fr8dog

Went for a ride today. Had to try out the new rubber, brake pads and the OEM shock I had rebuilt by Terry at Norwest. 

I had bought a Nitron shock a while back. Never could get it dialed in. Figured out (not on my own)I kept turning the rebound adjuster the wrong way. So I got that sorted and still didn't like the feel. Anyway, I was curious about the OEM shock cause I was probably turning the screw the wrong way on that one too.

The ride today was a little chilly. The roads were a little damp in some places. Tires are great. A lot better than the budget Roadsmart 2's. The shock feels good too. I like it better than the Nitron. 

Removed both wheels, swingarm and shock. Need tires so I figured I'd do some other stuff since we're gonna get a little weather. 

The first time I removed the swingarm the long bolt had a lot of crud on it. This time it's pretty clean.

Sending the shock in for service. Thinking of selling it. It's a Nitron R1 with a 600 lb. spring. I had the OEM shock rebuilt a couple of years ago. Curious to see how it feels again compared to Nitron. 

I'll probably change the brake pads. I've had some new ones for a while waiting to be installed.

I'm getting Michelin Pilot Power 2C tires. Big step for me. I've had Shinkos and Roadsmart 2's. The Dunlops were borderline dangerous. Sketchy in the twisties. No grip.

Props to Pitbull stands. The triple tree stand is great. I removed both wheels and it's stable. 

I have the same problem. Only 4 clicks of rebound instead of 11. Will fix it when the snow comes. Definitely reassembled incorrectly. If you have a manual, it will state the measurements needed for reassembly. I didn't do the work, but understand what went wrong. The shop will fix, but I've moved 500 miles away. Local dealer will fix for 90.00 if I bring in the fork.

Looks like @betoney is down the street from you. He may have done some of his own fork work and can explain better.

The Tuono would be good. Couple of years ago I was heading down to Foresthill for a short ride. 17 miles of twisties. Has passing lanes too.

I was at the light a few cars back and a guy lane splits to get to the front. Couldn't tell what kind of bike he had. Figured it was a  younger guy wanting to get a jump on everyone heading down there. 

I pull into the bank next to the Valero. All the bikes park there. It's next to Mosquito Ridge Road. I see the guy. He was chilling by the time I arrived. I'm shocked. He's my age or older on a Tuono. Beautiful bike. We talked for a while. He ripped it up pretty good on the way down there. 

No dealer here in Boise. I think the closest is Salt Lake, Seattle or Reno.

I can see one of these along side the FJ. I turned 60 this year. Bad back and knees, but I could ride this. Ha! Thought this type of bike was behind me. Nice!

Last year I met two guys at the parking lot next to the Valero in Foresthill. They had just finished their third run that day on MRR. I think they blew by me on the way back up on run number three. That's crazy.

I've ridden it a couple of times. I like Wentworth better.

My clutch lever wouldn't return all the way. It was dirty at the pivot point. Removed cable at the lever and took apart the lever and cleaned it. Works like new now.

33 minutes ago, betoney said:

That looks AWESOME.  I wouldn't change any part of it! 👍  I'll definitely be curious to see what you think about that ride after you get back.

Looking forward to it. This is close to 400 miles. I've done 325 and my arse was on fire. Stock seat. Seat Concepts is local here. Probably gonna try one of theirs.

On 6/25/2020 at 9:26 AM, betoney said:

Another suggestion for FANTASTIC riding in your area. - From Baker City there are 2 routes South, OR-7 to Austin is more scenic and relaxing and OR-245 to Unity is more twisty and technical - it is nicknamed 'The Mini-Dragon".  Both roads are awesome and if you haven't been to Hell's Canyon up by Copperfield, prepare to have your mind blown - no joke.

Google Maps

 

This is looking like a ride for this Sunday.

1 hour ago, betoney said:

Did you change the alignment to make the caliper reading correct?

I used the Motion Pro alignment tool and then when it was tightened, I double checked with digital caliper and left and right were within 0.02 of each other.  The swingarm marks were off by one full 'tick mark' from side to side.

YES, the bike needs to be cleaned... 😲

I changed the alignment (adjusting one side) so both were close. Slack wasn't off much. After adjusting one side it was good.

20 hours ago, WKE002 said:

did 200km yesterday, vibration is there, ordered the Grip Puppies see if helps and next change would be rubber peg. following on the riser if just plug and play or need to adjust cable length. 

however did notice stock left mirror at speed 100-130km, its clear, however on the right mirror its blur due to vibration. came back and tighthen but seems none came loose, not sure if these are common issue or defect on the right mirror. 

