I'm Off - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

themeatmanlandry · 05-20-2005, 04:22 PM

Well, I'm off tomorrow for my annual Crowley's Ridge run with my buddy, madmotorcyclist (Joe). This is our second annual ride. We met on another forum and, since we're so close together (spatially, not gayly

), we figured we'd get together last year. We had so much fun, we're going totry and make it an annual thing.

Joe is, like 62, or 63, I can't remember. He is without a doubt, the youngest 60-something I've ever met. He's an excellent ride leader, a great conversationist, and he doesn't let the grass grow under him when takes a corner. I like that. He's also an English teacher. Rowdy, I'll see if they're hiring.

Of course, my chain and sprockets had to go out 3 weeks ago in order to make everything come down to the wire time-wise.

I ordered (and RE-ordered) the parts. While waiting on my stuff to arrive, I got the valve adjustment done. I used [HTML-Blade's]http://www.bladesbandit.com/[/html] site as a go-by . . . along with my trusty Hayne's Manual. No gaskets HAD to be replaced, but I'm going to order pretty much all of the gaskets involved the next time I do it.

I started it up, ran it for 3-5 minutes (to get it up to temp.), no tapping, no leaks [knock on wood], in fact I can hear a <slight> clicking sound . . . that tells me the valves are nice and happy.

They hate to be too tight.

Being as it was my first time, it took me a couple of days to do everything. The proper tool makes all of the difference, and I didn't have it, so it took a little longer. I was in ho hurry . . . waiting on parts.

So, last night I installed the chain and sprockets (thanks to UPS for demolishing the box, then cramming/stuffing what was left in between the front doors so tightly that the freaking door wouldn't open . . . way to go package boy, I called your boss). Again, first time I have performed this procedure, so it probably took a little longer than normal.

I bought the Motion-Pro chain tool, and I gotta' give it an A+ in quality and an A- in useability. Like I said, it was my first time, so I'm sure it'll get easier every time I do it.

The only bad thing I could say about the tool is that hte instructions didn't really guide you through the side plate installation . . . it appears as thought the side plate portion of hte instructions applies to spring-type master clips, when it really applies to all side-plated master clips. That tool (Motion-Pro) is built like a brick ****house. I was tightening that thing like my life depended on it: didn't even scratch the paint on the threads.

Awesome. It must be made of kryptonite.

I'm not sure about the rivets. I mushroomed them as far as I felt comfortable, but I'm going to put a caliper on them and see where they are when I get home (have to stop and rent/borrow one on the way home).

So, tonight I'll:

1) Check the rivets
2) Adjust the chain
3) Lube the chain (bought some Bel-Ray, I'll give it a try)
4) Align the chain/rear wheel (whatever)
5) Torque the rear axle;
6) Test ride

Of course, right in step with the chain/sprocket thing . . . I have to go to my m-i-l's house for a couple of hours tonight. Nice timing.

Then, tomorrow morning (assuming everything goes well) I'm off at 6 to meet Joe at 8 in Forrest City. After a quick bite, we'll take the Crowley's Ridge Parkway into Missouri. In MO, we split up and he'll head back to his hometown and I'll cross the Mighty Mississippi (again) at Dyersburg, TN and take highway 51 home.

Crowley's Ridge is a long, large . . . 'outcropping' (<== bad word, but the best I've got) of rock/sand/soil/vegetation that's probably a couple of miles wide and runs out of the Ozarks in MO and down to basically nothing in southereastern AR. The geologists believe that it is a ridge that remained behind when the inland sea flowed out on either side of it. Whatever it is, it's hilly as all get-out, with plains around it for 50 miles east/west. FULL of nice curvy roads.

Forecast says highs in the mid-80's, winds 5-10. It's gonna' be a good day.

[EDIT: For all you folks out there that take your bike to the dealership for valves, chain and sprockets . . . stuff like that: I am a mechanical moron. Aside from one year of small engines, two years of auto mechanics and the oft-thrust upon me broken down auto, I have no experience. If I can do it, you can too. I saved probably $100-150 on the valve adjustment, and probably $50 on the chain and sprockets. When you feel like giving it a try, do it. We're here to help.]