What did you do to your bike today?

[Flynt]

 Anyway, I want real tires and stock wheels although from what I've found that appears impossible.  

Flynt

Flynt, check these out.

Avon AV46 Azaro Sport Touring Rear Tire - 150/80ZR-16

Avon Storm AV55  Sport Touring Radial   - 120/70/17

These are radial tires and work well.

Ordered today and go on Friday...  I'll ride Saturday (carefully) and report.

Darned expensive rubber, but what do ya expect for a 16 incher  

[craigo]

I put on a new front tire and chain and finally got to take her for a spin.  I installed a Dunlop Roadsmart on the stock front rim and MAN what a difference in handling from the Michelin Pilot that was on the front before it.  The FJ steers much quicker from side to side and corner entry speeds have gone up as well.  I had suspected that the forkbrace may have caused some of the slow handling issues but it was the Michelin.  The Roadsmart is very stable on the wide sweepers as well.  Well enough that there are now no more chicken stripes on the rear D205.

And that &#^$# grinding noise is gone from the left.  And no more chain lash!!!.

Best $$$ I have spent on my bike in a long while.  Wish I had more time to ride her more often.  At just a tick over 3000 miles since July 09, I really need more saddle time. 

But don't we all.

Craig O

[Mark Olson]

New shoes always feel good. 

That new tire feeling is awesome.

now get out and ride.

[ribbert]

I have just gone the other way, from Dunlop Roadsmart to Michelin Pilot. The Dunlop was fantastic, the sides wearing out just ahead of the centre and no handling issues. Within 2 k's of the Michelin being fitted I pulled over to see if they had left something loose. The bike felt so wierd I continued home at reduced speed and immediately checked frame bolts etc. Having confirmed nothing was loose, broken or missing, I checked pressures and went out again. On new smooth bitumen     (Eastlink" for fellow Victorians) and the FJ felt like it had a hinge in the middle. Even on perfect road it constantly wriggles under me, cross overbanding or any longtitudinal imperfections and the twitching is scary. Several thousand K's later I'm sort of used to it and realise it won't kill me but it's a real pig and holding a neat line through corners is something that will have to wait for the next tyre. I can't bring myself to throw away a $244 tyre just yet!

[Arnie]

Ribbert,

I'm surprised that you were able to wear out the sides of your Dunlops before the center, especially considering the constabulary we share. :-(
I'm also surpised that you're finding the Mich so squirrelly.  I put a Mich Pilot Road 2 on mine a few months ago and am very happy with it.  I'd had a Metz Z6 previously and this feels just as good, maybe a bit more stable.
Have you checked that the bolts holding the lower frame rails are tight?  These can loosen or snap and cause some serious problems.

Cheers,
Arnie

[craigo]

I have just gone the other way, from Dunlop Roadsmart to Michelin Pilot. The Dunlop was fantastic, the sides wearing out just ahead of the centre and no handling issues. Within 2 k's of the Michelin being fitted I pulled over to see if they had left something loose. The bike felt so wierd I continued home at reduced speed and immediately checked frame bolts etc.

Ribbert,

Yeah, what Arnie said, better really go through your bike.  The Michelin made the FJ handle slower, but the squirm you speak of was a non-issue for me.  Also, it was very stable thru all the corners I have here in San Diego.  Just alot more effort to make her turn.

Arnie, I will end up wearing the sides out before the center tread.  This is not uncommon for me as I do not use her to commute and live just a scant 3-4 miles away from "The Roads".  My bike spends more time in the twisties than on the straights by a long shot.  Also, the Roadsmart is a dual compound tire, softer on the sides than the center.  Here is a link to buy a front for a tick over $100:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUNLOP-ROADSMART-120-70ZR17-FRONT-MOTORCYCLE-TIRE-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem43a1e56d4bQQitemZ290478976331QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


CraigO

[ribbert]

Arnie,

Those lower frame bolts you mention were the very first thing I checked, having previously found a broken one when removing the engine and imagining that's just how it would feel if broken. The point of difference between our bikes is that I still have a 16"crossply on the back and imagine this would make tyre matching much more sensitive. The tyre shop is only 500 metres off the freeway and I rode it in handling well and immediately noticed it riding out. My point was not to bag the Michelin but more about  compatibility to anyone still running stock rear wheel. I have since changed the rear from a Macadam to Pirelli and it made no difference one way or the other.
Re wearing the sides just ahead of the centre, I hadn't given it any thought, thinking that's what duel compound tyres do. However, that tyre life was spent over the summer on almost all dry rides and my regular rides have 2 things in common, minimising straights and avoiding traffic. I spend a lot of time on GOR, usually to Port Campbell, Bulla, Whitfield, Yarra valley etc. reasonably tight roads allowing much use of the tyre sides. Bike riding, Police, govt.,road rules, tolerance in Vic., don't even get me started!

