Riding Season Over

[VoyKimmer]

Went for a nice 200 plus mile ride on Sunday . 60 deg + - 2 deg was a nice ride with my cousin . Got home and changed the oil on my 02 again to get more metal out of it but did not fill it up with gas. Wanted to add seafoam and go for another small ride before the riding season ends. Didn’t happen. Last two days in the lower 30 s to lower 20 s and already got 6 inchces of snow on the ground. Salts trucks out in full force so I will fill it up with the gas can add seafoam run it in the garage and put both bikes up for the winter.

[cushman eagle]

I feel for you Kim! We have not had any snow yet,but as early as you had it ,that may happen any time.
I always like to make it till my birthday[Dec 15th],sometimes it happens,often not.
As early as winter seems to be coming in this year,I might have to park my bike early this year also,as you did!

[ekap1200]

Here in southern NJ, just last week the trees finally turned color, and the the rain and wind came and they are just about GONE. We did not even get a chance to take a photo. By Friday morning one could not even see the pavement. Wet leaves and bikin, don't mix..... Today is sunny and I am hoping for a short highway run this afternoon. May be my last chance to ride, as I plan some looking over since turning 100k. I had taken pic's of the rear speaker repairs , but am having issues with up-loading, it is a helmet cheep camera named the CONTOUR By Roam.... Oh well, there should be enough posts on that subject by now to advise owner's those mount's are not long for this world and can leave your speakers dangling by the wire at worst...
Any how I am not looking forward to salted roads, I prefer salted cashew's
Gene Kap

[cushman eagle]

Here in southern NJ, just last week the trees finally turned color, and the the rain and wind came and they are just about GONE. We did not even get a chance to take a photo. By Friday morning one could not even see the pavement. Wet leaves and bikin, don't mix..... Today is sunny and I am hoping for a short highway run this afternoon. May be my last chance to ride, as I plan some looking over since turning 100k. I had taken pic's of the rear speaker repairs , but am having issues with up-loading, it is a helmet cheep camera named the CONTOUR By Roam.... Oh well, there should be enough posts on that subject by now to advise owner's those mount's are not long for this world and can leave your speakers dangling by the wire at worst...
Any how I am not looking forward to salted roads, I prefer salted cashew's
Gene Kap

Yah,Gene.
Salted Cashews
Salted potato chips
Salted popcorn
etc etc etc
But not the roads
By the way,how are you doing?We have not seen you since Summersville.

[ekap1200]

Hello Loren, I am plugin along... I did make it up to the fall ride in. I had great weather and all the traffic jams were headed south as I headed north and north as I was headed south. Clear skies and fair weather. I did miss an exit and that got me a bit off track but made it up in time for a group diner. Only traffic jam up , going home , was about 2 tenths of a mile getting onto the George Washington bridge. Got home and the next day filled the tank up and felt some hot coolant and sure enough the other top hose had a pin hole leak... I just happened to have one in stock. Again I came out smelling like a rose , so close to home and an easy repair.
I did get about 50 miles in yesterday and may venture out today. Marie's back to herself and busy getting her gardens and plants ready for this winter. Me , well I am deciding what to check this winter on the bike. 104,480 on it now. But its running like new still to this day. Had the darn rubber rear speaker mounts ( all three ) let go on a ride with my son and it took him 5 miles to get my attention to pull over..... Thought for sure the trunk paint finish would have been totaled , but it only affected the mothers spray wax finish. Re-polished and it's like it always looked. Repaired the 6 mounts with an upgrade that will never break loose.
We were about 50 miles from my home and I found it was so easy to just remove all of the bolt's for the rack and back rest and bag the speaker up and stow it in the trunk. No tape marks or damage to the finish from plastic ties. It took less then 10 min. and back on the road we were. Right into a rain storm.
I finally finished stripping down the 2000 I had here and wanted to see what all this hoopla was about pulling the cone's/cups for the triple tree out. I figured I would get this one cleaned up and install the lower cone/seal and have just the cups to deal with on my bike , should the time arise . The book shows a clam/shell puller made up just for this. But I have tackled these before with the several clam/shell pullers I have in my box. Not knowing if the lowers seal was available , that was the plan , to remove the cone from the top lip after taking the cage off. Worked like a charm and as lucky as I have been this year had a 24 inch length of all thread for the puller. A slight counter bore in a length of alum tube and wal-la..... saved the lower seal after pulling the cone off. With the wear I am looking at on this bike, I surmise I can get another season at the least before giving mine a look at / or RPL.
Well guys , clear skies and temp's rising a perfect day out the bike's calling my name , crying to burn fuel....
My wife thinks I need but I think I just need to be on.....
Gene Kap

[cushman eagle]

Gene,Sounds like you are doing OK then.
My bike is not catching yours,as it just turned 85,500 miles today on my 79 mile ride and I hope to get a couple more rides this year
I was able to get all new speaker mounts a couple years ago,so they are fairly fresh yet.

[ekap1200]

Gene,Sounds like you are doing OK then.
My bike is not catching yours,as it just turned 85,500 miles today on my 79 mile ride and I hope to get a couple more rides this year
I was able to get all new speaker mounts a couple years ago,so they are fairly fresh yet.

