Misadventures in wrenching and riding

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#231 Unread post by **Skier** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:24 am

Doh! I changed my rear tire without a hitch (I'm getting much faster at it) but when checking my wheel bearings, it's time for new ones this winter.

On the bright side my rim passed the roundness test when I was balancing it, so not everything is bad!

#232 Unread post by **Skier** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:12 pm

Go to hell, nail:

Supplies gathered!

Valve stem comes out:

Breakin' the bead:

MOJOLEVER, ATTACK!

Frontal assault by soap and water:

OVER THE TOP, MEN!

Work it around:

Start second bead:

And done with the old tire:

Balance it with your Sears brand static balancer:

New tire goes on after marking the heavy spot:

Second bead goes on after the assistant comes home with groceries:

Final balancing:

Seatin' the beads:

Reinstall and ride.

#233 Unread post by **Skier** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:05 pm

I think it's utter crap I have to drive four hours to take the three wheel endorsement test for Washington state.

#234 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:32 pm

I know I'm doing things right when a fellow motorcyclist's, that I haven't seen in years, first words to me are "Matthew, wash your bike."

#235 Unread post by **Skier** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:12 pm

A cow almost knocked over my bike in the driveway last night.

You can't make this stuff up.

Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:58 pm

Well, you shouldn't let cows on your driveway.

#237 Unread post by **Skier** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:24 am

Wow, the Boise area is starting motorcycle training in another month! That means it's almost time to get the bike out again.

The only winter maintenance I've performed on my 599 is to plug it in to the battery tender. I better get crackin' on checking those valves, regreasing the steering head bearings and probably changing out fork oil.

#238 Unread post by **Skier** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:07 pm

Ha, dammit, the very last out of 16 valves on my 599 I checked was out of spec. Too tight by 0.0005".

I get to pull out the cams just to swap one shim. Bah.

On the bright side I picked up three new-to-me wheels for the Civic for $30 so I can scrounge up another and have a dedicated set of snow rims!

Oh yeah, it's also snowing again. DAMNHINK.

#239 Unread post by **Skier** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:36 am

I've had parked motorcycle syndrome real bad this year.

Getting that first ride of the season in felt wonderful, even if I'm not done with the 32,000 mile maintenance yet.

mmmmm

#240 Unread post by **Skier** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:11 pm

It was dang close to 70 degrees out today. Mmmm.

The 599 has gotten almost 300 miles on it in the past three days, we're both starting to get back in to riding shape!

Plans for motorcycling trips with buddies are being kicked around and I'm ever closer to my semi-secret project Sev and Wrider know all about (hush you two!).

Oh, and my fiancee and I officially tied the knot down in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. Woohoo married life! Time to reap the sweet sweet rewards of cheaper insurance and lower taxes.