keithbob

On 2/13/2018 at 8:23 AM, Dutchy said:

Welcome back keithbob, but COME ON!!!!!!!

 

NO PICTURE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! 

 

Okay - here's a photo of my wife, Jalene, and I with the Y2K we had waaaaay back when - I think this was taken in 2006 by Loni whose VFRD avatar I can't even remember.

Next photo is of Jalene on her bike down in Argentina, not far out of Bariloche.  That was in 2016, when we were on our way down to Tierra del Fuego.  We quit our jobs in 2015, packed up the house and rented it out, and lived on the bikes for two years.  We got back in July of 2017.  The third picture is me a little further south, in Chile along a section of the Carreterra Austral.  Now we're back in Oregon, assimilating back into North American life (what the hell?) and trying not to just bolt for the border again.

The story and lots of photos can be found on our website:  www.southonabike.com

If any of you are considering chucking it and taking a loooong trip, and want any information, start there first.  It's amazing, and I can tell you how to do it -  just up and quit and take off for a couple of years.  Life changes, yes, but that's the whole point, now isn't it?

I washed off the "new" VFR in the rain this morning in preparation for plastic removal - it really cleaned up well with soap and water, and I'm more optimistic about what shape I'll find things in.  Oil & filter change, new hoses, thermostat & coolant, air filter to begin with.  Valve check (I doubt I'll need any shims), plugs, rebuild the forks.  Steering head bearings check okay, tires are good.

Things things are like Civics, just feed 'em and ride 'em.  My Y2K needed 2 shims at 20,000 miles and when I checked them next at 70K everything was still in spec.  Gotta love Hondas.  We traveled on BMW F650s, and they were pretty bulletproof, but they still were not are worry-free as a VFR.  Once a VFR is sorted, it's rock solid.

Quote

Hi all-

I belonged to VFRD for many years - some of you may remember me and my yellow 5th-gen.  I live out in Newport, Oregon and we hosted one of the early Pac-West meets out here in 2006.  The yellow VFR was sold several years back when I got into the GS thing, but recently a red 98 5th-gen has found it's way back into my garage, so it's "Hello again" to VFRD.

The bike is complete but has sat for quite awhile.  I'll clean it up and ride it, but will likely be selling it come closer to summer.  Keep that in mind if you're looking for a 5th-gen with everything present and functioning.  I fired it up this afternoon and it seems in good running order.  Now comes the teardown and thorough sorting through.  It has 50K miles and has sat in the garage for years.  It has some coastal corrosion, not too bad, but it's all there and working.  The cool thing is I have known the guy for a long, long time and we used to ride our VFRs together locally years ago.  He was at the 2006 meet here, so some of you met him, and that bike, when we all had the bikes hosted at the Rogue Brewery that night.

When I fired it up this afternoon there was a pretty foul smell that rose up, I wonder if I should have looked in the airbox first...  

Questions for the crowd - are VFRnesses still available?  It may have some grounding issues, no news there, and I'll sort that out.  I think that's about all it really needs besides the usual VFR TLC.  I'll also install a voltmeter while I'm at it.  Other than that I'm going to leave it stock.  There are almost no mods on this bike.

Anyway, I'm back, and it would be fun to know if any of you still hang out on here after all these years away.  As always, moto-travelers always have a spare bed here on the Oregon Coast.

All the best-

Keithbob

I have a factory service manual for an 82-83 VF750S Sabre if anyone out there owing one. A bit of VFR pre-history, I owned an 82 for 30+ years and just recently let it go. (I still can't figure out why I sold the '00 VFR...)

We're packing up the house in prep for a 2-yr trip on the bikes to South America, so it's FREE to a good home, just PM me an address to send it to.

Keith

I rode up to Mary's Peak yesterday but did not know the location of this memorial and did not see it. I asked the ranger at the summit parking lot but he was not familiar with it. If I knew the location I'd take an updated photo of the site. The summit road had gravel down the center of the lanes in places so it paid to be careful.