So I was reading where guys are taking measurements on the swingarm for chain alignment with a digital caliper. I did mine yesterday. I don't have the numbers, but it was off by at least a 1/16 and and an 1/8. I measured like 20 times. The hash marks seemed okay by my eyes, but obviously off.

Anyway, vibration was reduced dramatically. I had grip puppies for a few months. Didn't help. Next will be an undamped counter shaft sprocket when needed. Never ends.

3 hours ago, duckie said:

Tuesday I did  a 400 mile loop through the Sierras. Took 88 out of Jackson up to 89 down to 4 to Angels Camp. 9 hour ride.......little more than 4 hours total in time to just to get to and back where the good roads start.

Perfect day, not hot, not cold. Clean roads. Light traffic.

The elevation took some of the grunt away from the motor, but it still worked flawlessly.

It dawned on me that part of 4 is nothing more than a paved hiking trail when it goes from two lanes down to one......same with 108.

If ya know the top part of 4 where it is narrow and not divided, you know its tight, blind corners and such. I came around one corner, and coming up hill was a Semi tow truck, towing a semi cab. Wide and long. I wanted to turn around to follow him just to see how he went up, but time didn't allow for that.

88 was nice since its all two lane and well maintained. Lots of speed to be carried through some of the turns......

Week or so....going again, but leaving way earlier this time.

Nice!! What a great ride.

I stopped in Markleeville for a burger and gas. Wasn't sure I had enough gas to make it to Arnold. I didn't realize Ebbett's Pass was like a lane and a half wide either. There's hot springs in Markleeville, if you're into that. I didn't know until I was there.

57 minutes ago, iitywygms said:

👍

Did they have the parts or did you bring your own?

Sac is about 2 hours from me.  San Fran sico is about the same.  Any suggestions in the 707 area?

They ordered. Gave me 3 different options and price points. 

You could probably schedule an appointment and get it done same day.

I did the shock myself. I went nitron r1. Would probably do Penske double clicker if a do over.

Aaron used to work at a Yamaha dealer. 

26 minutes ago, iitywygms said:

That's unfortunate.  I was hoping to run across someone who could hold my hand a little bit when searching out suspension.

Looking on the forum here the suspension section is kind of quite.  The available choices are overwhelming.

If you're near Sac, contact Aaron at bhp motorsports.

They installed ktech valves, pistons and springs for my weight.

There's a mechanic there that has a fj-09, fz-09 and a xsr. I guess he likes the engine. 

23 hours ago, duckie said:

Thanks for the tip.....Ive been wanting to do 50 and 88.....now I really do. Next week sometime is the current time frame.

It amazing the amount of paved forest service roads there are. I use Google map street view to check them out.

 

While you're at it, try Wentworth Springs Rd. out of Georgetown between 80 and 50. @koth442 can vouch for it. He's from that area. Lots of great roads in that area. Wentworth and Emigrant Trail were two of my favorites. They're not open all year due to snow.

Last year I rode 50, 88, 89, 4, 49 and 16 home.

In between 50 and 88 I took Emigrant Trail (paved) from Sly Park Rd off of 50 and it takes you to 88 a few miles from Kirkwood. One of the best roads in the area.

3 hours ago, jdavis said:

Went and had a look at a Multistrada today, came home via Beechmont, Maroon Dam, Moogerah Dam and the Fassifern Valley in Queensland, Australia.

What did you think about the Multistrada? My son had a 950. I liked it. More comfortable. About the same power. I think my FJ handled better. Multi is a little top heavy. Beautiful bike. No dealer here. Bummer.

23 hours ago, betoney said:

Was it the pivot mount or the cable that was sticking?

The pivot mount was dirty. Looked like gummed up old grease.

I think the difference in pull was gradual so I didn't notice until it was really bad.

Lever snaps right back into place after pulling.

I didn't apply any grease to it. Should I?

Also have to be careful to not over tighten the nuts for the lever.. That will affect it also. I guess that's why there are two nuts. No pun intended. One to secure the lever just to enough for it to operate smoothly and one to secure that nut. If that makes sense.

6 hours ago, BBB said:

You can certainly adjust it at the motor end, there’s a lock nut and adjuster there. It sounds a bit like your cable, or the lever, may be sticking though. Try greasing or oiling the lever pivot and checking all is clean in that area.

Thanks @BBB!

Took apart and cleaned. Works like new again. Doesn't take much to gum it up.

I had a little too much play at the lever so I adjusted that by turning the knob by the lever.

