The Motorcycle Discussion Thread

[Dayze]

I figure there are some motorcycle guys/gals on CP, so I thought we could have a place to talk all things Motorcycles.

Tire Mount and Balance Prices (as of 10/29/16)

Prices based on if you remove the wheels yourself and bring the wheels and new tires with you:

Cycle Gear - $35 per wheel if you buy tires from them. $58 per wheel if you buy tires elsewhere
Rawhide - $65 per wheel (assuming it would be the same at other HD dealers. they book it at 1/2 hr per wheel)
C R Cycle Tires (DeSoto) - $30 per wheel

Cheapest I've found my Michelin Commander II's. Seem like they have good prices on other brands too.
http://www.jakewilson.com - Free 3 day shipping on orders over $75

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Graystoke

So does it run tubes?
I have Spokes on my Triumph and I run tubes. Just changed out the tires and decided I better get new tubes as well.

Yes. Which I find kind of odd since I believe they already have tubeless spokes in their 1200.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Graystoke

DUCATI!
However, there is no way I could even afford to maintain one.

you'd be surprised at how easy it is to work on 2v Desmo's.
99% of the valves will remain in spec, short of racing the motor constantly. Order a set of shims, or order the specific shims if needed when checking tolerance.

and, Ducati since 2006 (I think) extended their valve check/adjustment intervals.

Ducati for YEARs was notorious for frequent and $$ maintenance. But over the years they've really really improved upon it. Granted, the intervals are still probably every 5k for the valves - and the metric counter parts are probably 15k. But a lot of folks fail to consider that the valve actuation is mechanical - opening AND closing the valves via rocker (as opposed to springs). But, as mentioned earlier, unless you're full-on racing the bike, the likelihood of needing to actually adjust the valves is somewhat rare. But still good to check to make sure you're not losing any power.

4v Desmo's....yeah, that can get time consuming, or $$$ if taking to a dealer.

[Graystoke]

Originally Posted by Dayze

you'd be surprised at how easy it is to work on 2v Desmo's.
99% of the valves will remain in spec, short of racing the motor constantly. Order a set of shims, or order the specific shims if needed when checking tolerance.

and, Ducati since 2006 (I think) extended their valve check/adjustment intervals.

Ducati for YEARs was notorious for frequent and $$ maintenance. But over the years they've really really improved upon it. Granted, the intervals are still probably every 5k for the valves - and the metric counter parts are probably 15k. But a lot of folks fail to consider that the valve actuation is mechanical - opening AND closing the valves via rocker (as opposed to springs). But, as mentioned earlier, unless you're full-on racing the bike, the likelihood of needing to actually adjust the valves is somewhat rare. But still good to check to make sure you're not losing any power.

4v Desmo's....yeah, that can get time consuming, or $$$ if taking to a dealer.

Interesting. I didn't know. My buddy had a Multistrada, granted 2006, and he was always spending big bucks on Maintenance intervals

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Graystoke

So does it run tubes?
I have Spokes on my Triumph and I run tubes. Just changed out the tires and decided I better get new tubes as well.

This guy comes highly regarded for converting your tubed rims to tubeless...

http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/home.htm

[Dayze]

ran a few errands on the bike a bit ago.....COLD! lol.
not bad in that 35-45MPH city riding. I did about 20 miles, with 2 stops, and by the time I got home I was a bit cold.
windy out there today as well so be careful.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Graystoke

Interesting. I didn't know. My buddy had a Multistrada, granted 2006, and he was always spending big bucks on Maintenance intervals

oh don't get me wrong; Ducati labor at the shop is nuts.
More than HD I suspect.
THe 'myth' IMO, is Ducatis are some mystical engineering piece that only a select few can work on. I would submit that anyone with a decent elementary knowledge of how a motor works, can perform the valve checks/adjustments themselves if they have a good shop manual and take their time.

I knew a lot of sportbike riders that just swore up and down that Duc maintenance seemed like it was every 1k miles. Shit, 80% of those guys probably didn't put 5k on their bikes annually. I have a friend who is a Duc guy, and the first time we checked the valves, we just did it in the winter time so we weren't tempted to rush anything. after that first experience, the subsequent checks were gravy.

