kimmie

60,000km service today. Nothing major oil, filter, clean the brake pads, check for wear etc etc.
 
Then I finished the modification of the old Loobman I've had for ages. It's been on a couple of bikes now and the attachment just wasn't any longer retaining it's stability. The actual function of the device has worked for me for many years so I couldn't see the point in buying an entire new unit of any brand and thought I'd be creative. Hubbies an engineer so if I had a major malfunction  :-/   I can always get assistance.
 
Anyway off to the local Bunnings (hardware supplier) and I got an electrical bracket which I bent and cut and bent again. A piece of coat hanger to make the guide to hold the feeder head into place using the original bevel in the electrical bracket as the path, then cable tied it into place. Won't deny, it took a lot a mucking about, but I totally enjoyed the experience.....
 
Removed the inner cush plate from the swing arm and marked up where to drill 2x small holes to attach the NEW Loob bracket/feeder to and drilled 2x 3mm holes.
Attached the Loob bracket/feeder to the inner cush plate and test assembled on the bike. A little change of the angle of the dangle was required by adjusting the bends in the bracket. Then re-assemble and locktite the inner cush plate back into place.........whal-lah!!
 
Here are the pics....just quietly, I'm a little proud of myself.
 
Not everyones cuppa tea, I know, so don't bagged me out too badly.
 

 



 
 

I actually went for a ride!!!!!
 
A wonderful day with great friends. Got a little bit hot this afternoon 34 deg C, so was glad to get home and into the aircon.
Very un-ride fit.
 

Not today cos it's 40 deg C in Sydney today.
 
But last Sunday I replaced the busted RH side panel and blinker unit from when I hot the Roo last August.
The hardest thing was putting the decals on this in right place.....LOL!! damn tricky things they are.
 
Managed to recycle the big Yamaha 3D emblem on the side (on the advice of the parts dude) as they are ~$50AUD. Some double sided auto tape and the emblem in back in the correct spot on the new panel. They do make that one easy for you....the decal has a directional arrow on the back and there are 2 positioning lugs to centre the thing, so no way I could get that wrong.
 
So now Dudley is back to his handsome looking self. I even gave him a very well deserved bath, then took him for a ride to work on Friday.
Happy days.
 

Nothing is going to be perfect.......unless you get in the car.
 
But I love my Medium Parrabellum screen. I'm 5'5" have the screen on the high position and the seat in the low position and sit on an Airhawk. Even I still get some air!
To be honest though a little bit of air isn't a bad thing.
 
Enjoy.
 

Got another new set of Pirelli Angel GT's fitted today. 
 

I love the Angel GT's and have worn through several sets but they have gone up in price very recently.  I bought a set in September for $278, 6 weeks later the same online retailer has them for $309.  Several other online retailers were similar, I will wait for Pirelli's Spring rebate to stock up. 
Since I wont ride too much over the winter I decided to try the Brigestone Battlax S21's @ just over $200 a set.

Here is Australia, the best local [rice I can get is $449 AUD fitted and balanced....including disposal of the old ones. 
The guys do a good job and always compliment me on the way I look after the bike.
 
They also did the bar-riser recall. 
 
 

Got another new set of Pirelli Angel GT's fitted today.
 
 
 

Wordsmith you never cease to amaze me with your ingenuity.
 
Don't get up to too much mischief while Mrs W is away...lol

Did a 50k service @ 52375 and the oil was like brand new!! 
Also balanced the throttle bodies, greased the swingarm bearings, and found an issue with the bearing in the upper dog bone joint (wiggles around more than you'd like).  So now as well as replacing the R blinker and fairing (from the roo strike), I'll have to order all these bits.
 
 

Did you get the 'roo's insurance details, kimmie?

Unfortunately not....but to be honest I didn't even look back to see if it was alive or dead.
 
All parts are now ordered and the bearing I should be able to pick up on the weekend.
The fairings and decals will have to come from Japan (as now available in Aus) - approx 3 week wait. Bl@@dy expensive though but not worth putting a claim in.
 
 

Did a 50k service @ 52375 and the oil was like brand new!!
 
Also balanced the throttle bodies, greased the swingarm bearings, and found an issue with the bearing in the upper dog bone joint (wiggles around more than you'd like).  So now as well as replacing the R blinker and fairing (from the roo strike), I'll have to order all these bits.
 
 
 

TRIAL-PACK...
Did a trial-pack in readiness for my upcoming trip north from August 10th.   Made some small revisions to the route, accommodations, and timing to give me an extra day in paradise.   Route now looks a touch over 5000km/ 3100mi.   Panniers and top-box with contents weighed-in at 21.3kg, and still plenty of room left, not that I'll be filling them 'just because'.  8-)

I obviously pack too much. How do you guys do it???  All my stuff weighs in around 25kg plus my 65lt duffel with the tent, sleeping bag etc on the back seat.
 
