« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2  All   Go Down

Author Topic: What's eating your forks?  (Read 2974 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
What's eating your forks?
« on: February 27, 2012, 02:43:07 AM »
I'm working on a bike that needed the fork seals replaced, as the job was a wee bit more complicated than normal I took them to a good bike mech I trust. He showed me the tiny stone chips in the chrome and then ground them back so they didn't wreck the new seals. I was amazed at how the damage spread as he ground it back. Anyhow he explained that not only did small stones chip the chrome but when bugs hit the chrome the acid in their squished bodies contains so much acidic goo that it will actually eat into the fork's chrome....dang!
I didn't know that!
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Gordon

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,114
  • 750K1, 550K2
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2012, 02:49:09 AM »
Stock gaiters on my 550 and 750.  No bug guts or rocks eating my forks!
Logged

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2012, 03:01:21 AM »
Yeah Gordon but gaiters just don't do it for me! :D
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline eldar

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 149
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2012, 06:52:16 AM »
I will take little bugs. I would really hate the have a weta hit me at any speed!
Logged

Offline Gordon

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,114
  • 750K1, 550K2
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2012, 11:47:48 AM »
Quote from: Hush on February 27, 2012, 03:01:21 AM
Yeah Gordon but gaiters just don't do it for me! :D

I don't really have an opinion about the look either way, it's just that both of my current bikes have them stock.  It's not like if I had a later model with just the dust boots that I'd retro-fit some gaiters to it. 
Logged

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2012, 02:09:55 PM »
Yeah the fitting of gaiters prolongs the life of the forks for sure, I think the only bike I ever had them on was an ex Police CB360 and I think I scrapped them on that bike too just cos I didn't like the look.
But these days being a reborn traditionalist, like yourself when it comes to restoring the bikes worth saving I'd have them on any bike I was rebuilding if it was a stock item. :)
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline bikerbart

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,579
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2012, 04:11:35 PM »
is this a weta,ewwwwww
Logged
its better to regret something you have done,than something you havent.Except playing with explosives.

Offline Retro Rocket

  • Eggs are hard due too a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 19,279
  • ROCK & ROLL
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2012, 07:05:38 PM »
You guys have it easy, these things grow up to 18 inches long... :o  And yes, they fly..... ;D

Logged
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline 78 k550

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,479
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2012, 08:08:46 PM »
Holy mackral lol that is the biggest Praying Mantis I have ever seen.
There only 3 to 4 inches here.

I don't wanna get hit with that riding without a helmet.
That would be like a Kansas grasshopper over here.

I'll take one of those for my garden.

Paul
Logged
Paul
Littleton, CO

76/77 CB 750F, 
75 GL1000, (AKA GL1-242 NGWClub),
76 GL1000 LTD
84 GL1200 Standard
6 Bultaco's= 42, 49, 121, 152, 167, 188

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2012, 08:51:10 PM »
I think hitting that "stick insect" might actually bend the forks don't worry about bug blood rotting them! ;D
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Gordon

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,114
  • 750K1, 550K2
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2012, 08:57:33 PM »
Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 27, 2012, 07:05:38 PM
You guys have it easy, these things grow up to 18 inches long... :o  And yes, they fly..... ;D

You live on an island zoo that's sparsely populated by human beings.  I'm surprised you haven't all been digested by now. ;D
Logged

Offline 78 k550

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,479
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2012, 09:03:51 PM »
Quote from: Gordon on February 27, 2012, 08:57:33 PM
Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 27, 2012, 07:05:38 PM
You guys have it easy, these things grow up to 18 inches long... :o  And yes, they fly..... ;D

You live on an island zoo that's sparsely populated by human beings.  I'm surprised you haven't all been digested by now. ;D

LOL Don't sleep with your mouth open.

Paul
Logged
Paul
Littleton, CO

76/77 CB 750F, 
75 GL1000, (AKA GL1-242 NGWClub),
76 GL1000 LTD
84 GL1200 Standard
6 Bultaco's= 42, 49, 121, 152, 167, 188

Offline CycleRanger

  • No comment about being an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,468
  • Central Texas Shop Manual Advocate
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #12 on: February 27, 2012, 09:10:30 PM »
Well now, if we're gone start throwing our bugs out on the table and brag about 'em....

This handsome devil ran across my living room floor one night a few months back.
And yes they are poisonous! :o
Logged
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2012, 01:23:45 AM »
We have some weird kind of centipede here in NZ, I was on the PC one night and out of the corner of my eye I was sure I saw something move. Then it moved again and I saw this thing, man can they travel, like a CB750 running av-gas!

may grow up to 160 mm in length and 10 mm across;
shelters under or in logs and amongst leaves on the ground;
is carnivorous, crushing and piercing prey with its fearsome jaws, or mandibles;
has a bite that is painful although not poisonous to humans.

And here's something neat, put on in a jar and they eject their legs...seriously it's like self disection!
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline LesterPiglet

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,046
  • 1977 CB550F2
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2012, 04:10:04 AM »
Ewwww, I'm all itchy now.   :o
Logged
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline Gordon

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,114
  • 750K1, 550K2
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #15 on: February 28, 2012, 04:37:31 AM »

Oh, crap...  It's time to change the clock battery again!



