Getting to know my new-to-me 91! (Warning: long)

[Thud300]

The Happy Hooker, continued:

Well, the sweat equity has paid off, and after some intermittent winter rides, Xaviera will now enjoy a full season as a daily rider, or as many days as circumstances will allow. She still has her rough edges and a scar here and there, but she has become quite reliable. Still need to get her left side lid painted, and I need to find a cover for that lid storage compartment. But open as it is, it's a cupholder of sorts...

Sometime, I'm going to make lid tethers.

Other cosmetics: If i find one reasonable, the left inner fairing, fix the scar on the left upper fairing, and a windshield belt trim (the chrome piece at the base of the windshield). A new windshield is on the menu as well. And, if the occasion should arise for the cluster to come out, it needs cleaned and lubed, the trip odometer hangs at 9.9 miles...

Sometime this season, she will get a new EBC rear rotor which I already have (cheap!), the rear caliper still needs a rebuild, a full set of fresh EBC HH pads, and new wheel bearings, as she has developed a whirry groaning sound from the rear (i think) at speeds of 30-40 mph. This noise is the only thing preventing me from doing serious distances at this point. Probably going with All Balls for the bearings.

Suspension wise, I'm running slightly high pressures, but she seems ok with it. Progressive springs, and/or shock/fork oil changes are coming soon.

Other accessories I'd like to find at some time: mirror risers, 'cause the mirrors are a little low, and trunk extenders. And, find some LED's to convert the lights on the rear flap into a brake lamp that flashes with my programmable brake light flasher. A pair of LED driving lamps for the crash bars would be nice too. And whatever other goodies make sense.

This baby has come a long, long way.

[cranky]

Chevyman1 Kevin Wanner sells a nice set of lid tethers... got a set... JM2C

[Mr Jensee]

I wish you would have purchased the Charlie bike I just sold. It has a lot less issues to it and actually runs better than mine. Thanks to Carl Leo for the parts and immaculate carbs. Great deal for two grand. I hope you didn't spend a lot on the initial purchase considering all you had to do to it.

[Nails]

I've also had an adventure getting my new-to-me XII back on the road. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't've bought it -- it did need a lot more work than I expected. (Advertised as "ready to ride".) But on the other hand, it was an opportunity to do a lot of customization: mostly simplifying (getting rid of superfluous crap like the radio and replacing the goofy handlebars) and de-blinging (like the ugly badges &etc). I know a lot more about the bike now, the better to take off on a long trip.

Like you, I got mine cheap enough that the money is pretty much a wash even after the new parts (especially things on borrowed time anyway, like coils). I'm out a bunch of hours, but I drink beer while wrenching instead of while sitting on the couch.

My only real regret is that I had to postpone last year's Big Ride.

(I understand that some people buy old bikes to ride them, not wrench on them. I've read about people like that.)

[Thud300]

Sometime, I'll post an accounting of the cost of the resurrection. I've managed to bring all three of my Kawis to a better state of health than I found them on a fairly tight budget, finding deal after deal on eBay. The V-XII is the least expensive initial buy and most enjoyable of my three bikes.

Last weekend I took Xaviera to an Advanced Rider Course. She was by far the oldest bike there, but her performance was right there with the Wings and the Harleys. The range aide was fascinated by her.

This weekend, about 100 miles put on.