From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 07:38:49 1996 Date: Thu, 01 Feb 96 07:41:43 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: RE: Leathers (boots) >>>>>What do people recommend for good quality riding boots? > >Bill mentions: >>>I wear good old combat boots. Mine are all leather lace up boots with >a >>>decent sole and a steal toe. > >The danger of wearing boots that "lace up" should be obvious. With the >laces constantly flapping in the wind, they might work their way loose. >Loose laces could lead to lost toes or feet. That depends on the laces getting caught on something. My laces are well above the cuffs on my jeans and my Aerostich also. In 10 years and over 100,000 miles I've had no problems with laces getting caught on anything. Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 08:48:08 1996 From: "Hawkins, Kevin" Date: 1 Feb 96 08:48:00 -0500 Original-From: "Hawkins, Kevin" To: "'DC Cycles'" Subject: FW: Leathers (boots) Original-Date: Thu Feb 01 08:48 EST 1996 Encoding: 12 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 Content-Type: text >>Loose laces could lead to lost toes or feet. >That depends on the laces getting caught on something. My laces are >well above the cuffs on my jeans and my Aerostich also. In 10 years >and over 100,000 miles I've had no problems with laces getting caught >on anything. Still........if you eliminate the laces, you eliminate the possibility. Kevin Hawkins From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 09:01:07 1996 Date: Thu, 1 Feb 96 08:47:16 PST From: "Christopher A. Meier" Subject: RE: winter riding To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chameleon ENGP1, TCP/IP for Windows, NetManage Inc. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Justin, I am still riding and without "electric goodies". Only things that keep me off the road are ice, snow and temps below ~18 degrees F. One thing to consider when talking about cold temps is your exposure period. I must admit that most of my riding now is commuting about 20 miles each way to work, not a lot of all day pleasure riding. I have been experimenting with all kinds of winter wear and have now found what works for me. Interestingly, the hardest part for me to protect from the cold was my hands. Almost went to electrics for them. YMMV. Later, chris ---------------Original Message--------------- Are there any riders out there who are still riding this time of year without electric goodies? I see msgs from people who ride year 'round, but it seems like all or most are using electric vests/gloves, etc. Is this the case? from, Justin V. Laubach (JLaubach@XXXXXX) 92 yamaha seca II ----------End of Original Message---------- -------------------------------------------------------- Christopher A. Meier cmeier1@XXXXXX 1994 RF900RR Opinions expressed here are Mine, Mine, alllll Mine. -------------------------------------------------------- From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 09:13:17 1996 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 09:13:30 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: sash@XXXXXX (Michael A. Dow) Subject: RE: Leathers (boots) At 7:41 2/1/96, Chris Norloff wrote: >That depends on the laces getting caught on something. My laces are >well above the cuffs on my jeans and my Aerostich also. In 10 years >and over 100,000 miles I've had no problems with laces getting caught >on anything. I'd just like to point out that for many, unless you experienced this kind of trauma recently (on a motorcycle), I think the fear of getting shoe/boot laces caught in the works of your bike is essentially residual -- left over from childhood, when you DID get sneaker laces wrapped around the pedals of your bicycle, causing you to fall down in front of your friends and look silly, or maybe scrape your knee. I think it's quite unlikely to occur on a motorcycle, and it's mainly just a fear that has been transferred from earlier, formative years. -Sash "This degree in psychology must be good for something." Dow ___________________________________________________________________ Michael A. "Sash" Dow AMA# 403971 | HRCA Member | DoD# 1808 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = '94 Honda VF750C Magna ("Thanks, but it's not a Harley") in Yellow! "I don't wanna pickle /I just wanna ride on my motorsickle" -Arlo ___________________________________________________________________ "Love is a matter of chemistry; sex is a matter of physics." From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 09:27:59 1996 From: aki.damme@XXXXXX Date: 1 Feb 96 09:25:54 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: RE: winter riding In-Reply-To: > Justin, > > I am still riding and without "electric goodies". Only things that > keep me off the road are ice, snow and temps below ~18 degrees F. > > One thing to consider when talking about cold temps is your exposure > period. I must admit that most of my riding now is commuting about > 20 miles each way to work, not a lot of all day pleasure riding. > > I have been experimenting with all kinds of winter wear and have now > found what works for me. Interestingly, the hardest part for me to > protect from the cold was my hands. Almost went to electrics for > them. YMMV. > > Later, > chris > ..and it looks like we might be starting off Feb with a bang... 80% chance of snow tonight and 100% tomorrow...the Olympic weather dartboard team on channel 4 predicts 4-8 inches...what that means is we'll get nothing or 20-30 feet... it's the end of the world...we're all gonna die! ;-) cheers, -aki From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 09:37:12 1996 From: Michael Majzel To: "'dc-cycles@XXXXXX'" Subject: Daytona Bound Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 09:36:59 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I plan on going to Daytona Speed Week again this year. I will be riding and would like to leave after work on Friday March 1st at about 4:00 PM. I am looking for anyone else who might like to ride down or back up. Let me know if you are going. Maybe we could hook up and do some riding while in the Sunshine State. Mike email: mmajzel@XXXXXX From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 09:40:26 1996 Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 09:40:04 -0500 (EST) From: Marasco Newton Group To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: lace-up boots, bell bottoms, formative years In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Thu, 1 Feb 1996, Michael A. Dow wrote: > I'd just like to point out that for many, unless you experienced this kind > of trauma recently (on a motorcycle), I think the fear of getting shoe/boot > laces caught in the works of your bike is essentially residual -- left over > from childhood, when you DID get sneaker laces wrapped around the pedals of > your bicycle, causing you to fall down in front of your friends and look > silly, or maybe scrape your knee. I think it's quite unlikely to occur on a > motorcycle, and it's mainly just a fear that has been transferred from > earlier, formative years. This is precisely why bell bottom pants went out of style. BTW, when do the "formative years" actually end? Bryndyn email: mng@XXXXXX "It only takes two-strokes to get me excited." CB-1, RZ350 From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 09:59:13 1996 From: "McLoone, William J." To: DC-Cycles List Subject: RE: winter riding Date: Thu, 01 Feb 96 09:52:00 EST Encoding: 50 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 Justin Asks: >Are there any riders out there who are still riding this time of year >without electric goodies? I see msgs from people who ride year 'round, >but it seems like all or most are using electric vests/gloves, etc. >Is this the case? I'm out there with no electrics on an unfaired bike. I don't commute on the bike much and especially not in the heavy winter traffic without the benefit of sun shine. My GS-450 has seen close to 100 miles of use since the beginning of the new year and I have been on some significant trips earlier in the off season. You must layer and have good wind protection. I have found my face gets cold and sometimes my feet and hands chill down a little but all in all I'm pretty comfortable. My typical dressing ritual includes a layer of silk long johns covered by traditional long johns. Silk sock liners covered by decent wool socks. Then comes jeans for the legs and a warm shirt and sweater over my upper body. I wear my leather jacket and then don my outer layer foul weather suit. I picked up a Teknics 2pc. rain suit that is windproof, waterproof, and insulated. I highly recommend it or a suit of it's type. It's got a nice high collar and reflective striping on it. I have been through heavy rain in October and has kept me warm (with the other layers) down to some 20 degree riding. (I don't ride much when there is ice out so I can't claim much riding below 30 degrees.) Teknics makes some of the Fieldsheer suits but cost they cost more. The pants were $50 and the Jacket $80 while on sale at Cycles USA in Silver Spring. There is a slight disadvantage on head turning ability since with all the layers my shoulders bulk up and inhibit some head turning ability. AS the outer layer jacket has broken in a little I have not been noticing this lately. Other helpful items I use include a silky helmet liner which helps insulate my head and a helmet chin curtain which significantly reduces the wind. Layer up and give winter riding a shot, just watch for becoming cold and Hypothermic. Bill McLoone '82 Susuki GS-450TXz (for Sale) '81 Yamaha XS-11H (50% mine) Burtonsville, MD USA '82 Kawasaki KZ-750E (deal in process) 1-800-AMA-JOIN BK-MD I "Ride with Pride" From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 10:08:40 1996 From: "McLoone, William J." To: DC-Cycles List Subject: Vent-Tech/trailer Date: Thu, 01 Feb 96 10:01:00 EST Encoding: 19 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 FWIW, I saw a Vent-Tech jacket on sale at Cycles USA last night for $270. I forget the model but it was a size medium and I'm sure you can call for details. I am not affiliated with Cycles in any way, I am just a satisfied customer. I do some shopping there and some through mail order depending on the need, cost, and time. I just happened to stop by last night to look at a trailer in their lot. I'm thinking about building a motorcycle trailer, any of you done this type of project. I have a guy who can help me with the fabrication, what I could use is a good plan. Bill McLoone '82 Susuki GS-450TXz (for Sale) '81 Yamaha XS-11H (50% mine) Burtonsville, MD USA '82 Kawasaki KZ-750E (deal in process) 1-800-AMA-JOIN BK-MD I "Ride with Pride" From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 10:41:35 1996 Date: Thu, 1 Feb 96 10:44:09 EST From: payter@XXXXXX (Payter Versteegen) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: winter riding "brian downey" , replies: * * Justin V. Laubach asks provocatively: * > Are there any riders out there who are still riding this time of year * > without electric goodies? I see msgs from people who ride year 'round, * > but it seems like all or most are using electric vests/gloves, etc. * > * > Is this the case? * * Yep. We're out here. No electrics either, in my case. Just a couple of * good layers featuring wool inside and leather out. Keeping all the skin * covered is key ;) * * Come on out and play - its a lot of fun - but keep the shiny side up, * There's almost nobody out on two wheels to wave to ... * Man, I'm really trying! :) I *know* that anything under 38 in the morning will just freeze me by the time I get to work (from Columbia, to Goddard, 30 mins@speed). I'm willing to try to lower that threshold, but only a few degrees at a time. So, it's the Jetta, yet again. L8r, P8r. payter@XXXXXX =;) From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 10:46:54 1996 Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 10:46:44 -0500 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: richwest@XXXXXX (Rich Westbrook) Subject: RE: winter riding > >I have been experimenting with all kinds of winter wear and have now >found what works for me. Interestingly, the hardest part for me to >protect from the cold was my hands. Almost went to electrics for >them. YMMV. > >Later, >chris What is you secret? What have you found to be the best stuff to wear in this type of weather? No matter what I wear I always have a few holes that let enough air in to make it unpleasant. Rich From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 11:29:00 1996 Date: Thu, 01 Feb 96 11:31:48 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Warm hands? (was: winter riding >I have been experimenting with all kinds of winter wear and have now >found what works for me. Interestingly, the hardest part for me to >protect from the cold was my hands. Almost went to electrics for >them. YMMV. My ever-suffering electrical system won't power anything more than my electric vest, however I found that wearing a set of winter gloves, inside a set of Hippo Hands keeps my hands toasty warm. In fact, above 40 degrees I have to wear my summer glove or I get too warm. Sure is nice to put cold fingers into cold gloves, but then feel them warm up when I ride off with my hand inside the Hippo Hands. Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 11:36:42 1996 Date: Thu, 1 Feb 96 11:07:48 PST From: "Christopher A. Meier" Subject: RE: winter riding To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chameleon ENGP1, TCP/IP for Windows, NetManage Inc. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=us-ascii ---------------Original Message--------------- >I have been experimenting with all kinds of winter wear and have now >found what works for me. Interestingly, the hardest part for me to >protect from the cold was my hands. Almost went to electrics for >them. YMMV. > >Later, >chris What is you secret? What have you found to be the best stuff to wear in this type of weather? No matter what I wear I always have a few holes that let enough air in to make it unpleasant. Rich ----------End of Original Message---------- Rich, The first and most important key is to layer, and the second, as you mentioned to is to keep out the wind. What works for me, and YMMV: Starting from the bottom and going up---- 1) Heavy, leather hiking books that cover my ankles, worn over wool socks, over athletic socks. 2) Usually slacks (when commuting) or jeans under a pair of Spartan bib snow pants, purchased from Rider's for $75.00. These thinks are sooo warm, I almost can't believe it. They are like a pair of ski pants, but_far_warmer (I would sweat like a pig if I ever wore them skiing). They come all the way up to my chest in front and back and have zippers with velcro closure from ankle to hip on both sides. 3) Dress shirt ( when commuting) or sweatshirt under a motoline Canyon jacket. Very warm coat, with removable thinsulate lining, all zippers have weather strips over them and the sleeves velcro shut around my wrists. 