nhchris

Another sweet aspect of the motor is how it wants to lift the front wheel pulling out of a corner in second or third gear.

I have a fave corner where I rail around in second gear and after the apex whack the gas as I stand the bike up. The front wheel lifts about six inches of the pavement and off we go to 9;000 rpm.

More fun than a 73 year old should be having!!

Interesting.  Not sure what “CEL” codes are.  Same as OBD codes?

And I guess they do not reflect CAT or Ox sensor removal.

One testing  benefit I can see would be to silence all the straight pipe Harleys that   Roar all summer around here!

Just curious:  Are any of you folks required to have your motorcycle tested annually for tailpipe emissions?

Not sure if Europe, the UK or Asia requires this. I don't believe any state in the U.S. so far has this requirement, certainly not NH.

It would definitely put a crimp in the aftermarket exhaust business, but could it help the environment?

Hey, do you ever see that local and great Cycle World motorcycle writer Peter Egan?

He lives up there in the great white north of Wisconsin.  

7 minutes ago, peteinpa said:

So what is the Yamaclean...Really? Can you buy its equal elsewhere cheaper?

Just like they don't make their own oil, coolant, etc.

It must be the reincarnation of our dear old favorite....     "GUNK."

Sprayed many a can of this stuff into engine bays back in the day!

Cool, welcome.  I am on a 2016 FJ and love it.

You'll find friendly folks and a wealth of FJ/Tracer wisdom here.

6 hours ago, Salish900 said:

.... Is it not the anticipation of a trip that is half the fun? I'm walking on clouds right now. 

Bike camping is so much fun.  I plan to go out for a few nights s soon as the National Forest campgrounds open here in NH.

I have a great little tent, collapsable fly rod, plus air mattress and cozy down bag.  Ahhhh, the night sounds of wind in the trees and light rain shower on the fly.  I rest easy knowing the FJ has her cover on too.

4 hours ago, peteinpa said:

Well...Disregard the 4+ gallons in your crotch.🤣

So you don’t think motorcycle gas tanks and fill caps are designed and tested to be crashworthy?  I actually don’t know if NTSB has a standard.

To debunk that myth about spilled fuel not igniting watch Guy Martin’s epic crash at the Isle of Man. Start watching at 6:30 in.

Hey guys,  just curious:

Are these aux fuel solutions "crash worthy?

Being surrounded by a few liters of 93 octane during a low side or other motorcycle misadventure might be a problem if a container was breached or leaked.

Or am I just a nervous Nellie ?

Normal.  Back in the day of kick starters we would "run it through" once or twice to free up the clutch before starting.

Don't you remember?  

Good god the SW Motech tail bag is $280!

How about something like this: Less than half the price and 50% bigger!

SW-MOTECH 600 60L Roll-Top Hi-Viz Dry Bag

---

Hi-viz and high capacity, the 60 liter Roll Top Dry Bag protects your stuff...

I suppose hollow design is a weight saving thing.  I think the center stand is hollow too, correct?

Both are in the spray zone so I guess rust is inevitable.  Certainly will look at mine given salt dust I've been riding through all winter here in NH.

On 2/15/2021 at 2:47 PM, 2WHLOZK said:

Thanks for posting this.  Great 2 hr watch.  Adding a trip there to my bucket list!  Actually, might do it this year.  It's a 9 hr drive each way for me, ~ 80 gallons gas (truck), plus 3 nites motel stay which allows me 2 full days at the museum. 

Or....I fly to Birmingham early AM, rent a car, two days at the museum and only 2 nites motel stay, fly home late evening.  Hmm....(wheels turning).   Is two days enough to soak it all in?  Do I wanna be there during weekdays or on a weekend?  Special events?   I'm having fun just thinking about it.  Cheers.

 

Edit:  Should mention that admission to the Barber Museum is $15 @ day.  If that's not a bargain I don't know what is.

Check the Barber schedule and see when there is an event at the race track.  The track is literally next to the museum and really beautiful.  When I was there the track was hosting a Porsche driving experience where Porsche owners plunk dow $1k a day for a one- or two- day driving school using the schools 911s. (Lunch is included.)

