Leaderboard

So many of you probably know I’ve been complaining about the lean angle of the beast when on its side stand. I’ve messed with the kickstand and did some adjustments with little results. Well, the other day I stopped at the auto store on my way home from work to pick up some brake pads for the cage and they had a promo that if I bought rotors too I’d get %20 off even if I return the rotors. So being thrifty I took the bait. Anyway when I got home I got off the bike and it was pleasantly not leaning too far at all. Knowing I put the front rotors in the right saddle bag I figured I was onto something…sure enough when I took them out the lean came back. So out of convenience I keep my tool bag and emergency supplies in the left side probably further exaggerating the lean. I’ll be moving that to the right.

After 56 years of smoking, On April 9 I said I quit and haven't used them since. No more coughing and gaging because I could not breath. I can breathe a lot better now. The only thing I can't understand is why I could not do it years ago, and I did try. I didn't think it would be so easy this time. I put the empty pack in the trash and said that's it I am done.

January 1973, I saw a used 73 CB750 Honda advertised for $1250 with 800 miles on it. New price was $1499 in the winter and $1799 in the summer in my area. I called the owner and he volunteered to take $1150. I drove out and stood in line to test ride it. Seemed to check out so I gave the guy a check to hold it until the next day. Consummated the deal the next day and started it up to ride back home. When I let out the clutch it made a strange noise. On the ride back I stopped at a country store and bought gas. Before I got home it was running ragged. I was thinking that now I know why I got such a good deal. I replaced the plugs and it made no difference. After a while I filled up with gas again and it ran much better. I got some bad gas. I called the dealer shop and talked about the clutch noise and was told it was dry and to either bring it down and they would disassemble it and lube it or just ride it. I rode it and the noise went away. Seemed the bike was lost in a poker game and the winner traded it for a car at the body shop/used car dealer where I bought it.

I am using the shield to hold my COPs in place by making bigger opening for them in the shield. I have read of a few guys having with the COPS grounding out to the engine by leaning against the engine. I would also verify that the COPs are fully seated on the spark plugs but it does sound like that maybe the fuel could be an issue also. Yep here in Minnesota we can buy premium non-ethanol gas for motorcycle and boats and small engines. I usually fill all my gas cans with it along with some Seafoam to help keep the gas fresh and also use it as the final fill up of a day of riding with a little Seafoam as I dont get to ride my bike daily as I have a company car for commuting to and from job sites. Just keep riding it and enjoying it and see if things improve as you do. also a nice run thru the gears at high RPMs is very enjoyable IMHO... Rick F.

Here are a few more from last weekend, not as long of a drive but here is an old stone bridge. Our history here in Kansas isn't too old, so 1886 wasn't too shabby since a lot of small towns were getting developed in the late 1870's to the early to mid 1880's due to railroads being built all over the place.

Took my search out to 300 miles and nobody had the truck that I wanted. Most have no trucks at all. I found a local dealer that didn't have one but had pretty much exactly what I wanted already ordered. It had a build date of yesterday so hopefully is about ready to ship. They said that I should have it by the end of July or first of August at the very latest. That's better than the 5 to 8 months that everybody else was telling me. It's basically the same truck I had with a few upgrades. I wanted leather seats this time but of course to get leather seats, you have to buy a "Premium" package that adds other things. So I got the leather interior but also that package comes with a moonroof, JBL 10 Speaker premium audio, other stuff that I also didn't need. So I pulled the trigger. Not the wait begins.

Just curious, does your bike have the plastic shields that sit on top of the valve covers? There are use to direct the air flowing thru the radiator out the back of the engine or thru the vents in the side panels. They help to keep some of the hot air away from the carbs., Just wondering if you had those still in place. Enjoy the riding and the bike. Rick F.

I have never been an owner/operator of a 2nd Gen so no real clue what the differences are thru the years. I do know there are some things to look for when buying and if I were thinking of going that route I would want to know what they are. I never was an owner/operator of the 89 either but have swung the leg on the 83/85 MK1's a few times and gotta say if I were in your shoes and you like your 89 I would put a few hours of time in it and some cash to bring it up to road worthiness. I have criss crossed the country and most of Canada on our 83's numerous times and have always had great success with their reliability with very few failures thru the years. How many miles on your 89 @rpep1982? How many of those miles have you put on it and how long have you had it? I have no idea if yours has the 4 brush starter in it but all my 6 MK1's ran the 2 brush starter out to retirement of the bike and did that simply by taking the starter off when it started showing sign of doing what you mention and cleaning the carbon brush dust out and off the interior of the starter. One I actually did "feel" a looser armature bearing in and I replaced that. I also found that keeping a good battery in them helped with starter longevity as it keeps the starter from getting hot. If it were mine and it has the white, three wire stator terminal on the left side about 1/2 up the frame I would undo that terminal and ohm out the stator to see if the 3 legs match in resistance. If so I would use it as is and HARD WIRE that connection and do away with the terminal but thats only cause I had my fill of issues with that terminal early on in ownership. I would also drop in some Progressive springs in her forks if that hasnt been done. Doing so and you got a new bike right there! Are you sure on the shift shaft leak? Where are you seeing the leak? At the shift shaft under the cover where the shaft exits the internal block? There are numerous things that can cause oil to gather under there is why I ask. I would definitely take a look at the carb diaphrams too and make sure they are worthy no matter how many miles on it BUT, I would do the same thing if I sprung for a 2nd Gen or any other used bike that had CV carbs on it that I was going to trust with my kids in tow or even riding alone cross country. All that said, if you just want to ride something different than heck ya, I would opt for a 2nd Gen,, they are cool and definitely earned a reputation as 3rd place for the best of the best all time touring bikes BUT you already have the 2nd place title holder for that class with the 89.. 1st place still goes to the mighty 83/85 MK1 Puc

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394067688625?epid=1323889502&hash=item5bc043bcb1:g:T3gAAOSwA3JieeT- This is supposed to fit.

Well, they called today to tell me they have totaled the truck.

Next time you'll might trust me! maybe :). Lets see if I can still work this thing lol!

Eileen had a doctor's appointment today and decided to take my truck instead of the Camaro. Probably a good thing because I don't know how the Camaro would have faired. She is fine, as is the driver of the other vehicle, but my truck isn't so good.