Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Text call etc. Works exactly like a normal phone number but through Googles app.

 

Huh. Never heard of it. Still, I don't think I can do that. Email is the only contact option on the ad. Just gotta wait and see what the guy does, I guess.

 

I noticed that the inquiry through cycletrader to the bike in KS I got an automated message from cycletrader that it was sent. I never got that for the Cali bike. I sent another, and apologized if it was a repeat.

These are the questions I asked.

1 - Are you the original owner of the bike?

2 - Where the sun damaged the dash, does the indicator for the turn signal still function properly? Are there any gaps created by the melting at any of the assembly seems on the dash?

3 - Was the bike flashed/tuned with the addition of the exhaust, or is it still stock? Does the exhaust include its baffle?

4 - What brand of auxiliary lights are those? Would you mind sending me some additional pictures of how they are mounted? The images on cycletrader aren't clear enough to see very well. Did you have to drill to mount them?

5 - When the barkbusters and engine guards got their character markings, did either have to be bent back out afterward? I've read SW Motech bars tend to partially collapse to absorb energy and often have to be bent back into shape.

6 - Do you mind sharing the story behind the character gained on the bars/guards?

7 - Do you have any maintenance records for the bike?

8 - Does the skid plate have to be removed to change the oil, or can it remain in place?

9 - I see a tank ring for a bag. Can that be removed and do you have the stock hardware?

10 - If the headlight guard were removed, are any stock hardware pieces included?

11 - Are any of the stock components included with the bike?​

 

No garage, some tools. Here.

 

I can answer some of those questions.

4. Aux lights look like these. (My bike came with them too lol)

$29 Kairiyard 3" LED Motorcycle Driving Lights 60W 6000K Auxiliary Spotlights with DRL/Angel Eye Off Road Light Pod 6000lm LED Fog Work Light for Motorcycle Truck SUV UTV ATV Tractor, 2Pcs

https://www.amazon.com/Kairiyard-Motorcycle-Driving-Auxiliary-Spotlights/dp/B09S3Q872N/

Likely got mounted to the factory aux light mount holes in that area and if wiring was done right the factory aux light plug was used.... The later probably not the case.

8. Likely Yes, the two engine drain bolts while they do have holes in their location on that skid, would probably be way less messy to just remove it, you'll have to anyways to change the oil filter

I see the 2019 also has the winglets air deflectors which are imo a must on the tenere, cleans up the air behind the windshield for sure, pair them with a madstad windshield bracket (or the exact same bracket from AliExpress for 30% the cost) and the air becomes suuuuuper clean behind the windshield

 

4. I know there's Amazon lights that look like everything with a name brand, but with his exhaust choice I am hoping he didn't skimp on electrical. They look like the Cyclops lights too. Can't tell anything though. What would you say the risk is for effing up the wiring/electronics when adding lights?

8. Kind of a litmus test for maintenance. If he has no idea then he's never changed it or it's always gone to a shop. I don't actually like the SW Motech stuff, but you can't buy altrider for the ST anymore.

I hear nothing but good things about the winglets, but somebody somewhere said they painted them black to cut reflections. Not sure if that was in here or on one of the hundred vids I've watched on the ST.

 

Haven't ever had an issue with reflections on the winglets to make me want to paint them. Impact on visibility when moving slow around with painted ones would suck IMO

 

Yeah, it was just something I read. I'd definitely run as is before tinkering.

 

Leaving the local watering hole this evening after running some errands..... walk out and go..... ohhhh wassssssup sexy, how you doiiiin'.

Rather rare to see a tenere 700 in person. Kinda wish I chose to ride the super tenere this evening cus twinning things, but alas the new guy had to park next to ole grandad xt225. Man I have said it before and ill say it again, if you told me.... ONLY ONE BIKE ALLOWED IN YOUR LIFE. It would be the tenere 700 without much thought.

Speaking of the XT225, I played around with jetting some on the xt225 recently, sorted out what ended up being a slight lean bog at peak torque rpm/at or near WOT which I had been overcompensating with extra fuel from idle circuit and excessive needle (mid range) richening. The bike ran AMAZING with previous jetting 99% of the time but would stumble here and there slightly random at near WOT. I mentioned this in the past on here and even went as far as replacing spark plug wires etc thinking ignition problems.

