Confessions of a troubled history in motorcycling

[Wingsconsin]

What strikes me is that they are almost all HONDA's! My condolences!

Two nice motorcycles, the rest... 蘿

Ouch -- No haters please --- Honda been good to me -- Look at that list of Goldwing's

I also drive a 2020 Honda Passport now ---

But I have love for the Suzuki GS as well -- I have never known the joy of NOT having a coolant system to worry about until I found the GS

 

[Steve]

That’s ok, Carl. My list of bikes includes just one Honda, but a BUNCH of shafties. :encouragement:

.

 

[Rob S.]

One thing I?ve learned (being in my mid 50s), throwing my weight around at work about my level of experience stirs up animosity in some/not all. Luckily, I?ve gotten past that.

It was looking like rain and some twenty-something was telling me how to clutch and shift.

 

[Grimly]

It was looking like rain and some twenty-something was telling me how to clutch and shift.

Heh. It would have been a pysser if you'd dropped it on the forecourt.

 

[Dogma]

Enclosed chain?

1967 Honda CA-100 by R John Thieda, on Flickr

Yamaha XV920R

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XV920R

MZ250 had one, which I used to commute for about 4 years in the early 80s. I think I had to adjust the chain once.
After that, I discovered Scott Oilers when one came fitted by the PO of a CBX550 I bought. The chain already on it lasted me about 30K and I adjusted it once in all that time. There was still plenty life left in the chain when I sold the bike.
The Stinking Old XS has a Scott (again, fitted by the one PO who wasn't a dirtbag) and I've barely had to look at the chain in the past several years.
I rapidly discovered during my CBX ownership that chainsaw bar oil is a more than adequate substitute for expensive Scott Oil - I'm fairly sure that's all S.Oil is, just dyed a pretty colour and ramped up in price by a factor of 5.

I forgot about the Cub. The others I'd never heard of. It sounds like the Yammie had other issues that might have kept the bike from being a success. I did some Gargling and found somebody fabricated a cover for a V-Strom, but they're not something yo can generally buy aftermarket. It seems like it would be a no-brainier for a sport-touring bike. I wonder what I'm missing, other than the fact that it might look a little goofy.

 

[Baatfam]

I forgot about the Cub. The others I'd never heard of. It sounds like the Yammie had other issues that might have kept the bike from being a success. I did some Gargling and found somebody fabricated a cover for a V-Strom, but they're not something yo can generally buy aftermarket. It seems like it would be a no-brainier for a sport-touring bike. I wonder what I'm missing, other than the fact that it might look a little goofy.

I just think it isn't necessary. A good chain wax, and the rain doesn't matter.

And for most people, the chain will last as long as they own the bike...with zero maintenance, LOL...

 

[Dogma]

I just think it isn't necessary. A good chain wax, and the rain doesn't matter.

And for most people, the chain will last as long as they own the bike...with zero maintenance, LOL...

I think you've nailed the economic analysis. I keep forgetting I'm not normal.

 

[Steve]

Don't worry, Dale. :-k

"Normal" is just a setting on the clothes dryer. :-\\\

.

 

[Rob S.]

A good chain wax, and the rain doesn't matter.

Never heard of chain wax, but I have a different solution: I don't allow my ladies out in the rain (or snow, Jedz ).

 

[rphillips]

"NEVER HEARD OF CHAIN WAX"??? Maxima "Chain Wax"??? You've must have spent a lot of time in a hospital or something. Goes on wet, cures tacky. I've lived a sheltered life, but used Chain Wax for years. Hey Rob, when you get back to going, give it a try.

 

[Rob S.]

"NEVER HEARD OF CHAIN WAX"??? Maxima "Chain Wax"??? You've must have spent a lot of time in a hospital or something. Goes on wet, cures tacky. I've lived a sheltered life, but used Chain Wax for years. Hey Rob, when you get back to going, give it a try.

So chains are self-lubing, no more spray bottles, just wax to weatherproof? I'm old school, I still give the chain a spritz every now and then.

When my left leg can support 600lbs, it's feasible I could ride with a heel and toe shifter. (Can't raise my left toes or ankle. )

 

[Dogma]

So chains are self-lubing, no more spray bottles, just wax to weatherproof? I'm old school, I still give the chain a spritz every now and then.

When my left leg can support 600lbs, it's feasible I could ride with a heel and toe shifter. (Can't raise my left toes or ankle. )

That's inconvenient. Maybe a pneumatic shifter?

 

[rphillips]

Self lubing chains lube the inside, the lube we put on the outside lubes the "O" rings rubbing against the side plates of the chain, dry "O" rings probably wouldn't last long rubbing on dry side plates. Support 600# with left leg?? Ain't the right leg going to do anything? that cuts it in half. Man, you're getting there, just takes longer than it did a half century ago. Didn't you hear, where there's a will there's a way. Heel & toe, you're gett'in it figured out. And Yes Chain Wax.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I think you've nailed the economic analysis. I keep forgetting I'm not normal.

HA! subtle touche?

 

[Buffalo Bill]

So chains are self-lubing, no more spray bottles, just wax to weatherproof? I'm old school, I still give the chain a spritz every now and then.

When my left leg can support 600lbs, it's feasible I could ride with a heel and toe shifter. (Can't raise my left toes or ankle. )

I thought you were gonna buy an ebike?

 

[Rob S.]

I thought you were gonna buy an ebike?

When they make one that sounds like a big-bore inline four with a 4-into-1.

 

[Steve]

That's inconvenient. Maybe a pneumatic shifter?

Talk about inconvenient. :-k

Imagine taking a spirited ride that involves a LOT of shifting. Almost through the ride, the air tank is low. Now you're stuck in whatever gear you happen to be in.

Unless that pneumatic shifter has a HUGE tank or an on-board air compressor, I don't see it being practical for anything more than a few trips down the drag strip.

I know that heel-toe shifters don't appeal to very many GSers, but there is a fair amount of acceptance in the Goldwing crowd. Especially if floorboards have been mounted in place of footpegs. I have floorboards on my 850, along with a heel-toe shifter, but it's actually easier to slide my foot forward on the board and use my heel to downshift. :encouragement:

.

 

[ddaniels]

I held onto the front sprocket I removed from the FZ1 the first time I replaced its chain as a reminder to not be stupid. You should see the teeth. Every tooth comes to a point instead of being the proper rounded shape. I only noticed the chain needed replacing when I found a missing tooth in the rear sprocket. This was shortly after I bought it, mind you, so don't attack me. You have to keep watch on the chain and both sprockets. Personally, I prefer shaft drive.

 

[rphillips]

Good point DD, with chain you need to keep watch on 2 sprockets & a chain. With the shaft, just keep watch on the splines in the rear hub. Just me, but I like em' both

 

[Wingsconsin]

Shafties for the WIN :victorious: