Parts is parts...

Received my bearings and brake/clutch levers today. I quickly switched out the brake lever (easy) but that clutch lever made me a little nervous. I couldn't figure out a way to detach the cable from the lever proper. I posted a question to the XJ list, maybe someone will have an answer.

It's unfortunate that the weather is so lousy, but then again, this is Michigan. I have ridden the bike very little in the last few days, not that I am afraid of getting wet, but that I don't like the bike getting wet. I have had the chance to get the bike cleaned up. I took off the "dashboard" (the light housing) and cleaned it up with some chrome polish. Looks a LOT better. Almost like new, in fact. I was going to change the lights out too, but halogen bulbs are something that I don't really need right now. Basically I was just trying to figure out the best way to get the tach cover off. After a bit of trial and error, I figured out there is a small screw holding the cover on, in the back. Once this was off, the cover slipped right off. I should be getting the new cover on the 14th (according to their website) so once it arrive, whammo, my upper deck will be clean and unblemished once more.

Started a list of things I plan to bring to Canada at the end of Sept. I am apprehensive about the trip, yet very excited. It's a long way to go, and I am still a little nervous about something going wrong with the bike, namely, the wheel bearings. I may just break down and switch them out on my next day off, although I have to concentrate on school as well. Weird how in my mind, school takes a backseat when it comes to thoughts of the bike. Of course, I snap back to reality quickly when I realize my livelihood is at stake.

Getting through customs should be easy enough when I explain why I am smuggling 6 bottles of seafoam over the border, as well as the bearings. Carb clinic, fella's. You know you wish you were going!

Maybe I'll get some ride time in tomorrow. Well, that and studying.

I made it out to Sophie's for breakfast this morning, then it started raining. I am surprised at the bike though. True, I have to shoot a small spray of starter fluid into the air intake, but after that, it runs like clockwork. I thought the rain would be causing me more problems, but so far, so good.

It had to happen...

Well, it finally happened. I tipped the bike.

It wasn't anything glamorous or death defying. In fact, I had just turned in to a church parking lot when I hit some loose gravel. The bike slipped sideways and fell over. Luckily I was only doing about 5 miles an hour, but it was enough.

Letting loose a few expletives and cursing my stupidity, I quickly got to my feet after making sure I wasn't hurt. Of more importance, I feared for the bike.

As you can see in the picture, there's a pretty big scrape on the tachometer, something that will have to be replaced. There are also some minor scratches to the turn signal on the same side, the beautifully polished chrome pipes and the rear turn signal. Nothing that needs replacing, however.

You've undoubtedly heard the stories of people imbued with superhuman strength while their loved ones lay trapped beneath a burning car; well, I had that bike up faster than you could say Bob's yer uncle, especially when the high octane fuel I had just purchased was leaking out of the tank onto the hot engine and all over the ground. I'll have to check and see if there isn't some sort of seal available for the gas tank opening.

Cursing myself yet again, I made sure the bike was in neutral, then tapped the starter. It hitched a couple of times, but fired right up. I sat on the bike for a few minutes, trying to compose myself, replaying the spill over and over again in my mind. Could have been worse...

Then I looked at my knee, which was burning a bit. I didn't see any blood soaking through the material, but it sure smarted. I pulled up my pant leg and surprise, my first road rash.

To be honest, I never saw the loose gravel. The parking lot I pulled into had a cement driveway, and the gravel blended right in with the rest of the ground. I was way out in the middle of nowhere (about halfway to Flint, about 40 miles from home) so if the bike hadn't started, I would have been in even deeper trouble.

Very depressing day. The ride itself was pretty good, except I really notived the clicking of the front wheel on the way back. Luckily, I am getting new bearings in the next few days, as well as a new brake lever (broken from when the bike was tipped before by the PO) so I am going to have a busy next few days.

You know, since I can't ride it anyway (til that wheel bearing thing is fixed) maybe I'll paint the tank. It's nearly empty, so there's no time like the present.

I'll have to do some thinking...

The two fingered wave

I've noticed in the past when greeted by another cyclist on the road, they often use an arm down and out, 2 fingered salutation. Most everyone uses this form of greeting, so I am going to adopt it. Realistically, it makes more sense to wave with your arm down, although it's not a wave, per se, but rather just the arm thrust out diagonally, 2 fingers extended. An interesting article on the phenomenon can be found here.

I have run into situations where the greeting was not returned; most often by Harley riders, that eclectic bunch with overpriced motorcycles. While I am not slamming Harley Davidson motorbikes, it is a bit disconcerting to see a sub-culture within a sub-culture. Can't we all just get along? OEM parts are expensive for all bikes, true, but for Harley's, man, what a pirate ship that company is! And the accessories! I was looking through a selection of decals the other day, and everything is Harley. Harley Harley Harley. No Yamaha stuff to be found. I guess I'll have to order on the web.

As I drive my gas guzzling cavalier, I guess I take more notice of all the bikes on the road. I miss my bike, and can't wait to get back out there. There are some real beauties zipping along, and I think by being a motorcyclist, I am paying more attention to them now than I did before owning one.

This ain't no paint-by-numbers...

So I tackled the big job of painting this weekend. Well, not a big job, per se, but big for me. I've never painted anything like this before. I'd done the research, bought the materials and dove right in.

Right off the bat, I ran into problems. The original paint was a bear to get off. Plus there was a huge gouge in one of the side covers that I needed to buff out with sand paper.

I sanded the whole thing down, roughing it up with 400grit paper, taking off the original wax, and what I hoped was the clear coat. I used the wet sanding technique, and I think it saved me putting too many scratches in the surface.

Next I taped everything off and got started. I wanted to do something fancy; perfect idea this being my first time ever painting something like this. I did the outer edge in garnet red and spray painted the rest in a speckle paint glossy black. I thought it looked pretty good til I put the clear coat on. Then it just looked... blah.


I thought it might grow on me, but no, the more I looked at it, the less I liked it. So much for being fancy! I also planned to paint the helmet I had gotten with the bike, using the same hi gloss speckle black. That turned out pretty well, all except one part where I got a bit too generous with the clear coat.

On Labor Day, I decided to strip off the new paint job and re-apply something closer to the original color. It looks MUCH better. I guess it just goes to show you shouldn't mess with the original.

Next up is the gas tank. I probably would have done that this weekend too, but things being as they are, it's killing me already not being able to ride the bike. I am going down to the SoS tomorrow right after class and get things squared away. I doubt they'll be too sympathetic, what with this being money in the bag for them. Alas, if you want to drive on the roads in MI, you have to pay the piper.