I alway tell people who are thinking of getting a Monster, Multi, or any 2v Duc, to not let the myth stand in their way. The sound, the torque etc, more than out-weigh any apprehension. Plus, who wouldn't want the satisfaction of knowing their bike inside and out; and knowing they can work on it.

[Dayze]

first visit to Cassoday KS today (first Sunday of each month). awesome time/ride. Got there a little later that I would have liked (11:30), but still got to see some cool bikes and shoot the breeze.

388 miles and 13 hours later, I'm back home. My ass is killing me, but such an awesome day. Got lost in the middle of nowhere. Ran out of gas .5 miles from a gas station. Great times at least I know how many miles I can get out of a tank now lol (90.2 to be exact)

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by Dayze

first visit to Cassoday KS today (first Sunday of each month). awesome time/ride. Got there a little later that I would have liked (11:30), but still got to see some cool bikes and shoot the breeze.

388 miles and 13 hours later, I'm back home. My ass is killing me, but such an awesome day. Got lost in the middle of nowhere. Ran out of gas .5 miles from a gas station. Great times at least I know how many miles I can get out of a tank now lol (90.2 to be exact)

Nice, I want to do that ride at some point this year. I did spend about 6 hours today putting on the LED Mirrors... what a monumental pain in the Ass. Anyway, here's the end result...

[Dayze]

nice.

I hate it when what appears to be a relatively simple job, ends up turning into a huge PITA. I probably won't get to it until possibly fall or over the winter, but when I put on different bars, I've heard that it is a HUGE pain. Not 'as bad' if you're not changing out / extending cables and lines, but still....
I'm fully anticipating it being a pain.

Cassoday was cool. we didn't get the group on the road until probably 9:30. so by the time we got there, there wasn't nearly as many bikes. From my understanding, when it gets warm, the place is PACKED by like 8:30 - 9:00am. It would be cool to roll up and see that many bikes all over the place.

The ride itself was pretty fun. though, pretty boring up until Council Grove. We just took 56 through gardner all the way to Council Grove. but south of Council Grove, it started to get fun; great scenery etc.

I'll tell ya....there aint much to Cassoday lol. I'm talking, nothing lol. One little restaurant and that's about it. Fun day. definitely worth making it down there. I'll be heading down next month for sure.

[Graystoke]

Originally Posted by Dayze

first visit to Cassoday KS today (first Sunday of each month). awesome time/ride. Got there a little later that I would have liked (11:30), but still got to see some cool bikes and shoot the breeze.

388 miles and 13 hours later, I'm back home. My ass is killing me, but such an awesome day. Got lost in the middle of nowhere. Ran out of gas .5 miles from a gas station. Great times at least I know how many miles I can get out of a tank now lol (90.2 to be exact)

90.2!
Wow, that isn't much is it?
My range is 230, but I have never pushed it past 200.

[Dayze]

2.2 gallons I believe.
i think it got a little less than anticipated because I raised the tank 3", and I'm running XiEDs to run a little richer.

I've read others can get to 100 - 110. It was surging and surging, and I was like 'C'mooooooon Betty'. then it was finally done; and I could literally see the gas station.

We were at a hwy intersection and the lead bike was like "Can you make it 25 to Yates City". I was at 66.2....and ran out at 90.2 lol. 'almost' 25. Oh well. Wouldn't be a ride unless some shit happened. I've always wondered what I could get out of her......now I know lol

[TheUte]

The love the old HD peanut tanks, just classic.

Wouldn't think HD could add some capacity without changing the tank, maybe just stretch it a little or hide it some how.

100 miles is nothing really. When you go across Nevada there are areas when gas stops are a couple hundred miles apart.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by TheUte

The love the old HD peanut tanks, just classic.

Wouldn't think HD could add some capacity without changing the tank, maybe just stretch it a little or hide it some how.

100 miles is nothing really. When you go across Nevada there are areas when gas stops are a couple hundred miles apart.

Dayze would have to bungee a gas can to his bike.

[Dayze]

no shit lol. or wear a camel back full of gas lol

[Dayze]

http://www.ozarkmountainthunder.com/index.html