Was fun to tour the museum for 4 hours and then wander around the course on skywalks and garden-like paths watching the action.  In addition, the grounds have lots of sculpture and artwork scattered about.  An amazing place.  Drive from Montgomery is about 30 min.

OMG, too funny. Your poor wife.

I always play the safety card when I need a new farkle (or bike). As in....

"Honey this new (fill in the blank) will make my riding much safer."

Hard to argue against that concept!!

Your wife wasn't driving the Liberty was she?

17 hours ago, Wintersdark said:

I assume because there is oil pressure, as the bike is running.  As I said above, even when full of oil if you kill the bike and restart it quickly you'll sometimes trigger the low oil light.

But I think the original posters in this thread were seeing the oil light activate with the engine running.

Here is a link to an article about a recent traffic study conducted in the States over the past year.

Bottom line: record numbers of  cage drivers are exhibiting bad behavior, mostly speeding, that is driving fatalities to record levels.  This despite a reduction in total miles driven due to Covid lockdowns, etc.   As we enter the motorcycle season in the norther climes please keep this artl in mind.

Speeding, impairment, distraction and stupidity surround us as we joyfully celebrate spring on those long delayed rides. And every intersection could change your life forever.  Be safe. Be smart. Play defense.

Now here is what I don't get:  

When my bike is on the side stand the oil window is completely dry / empty.  Nada.

If the oil level sensor is as finicky as we think, then...

Why isn't the oil light flashing when when the bike is leaned way over in a corner?

I think blipping was originally done to keep carburetors on line and fueled.  (I hear it done on Harleys all the time.)

In the era of fuel injection it's no longer necessary. And fast blipping can actually overtake the electronics and mechanicals of the fuel system and cause rougher operation.  But it does feel cool/good!

One rapid throttle rollup to match RPM is more than adequate for downshifting.  That and a slipper clutch

Jeeze. Is the windscreen tinted or clear?

2 hours ago, johnmark101 said:

Like you I fill it to the point the sight glass is at or just above the top line.

The owners manual calls for 2.8 quarts when the oil and filter are changed.  I have always let it drain thoroughly and pour in three quarts and call it good.  Never an oil light and never a problem.  

Yup, if you let it drain overnight an extra ounce or two will weep out of the sump.  Don't ask me how I know!

53 minutes ago, kilo3 said:

Huh, just ran into this today.

Guess that's a thing.

Here's my oil level after I pulled into the garage, I'll add a few drops more I guess.

And the strange thing is it will take only an 1 or 2 oz  of addl oil to reach the top of the glass.

When I do an oil and filter  change I pour 2.5 quarts into the sump quickly and then watch the sight glass as I pour the remaining third quart to the top of the glass.  Once I run the  engine I recheck and add pretty much the rest of the 3rd quart to at or just above the top line.

Have not seen an oil light so far.   I don't think adding three full quarts will overfill the sump or cause blow by .

On 2/19/2021 at 12:31 PM, 2and3cylinders said:

As far as dissing HD and Indian, they now make excellent quality (with a few bugs like ALL the manufacturers) machines that are dependable, fast, high-tech and stylish, IF that style and function match your choices.  They don't attract me except for the FTR-S  a bit.  But to say their bikes are junk is just not correct or fair.

Maybe. But you can't call them innovators either. Old technology seems to be part of the allure of these brands.  Water cooling is touted as an innovation!

Look at KTM (1290s to 350s), BMWs 1800, the new Multistrada and and other bikes and you see design and technology innovation.  Other than the eBike Harley is basically same-old-same-old.

One would assume that they would have improved quality after building basically the same product for 30 years.

I wish them well and hope they survive, but they need to join the rest of us in the twenty-first century IMHO.

23 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said:

Hey, is that crack directed at me?!

Ummmm, sort of I guess.  

I am always amazed at how far some of our really skilled wrenches on this board will go to eke out a tiny bit more HP from our noble steeds.

I had never heard of indexing  but after watching a few YouTube videos am now in the know.  Thanks for that educational moment!!  (You can buy copper washers of different thickness to rotate the plug a fixed amount. Amazing!)

I've got my hands full managing my FJ's non-indexed HP.  One percent more might put me over the top!

Keep those great snd informative posts coming!  Always something new to learn.

I just have two simple questions:

Who can use 170 hp off road?

I spend $25k and side bags are extra?