Bike Ready for Inspection

[Tony C.]

It's been very quiet around here. Hope you guys are doing well.  


I had some work to do before getting the bike inspected this season. Otherwise it probably wouldn't have passed.

I pulled the front wheel yesterday. This morning to I took the wheel and a new tire to B&B Motorsports in Woonsocket , RI for mounting and balancing. It took them at little less than an hour to complete. I did some errands in the mean time. Total cost was $85 on the credit card. If I had $70 cash I could have saved $15. But I only had $65 in my wallet. I wish they told me this before I made the trip. Oh well, $85 is very good for same day service. Most independent shops won't give same day service this time of year.

Got home, had lunch and then started on the bike maintenance. I did something really stupid with the front wheel, making the job longer. The ABS ring is supposed to be on the left side. I was installing the wheel with the ring on the right side. The wheel won't install that way. After farting around a a bit, I noticed my mistake. Spun the tire around with the ABS ring on the left and all was well. Believe or not, I got a little over 17K miles on that front tire. I was surprised. I guess I'm riding it like I own it as opposed to riding like I stole it.  

Next the front brake pads needed replacing. The calipers were already off the wheel for the tire change and I got to work. It's a messy and not very fun job. I only got 13,256 miles on the original Honda Pads. And they're expensive. So my next front pads I bought from NICHE. I bought the organic pads. They're much less expensive. I got an astounding 43,367miles out of those pads. They were definitely ready to be replaced.  I replaced the organic pads with semi-metallic pads. Hopefully they'll perform as well as the organic pads.

Got some things to do around the house the rest of this week. The week after I'll get the bike inspected.

Stay well guys!  

[Barnstormer]

Just got stickers on the Can Am and my CB500X.  Unfortunately I decided to sell the Valkyrie.  I am having two knuckle joints replaced sometime in early June and will be in a cast or splints for at least two months.  I probably wouldn't be able to ride it all Summer if at all.  I'm not even sure about the Spyder.  Leaving Saturday night for a 5 country road trip through Europe. Made $2500 on the sale of the Valkyrie which will cover a good part of my trip.  Have a good Summer & ride safe.

[Tony C.]

Just got stickers on the Can Am and my CB500X.  Unfortunately I decided to sell the Valkyrie.  I am having two knuckle joints replaced sometime in early June and will be in a cast or splints for at least two months.  I probably wouldn't be able to ride it all Summer if at all.  I'm not even sure about the Spyder.  Leaving Saturday night for a 5 country road trip through Europe. Made $2500 on the sale of the Valkyrie which will cover a good part of my trip.  Have a good Summer & ride safe.

Tom, where did you get the bikes inspected? I noticed that Stones MC in Northborough is closing as the owner is retiring. Are they still doing inspections?

Tell us more about the Europe trip. Is it through a Tour Company and is it by bus? Sounds like fun.

Best wishes for the procedure on your knuckles.

[Barnstormer]

Myerson's garage  70 Spectacle Hill road , Bolton.  It is just about a 1/2 mile out of Hudson. Good guy.  Toot toot, high beam ,low beam & other lights.  My trip is a road trip in a rented fiat 500 ot mini cooper.  Only bus might be to beaches of Normandy. 

[Tony C.]

Myerson's garage  70 Spectacle Hill road , Bolton.  It is just about a 1/2 mile out of Hudson. Good guy.  Toot toot, high beam ,low beam & other lights.  My trip is a road trip in a rented fiat 500 ot mini cooper.  Only bus might be to beaches of Normandy.  

Thanks for the tip on Myerson's Garage and enjoy tooling around Europe in those cool vehicles! Are you sure you can fit in the Fiat?  

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[Barnstormer]

We will see if I fit.  They are tiny on the outside but amazingly roomy for the driver.  Forget anyone trying to ride in the back.  Myersons's will have you in and out in 5 minutes.  Last year I took my Honda to a place on Brigham street in Marlborough.  They have you leave the bike outside the garage door and go to a waiting room in the back.  They found at least 5 reasons to fail the bike so I told them I would take it home and fix everything.  I immediately took it to Stones and it passed with no issues.  The place on Brigham street are scammers looking for work.  I had a similar issue at Andersons in Framingham.

[Tony C.]

The place on Brigham street are scammers looking for work.  I had a similar issue at Andersons in Framingham.

I had the same experience at Anderson's many years ago. I just don't like the vibe there and I've never been back. And I live just 4 miles away. I really wish they were a better shop. 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I've had my inspections done at Open Road Cycles in Blackstone, MA for the last few years since my friend Bill closed his shop. I've found them totally fair and not over-reaching at all.

[ybnorml]

Now all you need is dry weather Tony....

[Tony C.]

Now all you need is dry weather Tony....

Tuesday is forecast to be a nice day. Going to get the bike inspected that day and get lunch after. I've got at Dentist appointment at 3:00, which caps how long a can ride. 

[Tony C.]

I've had my inspections done at Open Road Cycles in Blackstone, MA for the last few years since my friend Bill closed his shop. I've found them totally fair and not over-reaching at all.

Gary told me about that place. I've had the bike inspected there twice. It's a nice ride from my house and about the same distance as Myerson's that Barnstormer recommended. I'll be going to Open Road on Tuesday morning for an inspection.