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After several months of nothing but unpacking, cleaning and home-improvements, I finally made it out for ride! Went up past Canyon Lake to Tortilla Flat this last Sunday!

Some more piccies from Picos... Leaving Las Vegas Heading down for miles and miles, after going up miles for miles Helping out a guy by the roadsidewhose chain link had gone, we carry spares for that very reason.. Using my Gilera's exhaust at WOT as a hairdryer on Saturno's magneto. In vain but at least we tried. Queeing for coffee The 3 amigos

Love the new Suzuki 1000 GT, lighter than a non abs 07 vfr 800, more power/ torque, adjustable suspension, ride modes, cruise control, traction control, ABS, nice dash that you can synch your phone to, led lighting, comfortably upright seating. I love my vfr but time and continued development of modern motorcycles means Honda’s once proud flagship has seen better days. My current Suzuki Bking has been a better sport tourer than my vfr FOR ME if I’m honest. Better Suspension, brakes and these days sit up comfort are what I’m into. My current Suzuki has been less fussy than my vfr over the years so I would expect this GT variant to be a winner.

I also have a useful-farmer-to-the-rescue story: (I cannot remember exactly where it happened but it was on the way home from a Sum-Sum gathering in CO.) It was late in the day and there was a camping sign on the highway directing my up a certain road (no distance information given). So I head that way and ran out of gas before I got to the campground. A family heading home came up behind me and asked if I needed help. This was in the middle of nowhere in the dark. I explained I was just out of gas. So mom gets out of the van and says she’ll push me to their farm just up the road (on her feet, not with her vehicle). I reluctantly agreed (she explained she was a high-mile runner and it would be no problem for her). By the time we got to there place it was late; I pitched my tent in their yard and everyone went to bed. When I got up they invited me in and fed me a nice breakfast, filled my tank from their on-site tank (5.55 gallons) and would not take any money for the help. I thanked them profusely and heading on my way. Talk about a Good Samaritan!

Taken last week during our yearly motorcycle trip to the land of twisties.

Honda have a display of current products in the lobby of their corporate headquarters in Aoyama that is open to the public. Fortunately we arrived 15 minutes before closing (glass half full point of view, 15 minutes after closing would have been worse...) . The exhaust was there to handle, it was virtually weightless. They also had a Toro Rosso F1 car in there. Late 2018.

Got a little sun today. My old bike (02) and my new-old bike (97).

My brother in law just got back from an epic riding trip in Moab. He drove out to pick up a camping trailer, and ended up hiring a guide for a few days. The pictures speak for themselves...

Cheated on the VFR, Tracer GT fall tour...

Playin' in the mountains on my ZX9R Ninja.

As I frequently do, was cruising the classified ads last week. A Super Hawk and RC51 caught my eye. Both local and both appeared to be in better than average condition for their age. But then I saw an absolutely pristine 97. Some back and forth with the owner, sent a deposit, then yesterday drove up to NJ to fetch my new bike. 13 hours later, it is tucked in my garage, with my 02, back in VA. I’m stunned, apart from some rust pitting in side and center stands, it’s immaculate. I’m giddy like a school girl!! This is what I wanted way back in 1995 but was too stupid and too cheap to appreciate the difference with what I did buy, a CBR600F3. I’ll post better pics when I can get it out in the sun. Completely stock, and I’ll keep it that way. As an aside, bought my 6th gen new in May of 2002. Registration decal says it will be 20 years old next month.

It seems that the FallRide attracts the usuals so not a lot of discussions here. If you didn't make it, you missed a great one. Little Switzerland is central to so much great riding. The lounge at the hotel provides a great place to post game. There was a lot of bourbon sampling and pool playing. I'm not much on video editing so this link will be for a few highlights from the riding. It was shot with my $55 NoPro and is hosted on the tube so don't expect a lot.😛 All of the riding was shot from the CB500X's right handlebar.

First red surfboard I have ever owned, an 8'0" CJ Nelson Outlier. I have the 9'9" Parallax which is the big version of this and wanted the mid length one. Next to it are my 8'0" HI Moe and 7'10" Mid 6. They also had a yellow one, but we all know VFRD tests have proven #redisthefastestcolor

88888 Mi Today....

Not having a problem with fake CF is a problem. It should repulse you.

This in reply to Cogswell on pg 1, where he began with: I agree. I've been a bicyclist also since '72, have worked in bike shops since '76, and still very much a traditionalist about bicycles in general. I saw the birth of the "mountain bike" and watched as that style of bike took over the market. I liken the advance of the "adventure motorcycle" to the mountain bike market. I look back over the decades of motorcycles and bicycles and realize how 'trendy' and gimmick-driven the two markets are.

Next mountain bike...about 40% complete. 2021 Specialized Enduro, stretched to 180mm travel at both ends. Big wheel downhill trail smasher. 😎

Couple of my other motorcycles. Taken a break earlier this spring 2020. 1989 XL600V Transalp. Below, last fall taken a break 2019. 2015 Kawasaki KLR650.

