It Is Alive!!! Bwahahahahahaha

[cheesy]

The 6mm barbs are the culprit. I tried to 'reform' one of the clamps and changed my drip to a gush, so that was not the answer. I ended up with 'run of the mill' screw clamps on the 6mm barbs.

And, the nice, fancy euro screw clamps from the shop.............gone. I guess it makes more sense to buy four 'run of the mill' screw clamps for a buck than to buy one fancy clamp for a Euro. Still......

[Weldangrind]

At least you can get gear clamps in stainless, to keep rust away.

[cheesy]

There is that.

Finally filled up today. 148 miles/2.8 gals=52.85mpg. Better than expected, what with crappy weather, stop and go road construction, and the occasional "Let's see how fast in 2nd."

[cheesy]

Originally Posted by cheesy

"Let's see how fast in 2nd."

Almost 70 and nearing the red line with a fresh tank of gas and 88F temp. And the rear tire chirped going into 3rd.

[SpudRider]

You had a high temperature of 88F today?

[cheesy]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

You had a high temperature of 88F today?

Odd, ain't it. A more normal 68F today, with an unrelenting downpour this morning and clear skies after lunch.

[SpudRider]

Good for you. We won't see high temperatures in the 80s until June, at the earliest.

[FastDoc]

We've been there on and off, even the low 90's the past few weeks.

With that said its maybe 60 out there now and blowing like a sum beech.

[cheesy]

It was a beaut today, too bad I didn't have time to ride.

[cheesy]

After the beating I took yesterday, along with the 40 miles each way at speeds around 65, I broke down and bought a windshield today.

http://www.slipstreamer.com/motorcyc...-the-original/

The big juicy bug that splattered smack in the middle of my face shield might have had a bit to do with the decision.

[cheesy]

Here it is.

Kind of a pain to install. It didn't help that the lower rods were way too short and had the wrong angle for the Maggot. At least I had some 3/8 AL round stock in my stash.


What I learned. Loctite 242 on all threaded fittings. Assemble with real tools, not the Ikea brand allan wrenches that come with it. Don't trust the thumb screws, use set screws.

How it rides. Less wind noise, more engine noise. Sure felt the heat at the stop lights. Bugs on the windshield, not on the face. 70mph is a heck of a lot more comfortable.

[FastDoc]

Good engineering and a very clean installation. You will definitely notice an increase in engine noise. I think that is for two reasons. One, there is less wind noise to mask it. The other is I think the windshield reflects some engine noise straight back. We are your plugs, and I think you will enjoy a much much better ride. Have you noticed any effect on handling at higher speeds?

[SpudRider]

That's a nice, clean installation.

[cheesy]

Thanks, Spud.

Doc-I did a 100 miles yesterday and found myself creeping past 70 several times when I normally don't go over 60, so I guess I have to say it improved the high speed handling. Ear plugs are on the list. They are required for work and I have several.

BTW, I'm guessing there was a windshield on this bike in the past. It loosened up a bit on the ride to my MIL place(see earlier comment on loctite and real tools)and pushed against the trip odometer reset knob, cracking the dash panel in the exact spot I repaired two years ago. I think it also explains the missing paint along the top edge of the mini-fairing. If need be, I'll notch the windshield for a better fit on the fairing.

[cheesy]

The Shoei SB2 hard bags and big no name trunk I picked up in Maine are finished.

Before


After


Finished in Black Metal Flake. The chrome on the crashbars was pretty pretty crummy after electrolysis cleaning, so they were finished in Black Hammer Tone.


I've decided not to use the trunk(after all that work). I think it has been customized probably one time too many and I'm not thrilled with the integrity. Or lack thereof. I don't think I would be able to open the bags with it mounted.

Anyway, just the hardbags and my original trunk. The bags are on the bike now but need to be tweaked before I'm happy with the position.

BTW, I junked the ebay HK LEDs I bought when I first got the bike up and running and went back to incandescent bulbs for a few months. I decided to try again and I went with *Superbright LEDS ($$$) for the turn signals. What a difference. Brighter than the bulbs. I also went their brake light flasher. When the brakes are applied, the lights flash three times quickly, three times slowly, then steady on. I'm thinking of adding a red LED light strip to the trunk and running it through the flasher too.


*http://www.superbrightleds.com/