The darkside claims another victim

[cactusjack]

Well, it's done - almost. I ran out of daylight and about 30 minutes ago, this came by:



(above) In the desert, this is known as a haboob, or dust storm. Usually they blow from the indian reservation towrd my house, but this was blowing East instead of North this time. They are usually followed by rain...and this was no exception.

(below) Here is my Dunlop SP5000, all nice and purty:


This one's for you, Mac. Proof that I serviced my drivetrain:


...and the swingarm too. I must be one of the lucky ones, my swingarm bearings were well greased:


Putting it back together:


I got back from the tire store at about 10:30 am and have been working non-stop and it's now 7:45 pm. I will finish up and test ride it in the morning. Why does it take me so long? Because I clean and polish everything as I reassemble it. It was miserably hot and humid here today (hence the storm). I must have sweat 3 gallons out there.

One thing I did notice, and I assume it's normal with a 195 - there isn't even a fingers' width of air between the sidewall and the driveshaft tube, but there is probably an inch and a half or so on the opposite side.

[strobe]

Welcome to the madness!!!!! Tire looks good. Hope you are as pleased with it as the rest of us are!

[dogdoc]

CJ hey that anti-freeze looks like Prestone its so light green// ? Good looking rear tire.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

CJ hye that anti-freeze looks like Prestone its so light green// ? Good looks on theat rear tire.

It's Kawasaki Aluma-Cool Doc, but thanks for noticing.

[dkdixie]

That "finger width" of clearance seems to be the norm. If it was a 205 you would have about two credit cards of clearance.

Welcome to the "Darkside."

I'll be interested in hearing how you like it.'

[Cajunrider]

Anxious to hear how it handles Scott. Pulling the trailer too. I know you will keep us informed. Got my bike back yesterday. Wasn't feeling good enough yesterday to put the bags back on. Maybe this evening when I get home.

[macmac]

Proof indeed! I'll buy that! I will want to know clearance 'tween tire and hitch cross bar, when you can. I am hoping in excess of 1 inch.

The fact there was enough grease and no rust which you can't get anyway miffs me.

I didn't know you still had a goat belly on there either, but I do now and it is a nice flat gray. Not mine not in the 1,413 miles it had and the few more I added. Mine is still in part paint, but there the paint burned off there is rust..

Not that I care since it lives in a cardboard box in the cellar.

[blowndodge]

Looking good Scott! Glad the custer trip pushed you over the edge to the "DARKSIDE!"

Dave D and I are taking a 200 loop tomorrow through Lake Elsinor to Tom's farm and over Ortega through Trabuco and Santiago canyon to Cook's corner manana. Weather should be perfect!

Ride safe and conservative on that tire for a little while! 36lbs. is probably a pretty good starting point as mac runs that. Pressure will gradually fall as the tire "breaks in".

[coacha]

CJ, since you are now a member of the Darkside, that means you are now part of BD's elite group of Dark Knights of the Darkside. The Force is strong under those crisply pleated pants and starched shirt veneer.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by macmac

Proof indeed! I'll buy that! I will want to know clearance 'tween tire and hitch cross bar, when you can. I am hoping in excess of 1 inch.

The fact there was enough grease and no rust which you can't get anyway miffs me.

I didn't know you still had a goat belly on there either, but I do now and it is a nice flat gray. Not mine not in the 1,413 miles it had and the few more I added. Mine is still in part paint, but there the paint burned off there is rust..

Not that I care since it lives in a cardboard box in the cellar.

Mac, It looks like the guy who is supposed to grease the swingarm bearings was awake when the 2007's were assembled. Mine had plenty of grease also. There was an '05 I think at the shop the same time as mine when I had my rear tire replaced. The swingarm and drive line had no grease on this one. All was dry!

[cactusjack]

100% complete! Here's the end result:



I took it out for a 10-mile test ride on surface streets with a speed limit of 45 mph. The bike definitely has a tendency to want to stand up straight. No huge difference in "feel", you are aware that something is "different", but not in a bad way. You also hear a little tread noise. I am going on a ride to Canyon Lake tomorrow with a buddy of mine for breakfast. That will be a much better test. I have 42 PSI in the tire right now.

I went by 2 of those speed indicator signs, my speedo error is now 12% (50 indicated = 44 MPH actual) I'll test it against my GPS later.

Added benefit - my bike now runs a lot quieter. That tire is magic! Not really, I think I fixed a previously undiagnosed exhaust leak. I also fixed an annoying rattle on the right side muffler. The exhaust pipe heat shield has two tabs with rubber bumpers that secure the flared end of the shield to the muffler. One of those rubber bumpers was gone. I replaced the bumpers with 1/4" sections of 3/16" vacuum line. Problem solved.

My bike sounds better than it has for a long time, I think the exhaust leak I just assumed was noise from the intake mods I've done.

Overall, my only mistake was not doing this 5 months ago when I replaced my ME880.

[blowndodge]

Lookin' sharp CJ!

that trade off in gearing will pay off when towing. I think that's why I didn't recommend my tire for you; too tall. Riding solo with my stuff 5th is now high enough that any higher and I'd have to downshift going up grades.

My speedometer is about 3% fast now and the odometer is about 3% slow according to Trip's GPS. A good middle ground I think.

Pulling a 400 lbs. trailer I'd be in 4th more the 50% of the time. Your shorter tire should make 5th towing just right!

It's hard to answer the question about "how's it handle"? I really can't answer it either! In custer all I could say is "you know its a littler different". Definitely stands up coming out of a corner which I now like! Pitching it into a turn will feel normal almost immediately!

Again congrats and a job well done! BTW, didja use the Honda 60% moly paste on all the splines? If you did thats probably the last time the shaft drive will get serviced! I didn't want to do it again so I used that paste!

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Lookin' sharp CJ!

that trade off in gearing will pay off when towing. I think that's why I didn't recommend my tire for you; too tall. Riding solo with my stuff 5th is now high enough that any higher and I'd have to downshift going up grades.

My speedometer is about 3% fast now and the odometer is about 3% slow according to Trip's GPS. A good middle ground I think.

Pulling a 400 lbs. trailer I'd be in 4th more the 50% of the time. Your shorter tire should make 5th towing just right!

It's hard to answer the question about "how's it handle"? I really can't answer it either! In custer all I could say is "you know its a littler different". Definitely stands up coming out of a corner which I now like! Pitching it into a turn will feel normal almost immediately!

Again congrats and a job well done! BTW, didja use the Honda 60% moly paste on all the splines? If you did thats probably the last time the shaft drive will get serviced! I didn't want to do it again so I used that paste!

Yessir! I used the Honda 60 moly paste on all contact surfaces.

[blowndodge]

Now go out and hit the highway and hit that cruise control knowing its all done RIGHT and smile! 30K, at least, is what you should get out of that tire! With that new front tire your set for a long time

[Cajunrider]

Looks great Scott. How bad was your Cobra?