BlueSky

Does is have internal balancers or does it shake like a Harley? And why would a low rpm torque monster need a 6 speed tranny? I agree with others that an air cooled engine in a touring bike is not something I would want.

I think the video of what mercury does to aluminum is a useful and interesting post. Brenner, I don't know why you took offense to it. I'm sure nobody intended to offend you. And as far as using a mercury manometer, if they were still available that would be the one I'd buy. As heavy as mercury is, it makes an ideal liquid for the carb sync.

Pushrod engines are more challenging to make them turn high rpm. However Nascar engines are pushrod engines and they turn 9,000 rpm, probably about $100k a copy. V-Twins typically have 2 valves per cylinder with only one cam (I think). V4s have 2 more cylinders, 12 more valves, and 3 more camshafts. So, yes they are much more expensive to manufacture.

The narrower the contact patch is in the front, the quicker the bike will tip over in a parking lot turn. I owned a 2004 Kawasaki Concours for a couple of years which may be one of the tippiest bikes of all. When I got it the front tire was a dual compound tire with lots of wear. The soft edges had worn away leaving about a 1" wide strip of the harder compound rubber down the center. It was really tippy in the parking lots. When I replaced it with a new tire, the difference was incredible, no where near as tippy. I'll never buy a dual compound tire for the front for that reason.

The battery terminal shouldn't be getting hot like that. Check to make sure it is making good contact. It's fairly typical for them to start fine cold and then turn over very slowly after they get hot. Mine has always started while hot but I don't know how since the engine is barely moving when it fires. Have you synced the carbs?

Sticking like glue is a wonderful thing. That is the most important characteristic to me. Wearing a long time is a distant second.

No, it wasn't me. Those were the guys on the football team!

That company was recently bought by Google. They have bought many companies that are building robots. The way of the future as they see it I suppose. One company they bought in the UK insisted on Google having a robot ethics committee as part of the buy out or so I read.

I read that Shinko bought their bike tire technology from Yokohama. Yokohama doesn't make bike tires any more.

Check this out. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/mcy/4928101999.html

The old saying I remember is, "He who makes no mistakes, makes nothing."

Lots of them for sale. If you still want one, I'm sure you can find a good deal.

I bought a $20 infrared temp measuring device from radio shack this past Christmas for a stocking stuffer. It seemed to work.

Just wait until they learn to kick back!

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/M8YjvHYbZ9w?rel=0

When I bought my 85 Kawasaki ZN700, it only had 1,053 miles on it. The oe had passed and his nephew tried to clean the carbs and get it running. It was running ragged on 3 cylinders when I bought it. Turned out to be a completely dead plug. I'm sure they were the original 24 year old plugs but they were low miles! Ha! A bottle of Valvoline complete Fuel system cleaner in a tank of gas and new plugs and it runs like a champ.

How many miles are on the bike?

It may not be anything to worry about but I would worry the high voltage spikes would damage something electrical.

Takes a real man to admit his mistakes! Thanks for posting. It might keep me from doing the same thing.

Water cooled or air cooled, the same amount of heat is coming off the engine and if it isn't diverted away from the rider, heat will be a comfort issue. The engine will run cooler but not the passenger. Police depts. buying air cooled Harleys to tool around the cities is ridiculous. Gotta keep-em moving to cool them. Then there is that story in the news in Miami when I was there of a city motorcycle cop trying to catch a couple of sport bikes on his Harley and of course crashed the Harley and hurt himself. Idiocy!

Only 49! So sad. What ended his journey?

Chain Saw!!! The most dangerous tool ever invented!

A V-twin is much cheaper to manufacture and that is what seems to be the preferred design. I've read that a V4 is very expensive to manufacture, more than a straight four. To me this will just make the Goldwing more attractive or maybe even a BMW. Obviously my opinion doesn't count though. I still buy rear drive cars too and the choices are slim.

This one is priced a little higher with lower miles and may be worth a few bucks more. http://appleton.craigslist.org/mcy/4966025830.html