Nice 150 miler today
Posted: Sat May 10, 2003 9:59 pm
Took the freeway to Livermore and then the back roads south of there to the east side entry up and over Mt. Hamilton and back into San Jose. Great weather even if some dark clouds showed up near the top, but no rain and the X really loves the cool air as we all know. Lots of bikes but not as many as I had thought would be out. About 20 at The Junction but also about 50 bicycles! Man do those riders love their spandex! Very few cars and that's always a treat! Mostly (snob riders) at The Junction, RC51s, Yammies, Beemers and Wings, then came in a couple ring dings, a white 500 triple with clipons and big noisy pipes and even an old Suzy 500 twin Titan. An 80 XS Eleven showed up with a guy wearing only a T shirt and jeans despite the cool weather the closer we got to the top. Someone had an old and beautiful 45" Indian with 2 into 1 pipes. Looked really . Sort of a springer front end and solid body rear shocks, and those fenders!
Quite a few 1st and 2nd gear hairpins on both sides of the mountain but nothing a little late braking and leaning didn't take care of. Just a few long straights to open her up a bit but lots of medium speed curves in the road too. Could really tell the difference 20w oil made for the Pro springs in front, now for some pro shocks in back! The new Pirelli worked well too, now if it will only last awhile.
You know its a good feeling after some repairs and maintenance to get out and try her out again (always) listening for unusual sounds etc, but except for a leaky oil seal behind the pulser that I just replaced, the new brake fluid and pads, Galfer lines, oil and filter change, new plugs, 20w fork oil, new Sport Demon, new oil sump screen, oil galley cap (thanks again Mark) and fork cap bolts- all performed nicely-HA BTW, with only 150 miles on that new Pirelli, it always felt good and sticky. Only a few (nubs) left on the tread near the edges and nary a slip. Tracks well with the front GT501 too, no wobble or (fight) at all over which way to go.
Well, tomorrow its supposed to be even nicer, leaky seal or not, (its already on order) I'm heading out somewhere. Have to make sure the bike is roadworthy for the OR trip...don't I :) Hmmm, here to Santa Cruz the back way and then hiway one up to Half Moon Bay, Alice's? Anyone Anyone
Quite a few 1st and 2nd gear hairpins on both sides of the mountain but nothing a little late braking and leaning didn't take care of. Just a few long straights to open her up a bit but lots of medium speed curves in the road too. Could really tell the difference 20w oil made for the Pro springs in front, now for some pro shocks in back! The new Pirelli worked well too, now if it will only last awhile.
You know its a good feeling after some repairs and maintenance to get out and try her out again (always) listening for unusual sounds etc, but except for a leaky oil seal behind the pulser that I just replaced, the new brake fluid and pads, Galfer lines, oil and filter change, new plugs, 20w fork oil, new Sport Demon, new oil sump screen, oil galley cap (thanks again Mark) and fork cap bolts- all performed nicely-HA BTW, with only 150 miles on that new Pirelli, it always felt good and sticky. Only a few (nubs) left on the tread near the edges and nary a slip. Tracks well with the front GT501 too, no wobble or (fight) at all over which way to go.
Well, tomorrow its supposed to be even nicer, leaky seal or not, (its already on order) I'm heading out somewhere. Have to make sure the bike is roadworthy for the OR trip...don't I :) Hmmm, here to Santa Cruz the back way and then hiway one up to Half Moon Bay, Alice's? Anyone Anyone