Have trial packed and re-packed ready to leave on my adventure on August 2nd.
I have room in the top box for my heated gear (when not required) and extra water.
 
 
 

...what Kimmie said.

Just because I happened to have a roll of the 3mm gold-coloured pin-stripe tape I decided to apply some to one pannier lid.   Took about two minutes.   It looks OK, but no better than that, so I think it will come off...(in fact it's already off!)  
 

Glad you finally saw sense and took the pinstripe off........... Mrs Wordsmith & I obviously have similar taste in these things 
 
 

The bottom re-done job looks much better Lawrence.
Well done!!
 
Leave the pinstripe off...IMO
 

So Wordsmith........How'd the seat go???
 
 

Oh Wordsmith you crack me up 
 
Glad you finally got the seat and have had a couple of short rides out to test.
 
Stay-tuned to the Wordsmith Station......
The pressure is on mate to deliver on this verdict.....mens "butts" are in the sling waiting on the outcome of the testing.
 
Enjoy your ~400km round trip and I will (like others) look forward to your in depth report.
 
 
 
 

No today, but a couple of weekends ago I spent a few days in Asheville, NC doing some mountain riding with my bro-in-law. He has a 2008 BMW K1200GT. Had it since new. After a few days there, we both had to head to Ohio (I live in Florida) for business. I suggested that He ride my FJ for the 450 miles or so that we needed to cover that day.
 
Well, that was a Monday. By the next Saturday, he had a brand-spankin-new white FJ parked in his garage. Traded the BMW.
 
So, not so much about what I did to my FJ, but much more about what I did to his BMW. Vanquished!
 
Another BMW convert. I don't post much, but some may remember that I came from a BMW as well.

 
 
Job well done I'd say!!! ??

With a little help from hubby, installed a voltmeter today.
I've had issues on previous bikes running all my gear and loosing power....to the point I now carry jumper leads (just in case).
 
Screen and front support bracket off
 

 
After a couple of attempts with board templates, came across the winner and cut from 1mm galvanised steel sheet, bent to shape, drilled a hole and primed. I had a little dizzy spell and while I was resting hubby sprayed it black and baked it for me.
 
 

 
Time to install and refit the front bracket and screen.
 

 
Fits in nicely just above the instrument cluster and is clearly visible even with the GPS installed.
 
 

 
Power on and 12V perfect. With the engine running sits at 14V plus.
 
So now when all my gear starts drawing too much power or I have a fault the voltmeter will start to flash when it gets down under 11.5V - happy days.
 
 
 

sorry seemed to have hi-jacked the photo thread. Smiff, I'll pm you.
 
Apologies guys.

Went to Woodenbong, 
 
 
 

That building is so very 1930's, innit!   And the Mt Lindesay Hwy [em](so-called)[/em] getting there so 1830's!!   Nice pic.

Yeah, it is. Is the road into town still gravel or have they finished laying the bitumen?? 
What happened to the Yowie footprints??
 
 

Hi @kimmie can you forward me that as well please? Cheers!

PM sent mate. 
 
 

FrankQC & Wordsmith - PM sent with aux light wiring details that Karl used. 

Bless you, kimmie!   I'm still awaiting delivery of my LEDs, and have spent some time figuring out the best/ easiest way to mount them, high and wide for preference!   Member here vduboy (Syd) has helped with details of his approach and I'm about ready to go once the stuff arrives.   Naturally I'll post a story and some pix when it's all up and running.   Again - thanks - and to Karl.
Oh shucks Wordy......it's nothing really...Glad to be of some help.
 
What goes around ya know.
 
 

On the Kyalite-Moulamein Rd - country NSW Australia
 
 

FrankQC & Wordsmith - PM sent with aux light wiring details that Karl used.
 
 

You make it look so easy even a girl could do it!!!    (rofl) (rofl) (rofl)
 
Thanks for taking the time to document.
 
 

Hey Wordsmith,
Karl wired my Rigid Industries LED spotties into the high beam, it took him some hours but the result is great.
All I have to do is flick on the high beam and all guns are blazing (saves me toggling with another switch).
 
I had a separate switch on my previous bike so the spotties would operate independently but found it more of a nuisance, cos then I'd forget to turn off the high beam as well...oops.
 
I have some FarRider friends that are reasonably electrically savvy that live in QLD if you need a hand I could ask a favour for you.
 
Good luck.
 
 

I put new shoes on mine Pirelli Angel GT.
 
Now to find the time to scrub them in.