Judi just reminded me that we put the stone down off the road (and the Ranger's won't know about it) because we did it on our own without permission. So it's best not to ask anyone official about it and draw attention. Not to seem selfish, but it's really just for us who know where to look, and who had a connection to Rich (that's all you VFRD folks, whether you met him or not).

But they did put up that great sign for us!

Thanks everyone, for the kind words and memories. And if I wasn't hosting a BMW campout the weekend of the Oregon Trails thing, I'd have to crash it and say hi to olds friends. I'd love to show you what tuned aftermarket suspension on a GS allows you to do to a front tire - amazing!

We now have a perfect marker for finding the stone we set that marks where Rich came to rest!

Head up Mary's Peak Road off of Hwy 34 until you come to Parker Creek Falls. Turn around and go back down maybe 150-200 yards. Exactly where he left the road, there is now an "ELEVATION 3000 FT" sign. In the photos below, you can see the sign, and my GS is parked directly above where the stone was placed, about 30-40 feet down from the road. You will see a large log, maybe 4' dia., lying at the base of the tree that it snapped off of. From the elevation sign, angle down to the left and you will find the marker stone just above the log. Pretty neat.

There's even room to park a few bikes in the grass by the signpost.

The forest is always changing, and the pine needles and duff have built up around the coffee cup and shoes, which are taking on a nice green from the moss. I cleared away the sticks and such, but left the natural buildup of things. It doesn't seem like 8 years have passed, but they have.

As for me, I'm doing just great out here, and continue to have adventures on the GS, aka Shrek or The Horse or The Big Pig depending on what I'm traversing at the moment. I continue to check in here from time to time, and it seems things are carrying on in fine order, typical fashion. I may have to show up at another VFRD event to check in with old friends. One of my great memories is having 33 VFRs parked in my driveway when we had you all here in Newport in 2006.

So if you go up to Mary's Peak and you were a friend of Rich's, or even if you never met him, now it's easy to find his marker. Remember, he loved his coffee, so if you pack a thermos, spare him a drop or two in his cup.

Afterwards you'll need to go down to Alsea and have pie at Deb's.

I rode up to Mary's Peak yesterday but did not know the location of this memorial and did not see it. I asked the ranger at the summit parking lot but he was not familiar with it. If I knew the location I'd take an updated photo of the site. The summit road had gravel down the center of the lanes in places so it paid to be careful.

The marker itself is down off the road, and there is no marker to tell you where to look. And things have changed a little since they re-paved a section of road there. Next time I'm up there I'll note the landmarks on the road by it, and maybe put a secret paint mark on the edge where you go down to it. It's quite unofficial, so the ranger would have no knowledge of it. I'll post up again with how to find it. Maybe the GPS coordinates, too.

Thanks for thinking of Rich. I still drop in to VFRD from time to time, even though the VFR was sold quite a while ago. At least I still have the Saber in the garage to give me that old V4 feeling.

A Honda factory part, supplied through the marine parts catalog. Waterproof. I think it cost me about $35 3-4 years ago. 2" hole in the LH fairing, wired to switched power off a relay. Lots of people thought it dead stock.

I thought about leaving it off, but its sad to see it just hanging on the wall in the shop.

Yeah yell me about it.

I have had the cutting out when slowing down before... many years ago.

The solution for me was to tidy up the battery terminals and refit the connections (thought the battery was moving under braking)

And I also up'ed the idle. Never happened again. Dunno if this was truely what was wrong

I would like to know what causes the surge when the PCII is disconnected? And the stalling when you tried the other ecu (by itself)?

My bike just surges a slight bit in parking lots, I hear its very common and thats why most folks buy Power Commander to get rid of that surge.

I did not try the ECU by itself, it tried it with the PC and it did stall. So that ruled out my ECU.

We did the Starter valve sync and it helped the starting.

The injectors must of been partially clogged as the Seafoam helped the bike run stronger on the low end.