^^^ great road going there, lotsa curves, no guardrails over thousand foot dropoffs.

Those are boundary-layer extreme-pressure/extreme-heat additives such as ZDDP zinc & phosphorous for contact lubrication. Gearbox doesn't work on hydrodynamic pressure-film like with engine-bearings, so gears actually touch each other. At which point, contact area are like two mountain-ridges (one inverted) sliding & grinding against each other. When these tips touch, intense heat & pressure is developed. ZDDP melts under such conditions and generates a tough wear-resistant ceramic-like coating at that spot to prevent further wear. With advent of API-SM oil-ratings, ZDDP amounts were reduced tremendously. Abundant reports of worn-out flat-tappet valve-trains ensued and was traced back to reduced lubrication in API-SM oils. Several OEMs tried to debunk that but truth was out. Many folks resorted to using ZDDP additives to bring back EP/ET levels back to previous levels. Certain grades of Mobil-1 didn't get reduction in ZDDP due to being OEM fill for Porsche and BMW. They weren't going to upset those big customers no matter what government regulators have to say. Moly is another lubricant and functions as small ball-bearings between surfaces. Boron is also used to enhance wear protection: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:990746/FULLTEXT01.pdf You can see in this comparison that moto-oil is much, much better for your transmission than auto-oil as it's higher in all types of boundary-layer EP/ET additives :

I like the bike a great deal but I’m looking for something with a bit more focusing on touring. By the way, rode the VFR today and it’s going to be hard to find a bike to beat it.

I've had fun with it so far. I try to get through one or two every winter while I'm holding down a job. lol A few I've done:

Anti-theft device on my gen 6:

Details released over here today. Full specs & video - Visordown. MCN.

While I was on the roof, I noticed my fleet looking good in front of the garage, so I had to take a picture!

The most significant unscheduled maintenance has been the valve adjust at 60000 mi. Otherwise Synthetic oil every 4000 mi and a new oil filter every 8000 mi. Suspension front and rear upgraded at 18000 mi and refreshed at 60000. This is a wonderful motorcycle....

Honda engine in a nice wrapping....

Finally, after inclement weather and COVID lockdown, I managed to get my coached Track Day done, at the very tight Luddenham NSW course. Plenty of foot scraping, but not a sign of the centre stand hitting. The very long foot peg feelers give you plenty of warning. Getting your bum of the seat and your shoulders over, keeps everything safe.

As an American of Chinese descent, I think I can safely critique them without the PC police coming after me. It appears that the chinese only think in 1 dimension whenever they try to produce something, usually it falls along the aesthetic characteristic, i.e. Does it look the part? Everything else be damned as they race to the bottom. They don’t care about build quality, they don’t care about performance - if it does actually perform it will be a side effect and not intentional. Most likely, your bike will look fast from 20 ft away assuming its stationary. When you start up it will be a cacophonous assault on the ears of everyone within ear shot. Hopefully, you will remove it before it does either physical or mechanical damage to your bike. Ultimately in the end, we will all have suffered from the Chinese taking away business from the people that actually try - Akrapovic, yoshimura and Arrow - I have staintunes and love them.

Southern Utah / Grand Canyon is truly epic. The whole time I felt like I could have been the Road Runner being chased by the Coyote . . .

But why does Grum start writing in ancient Latin whenever he talks about electronics😳 I don’t understand, literally.

You're not gonna want to hear this, but color rite if you want it to match closely. It's really high quality too, hence the cost. I went through many cans restoring my "no longer available" plastic parts and it is a very good match against new R157 plastic parts I pulled right out of boxes last year. One can of primer, base, and clear should do a side fairing. Two cans of color and clear to do plenty more. Compare that to the cost of Chinese fairings...

After a change in our garage space footprint last year I was having trouble figuring out where to store the VFR. Finally decided on a Cycle Shell and it's been great. Fairly quick to open and close and the bike is well protected from the elements. I can even store the bike with the luggage attached and unlike a bike cover I can put the bike away hot. The base is a very durable plastic with diamond plate for the kickstand, center stand and under each tire. Only the kickstand plate is mounted to the base when you buy the other three you have to measure out to match your bikes configuration. There are holes for anchoring the shell to the ground or asphalt. This wasn't the solution I wanted, I was looking to build a shed alongside the house or even add onto our garage but because of the additional cost and difficulty with building too close to the property line this became the next best choice. The bike will be stored in the garage during winter but for easy access and a nice protective home in the summer I'm pleased. There are three different size Cycle Shells, I bought the mid-size which is around $600... I've actually forgot the exact cost but you can find it on their website.

