sirepair

Since I was unable to attend the MPFB, I *hope* to make this. Couple other events (non MSTA) that I'm looking at, but this looks very interesting.

Coop, you should not play with sharp, pointy objects! Hopefully you still have your good eye!!

Hmmm... The Ribber has some tasty eats! Try one of their steaks if you haven't yet. Was there a few days ago (see below) Pencilled in and will try to get there.

Shows available on Amazon. $228.02 I have both. The 50l is huge and looks a bit out of place. Can hold 2 full face helmets. I made a plate to mount it on my ST1100. The 39l looks better and unless you have a giant laptop, should work to haul it.

Correct, Pulse Width Modulator for those that don't know. Basically a circuit that cycles on and off for a set time. Adjusting changes ratio of on time to off time. I keep my Heat-troller clipped to left side of jacket. Only one connection to bike and LEDs are out of sight. Easily adjusted while on the fly.

A 15 amp circuit will work for running both gloves and a liner. Adapters are available. You will want some type of controller to vary the heat output or you will find yourself constantly turning it on and off. Take a look at Warm & safe heated gear. I recommend their heated liner, gloves and dual "Heat-troller". The dual controller gives you 2 circuits; one for jacket liner, one for your gloves. Your hands need more heat than your torso, so if you have both items on a single controller it will be nearly impossible to find a comfortable setting. I've used their gear for over 10 years. Great quality and they are very good about exchanging items to make sure you get the correct size. Check them out at: www.warmnsafe.com

I assume you have already upgraded your seat. I would rather have my left testicle off with with a rusty coping saw than spend an 18 hour day riding on the stock saddle! I think the Fudge could make a decent LD bike with the right upgrades. Biggest concern I think is rear tire life. I only got 7500 miles or so out of the first rear tire. Will be following your build...

I'll be there. Not sure if I'll be solo on my FJ09 or two up on my ST1100, but I have a room reserved!

I rode the DCT version for about an hour earlier this year. I rode the previous version for a long weekend in Canada a couple years back and I've also ridden the VFR1200X w DCT, so I had something to compare with. The "ST1800" is just as stated above: very refined, nicely packaged and lacking character. Yep, a 2 wheeled Accord. The DCT has been improved, especially the SPORT mode. It seemed to read my mind when rolling off the throttle approaching a turn, it would drop a gear just as I would have. Upshifts were quick and smooth. Engine might as well be an electric motor, though it does have a decent growl to it. The suspension does a good job at dealing with the weight of the bike. Brakes are a substantial improvement over the previous gen, which I thought felt wooden. Smaller tank and less storage were hard to understand. Touring bike need a touring tank! I realize these were sacrifices made for weight reduction. But even with all the changes, it still "feels" like a Gold Wing (good, bad or indifferent). Personally I enjoy my ST1100 more and could purchase 10 nice used STs for the price of one 'Wing. If $$ was no object I might buy one, but would probably look at a KTM Super Duke (how much "personality" can 1 bike have?) or BMW K1600.

I have been very happy with how well this has worked out. Having a compressor and plug kit paid off a couple months ago when I had a puncture about 15 miles from home. Being able to remove the rear wheel without messing with anything other than popping the lid and swinging it out of the way has proven handy too! Only change I've made since install was to add a couple small zip ties to keep the hinge from coming apart when open. I'm looking for a small lock that won't rattle around to put on it, but that hasn't been a great concern.

I hipe to make it to STAR next year. Love riding in that area too!

I'm also an IB SS1K Cert holder and congratulate you for a BBG on an FJ09. I rode my ST1100 for my ride, and would likely use it for the BBG. I'm not as comfortable on my FJ as my ST. Again, congrats! BTW, did you hear that a woman won this year's Iron Butt Rally? Wendy Crockett is the first woman to win. She rode nearly 13,000 miles in 11 days!

Nicely done, Joe! I think I'll do this too!

I have a "Stop & Go" mini compessor. Might fit under passenger seat (I have a fuse block there on mine) but fits perfectly in my under-tail ammo box, along with my tool roll. Comes with several ways to connect to 12v and works as advertised! $38 on Amazon.

A rachet strap wrapped around one arm of the mounter and one or two wheel spokes keeps the wheel in place and sanity in check!

Harbor Freight mount and No-mar bar along with Motion Pro rim protectors and a couple different types of tire irons. Setup pays for itself after a couple years.

I've replaced batteries in both my ST1100 and FJ09 with Shorai Lithium Iron batteries. As stated, they are crazy light! One in the 1100 will be 3 years old in the fall, 2 years in the FJ. Only "issue" I've experienced is starting in cold weather. The LiFe batteries need to warm up a bit, so it is best to turn main switch on, so lights come on, and let it set for a few seconds before trying to start. I don't use battery tenders. During off season I make a point to start bikes at least once every two weeks and let them run until fans kick on. Keeps fresh fuel in systems and batteries charged. If bike won't turn over, battery will likely need replaced anyway.

You are correct, ground through the mount. You can add a short piece of wire, with the proper connector, and connect the OEM ground to a mounting point on the horn. Also, check amps needed for new horn. Many aftermarket horns draw much more than stock, so stock fuse may blow upon use. I use the factory wiring to trigger a relay, with separate power/fuse to the replacement horn.

Wife and I have hosted the (Honda) ST Owners OH-STOC event out of Lake Hope State Park, west of Athens, for the last 8 years. 50+ riders attended this year. Sooo many outstanding roads in the area! We use "Drop and sweep" method for larger group rides, and smaller groups do what they want. MSTA does their "Mail Pouch Fly-by" out of Marietta too. If you get a chance to ride this area, do it! You will not be disappointed! And if you need info on some routes or someone to lead you around, let me know!

New read Roadtec mounted up. Now I need to get it out for a ride, but have a wedding to attend this evening.

I tried using that button to start mine several times! Wondered why it didn't crank and all the lights were blinking!! Thought something was broken...DOH! It's in basically the same spot as many Honda starter buttons are.

If you old plugs have the threaded caps on them but new plugs don't, you will want to transfer them to the new plugs for proper electric connection. I have a little parts bin drawer full of them! As stated above, a length of small dia. rubber hose can be used to extract or install the plugs. Magnet on a stick or claw grabber pickup tool do the trick too. ALWAYS check that the plugs are properly gapped before installing.

I've successfully plugged several tires, both mc and auto, and never had this happen. My guess would be that the hole was too big. Even with two in it I was losing air at a fairly steady rate. Had I had much farther to go I would have had to stop and air it up again.

I got out for a nice 200 or so mile jaunt, but got to practice my tire plugging skilz about 15 miles from home. First worm popped out a couple miles down the road. Double-plugged it the second time and limped home. Will demount and patch it asap. TPMS and "Stop-n-Go" inflator paid for themselves!

SE corner of Ohio has miles and miles of fun stuff, and it's just outside of my door!