| Author | Message | ||
     Toona |
Well, it seems I actually broke my bike the last time I had it out riding to Reading, PA. XB9er was checking out my bike today and noticed the front header flange down at the point where the 2 pipes come together. The front top header stud is broken even with the head. A quick trip (maybe 30 feet) to M & B Repairs V twin shop (he rents his shop space off of me) and I have the Jims Header stud removal tool on order. It should be here in a day or 2. From browsing the K.V., it looks to be the best way to take care of the pesky stud. I believe the stud "just broke". I wasn't doing any wheelies etc. on the way back from Reading, just steady riding at 4000 rpm for about 3 hours. While I have to engine rotated (need to pull header to install Jims tool). I may install a new set of plugs as I'm closing in on 13k. I may just as well install the Odie Special Ops pipe that's just laying up front in the shop since the race can will be off anyway. | ||
| Toona |
I tore into the bike tonight to prep it for the engine rotation to remove broken exhaust stud. I found the long front muffler bolt missing where it goes into the engine case. Guess that was enough strain to bust a header flange bolt. So far the engine rotation prep has been easy, maybe 15-20 minutes. Another 10-15 and I'll be ready to rotate. | ||
| Toona |
Well, I didn't get to play with the bike until today. Things went fairly easy. The Jim's tool for drilling out the broken stud was very exact and worked well. I installed an allen head bolt instead of another stud. I also swapped out the race can for the Odie/Special Op's 12 can.OH MYYYYY!!!! What a difference in exhaust volume. Much deeper/meaner tone. So much so that I swapped to my all black set of plastics. The Buell has crossed to the dark side... I did a little slabbing tonite to reset the A/F mixture, but haven't had a chance to test thru any curves/real world riding yet. | ||
| Chasman |
on the contrary. Track days make you think about how unsafe the street is for stupid stunts.After a track day or seven you will learn that taking chances are just not worth it. And the worst case scenario is that track days will make you a better rider on the street. If i had to gauage it,I would say that you get a good 2 years experience of riding and handling out of 1 track day.Try it and let me know what you think.. | ||
| Alchemy |
Chasman, I have heard that it can "spoil" (if that is the right word) the experience of street riding a little as you get a keener sense for the uncontrolled risks out there. I hope it works the way you say as the experience is valuable. And, Toona, how how is the real world curves and riding going? | ||
| Toona |
Things are fine in Altoona. Put another 2-300 miles on w/ the Odie Pipe installed. It's a brute beast. The "seat-o-pants" dyno says it has more low end torque and will easily pull the front wheel in 2nd, just by rolling on the throttle. On one of the rides over this past w/e I stopped at a local used MC dealer. He has a '99 HD Classic FLHT for way under $10k, only 17,500 miles. It's calling my name REAL loud. I have my Buell listed in the classifieds (with the Buell Race can installed-not Odie pipe), so we'll see.... If I don't sell the Buell, I don't buy the HD and I'll continue to enjoy/ride the Buell. It won't hurt my feelings either way if it sells or not. | ||
| Toona |
Hey gang, just as a reminder- This Saturday will be a tame version of the Res Ride. There will be some cruisers and geezer glides along for the ride, but the ride, 100 miles ending at "Roar in the Mountains" HQ (Altoona's version of a bike weekend) should be finished around noon. The weather looks great high in the low 70's and 10% chance of rain, it may be a little cool in the morning so come prepared. IF there are enough guys that want to do a "spirited" ride, it wouldn't take a lot of convincing on my part to do the ride again that day. You can only look at so many leather vests and chaps.... The meeting time is 9:00, kick stands up at 9:15. Starting address is: Grace Bible Church 134 Logan Blvd Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 Hope to see you there! | ||
| Toona |
Anyone game for the ride to Old Glory HD/B for an open house? | ||
| Alchemy |
Hi Toona, I might go. It is a bit far from the date to be sure just yet but I would like to attend the course sessions. I am pretty sure I would not come in costume<grin> at least intentionally. | ||
| Alchemy |
Anyone going to Ephrata this Sunday morning? I have not been yet but I understand the first Sunday of the month there is a motorcycle gathering there. | ||
| Stingaroo |
Alchemy, there usually is, and there is a massive assortment of bikes. I used to go quite a bit last year. I really wish I could roll along with you, however I will be gone the 5-18th. | ||
| Toona |
Stingeroo, if my memory is working as it should, how's the wedding plans coming along? | ||
| Mark61 |
As winter weather has arrived finding time and road conditions suitable for riding the curves is like stealing time thoughts go towards next year's rides. Any ideas and or motivation to planning rides or events? Maybe a track day some where west of Pocanos? A weekend spent checking out people's "must ride!" roads? I have to schedule vacation by a seniority list so now is when I have to look forwards. Let's hear what you all think. mark61 (Message edited by mark61 on November 06, 2007) | ||
| Toona |
Mark, the Res Ride will be held Memorial Day w/e again. Tentative plans are for Friday afternoon ride, evening ride to supper somewhere, then Saturday rides out of my shop. The main Saturday ride(s) will be broken up next year. Instead of riding the 100 miles start to finish. I'm going to do "mini" rides that will all start and end at my shop. My shop/HQ is centrally located to all of the ride loops, so you could ride all the rides or one loop, pick and choose. Kinda along the lines of March Badness where there is a central HQ and lots of good roads to choose from. This also helps if you can't make it for the 1st ride of the day, you could still catch any of the rides later. This year, if you weren't there when we left, you missed out on everything else. I'll have to look up who did the hotel arrangements last year, but they got a group rate at the Holiday Inn Express in Altoona. | ||
