BlueSky

As an "Oh by the way", it is my understanding that braided SS brake lines that fit the stock calipers will not work with R1 brake calipers. So, if you are planning to make that change in the future, you want to do it at the same time. Skydoc can tell you all about it and can supply the ss lines. The brake pads are the same size R1 or stock on the MK IIs I think. The R1s supposedly work better because the calipers don't slide and one cylinder is smaller than the other affecting the way the pads are squeezed against the rotor or something like that. Others know more about this than I do. I did buy the right side R1 caliper but haven't installed it yet and I may not.

Oh man! That's tough! Just have to suffer through. Is that you primary hand?

I worked a 6 month job in VA about 45 miles northwest of Richmond with the job ending at the end of the year. It snowed 9" just before Christmas. In NC, it all depends. Mountains on one end and ocean on the other. I live in Wilmington on the southeast coast and snow is a very rare event. It's warm enough here that we have alligators in the swamps, about as far north as alligators can survive. On the west end of the state, of course it's a different story. But the ski resorts have to make their own snow usually.

What really rankles me is that I have a truck, car, and two motorcycles and I have to pay for insurance on all four like I can drive or ride them at the same time. I think we should be writing our representatives to see if they can change this. I'm getting ripped off. The insurance co. argument is that someone else not on your policy could be driving or riding them but that just doesn't flush. That could be prevented by levying a heavy penalty if that happens.

Retired engineer but I'm flattered to be suspected of being an LEO. I just read a couple of news web sites and it popped up on foxnews. http://www.khou.com/news/local/texas/texas-man-who-ran-bikers-off-road-sentenced-to-15-years-in-prison/428463526

Well, I saw a news article a couple days ago that the bitter old man in the car was sentenced to 15 years in jail. From what I understood from the article he has been in jail since he was arrested with a $150k bond that I suppose he couldn't meet. The jury didn't buy his insect excuse.

O'reillys had to order the wire (I think a roll of wire.)but it came overnight. The NGK caps came in a few days after ordering. By the way their web site NGK.com will select the correct cap for you.

I'm wondering if the "backorder" is just a cover story. Tell the shop they can get the parts from partzill.com in a couple days and see what they say.

The spark plug caps were $2.60 each and the copper core wire was $0.69 /ft. from O' reillys.

Not running well could also be caused by corrosion in the spark circuitry such as in the copper core wire where it screws into the spark plug caps. I just bought some new NGK caps from ngk.com and some copper wire from O'reillys to replace mine. The NGK caps have 5k ohms resistance versus the OE caps with 9k ohms. So, I'm hoping for a hotter spark to keep it running smooth.

Yeah, that sounds like a part that would never need replacing?

Dot 3, Dot 4, and Dot 5.1 are all compatible and can be used. The higher the number, the higher the boiling temperature of the fluid. And the higher the number, the more likely it is to absorb water. So, the higher the number, the more often flushing is needed but it might be just what you need for aggressive riding especially in the mountains when riding double with gear.

I bought a Motion Pro sync tool. I got bubbles in the fluid that I couldn't shake down and was told by their tech it needed fluid. It was really easy for the fluid to get sucked into the engine if the carb sync was very far off. I was poed enough with it that I sold if for less than half what I paid for it and constructed a homemade unit. If I buy another it will be a set of gauges.

I wonder if boats.net (partzilla.com) would have the parts?

Welcome! And that is a beautiful bike. It's my favorite color.

I spent 7 months working 6 - 12s at the infamous Davis Besse Nuclear Power Plant during their restart not that far from your home. They replaced the reactor vessel head that had corroded completely through the 6" of carbon steel and the thin stainless steel liner had started leaking. I actually stayed in Perrysburg south of Toledo.

Maybe I don't know where to look but I haven't seen your address anywhere Freebird. I see Oberlin Ohio but that's it. can you post your address so I can find maintenance day? thanks!

contact crue69. He's parting out an 89 that is maroon I believe.

One of the issues with the bike is fork seals. If they are leaking, the oil will drench the front brakes and render them useless. Better take a trailer and plan on hauling it home.

I was wondering about the camera. I was guessing that they used something like a boroscope to take those photos.

Not venomous, but I'm still not applying!

When I was there last August, I stayed in the Fairfield Inn in Spearfish. Directly across the highway we ate at a buffet the last night there and they had the best fried chicken. I regret not asking about the batter they used on the chicken.

Hey, speaking as a fat old man as most of the venture riders members seem to be, I applaud the less than perfect women who have enough self confidence to show off their stuff! It's Sturgis bike week after all. More power to them! Seems to be the typical male attitude, we want a 10 in a woman even if we are only a 2!

I found Sturgis surprisingly tame. I suppose they have enough LEO's around to maintain civility. And the few scantilly dressed women I saw I suspect were paid models. They were young, absolutely gorgeous, and would pose for photos with you if you asked. I've seen the youtube videos about Sturgis too and I didn't see anything like that. But, I left before dark and maybe it gets wilder later at night. If you are expecting a wild and woolly town that isn't safe you will be disappointed.

For those of us who never had the priviledge of meeting Black Owl, does anyone have any photos they could post? Thanks