4) Thinsulate _gauntlet_ gloves that cover my wrists to keep wind out of the sleeves of my coat. These are the least effective of all my gear. When it is really cold I opt for a pair of USAF arctic survival mittens that are issued to pilots (my father is an ex-pilot). I have seen these in some surplus stores and catalogs. They are the warmest things I have ever had on my hands. Made from leather and parachute type material. Only downer is the are mittens and are a little awkward on the controls, but you get used to it. I almost tried hippo hands for the bars, but wasn't sure I'd like them. 5) One of those ski head bands designed to cover your ears, pulled down around my neck. Also, my SO took a scarf, cut it in half sewed up the sides, and put velcro on it to act as a balaklava (hope I spelled that right, as not to start up another greek pastry thread) :-) That's about it. This set up works for me for about a 15-20 mile commute against traffic at speeds up to 60mph, and an exposure period of ~20-30 mins. chris -------------------------------------------------------- Christopher A. Meier cmeier1@XXXXXX 1994 RF900RR Opinions expressed here are Mine, Mine, alllll Mine. -------------------------------------------------------- From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 12:57:29 1996 From: Dark Hacker Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 12:57:13 -0500 (EST) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX, mng@XXXXXX Subject: Re: lace-up boots, bell bottoms, formative years Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 09:40:04 -0500 (EST) From: Marasco Newton Group Subject: lace-up boots, bell bottoms, formative years On Thu, 1 Feb 1996, Michael A. Dow wrote: > from childhood, when you DID get sneaker laces wrapped around > the pedals of your bicycle, causing you to fall down in front > of your friends and look silly, or maybe scrape your knee. I > think it's quite unlikely to occur on a motorcycle, and it's > mainly just a fear that has been transferred from earlier, > formative years. This is precisely why bell bottom pants went out of style. BTW, when do the "formative years" actually end? When they put you in a pine box after your laces get snagged in the chain. - Hacker From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 13:10:18 1996 From: "Hawkins, Kevin" Date: 1 Feb 96 13:04:00 -0500 Original-From: "Hawkins, Kevin" To: "'DC Cycles'" , "'BIll McLoone'" Subject: RE: Trailer Original-Date: Thu Feb 01 13:04 EST 1996 Encoding: 25 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 Content-Type: text >I'm thinking about building a motorcycle trailer, any of you done this type >of project. I have a guy who can help me with the fabrication, what I could >use is a good plan. Bill, I built my motorcycle trailer using a 4x6 trailer kit that I bought at Central Tractor Farm and Family Center in Frederick, MD. I bolted it together using loctite, used exterior grade 3/4 plywood for the flooring and bought a motorcycle rail from a company near the Gaithersburg Airpark. The kit came with 8.5x4 wheels which I upgrade to 12x4 at a later time. It has served me well for 5 years now and has seen probably 10,000 miles of service. The only repair that I've made was to weld a stronger set of fenders to it. FWIW. Kevin Hawkins // Greensboro, NC AMA #609423 // khawkins@XXXXXX '95 900CR (Desmo) // '93 GTS1000 (RADD Boy) From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 14:57:54 1996 Date: Thu, 01 Feb 1996 11:57:33 -0700 (PDT) From: "Justin V. Laubach" Subject: just curious To: DC Cycles MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT What does YMMV mean? It seems like "your _____ may vary," but I can't figure out the second word.... Thanks from, Justin V. Laubach (JLaubach@XXXXXX) 92 Yamaha Seca II From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 16:17:40 1996 Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 16:17:39 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: "Justin V. Laubach" , DC Cycles From: Leon Begeman Subject: Re: just curious mileage At 11:57 2/1/96 -0700, Justin V. Laubach wrote: >What does YMMV mean? >It seems like "your _____ may vary," but I can't figure out the second >word.... > >Thanks > >from, >Justin V. Laubach >(JLaubach@XXXXXX) >92 Yamaha Seca II > > Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 68Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 16:51:27 1996 From: "McLoone, William J." To: DC-Cycles List Subject: RE: just curious Date: Thu, 01 Feb 96 16:43:00 EST Encoding: 9 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 >What does YMMV mean? >It seems like "your _____ may vary," but I can't figure out the second >word.... Your Millage May Vary = English translation: your results may not be the same. Bill McLoone From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 17:12:19 1996 From: "Osidach, Vera Z." To: "'dc cycles - all'" Subject: winter riding/combat boots Date: Thu, 01 Feb 96 16:32:00 EST Encoding: 28 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 WINTER RIDING: As far as winter riding, not everyone rides w/electricity for warmth. I do okay with just layers, as others have already posted in more detail. (For those of us 'transplants' from areas of the country where it *really* gets cold, we know that this ain't nuthin'!! ;)) I have about a 45 minute commute, most of which is on 270/the beltway with no stops, and I've only ever had any *real* problems with my hands (getting cold). I suspect that I've done some permanent damage, so that this year I've cut down on the amount of riding -- also, my boyfriend got me some [Widder] electric gloves recently and they are GREAT. I am now "officially" spoiled! ;) At any rate, if you feel that you're starting to get cold -- pull over and warm yourself up (using the engine, w/common sense, of course). Also, make sure that you really *are* fine, even though everything feels okay -- I remember once I was stopping and as I put my feet down, I realized that I could _barely_ feel them and had _very little_ use of them. If anything unexpected had happened, I would've been meat. (Thanks again, Lord. :)) RIDING BOOTS: I, too, wear combat boots -- with double knots -- and have never had a problem (in over 8 years of wearing them). These laces definitely do *not* 'flap in the wind' as they are made of some non-flappable material. %-) The laces are very stiff; these boots were given to me by someone who'd used them in USAF boot camp, so I don't know if they use different laces now or what. ??? Needless to say, the price was right and they have been great!! :) They're not too warm, though, just for the record -- but a coupla pair o' socks'll do ya! ;) That's it from this peanut gallery. -Vo '93 XLH 1200 p.s. YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 18:11:59 1996 From: "McLoone, William J." To: DC-Cycles List Subject: acronyms Date: Thu, 01 Feb 96 18:04:00 EST Encoding: 11 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 For all the ones that have problems with YMMV, BTW, RTFM, etc. Take a look at this web site: http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/staff/amato/AC/main.html Bill McLoone '82 Susuki GS-450TXz (for Sale) '81 Yamaha XS-11H (50% mine) Burtonsville, MD USA '82 Kawasaki KZ-750E (deal in process) 1-800-AMA-JOIN BK-MD I "Ride with Pride" From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 1 22:46:58 1996 Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 22:41:05 +45722824 (EDT) From: "Gil M. Nissley" Subject: Jackets and Stuff To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hi all,my provider has been down for a couple of days and now that it's up my mailbox is flooded.Someone was asking about leather jackets in the summer and someone else mentioned the VentTech.I own a CoolTech, which was the VentTech's predesessor(the company that made CoolTechs broke up or something and later turned into VentTech).It works fantastic in the summer.I've worn it through the last four summers here and I had it when I was stationed down in Austin,TX.It gets a little warm when you're stuck at a light,but when you're moving it is very comfortable. It's also made of good leather and has padding.The newer VentTech looks like it might be even better because it has vents in the sleeves at the elbows,and the removable lining would make it suitable for more than just hot weather.I'd highly recommend one to anyone who can afford it. I beleive someone else was looking for a cheap cycle jacket.Well,I have a Hein Gericke(sp?) Cadet jacket that I don't wear anymore that's just filling space in my closet.It's made out of heavy grey ballistic nylon with black padded leather trim.It's a size Med(the tag doesn't give a standard size).I'm 5'11",about 160 lbs,and it's just starting to get tight on me(I've started working out ;-}).I also have long arms and the sleeve length is fine.If anyone's interested I'll let it go for $20.I live on Columbia Pike in Arlington,but I'll mail it if you pay shipping. gnissley@XXXXXX Buell S2 Thunder(un)bolt GATB#1121 "Most problems in life can be fixed with a chainsaw." Bill D. Cat "But pessimism IS realism!" D.L.Bahr From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 2 10:19:16 1996 Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 10:19:13 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: Leon Begeman Subject: Another day another 80 miles Today's ride in took 90 minutes to go 40 miles. The traffic reporters were right, I-95 was slow down south. The beltway is good. I got passed while going 55 near I-270. Didn't see any other bikers. Ride safe, know when to say when. Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 68Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 2 17:47:37 1996 Date: Fri, 2 Feb 1996 14:47:04 -0800 X-Sender: nranone2@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Version 1.4.4 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: nranone2@XXXXXX (Nick Ranone) Subject: Subscribe Can someone give me the subscribe address/instuuctions...thanks Nick From dc-cycles-request Mon Feb 5 18:00:02 1996 Date: Mon, 5 Feb 1996 17:59:33 -0500 From: pmahoney@XXXXXX (K. Patrick Mahoney) To: DIMON@XXXXXX Subject: Re: A Novice Question Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Sun-Charset: US-ASCII > > It's a bright sunny day, you bike to a shopping center or mall. Where is the > > best place to park your bike to keep it out of harms way? As I think of it, > > what are other daily situations that a novice rider should consider. the 2 "ALWAYS do" that I was taught when I started ridng was NEVER leave your ride out of sight for more than 10-15 minutes past that it becomes to Easy to load into a truck or something with nobody asking any qusetions. The other was in traffic ALWAYS!!!!! leave yourself two ways to get out of trouble when one closes up find an other. the 2 times that I left myself only 1 way out it closed up at the same time my main route did soooo.... it became shiny side down and greasy side up ( if that sounds backwards it is!!) > > > Is Bike Week in Daytona a worth while trip? YES! YES! YES! what a Party! at least once! (unless your a Baptist or Mormon) > > > How many folks actually wear leather in the summer? > > Damn Few. It's too hot and muggy to wear leather in D.C. (This will > elicit a response from somebody tough enough to do it.) "ditto" Damn Few but those how have seen the difference think that it's the tough that risk the Road Rash. You know the helmet and shorts and sandles set!!! From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 6 18:18:57 1996 Date: Tue, 06 Feb 1996 18:16:55 -0500 From: Warren Weiss Subject: Carbs on an Interceptor To: DC Cycles Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Z-Mail (3.2.0 06sep94) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Say, Has anyone here ever removed and cleaned the carburetors on a Honda Interceptor, or any of the Honda V4s for that matter? Is it as painful as it looks? TIA -- ************************************************************************ Warren W. Weiss VMI '87 wweiss@XXXXXX AMA # 409056 weiss@XXXXXX Hughes Information Technology Company Ride: '85 VF700F Interceptor Upper Marlboro, MD Deus Ex Machina Think For Yourself and Question Authority Anonymous ************************************************************************ From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 7 05:34:53 1996 X-Sender: harris@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 2.2 (32) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Wed, 07 Feb 1996 05:32:04 -0500 To: Warren Weiss , DC Cycles From: Stephen Harris Subject: Re: Carbs on an Interceptor At 06:16 PM 2/6/96 -0500, Warren Weiss wrote: >Say, > >Has anyone here ever removed and cleaned the carburetors on a Honda >Interceptor, or any of the Honda V4s for that matter? > >Is it as painful as it looks? > >TIA Getting them off is easy. Its putting them back on that is difficult. Which model interceptor? The 500's were the easiest. (I used to work for a Honda dealer as a wrench) Remember when you take the carbs apart that the forward carbs are different than the rear carbs. Don't confuse which jets go in which carb. Stephen Taylor Harris http://www.his.com/~harris/index.htm From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 7 08:59:33 1996 Date: Wed, 7 Feb 96 08:58:37 -0500 From: Richard Clark To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX, wweiss@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Carbs on an Interceptor >From dc-cycles-request@XXXXXX Tue Feb 6 18:43 EST 1996 >From: Warren Weiss >Subject: Carbs on an Interceptor >To: DC Cycles > >Say, > >Has anyone here ever removed and cleaned the carburetors on a Honda >Interceptor, or any of the Honda V4s for that matter? > >Is it as painful as it looks? You bet! Worse maybe... :( Royal pain in the ass, if I must say so myself! I've got an '83 750 Magna... Lessee... (from memory, may have missed a step or two) Drain radiator. Remove radiator. remove air cleaner side cover remove thermostat side cover dissconnect temperature sensor wire remove thermostat housing remove air filter cover. remove air filter housing. disconnect choke and throttle cables (almost need some special warped wrenches to do this!) loosen manifold mounts. remove heat sheild (behind radiator, on carbs) remove anything else that might be in the way... Best advice is to get a shop manual! They're only about 25 bucks! To get them back on is basically the reverse of above, except that getting the buggers to stick back into the manifold mounts is a pain in the butt. Hint: oil the rubber manifold mounts to make them a bit slippery so they can slide into place. Hint: don't try to seat the carbs in the mounts when the mounts are on the manifold... you've got to get the mounts on the carbs, then push the mounts onto the manifold. Yet another hint: when dissconnecting radiator hoses, be very careful no to push/pull on the metal lines running between the cylinders! They've got little rubber seals that are temperamental and tend to leak when just pushed a little out of place... Took me about 45 minutes to get the buggers out first time I did it. Took about 90 minutes (half of which was spent fighting with the manifold mounts) to get 'em back in. Not something you want to do very often, so if you run into anything that might need replacement soon, fix it while you've got them out. Do it right, do it once! Have fun! ;) Richard H. Clark richard@XXXXXX From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 7 12:35:06 1996 To: DC Cycles Subject: bike week question Date: Wed, 07 Feb 1996 12:34:24 -0500 From: Phil Kester I'm tentatively (barring some major weather) planning to ride down to Daytona for bike week. This'll be my first time, so I'd like to solicit some net.wisdom on camping at bike week. I'd like to stay at Bulow since I'm on a Beemer, but anything reasonably close-by would probably suffice. The question is, do the campgrounds operate on a first-come first-served basis, or do you need reservations? If it is FCFS, when is everything typically full-up? Any other recommendations for camping areas? Thanks in advance. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Phil Kester / phil@XXXXXX 0)%___ / full-time rider __/(BMW)===#_ part-time marathoner / /\\|||L/~~\\ 1994 BMW K1100LT ... Live to ride, ride to work. \__/ --- \__/=~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 7 17:10:01 1996 Date: Wed, 07 Feb 1996 17:08:08 -0500 From: Warren Weiss Subject: Re: Carbs on an Interceptor In-Reply-To: Richard Clark "Re: Carbs on an Interceptor" (Feb 7, 8:58am) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Z-Mail (3.2.0 06sep94) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT > Subject: Carbs on an Interceptor Thanks to everyone for the advice on cleaning V4 carbs. I will probably take a closer look at them once the warmer weather hits, but I may decide to just drop a coupla hundred bucks to have a shop do it. I didn't realize that I'd have to drain and remove the radiator. Sounds like a mess in the making. I do have experience with cleaning carbs, though. And when I did it I SWORE I would never buy another Japanese bike, but until I have 12 or 13 grand sitting around so I can buy that R1100RS, I will have to look for the bargains. I last performed carb maintenance on my Suzuki GS700. There was no radiator to worry about, so I disconnected all the fuel lines and fuel gauge wires, etc. and pulled the carbs. Getting them out was fairly easy. A few bruised knuckles, but that is a fact of life when turning wrenches. Getting them back in was the hemmorhoid of a lifetime. I had to unbolt the oil cooler so I could unbolt some of the engine mounts to permit me to rotate the engine forward about an inch or two. It was not possible to remove the airbox from the frame, either, to gain some extra room. It was almost as if the frame had been built around it. By the time I got everything reconnected I was too tired to re-synch the carbs. I just putted-off to Cycle Sports in Springfield (fortunately only a half-mile from my house) and let them work their magic. They do pretty good work, too. That bike ran like mad when I got it back. Anybody wanna buy an Interceptor? Seriously, I am doing all this work so I can sell it for a good price. Any takers? -- ************************************************************************ Warren W. Weiss VMI '87 wweiss@XXXXXX AMA # 409056 weiss@XXXXXX Hughes Information Technology Company Ride: '85 VF700F Interceptor Upper Marlboro, MD Deus Ex Machina Think For Yourself and Question Authority Anonymous ************************************************************************ From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 9 07:58:11 1996 X-Sender: mackinto@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 2.1.