| Mark61 |
Toona, Sounds like a good start to the plan! Let me know if I can help. I have ridden a lot of the roads in central Pa! I might not be a fast as others but I can find my way around. How far from Tipton are your rides going to take people? Ever check out the roads in Center county? Some nice twisties with very little traffic on them. I live 10 miles from Beaver Springs Drag strip and can/could put you intouch with the track owner if you wanted. That week end is a big race weekend. Perhaps we could get a "Buell" class added? radar | ||
| Toona |
One of the "loops" goes thru Tipton and up Tipton Mountain. | ||
| Toona |
Well, I felt the need to get in one more ride yesterday. It was in the mid 50s and I was hungry, so I called Xb9er and woke him up and tempted him with a little Clem's BBQ in Port Matilda. 30 minutes later he's at the shop and we were off. The roads were clear, but cold. My Conti's were doing a bit of sliding when pushed and I couldn't seem to get them up to temp to stick. We ended up at Kissell Motorsports in State College where XB9er scored a new Scorpion Exo 1000 skid lid. It has some neat features like a flip down sun visor inside the helmet, so you don't need to wear sunglasses or change visors if you leave in the day and come back after dark. It also has an air pump that blows up the cheek pads (for lack of a better term) for a snug fit. I took it for a high speed spin when we got back to the shop. Very quiet on the wind noise, but you could feel the air going across the top of your head. I guess because there was less wind noise, it seemed to make any engine/exhaust noise a little louder. Not annoying, just a little louder. Also this helmet didn't "lift off my head" at speed like my KBC. The only "complaint" that I have is, actually 2, it took forever for Scorpion to get them in the dealerships and two, the color choice/design is bland. The graphics look like white perforated band aids. Chris got the coolest version (so far), which is a solid matte/semi gloss black. I'm sure in time they will have more designs/color schemes out. All in all, a very nice lid. One that will be on the Christmas list this year. | ||
| Toona |
Well tonight I did my spring maintenance, so that in the "spring" I'll be ready to roll. I installed new front brake pads (Lyndall Gold), traction grips, Buell Pro Series plugs, replaced a broken front muffler clamp and a new dash face plate from PDGMoto.com. The only thing left to do is cut the ends of the grips to reinstall my Napolean bar end mirrors and give it a bath before putting on the bike pajamas and going into bike hibernation. When is Spring? | ||
| Mark61 |
Oh toona don't give up yet! Weather here in central Pa. last few years has given us some odd days to ride sportingly. Or you could do what I do--buy an electric coat and snap the windsheild on the RK. Put on a full face helmet and watch out for "black ice"! mark61 | ||
| Toona |
Only 2 strikes against me, no electric suit and no Road king with a windshield....  | ||
| Chasman |
anyone have the photographers link for mid ohio pass 1125 day? | ||
| Mark61 |
Any body from Pa. going to the Home Coming in July? I get to schedule vacation time soon and hoping that week is still open. mark61 | ||
| Billyo |
The wife and I are going to try to make it this year. It may be a bit far to go on her Blast! but maybe she can get an scg by then. | ||
| Billyo |
Hey Toona, how does the Odie can compare to the Drummer? | ||
| Toona |
Performance and sound wise, I think they are comparable. Maybe, just maybe, the Drummer might have an extra HP or 2, but not enough to justify the extra $ in my book. I don't use all the HP my bike makes now, I changed the pipe more for sound than performance. The Odie pipe gets me the most bang for the buck. Plus Odie is a super nice guy. | ||
| Toona |
As for Buell meets this year, I'm still up in the air. I had a blast at MBIV last year, but with my business, that's just a bad time for me to go away and play. My father bought a place in FLA near Zephyrhills. He's got a Fatboy, my brother is looking for a Fatboy, so I may be attending BikeWeek in Daytona with them. I still need to clear it with my wife to go away over July 4th for Homecoming. She's not a rider/passenger, so she wouldn't be going. IF I go, I'll be trucking/trailering (depending on how many from PA go). I enjoy riding my XB, but slabbing for that amount of distance is not fun to me. I'd rather arrive "fresh" and have a better time. Plus if something happens to the bike there, I still have a way home.  | ||
| Mark61 |
Turns out I am not going to be able to get off work that week. Senority vacation picking suck! If I was going I would be with Toona re:trucking up and being fresh for the fun. 15 hour drive from this area I understand. Would take 2 days on the Buell for me. radar | ||
| Billyo |
I like my Drummer but I've heard a lot of excitement for the Odie can. Maybe when the warden gets her scg I'll put the Odie on it. | ||
| Mark61 |
Well the weather here in central Pa. has been awesome these last couple days! So yesterday I gave the roadking a few kind words and took off on the Thunderbolt for a 60 mile round the block ride. Nice to be able to put fresh gas in it in January! Refreshing the memory of how close to sexual feeling acceleration is was good too! :~) | ||
| Ekass13 |
Hey Hey, As the weather gets warmer lets try to get together, I remember the last time I rode with Toona & the PA buell crew... Good times. I've spent some time sharpening my skills & am ready for another day of buellness. |