On the ride home from work it seems that the lever won't return back all the way. I had to nudge it a bit to keep it from still being engaged.

Will adjustment on the cable by the motor take care of this?

About 35k on the bike. 9k on new clutch cable. Thanks in advance for the help.

Dan

22 hours ago, betoney said:

I hear you about "time is slipping away... SO many places I have never been and considering I live a few hours from the Canadian border, the possibilities to try something new are limitless.

I have been doing a lot of reading on Super T forum and concerning the "sleepy" motor, - the cat in the exhaust is very restrictive and gears 1-3 have restrictions, an ECU flash is reported to work wonders to 'wake-up' the throttle response. 

In addition to all-day riding comfort, the biggest 'feature' that attracts me to the S10 is the reliability and longevity of the motor, like the FJR, there are many riders who have long ago exceeded 100-200k miles on their bikes.

The reliability from Yamaha is probably a given. Shaft drive would be good. Read a lot on the Super T forum also

I'm leaning towards more comfort. Something easier on the knees. I've been on the ergo website comparing bikes. BMW's have the best numbers. Also the highest price numbers. Went to the BMW dealer Tuesday. I don't think I could bring myself to spend that kind of money.

Also checked out a Vstrom 1000. Had a thing for those before I bought the FJ. Glad I didn't buy one. The new 1000 looks good in pics, but in person just doesn't do it for me.

The most bikes at one time I've had is two. Didn't ride either one much. Lost interest due to a crash and the kids started popping out.

Not sure about two bikes here. Riding time has been cut by a few months.

13 hours ago, betoney said:

I have thought the save thing, have 2 bikes that cross over a bit, SPORT-tour and adventure-TOUR.  As 'boring' as they are classified as, I have been seriously considering a used Super Tenere as I have been intrigued for years by riding to the Arctic Ocean...  bullet proof 1200cc motor with shaft drive, cruise control, heated grips, electronic suspension, just add gas and tires.👍

I used to think about a ride there. I've read a lot of ride reports. Time is slipping away.

Last year In my quest to find an additional bike (something different), I test rode a Super T and a MT-10.

Super T was really comfortable. Suspension was good. Engine doesn't have much pop, but not what it's made for. Don't think I'd have to do much to it to start traveling.

It's a large bike, but would be stable on the open road.

On 6/25/2020 at 9:26 AM, betoney said:

Another suggestion for FANTASTIC riding in your area. - From Baker City there are 2 routes South, OR-7 to Austin is more scenic and relaxing and OR-245 to Unity is more twisty and technical - it is nicknamed 'The Mini-Dragon".  Both roads are awesome and if you haven't been to Hell's Canyon up by Copperfield, prepare to have your mind blown - no joke.

Google Maps

 

Thanks! Looks like several great roads in those areas.

22 hours ago, betoney said:

@fr8dog - Dude you're killin' me, that is such a fantastic ride!  The twisty section from Idaho City to Lowman is ridiculous.👍  The rest of the route is beautiful as well and if you haven't continued past Stanley, the ride down to Sun Valley is well Worth it.  It is very hard to think of a better ride than that area on a sunny weekday with almost no traffic.  I rate it right up there with Lolo Pass into Montana.

Another GREAT ride North of you is the Old Highway 95 (White Bird Grade).  The old highway is mostly switchbacks up and over the grade and hard to believe it used to be the main route North, even for logging trucks.  When you ride it you say to yourself "there's just no way..."

Google Maps

 

Looks like a good ride. Over 400 miles of goodness! I've been as far north as Cascade on 55.

The road from Idaho City to Lowman is in bad shape. Half of it anyway. Needs to be repaved. Cracks coming up and potholes. You can be in a turn, hit a bump and get squirrely fast.

It's good to find some great roads. Thanks for the tip.

Headed out yesterday to ride the "Lowman Loop". The road between Idaho City and Lowman is kind of rough. Made it to Lowman and continued on 21 instead of "The Loop". My son is visiting in a couple of weeks so I wanted to explore some places I haven't been to. He's bringing his bike. Should be fun.

I noticed a mountain range on the right that looked familiar from pictures. There was a turnout so I pulled over and snapped a few pics. I've never seen them in person, but it looked like the Sawtooth Mountains.

About 30 minutes later I'm a few miles out of Stanley. The views were incredible. The Sawtooth Mountains to the right. Took a break at the BP. The mountains were like in the backyard. The pictures don't do them justice.

Time to head back and finish "The Loop". Lots of smiles.

A ride for another day will be to continue on and take the long way back through Sawtooth Nat'l Forest.