Logged

Offline CycleRanger

  • No comment about being an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,468
  • Central Texas Shop Manual Advocate
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #16 on: February 28, 2012, 07:10:10 AM »
Quote from: Hush on February 28, 2012, 01:23:45 AM
Then it moved again and I saw this thing, man can they travel, like a CB750 running av-gas!
Yes, it was super fast! 
And there was no way I was going to sleep with it in the house!
I actually chased it around the living room and out the front door and offed it with chemical warfare on the front porch.
Three days later it was still twitching..... :o
Logged
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline eldar

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 149
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #17 on: February 28, 2012, 11:13:35 AM »
Insects are just not right. Food chain or not!
Logged

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #18 on: February 28, 2012, 01:28:05 PM »
They make good glue!
I woke up one night when we lived in the country, I was having this dream about driving in my car in the rain, but when I opened my eyes the wipers were still going!
Then I cleared my fuzzy brain and realised a big black cockroach was sitting happily on my nose (God knows where it had also been?) and what I could see was it's antenna waving backwards and forwards!!!!!ughhhhh.
Another time in winter we had guests and because all the seats were taken I sat on the coal bucket near the fire, next minute (or nek mint) I'm covered in roaches who had come up for the warmth of my butt!!!!
Country living lost a lot of it's shine for me in those days. ;D
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Retro Rocket

  • Eggs are hard due too a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 19,279
  • ROCK & ROLL
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #19 on: February 28, 2012, 02:56:42 PM »
Quote from: CycleRanger on February 27, 2012, 09:10:30 PM
Well now, if we're gone start throwing our bugs out on the table and brag about 'em....

This handsome devil ran across my living room floor one night a few months back.
And yes they are poisonous! :o

Hehe  We got BIGGER ones .... :o  And they are venomous as well....

Quote
This is the largest native Australian centipede and is a member of the scolopendrid family. The largest centipede in the world, Scolopendra gigantea, is a 30 cm {12 inches} centipede  that is able to eat mice and lizards.

« Last Edit: February 28, 2012, 02:58:23 PM by Retro Rocket »
Logged
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline CycleRanger

  • No comment about being an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,468
  • Central Texas Shop Manual Advocate
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #20 on: February 28, 2012, 03:32:26 PM »
Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 28, 2012, 02:56:42 PM
Hehe  We got BIGGER ones .... :o  And they are venomous as well....

You win!
And you are welcome to them!
25 years I've lived in Texas and that's the first one I've seen that big. Hopefully I won't see another....
Logged
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline trueblue

  • A person who has had many interesting experiences, some of which are true, is known as an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,124
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #21 on: February 29, 2012, 03:23:52 AM »
Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 28, 2012, 02:56:42 PM
Quote from: CycleRanger on February 27, 2012, 09:10:30 PM
Well now, if we're gone start throwing our bugs out on the table and brag about 'em....

This handsome devil ran across my living room floor one night a few months back.
And yes they are poisonous! :o

Hehe  We got BIGGER ones .... :o  And they are venomous as well....

Quote
This is the largest native Australian centipede and is a member of the scolopendrid family. The largest centipede in the world, Scolopendra gigantea, is a 30 cm {12 inches} centipede  that is able to eat mice and lizards.


That reminded me of a funny story from when I was working on Lady Elliot Island, those bloody centipedes were everywhere, one night I was sitting out on the verandah having a quiet brew when I heard a lot of banging and crashing coming from my boss's donga which was next to mine, next thing the door flies open and he was lying in a heap on the floor and one of those fellas about 10" long crawled down off his back and dissapeared in nothing flat, and I was sympathetically pissing myself laughing.  The worst I have copped while riding was a rhino beetle in the left shoulder at 100kph it felt like I got hit by a rock. 
Logged
1979 CB650Z
Nothing can be idiot proofed, the world keeps producing better idiots.
Electronic Guages for your SOHC 4

Offline Damfino

  • Sneaky, Evil, Magnificent Bastard of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,216
  • Look at the grouse! NYUK,NYUK,NYUK!
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #22 on: February 29, 2012, 09:07:43 AM »
Quote from: trueblue on February 29, 2012, 03:23:52 AM

That reminded me of a funny story from when I was working on Lady Elliot Island, those bloody centipedes were everywhere, one night I was sitting out on the verandah having a quiet brew when I heard a lot of banging and crashing coming from my boss's donga which was next to mine, next thing the door flies open and he was lying in a heap on the floor and one of those fellas about 10" long crawled down off his back and dissapeared in nothing flat, and I was sympathetically pissing myself laughing.  The worst I have copped while riding was a rhino beetle in the left shoulder at 100kph it felt like I got hit by a rock. 



I believe we call those 'Stag' beetles here. The bigger they are the more ominous they look. :o ;D

« Last Edit: February 29, 2012, 09:10:29 AM by Schmthaus »
Logged
Your Message Here!
You can still call me 'Schmitty'

1976 CB 750
2014 CB 1100DLX
2015 Harley Davidson Freewheeler



You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy.
Charles Manson

Quote from: Frankenstuff on December 29, 2010, 08:11:48 PM
You've got to watch your back in the SSDB, this is where the clever guys get bored with bike talk and make poo jokes.
I like my women a little big. Natural. Now, they shave this and wax that. It's not right. I love natural women. Big women. This trend in women has to go. Bulomia, anorexia. That's just wrong. You know what will cure that? My special sticky buns. One lick of my sticky buns and your appetite will come right back. ~ RIP Mr. Borgnine  01/24/1917 - 07/08/2012  :'(

Offline LesterPiglet

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,046
  • 1977 CB550F2
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #23 on: February 29, 2012, 09:45:16 AM »
I think the Rhino beetle's mandible thingys are vertical.
Logged
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: What's eating your forks?
« Reply #24 on: February 29, 2012, 11:52:56 AM »
Those beetles look like they could chew your tire off the rim! :-\
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!
Pages: [1] 2  All   Go Up
« previous next »