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Fri, 09 Feb 1996 07:57:50 -0400 To: vfr@XXXXXX From: David Mackintosh Subject: Product Review: Protect-All Cc: hawkgt@XXXXXX, dc-cycles@XXXXXX I tend to wash my bike a lot, but seldom get around to waxing it. I picked up a bottle of Protect-All cleaner/polish/wax yesterday and tried it on my slightly dusty/grimy Hawk, using a terry towel but not washing. It's great! I started with the painted bodywork, went on to the anodized and polished aluminum bits of the frame, plastic turn signals, instrument buckets, etc., and then to the wheels. It really lifts brake dust and chain splatter (although I use chain wax), and leaves a slippery wax which should be easy to clean. I even sprayed some on a towel and wiped it (carefully) on the sidewalls of my tires, which blackened them up without the obvious danger of using something slick like Armor-All. Basically I ended up using it on everything except the tire treads and chain. I don't sell this stuff or anything, just wanted to pass on a review of this product. I've bought a lot of cleaning products, but this is the best I've found so far for all-over bike use. I'd love to hear about any similar products that people have tried, and how they compare to Protect-All. I bought it in a 32oz spray bottle for ~$13 and it should last a long time. David Mackintosh Germantown, MD, USA '82 245 Turbo WVC #M141 mackinto@XXXXXX '89 Honda Hawk GT RC31 DoD #1360 Dying is the most embarrassing thing that can ever happen to you.--Andy Warhol From dc-cycles-request Mon Feb 12 21:06:16 1996 Date: Mon, 12 Feb 1996 21:06:01 -0500 From: bones@XXXXXX (Bones) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: boots X-Sun-Charset: US-ASCII At 13:43 1/31/96, McLoone, William J. wrote: >I have recently thought about getting a trucker type cowboy boot, the kind >with an oil resistant rubber sole and a steel toe. Has anyone had any >experience with wearing this type of footgear while riding? Nix the steel toes once they get cold they stay cold. It may be because I'm a wimp from the desert but once my toes/nose/fingers get cold it downhill from there on staying warm. ( Oh for 100 degree days and oil cooler discusions) K. P. `Bones' Mahoney "All complaints about any opinions expressed bones@XXXXXX should be directed to me not my employer!" SOHC/4 #132 "Legalize Freedom Vote Libertarian" From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 13 00:51:56 1996 From: Srinivas Tummala Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 00:51:51 -0500 (EST) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: unsubscribe please unsubscribe From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 13 13:29:33 1996 Content-Type: text/plain Mime-Version: 1.0 (NeXT Mail 3.3 v118.2) From: John Nelson Date: Tue, 13 Feb 96 13:32:23 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: You guys might be interested in this... From: John Nelson Subject: Re: another John Nelson who rides BTW, you may be interested in joining the SE Riders List. It's a bunch of guys on the net who ride, mostly from the southeast. They mostly ride sport bikes but there are a few dirt bikers in the group. Send a message to listproc@XXXXXX with no subject and one line in the text of the message that says: subscribe seriders John Nelson The server is actually run by a friend of mine, Alan Fleming, in Boulder CO. Man! Won't that freak him out, two John Nelsons on the list. Keep the shiny side up, John -- John Nelson | '84 VF700F Interceptor | Korrekt, Inc. John.Nelson@XXXXXX | '68 Olds Cutlas Conver | 836 Derrydown Way 5769252@XXXXXX | DoD #1616 | Decatur, GA 30030- 4161 From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 13 14:18:44 1996 Date: Tue, 13 Feb 96 13:47:00 EST X-Priority: 3 (Normal) To: From: "Frank George" Subject: New Helmets I've decided to pamper myself with a new lid this year, and want to try one on for size before I lay down big bucks. I'm looking for either an Arai Signet (Quantum) or AGV Quasar. I've also heard that a Shoei X-8 fits an "Arai" head, but I can't find on in my size. Down here (Richmond), dealers don't carry "up scale" helmets in stock. They are also reluctant to order one for my big melon (XL-XXXL, depending on model). Does anyone have any suggestions for reputable dealers in Northern VA (or MD) that carry either of these helmets? I really don't want to spend 4 hours on the road to "window shop," so it'll be helpful to know if they keep "watermelon" sizes in stock. Thanks in advance for any feedback. p.s. if anyone has any other suggestions for a helmet, let me know. I've tried on a Signet before, and liked both its fit and weight. Frank George fegeorge@XXXXXX fgeorge@XXXXXX Reynolds Metals Company / Corporate Engineering "opinions are mine, ... mailbox is the company's" From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 13 23:42:49 1996 From: RIdeY@XXXXXX Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 23:42:17 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: any dual sport riders out there? I live in Silver Spring, ride a 95' DR650 (with MT21s holding the ground) Any other dual sport / enduro riders in the area? Niv From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 05:04:23 1996 X-Sender: jdonovan@XXXXXX Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 05:08:23 -0400 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: jdonovan@XXXXXX (John Donovan) Subject: Re: New Helmets >p.s. if anyone has any other suggestions for a helmet, let me know. >I've tried on a Signet before, and liked both its fit and weight. I'll put my .02 in... my first lid was a mid-grade HJC. Was afordable (by colege standards) and was in my mind at that time an Ok helmet. 2 Years later, I got a new bike, and the helmet was due for an upgrade as well. So I tried a Shoei RF-700... LOVED it! Bought it there on the spot. A few weeks after I got it I grabed the HJC out of habit and put it on and thought to myself how on earth did I ever think this HJC was comfortable?!?!!? One other thing I noticed was since I got the new bike MUCH fewer people pull out in front of me. I dont know if the current ride GSX1100G is that much bigger from the front than my KZ650 was, or if the helmet colors HJC was black and the 700 is white made the difference. I'd bet on the helmet... The black lid looked nice, but I'll take looking a bit less "cool" and be alive at the end of the day... The things that I've had pull out in front of me is amazing... cars, pickups etc... but the winner was the tour bus that filled the entire road, and all the escape routes. Couldn't go arround, or lay it down and go under like you can with a semi... that one had serious pucker factor on it. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= John Donovan Systems Engineer Slow and steady. Never last the race jdonovan@XXXXXX don't start runnin' Newbridge Networks Herndon, VA I'm a fool for the chase DOD#-96 1992 Suzuki GSX1100G play the game, surrender to me -Def Leppard, Commin' Under Fire The above is my personal view and is not, and should not be interpreted as, the views, policies or position of Newbridge Networks or any of its employees. From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 06:44:31 1996 X-Sender: harris@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 2.2 (32) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 06:41:23 -0500 To: From: Stephen Harris Subject: Re: New Helmets At 01:47 PM 2/13/96 EST, Frank George wrote: >p.s. if anyone has any other suggestions for a helmet, let me know. >I've tried on a Signet before, and liked both its fit and weight. I shelled out the extra $$ for a X-8 Air for the '95 race season. Very nice. Cool, and very little noise from the vents or the face sheild. It is also easy to switch sheilds from dark to light (no tools needed). On longer rides my jaw will start to hurt, but that is because I bought it for racing & it is a little tighter than you would get for a street bike application. I have heard nice things about the X-9 & that may be my helmet for the '96 race season. Stephen Harris Stephen Taylor Harris http://www.his.com/~harris/index.htm From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 08:32:58 1996 X-Sender: mackinto@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 2.1.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 08:32:48 -0400 To: RIdeY@XXXXXX From: David Mackintosh Subject: Re: any dual sport riders out there? Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX At 11:42 PM 2/13/96 -0500, you wrote: >Any other dual sport / enduro riders in the area? Not yet, but I'm interested in finding a cheap street-legal XL or XR (250-650), any leads? David Mackintosh Germantown, MD, USA '82 245 Turbo WVC #M141 mackinto@XXXXXX '89 Honda Hawk GT RC31 DoD #1360 Dying is the most embarrassing thing that can ever happen to you.--Andy Warhol From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 09:28:35 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 09:28:32 -0500 (EST) From: "David O'Neill" To: John Donovan Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: New Helmets In-Reply-To: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I think the difference might be that the new bike has a much more powerful Halogen headlight, whereas the older bike probably had an incandescent. I swapped out my old incandescent on my beater-bike, going from a 25/40W to a 55/70W (I think) and I seem to be noticed more frequently. On top of going to a replaceable H4 bulb, the new assembly was $35, whereas a replacement Suzook part (the low power piece of junk) was $55 from Colman Power-Shortcoming. Needles to say, I highly recommend swapping out the old stuff for the new stuff. Dave '93 ZX-11D '89 HawkGT '80 GS450E On Wed, 14 Feb 1996, John Donovan wrote: > >p.s. if anyone has any other suggestions for a helmet, let me know. > >I've tried on a Signet before, and liked both its fit and weight. > > I'll put my .02 in... my first lid was a mid-grade HJC. Was afordable (by > colege standards) and was in my mind at that time an Ok helmet. 2 Years > later, I got a new bike, and the helmet was due for an upgrade as well. So > I tried a Shoei RF-700... LOVED it! Bought it there on the spot. A few > weeks after I got it I grabed the HJC out of habit and put it on and > thought to myself how on earth did I ever think this HJC was > comfortable?!?!!? > > One other thing I noticed was since I got the new bike MUCH fewer people > pull out in front of me. I dont know if the current ride GSX1100G is that > much bigger from the front than my KZ650 was, or if the helmet colors HJC > was black and the 700 is white made the difference. I'd bet on the > helmet... The black lid looked nice, but I'll take looking a bit less > "cool" and be alive at the end of the day... > > The things that I've had pull out in front of me is amazing... cars, > pickups etc... but the winner was the tour bus that filled the entire road, > and all the escape routes. Couldn't go arround, or lay it down and go under > like you can with a semi... that one had serious pucker factor on it. > > > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > John Donovan Systems Engineer Slow and steady. Never last the > race > jdonovan@XXXXXX don't start runnin' > Newbridge Networks Herndon, VA I'm a fool for the chase > DOD#-96 1992 Suzuki GSX1100G play the game, surrender to me > > -Def Leppard, Commin' Under Fire > > The above is my personal view and is not, and should not be interpreted as, > the views, policies or position of Newbridge Networks or any of its > employees. > > > From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 11:52:14 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Feb 96 11:55:54 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Re: New Helmets >At 01:47 PM 2/13/96 EST, Frank George wrote: > >>p.s. if anyone has any other suggestions for a helmet, let me know. >>I've tried on a Signet before, and liked both its fit and weight. I bought the Shoei Duotec (flip-front) helmet and have been very happy. Advantages: Easy to don while wearing my eyeglasses/sunglasses. Easy to flip up when gassing the bike, walking into a 7-11, or walking into a bank (they don't like full face helmets, for some reason). Disadvantages: Is really only a 3/4 helmet, with a face bar (it's not a real full-face helmet, from an impact point of view). Fairly noisy. Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 13:03:35 1996 From: Michael Majzel To: "'dc-cycles@XXXXXX'" Subject: Help on selling a bike Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 13:02:07 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi everyone, I need your help on where to advertise to sell a motorcycle. My rented garage space expires in March and I surely don't want to leave it on the streets of DC until I sell it. I would like to sell it before then. Where is the best place to advertise? Is the Washington Post a good place or are there other specialty papers that are better? Any help would be greatly appreciated. BTW: Here's the bike Kawasaki '95 ZX-9R 900cc, burgundy red, less than 1000 miles, perfect condition, garage kept, never down or over. $8600 OBO If anyone is interested please contact me at: mmajzel@XXXXXX Thanks, Mike From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 13:45:46 1996 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 13:46:01 -0500 To: Michael Majzel , "'dc-cycles@XXXXXX'" From: sash@XXXXXX (Michael A. Dow) Subject: Re: Help on selling a bike At 13:02 2/14/96, Michael Majzel wrote: >I need your help on where to advertise to sell a motorcycle. My rented The Want Ad Weekly ($1.25 in any 7-11) is the way to go. The ad runs until the thing is sold, and they charge %5 of the sale, up to $50, so expect to pay about $50. This doesn't compare to the Post, when you consider how much longer your ad will run (than the 3 days the Post will run it for ~$40 I think). Just pick one up from the local Slev, and it will tell you what to do. You can also post an ad online for free (or a small donation) at Motorcycle Online, if you have Web access. The URL is: http://motorcycle.com/mo/classified/new.html Hope this is useful -Sash Michael "Sash" Dow NIMH/DIRP/LN Building 49 Room 1B80 49 Convent Dr MSC 4115 Bethesda, MD 20892-4115 Phone: (301) 496-5625 x259 Fax: (301) 402-0046 _________________________________________ Email: sash@XXXXXX sash@XXXXXX sash@XXXXXX sashd@XXXXXX _________________________________________ Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Government or its agencies. From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 14:39:36 1996 From: SRFox@XXXXXX Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 14:38:58 -0500 To: sash@XXXXXX, mmajzel@XXXXXX, dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Help on selling a bike In a message dated 96-02-14 14:04:15 EST, sash@XXXXXX (Michael A. Dow) writes: >The Want Ad Weekly ($1.25 in any 7-11) is the way to go. The ad runs until >the thing is sold, and they charge %5 of the sale, up to $50, so expect to >pay about $50. They have a new policy now where you can pay a flat rate for an ad up front. If the bike sells you pay a lot less for the ad than the old 5% way; it it does not sell the ad did cost you something as opposed to the 5% way. Steve From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 14:40:57 1996 From: "McLoone, William J." To: DC-Cycles List Subject: RE: Help on selling a bike Date: Wed, 14 Feb 96 14:33:00 EST Encoding: 18 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 >I need your help on where to advertise to sell a motorcycle. The Truck Trader (found at 7-11 and the like) has a section for MC's. It's a picture based want ad book that sells for about a dollar. I am buying my KZ from an add I saw at a MC Classified WWW site. If you have web access, search some out and give it a shot. I would think the Post is a good place as well. You may also try the times, I know a while back they were giving away want ad space in an effort to produce more ads to increase readership. Bill McLoone '82 Susuki GS-450TXz (for Sale) '81 Yamaha XS-11H (50% mine) Burtonsville, MD USA '82 Kawasaki KZ-750E (deal in process) 1-800-AMA-JOIN BK-MD I "Ride with Pride" From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 15:37:13 1996 From: "Osidach, Vera Z." To: "'dc cycles - all'" Cc: "'Mike'" Subject: RE: Help on selling a bike Date: Wed, 14 Feb 96 15:32:00 EST Encoding: 9 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 >Mike (mmajzel@XXXXXX) writes: >I need your help on where to advertise to sell a motorcycle. I don't know if money is an issue or not, but you can advertise free in the City Paper. I sold my bike that way, with the only annoyance being handling the calls from dimwits looking for a CAR. I've used the Post before, and they are mucho buckos . . . and I never sold the vehicle. Other than that (& since you're in a hurry), the net is your best bet. Good luck! -Vo From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 14 20:05:09 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 20:04:52 -0500 (EST) From: my own worst nightmare To: Chris Norloff cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: New Helmets In-Reply-To: <9602141652.AA1700@quimby.os2bbs.