Motorcycle Thread

[max16v]

Originally Posted by Turbo Punk

I think I'll just move to Connecticut so I can ride without a helmet and shirt with just shorts and sneakers without socks. Because we all know that those things are just too restrictive and take away from the pleasure of riding a Motorcycle.






Fucking idiots.

OR down to Palm Springs where "it's too hot to wear protection..."

Saw a guy cruise by me today wearing Dockers shorts, velcro sandals (yeah, NO socks), and a polo shirt. Probably just left his law firm for the weekend and decided to haul ass downtown.

I thought I was bullet-proof as a kid riding motorcycles around the dirt wearing just shorts. That changed my mind when my dad brushed up against a cactus. I put on protective pants and full leg pads after I saw my dad grab the needle nose pliers...

[fungus]

Turbo, as I was looking at the stock handlebars the other day, it looked almost like you could turn the stock bar upside down, then around so that it's once again pointed back, but downward. You'd have to drill new wiring holes and patch the old ones, but it looks like it'd be cheap clubman bars. Just wouldn't have much drop.

Bill, I had no idea you used to have dreads man! My head used to be too big for any hat (cap at full adjustment MIGHT go on) but now there's no way anything fits hat-wise. I really love my dreads, but I'm afraid I may have to part with them to fit in a helmet.

Speaking of helmets, I really like the idea of modulars for daily driving (getting stuck in traffic, etc.) I've heard some people say they're not as safe as a full helmet, but at the same time, it'd be better than a 3/4. Any opinions?

I'll look into a set of pants. I had no idea about jeans only lasting 0.5 seconds...

[fungus]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention... The clipons kind of worry me too. If the welds look in real life like they do in the pic, then I think they're completely structurally sound; but the idea of losing one while in traffic or a hard turn on the blue ridge parkway...

I plan to gusset them. I'll basically make another clip for the fork, have a short tube coming up from it, then a clip for the bar itself (7/8" diameter). It might widen my grip a little, but it'd sure give me peace of mind.

[fungus]

Ok, one more post.

Recommendation on tubes. I don't plan to race, just driving backroads, highway and interstate.

I need a 100/90-19 and a 120/90-18... These are the only ones I could find those sizes in:

http://www.bikebandit.com/metzeler-motorcycle-tubes

http://www.bikebandit.com/bridgestone-motorcycle-tubes

Personal preferences? I'll be ordering 2 of each size for backup.

[ThrasherBill]

V8T, did you find anything at the sale? I'd really hate to have to say I told you so!

If it's too hot you're wearing the wrong gear.

Fungus, if you cut off the dreads, have a look inside them. I gaurantee you won't ever grow them back! Blech.

[ThrasherBill]

Originally Posted by fungus

Bill, I had no idea you used to have dreads man!

Only photo I could find online... 1989 or 90.

[max16v]

Originally Posted by fungus

Oh yeah, forgot to mention... The clipons kind of worry me too. If the welds look in real life like they do in the pic, then I think they're completely structurally sound; but the idea of losing one while in traffic or a hard turn on the blue ridge parkway...

Fungus. I have bought two sets of those clip ons from eBay. One set has lasted two years of everyday riding and still work and look perfect!
The new set only has less than 5 miles on them, but I have no doubts of the structural integrity. Have you ever heard of clip-ons breaking or seeing/hearing of a set that needs gussets? I haven't either. Just buy the stinkin' things and run 'em!

@ Bill: dude, post a pic with the dreads! EDIT: nevermind. already did.

I wanted dreads sooo bad when I was a youngin' after watching

Cool Runnings.

[Ace of Shades]

Originally Posted by Turbo Punk

I think I'll just move to Connecticut so I can ride without a helmet and shirt with just shorts and sneakers without socks. Because we all know that those things are just too restrictive and take away from the pleasure of riding a Motorcycle.






Fucking idiots.

That reminds of last weekend. Some guy on a stripped down hunk of shit that thought it was a bobber riding out of town wearing -sit down- a pair of cut off jean shorts, a pair of flip flops ( honest to God, thingy 'tween the toes, flip flops) and one of those old German Kaiser helmets, You know the ones, the non-DOT approved with the spike. I felt bad for him, we were about 5 cars in front of him going from my side of the state, up and over the cascades to Portland when we hit the biggest torrential down pour I have seen in a long time.

guy shouldn't have been riding like an asshole the whole way over and karma might have smiled on him

[alykat]

Like the man says, "There ain't no cure for stupid !"

[V8Transporter]

I have a set of Telefix clip-ons I used to run on the Sporty (with the 38 mm Kawi forks) until my wrists began giving me grief. They are alloy at the clamps and adjustable, but still too low at their highest point. I currently run a set of 'Euro' style bars which are just right and still have the 'look' I'm after.
I'm running into to Santa Rosa in a bit to look into armored shorts and Kevlar flip flops..you just can't be too safe.