79 wow you did well today. I made it just 40 miles before the temps dropped down to 40 and my ears got cold. I got a late start as we were scrambling to wrap up the yard work for the winter. I did have a close encounter with a lone young buck. I was more worried about the car behind me as I made a quick drop in speed..... I think I can survive a 40mph shot into one. BUT DON'T WANT TO..... Lots of leaf blowers moving wet leaves on the road made for a jittery feeling going around curves. One does not know what to expect.
It was windy and that didn't help , but a short ride is better than no ride at all.
Gene Kap

[krasmu]

Glad you guys are good. Here in northern Illinois we had a cold snap hit us and dump 5inches of snow last week. Salt trucks hit the main roads with minimum amounts of salt. Have not seen any piles at intersections. The temps are dropping down to mid 20's at night when get off work at 1am, but still riding as long as they are not calling for wet conditions. I try to get at least one ride in each month of the year if I can do it safely. I agree that this year is shaping up to be an early winter and my season may be done soon. Will change the oil and put the SEAFOAM in the tank soon. As always, you guys stay safe out there.

[cushman eagle]

Glad you guys are good. Here in northern Illinois we had a cold snap hit us and dump 5inches of snow last week. Salt trucks hit the main roads with minimum amounts of salt. Have not seen any piles at intersections. The temps are dropping down to mid 20's at night when get off work at 1am, but still riding as long as they are not calling for wet conditions. I try to get at least one ride in each month of the year if I can do it safely. I agree that this year is shaping up to be an early winter and my season may be done soon. Will change the oil and put the SEAFOAM in the tank soon. As always, you guys stay safe out there.

Fortunately,krasmu,we have not had any snow or salt but we have had freezing temps.
We might have to put the bike to bed early this year.

[ekap1200]

I may have spoke too soon... Winter seemed to get a jump on me and the weather dip'ed below 50 and lower at night. So yesterday I started on winter PM's. I wished I would have taken the time to sink this lift into the floor, getting it up that 7.5 to the lift about beat me up by myself. And did it need it. The tire's have been on for 23 month's and the rear is down to its limit. ( for me anyhow ) 0.110 and not as rounded as I am happy with . Rear pads down to 20% , and this this years fall rally had me worried as one morning the rear caliper seemed a bit sticky until I got it rolling. It did not want to come off nicely today. So one caliper rpr is needed on that. The wheel driven hub had ; had it ; as you could see the wear in the spline's. The back-lash was 0.074 @ a rad of 4.5" With the new one it came down to 0.015 at 4.5"radius and with the new rubber dampener should be so smooth when I shift and engage. I wish I wrote down the mile's this last tire change , but these AVON 's did me justice and a nice wear. That rear had to go at least 20k , and is just now showing its age. Since its such a task with the hitch and I did have to pull the wheel anyway, I will change it out with a nice new AVON...since the wheel is off and home here in the nice heated garage , compared to a flat on the road.
I know next winter to get an early start again and pull the front triple tree and re-place the head set. I have just pulled a set out and having all the pullers for the job , made for child's play getting the cups out of the tube and the lower cone off ( saving the seal ) So for me the riding season is OVER We only got to see the fall leave's color change for a week, the pounding rain and wind coming in from every direction stripped the trees 80 % bare in just a week... It was a good season for me with minor issues of the 2 upper coolant hose's... I am looking for a set or so of 60 degree hose's for the radiator , as a just in case RPL. job .

Gene Kap.

[cushman eagle]

Gene,I am going to keep away from winter service a while yet,to see if I can get my 12/15/19 birthday ride in?
My plans for winter service this year is to:
Replace my fuel pump,
Rebuild my alternator,and
Rebuild my water pump. if I can find the seals and bearings.If not replace it.
With 85,500 + miles on it I feel it may be time to do those replacements.

[VoyKimmer]

Both my bikes winterized. Will start taking them apart soon. Yesterday woke up to 5” snow and had to snow blow and shovel. This morning 5 deg outside. Broke the record for this day for coldest. We cut fall real short and went straight to winter.

[cushman eagle]

We had our first snow of this winter,only 2" but it is now 17 degrees outside
I might not make my birthday ride this year [12/15/19]

[cushman eagle]

The weather was clear up to the low 40s and windy today,but was still able to tolerate a 75 mile ride.
Then had to wash the salt dust off the bike
The DOT seems to have so much spare salt, if the forecast even calls for a trace of snow,out comes the brine or salt.

[krasmu]

The weather here has taken a turn for the better since my last post. I've manage to ride to work most nights since the snow melt. Looking like a fairly dry and reasonable temp week again this week. I only missed one week of riding with that snow. I'll for sure get some riding in this week for the month of December.

[GrandpaDenny]

I haven't parked Gertrude for the winter either. As long as it's dry until I get the new rear tire mounted I'm riding. After the new tire is mounted the only thing that will keep her parked is actual snow or ice (or salt) on the road.

[cushman eagle]

I took a short 30 mile ride on the 29th,as it was only 36 degrees out.
The bike is not put up for the winter yet

[misft]

Define "Riding Season". V & me Went for a 120 mile ride to Lacrosse the 23rd, Layed over at a motel overlooking the Mississippi River, took in the light show in Riverside park. Road the Great River Road home Tuesday. Christmas day we got in another ride down to East Dubuque and back. Wonderful December weather.

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[VoyKimmer]

For me riding season is over when the first measurable snow flys and they salt the roads until spring after at least three major downpours to wash the salt off of the roads. I will not ride my bikes on salty roads.

[HMB Don]

When it's to cold for normal people to ride. You and Vicki have way to much antifreeze flowing through you.

I rode 50 miles this past Saturday it was 73 degrees. This is why I love it here in in the south