This the famous "5,000 curves" tour. VID-20210925-WA0030.mp4

Hello everyone, this is Tom that has the vintage water pump overhauls and kits business. I would like to thank those that have used my service in the past and passed on what I do to others. To date 10-4-2021, I have overhauled over 400 water pumps. I have been doing water pump overhauls for many years and I have decided to sell my very unique business. My plan is to sell it or end it in the next 6 to 8 months. With that in mind, if you’re in need or would like to get your pump overhauled before then, please contact me asap. If there is anyone out there that is interested in my business, please email me at azv65@aol.com for more details Some on my business details below: I have a very good inventory of overhauled pumps, approx. 100 My website is included (azv65.com) VERY nice database with details, dimensions, photographs, and notes for about all 50 different models. Equipment: Bead Blaster, Press, Precision Measuring Equipment. (These are optional if you already have) Good inventory of parts for all models I overhaul. Training, hands on if you’re local. Detailed videos if you’re not. Custom made tooling made for each model I would like to keep this business going for all those that love their vintage bikes, it is very unique, profitable and I am the only business that does these overhauls. I cannot think of a country I have not shipped a water pump to. Ride safe and please pass on the word if you know someone that may be interested. Thanks Tom

and if they do see the tiny lights, such small size would give impression that bike is further away than actual. Increases risk of them pulling out in front of you.

I ABSOLUTELY love that front cowl and the round headlights.

Southern BRP, 6th gens and bicyclist.

My version of Sport Touring was heavy on Sport and not much on sight seeing...

It's just a question of getting used to it. I'd hate it if I had to go back to the old layout. Definitely harder if you you own 1 or more bikes of each design.

Honda just needs to update and modernize.. Here's a pic from down by Lake Wallowa a month or so ago... Full disclosure: I bought a '17 BMW R1200RS this past summer, and have ridden it almost 4000 miles sines June 16. I have put 3500 miles on the Viffer too.. However, IMHO there is NO comaparison between the Viffer and the Beemer. Yea, it is a much more expensive bike, but it is thoroughly modern in every way... The BMW electronics site, the chassis, suspension, and brakes are far superior... the 1170cc boxer engine is just plain awesome. Ride by wire and e-cruise is a treat when traveling. It weighs 520#... And.. i can get 200 miles from a tank of fuel, which is enough.. So to me it is worth it cost wise.. Dunno if i will keep the '08Viffer or not. I still grin when i ride it... If Honda builds an equally modern version VFR I would be very tempted to buy in..

Plenty of use for the centre stand when you’re on a tour and need to repair/replace a tyre.

Checking in from VA....I still have the VFR, ridden it a few more times, got a few more things sorted. Only one recent stupid moment. Got the 750 out for a couple of 50 mile or so rides late summer, I really like the bike, a lot different than my ZRX1100 and ST1100. Anyways pics to prove it happened and everybody likes pics...I have been using it to run errands and such. As far as continuing to get things sorted, after checking the spark plugs I went ahead and put the cooling fan back on the radiator, I didn't really need it for the rides I was doing so waited to re-install it after having it off while working on the engine. The other thing that needed sorting was my lack of a working petcock situation. Some may remember that my bike came with a gutted, missing pieces shell of a petcock so I was just using it as a way to get fuel from the tank but not to shut off the flow of fuel when removing the tank. It works great but I needed a way to shut off the fuel. I looked at a few different inline options but didn't like any of them. I thought about fitting a Pingel brand petcock to the tank but that option is pricy and would require I make an adapter plate. While surfing the net I found an inline disconnect that goes in a fuel line and shuts off the flow when disconnected. So far it has worked out well.....fits in the space and doesn't leak, flow rate is acceptable with an 1/4" ID. A couple of pics, on the bench and then installed. Oh and the stupid moment.....well that happens when you get ready to go for a ride, check your oil, coolant, tire pressure and then forget to put gas in the tank AND you don't have a working gas gauge because you had not yet procured a new fuel tank sending unit to replace the one that came on the bike that looked like it had been on the bottom of the North Atlantic with the Titanic. The wife graciously rescued me and brought me gas but I really hated bothering her while relaxing. Yea that was a dumb ass move. Funny how you can forget to add gas as you get all excited to go for and start your ride, but it only takes a fraction of a second to realize what you didn't do as the bike coughs and stops running - OOPS. I have since fixed this situation, replacing what I had that was basically just a blank off plate, with a functioning sending unit. Oh and the KBS gas tank sealer/liner I used is still holding up well. Here is a pic. The pinhead size bubbles are from my not doing the application 100% correct, bubbles appear where the coating ends up too think and the solvents are trying to gas off and weren't able to because of the thicker application. I tried, I literally spent hours rotating and draining off excess sealer but it's hard not to get some build up. You want to avoid bubbles because that is a place where the liner could break down, so far it has not, I am thinking it would only be a problem with large bubbles. Anyway, again, the KBS product has done the job well in that it cleaned out the rust, prepped and then sealed the tank well. That's about it for me. Once again if anyone wants to do a ride in the Shenandoah Valley there is still plenty of good Fall riding weather left so just send me a message or something, available most weekdays or weekends.