Nice Ride

If only the weather were more agreeable. The Maxim is running well, although I feel a spark plug change coming up soon. I think the gap might be off a bit, and since one center is broken, it's time to get new one's. Not much time left to ride, although I am going to stretch out the season as long as possible.

The paint on the tank is holding well, nothing marring it's surface as of yet. (knock on wood) Not much more to be done with the bike mechanically at this point, although I think a shim job might be in order next season. I am going to change the oil (possibly today) and change the plugs.

Good times.

Bike is running well...

Well, I'm pretty happy with the bike at this point. Although I think it can still use a tune up with a colortune, it's running well. I think it's about time for an oil change. It's odd. Seems like only yesterday it was the beginning of the summer with all the time in the world to ride. Now it's the second week of September and time is running out.

Tuning the MadMaxim

I received my carb tuner from z1 yesterday, the compact Sync Pro. Very similar in design to the Morgan Carb tune, however, they use a mysterious blue colored fluid as the level indicator, rather than smooth metal bolts as in the Morgan. As you can see from this pic, my bike, having been adequately warmed up, is showing a bit out of sync.

A few simple adjustments on the bike, and viola! Easy cheesey. But now for the real test. Taking it around the block, what a difference! Even having the bike a bit out of synch seriously affects performance. I could probably adjust the settings a bit more and have it perfectly aligned, but until I obtain a colortune, I think I'm happy with it's performance.

Calibration of the product is necessary before use is required, but it's simple. The instructions supplied can be a bit confusing (don't stuff all of the rubber vacuum caps into the bottom of the carb sync tool. You'll need one for the calibration tool, and they are a bee-eye-tee-see-hach to get back out once inserted.

One downside to the product is the rubber tubing holding the bluish colored fluid (puree'd smurf, I think) just sits in a channel, and tend to bow out a bit while in use. I'm sure a piece of tape would probably fix this issue, (or a bit of rubber cement) but I'll post about that later.

I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out, and for 84 bucks and some change, it's a nice tool.

Seafoam

I had added a can of seafoam to my tank post re-paint with less than reserve in fuel. Big mistake. The bike ran horribly, and I am quite surprised I made it up to the gas station. Poor response overall, and it wasn't until after I had added midgrade to the tank that things started to get better. Slowly, throttle response increased, pick up "picked up" and the bike started running like a dream.

Once I had arrived at work, the bike was running like it should. The ride home was even better. I think the bike could benefit from a tune up, however, just to make sure that everything is as it should be.

Looking forward to some fine riding, now that all issues are taken care of... so far. :)

Painted

Finally, the bike is done. I am giving it a couple of days to cure before I really start riding it, but I have to say, it looks pretty awesome. The dents in the tank, while not 100% invisible, are definitely better than that mutilated mess that was on there. I was going to paint it just glossy black, but decided to go with the two-tone again. It looks sharp. I am going to get in the habit of not overfilling the tank, bringing a rag with me just in case, and being extra careful at the pump.

Now, the bike is 99% complete. I just need to get the horns working and give it a good going over with a cleaning rag, wax the tank about 10 more times, and shine it up. I have an issue with the tank sticking to the seat where the 2 connect. I'm not sure what's to be done about that. I've cleaned the seat, made sure it was dry before reapplying it, and even added a thin coat of lubricant to put some sort of spacing between the 2. Nothing works. Well, if the tank gets ruined again, that's it for this year. With the bike running so well (took it for a short spin again today, but the weather has been sucking big time) I don't want it off the road for that long again.

Seafoam is in the tank. I am going to buy one of those carb tuners from z1 and hook it up, although the bike seems to be running excellently. I'm going to ride it to work tomorrow...

Need to fill the tank... *gulp*

Coil project

Well, I went ahead and did it myself. Installed the coils! A few snaggles here and there, but overall the procedure went surprisingly well. I'd say it took me about 3 hours all told to get them the old coils off, the new coils configured with the wiring and then installed. I accidentally mis-wired a couple of coils, but once I figured out the problem, it ran like gangbusters! I didn't get to ride it far, basically around the block, but it gave me a pretty good idea what I'm in for, speed. :)

I still need to do a seafoam treatment, put the horns back on, and re-paint my gas tank... yes, again. Gas leaked out during the coil installation and ruined the paint job on the tank. I'm hoping I can get that done tomorrow... or Tuesday, if it's nice.

I'll definitely be posting pics.

