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Long over due update.
Still tinkering with the Honda. I have to hand it to Honda. When they design a bike it is a pretty thing but a heck of a machine to strip down. Can't figure out how to remove some side panels even with the service manual. But I did manage to get my driving light wiring harness snaked through from front to back. Actually 2 of them for future use just in case. Four wires to a harness and both were TOO Dang Short. Imagine that. Measure twice and cut once you say...........ah just start over.
So now I have one 8 wire harness with plenty of added length. I started doing the light wiring about 2 months ago on a slow schedule so I wouldn't get too busy and do something stupid. NOW I actually have the lights wired and functioning properly. I am impressed with the whole set-up. Now I have to figure out how and where some of the removed plastic bits of bike have to go back on. I don't like puzzles that much and I have a dandy puzzle here. The headlight plastic shroud and signal mounting panels are a few of the pieces. Lots of many weird pieces that fit very precisely and should not be forced into position. But first I have to tuck the wiring out of sight and under some of the plastic just below the ignition switch. Floor boards are in place but will likely need adjusting once I start riding again. I even have a custom made heel shifter to mount behind the floor board. Many thanks to a very smart Honda owner who dreamed it up and had a few made to fit this bike. Still need to do wiring for the air horn and determine where to mount it safely. Have smaller sport bike Nelson-Rigg bags to go on too. They will do well for storing rain gear, a compressor, water and odds and ends. Oh yeah, I have installed a power point under the seat for the compressor too. Time to run some much needed errands right now so I'll sign off. Pics will follow eventually when the bike is buttoned up and on the road. |
Finally got the Honda out of my living room and into the under ground parking area. Still have a couple tweaks to do but nothing to stop me from riding. Pictures in a couple days if all goes well and I can figure out how to post pics on this strange and annoying laptop which I love to hate. A desktop is my weapon of choice and this goofy thing is my backup system if I can sweet talk it to cooperate.
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Finally got the bike out of my living room and parked where it will live this summer. Most of the mods are done but I still have to ride to see if I accomplished to make a real bike out of this Honda. Pics to follow in a few days.
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You must have wide living room doors (or a narrow bike) I wanted to get mine into my workshop (with a normal size door) but it just won't fit through the door.
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Final install of shield, mirrors and soft bags were done in the underground parking area. Loaded the bags with rain gear, tire repair kit, compressor, tool kit and what not. Yesterday was a real treat. Drove the Ranger south to Horse Shoe Bay in Vancouver to meet two very good friends for coffee. The bike was not an option as they had 2 24x18 framed pics that are destined for one of my walls. Had a wonderful visit and we parted company. Drove home in time to meet the regular coffee crowd at noon in Squamish. Then at 2 pm I fired up the bike for the first ride of the year. It was quite an experience. I just might have made the Honda a rideable bike for me. The floor boards made such a difference that I am amazed. No more fighting to keep my feet on the pegs that were too far forward for me and made shifting and rear braking such a PITA. Road North up to Whistler for a coffee and had a great first ride. Very comfy and relaxing. Having raised the fork tube up 1 inch in the triples has made the steering just a little better in the curves and almost a bit sporty but not real sporty like I had with my Vstrom in years gone by. The Vstrom with a fork brace and raised fork tubes could compete with sport bikes in the curves. I never did find the bikes limits with sticky tires. So I had a great day overall and the future is bright. Just a couple more tweaks to the adjustable Madstad windshield and I should be done for a while. |
WW, glad you got the Honda ride-able. :)
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At last. Finally got a midnight coffee run with the LED driving lights working. The lights throw a cone of light down the road and to the sides. Great for cornering. Final tweaking for alignment is forth coming. Still not sure if I will ever really like this bike but it is a good machine. Just very Vanilla sort of thing.
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Parked the bike for winter last week. A full tank of non-ethanol gas and fuel stabilizer. A half hour on the battery tender once a month and every thing will be fine till spring riding weather. :ride:
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The riding is just getting good here. Temps are in the low to mid 80's during the day with plenty of sunshine and very little wind. Took a ride up to the Mt. Charleston area to see the trees turn color (mostly aspen) and then back down going through Red Rock Canyon State Park. I also went down to the Strip as I haven't been there since before the shootings and stopped to see the memorial set up by the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Sad state of affairs.
While I miss the 4 seasons, I don't miss the cold. Hope you have a good winter WW2. |
Thanks Vegas Street Rider. I could still be riding if I hadn't gotten ride of all my winter gear when I sold the Vstrom 5 years ago. I am primarily a sunshine rider now in summer but do enjoy the midnight coffee runs when traffic is very light.
We still get quite a few riders from the Greater Vancouver Area coming up for coffee but they are likely more tolerant of colder temps than I am. That may sound silly for a boy from the frozen prairies but since moving here in 2005 my body will not have anything to do with cold weather. |
I can relate to that. That is one of the reasons I live in Vegas. I worked in the extreme cold weather in the North for decades and now my body can't tolerate it anymore so I avoid that kind of weather as much as possible (except during skiing season). Take care.
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