm sitting on my deck drinking coffee and listening to the rain fall, 3" in the past 24 hours and more to come! No riding today 😢