Well, my moto is in pieces, the pieces are all around here, all the

[david13]

tools are out, I am opening the cylinder or valve cover tomorrow to do the first valve gap check.
And waiting for more little parts to put it back together. Then I'm back on the road. To where I haven't decided yet, but I need a nice 300 mile out, overnight and back.
I keep thinking of hopping on superbike and zipping off, but I can't til it's done.
Alas.
dc

[ceveritt]

1. your bike

Best of luck, mate. I hope the work goes smoothly and quickly, and that you get your out-and-back break.

[david13]

2. I've had a few ripples, but basically on time, as I have to pick up

parts from the dealer on Thursday, so I have evenings to finish up til then.
Where have you been riding?
dc

[ceveritt]

3. sorry ...

... for the delay in replying. Have not been well lately. No, it's not swine flu. Just depression.

And what of that? Sad to say, I've not been riding anywhere as of late. I'm between bikes, as one might say. However, I live in the LA area, so it's the usual places when I get the opportunity—Angeles Crest, etc.

Again, I hope your mechanical work has gone smoothly, and that you get or have gotten your break. I am, for what should now be an obvious reason, envious. Best of luck, mate.

[david13]

4. No luck. I'm done. But with running issues, so I had to take it back

apart again. I have to run the diagnostic system on it, and I'm waiting for advice on it.
Angeles Crest is closed. Again, due to the fires. So is Angeles Forest.
This is a good time to buy a bike. There are plenty for sale by people who need money.
Ortega is still there, as are all the canyons, Topanga, etc.
dc

[ceveritt]

5. Arrggghh ...

... that you had to take it apart again. Sorry for that news. Again, I hope the rest of the repair saga comes to a speedy, happy (and inexpensive) conclusion. Believe me, I know your pain.

Apparently, though, I don't know much else, and haven't been out as of late; did not realize Crest and Forest were closed. *Sigh.*

As for buying ... I simply cannot. I'm one of those people who need money. Haven't had a full-time job, or insurance, since 2006, and the prospects are bleak at best. Being 55 (56 this month) in today's job market is akin to being an out-front, bleeding and finger-dropping leper.

Might I ask what bike you have that is giving you such grief?

Best of luck.

[Gold Metal Flake]

6. Keep an eye on the Newcomb's Ranch website.

They should make an announcement on their webpage when the highways reopen. There's an awful lot of Armco and posts to replace.

http://www.newcombsranch.com/home_iframe.htm

[david13]

7. Well, its not really grief or pain. I had some things not right. Like the

throttle.
And I have the computer diagnostic tool for it, so I can run it onto the laptop and get the codes, and then clear everything. I hope. Then I think it's just the idle air bypass motor. Which gave me fits trying to get it back in right.
I have the BMW F800ST, 2008 model. There is/was nothing wrong with it, just that the 12k service, 2 years old, recommends check the valve clearance. Which includes taking it all apart, and redoing the valve cover gasket, which is buried within the frame.
And the recommended sealer is banned in California as hazardous, but they got some similar stuff from the BMW car dealer (free), so it is sealed.
There was one same bike in England, he had it leak oil after he had the dealer do this service. So much for 'professional' mechanics.
And he had to take it back 3 times to get that fixed.
So I sealed the gasket.
The idle air may be off. The codes should tell me that. But I had the throttle way too tight, not properly adjusted at all, which I fixed. So maybe it was just that. Still haven't got back to try it again.
I'm going to run the codes onto the laptop first.
Then ...
I like doing my own work. I have all my life, and I'm older than you.
PS I just had a promising (I hope) job interview. I really hope.
I also put in new plugs while I was in there.
So, if I'm not too busy, which I am, maybe this weekend.
I'm sure Angeles Crest won't open. The rains will start soon, and the mudslide will probably be major.
Angeles Forest too.
That is where the big fire was this year. It burned up there for weeks, maybe an entire month.
Fires here every year.
dc

[david13]

8. Well, all the fun of working on my bike is over and done, and I

went for a brief test ride today, to get lunch.
Now I have to start thinking about a nice overnight trip.
I had a bug with getting it back together. I didn't adjust the throttle right. Had to redo that.
dc

[ceveritt]

9. So ...

... you're done, then, and preparing for an outing? I hope so. I need to live vicariously through others these days.

