Topic: Let it all hang out,tell us how you really feel and what pisses you off.

[70CB750]

Q? My bike modification won't work, what do I do?
 A!  We always did this.
 Q? but how do I make it work my way?
 A!  don't do that.
 Q? if I do it like this can my way work?
 A!  no, don't do that. Why do you want to do that?
 Q? because you have to do that.
 A! You don't but sure, why not, go ahead, I don't care.
 Q? It doesn't work, why did you guys tell me wrong?

Every so often - that's my wife  .  Except she does not blame me for it. 

[Alan F.]

Nobody seems to have done this before, at least not that I've found online.

What’s the plan Al, are you going to build a bigger Himalayan? I saw a couple of interceptor wheels for sale at a swap meet on Sunday, and wondered what I could do with them, but kept on walking.

More of an experiment for now, I've got the notion to build it up more as a scrambler but not for looks. I've got Himalayan springs and dampers, cartridge emulators and preload caps when I have the time to tinker, and I've got longer fittings for the rear shocks to replace the lower eye mount to raise ride height if needed. I've got a, set of 18" 50/50 tires to mount up after I wear out the Pirelli Phantoms but I couldn't resist trying to put together a 21" front wheel. I'm probably never going to go far off road but I think making this bike a little bit more capable won't hurt anything, it's all in fun and easily reverseable.

[Terry in Australia]

You might need to get longer fork tubes too Alan, I just measured the distance between the top of the fender and bottom triple clamp on my sons GT, 4.5 inches. The distance from the closest point on the oil cooler and the fender is only 3.5 inches.

[Alan F.]

That's true.
I calculate that with the Himalayan fork dampers and springs installed (supposedly an 8" suspension travel) and cartridge emulators and preload caps in my stock length 650 fork tubes and lowers, that with the difference vs the stock components and taking in to account the shorter 650 fork tubes, that I'll be able to leave out the preload spacers and set sag with the preload caps (initially). I'm counting on 3 more inches clearance.

This guy put his together the same way and even raised the forks in the triples a little more than stock to take up some of the extra length, I'm not crazy about the Himalayan wanna-be look though, I've got the hugger fender from a Himalayan on the way, I'll paint it and the 21" rim silver so the mods blend in better.

[grcamna2]

Alan,the bottom two pics;is that the way it will be on yours ?

[Alan F.]

That's with the stock 18" front wheel, but probably yes something like that.

[grcamna2]

That's with the stock 18" front wheel, but probably yes something like that.

Will you be inclined to stay with the stock fork length w/ the 21" and use the lower 'hugger' fender and pump the preload to keep from bottoming ?

[Alan F.]

I'll give it a try with the stock forks but I'm planning to swap out to the dampeners and springs from the Himalayan same as the bike pictured below.
Bottoming won't be an issue as fork length and ride height will be increased. I think I've got all of the angles covered and all that's left is to try it. The next set of spokes should arrive in a few days.

[grcamna2]

I'll give it a try with the stock forks but I'm planning to swap out to the dampeners and springs from the Himalayan same as the bike pictured below.
Bottoming won't be an issue as fork length and ride height will be increased. I think I've got all of the angles covered and all that's left is to try it. The next set of spokes should arrive in a few days.

Remove the springs from the forks when you(21")get it all set-up w/ stock forks,to test full bump.
You'll know then.

[Alan F.]

You might need to get longer fork tubes too Alan, I just measured the distance between the top of the fender and bottom triple clamp on my sons GT, 4.5 inches. The distance from the closest point on the oil cooler and the fender is only 3.5 inches.

It's close, stock front suspension travel is only 110mm or 4.3" I'm not sure how much sag there is with just the weight of the bike like in this photo. I'll place some zip ties on the fork tubes, grab a handful of front brake and give it a bounce or three.

But looking at the discoloration of the left fork tube in the photo might be a good indicator.

[Terry in Australia]

Are they 41mm tubes Alan? If you don’t have enough clearance, Harley Sportster tubes might work, they’re longer than the stock RE forks and should be pretty cheap on your side of the pond?

[jgger]

Hey Alan, what ever became of that 160 you were working on a while back?

[Terry in Australia]

Hey Alan, what ever became of that 160 you were working on a while back?

Jim, remember the first rule of bike club: Never ask about stalled projects…..