I put the Power Commander back in and its still doing it. I tried multiple maps and any time I get near 2750-3000 its like hitting the rev limiter and it just cuts out until it drops below 2750 and its back on.

The bike does it with a load and without ( aka sitting in drive way, in neutral and just giving it throttle until it hits 2750 ish.

It didn't seem to do it on the other bike.

Grounds? If it was a grounding issue it would happen without the power commander.

I had a similar issue when I put a factory-new PC-II in my yellow '00 in 2005. Turns out the "ignition side" of the PC-II (whatever...) was not working correctly and the factory had me send it back. Their "fix" was to disable the ignition side of the PC-II, after which the bike quit cutting out under certain just-off-idle conditions. It would actually quit running for a second or two, often when in the middle of an intersection or some other perfect place.

You might call DynoJet and see if this is what they think. After that fix, the mid-range flat spot disappeared with a little map massage and it runs beautifully. Had to change all the 9s to 8s in the map to make the FI light quit coming on. Dynojet said that was the norm for bikes living right at sea level.

I'm glad I persevered. Good luck! BTW, we will be in Boise on the GS in late July.....

I've plugged a tire while touring two-up and loaded, with good results. I too use the gummy ropes. Once we plugged a tire mid-morning and then rode through 109 degrees in the afternoon just fine, though I was a bit nervous and held the speed down that day. I used the tires till they were worn out. I think I've plugged tires twice or three times over the years.

Carrying a plug kit and a teeny 12v pump has saved the day and I always have one aboard now.

Off work tomorrow - will anyone still be there (Friday)? I'm at least going for a ride somewhere and have some fun while I sulk.

If not, se la vie - everyone ride safe on the way out and homeward. Jalene and I will look for you in 2012 or on our rides if we pass through your area. We are talking about a trans-Canada next summer.

keithbob and Mrs. keithbob

Many thanks to Didit and Choco for lifting most of the burden of the shirts and logo off me. Sorry, but there is just too much in life right now and some things are getting dropped. It's nice to have VFRD friends that will pick up the slack for us. I owe you two beers for sure!

Understood, responsibilities sometimes get in the way of fun. Now to clarify what you meant by "I owe you two beers." Did you mean you owe me two beers or you owe the two of us a beer each or you owe the two of us two beers each? Just trying to get my :fing02: :fing02: :blink: :beer: in a row. :blush:

Ummm, you may have to come down here in the end to get those beers. It's now looking so grim and doubtful about Mr. & Mrs. keithbob making the meet that we've cancelled our reservations at Edgefield, and simply hope that we can break away for the Friday to ride up there, maybe showing up Thursday nite.

Of course, anyone that wants to come through Newport before or after will have a camping spot in our backyard, and a willing local guide to Coast Range roads.

I'm pretty bummed about the whole thing. :mad:

On a side note, the other KLR hooligan (Bjorn) may not be able to make it. Some low-life crackhead stole his beat up, filthy fully ghetto-ized KLR yesterday. How bad and messed up is your life when you steal that POS! I can imagine the hopped up crackhead trying to sell the KLR and the best offer he will get is a 6 pack of beer - maybe? Oh well, but not sure if he will have another bike before the ride.

Damn, that hurts! I hope something can be worked out.

Many thanks to Didit and Choco for lifting most of the burden of the shirts and logo off me. Sorry, but there is just too much in life right now and some things are getting dropped. It's nice to have VFRD friends that will pick up the slack for us. I owe you two beers for sure!

And a Great Job on the logo and T, too! I've never posted the logo in my signature before a meet, but at least I can get that done.

Jalene and I intend on making at least some of the meet, but it's likely to be later in the week. I know that I have the Friday off, at least, but can't count on much more than that. And we should be free for the weekends before and after - our house is always open for VFRD visitors coming down the coast.

I'm in Newport...

The OR coast is a long strip, where are you at?

I put a teaser link up on the homepage but reused the old oregon ride icon, if there is an "official" ride icon for this let me know and I will put it up on the server. I hope I can do this one! PNW or bust ride!

