| Author | Message | ||
     Cataract2 |
Wow, never thought it would get this close. 2 weeks left until I leave for Basic at Ft. Jackson, SC. My how times have changed. In just a short time I feel I've made some serious decisions that are affecting my life in a good way. I'm hoping I can continue this trend. Well, got a question. My bike. Of course I won't be able to ride it for at least 3-4 months. So for those of you who have to store your bikes for the winter. What do you do? The battery is going to be replaced with a new one when I get back. I have a Wal Mart special in there right now just for temp use. Man, I'm going to go stir crazy not being able to ride. BTW, what's all this about being required to wear a reflective vest? I'm guessing I'll be required to. So in that case, are the ICON MIL SPEC vests good? At least those look way better (along with being more functional) that the cheap ones. I always wear a jacket, gloves, helmet, and good boots. So gear is not an issue. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Cataract, Perfect timing to attend -- the heat is rolling in  I wouldn't worry so much (unless something's really changed) about going stir-crazy for the next few months. I suspect you'll be busy. Good luck! G2 | ||
| Aldaytona |
Ryan, have fun, I did Ft Jackson for basic as well, you'll probably end up on "Tank Hill". Good luck! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Cataract2, thanks for your upcoming service to our country. my son just transferred to Fort Jackson from South Korea - do a search for "Spreadem" and drop him a PM if you're so inclined. he's an MP, and could probably help with your reflective vest questions, etc. good luck, keep your nose clean and your head down. and thanks again.  FB | ||
| Southern Marine |
Good Luck. One of my wifes friends husband is a Drill Sergeant (that's what the army calls them right?) at Fort Jackson. Now I'm wondering what your chances are of getting him. What's your last name again (shoot me an email), maybe I'll have her shoot an email and see if her husband will check on you for us and give us an update. Just remember, it's 90% mental. You can do it, just keep your head in the game. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Anyone got any info on long term storage of the bike? | ||
| Madduck |
Cataract, Storing a bike for 6 months is not an issue. Unhook the negative on the battery put some Harley gas stabalizer in the "Full" tank, walk away. I've also bumped the air pressure up to 50psi in both tires, doesn't seem to be a big improvement. I've done this for over thirty years and have never had a problem. Carb problems and injectors may need a little Sea Foam for a tank or two but you should be running. Long term storage is usually more than two years. More needs to don for that time frame. Best of Luck and thanks. You could have a friend ride it around for you while you are away, volunteers are not that hard to come up with. Paul | ||
| U4euh |
Uh, yea, you could ride it to my house, store it in my building, and come visit it on weekend furlough's. Just over the border in NC. Course, my arm could be twisted to blow the sludge out every now and then! | ||
| Cataract2 |
Well, the other thought was to let the parents start it up every now and then. They ride also, but I don't think my dad would care to ride it (mother can't even get her feet on the ground on it.). U4, I doubt there would be much twisting needed. | ||
| Madduck |
Cataract, I've had better results just letting em sit than starting em and not riding enough to thoroughly warm up. | ||
| No_rice |
if you fill the tank, then put some stabil fuel stabilizer in it, it will be fine. would probably unhook the batt too. i store bikes during the winter, and snowmobiles during the warm months, which ends up being all but a month or two a year and this always works well for me. i never do start them, just fill the tank put the stabil in and let it run that way for a bit so the stabil makes it through the fuel system. then let her sit and leave her alone. | ||
| Loki |
Cat, The ICON vests meet and handily exceed the minimum requirements. The first series(issue) are a snug fit over a jacket. The new ones in orange or yellow come in a super size. | ||
| Xring |
What no_rice said. Stabil in a full tank and let it run or ride it for a bit so the stabilizer can get in the fuel lines and injectors. I'd leave the battery hooked up and hook it to a Battery Tender. Some people like to put the bike on a stand to get the tires off the ground; no flat spots and relieves the pressure on the front and rear springs. Depends how picky you are. The only other thing I can think of is trying to protect from mice. Sometimes mothballs will help, but they're nasty. Read the precautions. Edit: Oh yeah, they say to leave it with a clean change of oil, so the corrosive deposits in the engine oil don't eat away at the bearings and crank while sitting there. I guess not as much problem in a dry sump engine, but it couldn't hurt. Good luck, Cat. Bill (Message edited by xring on April 18, 2006) | ||
| Seanp |