New coil, ready to roll

I received the good coil in the mail yesterday, and am ready to get the darned thing installed. Question is, do I try it myself? Or wait and take a road trip to Canada? I'm thinking of just waiting, especially since I really don't know what I'm doing, and I could use a nice road trip. I plan on going in September. I think if I did do it myself, the bike would be off the road for a while. I'm afraid that once I got started, it might become to technically difficult... bla bla bla... I should just do it and get it over with. :)

April? That was my last post? Crikey!

Well, a lot has happened since my last post. I'm a nurse! Passed the NCLEX with 118 questions. Working in the ER here in Lansing, and that is a bit trying at times. But, I love it.

And the money is great too.

The bike is doing pretty well. I repainted the MaximX an iridescent blue/red, which truthfully looks more purple, but it is a nice effect. The side covers look awesome, but that tank, that gasoline... same old story. I called a guy who does bike repainting and he said it would be about $600 if I took the tank, fenders and side covers off myself and stripped them, prepping them for paint. That's a lot of cash. I'll just keep doing it myself. Sooner or later I'll get the mix right.

I'm thinking of just going glossy black with the whole thing. I bought this paint that is gas and oil resistant. In truth, it is an engine paint, but it looks great on the fenders, so I'm hoping the same will be said for the tank. I also have some small repairs to make on the tank itself (nothing a little bondo won't cure) before it's perfect.

I've been riding quite a bit. I had planned to go to Canada this past weekend to have the dyna coils I bought installed at Hap's place, but low and behold, one of them, after testing, was found to be completely dead! Good thing I tested first before going. That wold have been a major screw up of mythic proportions. I ordered a new one to replace the damaged one and it only set me back about $60.00. I'm planning on going to Canada at the end of August. I'll be sure to get lots of pics. By then I also hope to have the bike repainted (the tank, at least).

The Kawasaki is also running well, if not a bit hot. I don't know if that's normal for this bike or not, but things seem to be working well, even though I don't think Dan is ever going to ride it. I just don't think it's his bag. That's all right, of course. Just one more bike for me to ride.

I'll be posting a bit more soon. With pics.

It's been such a long time...

I realize it's been a while, but things are cooking here, both in the motorcycle world and real life. I'm almost done with school, only 2 more weeks. Most of the hard stuff is out of the way; all that remains is minor stuff. Then the NCLEX, of course.

As far as the bikes go, now that the weather has shaped up, I've been riding them quite a bit. I was finally able to take the Vulcan out for a serious ride on the highway. Wow. For a 500, it really has some get up and go. In fact, when I pulled off the highway, the engine was racing, and needed some readjustment when I got it back home. (Idle adjustment, that is). I'm proud of the fact that I got this bike running so well, now it's a matter of cosmetic issues, things that I will pick away at as I'm able.

I'm not sure what happened to the Maxim X. It's been running great lately. Whenever I pull the plugs, they are a nice color (tan) though occasionally, one is a bit darker than the others. It rides well, great acceleration and pick up. Lately, I haven't had to use starter spray to get it running, which is a plus. Pulling the seat off isn't that tough, but it can be a pain when you just want to get riding (after safety checks, that is).

The Vulcan's tire pressure was pretty low, which could explain the some of the sluggishness I was experiencing. I filled them up, although soon they are going to have to be changed. Still need a front tire for the maxim too.

It's always something, isn't it?

I don't want Dan riding the Vulcan until I have it 100%, although I am getting very close to that point now. I have a few more things to adjust (like figuring out why the speedo isn't working) and the turn signals. Other than that, it's running great!

More soon...

Plugs

I played quite a bit with the bikes yesterday, including the Kawasaki. I think I have the throttle issues taken care of, but it's going to take a bit more tweaking. The vulcan (I have nicknamed Spock) is poorly lacking in power, and I don't know if it's something I've done or if that's just the way it's supposed to run. Of course, I'm comparing it to the Maxim which has a 700cc displacement, where the vulcan only has 500. I need to get together with someone that knows.

The plugs on the Maxim are getting me all twitterpated. Three of the plugs (from # 2, 3, and 4) were very lean... almost white. Plug #1 was covered in soot... the carbon kind. Not sure why that is, and why sometimes all the plugs are fouled. I'll keep working on it though.

Supposed to be beautiful weather today, highs in the 50's. Sounds like a good day for a ride. Of course, any day sounds like a good day for a ride. :)

I do have to buy another iridium plug to replace the one that got damaged when I tried adjusting the gap. WARNING! Don't use a gapper on those plugs. The iridium points are much too fragile. Instead, use a pair of needlenose pliers to adjust the metal overhang.

The Maxim X Ride

I've taken the plugs out of the bike, cleaned them thouroughly and placed them carefully back in their respective slots. I noticed that the plugs are still fouling a bit, but until I get someone who knows what they are doing, that's just something I am going to have to put up with.