Keithbob and I are collaborating on the icon and shirt, stay tuned. Do try to make it, great place to stay and wonderful roads all through Oregon and Washington.

Yours truly has been slacking big-time on this! Mea culpa. I'm back on it now and will get an icon out to HS as soon as it's done. I may draft Didit on this after I get the images to use. I have to admit it was the Chief Joseph BMW rally this past weekend that got me sparked up again.

I'm also back to work on the shirt, hoping to do what I did in '06 (with Rogue) and use an Edgefield classic shirt with block lettering of our meet on the back. Just need to get final permission from Edgefield and a price.

Stand by for news.

Rain. PNW riders swear by it.

Just did mine today.

Jalene shot this while we were coming out of Yosemite a few years back. Gently....

Sand on road

Glacier Natn'l Park 2005 trip

By St.Mary Lake

For longer trips I've got this--the Cortech Tri-bag. You con configure it anyway you like. I've had it for years and it's still going strong!

:cheerleader:

I've done 10 days touring BC with just the essentials in mine. Great bag, and I love the way I can zip the big one off and the small one on in 60 seconds for a day ride. It's lasted for many, many tours over 6 years now and still is in perfect shape. Best luggage buy I ever made. It looks big in the picture below, and it is, but it really doesn't get in the way at all.

West end Lolo Pass

Lee,

Just wondering if you (when you can) could edit your first post to show the tentative schedule for things to happen.

A few of us may be altering our arrival / departure dates and want to make sure we are there for the group ride day and such.

Initially, we were looking at arriving on Tuesday then departing Friday, but now may be looking at a Mon - Thurs plan, so as

to take a nice leisurely route homeward bound. Also, do you need any funds in advance for meals, shirts or stuff?

As well, if you need anything printed, I'm happy to volunteer / supply them from my inhouse digital printer.

Can do upto 300lb weight in mass quantity, as well as custom stickers etc. Offer stands if you need it.

Only 145 days until!!!

We're working out the details now about whether or not we will be collecting money up front, etc. We will be having a reconnoitering meeting at Edgefield as soon as we can to work out with them what is best as far as how to have a big dinner together, how we are going to handle the shirts (that's me), and other details. I'm sure Choco will chime in here pretty quick if he needs you to help with anything - thanks.

We will get an "official" looking first-post in place with all the info post-haste.

I guess you've loosened and adjusted the plates on the side?

Yep. A ridiculous number of times.

I've had the same problem with my Shoei and after adjusting the sideplates managed to get mine to stop leaking for the most part, but not completely. I agree that it's when you are going slow that it becomes a problem. Personally, it's not that big an issue to me as I ride with the shield cracked open in the rain anyway to help with fogging.

I need to replace my helmet this year, actually way past due, and I'm anxious to hear if anyone out there can give us a review of how well the new spring-loaded visor mechanism works to seal the shield, and also about how the venting has been improved, if any.

Sorry if I'm of little assistance, but good luck, and we'll hope to see you at PNW VFRD in August.

Wow, that looks sweet. I would do the same if I had a seat vendor in my back yard.

You can ship to him, and have great results-

We used Bill Mayer for our VFR seat, and it's been superb. We got both sections custom tuned to our butts, and it's the best money one could ever spend on the VFR if they are into touring. Loads better than Corbins I've had.

BillMayerSaddles.com

Send your seat to Rocky in Ojai. I had my section done that way first 4 years ago. We had long conversations by phone and they did a great job after I shipped the seat to them. Two summers ago, we rode through Ojai and had Jalene's pillion section done at the factory while on vacation. She's comfortable no matter what the distance, and she likes how the slight bucket keeps her firmly planted while cornering and braking. They catered BBQ sandwiches for us while we were there.

I will go with Bill Mayer for saddles from now on. Nice choice!!

Do you have any pics of the seat. i was apprehensive of doing too much to the passenger seat due to looking funny on the bike. i still got my seat cowling to fit but i dont know if all day rides will be that comfy for a passenger.