I decided to dig deeper, unfortunately someone in my xt225's past haphazardly cut open the top of the air box completely for "better air flow"... without consideration on how that effects airbox harmonics, air velocity, noise etc. I THINK I got it sorted. Ended up going up to a 135 main jet (from a 127.5 - 125 is stock most go to a 130 max even with exhaust mods - my xt225 has stock exhaust but a baffle has been cut out) and was able to actually reduce richening of the idle/low speed circuit by 1/6th and reduce shimming (richening) over stock of needle (mid range fueling) by 2/3rds from where I was at. No more bogging at or near WOT near peak torque RPMs (lean peak torque running is no joke and can ruin a motor QUICK), and light to moderate throttle at all rpms runs smooth. I think I might actually get better MPGs with this setup too! Time will tell, I have been pulling consistently 50-55mpg on the xt225 riding around town like a hoon so cant complain.

 

Well I went back to my first post in the motorcycle section and it was exactly two years ago today. I read everything I have posted and what an eye opener.
I am fucking crazy. I have spent and lost sooo much money in two years it’s insane. Bought, sold, modified , looked , changed my mind daily. Trucks bikes ect ,,,, No wonder I am fucked in the head. I may need professional help.
I need to stop!!!! I need to find out the reason I am never satisfied with cars , trucks and bikes.
I have been married almost 30yrs and have been 100% faithful, never strayed never tried to change who she is or who my kids are. Why in this part of my life I feel so out of control. Never content, always thinking something else will be better but it almost never is. I have a real money spending problem. I have never ever put my family in jeopardy because or my spending. Always pay my bills on time, have super low debt. Never been in over my head. Saved money for both kids higher education. I just think how much more I could’ve had if I didn’t blow so much on STUFF!!
I need to take a break and do more work on myself than I have been doing. Sorry again for dumping this here but holy shit something has to change.

 

Buddy, you're perfectly ok. Money has absolutely no value unless you spend it, and if your hobby is cycling vehicles and it doesn't put you in financial jeopardy to do it, don't sweat it. Now, if you want to reign in the cost of it, that's fine, but don't go beating yourself up about it. I can share mine if you want to feel better about yours! LOL




And, happy anniversary!

 

The T7 is a damn sharp looking bike. Love the headlight style, but I can't get over the floppy turn signals. Why in the world would they use the old flaccid incandescent ones when LEDs are better in every way and the T7 was so highly anticipated? Such a fumble IMO.

 

I guess I shouldn't say no tools as I have some basics, but nothing bike specific. I need to fix that, but again I don't really have the space for it. Maybe if I can get off my ass and do some spring cleaning and organizing I can designate some space for that stuff.

 

If I could go back and even remember some of the cars, trucks, and bikes I bought, modified, wrecked, sold, and traded and the money spent I'd probably find I could already be retired! There's a big reason hindsight is 20/20. It's because as we age, we see things differently and our opinions of things in life change. Back in the mid 80's I owned a 1971 Dodge Challenger and was building it up as a reasonably fast street car. Friend of mine hauled it to a drag strip for me to put on some break in passes on the track and shortly after I began tearing it all back apart as I now wanted to go drag racing. I hate to even think how much money I lost through that process but at the time I had fun, I learned a lot and have some great memories of the time spent.

You say your bills are paid and you've managed to save some money for your kid's college. Whether you realize or not you are miles ahead of a lot of folks. You're in a healthy, stable relationship and as I recall from a past post have a wife who rips you a new asshole when it's called for. You've got friends on here who will listen without judgement and actually look forward to maybe meeting in person someday. If you feel you need to work on yourself then make a plan and start putting in the work. The pics you posted of when you were in body building show you can make a commitment and are not afraid of hard work.

I believe a mid-life crisis is a real thing. We all become more aware of our ticking clock and no one wants to feel they've missed out on anything. My older brother had a stroke back in late October. He's always been a healthy guy. Vibrant, full of life, and someone who has helped me immensely in the past. There is an 11-year age gap between us. When I talk to him now it's not even my brother I'm speaking with and it sucks. I'm now paying more attention to my own health and fitness. I've gotten better at my diet and working at being a better person both at work and at home.

