What a crappy day outside today!!!

[bscrive]

It was freezing rain on and off today, so I didn't go anywhere and decided that it is a good day to do some work on the bike.
I spent the day doing a bunch of small stuff on the bike as well as dismantling the top part to put in a new air filter.  It is amazing how much stuff has to come off to do that.
While I had the bike apart, I decided that I will put in some yellow LED lighting where the radiators are.  Got this idea from Moofner and they look good in there.  Gives me some lighting on the side of the bike for visibility purposes.  I then put the bike back together in time for supper.

In a couple of weeks, when I get my stuff back from the powder coaters, I will be putting my valve covers, break lever and shifter back on.  At that time I will be putting a new set of spark plugs in as well.  I bought a set of NGK Iridium plugs.  After that I will do a complete brake and clutch fluid flush.  I will then be all set for spring.   

Right now as I right this, we have had about 10mm of freezing rain and our road is like a skating rink.  I went out to see how thing are and it was a good thing that I put some cleats on the bottom of my boots, or I would have ended up on my butt.  Man, I hate winter....especially, this freezing rain crap.
My neighbour just went down our road in his truck, pretty much sideways.  I thought that it was going to end up in the ditch, but he was able to get it home.  He should have stayed there. 

[Beardo]

Canada is playing Russia right now anyways, you shouldn't be driving or walking anywhere!

[Moofner]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! I APPROVE anything that increases visibilty of a rider and their bike. PM with the type of lights you got, I have a spare harness that could turn them into turn signals and running lights if they are dimmable.

[_Sheffjs_]

I need to do the filter and fluids soon as well on the 1800, but it is our best riding days here so it will wait.  Took the 1500 out and I decided to do some research on CT pressure recommendations first and found a website that lists different CTs and the sweet spot on each one, I was running 40psi in my 205 60r 16 Michelin primacy and found out the sweet spot was 32-34 psi and so I let some air out and Shazam!  They were right it was perfect.  http://darkside.nwff.info/?p=tires

I do feel there is an advantage up north even though you might not think so, and that is, I would rather work on the bike in a cold off season rather then work on a bike in the sauna (off season here)

[Moofner]

Agreed Sheffjs. I have to do a ton of work on the 1500 but dread doing it in the hot to cold to hot humid Florida madness we get now.

I need to do an entire suspension upgrade/maintnenace work. Doing it with sweat running down into my eyes, down my crack, and through my under man-boobs really takes a lot away from the whole experience. Anyone that does upgrades in Florida not only displays awesome patience but also extreme resilence to crappy heat. Or money. Money helps too! Lol

[Kidd]

What temps are you working in , in your garage ??
In mine , it's 58 F , too cold for me  , needs to be at least 65

It was freezing rain on and off today, so I didn't go anywhere and decided that it is a good day to do some work on the bike.
I spent the day doing a bunch of small stuff on the bike as well as dismantling the top part to put in a new air filter.  It is amazing how much stuff has to come off to do that.
While I had the bike apart, I decided that I will put in some yellow LED lighting where the radiators are.  Got this idea from Moofner and they look good in there.  Gives me some lighting on the side of the bike for visibility purposes.  I then put the bike back together in time for supper.

In a couple of weeks, when I get my stuff back from the powder coaters, I will be putting my valve covers, break lever and shifter back on.  At that time I will be putting a new set of spark plugs in as well.  I bought a set of NGK Iridium plugs.  After that I will do a complete brake and clutch fluid flush.  I will then be all set for spring.   

Right now as I right this, we have had about 10mm of freezing rain and our road is like a skating rink.  I went out to see how thing are and it was a good thing that I put some cleats on the bottom of my boots, or I would have ended up on my butt.  Man, I hate winter....especially, this freezing rain crap.
My neighbour just went down our road in his truck, pretty much sideways.  I thought that it was going to end up in the ditch, but he was able to get it home.  He should have stayed there. 

[bscrive]

Hi Guys,

Moofner, I just bought some basic waterproof LED strips from a company in NJ.  Unfortunately, they are not dimmable, but maybe I should have looked for something like that.  Thanks for the offer.

Moofner and Jerry, why don't you guys install AC in your garage?  This way it will be a nice temp to work in.  I am sure a 10k BTU window unit would be all that you would need.

Kidd, I have a 1200 sq ft garage attached to my house that is insulated and heated with a couple of natural gas tube heaters.  I usually keep it at 17C (63F) all the time and bump it up to 21C (70F) when I need to paint something.  I am also considering putting in a split AC unit for the summer.  My cousin has one that I can have.  He owns a heating AC company.

Beardo, I never cared for hockey, or any other sports.  I find sports boring to watch.

[Moofner]

Oh I have an A/C in the garage, it just takes forever to cool the garage down to a respectable semi-sweat temperature. It is a 4 car garage/workshop. It is the humidity that ultimately destroys me.

[Adirondack Bill]

Bscrive- I got the same batch of freezing rain you did here in upstate New York. I am jealous that you are able to work on your bike in the winter- I have a 2  1/2  car garage but it is not heated.  I feel your pain regarding all the crap you have to remove just to get to the air box to change the filter- I will be doing the same thing in the spring.  My last 3 or 4 bikes were V- twins. Changing the air filters was easy- the filters were right out in the open air. That  makes me wonder, is our airflow restricted due to the air box being buried  under the gas tank??

[bscrive]

Bscrive- I got the same batch of freezing rain you did here in upstate New York. I am jealous that you are able to work on your bike in the winter- I have a 2  1/2  car garage but it is not heated.  I feel your pain regarding all the crap you have to remove just to get to the air box to change the filter- I will be doing the same thing in the spring.  My last 3 or 4 bikes were V- twins. Changing the air filters was easy- the filters were right out in the open air. That  makes me wonder, is our airflow restricted due to the air box being buried  under the gas tank??

No, there is lots of air getting to the engine around the frame.  The gas tank is not right on the frame, it sits up about 1/4" which lets in all the air you need.  Also, there is lots of space under the tank.