[jgger]

Whoops, my bad! 🙈🙉🙊

[Alan F.]

Yes they're 41mm, stock RE tubes are cheaper than aftermarket Harley as well.

The CB160 is in storage waiting it's turn, I'm between shops still & not enjoying it.

[Terry in Australia]

Yes they're 41mm, stock RE tubes are cheaper than aftermarket Harley as well.

The CB160 is in storage waiting it's turn, I'm between shops still & not enjoying it.

No worries, can you buy longer RE tubes if you need them? I won’t mention the other project, I’ve got a couple “on hold” at the moment…..

[Alan F.]

Yep, Himmy tubes are available as singles. I picked one up when I found a great deal, I'll get another one eventually but I doubt I'll need them

[BenelliSEI]

The weather. This is going to be ugly. Just started.

[BenelliSEI]

Getting worse. Hydro is down and fortunately my generator is working well!

[grcamna2]

Getting worse. Hydro is down and fortunately my generator is working well!

I'm hoping your weather will begin to be more Spring-like soon,John.
Good thing for having your dependable home generator with enough fuel. 

The weather here is much too stormy and humid these past two Winter's/Spring than what I've experienced the first five years I've lived here. I wanted to ride year-round,and was doing it.

The traffic here is just too retarded;Every Time I go out for a ride,I encounter drivers in front of me 'texting to drive' in their vehicles; THEY WON'T GET OUT OF THE WAY,and THEY'RE 'Creating Traffic Jams'.  Oh,what I wouldn't give to own a Cat 950 Front End Loader w/ a high gear to roll with traffic ! Clear the Roads !! 

I've been doing my best to enjoy 'Live to Ride' All My Life,in every state I've lived,but with these idiots out here in Davis,Ca. sitting still behind the wheel of their vehicles at a green light until it turns red again..,not moving.. Not Enough choice of roads and Way Too Many people out on the roads(between Sacramento and San Francisco)jamming everyone to a standstill      I WANT TO RIDE;NOT SIT STILL  !!!!!!!!!!!
There aren't enough 'alternate routes' as there are back where I'm from in New England.

I can take the Winter back East,but when Spring-time hits;Keep it Spring Weather !!
I don't have a shop(bikes covered in a parking space & working outside on my knees)and it keeps threatening rain every couple Days     Come ON: DRY UP !

[Alan F.]

I don't have a shop(bikes covered in a parking space & working outside on my knees)

Same here Bill, I'm waiting for a good warm, dry & quiet day to get my bike ready for the season and add a few bolt-ons but between salty roads and rainy days it's tough lately.

[grcamna2]

I don't have a shop(bikes covered in a parking space & working outside on my knees)

Same here Bill, I'm waiting for a good warm, dry & quiet day to get my bike ready for the season and add a few bolt-ons but between salty roads and rainy days it's tough lately.

   Alan,the weather has drastically changed out here;it would 'normally' (what's normal anymore  )be dry air in the 70's all day and I would be able to spray 2K clear Coat ! in March !
This blowing,cold,moist air sucks;the winds out here(around this area I live here) ALWAYS keep changing direction through the day,ever since I came here 7 yrs. ago !!  I'll NEVER get used to that.
I've just jetted my bike for Warm(70's+ dry)Weather..  C'Mon Warm,Dry Weather !!!

I moved out here for being able to RIDE year-round..  Really???     Ride Into a traffic-Jam  AGAIN.  The Quality of life here..   ??     is difficult for me to attain here.. A No Win situation..
 

[Don R]

 I drove into wet snow this winter and broke the plastic bed side on my 03 GMC dually. After a 6 week wait for our body shop appointment, they call today to say the part has been unavailable for 2 years.
  I checked with a scary scammy sounding junkyard parts service but they must be legit because they can't find one either.

[grcamna2]

I drove into wet snow this winter and broke the plastic bed side on my 03 GMC dually. After a 6 week wait for our body shop appointment, they call today to say the part has been unavailable for 2 years.
  I checked with a scary scammy sounding junkyard parts service but they must be legit because they can't find one either.

Do you plan to buy a used one ?

[RAFster122s]

This body shop guy shows a repair he did to one as well as the product he used to do the repair.  If you did the prep and repair and got it ready for paint, they could finish the paint, since they do not wish to repair the unrepairable. The repair he did looks good and he has it fixed up...