Cat - don't worry about riding until you get out of AIT. The IET (Initial Entry Training) students at Fort Gordon are not allowed to have cars, (or motorcycles). So you won't be able to ride until you get to your first duty station. And you can have the military pay to move it there for you. Any idea where you want to be stationed? | ||
| Mbsween |
Cat, I was in Jackson way back in 83, bet its different now. I live in upstate NY. The bikes are routinely left not running for 4 -5 months. Just fill the gas, hook up a battery tender and work on your push-ups. You'll probably spend more time in the good old front leaning rest than worrying about your bike. Basic goes by very slowly for about 2 days, then it flies by. Good luck Matt | ||
| T9r |
On Post here they only require a reflective belt be worn, it is left up to the Post Commander for strictness of the regulation. The vests that the MSF offers are a great price and meet the Army Regulation. https://store.msf-usa.org/Store/StoreItems.aspx?cid=3 The REG states: B. REQUIRED PPEC ARE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) CERTIFIED HELMET, IMPACT OR SHATTER RESISTANT GOGGLES OR FULL FACE SHIELD PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE HELMET, STURDY FOOTWEAR, LONG SLEEVED SHIRT OR JACKET, LONG TROUSERS, FULL-FINGERED GLOVES OR MITTENS DESIGNED FOR USE ON MOTORCYCLE, BRIGHTLY COLORED OUTER UPPER GARMENT DURING THE DAY AND A RETRO-REFLECTIVE UPPER GARMENT DURING THE NIGHT. OUTER UPPER GARMENT SHALL BE CLEARLY VISIBLE AND NOT COVERED. OPERATORS MUST ENSURE THAT THEIR PASSENGERS ALSO COMPLY WITH PPEC AND VISIBLE GARMENT REQUIREMENTS. REAR VIEW MIRRORS MUST BE MOUNTED ON HANDLE BAR OR FAIRING, AND HEADLIGHT MUST BE TURNED ON. REFERENCES: A. DODI 6055.4, DOD TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM. B. AR 385-55, PREVENTION OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. C. MSG, DTG 131922Z JUN 00, IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE FOR AR 385-55, PREVENTION OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. (Message edited by t9r on April 19, 2006) | ||
| Cataract2 |
Thanks for the info. SeanP, kinda had a feeling I wouldn't be allowed it there. No idea where I'll be stationed after that though. I'm told when you get to Basic they give you a chance to choose where to go, which basically means they'll choose for you. Guess I'll have to wait to find out. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Cataract, You're going to be fine. It's a new opportunity, new experience, new people, all around good deal. The biggest plus I can think of is, uh, well, you're getting ready to be a Soldier in The United States Army and that's all good. G2 | ||
| Seanp |
All Army posts are in interesting places. They're all interesting in different ways... I went from Fort Polk, LA, which was in the middle of nowhere, to Fort McPherson, GA, in the middle of Atlanta. Talk about two polar opposites... But they're both great posts for different reasons. I've lived in Fort Jackson SC, Fort Rucker AL, Schofield Barracks HI, Fort Monmouth NJ, West Point NY, Fort Gordon GA, Fort Polk LA, and Fort McPherson GA. I've spent more than a month at Fort Bliss TX and Fort Huachuca AZ. So I've seen quite a few different posts, and like I said, they've all been great in their own ways. You'll love it, no matter where you are! | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Cat - Did you enlist for a certain school, or training? DON'T VOLUNTEER FOR ANYTHING! Use the Army to your advantage. The military is like a sweater, you only get out of it what you put into it. A lot of the guys I was in the army with did that and got some great training. All I wanted to do was jump out of airplanes and raise hell on Hay Street and Combat Alley in Fayetteville NC. (Message edited by bcordb3 on April 19, 2006) | ||
| Cataract2 |
Bcord, I signed up for 25S (Satellite Communications). Felt that would be a good path to choose where the training would transfer to the civilian world well. Plus, I'm a closet computer nerd. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Good choice! | ||
| Doon |
cataract: Plus, I'm a closet computer nerd. You say that like it is bad thing Being a fully out'd computer nerd here (I have a tattoo of my favorite OS on my left leg.. and no it is not a penguin or an apple). | ||
| Cataract2 |
Doon, well, I use to be more out with it. I was big big big into computers. Still am to an extent, it's just the motorcycle's (Buell in particular) eclipsed it. I still fiddle with them. Heck, I built the firewall/router computer that controls my internet access. Thanks to IPCOP Linux firewall/router. I plan to keep that and use it later. The job choice like I said was based on future use. Many people I met at MEPS were gunho to go into infantry or special forces. Believe me, at that age I to might have been gunho for that. Now I look to the future and how it can serve me later. I just don't see anything else serving me as well. Gotta play to my strengths. Darn, I went into a rant. Sorry about that. SeanP, I sent you an e-mail. Dunno if you can do it, but if so I would be grateful. |