The bike took off like an absolute rocket. Scary, even. I also recently purchased a set of dyna coils to put on the Maxim X in hopes of fixing the poor starting issues I have been having. Tomorrow, I am going to pull the tank, pull the plugs and take a look to see if there is any carbon buildup on the points. I hope not. I pulled one plug today and it was that lovely cinnamon color that it's supposed to be, but I have a feeling the rest of the plugs are not as well colored. The bike is acting a little funny, so I know it's running rich. Either that or the carbs need adjusting, as in air fuel mixture.

It was fun taking the bike out for a run. I took it to work today, and it started up pretty well after sitting all day. The pick up on it is a lot of fun.

Do I really want to sell it?

Kawabunga!

Well, here it is, Dan's bike. It's a 1992 Kawasaki Vulcan 500AE, a decent little scooter with a bit of pick-up to get you where you want to go. I've been working on this bike on and off next to the Maxim in the small garage, but it has been really cold lately. It's still very much a work in progress, but it's slowly getting there. Here's what I've done so far:

• Replaced the wiring harness
• Replaced the petcock (or fuel tap)
• new plugs
• new oil
  
• new air filter element
• disassembled the carbs 2x
• cleaned carbs
• cleaned from top to bottom
• new turn signal relay module
• scratched up the gas tank pretty good...

Yeah, that last thing was unintentional. I was working on the carbs when the stand I had the tank leaning against slipped and the tank tumbled to the ground, scratching up the shiny side. Just like toat, it always lands on the side you're hoping it won't.

I'd love to test ride the bike, but the snow just keeps coming down. I have a feeling I am going to pull the carbs one more time because I think an o-ring is missing from the carbs (since it's laying on my table). I guessed on the number of turns the pilot screw went in anyway, so I know there will be more adjustment. I'll post some pics of that when I get to it... or as soon as the weather is a bit more temperature friendly.

Documentation fee's?

So I call this local dealer selling the bike and lo and behold, the $600 bike is now $730.00. They claim documentation fee's and tax. ??? I can understand the tax ($45.00 app.), but documentation fee? Sounds like a way to increase the profit on the bike. They are selling it title only... I don't know what I am going to do now. I want it, but not really sure I want to pay that much. To get the bike delivered, the only way possible for me to get it home, will cost an additional $50.00.

Hmm.. what to do.

Difficult Decisions

Well, things didn't work out exactly the way I planned with the XSV1100 Yamaha. I can probably still get it this spring, but for now it is outside my grasp. Damn financing issues...

Anyhow, I am looking into getting a little Kawasaki Vulcan 500 from a local car dealership for $600.00. It's in pretty decent shape, with only minor repairs necessary (including a petcock, already on order) and a RH mirror. The bike is for Dan for us to ride together this spring. He still needs to get an operators permit and take an MSF class, but I figure if I can do it, I know he can.

My problem is I need to get it insured (an additional $200) to ride it out of there, and that's money I'd basically be throwing away at this time of year. The weather is a balmy 27degrees rigt now, and even though I took the bike (my Maxim) out for a ride, it's chilly as heck. I still can't get that motorcycle out of my mind. Add to the fact that Dan is not 100% sure he even wants to ride (although he was definitely interested when I last asked him) I don't want to force him to do something he won't enjoy.

I am selling bits and pieces on ebay, sold my carbtune for $80, the color tune for $60 and have the carbs up for auction right now. Hope to get more than what I paid for them, but we'll see.

Part of me wants to just go down to the college bike shop and buy that damned bike right now, but that would be foolish. We just spent a bunch of moola on Dan's new car (one reason, I believe that he is willing to let me get a new bike), so there isn't much left on the ol CC to spend.

I'm not really sure why I have this serious drive to get a new bike. Although the Maxim is experiencing carb problems (fouled plugs, hard starts, etc ad infinitum...) and needs a new paint job, it's not anything I can't deal with. Hugo next door wants to buy it for $1000, less than I should sell it, that's for sure, but I have a feeling the problems are only going to continue to get worse, considering it's age.

I have learned a lot about motorcycles from this particular beast...

New and shiny

Well, it's not a maxim X, but it's a Yamaha. This is the bike I am considering as a replacement bike. It's a 2003 XVS1100, and while not brand new, it's definitely newer. I'm going to test drive it tomorrow and if all goes well, I'll drive it home.

Keeping my fingers crossed. Hmm... since I am changing bikes, I wonder what I can call this site now? Shiny-side up? Rubberside Down? I'll come up with something...