I will shoot some photos in the next day or two and post them. The pillion section loses it's sleekness, and I can't put the cowling on any more. But form follows function for us, and I did get a lot of positive comments at the Summit in Colorado.

Here's the seat after BM did my rider's section. This was done by mail. The pillion cover still fit at this point.

Saddle by BillMayerSaddles.com

Here we are getting a second-fitting while Jalene's pillion section was being built at the Ojai factory. We did this three or four times throughout the process. They carefully shaped it exactly as she wanted, with the edges of her bucket rounded-off like mine so she can slide around, yet, still stay planted under braking.

Second fitting.jpg

Here is the seat with Jalene's section finished. It may not have that sleek 150mph look to it anymore, but boy does she ever love it. It now has the 600+ mile-per-day look. Obviously, the cover will no longer come close to fitting over it, but how would that look with the ugly WingRack, anyway? She still prefers to tour on the VFR over our GoldWing, and that's saying something. The lines across the back of my section are where three different layers of foam meet under the newer, more flexible seat skin. I gave up the cross-hatched stuff for the more compliant "regular" vinyl.

Wow, that looks sweet. I would do the same if I had a seat vendor in my back yard.

You can ship to him, and have great results-

We used Bill Mayer for our VFR seat, and it's been superb. We got both sections custom tuned to our butts, and it's the best money one could ever spend on the VFR if they are into touring. Loads better than Corbins I've had.

BillMayerSaddles.com

Send your seat to Rocky in Ojai. I had my section done that way first 4 years ago. We had long conversations by phone and they did a great job after I shipped the seat to them. Two summers ago, we rode through Ojai and had Jalene's pillion section done at the factory while on vacation. She's comfortable no matter what the distance, and she likes how the slight bucket keeps her firmly planted while cornering and braking. They catered BBQ sandwiches for us while we were there.

I will go with Bill Mayer for saddles from now on. Nice choice!!

will the VFR be able to cope with two sets of jacket liners and gloves for it's touring duties with pillion?

Like you, I have a '00. I've always checked my electrical connectors regularly, trying to keep things clean. On occasion, my wife and I will be touring and will have on simultaneously: my Gerbing jacket liner, her Gerbing jacket liner, pants liners, and Gerbing socks, and the heated handgrips. The voltmeter stays steady at 13.8-141.1, unless I roll out of the throttle and RPMs drop below 1800. Like someone else said, the volts then drop like a stone to 11 or even less, so I try to keep it rolling.

On our way across Wyoming for the Summit this year, my R/R-stator connector burnt on one leg (everything was switched on, near freezing that AM), so I put my jacket liner away for the rest of the trip. After putting in a VFRness and eliminating the connector (soldering), the system seems to handle the load much better, but I think I'm pushing things a bit sometimes. The stator wires will sometimes get warm when everything is on, but not overly hot.

BTW, I didn't discover the burnt connector until after we were home in Oregon, 6 riding-days later. I had just observed the voltmeter reading in an unstable manner on that cold morning, and for the rest of the trip. We were very, very lucky.

My simpleton understanding is that IF the voltmeter is showing it's "normal" voltage, and the stator wires are not overly warm, you're OK. Be very cautious of that stator connector, though, and keep the ground connections clean, too. Check into one of Tightwads VFRness kits.

Electrons are our friend, let them work for you, especially if they are keeping your pillion happy!

Great ride and report - tell us about Emde! Did you get to talk with him, or get an autograph? I think I'd have been stuttering and stammering. Too cool.

My 5th gen burns out low beams about once a year. They both go at nearly the same time - often within a day or week of each other. When one goes, I replace them both. I've seen the same thing on cars.

Heated gloves work well. I love my heated Gerbings gear, let's us ride year-round here.

Another trick I use is to put my Aerostich Triple-digit raincovers over deerskin gloves when it's wet and cold. The windproof barrier makes a huge difference in warmth and I don't have so much material between hand and heated grip, allowing for a more relaxed hand and arm. Layering in action.