NorthernPetes Bike Adventure

[NorthernPete]

well, got the bike started, and promptly killed the battery somehow...oh well, I cant find my helmet anyways.

horray for spring...kinda..its supposed to snow again tommorrow... ugh.

[NorthernPete]

ahhh, spring right?


nope..... had to actually get the snowblower out again today. had to have had about a foot of snow fall in the last two days...but it seems to be melting again. So I'll take what I can get.

I went out to Canadian Tire and picked myself up a little trickle charger. It came with different attachments (alligator clips, cigarette lighter and battery post connectors, all are detachable.) I hooked the battery post one to the battery and have the attachment cable coming out near the tool kit holder, so now I am able to charge the battery without having to remove the seat or the battery. got the battery charged back up and it turns over fine now. Just waiting for the snow to go away.

Oh, and heres my latest theory. When ever I get my motorcycle out for the first time in the spring. usually within a week we get a blizzard. and when I had a snowmobile, wed get a good amount of snow, but when Id fork out the 180 bucks for a trail permit, the snow would stop, and melt..... so I figure any type of weather I need for my recreational hobbies, it will give me a taste, then when I get the bug to actually do it. nature takes it away. Boo.

oh and my helmet was found at my mother in laws place 8 hours away..... Im still trying to figure that one out. I think a new helmet may be in my future anyways.

[NorthernPete]

Went helmet shopping today....whee. I found out I have a big head.

checked out a few dealerships as well as a parts store, which was having a no tax sale. I ended up buying a CKX modular helmet with an intergrated flip down sun visor. Seems like I should save on sunglasses that I allways seem to be sitting on or bending or loosing. Ill post a pic of the new lid shortly.

Also went for my first ride of the season. Went for a quick little 45 KM spin, just to blow the cob webs out and try the new lid out. very comfy. had a few hiccups on the bike, thinking maybe a bit of crap built up in the carbs over the winter, or perhaps the gas got a little funky. a few stall out at around 100 KM.hr kinda made me a little upset, but it seems to have worked out what ever was causing the problem cause i got most of my ride in after the little hicups.

Also found out the kawi dealer here in town changed locations, and owners.... went to go see what was on the show room floor, opened the door, and there was no show room there any more.....Ill go search out the new place tommorrow.

[NorthernPete]

went for a little spin today around town. Stopped by the dairy queen to ogle a 1966 CB something or other (not sure which honda it was, but man, it was mint) the owner had put a little sidecar on it and it looked sharp, loud little thing too.

seem to have worked out any kinks in the carbs (knock on wood) no troubles today during my ride. heres to more nice weather and a good mood wife who doesnt get mad if I go for a evening spin once and a while. Should be alot of bikes starting to pop up fairly soon as we get more and more warm weather.

[NorthernPete]

JOined up the local CMC chapter this pst week, unfortunately most of the rides that have happened so far I have been working...oh well, long summer yet.

I shall be attempting to do my own oil change and spring clean up of my Kawi soon, as the warrentee is done, and I did my own oil changes on my old yammy and the my four wheeler I think i can handle it. Wish me luck and some good riding weather. I"ll post some pics shortly.

[NorthernPete]

well, Did my first own Oil change on the kawi...easy as Pie.... mmmm pie...

Havent done as much riding as id like to have so far, but my wife and son are higher on the priority list. Might go for a little ride on the next days off depending if I go to the cottage or not....

Watched some UFC the other night, good show, and had myself a birthday party last week. happy 29 to me, got a few gift cards and used it to knock a few bucks off a new BBQ (combination birthday/fathersday gift) the big giant flames that shot out the of the other one were mnaking me nervous... (I know I could have gotten a new burner unit for 40-50 bucks, but I wanted a bit bigger BBQ..... fire and new toy = good!!!!

[NorthernPete]

Well, a 2 year gap, but I'll update it.....

As I posted in some other threads, since this thread was last updated I have been

laid off
got new job
sold house
moved to new house
didnt ride my bike hardly at all last summer.

Which brings me to my update. Im selling me bike. Yup, decided I just cant justify having a toy that I dont get to play with in the summer. Bad weather and the family and cottage during riding season dont really mesh well for me.

So Ive got the bike up for sale for 3800 bucks. according to what I was able to find online its worth about 3400 (retail) so I will give me some wiggle room. If anyone thinks Im over/under priced for a 06 Vulcan 500 with 3100 KMs on it let me know. would appreciate it. or if someone is in northeastern ontario looking for a babied bike, whats been done to it and what not is all in this thread.

later folks. see you in 2 years *lol*

[NorthernPete]

Have someone coming to look at the bike next week. Heres hopin.

[NorthernPete]

Heres to changing of minds! I didnt sell my bike, which turned out to be a good thing cause the fuel pump in the Blazer gacked out on me so im doing the commute to work with the bike this week, and probably next week as well. Its a bit chilly (had frost on the bike seat yesterday morning, was not impressed) and stole my wifes vehicle today cause it was supposed to rain, and Im not about to ride in the rain.....Im just not hard core enough I guess. *lol* So heres to a summer of riding and cottaging and all the fun things. Im gonna have to get in that picture game in the main forum, looks fun.

Bikes running a bit ragged, carbs are a bit gummy but Im running a few tanks of high test through her as well as a can of seafoam (best stuff ever BTW!!!!) its running better, If anyone could tell me though of anything else that may be cause the following.

Lots of back firing during down shifting into 2nd and 1st gear (left side pipe only)
a bit of hesitation on take off (seems to go away after it warms up a bit though)
when I feel behind the pipes when its running, the right hand pipe is a strong exhaust blowing out, while the left hand one is the same rythm, but feels weaker then the right hand one.

I did put a K&N air filter in last year, could it possibly be running a bit lean (although I DID HAVE THE BACK FIRING AND hesitation prior to this.)

[Wrider]

I'd balance your carbs, then if it still does it, leave the carbs on the bike, turn off the petcock, drop the float bowl (which I think is all possible on your bike) then clean out the jets and put it back together.