what did you do to your vfr today?

I started at 08:20. I rode to Rocky Point (Indiana). From there, north, on 45, thru Birdseye, to French Lick. Got fuel at French Lick. Then took 150 to Shoals, then 450 to Bedford. Then it was 58 to 135, to Nashville Indiana. Then I turned around and reversed course.

I passed everything that got in the way. Scraped a few pegs. Long day, maybe 300ish miles. The bike ran, and handled like the therobred, that it is. Cleaned it up, lubed the chain. Jumped into the pool.

 

There is an '93 ST1100 on CL for $1000. I am so tempted. I just don't know what I would do with it.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/5753510636.html

 

Searched for my millimeter, tested some wires cussed kicked stared at the wiring diagrams.
Headed outside realized it was dark ,cussed some more
Vowed to pull the left control switch tomorrow after work, for further investigation and possible repair or replacement.
If nothing else it separates a big chunk of the wire to further isolate my problem(s)

 

Let's see... I swapped the gas tank to the eBay find replacement, loaded it with fuel, started it up then shut it down so I could scope out the gas leak. Lifted the tank, reset the gasket on the float mechanism, refilled with gas and started it this time with no leaks! Rode for the first time since the accident on May 30th but had to cut it to a very short 2 miles as my left wrist and hand is still not 100% healed. At least I know the bike is ready for me when I'm healed and ready to ride! Back on the charger!

 

Turfed the K&N air filter and went to replace it with an OEM. But remembered I had discarded that rubber gasket between the air filter and the bottom housing when I went to the K&N. The K&N has a soft edge so didn't need that gasket and wouldn't properly fit with the gasket in place. Now I don't have the gasket and you can't order just the gasket. You have to order the whole housing assembly for about $130.00. Piss on that. Found that the beading used to hold screens in screen doors is the right diameter and soft enough to use. So A buck fiddy later, I was set.

 

Brandy none of mine have had a gasket on it and it's sealed tight. Don't sweat it.

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You sure there isn't one tucked deep in that groove. I didn't think it would make a hell of a lot of difference
Not much air would get through there regardless. But this is working well.

 

Not on either of my 2002 bikes.

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And the original filter was actually in this current bike that I have it only had 9800 kilometers on it.

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The mother of invention!

 

If you wanted to cover some miles at a good pace, the ST is a good choice. It does weigh a LOT more than a VFR and feels every extra gram under brakes, accelerating or bending in or out of a corner, but the trade off is locomotive stability, and day-long comfort. I've actually put a lot more miles on my ST than my VFR since I got it, partly novelty, partly comfort through our winter.

I'm also trying to make it handle in a more VFR like fashion which may be a bit of a futile pursuit but no-one ever called me rational where bikes are concerned. There's not much wrong with the geometry, and it has responded well to new tyres, shock, some decent HH pads and a stiffened and revalved front end. The bike holds a superb steady arc in sweepers and is unperturbed by bumps, but is less fun on the point and squirt stuff. When I first got the bike I was destroying the centrestand and my boots in bends due to sacked out springs and a wrong-section back tyre, but I need to work hard to even touch my boots now.

Go on Jim; you need another project since you quit the Norton and the 6th gen.

 

I tried duct tape but that didn't work that great. And I didn't want to admitt that. Dig deep enough into my roots and you will discover prairie farmer way back in the family.

 

I am going to Houston next weekend to pick up a project 5th Gen (yellow) and another 5th Gen parts bike. I don't know why.

 

Great photo. Love the roads in NZ, and after a week there (traveling in a door-slammer with the family) in May, I know I'll be back, but on two.

 

Completed a maintenance task on an '86 700 i'd been neglecting for years and years: pulled the 2 nuts at front to drain the cylinder block, very little dirt/rust came out, so i'll continue to flush and refill cooling system.

Getting tools on those nuts isn't easy !! :crushed:

 

Addict

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It's ok Jim. You're among friends, we understand!

 

Maybe they were designed by the same guy that did the coolant drains on the left head of the ST1100. Pulling and reinstalling these involved a lot of swearing, followed by a vow never to do them again.

 

Faffed around with my new carbtune

 

Fired mine up, just to hear it run.
Have been out of town for more than a week, was feeling withdrawal symptoms.
But decided not to take a spin, already 10:30. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice too!