Motorcycles

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I've just been crowned the king of motorcycle maintenance frugality. 25,xxx miles on original front single disc 2016 Harley Heritage Softail.

Not quite down to the bonding layer.

 

[Darin]

Looks like it will be another beautiful ride this morning. Going to leave a bit early and take the extra twisty route.

 

[DomnioMaestro]

Here is my baby. 2003 Shadow 750 ACE.

Havent ridden her in a couple of years since she broke my back. But thats a story all by itself.

 

[Eqwhipped]

Sold my bike when I moved, trying to forget about 2 wheels for awhile. But damn I miss the wind and feeling of freedom.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Here is my baby. 2003 Shadow 750 ACE.

Havent ridden her in a couple of years since she broke my back. But thats a story all by itself.

View attachment 99544

I always liked the Honda "ACE" series. Chrome laced wheels are a nice touch.

 

[DomnioMaestro]

I always liked the Honda "ACE" series. Chrome laced wheels are a nice touch.

She rides like a dream. Not a speed demon by any stretch, but gets up and goes when you need to. Not to heavy, but I never got blown around by trucks. Added that windshield after I all but got unseated by a bird.

I miss riding, but gravity always seems to win, and I dont bounce anymore.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

The lower front fork tubes on this ten year old bike are starting to lose the clear coat and so I decided to strip and polish them. Well, after a complete fork rebuild.

Here's the initial results - stripped, sanded and Mother's aluminum polish on a foam drill pad. I didn't want them too shiny and so only sanded to #1000 grit. Will finish up with White Diamonds polish.

 

[Darin]

Two weeks off the bike to recover from my surgery are over and it was a beautiful morning. Temps around 63F, clear skies and few cagers. Hello old friend!

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

We were out running around in 95 degree weather, but the humidity was down to 32 percent and so it was pretty decent. Mornings are in the low 70's and we're heading out for a little ride.

A cool front is expected tomorrow.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Annnnd another tire.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

We were in the Smoky Mountains last week.

The weatherman forecasted sunshine and blue skies and so here we are.

U.S. 129 (Tail of the Dragon) in all that liquid sunshine.

 

[Darin]

As it gets colder, I'm considering heated gloves. Any experience or opinions? Thanks!

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

As it gets colder, I'm considering heated gloves. Any experience or opinions? Thanks!

We have 12V heated jackets and heated gloves. An electrical harness connects the jacket to the motorcycle and then the gloves connect to the jacket at the end of the jacket sleeves. There is a rotary dial controller that provides for adjustable heating. You want this adjustable controller - not simply an on/off or high/low. Most motorcycles have enough charging headroom to support this. We run two sets on several bikes - fused at 15A.

-or-

1. You have corded heated gloves, but no heated jacket. In this scenario, you need a controller and a harness that snakes up thru the jacket and out the sleeves.

2. You have a corded heated vest. See #1, above

3. You have battery powered gloves. These work just OK. Not enough power for those really cold days - nor duration.

4. You have a battery powered jacket. This is the same scenario as the battery powered heated gloves. Convenient, but not as functional.

You didn't ask, but heated grips are nice.

 

[Darin]

Thanks! I've tried the heated grips but it doesn't help the tops / knuckles very much. My bike has the 12v hook-up with adjustable dials so I may go that route. It just seems like a rechargeable glove might be nice as I'll mostly use them in the mornings only, so, less hassle.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

This one had a bit of oil seepage, so replaced a gasket.

LOL - that's the cleanest I've ever seen inside an engine case.