Feel free to keep venting and if you need to reach out then reach out. Take care!

 

I think that conversation hits home for a lot of us. I'll search for the "perfect" bike/car/tool/toy/etc. for months. Finally get it, and a week later my brain is already on to the next one. It's a good thing we have that little voice telling us we're idiots every now and then. Keeps us in check lol

Hobbies are good, you can't just sit around in a dark room every day with dollar signs in a bank account somewhere. Take care of the family, save some for a rainy day, and enjoy what little we all have left.

 

Heading out in about an hour for King George, VA for a FJR tech day. Couple of FJR owners are coming south from Canada to help do valve checks and adjustments. There are a couple of sets of front forks being rebuilt. One bike is having some Clearwater lights installed. Some bikes need brake fluid flushes and ABS modules exercised. I believe after toe work is done some fine bourbons may be consumed.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

That's awesome that you guys have these kinds of clinics. Definitely a road trip worthy event if you don't have the know how and tools at home.

 

you are good man its just part of this hobby tbh.. being a gear head makes you always look at something else and go wow! that looks cool i want that one day! and either you dream on it every day and never get it and wonder what it could have been. oor you buy it and experience it and go ya know i like this but this was better or that is better and move on.. never look at spending money to modify things as a negative if you enjoy the journey it takes you on! meaning the places you go or the people you meet or just being able to look back and go i owned that and it was sick! i get the spending money thing and ill be honest on this one so anyone here can tell me im dumb or not.
i have had 9 vehicles in my life and tbh i dont care on the prices i bought them for or how much ive put into them so here ya go!
1991 toyota pickup paid 2500 bucks owned it for 5 years spent 3k in mods and sold it for 4k regret it every single day!
2013 kia koup paid 7500 owned it for 6 months and sold it to my mom for 6k (never liked the car)
2013 trd offroad paid 26k owned it for 6 years beat the piss out of it and even bent the frame... after mods and repairs on that truck i spent 35k on it.... yes that number is correct
1998 civic coupe paid 1800 and have spent tbh idk how much! prob close to 5k in stuff just trying to make it how i want it! and im still not close!
2019 civic si coupe paid 25,500 owned it for two years and sold it for 24k and spent 7k on mods. i miss this car so much! wish i never sold it but thought something would be better!
2022 ford ranger paid 42k for it but with work discount i paid 39k i owned this truck for a year and a half before the trans failed... for mods i spent about 5k and called it on this one since reliability issues
2015 tacoma sr5 paid 24k (this one hurt a tad lol) and spent about 3500 in mods so far but love the truck!
2003 klx400 paid 3k for it and ive put about 6k into it? something like that but dont regret it one bit!
1997 civic coupe! i paid 250 bucks for this shell and im currently taking apart everything from my 98 to put into this car because i was unhappy with the other car!

we all spend thousands on our vehicles no matter if its cars, trucks, bikes, vans what ever! if you can still pay your bills and provide for your family and look back on everything you have done and go ya i spent money but damn i had a lot of fun! then man you are just a gear head and have zero problems at all in my eye! im still always searching for another project! always looking for that good deal that you cant pass up on bikes cars or whatever its just part of being a gear head!

oh btw im only 28 and have spent this much money oh well life be life!

 

Did you have to throw age in at the end and make us all feel old?

I'm no gear head, but I like new things and I've spent more than I should in the last decade. Oh well. Had fun, enjoyed all the stuff I bought and sold/traded, so it doesn't matter. The only "regrets" are than if I had that money now I could have spent it on something else. It certainly wouldn't have been saved. LOL

 

@nd4spdbh One other thing I am seeing on the Super Teneres that I am drooling over is that most of them will wind up needing tires. I think the one in KS wouldn't, but I'd much rather score the 2019 that's over in CA, and it has some tired looking tires.

What do you run on your ST? Would you change it to something else if you had to run a few miles of dirt with potholes, washboards, and gravel every time you took the bike out, and if you were going to cruise on forest roads and such?

A few miles on roads like in this pic of yours, every time you ride the bike.