upshift

I concur with @piotrek and @skipperT on this one. After a recent service, they set my chain too tight (about 25mm) and it whined like a banshee in 6th gear until I loosened it off. Worth a check.

Thanks for your input, @betoney, @StealthAu, and @wordsmith! I'm gonna loosen the chain up a titch but keep it closer to 25mm, methinks...

Oops, got my metrics and imperials mixed up...I believe the latest specs are 25-35mm, yes? I just re-measured and it's probably closer to 3/4"/20mm. Close enough or would be wise to loosen a little?

I recently got a new chain put on (among other things) by a local dealer and noticed on the ride home that the chain slack was set too tight. I also noticed that much of the annoying chain lash that I have disliked since purchasing the bike was gone, too, making on/off throttle action much smoother and more confidence-inspiring. My question is, if I choose to keep the chain this tight (it's at about 1" slack, I'd say), do I risk doing any damage? I'm assuming it'll stretch out a bit the more I ride it and eventually end up closer to the revamped specs (2.5-3.5"). Thoughts?

Sorry, @donk and @hardwareguy2068, I got distracted and forgot to follow up on this thread... The Rifle screen I currently have on the bike is 22" from top to bottom. It provides pretty good protection for me at 6'2", even at highway speeds. I also have a 24" model that I've not tried on the bike, as the 22" seems to be doing the job fine. If anyone is interested in trying the 24", feel free to ping me and we'll work something out.

I've gotten 22,000kms (~13,500 miles) out of a set of Pirelli Angel GTs and 17,000kms (~10,500 miles) out of a set of Road 5s. Currently have a set of Metzler m7rrs on that look like thy'll be toast before 9,000kms (~5,000 miles), so I won't be re-upping with those. I'd like to see how the new Angel GT 2s ride...anyone had a go with them, yet?

I'm not sure, @hardwareguy2068 - the screens came with the bike when I bought it secondhand. I'm not near the bike just at the moment but can take a few measurements when I'm home next week, if that would be helpful.

I've got the smoked Rifle and find that it works pretty well. I've done multiple 10+ day tours on it and the wind protection is quite good (I'm 6'2"). Can't recall the size just at the moment but, if desired, I can measure when I'm back from holidays next week. A also have a second one that's an inch or two shorter, if memory serves. Might be persuaded to part with it if you want to give it a try.

How to people power their mobile tire pumps? I bought one without checking the auxiliary fuse rating and it blew the 2A fuse instantly (the pump has a 10A rating, as it turns out). Do you go directly to the battery somehow?

I have a Bagster on my '15 FJ and it's been great. Moved over from a Yamaha Comfort which was okay but the Bagster is definitely better. I'm sure Bagster makes a model for a Tracer GT but am not sure whether a '15 would fit on a '19.

I dropped a tooth on the rear sprocket (45 teeth to 44, if memory serves) and I really like the result - it''s subtle, but noticeable. The benefit is partly the slightly lower revs in 6th gear (ie. sitting at a tea-totaling 3800rpms at 100kph, instead of 4000), but it also makes the lower gears a bit more useful for the kinds of riding I do. That includes getting around town, where I don't ever need to shift from 2nd gear and partly ripping up the twisties, where that same gear will now take me all the way to 150kph. As @betoney said, all personal preference.

I got 22,000 kms out of a set of Angel GTs and enjoyed them very much - much more sticky than the stock Dunlops and wore really predictably. Currently have about 17,000 kms on a set of Road 5s and still have a room on the wear bars for several more laps, methinks. The Road 5s were noticeably stickier than the GTs right off the bat but seemed to lose some of that for me around the 10K mark. Still better than the stockers but I don't take it right to the edge any more. Not sure which ones I'll go with next - probably depends on relative price - but they're both great value for performance/wear, in my books. Good luck with your decision, @wordsmith!

Thanks, @skipperT and @norfolkphil. I'm hoping it was a one-off but, if it happens again, I'll try Phil's relay reset and Skip's sleuthing approach. Much appreciated, fellas.

@octane25, your fantastic writing helped bring that terrific adventure to life - thanks for letting us ride sidecar on this epic journey! (perhaps there's hope for the Millennial generation after all...;)

Nothing, Skip - did an oil change just before that ride but that's been it for this year. The only things that was different was that it was stored outside for two night, whereas I always have it under cover at home. It didn't rain overnight but there was a bit of water on it from the neighbour's sprinkling system when I started it up. Not sure if that might have interrupted the circuit temporarily or not. Thanks for ringing in on this.

Had a funny situation today. Was out this morning for a 30 minute ride and noticed partway that my turn signals weren't working. When I got to my destination, I checked to see if it was just the dash indicators not working but none of the actual turn lights were lighting up. After a couple of hours sitting, I drove it home, thinking I'd need to be using hand signals, but all the signals worked just fine. Also working fine a couple of hours later when I rode again. Anyone else experienced this little hitch? If so, what was the cause? Thanks.

I have a Nolan N87 and couldn't imagine owning a helmet without a drop-down sun visor. The visor is really good optically, clear and true with just the right amount of tint. Overall, the helmet is pretty solid for a lower-priced lid. Perhaps not the quietest or best venting, but comfortable, stylish, and high quality. https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/nolan-n87-helmet

Man, that's a sharp-looking bike!

I wore a set of Angel GTs down to the cords before trying out the PR5s this time. Both are great but, unless these PR5s wear exceptionally fast (I've already got 8,000 km on them and they hardly look touched), I'll be getting get the PR5s again next time.

+1 for the Pilot Road 5s. Enjoyed the Angel GTs that preceded them but the PR5s are even better.

+1 for the PR5s. Best tires I've ever had on a bike, and I'm coming off a set of the Pirelli Angel GTs, which were pretty darn good.

That's the fastest color!Agreed. I was working hard to keep up with @bibine 's matt grey beauty yesterday!

Whoa, @Bibine - you are seriously badass! Whereabouts were you fording rivers on your beloved Stallion last Fall?

I rode past a white FJ on the Sea-to-Sky highway today - anyone from the forum? Man, it was a nice day for a rip... (apologies to anyone still snowed in - if it helps, we're now looking at about 10 straight days of rain...)

I can't recall the company name, @oldgravy, but they were uber-cheap (I want to say something like $5.99 CDN) from somewhere in China. Pretty sure I found them on Ebay or Amazon, if memory serves. I was a bit worried they were gonna be junk but they actually look decent and seem to be hanging in there pretty well after about 20,000km. Does Cloverdale has better weather than Vancouver? If so, I might have to move...