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Wed, 14 Feb 1996, Chris Norloff wrote: > I bought the Shoei Duotec (flip-front) helmet and have been very > happy. > Advantages: > Easy to don while wearing my eyeglasses/sunglasses. > Easy to flip up when gassing the bike, walking into a 7-11, or walking > into a bank (they don't like full face helmets, for some reason). > Disadvantages: > Is really only a 3/4 helmet, with a face bar (it's not a real > full-face helmet, from an impact point of view). > Fairly noisy. let me add - non-snell approved, and didn't do well in crash tests. i work in a dealership, and i try to avoid the duotec like the plague. but hey, as always, YMMV seth From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 15 08:44:02 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Feb 96 08:47:44 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Re: New Helmets >> I bought the Shoei Duotec (flip-front) helmet and have been very >> happy. > > let me add - non-snell approved, and didn't do well in crash tests. > i work in a dealership, and i try to avoid the duotec like the plague. > but hey, as always, YMMV Snell tests to a higher impact force, but has no time constraints (for how long that impact force may be transmitted to your head). DOT testing has a maximum impact loading and a maximum time. At the 1990 International Motorcycle Safety Conference, a DOT tester pointed out that with current designs, to get the impact time within DOT requirements, the helmets also passed the Snell max loading. But that the Snell helmet, with their more rigid liners, exceeded the max time for that impact to be applied to your head. Also, the Hurt report identified that basic DOT-approved minimum helmets (a half-helmet, for example) is all that was needed in 95% of the thousands of accidents they investigated. For me, I believe the trade-offs are reasonable. Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 15 15:24:22 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 12:23:16 -0700 (PDT) From: "Justin V. Laubach" Subject: Warm up for bikes To: DC Cycles MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT My bike seems to take quite a while to warm up, even in summer weather. Do I need to wait until my bike is completely warm to ride? How do I know when my bike is completely warm (revs freely w/o choke?)? Is it harmful to ride with choke partway on? I think the manual says never to ride with the choke on (I know, RTFM). My bike is an air-cooled, carburated 4 cyl. Any other help with warm info? Do liquid cooled bikes warm up faster? Thanks from, Justin V. Laubach (JLaubach@XXXXXX) From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 15 15:36:23 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 12:19:30 -0700 (PDT) From: "Justin V. Laubach" Subject: Lights during day To: DC Cycles MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Someone mentioned recently that he felt he received more notice with a non-OEM brighter headlight. Would it work just as well to run high-beams during the day? Is this safe and/or legal? How about high beams at night? My low beams are pretty lousy at night, but I usually have to use them because of oncoming or leading traffic. Any experience or ideas with this? from, Justin V. Laubach (JLaubach@XXXXXX) From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 15 16:04:11 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Feb 96 16:06:59 EST From: payter@XXXXXX (Payter Versteegen) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Lights during day "Justin V. Laubach" , sayz: * * Someone mentioned recently that he felt he received more notice with a * non-OEM brighter headlight. Would it work just as well to run high-beams * during the day? Is this safe and/or legal? How about high beams at * night? My low beams are pretty lousy at night, but I usually have to use * them because of oncoming or leading traffic. Any experience or ideas * with this? * I think that higher-wattage non-OEM lights require some relay wiring in order to avoid frying your electrics. I might be wrong, I've never tried it. I just ride with high-beams on during the day. Don't think it's illegal; I've not yet been pulled over for it. On the bike, I'm pretty liberal when it comes to using the highs at night. My lows suck too, so I turn on the brights every chance I get. L8r, P8r. payter@XXXXXX =;) From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 15 16:38:39 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 16:38:37 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: DC Cycles From: Leon Begeman Subject: Re: Lights during day >Someone mentioned recently that he felt he received more notice with a >non-OEM brighter headlight. Would it work just as well to run high-beams >during the day? I frequently run high beams during the day. There have been only two times in the last 5 or so years when someone has complained about it. Once of the two was when I was doing it with the car. I think the only reason they noticed was because all four headlights rather than the normal two were on. The other time (on a bike) was when I was right behind a car in heavy traffic, but I had an 80/100W halogen rather than the standard 55W. >Is this safe and/or legal? I don't think there is a law against it. One of the reasons that I think this is so is that usually the MSF doesn't usually advise riders to do things that are illegal. (Module 7 Rev. 1/91 page VII-5 Instructors guide) "Ride with headlight on high beam (daytime) if legal. Consider a modulator to increase visibility" >How about high beams at night? This is usually illegal if there is oncoming traffic. The only place I ever looked it up was in Missouri. There the law says you must have your headlights on low beam within 300 ft. of oncoming traffic. As a practical matter, if your headlight is as bad as you say, and if you ride mostly around here, you might want to adjust it on high beam so that it doesn't offend oncoming traffic and ride that way. I have noticed on some of the older bikes I've had that the difference between low and high is too much, if high is adjusted correctly, then low beam is much too low, similarly if low beam is set correctly, then the high beam shines on second story windows. >My low beams are pretty lousy at night, but I usually have to use >them because of oncoming or leading traffic. Any experience or ideas >with this? Having said all this, if your alternator can handle it, the best answer is getting a set of clear fog lights. (sometimes called cornering lights) Set them where your low beam should be, they will light up everything you need to see then you can set your high beam to where it works the best. The advantage to the cornering lights is that with the wide flat beam they show a lot of the stuff on the sides that otherwise doesn't get noticed. Be careful in turns though, with the bike leaned over, all the lights shine in the wrong place. Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 68Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 15 16:47:22 1996 From: jimi@XXXXXX Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 16:47:13 -0500 (EST) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Lights during day In-Reply-To: <9602152106.AA09556@niccolo.gsfc.nasa.gov> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Thu, 15 Feb 1996, Payter Versteegen wrote: > I think that higher-wattage non-OEM lights require some relay wiring > in order to avoid frying your electrics. I might be wrong, I've never > tried it. I just ride with high-beams on during the day. Don't think > it's illegal; I've not yet been pulled over for it. On the bike, I'm > pretty liberal when it comes to using the highs at night. My lows suck > too, so I turn on the brights every chance I get. I have had pretty good luck not frying the wiring on my bikes. I had an 80/100 in both FJ12's I've owned, and two 80/110s in my CBR900, all without problems. I wanted to put brighter bulbs in the 916, but the load would have been too much for the alternator. I guess the best advice is to look in your manual, and figure out how much juice you had to spare. In the Ducati's case, the manual recommended not even turning the high beams on unless you were above 4000rpm. Scary. -jimi From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 04:54:11 1996 X-Sender: jdonovan@XXXXXX Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 04:58:10 -0400 To: DC-Cycles@XXXXXX From: jdonovan@XXXXXX (John Donovan) Subject: Re: Warm up for bikes >My bike seems to take quite a while to warm up, even in summer weather. >Do I need to wait until my bike is completely warm to ride? How do I >know when my bike is completely warm (revs freely w/o choke?)? Is it >harmful to ride with choke partway on? I think the manual says never to >ride with the choke on (I know, RTFM). > >My bike is an air-cooled, carburated 4 cyl. Any other help with warm >info? Do liquid cooled bikes warm up faster? You think yours takes a while.... I've got a GSX1100 air/oil cooled, now that is one cold blooded bike. I generally let it warm up for a bit...3 min... about the time it takes me to get the leather, gloves, and helmet on. I do need to ride on part choke for a while, but can ease it off as I ride. You should be "nice" to your bike while its cold... no reving to 11K etc... engine wear is much more when the engine is cold, and depending if its REALY cold you may not have enough oil flowing to lube everything at high R's. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= John Donovan Systems Engineer Slow and steady. Never last the race jdonovan@XXXXXX don't start runnin' Newbridge Networks Herndon, VA I'm a fool for the chase DOD#-96 1992 Suzuki GSX1100G play the game, surrender to me -Def Leppard, Commin' Under Fire The above is my personal view and is not, and should not be interpreted as, the views, policies or position of Newbridge Networks or any of its employees. From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 07:27:18 1996 From: "Hawkins, Kevin" Date: 16 Feb 96 07:28:00 -0500 Original-From: "Hawkins, Kevin" To: "'DC Cycles'" Subject: RE: Lights during day Original-Date: Fri Feb 16 07:28 EST 1996 Encoding: 13 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 Content-Type: text >Someone mentioned recently that he felt he received more notice with a >non-OEM brighter headlight. Would it work just as well to run high-beams >during the day? Be careful when deciding to run the high beams during the day. Where are your turn signals placed in relation to the headlight on YOUR bike. Running your headlight on high beam can washout your turn signals so oncoming cars or cars ahead of you watching you through their rear view mirror cannot see your turn signals. Kevin From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 09:13:16 1996 X-Sender: harris@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 2.2 (32) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 09:05:03 -0500 To: "Justin V. Laubach" , DC Cycles From: Stephen Harris Subject: Re: Warm up for bikes At 12:23 PM 2/15/96 -0700, Justin V. Laubach wrote: >My bike seems to take quite a while to warm up, even in summer weather. Enrichen the idle & slow speed circuits >Do I need to wait until my bike is completely warm to ride? How do I No, you can ride it while "cold", just stay away from high rpm or high throttle settings till it is warm. >know when my bike is completely warm (revs freely w/o choke?)? Is it That is one good indication. The clutch cover being warm or hot to the touch (thru gloves) would be another. >harmful to ride with choke partway on? I think the manual says never to >ride with the choke on (I know, RTFM). Yes, avoid riding with the choke. Wiped the cast iron liners of oil, gums the intake valves, carbons the combustion chamber. On a air cooled bike with stock (read too lean) carb settings you want to start the bike & start shutting the choke (or more likely your bike is equiped with an enrichener, not a choke, but they work the same as far as you are concerned) progressively. You want to run the bike as little as possible with the choke on. As soon as it carburates cleanly with half choke start riding. After about 30 secs you should be able to shut the choke all the way down. DO not ride for more than a minute with half choke unless the engine will not run even if you have to blip the throttle. >My bike is an air-cooled, carburated 4 cyl. Any other help with warm >info? Do liquid cooled bikes warm up faster? Yes liquid cooled bikes normally warm up faster. Stephen Stephen Taylor Harris http://www.his.com/~harris/index.htm From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 10:28:47 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 10:31:40 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: jlaubach@XXXXXX Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Re: Lights during day >Someone mentioned recently that he felt he received more notice with a >non-OEM brighter headlight. me, too. > Would it work just as well to run high-beams >during the day? Is this safe and/or legal? It sure makes you more conspicuous, at least within the narrower cone of light (high-beam compared to low-beam). Check you state laws for legality. Most people don't get too upset about high-beams during the day, but they can be a real pain in the eyes for other drivers. For instance, when you pull up behind a car at a traffic light, don't point your high-beam right at their side view mirror. > How about high beams at >night? I have no desire to make it harder for traffic approaching me to see what they're doing. High-beam when there's no traffic is nice, but I often leave it on low-beam 'cause I'm more interested in the road surface (especially around this time of year). > My low beams are pretty lousy at night, but I usually have to use >them because of oncoming or leading traffic. Any experience or ideas >with this? Trash that sealed-beam headlight that came with your bike. It's 50-year-old technology that was obsolete 30 years ago. Buy a MOTORCYCLE halogen headlight. Car headlights have a sharper upper cutoff of the light than motorcycle headlights do. Look for the word 'motorcycle' right on the lens. (This may address problems others have had with difficulty aiming a headlight so both low and high-beams are aimed correctly). Adjust your headlight so the upper cutoff is right below most peoples' eyes (just watch where your headlight is when you pull up behind people at traffic lights). This way whenever your motorcycle encounters a bump the headlight appears to flicker to oncoming traffic. I've found it very effective. Using low-beam also spreads light more to the sides (on a forward diagonal), and I like a little more conspicuity to those dangerous areas. I use the stock 55/60 watt lightbulb now, though I had a 55/100 at one time. With a 100 watt high-beam, nobody EVER left their high beams on if they were blinding me. Running a relay to take the headlight load off the wiring harness is a good idea, but probably not necessary if you stick with the standard 55/60. (I added a big pair of brake lights, and they pull down the wiring harness voltage enough that I can see the headlight dim a little -- once the weather breaks, that's one of my to-do tasks). take care, Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 10:44:09 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 10:44:07 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX, hsta@XXXXXX From: Leon Begeman Subject: Crotona Midnight Run The Crotona Midnight Run is this Saturday night. Is anyone else going? The Elephant Run is also this weekend, but that's too far away for me. Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 68Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 11:14:11 1996 In-Reply-To: <00CC746501D9C1AA> Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 11:12:32 -0500 From: "Norwicke, Glenn" Sender: "Norwicke, Glenn" Organization: APA To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Lights during day X-mailer: Connect2-SMTP 4.00 MHS to SMTP Gateway Excuse me for asking, but what exactly does a relay do? Glenn 93'CBR600 *********Original Message Follows******************************************** >Someone mentioned recently that he felt he received more notice with a >non-OEM brighter headlight. me, too. > Would it work just as well to run high-beams >during the day? Is this safe and/or legal? It sure makes you more conspicuous, at least within the narrower cone of light (high-beam compared to low-beam). Check you state laws for legality. Most people don't get too upset about high-beams during the day, but they can be a real pain in the eyes for other drivers. For instance, when you pull up behind a car at a traffic light, don't point your high-beam right at their side view mirror. > How about high beams at >night? I have no desire to make it harder for traffic approaching me to see what they're doing. High-beam when there's no traffic is nice, but I often leave it on low-beam 'cause I'm more interested in the road surface (especially around this time of year). > My low beams are pretty lousy at night, but I usually have to use >them because of oncoming or leading traffic. Any experience or ideas >with this? Trash that sealed-beam headlight that came with your bike. It's 50-year-old technology that was obsolete 30 years ago. Buy a MOTORCYCLE halogen headlight. Car headlights have a sharper upper cutoff of the light than motorcycle headlights do. Look for the word 'motorcycle' right on the lens. (This may address problems others have had with difficulty aiming a headlight so both low and high-beams are aimed correctly). Adjust your headlight so the upper cutoff is right below most peoples' eyes (just watch where your headlight is when you pull up behind people at traffic lights). This way whenever your motorcycle encounters a bump the headlight appears to flicker to oncoming traffic. I've found it very effective. Using low-beam also spreads light more to the sides (on a forward diagonal), and I like a little more conspicuity to those dangerous areas. I use the stock 55/60 watt lightbulb now, though I had a 55/100 at one time. With a 100 watt high-beam, nobody EVER left their high beams on if they were blinding me. Running a relay to take the headlight load off the wiring harness is a good idea, but probably not necessary if you stick with the standard 55/60. (I added a big pair of brake lights, and they pull down the wiring harness voltage enough that I can see the headlight dim a little -- once the weather breaks, that's one of my to-do tasks). take care, Chris Norloff ------------------------[ SMTP header ]---------------------- | Return-Path: | Received: from krishna.cs.UMD.EDU by email.apa.org | via Connect2-SMTP 4.00 (0000207); Fri, 16 Feb 96 10:55:00 -0500 | Received: from mimsy.cs.UMD.EDU | by krishna.cs.UMD.EDU (8.7/UMIACS-0.9/04-05-88) | id KAA07843; Fri, 16 Feb 1996 10:28:47 -0500 (EST) | Received: from quimby.os2bbs.com | by mimsy.cs.UMD.EDU (8.6.11/UMIACS-0.9/04-05-88) | id KAA29711; Fri, 16 Feb 1996 10:28:45 -0500 | Received: from [152.123.182.169] by quimby.os2bbs.com (IBM OS/2 SENDMAIL VERSION 1.3.14/1.0) for dc-cycles@XXXXXX; id AA4670; Fri, 16 Feb 96 10:27:22 -0500 | Message-Id: <9602161527.AA4670@XXXXXX> | Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 10:31:40 EST | From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) | Reply-To: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) | To: jlaubach@XXXXXX | Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX | X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 | Subject: Re: Lights during day ------------------------------------------------------------- *********End of Original Message******************************************** From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 11:50:01 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 11:53:45 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: For Sale: manuals, book, clothing Greetings, all. As I continue to go through my stuff in preparation for moving and actually having my own place again (!), I have the following you may be interested in: _One Man Caravan_, by Robert Edison Fulton, Jr. $20 + shipping A classic in world motorcycle touring. Fulton rode 40,000 miles around the world in 17 months (1936-1937) on an English Douglas motorcycle. The Nazi's were in power in Germany, "Irak's" borders were open, the Khyber Pass was controlled by the British Army - but he rode it anyway. Long out of print; referenced in Bernd Tesch's _Motorrad Abenteur Touren_ (_Motorcycle Adventure Touring_) This edition was published in 1937. 1982 Honda CB900F Owner's Manual $5 + shipping Very readable, but the cover got wet once, so it's not a collectable. 1980-1982 Honda CB900C and CB900F shop manual $20 + shipping in green dealer's binder. ( I think I also have the microfiche for parts for the 1982 bike, which I'll include if I have it). REI Polarfleece neck warmer $5 + shipping Never used, royal blue with black edge trim. thanks, Chris Norloff cnorloff@XXXXXX days (202)863-2680 eves (703)222-4686 From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 12:01:51 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 12:00:37 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: gmn.apa@XXXXXX Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Relay? [was: Re: Lights during day It allows you to control a higher voltage or current with a lower one. In this case, you use a relay that uses very little current or voltage to control the headlight, which uses 55 or 60 watts (more than 4 amps at 12 volts). It's a good way to isolate your switching circuit from your power circuit. My air horns, for instance, are run right off the battery (through a relay that is controlled by my horn button). Radio Shack, Trak Auto, and other places like that sell cheap ($5) relays to run fog lights. Chris Norloff >Excuse me for asking, but what exactly does a relay do? > >Glenn 93'CBR600 >*********Original Message >Follows******************************************** .. > Running a relay to take the headlight load >off the wiring harness is a good idea, but probably not necessary if >you stick with the standard 55/60. (I added a big pair of brake >lights, and they pull down the wiring harness voltage enough that I >can see the headlight dim a little -- once the weather breaks, that's >one of my to-do tasks). From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 12:37:17 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 12:37:16 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: Leon Begeman Subject: Re: Lights during day >Excuse me for asking, but what exactly does a relay do? > Think of it as a switch that uses electricity to turn it on or off. You hook the relay to your regular wiring, then wire the headlight (or any electrical item) through the the other side of the relay directly to the battery. That way your regular wiring only has to carry enough current to 'flip' the relay on, the 'new' wiring directly to the battery carries the high amount of current needed to power your electrical item. Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 68Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 16 21:47:52 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 18:47:36 -0700 (PDT) From: "Justin V. Laubach" Subject: My New Leathers To: DC Cycles MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT I just completed my first Internet transaction! I saw an ad on motorcycle online and I wrote the guy an e-mail msg. We exchanged info and today I received the C.O.D. What I got was a leather combo, jacket and pants (they zip together). It is made by Hein Gericke and called a Echt Leder or something. It is grey with red strech panels and looks really good for riding (though I wouldn't wear it around too much. The pants fit great and I think the jacket fits OK- a bit snug, but that's probably because I'm not used to the motorcycle cut of it. The combo is barely used and in excellent shape. I paid $200+~$11 (shipping). I can't wait to try them out when I get back to my bike in May. I think they will provide excellent protection because of snug fit, good quality, and thick leather. I am afraid that they will be VERY hot in summer though, because of no venting. I'll probably just wear jacket and jeans around town in summer, and only don the pants for longer journeys. The internet seems to make a great classified forum for sale of goods! s JThanks Justin V. Laubach (JLaubach@XXXXXX) 92 Yamaha Seca II From dc-cycles-request Sun Feb 18 15:13:14 1996 Date: Sun, 18 Feb 1996 15:13:07 -0500 (EST) From: Donald DiPaula To: Balt/DC Motorcyclists , dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: stolen motorcycle alert MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII my 1994 suzuki RF900R was stolen last night or this morning, from the parking lot of our apartment complex (fountain club apartments) in new carrollton, maryland, near washington d.c. it was red, completely stock except for a corbin g'n'l seat (black w/ red welts). it was in perfect condition. i have had it since last march, and it had about 5600 miles or so on it. it was legally parked, covered, had disc locks on front and rear discs, and was taken from an ice-covered parking lot. the last time i am certain i saw it was yesterday afternoon. it maryland license tag # 6952D7. VIN JS1GT73A9RZ1017732 engine # T703-102767 pictures of it (with original stock seat) are available on my web page ( http://www.access.digex.net/~dipaula/bike.html ) if you have or learn any info related to such a bike, please contact me or the prince george's county (MD) police immediately. From dc-cycles-request Sun Feb 18 20:59:00 1996 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Sun, 18 Feb 1996 20:59:11 -0500 To: Donald DiPaula , Balt/DC Motorcyclists , dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: sash@XXXXXX (Michael A. Dow) Subject: Re: stolen motorcycle alert At 15:13 2/18/96, Donald DiPaula wrote: >my 1994 suzuki RF900R was stolen last night or this morning, from the parking >lot of our apartment complex (fountain club apartments) in new carrollton, >maryland, near washington d.c. it was red, completely stock except for a My most sincere condolences to you. It sounds like you did everything you could to deter the theft. Doesn't it just make you mad as hell? Pretty soon we're all going to need aircraft-style steel tie downs, or force-fields, or Rotweilers or something. Again, sorry for the loss. -Sash Michael "Sash" Dow NIMH/DIRP/LN Building 49 Room 1B80 49 Convent Dr MSC 4115 Bethesda, MD 20892-4115 Phone: (301) 496-5625 x259 Fax: (301) 402-0046 _________________________________________ Email: sash@XXXXXX sash@XXXXXX sash@XXXXXX sashd@XXXXXX _________________________________________ Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Government or its agencies. From dc-cycles-request Sun Feb 18 21:11:10 1996 From: dpcook@XXXXXX (Dan Cook) Subject: Daytona Race Schedule To: thumper@XXXXXX (thumper), dc-cycles@XXXXXX (DC-Cycles), motolist@XXXXXX (Motolist) Date: Sun, 18 Feb 1996 21:05:31 -0500 (EST) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL24] Content-Type: text Does anyone know what/if any of the races from Daytona will be broadcast on ESPN or any other sports channels? My girlfriend and I were planning on going down to Daytona but I won't be able to get the time off. Instead, we are planning on getting the owner of one of the sports bars in town to show all the races, if they are broadcast on any channels. thanks, uncle dan -- *********************************************************************** Dr. Daniel P. Cook Phone: (804)-788-7512 Reynolds Metals Company Fax: (804)-788-7557 Corporate Research and Development email: dpcook@XXXXXX 4th and Canal St. Richmond, VA 23219 *********************************************************************** From dc-cycles-request Mon Feb 19 22:32:49 1996 From: THOMASONCO@XXXXXX Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 22:32:17 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: SUZUKI Question I know nothing about any kind of Suzuki motor cycle. What is a GS850GL. (it might be a GX850GL) 1990 or 91. Is it a sport, standard or touring bike, how many cylinders, type of drive, weight, etc... Any info would be helpful, tx Dallas Thomason From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 20 09:07:54 1996 Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 09:07:51 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: Leon Begeman Subject: Crotona Midnight Run! It was a lot of fun. They know how to clear roads in NY. On Saturday I rode from Dale City, VA to Northvale NJ (Northvale is about 10 miles west of the Tappan Zee Bridge). The main roads were very good. The temp during the day was in the high 30s. The 78th annual Crotona Midnight Run was a timed road run that began at midnight Saturday night. There were 15 riders entered, 14 finished, 1 dropped out due to the cold. There were two 63 mile legs with a two hour break between the two parts. The run started and ended at Nathans Restaurant on Central Park Avenue (Rt 100) in Yonkers NY, and wound through parts of Westchester and Putnam Counties. The food and hospitality at the diner at the halfway point were excellent. One of the riders at the halfway point said his thermometer showed 12 degrees at one point up in the hills, I didn't have a light on mine, so I couldn't see it, but it usually showed about 20 when I could check it. The other riders gave good demonstrations on both good and bad cold weather riding techniques. There were lots of electric riding apparal to admire. There were several who rode the event without electric gear, some who rode without map lights, and some who also rode without a windshield. I rode back on Sunday, that was also fun, the road wasn't very crowded, and I was able to listen to most of the Daytona 500 on the way home. I've cured my need to ride for at least a week or two. Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 69Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 20 12:34:48 1996 From: "Hawkins, Kevin" Date: 20 Feb 96 12:36:00 -0500 To: "'DC Cycles'" Cc: "'Leon'" Original-From: "Hawkins, Kevin" Original-To: "'DC Cycles'" Original-Cc: "'Leon'" Subject: FW: Crotona Midnight Run! Original-Date: Tue Feb 20 12:36 EST 1996 Encoding: 10 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 Content-Type: text >>I've cured my need to ride for at least a week or two. Sounds like a great time Leon!! Which bike did you use? Have any trouble getting up there with the snow from Friday? Kevin Hawkins // Greensboro, NC AMA #609423 // khawkins@XXXXXX '95 900CR (Desmo) // '93 GTS1000 (RADD Boy) From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 20 15:17:14 1996 Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 15:17:12 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: Leon Begeman Subject: Re: FW: Crotona Midnight Run! >Sounds like a great time Leon!! Which bike did you use? >Have any trouble getting up there with the snow from >Friday? I took the SilverWing. It's much more comfortable for long trips. If the snow had been later, I might have taken the HondaMatic, smaller and lighter is easier to keep it from falling down and easier to pick up afterward. No problem with snow at all. I-95 is usually completely clear within 4 hours of the last snowflake. I had only about 10 miles of the trip up there that wasn't Interstate highway, and none of that has steep hills, so I wasn't too worried about it. I was more worried about the roads for the run itself, but New York did a great job on getting the snow off the road. There was one narrow road near Brewster that had a little snow between the tire tracks, and there were a few places where melting during the day had left frozen spots across the road. Both of those conditions were fairly easy to see, even at night, so by straightening up or avoiding those areas, the ride was quite easy. I know of two riders who did fall, one was following a sidecar to closely, when the sidecar stopped at a fork in the road, he didn't want to brake as hard and went straight into a snowbank at about 5 mph. The other was a dualsport with studded tires who braked too hard on dry pavement and dropped it at a stop light. Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 69Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 21 18:22:54 1996 From: "McLoone, William J." To: DC-Cycles List Subject: RE: SUZUKI Question Date: Wed, 21 Feb 96 18:15:00 EST Encoding: 24 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 >I know nothing about any kind of Suzuki motor cycle. What is a GS850GL. >(it might be a GX850GL) 1990 or 91. Is it a sport, standard or touring bike, >how many cylinders, type of drive, weight, etc... >Any info would be helpful, tx Dallas Thomason I've not heard of a '90 or '91 GS-850 but that doesn't mean they don't exist. The GS line was the standard line for Suzuki in the late 70's and early 80's. They still use the GS designation on their smaller standard (sporty) bikes, i.e. GS-500 and GS-600 (Bandit). For more info on the earlier GS models there is a good web page at: http://www.fiu.edu/~time4chg/suzuki/suzuki.html Bill McLoone '82 Susuki GS-450TXz (for Sale) '81 Yamaha XS-11H (50% mine) Burtonsville, MD USA '82 Kawasaki KZ-750E (all mine) 1-800-AMA-JOIN BK-MD I "Ride with Pride" From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 21 21:54:23 1996 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Wed, 21 Feb 1996 21:56:01 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: richwest@XXXXXX (Rich Westbrook) Subject: buying a new (used) bike I have been thinking about buying a new (used) bike for a while now, and I cannot decide on what I want. I know that this is probably the hardest question in motorcycling to answer, but I would appreciate any input that anyone may have. I know there are many people on this list who have ridden many different bikes and can give some good suggestions from an experienced standpoint. I like to go on long rides so I think I want a touring bike, but on the other hand I would like the performance and manueverability of a sport bike. My dream bike would probably be a BMW R1100 RS but I could never afford one. I am also interested in the Honda CBR1000. My price range is around $5000-6000. Also, where are good places to find used bikes? I've been looking through the WANT AD WEEKLY and they have a good selection. Would anyone reccomend going to a dealer (Sales people scare me)? :-) Rich From dc-cycles-request Wed Feb 21 23:44:42 1996 From: Scot Kight To: "dc-cycles@XXXXXX" , "'Rich Westbrook'" Subject: RE: buying a new (used) bike Date: Wed, 21 Feb 1996 23:45:27 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Well.. First I would have to ask, how long have you been riding? If you = havent ridden before.. Slow down a bit.. Cbr's are nice.. but if you = dont know what you are doing they can get you in to trouble a bit = quicker then other bikes.. Next.. What is the bike going to do?? Sounds like a dumb question.. but = not really.. Are you going to be commuting on the bike? Do you just want = to carve up some roads? Or do you want to travel cross country? If you want a good general purpose bike.. the cbr is a good match, if = you dont mind it being on the smaller side of bikes.. Personally I find = ducati to have everything I need.. size, ridability, comutability.. and = music ;> Oh that music :> But pared against a comprable rider on a = cbr600 I wont win a race..=20 Ok.. lemme stop drooling over my own bike and get back to here.. You = might want to go look at some bikes.. A great deal can be had on new = cbr1000's.. they arent really big sellers.. but they are awesome bikes.. = I have test ridden them before.. and let me tell you.. it was a tough = choice between that.. a zx-11 and my ducati.. In the end my insurance = comapny reasured me that the 900cc engine was the way to go ;> But I = dont regret my decision in the least.. They are all comprably priced... 900ss/cr 95 was 7725 list.. The zx-11 is in the 8's i belive.. but I was looking at a used one for = 6k..=20 and the cbr1000 was around 7.. If you just want something to show off to your friends with them on the = back.. definitly.. the zx-11.. and it will let you do long distance = trips with ease.. but the ducati has some serious class, and character.. = (NO that does not mean it breaks more then other bikes.. or anything = stupid like that.. it dosent.. pure and simple.. it has sound, it has = torque.. and it is perfect for the street.) Also this is just really the sport bike arena.. BMW bikes are awesome.. = but cost an arm.. Harley's cost the arm and the leg... Buell.. well.. = Buell is nice.. I have ridden the SA2 Thunderbolt.. its like.. well.. a = sporty harley.. very nice.. but not worth 13k.. Ahh.. There u go.. Look at the Triumph speed triple.. awesome bike.. and = the colors are magnificent.. Okokok.. I just love bikes.. If I could = have gotten a moto guzzi I probably would have.. but the blood red bike = was calling my name.. Visit all the dealers around.. Cycles usa is ok.. I go there because I = have a friend who works there.. At least for misc stuff.. I did buy my = first bike there.. (suzuki gs500ep) And if you are interested.. it is = for sale.. And I would really recommend that bike, or an ex-500 for = beginners.. it is a much safer/saner route for a beginner.. (plus cheaper!) After or before cycles usa... the one REQUIRED trip for everyone.. (if = they havent been there) is to Rockvile Harley/Battley Motors... Well it = technically isnt in rockville its in gaithersburg.. (I never have been = able to figure that one out) GO THERE.. look around.. they have triumph, = buell.. yamaha.. Ducati.. and yes.. Bimota :> You just need to go look at that stuff.. Its amazing stuff....=20 If you want to get to the ducati's just go to shady grove road, towards = gaithersburg.. and go.. just keep going.. you will go for a while, and = then hit a part of slightly curvey, but big road.. that looks new.. and = there is nothing on either side off it.. then a light with a funky right = turn lane.. just keep going straight.. (through the light.. when green = or yellow only of course :> ) It is on the left about 1/4 mile further.. (after the light you are = going into the G'burg Airpark) No I dont work there.. I just love ducatis.. and I think everyone should = at least be able to gaze upon them once :> Tell'em I said hi if you want.. I doubt they know me by name.. I spend = most of my time out on the road! (But I just got my corbin.. and its = getting warm... wee.. this might be a good spring!) Scot Kight Ducati 900ss/cr - 95 ---------- From: Rich Westbrook[SMTP:richwest@XXXXXX] Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 9:56 PM To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: buying a new (used) bike I have been thinking about buying a new (used) bike for a while now, and = I cannot decide on what I want. I know that this is probably the hardest question in motorcycling to answer, but I would appreciate any input = that anyone may have. I know there are many people on this list who have = ridden many different bikes and can give some good suggestions from an = experienced standpoint. I like to go on long rides so I think I want a touring bike, but on the other hand I would like the performance and manueverability of a sport bike. My dream bike would probably be a BMW R1100 RS but I could never afford one. I am also interested in the Honda CBR1000. My price range = is around $5000-6000. Also, where are good places to find used bikes? I've been looking = through the WANT AD WEEKLY and they have a good selection. Would anyone = reccomend going to a dealer (Sales people scare me)? :-) Rich From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 01:35:10 1996 Date: Wed, 21 Feb 1996 22:34:21 -0700 (PDT) From: "Justin V. Laubach" Subject: Re: buying a new (used) bike In-reply-to: To: Rich Westbrook Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Hey Rich, You said you are looking for a good sport-touring bike for around 5000-6000. I'm not real sure of the prices, but I think you could get a used Kawasaki Concours (sp?) it is a 1000cc sport-tr. bike with hard luggage. Kawasaki has made it for quite a few years with very minor changes. This bike has a pretty big following and their is even a COG (Concours Owners Group). Another option would be a used Yamaha FJ1100/1200. I think the FJs were made until about 92 or 93. They also have a huge following and there is a lot of web information on them. Other options for more money might be a Kawasaki GPz1100 (more sport oriented) or a Honda ST 1100 (more touring oriented). I'd recommend checking http://www.yahoo.com/recreation/motorcycles If you browse around there, you'll find tons of information. BTW, I hope to make one of the bikes I mentioned my next cycle!.. Good luck from, Justin V. Laubach (JLaubach@XXXXXX) 92 Yamaha Seca II From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 07:05:19 1996 X-Sender: mackinto@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 2.1.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 07:05:10 -0400 To: richwest@XXXXXX (Rich Westbrook) From: David Mackintosh Subject: Re: buying a new (used) bike Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX At 09:56 PM 2/21/96 -0500, you wrote: >I have been thinking about buying a new (used) bike for a while now, and I >cannot decide on what I want. I know that this is probably the hardest >question in motorcycling to answer, but I would appreciate any input that >anyone may have. I know there are many people on this list who have ridden >many different bikes and can give some good suggestions from an experienced >standpoint. Follow your heart, but be patient when looking for the right bike, especially used. I found my bike in Ohio over the internet, got some pictures of it and flew out ($17 commuter flight from BWI) to pick it up. So if you know what you want, don't be afraid to look out of this area. >I like to go on long rides so I think I want a touring bike, but on the >other hand I would like the performance and maneuverability of a sport >bike. My dream bike would probably be a BMW R1100 RS but I could never >afford one. I am also interested in the Honda CBR1000. My price range is >around $5000-6000. I've got a Hawk GT and love it, but if you're looking at liter bikes to tour on, it's probably not for you. Great commuter/day tripper, though. Have you looked at the Honda VFR750? You should be able to find a very nice '90-'93 model in that price range. By most accounts, it's the best handling long distance "GT" bike made, almost in a class by itself. I don't own myself, but they're definitely worth a look/ride. > >Also, where are good places to find used bikes? I've been looking through >the WANT AD WEEKLY and they have a good selection. Would anyone reccomend >going to a dealer (Sales people scare me)? :-) Only to look at a lot of bikes. Coleman Powersport in Falls Church has a lot of used bikes to give you some ideas, but find one from a private party instead. David Mackintosh Germantown, MD, USA '82 245 Turbo WVC #M141 mackinto@XXXXXX '89 Honda Hawk GT RC31 DoD #1360 Dying is the most embarrassing thing that can ever happen to you.--Andy Warhol From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 09:41:32 1996 From: "McLoone, William J." To: DC-Cycles List Subject: RE: buying a new (used) bike Date: Thu, 22 Feb 96 09:33:00 EST Encoding: 51 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 Rich asks: >I have been thinking about buying a new (used) bike for a while now,..[snip] >I like to go on long rides so I think I want a touring bike, but on the >other hand I would like the performance and manueverability of a sport >bike. My dream bike would probably be a BMW R1100 RS but I could never >afford one. I am also interested in the Honda CBR1000. My price range is >around $5000-6000. Have you taken a look at the Kawasaki Concourse. It's a capable sport tourer at a reasonable price. I believe the power plant is based on the 1100 used in the ZX-11 and the GPZ-1100. Has decent rider and pillion accommodations, offers a comfy yet sporty ride, has removable hard luggage, and with a 7 gal. fuel tank provides excellent range. I have not had an opportunity to ride one but I have read many good things about them. I have a buddy who has a Connie and a Wing, I think he mentioned trying to sell the Connie, I can call him and find out more if you want. Another alternative might be a BMW K75. They are a reputable machine and can be found in the price range you are thinking of. I also think they look terrific. I haven't heard as much about them but believe they would be worth the look. Bob's BMW is in Jessup, MD and they have an excellent reputation on a national level. I think they only deal with BMW machines and supposedly have many used models. I have also heard people rave about the VFR-750 as the ultimate is sport touring. With luggage added it is said to be the best of both worlds. I have sat on them and find them a little uncomfortable for me, but then I like old UJM standards. >Also, where are good places to find used bikes? I've been looking through >the WANT AD WEEKLY and they have a good selection. Would anyone reccomend >going to a dealer (Sales people scare me)? :-) Last weekend I closed a deal on a bike I found on a used bike web page. There are many out there so if you have a web search engine start poking around. If nothing else it gives you an idea of what kind of deals are out there. Keep location in mind as we live in a more costly area than many other folks. Good luck and let us know what you find. My $.02, YMMV Bill McLoone '82 Susuki GS-450TXz (for Sale) '81 Yamaha XS-11H (50% mine) Burtonsville, MD USA '82 Kawasaki KZ-750E (all mine) 1-800-AMA-JOIN BK-MD I "Ride with Pride" From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 12:37:13 1996 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 96 12:36:04 EST X-Priority: 3 (Normal) To: From: "Frank George" Subject: Hard Bags Does anyone know if any companies make hard saddlebags to fit an '83 Honda 750 Interceptor? I've been looking for a sport-touring rig, and a used Interceptor has come my way. I really don't want to lay down the cash for the bike unless I can find a way to mount lockable bags on it. Any ideas are appreciated. Frank George fegeorge@XXXXXX fgeorge@XXXXXX Reynolds Metals Company / Corporate Engineering "opinions are mine, ... mailbox is the company's" From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 13:00:22 1996 From: SRFox@XXXXXX Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 12:59:51 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Bike Survey Could we do a survey of members bikes? It seems like there are a lot of people on the list who own 15 year old plus Japanese bikes. I would imagine that finding parts for one of these is more difficult that finding parts for a 30 year old English or German bike; having a lot of guys on the list with old Japanese bikes is good because you all can help each other find parts. BTW I ride a ten year old bike that I bought new. Steve 86 R65 From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 13:00:57 1996 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 13:01:04 -0500 To: richwest@XXXXXX (Rich Westbrook), dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: sash@XXXXXX (Michael A. Dow) Subject: Re: buying a new (used) bike At 21:56 2/21/96, Rich Westbrook wrote: >I like to go on long rides so I think I want a touring bike, but on the >other hand I would like the performance and manueverability of a sport >bike. My dream bike would probably be a BMW R1100 RS but I could never >afford one. I am also interested in the Honda CBR1000. My price range is >around $5000-6000. Hey Rich, Sounds like the classic dillema. I think the most affordable sport-tourer (more like tour-sporter, actually) would be the Kawasaki Concours. I think you can probably find one of recent vintage for about what you are looking to spend. I think Concours owners on the list (Steve B.) can vouch for their performance as well as riding comfort. As far as where to buy, I would indeed look to classifieds before dealers, and if you have WWW access, there are some good pages out there that have bikes for sale. Good luck! ___________________________________________________________________ Michael A. "Sash" Dow AMA# 403971 | HRCA Member | DoD# 1808 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = '94 Honda VF750C Magna ("Thanks, but it's not a Harley") in Yellow! "I don't wanna pickle /I just wanna ride on my motorsickle" -Arlo ___________________________________________________________________ "Love is a matter of chemistry; sex is a matter of physics." From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 13:14:07 1996 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 96 13:12:52 EST X-Priority: 3 (Normal) To: From: "Frank George" Subject: re:Bike Survey 1. 