Best of luck.

[david13]

10. Well, I'm trying to plan an overnight, if funds are available, and

if I can stand to be away from my cat, and if I can stand the cold.
Saturday looks like a ride out to Ortega and Hell's Kitchen with some others.
I'll see about that. It was cold and cloudy/foggy this am, so, maybe. I know it will be warm about noon, but, til then,
dc

[ceveritt]

11. kitties

I understand about the cat thang. I've sort of ... inherited ... two of them. One had to go to the vet and thence to the 24-hour clinic tonight because of (I'm actually embarrassed to tell on her. ...) raging constipation. Presumably I can pick her up this (Saturday) a.m. and she'll be right as rain, although probably nursing a king-size grudge against me for some time. I fully realize it shouldn't be that big a deal, but I miss her a lot this evening. The other cat belonged to my wife, and is a bit stand-offish to me even still.

As for the cold—perhaps you are, or are not, familiar with Knox's Cold Killers? They seem to be quality items; I just have the jacket. U.S. importer's Web site:

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=KNOX+Armor%3ACold+Killers

Anyway. I hope you get out Saturday, and have a splendid time. Somebody ought to.

CE

[david13]

12. That knox stuff looks good. I have a bunch of cheap stuff, and

I recommend Target or Walmart or Kmart for cheap thermal underwear. I mean, a piece of cloth is just a piece of cloth.
Somebody this week was laughing about the Harley bikers that pay $45 for a $5 Hanes t shirt (black, of course) because it has the HD logo on it.
I have some BMW logo stuff, but it came free with my bike.
My t shirts are white, no writing, and about $2.50 at Target.
But I have a quality jacket, boots and helmet and gloves. I would like some reinforced or armored pants, also. But they aren't cheap.
But those are safety items.
I went out Ortega to Hell's Kitchen. We had one HD, one V Strom and me. A girl started out on a Triumph but when we hit a mist (not even close to rain) she dropped out.
60 to 65 out there, as was all Orange co. Not warm, but ok.
Mostly HD's out there, but a few large metric cruisers, hard to tell they are not HD.
A group of dirt bikers. Most of the sport bikers just went passed. Those guys will run up and down back and forth 2 or 3 times on a Saturday.
They have a letter poster sign out front lit up with of course, anti Obama stuff.
Now back here to work, and face more dismal things coming up this week.
dc

[ceveritt]

13. Hey!

You finally made it out. Excellent. Now I feel better, believe it or not.

As for undergarments—sorry, mate, but not all such items are the same. Not all pieces of cloth are equal, to be sure. Products such as those from Knox (or, if a person wanted, those from outdoors shops) really are a cut above, as they do indeed keep the wearer warm, while still breathing and allowing perspiration to escape. Another possibility lies with phase-change garments. Those are pretty amazing. Yes, all of these cost more, surely, but that is because they work. No, I don't sell the stuff. But I've used both cheap stuff and more expensive items, and for long-term comfort the costlier items are well worth it.

Honest.

I don't mean to pushing stuff on you, or trying to make the hard sell. It's just that I've worn both; that's all.

[david13]

14. I know you are not pushing it. I do buy quality and high price on some

things, but others, cheaper is better (to me!).
I have the cool t shirts, some cool absorbing material, and socks, but I have yet to find they are worth the extra price.
Same with thermal underwear. Usually I'm cold anyway, so I seldom sweat. Even yesterday I was mostly shivering.
"Old people" I told the other guys.
The bike ran nice, too.
dc

[ceveritt]

15. david13

"The bike ran nice, too."

Outstanding. Congrats. I hope you can get out more often.

"Old people"? Yeah, I can relate. But I prefer the notion that old age and (something, to each his own) will over come youth and (same thing here). It might not always be true, but one take comfort from where one can.

I'm really glad your bike ran well.

CE