[tequilla]

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

.........some sort of sale and have a nice selection of riding pants with armor. I'd hate for you to be able to say, "I told you so."

When I start riding my Harley I think I'm gonna go with the Ass-less chaps Seriously....... but I will be wearing jeans under them. I figure the chaps will give me some skid protection on the outside and the Fruit Of The Loom's will give me some skid protection on the inside. At least I will have some protection until I find a decent pair of leather pants.

[V8Transporter]

Okay. I rode over to Cycle gear and after taking a pass on their huge selection of Frank Thomas crap (I bought a pair of FT boots a number of years back and they literally fell apart within a few months. Imagine riding along at about seventy in heavy commuter traffic and the sole starts flapping, you lift your foot from the peg to see what the hell is going on and the whole sole blows off....) I tried on some racing style pants whic didn't fit so hot, and several pairs of denim style pants with armor at the knees (removeable for washing)and Kevlar in all the right places and bought a nice fitting pair of RedRoute brand...likely made in China. Price; at under a hundred bucks plus tax.
I asked the very helpful young lady about Kevlar socks to go with my carbon fiber filpflops for when I'm riding my old Sporty, and oddly enough she didn't think that I was funny.

[soulrider]

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

I asked the very helpful young lady about Kevlar socks to go with my carbon fiber filpflops for when I'm riding my old Sporty, and oddly enough she didn't think that I was funny.

That's fucking awesome.... I am going to have to use that one

[Turbo Punk]

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

I have a set of Telefix clip-ons I used to run on the Sporty (with the 38 mm Kawi forks) until my wrists began giving me grief. They are alloy at the clamps and adjustable.....

So, what are your plans for the clip-ons?

[V8Transporter]

They are hanging in my shop. They only fit 38 mm forks and are for 3/4" grips and controls (To fit the Sporty's 1" controls I made up a couple of simple tube sleeves, slit lengthwise so that they compress, which are still on the Sporty with the 3/4" Euro bars). I suppose you could make up a similiar sleeve to get 'em to fit smaller dia. forks, as they clamp in place. If they are something you could use on you bike, I'd be willing to part with them.
I'll run up to the shop and get 'em down so I can give you a better idea of how they work.

[Turbo Punk]

I'm replacing the stock CB750 front end with one from a '77 GL1000 (Gold Wing). It has 37mm forks vrs the 35mm. Shimming 1mm would be easy. The problem would be the 7/8" grips and controls on the CB's but Like you, I could also make some sleeves.

Let me know, thanks.

[V8Transporter]

The control shims are easy. I found a mild steel tubing with a 7/8" id and cut a lengthwise slot an eight inch wide so the sleeve would 'compress.' The clip-ons are pretty much infinitly adjustable...Obviously they pivot fore and aft at the fork tube, but also at the bar tube mount, and you can change the angle in relation to the fork. Plus, at no extra cost, they telescop an inch or so, and have bar end weights. I shelled out about 75 bucks when I bought 'em in '89. Chrome inboard of the part where the controls mount has some minor pits but otherwise they are pretty nice. How about 40 bucks including shipping?

[V8Transporter]

Wait a minute. If you're using the CB controls, they should be 7/8" and the clip ons are for 7/8". Am I missing something here?

[Turbo Punk]

Sounds like an awesome deal to me. I'll have to wait until Friday to shoot you the cash.

I thought you said they were for 3/4" controls. If they are for 7/8" then they are perfect.

[V8Transporter]

3/4" controls?...oops, I can't recall ever seeing that size. Yup, these are for 7/8".. I guess that I should clean my glasses more often.
I've got a couple of slow days and will be installing my Safari windows (after only four years...sigh) and searching for a short in the single cab.
Anyway, PM me your address and I'll get 'em headed your way tomorrow.

[max16v]

Turbo, why replace the front end?
Seems kinda pointless when the stock front end works just fine from the factory.

[V8Transporter]

"Seems kinda pointless when the stock front end works just fine from the factory."

Uh, what?

[fungus]

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

"Seems kinda pointless when the stock front end works just fine from the factory."

Uh, what?

Looking at the pics he posted in the score thread, it's got dual disc brake, aluminum rim, stainless spokes, and it may have stock taper bearings...

It may just be a beefier suspension.

[Turbo Punk]

Yup, better braking, less flex and the other non-carodable features listed above. Plus it pisses off you purists out there. ;)

[fungus]

Originally Posted by Turbo Punk

Yup, better braking, less flex and the other non-carodable features listed above. Plus it pisses off you purists out there. ;)

Bastard!