logtruck mainenance...

[hubcapsc]

I've been doing logtruck maintenance... some of it a comedy of errors...

The wrong front tire came.

I only had three (not four) sets of caliper seals for the front.

I didn't know why bleeding the front brakes was a nightmare instead of being
easy like normal. Turns out of you use speed bleeders and finally wear out the
thread coating on them, trying to use them both sucks in air through the threads
and blows out fluid. What a mess.

Anyhow... the front is back together. Great brakes. New forks! New Tire. I got
a perfect set of Valkyrie forks on ebay for $75 a while back. I sent them to
Traxxion. While testing my front brakes by jamming them on over and over I
noticed the forks make a cool whooshing sound as the cartridges work.

I started on the back. Hopefully no comedy. The new tire is on and the final is
pulled and still good... refurbish the brake caliper today and maybe back together...





I got new YSS shocks too. The Traxxion man told me that if I'd take the red ones he'd
knock off $100. I sent him a picture of my bike and he laughed 

-Mike

[Chrisj CMA]

Good deal. Gotta keep the red and whites going strong

[Serk]

Tried to take the dump truck out for a ride yesterday...

Started, running rough, let her idle a bit, gave her some gas and she sputtered and died. Trying to restart revealed I'd not had her on the battery tender. D'oh!

Took the 'Wing for a ride instead, but put the battery tender back on the Valk, will take her next time I head out for a ride...

Unfortunately, we've just hit the "Heat index over 100" part of the year here...

Really need to do a lot of little things on my Valk but just can't make myself do it.

[hubcapsc]

I took a couple of pictures before I put the tins back on...





I went up and down the street a few times, it feels great. The valkyrie has
introduced me to many friends and good times. It is terrific to have it in this
condition after 20 years   ...

Good brakes, good suspension (wow maybe), new tires. And it runs like a Valkyrie...

-Mike

[Serk]

Definitely a lot cleaner (And better maintained) than mine, but after a day on the tender, my antique fired right up and took KK and I for a ride today. Still love these old bikes!

(And love the red shocks on yours!)

[hubcapsc]

Definitely a lot cleaner (And better maintained) than mine...

(And love the red shocks on yours!)

Trust me: mine's not so clean. Jeff's is the clean one, and, I think, quite a bit
more mileage... I hope to go for a little ride after church today and see how it all
feels 

-Mike

[Hook#3287]

Looking forward to a suspension report 

I've got a few items from Max on my Wing and have been impressed with the quality.

I may have to consider an upgrade on Valk suspension.

The red springs look good.

[hubcapsc]

I took off on a 50 mile trip to the peach stand that's about 15 miles away...
The one finger front brakes felt just as I'd hoped. The new tires rolled great.
Even the freshly lubed throttle cable felt satisfying, it has been some number
of years since I did that.

I wish I could say intelligent and objective things about the suspension... it
is not floaty 1970 Cadillac suspension, it is "feel the road" suspension. My old
440 shocks were just hard and tired. These fresh shocks have more travel. I think
suspension is for keeping your wheels on the ground and taking the hits without jarring
your teeth... like when I hit several construction hard edges coming out of
Westminster  plus all the other South Carolina pot holes I encountered
along the way.

Sam, who owns my favorite peach stand, appreciates good motorcycles. She came
over to ask about it, I think the reflection of the chrome was making her squint...



-Mike

[RNFWP]

Some great photos. Thanks for posting the upgrades. 

[GiG]

That is my favorite stand, too.   
Hi, Sam, Sweet Peaches!