Cheers

Ribbert

[Arnie]

Also, the Roadsmart is a dual compound tire, softer on the sides than the center.  Here is a link to buy a front for a tick over $100:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUNLOP-ROADSMART-120-70ZR17-FRONT-MOTORCYCLE-TIRE-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem43a1e56d4bQQitemZ290478976331QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


CraigO

Yeah, Tire prices in Australa are outrageous!  I'm not even sure who the greedy bastards are that I should blame.  Could be the importer/distributors (likely) or could be the dealers.  On previous trips to the US, I've come back to Austraila with a pair of tires strapped together as my 2nd piece of checked luggage.
Customs inspector did question that I would lug a pair of tires 1/2 way around the world, until I told them the price.  He was also a biker and then understood. :-)

My cost for tires in Aus has been about A$200 for fronts (mounted and balanced with wheel off the bike), and A$240 for rears.

Cheers,
Arnie

[pdxfj]

I actually rode my bike today.  Nice sunny October day, although a little chilly in the morning.  First time on the bike since the day ride around Mt. Hood back in August.  Boot did cause some pain to my foot but wasn't too bad.

On the way to work, I kept thinking that there was something I was supposed to take care of (on the bike) but for the life of me couldn't remember what.  After about 10 minutes on the freeway I glanced down to make sure I wasn't going too much over the limit and discovered I was buzzing along at a whopping zero mph.  Ahh.. forgot to hook the speedo cable back up under the faring.

Cable didn't fall out but the nut was a bit chewed up from bouncing on the ground.  It had backed out of the speedo the last time I rode the bike and was still up in the faring but not connected.

Felt good to go for a spin. 

[Yamifj1200]

Good to hear your back on the bike Bean, how the recovery comming along?? You need another speedo cable??

Eric M

[Arnie]

Decided that it was time to take a good look at the countershaft sprocket.  It has been making some worn chain noises recently although the chain is actually not in bad shape.  Well, the countershaft sprocket was pretty baddly hooked, and the rear sprocket teeth were onlly about 2/3 as wide as they started out.
So, I replaced the chain, and both sprockets after just under 60,000 kms.
That was with a DID ZVM chain and AFAM c/s sprocket.
I'll let you guys know when I wear out my new Tsubaki Sigma and Renthal c/s sprocet.

Cheers,
Arnie

[DailyDriver]

I put on a tail trunk rack I picked up off eBay several weeks back. Now I just have to get the mounting plate and a trunk. 

Some Pics

[pdxfj]

Hey Eric thanks for asking. 

The speedo cable is fine other than the nut being chewed up.  I hooked it back up once I got to work.  Since it came off at the speedometer no one will ever see it.

Foot is doing ok.  I'm at about 85% and can tell the last 15% is going to be the most difficult.  I can almost walk without a limp and I think the only pain I have left is from tendons, muscles, etc.  Amazing how quickly you lose strength when you're not using something.  Had to teach myself to walk again.  Haven't really made an effort to post updates about my dumb foot since my issues are minuscule compared to other folks.

[Yamifj1200]

Hey Eric thanks for asking. 

The speedo cable is fine other than the nut being chewed up.  I hooked it back up once I got to work.  Since it came off at the speedometer no one will ever see it.

Foot is doing ok.  I'm at about 85% and can tell the last 15% is going to be the most difficult.  I can almost walk without a limp and I think the only pain I have left is from tendons, muscles, etc.  Amazing how quickly you lose strength when you're not using something.  Had to teach myself to walk again.  Haven't really made an effort to post updates about my dumb foot since my issues are minuscule compared to other folks.

Bean, you know this group is all about sharing, if you decide you need the cable just let me know.

Eric M

[Firehawk068]

Garth,
Glad to hear you are back on the bike...........and I'm jealous of your ride around Mt. Hood....Them are some great riding roads.