1981 Kawasaki KZ550C2 (LTD) 2. (watch this space) Frank George fegeorge@XXXXXX fgeorge@XXXXXX Reynolds Metals Company / Corporate Engineering "opinions are mine, ... mailbox is the company's" From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 13:35:30 1996 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 13:35:13 -0500 (EST) From: Morris Berman X-Sender: morris@geni34 To: Frank George Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: re:Bike Survey In-Reply-To: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII 1982 Yamaha Maxim, looking for a deal I can't turn down on a Concourse. On Thu, 22 Feb 1996, Frank George wrote: > > 1. 1981 Kawasaki KZ550C2 (LTD) > > 2. (watch this space) > > > > Frank George > > fegeorge@XXXXXX > fgeorge@XXXXXX > > Reynolds Metals Company / Corporate Engineering > "opinions are mine, ... mailbox is the company's" > -Mb ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morris Berman, morris@XXXXXX, http://lamp0.arl.mil:8080/~morris MSB, PFD, WTD, ARL <-- Obviously a Government Employee Yamaha XJ550M [Yorick] (DoD #1237), Scuba, Skiing, AMA (M/C) #446884 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No one is responsible for what I say...well, OK, maybe me. -=-=-=-=-=> PGP Key Available Upon Request, MIME Messages Accepted <=-=-=-=-=- From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 13:40:40 1996 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 13:40:39 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: From: Leon Begeman Subject: Re: Hard Bags > Does anyone know if any companies make hard saddlebags to fit an >'83 Honda 750 Interceptor? > Givi makes a nice set. They have a universal mounting kit for putting them on. Universal meaning it doesn't fit anything correctly, but it's less bad than one made for a particular bike. I think a set of saddlebags, tailtrunk and mounting kit was about $750. Since the bike is an '83, that sounds like a lot of money. I sure I could remember to take a set of soft bags off the bike a bunch of times for the $500 difference. OTOH, the Givi's will probably last longer than the bike, so you could always reuse them later on another bike. Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 69Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 14:06:18 1996 X-Sender: mackinto@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 2.1.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 14:06:10 -0400 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: David Mackintosh Subject: Re: Bike Survey At 12:59 PM 2/22/96 -0500, SRFox wrote: >Could we do a survey of members bikes? Before our mailboxes are flooded with replies from everyone on the list, may I suggest that one interested person (like Steve) receive and compile the responses. David Mackintosh Germantown, MD, USA '82 245 Turbo WVC #M141 mackinto@XXXXXX '89 Honda Hawk GT RC31 DoD #1360 Dying is the most embarrassing thing that can ever happen to you.--Andy Warhol From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 14:29:31 1996 From: SRFox@XXXXXX Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 14:28:52 -0500 To: mackinto@XXXXXX, dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Bike Survey In a message dated 96-02-22 14:27:58 EST, mackinto@XXXXXX (David Mackintosh) writes: >Before our mailboxes are flooded with replies from everyone on the list, may >I suggest that one interested person (like Steve) receive and compile the >responses. I would be happy to compile the survey. email me at srfox@XXXXXX or srfox@XXXXXX Steve From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 14:30:11 1996 Comments: Authenticated sender is From: "Brian Downey" Organization: PSA To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 14:27:13 +0000 Subject: Re: Bike Survey CC: SRFox@XXXXXX Priority: normal X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Windows (v2.20) > From: SRFox@XXXXXX > Could we do a survey of members bikes? > OK. I've got an '84 (now 13y.o.) Honda 750 Interceptor (VF750F). I've found that Honda is still actively supporting me with parts. Some have to be ordered from Japan, however. Who knows how long they'll last... Keep the shiny side up, __________________ ===(')(') __________________bfd_____ Brian Downey "" brdowney@XXXXXX Falls Church, VA brdowney@XXXXXX '84 750 Interceptor AMA DoD#4657 exUSN 2 cool boys From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 14:34:13 1996 From: SRFox@XXXXXX Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 14:33:56 -0500 To: mackinto@XXXXXX, dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Bike Survey In a message dated 96-02-22 14:27:58 EST, mackinto@XXXXXX (David Mackintosh) writes: >Before our mailboxes are flooded with replies from everyone on the list, may >I suggest that one interested person (like Steve) receive and compile the >responses. I would be happy to compile the survey. email me at srfox@XXXXXX or srfox@XXXXXX Steve From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 16:11:03 1996 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 96 16:06:39 EST From: "Daren Magness" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: You know Spring is near when..... The message traffic on this list increases by 65%! Soon, ladies and gentleman, soon. From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 16:39:30 1996 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 16:39:27 -0500 From: David C Lawrence To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: St. Patrick's Day Motorcycle Poker Run for MDA [ I apologize that this borders on being junk mail. I'm sending it to just three lists where I expect there would be interest. ] On St Patty's Day there will be a charity poker run starting from the Sign of the Whale at Loehmann's Plaza (Rt 50 about a mile inside the VA side of the Beltway). It will go to stops in Great Falls, Leesburg, Middleburg, and Fair Lakes before returning to Loehmann's. I'm responsible for the route plan and I'm making the most fun one I can considering the significantly suburban and exurban setting. For those of you unfamiliar with what a poker run is, it's basically just an excuse for a bunch of guys to get together and ride. It's not a parade type thing, though, such that it is expected all riders will stay together at all time. There's a planned route with stops at which each rider gets to pick one card to add to his (or her) hand (two cards if you have two hands). You get a total of six cards, discard the worst one to make the best hand you can. The best hands win prizes. The prizes are decent, probably worth at least the entry fee, but nothing spectacular. Bruce is projecting to raise at least 500$ for MDA from this event. Drinks and snacks will be available throughout the ride. The flyer is reproduced below. Well, it's not exactly like the real flyer, but it works. If you think you might come, please let me know. The guy running this has never done one before (but he is a decent planner, and enthusiastic), and it would help if he could have a good feeling for roughly how many people will show up. St. Patrick's Day Motorcycle Poker Run to benefit Jerry's Kids, the Muscular Dystrophy Association Sunday, March 17, 1996 (No Rain-Outs, but you may choose to use a vehicle other than a motorcycle if you want.) $20 Entry Fee for One Poker Hand (2nd Hand $10) includes commemorative T-Shirt & chance at door prizes Prizes for top three hands: Dinner for 2 at Ruth Chris Steak House, Arlington, VA Dinner for 2 at That's Amore, Vienna, VA Dinner for 2 at Lightfoot Cafe, Leesburg, VA 50-50 & dozens of door prizes & surprises special prize for most Irish outfit and oldest motorcycle Sign-up opens at 10am, bikes leave by 11am, return cut off 4:30pm 100 to 140 miles of fun For Details Call Bruce, 703 573 1616 Steering Committee: David Lawrence -- UUNET Michal Mutter - Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch Dress Warm * Ride Sober * Ride Smart Sign of the Whale Restaurant 7279 Arlington Blvd, Loehmann's Plaza, Falls Church VA 22042 From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 17:19:46 1996 X-Sender: jdonovan@XXXXXX Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 17:23:52 -0400 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX, balt-cycles@XXXXXX From: jdonovan@XXXXXX (John Donovan) Subject: Gasket forsale I got rid of my KZ650 last year and still have a complete gasket set for it... I'd like to sell it, so if anyone knows somone who can use it point them my way... the set says it will fit 78-79 KZ650's -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= John Donovan Systems Engineer Slow and steady. Never last the race jdonovan@XXXXXX don't start runnin' Newbridge Networks Herndon, VA I'm a fool for the chase DOD#-96 1992 Suzuki GSX1100G play the game, surrender to me -Def Leppard, Commin' Under Fire The above is my personal view and is not, and should not be interpreted as, the views, policies or position of Newbridge Networks or any of its employees. From dc-cycles-request Thu Feb 22 22:26:27 1996 From: "Louis F. Caplan" Subject: Parking at Dulles To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX (DC-Cycles List) Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 22:26:19 -0500 (EST) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL24alpha3] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Is there any particularly good place to park a motorcycle at Dulles? A friend of mine has a two hour layover on Monday, and I told her I'd bring some subs to save on airport food. I've never been to Dulles, just National and BWI, and in the cage at that. But by the current long range forcast, the weather should be nice Monday, so I want to used the bike. Do airports have any motorcycle parking? Where would it be? Or should I just look for the normal cage short term parking and use that? Thanks, Louis ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louis Caplan | louis@XXXXXX Alexandria, VA | '84 Honda Nighthawk-S 700SC DoD #1754 | No fancy quotations, yet!!! From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 08:13:34 1996 Date: Fri, 23 Feb 96 08:17:44 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Re: Hard Bags > Does anyone know if any companies make hard saddlebags to fit an >'83 Honda 750 Interceptor? So few companies make hard bags anymore. Givi makes nice (and expensive) hard bags, in a couple different sizes. Other than that, I'd go to motorcycle salvage yards (like P&F in Dover, Delaware) and look for something that fits. If you're into non-motorcycle luggage, try military surplus stores, photography stores, mail-order places like Northern Hydraulics and Harbor Freight & Salvage, and your nearest Walmart, Lowe's, or Hechinger for interesting weather-proof and weather-resistant hard containers. Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 08:16:12 1996 Date: Fri, 23 Feb 96 08:20:24 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Re: Bike Survey >Could we do a survey of members bikes? 1982 Honda CB750F Been riding F's for 10 years now. Had five all told, this is the third one I've put on the road. Sure do like that sweet handling, cheap price, and that thieves do not target my ride. Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 08:29:21 1996 From: SRFox@XXXXXX Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 08:28:50 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Bike Survey So far responses from 19 people, and also from Jim Williams. Keep em coming in. Steve PS: after this one is done I would like to survey ALL the bikes we have EVER owned... From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 09:49:32 1996 Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 09:49:28 -0500 X-Sender: dale@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: Dale Coyner Subject: Re: Bike Survey >>Could we do a survey of members bikes? 1991 Honda ST-1100. I lusted for one of these when they first debuted and last year was able to finagle one. Have had a couple other bikes over the last few years but this is true love. d. From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 10:04:53 1996 From: "Weinstein, John, Dr, NSS" To: "'dc-cycles-request'" Subject: RE: Bike Survey Date: Fri, 23 Feb 96 09:13:00 PST Encoding: 8 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 81 honda cb 750K (15k mi) 84 honda vf 1100s (v65 sabre) (30k mi) john ps-ask me about the capital area motorhead society. From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 10:54:28 1996 From: STURGES_RICH@XXXXXX Mime-Version: 1.0 Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 10:27:28 -0500 Subject: subscribe To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: cc:Mail note part I apologize for what is surely wasted bandwidth. Please subscribe me at my home address... sturges@XXXXXX rich From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 11:38:56 1996 From: "McLoone, William J." To: Balt-Cycles List , DC-Cycles List Subject: Weekend Ride? Date: Fri, 23 Feb 96 11:31:00 EST Encoding: 20 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 Hi Gang: Anyone interested in going for a Ride this Sunday, 2/25? Since it will be warm I figured a ride is in order and wanted to see if maybe other folks want to join me. Ride time, destination and distance are all open for discussion, as in suggestions welcome. Once feedback is given we can choose a when and where to meet and announce it. If you are interested, please let me know *QUICKLY* since I only get email in the office. Bill McLoone '82 Susuki GS-450TXz (for Sale) '81 Yamaha XS-11H (50% mine) Burtonsville, MD USA '82 Kawasaki KZ-750E (all mine) 1-800-AMA-JOIN BK-MD I "Ride with Pride" From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 12:18:48 1996 Comments: Authenticated sender is From: "Jeff Poretsky" Organization: for the perputally insane To: SRFox@XXXXXX Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 06:56:12 -0500 Subject: Re: Bike Survey CC: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Confirm-Reading-To: jeffp@XXXXXX X-pmrqc: 1 Priority: normal X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Windows (v2.23) > So far responses from 19 people, and also from Jim Williams. > Keep em coming in. > > Steve 1992 Yamaha Seca 750 JeffP From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 12:24:08 1996 From: SRFox@XXXXXX Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 12:23:53 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Bike Survey 30 responses so far, almost all originating during work hours. Hasn't the net been great for productivity? Keep them coming... Steve From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 13:53:26 1996 Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 10:51:45 -0700 (PDT) From: "Justin V. Laubach" Subject: gravel on road To: DC Cycles MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT There always seems to be lots of gravel on the road in late winter/early spring from the sanding/salting they do in the snow. Will this pose a significant threat to cycles? Would the best way to avoid it be to simply ride a bit left in the lane ( or in the left lane)? Also, I am a bit curious about motorcycling on gravel roads. Since I am a new biker, I don't have much experience with this. I really like to drive (and now ride) to out of the way places that most people don't see. A lot of times it seems that gravel roads are gateways to some of the neatest places. How is it riding on decent gravel roads/dirt roads with a regular streetbike/street tread tires. Is this difficult or dangerous? Any advise or experience (other than to slow down)? Thanks in advance from, Justin V. Laubach (JLaubach@XXXXXX) 92 Yamaha Seca II From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 14:50:53 1996 Date: Fri, 23 Feb 96 14:54:59 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Re: gravel on road >There always seems to be lots of gravel on the road in late winter/early >spring from the sanding/salting they do in the snow. Will this pose a >significant threat to cycles? Yes, indeed. > Would the best way to avoid it be to >simply ride a bit left in the lane ( or in the left lane)? Riding in the wheel tracks will reduce the likelihood of riding on sand/gravel, but you won't be able to avoid it: intersections and curves may have sand/gravel anywhere (it all depends what the cars do. On curves, cars my drive onto the shoulder and spread gravel into the travel lane). The best is to keep your speeds down, use SIPDE (take an MSF course if you don't know what that means, basically "see and avoid"), lean the bike only when you have good traction, and be prepared to slide a little sometimes. If this scares you, take an MSF course for basic riding skills, and do some practice on sand/gravel in a parking lot. Sand/gravel is not great, but it's better to learn about it in a semi-controlled situation in a parking lot, than out on the road while mixing with traffic. Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 17:36:18 1996 Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 17:35:01 -0500 X-Sender: m-rider@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: Leon Begeman Subject: Re: gravel on road At 10:51 2/23/96 -0700, you wrote: >There always seems to be lots of gravel on the road in late winter/early >spring from the sanding/salting they do in the snow. Will this pose a >significant threat to cycles? . . . >How is it riding on decent gravel roads/dirt roads >with a regular streetbike/street tread tires. Is this difficult or >dangerous? Any advise or experience (other than to slow down)? > Practice. I've never ridden a dirt bike, so I'm not sure how a street bike on dirt compares to a bike that is designed to be ridden there. It's a little scary at first, then you learn that faster is sometimes better (just like in the beginning rider course). I highly recommend that you get your first experience on gravel by deliberately riding on an unpaved road rather than finding some loose stuff lying on the pavement. There are some unpaved roads in Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, I don't know about the ones in Maryland. One of my favorite gravel roads around here is Ridge Road that goes to the top of Bull Run Mountain in western Prince William County. It has at least 7 first/second gear switch backs on the way to the top (uphill is easier than down). If you still want to ride after that, most of the roads on the west side of the mountain are unpaved. I like to practice with the SilverWing out there in the fall to get ready for the slippery stuff in the winter. If you keep your bike spotless and/or use Q-tips as a regular part of your cleaning procedure - disregard anything I've said. You won't like riding on dirt. Leon. m-rider@XXXXXX begeman@XXXXXX 1983 Honda CX650C 124Kmiles 1983 Honda GL650I 69Kmiles 1978 Honda CB400A 16Kmiles From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 19:05:26 1996 From: "Tracy Minter" Organization: College of BA, Univ. of S. Carolina To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 18:57:41 EST Subject: Re: Bike Survey Priority: normal X-mailer: Pegasus Mail v3.22 1982 Yamaha XS400RJ Seca (Great Bike!) Tracy Minter minterm6@XXXXXX '82 YAM 400XSRJ From dc-cycles-request Fri Feb 23 23:04:59 1996 Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 22:53:44 +45722824 (EDT) From: "Gil M. Nissley" Subject: Re: Bike Survey To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX In-Reply-To: <960223122353_229462437@emout08.mail.aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Present:'95 Buell S2 Thunderbolt Past:'84('85?) XL200 '82 FT500 Ascot '84 V30 Magna '86 500 Interceptor '84 700 Nighthawk S '86 VFR750 Interceptor '93 CBR900RR Temporary Loners:'95 BMW R1100RS '95 Buell S2 Thunderbolt The official BuellBoy genes model. gnissley@XXXXXX Buell S2 Thunder(un)bolt GATB#1121 "Most problems in life can be fixed with a chainsaw." Bill D. Cat "But pessimism IS realism!" D.L.Bahr From dc-cycles-request Sun Feb 25 16:39:13 1996 Content-Type: text/plain Mime-Version: 1.0 (NeXT Mail 3.3 v118.2) From: John Nelson Date: Sun, 25 Feb 96 16:42:25 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Post-winter maintenance Yeeeow! Check out the weather kids! I hope everyone got a chance to ride this weekend. Alas, I didn't. That brings us to my next question. We've already discussed how to lay up your bike for the winter (drain the bowls, etc). But now what do I need to do to get this bad boy back in shape for riding? Change the oil? Lube the chain (yes)? Is there anything in particular I need to look for when it comes to cracked seals or tires damaged by the cold? What are good things to do to get a bike in shape for riding? Gotta ride gotta ride gotta ride... - John From dc-cycles-request Sun Feb 25 22:16:45 1996 X-Sender: harris@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 2.2 (32) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Sun, 25 Feb 1996 22:13:02 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX From: Stephen Harris Subject: Re: Bike Survey At 12:59 PM 2/22/96 -0500, SRFox@XXXXXX wrote: >Could we do a survey of members bikes? 1) 2.43 FZR600's various years 2) '74 CB125 3) '73 RD60 (actually I gave the RD to Vera, but I count it because it is still in MY garage) 4) Looking for a cheap street bike with problems. Either GPZ 550 or Honda four. Stephen Taylor Harris http://www.his.com/~harris/index.htm From dc-cycles-request Mon Feb 26 08:55:46 1996 Date: Mon, 26 Feb 96 08:56:53 EST From: acoope00@XXXXXX (Andrew Cooper -- Arent Fox - Washington ) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: What kind of bike I ride a 1990 ZX-10 that has been "on ice" for a few months. So that answers one question. Now I look forward to an answer to John Nelson's question. I think that I'll have to replace my battery and I know that I'll have to lube my chain, but are there any other necessary steps before I "defrost" my bike? I didn't take any steps (other than yanking the battery) to winterize it. TIA! =Drew Cooper From dc-cycles-request Mon Feb 26 09:16:39 1996 Date: Mon, 26 Feb 96 09:19:38 EST From: payter@XXXXXX (Payter Versteegen) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Post-winter maintenance John Nelson says: * * Yeeeow! Check out the weather kids! I hope everyone got a chance to ride * this weekend. Alas, I didn't. That brings us to my next question. We've * already discussed how to lay up your bike for the winter (drain the bowls, * etc). But now what do I need to do to get this bad boy back in shape for * riding? Change the oil? Lube the chain (yes)? Is there anything in * particular I need to look for when it comes to cracked seals or tires damaged * by the cold? What are good things to do to get a bike in shape for riding? * Really, this is unreal for February! Yesterday, a 73-degree record-high in Charm City! I didn't get a chance to ride, but I put a new rear suspension on my 87 Jetta. The Kawi's aching for a rebuild, and the Honda isn't quite back together, yet, but I digress. For re-introductions to riding, here's what I've learned: 1) Make sure the tires are inflated. 2) For the first startup, I've heard that you should unwire the plugs, crank the starter until the oil-pressure light goes off, rewire the plugs, and resume starting. Battery voltage might be low if the cell wasn't stored, but a jump-start from a car will do no harm (12v is 12v, and amps are a function of load). 3) Chain lube is important 4) So is a good wash, though this might be more cosmetic than anything. 5) Ride around for a while, perhaps about a half-hour. Gets the blood pumping, so to speak. I don't change the oil until I *know* the winter season is over. This Thu/Fri is gonna be really cold, again. The ride also flushes out the carb and the bottom of the tank. Comment/additions? L8r, P8r. payter@XXXXXX =;) From dc-cycles-request Mon Feb 26 10:27:30 1996 Date: Mon, 26 Feb 96 10:25:38 -0500 From: Richard Clark To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: thanks, I needed that Here's to all who *didn't* have their bikes ready to ride this weekend.... Waaaaaaaah! ;) I *did*! :) So there I was, saturday afternoon about 1:00, everything I had planned on getting done for the day already done in record time.. It was sunny oustide, and warm, just a tad windy, but the only two factors that I cared about were well within the delightful range... Found my helmet, found my gloves, found my jacket, found my black shoes... Hopped on the bike (KICKSTAND UP!) - 83' Honda 750 Magna. Four little cylinders, found little carbs, water-cooled, shaft drive. I had spent all of November and December rebuilding and touching up all sorts of lovely parts from the ground up... This was the moment I had been waiting for! Hollered at the wife to come open the front door so I could get out... then backed the bike out of the living room, off the front porch and onto the carport. Had to hit the starter twice. Not bad for sitting a couple months. Hopped back off the bike while it (she?) warmed up to go grab a drink of water from in the house... I didn't plan on being back anytime soon! Suited up: jacket, helmet, gloves, etc... Back outside, hopped back on the bike (KICKSTAND UP!). Turned the choke off, revv'ed a few times. Let's rock! ;) Eased on out the driveway... hit 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th... Just sliding along the curves, swerving back and forth enjoying the sensations which had been deprived me for so long. Felt GOOD! Kicked the footrests out and laid back... Aaaaaaaaaah.... But wait! Up ahead were some of my favorite swoopy curves, on a beautifuly paved road... I sat back up, kicked it down to 4th, cranked the throttle WIIIDE OPEN, and hung on for dear life! The motor screamed, I screamed, the motor raced over 9K rpm... Not much could be heard over the pounding inside my chest... Wham! I hit 5th! Throttle still WIDE OPEN... I was flying! Whoa! Brake hard, kick down to 4th, kick down to 3rd, easy on the throttle as I lean the bike into a gentle curve... crank back up slowly on the throttle, we're coming out of the turn, throttle wide open again, run 'er on up to about 10K and hit 4th... Houston Control: "Attention space shuttle Magna, you have acheived orbit. Please slow down!" Magna: "Hey Houston, BITE ME!" Man, it was niiiiiice out this weekend! :) :) :) Richard H. Clark From dc-cycles-request Mon Feb 26 16:24:11 1996 Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 16:14:39 -0800 From: "Christopher A. Meier" Organization: CSC X-Mailer: Mozilla 2.0 (Win16; I) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: suzuki-l@XXXXXX CC: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Dead RF 900 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Well, it was a rough weekend. Here in the Washington, DC area it was ~70 degress F, so I was really up for a ride. Problem is that the bike wasn't. About 1.5 miles from my house, I switched onto reserve and the bike died. I had this happen to the bike ~6 months ago, took it to the dealership and they told me (for 200.OO US) that I had water in the gas. They told me it was a bad tank of gas, and I believed that, and ponyed up the cash. This time I do not want to have to do that again. So I figured that is what happened this time and thought I could fix it my self. On side of the road, I pulled of the gas tank, drained it and sure enough there was _alot_ of water in it. Refilled it with fresh gas and tried to start it. No luck, so I pushed it home. (Long push, lots of uphill) I am pretty sure that all it needs to get it to run is to drain the carb float bowls, but the bike is under warranty. My questions are: 1) What the hell could be causing the water to get in there? Keep in mind that this bike has been ridden atleast once a week all winter, and not stored for any period of time. It does get rained on outside, but is always tarped when not ridden. It does get ridden in the rain. 2) Do you think warranty should cover this if I complain enough at the dealership, or am I just stuck with it? Remember this is the second time in 6 months. 3) Will doing a float bowl drain, void my possible claim of the warranty? I would really appreciate any help the mechanical gurus out there can give me. :-) Also, I have never done a float bowl drain. Seems easy enough and I don't mind taking a crack at it, but is there anything I should watch out for on this particular bike? TIA, chris -- -------------------------------------------------------- Christopher A. Meier cmeier1@XXXXXX 1994 RF900RR Opinions expressed here are Mine, Mine, alllll Mine. -------------------------------------------------------- From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 27 13:54:45 1996 Date: Tue, 27 Feb 96 13:59:06 EST From: cnorloff@XXXXXX (Chris Norloff) To: cmeier1@XXXXXX Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX X-Mailer: Chris Norloff's PMMail v1.1 Subject: Re: Dead RF 900 >> How much is "_a lot_" ? >> > >In kitchen terms....about 1-2 cups of water. Not that much, but when in the >bottom of the tank....... That IS a lot! Especially when you consider that when you go on reserve you're drawing gasoline from the bottom of the tank. >> As the fuel drains out of the tank during riding, air must replace it. >> If the tank is not correctly vented then water could be sucked in, >> around the fuel cap, for instance. I'd check out the vent line(s) and >> the fuel cap gasket. The service manual may have hints about how the >> tank can get water in it, too. > > Good Idea, I'll check that. I don't think Water gets sucked directly into >the carbs, but rather comes in through the gas tank. It happened both times >after I switched onto reserve. If the water's coming in the carbs, then it goes into the engine (the cylinder) and gets mixed with the combustion process. If you're finding water in the gas tank, then the problem is water in the gas, not water getting directly into the carbs. Water is heavier than gas, so the bike dies when you switch to reserve -- you're drawing from the bottom of the tank, instead of from maybe an inch above the bottom (which is the 'main' fuel supply). Definitely sounds like a gaskets and/or vent problem to me. Now if I could just solve MY water problem: my 4 cylinder tries to become a 3.5 cylinder, or 3 cylinder, or less, when it rains. Chris Norloff From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 27 14:31:27 1996 From: SRFox@XXXXXX Date: Tue, 27 Feb 1996 14:30:49 -0500 To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: Dead RF 900 About 50 responses to the bike survey; I will compile and publish them this weekend. Steve From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 27 15:42:30 1996 From: <@hrfocus.att.com:khawkins@XXXXXX> Date: 27 Feb 96 15:44:00 -0500 To: "'DC Cycles'" Original-From: "Hawkins, Kevin" Original-To: "'DC Cycles'" Subject: RE: Survey Original-Date: Tue Feb 27 15:44 EST 1996 Encoding: 9 TEXT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 Content-Type: text >>About 50 responses to the bike survey; I will compile and publish >>them this weekend. '95 Ducati 900SS/CR '93 Yamaha GTS1000 Kevin Hawkins // Greensboro, NC AMA #609423 // khawkins@XXXXXX From dc-cycles-request Tue Feb 27 20:57:17 1996 From: AUSQM7_MASTER%AUSQ1LZ@XXXXXX Date: 27 Feb 96 19:56:12 -0600 To: suzuki-l#h#a#h#mcf.com#h#a#h#smtpsend*qmail*%AUSQ1LZ@XXXXXX Cc: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Dead RF 900 Mail*Link(R) Dead RF 900 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Well, it was a rough weekend. Here in the Washington, DC area it was ~70 degress F, so I was really up for a ride. Problem is that the bike wasn't. About 1.5 miles from my house, I switched onto reserve and the bike died. I had this happen to the bike ~6 months ago, took it to the dealership and they told me (for 200.OO US) that I had water in the gas. They told me it was a bad tank of gas, and I believed that, and ponyed up the cash. This time I do not want to have to do that again. So I figured that is what happened this time and thought I could fix it my self. On side of the road, I pulled of the gas tank, drained it and sure enough there was _alot_ of water in it. Refilled it with fresh gas and tried to start it. No luck, so I pushed it home. (Long push, lots of uphill) I am pretty sure that all it needs to get it to run is to drain the carb float bowls, but the bike is under warranty. My questions are: 1) What the hell could be causing the water to get in there? Keep in mind that this bike has been ridden atleast once a week all winter, and not stored for any period of time. It does get rained on outside, but is always tarped when not ridden. It does get ridden in the rain. 2) Do you think warranty should cover this if I complain enough at the dealership, or am I just stuck with it? Remember this is the second time in 6 months. 3) Will doing a float bowl drain, void my possible claim of the warranty? I would really appreciate any help the mechanical gurus out there can give me. :-) Also, I have never done a float bowl drain. Seems easy enough and I don't mind taking a crack at it, but is there anything I should watch out for on this particular bike? TIA, chris -- -------------------------------------------------------- Christopher A. Meier cmeier1@XXXXXX 1994 RF900RR Opinions expressed here are Mine, Mine, alllll Mine. --------------------------------------------------------