Well now that was a surprise

[GrandpaDenny]

Went to Gene Kap's house today, met him and his lovely wife Marie. Mmm, chocolate chip cookies! That was a quite pleasant surprise, but that's not the surprise I'm talking about. My right side cover kept coming loose. I'd push the tabs in, ten minutes later, they were loose again. So I pulled it off, and guess what I found... you know one of the important things behind the side covers is the bolts holding the rear upper frame to the main frame, and, I'd posted before (I think) about how some DSPO had used some random long machine screws shoved in there, and I had ordered new bolts, and was just waiting to get to Gene's so he could help me line the frame up. Well, the bolt on the right side was GONE , and when I looked, the one on the left side was on its way out . YIKES!!! And I had left the new bolts at home! Fortunately, Gene had a couple of bolts in his nuts & bolts bins, and we got them installed. Man, that could have been REALLY bad.

Thank you VERY much, Gene!!!

[ekap1200]

Well, Denny, it was nice to meet ya and put a face to a name.... So tell us, how did it handle on the way back to Phili. ? Your front end will do much better once you get those sacked out springs replaced. But it had to feel a bit better with the frame bolted together ....
Engine sounded strong as you left, so a carb sync should smooth the lower rpms , have a great weekend
Gene

[vxiirider]

"Your front end will do much better once you get those sacked out springs replaced."


Denny, if you are not going to put in Progressive springs I have a set of front springs from an '03 that have only 12,000 miles on them that you can have for the cost of shipping from Michigan.

[GrandpaDenny]

"Your front end will do much better once you get those sacked out springs replaced."


Denny, if you are not going to put in Progressive springs I have a set of front springs from an '03 that have only 12,000 miles on them that you can have for the cost of shipping from Michigan.

As soon as I got home last night I ordered a set of progressives from Dennis Kirk. $97.00 plus tax. Should be here Friday. That reminds me, I have to order fork oil. Gene, do you have the fork oil level measuring tool, or should I buy one? I also wonder if I should order a set of fork seals since we're going to be in there anyway.

[GrandpaDenny]

Well, Denny, it was nice to meet ya and put a face to a name.... So tell us, how did it handle on the way back to Phili. ? Your front end will do much better once you get those sacked out springs replaced. But it had to feel a bit better with the frame bolted together ....
Engine sounded strong as you left, so a carb sync should smooth the lower rpms , have a great weekend
Gene

Wow, solid. It was so much firmer in the back I backed off the rebound from 4 to 3. Quieter, less rattling around too. Fancy that! I ordered a set of progressives last night from Dennis Kirk, they should be here by Friday. What are your plans for this weekend? But more importantly, how do you feel after the wrenching session? How's the shoulder?

OH, that reminds me. As I was putting the new tether on the new saddlebag lid, I ascertained that underneath the silver spray bombed paint is... 2000 gray! Wonder if it's possible to strip off the silver spray paint without removing the original paint underneath?

[GrandpaDenny]

Oh, and also I forgot to mention that the seat is WAY more comfortable now, even without the pad. It's more comfortable without the pad now than it was with the pad before it popped a leak.

[triton28]

It is possible to remove the rattle can paint job without removing the original paint provided the original clear coat is still on the 2000 grey.
It involves a lot of gentle wet sanding of JUST the rattle can paint using the highest grit # of wet/dry sandpaper that seems to softly cut the top layer off.
Whats left, if it was not removed by the prior paint artist or the person doing the sanding this time, will be the clear coat. It may be dull and show sanding marks but working up to 8000 grit and then some rubbing compound will restore it. Note that gouges through the clear coat,if any, will still be evident.
I'm not sure if I would do this as it is a lot of work compared to scuffing up/leveling what is there now/cleaning with prep and priming/sealing and painting anew would be so much quicker, IMHO.
But, we all work with different situations, abilities and equipment and I'm sure you will do what's best for you.
Happy sanding or repainting,
Dave

[ekap1200]

Denny, good to hear the bike is on its way back from the land of lost PO's........As for my work schedule,, well come this Friday, my ass will be sitting on the bike and heading down to Front Royal with my stepson on his Yammi, and our girls to follow behind in the truck.. He needs some twisty road experience . Starting off on the Skyline Drive. The girls found a time share thru a relative down in (somewhere) Virginia.
Not my cup of tea. .. No room service,,, cook your own food, I will be looking for a hallpass down to the Tail of the Dragon .
So the weekend after the 4th of July will work for me.... I did spent Sat. morning tidying up the mess in the shop.
As for the seals, well its always good to have them on hand , in case of any surprise. Ya know , things don't leak if they don't have any oil in, in the first place.

I'll keep in touch
Gene Kap.

[GrandpaDenny]

Denny, good to hear the bike is on its way back from the land of lost PO's........As for my work schedule,, well come this Friday, my ass will be sitting on the bike and heading down to Front Royal with my stepson on his Yammi, and our girls to follow behind in the truck.. He needs some twisty road experience . Starting off on the Skyline Drive. The girls found a time share thru a relative down in (somewhere) Virginia.
Not my cup of tea. .. No room service,,, cook your own food, I will be looking for a hallpass down to the Tail of the Dragon .
So the weekend after the 4th of July will work for me.... I did spent Sat. morning tidying up the mess in the shop.
As for the seals, well its always good to have them on hand , in case of any surprise. Ya know , things don't leak if they don't have any oil in, in the first place.

Have a great ride! I'm very glad to hear you're riding again! Have you done the Dragon before?

[ekap1200]

DRAGON is no stranger to me.... used to go down every year for at least a week.
I am going riding if I have to tape my hand to the throttle.....

[GrandpaDenny]

LOL

I know a guy, has a Honda NC700, missing a hand. He's got an adapter on his bike to clip into.

[GrandpaDenny]

Oh, and btw, have a nice trip

[cushman eagle]

Denny, good to hear the bike is on its way back from the land of lost PO's........As for my work schedule,, well come this Friday, my ass will be sitting on the bike and heading down to Front Royal with my stepson on his Yammi, and our girls to follow behind in the truck.. He needs some twisty road experience . Starting off on the Skyline Drive. The girls found a time share thru a relative down in (somewhere) Virginia.
Not my cup of tea. .. No room service,,, cook your own food, I will be looking for a hallpass down to the Tail of the Dragon .
So the weekend after the 4th of July will work for me.... I did spent Sat. morning tidying up the mess in the shop.
As for the seals, well its always good to have them on hand , in case of any surprise. Ya know , things don't leak if they don't have any oil in, in the first place.

I'll keep in touch
Gene Kap.

Gene,have a great trip
I have not found a way yet to replace our lost ride time of the rally
I have put 1900 miles on the VXII locally, but that is not like a trip to see our friends at the rally.