Topic: -Project Suzzie-

[RAFster122s]

Scottly is going to the Reunion, maybe he would have room for a 2nd bike on his trailer, or if your trailer has room for 2 bikes you could ride with him and then you both could trailer it to the Reunion.  He is towing his bike with his truck. He is bringing his Seeley and his grill along with other gear...Scottly is East of you a few miles... You could share the travel expenses.
But, if your lady friend is going too, then you would both need that room to ride separately...
Not sure if any cabins or other accommodations other than camping are available but, if so, need to reserve soon to get one.
Camping cabins have electricity but no cooling or other amenities the deluxe cabin would...

The CBX would be a welcome sight too. But the Suzuki would be nice to see, as Danny suggested.

David

[toytuff]

Thanks for the invite Bankerdanny.

A good plan David however I am the caregiver with the other half doing Perotineal Dialysis each evening. Twice a month appointments. One for blood work and general well being with the PD nurse, the other with the Doctor. Add to that once a month I order all dialysis supplies for the next month. Two weeks later the delivery truck arrives.

With other appointments plus daily life, I don't have time for much. Once she gets a kidney transplant then it would be more doable and a lot of fun I would imagine.

[RAFster122s]

Well, I hope that the kidney match happens soon...you definitely have your hands full.
That would be a fun get away...for you both. Unfortunately it isn't possible given the medical constraints you guys are dealing with...
She is lucky to have you in her life, and you hers most likely.

David

[toytuff]

What a hoot! Reminds me of the CB350F I had albeit two more gears. Only adjusted the clutch and it runs just great. Enjoyable, completely.

Slowly it inched to the door..





After a test ride. It was still early morning. Dang shadow.








Project Suzzie is finished. Ducati leaves late next week. Lazy summer ahead it appears. 

Jumbo pic below.

[RAFster122s]

You sell the Duc?
looks great!  Glad she's a fun ride...enjoy it before it gets really hot...was 100 on Thursday in Tucson, or was that Wed a friend was telling me...early hot weather everywhere, but not here today...barely going to see 57-58f

David

[Stev-o]

Looks great John!  Good to hear you had it out, I bet it was a thrill...

[toytuff]

Looks great John!  Good to hear you had it out, I bet it was a thrill...

Thank you Steve. Yup, it's a kick alright. Barrel of monkeys. Always did like smaller displacement motorcycles.

I need to hook an external tachometer and compare to the one on the bike. It sweeps just fine but not sure how accurate it really is. Don't want a Big Bang Part Two on this one. 

[toytuff]

I wanted to install the factory trim around the windshield but it wasn't fitting tight. I was going to use adhesive silicone but figured it would squish out and make a mess.

How can I squeeze this together? It's rubber over metal. Hmmm. I looked up on the peg board above my desk and the light came on.



I set the width of the vise grip just a little smaller than the width of the moulding working it a little at a time until it was tight on the screen.





Much better now. Gives the screen a finished look and pulls the eye away from just a plain edge. Me like.

[NobleHops]

Great technique John!

[toytuff]

Great technique John!

Yankee ingenuity!

Looks way better. Notice the expensive catalog?

[toytuff]

Ducati picked up by new owner yesterday. Very nice lady, going to good home.

[Stev-o]

Nice? She looks hot!  Coincidentally, the last 550 I sold went to a female, she was "nice" as well....

[toytuff]

Nice? She looks hot!  Coincidentally, the last 550 I sold went to a female, she was "nice" as well....

She will look even better on the Ducati. 

[toytuff]

Just a follow up. Tachometer works just fine, riding it everyday. Fuel gauge works as the level finally came down. Speedometer cleared up sitting out in the sun.

I have to do math when riding but have it somewhat memorized now since it's in kilometers.

Speed divided by half plus tenth digit. (60k divided  by 2 = 30 plus 6 = 36 mph)



Ordered up side cover decals and will attempt to get those on correctly. Will have to go by older pictures of the bike. Looking at web pictures Suzuki seemed to put them all over the place. Canadian models were different then Euro models.

Doing a little research on the TSCC motor. When it hits 7K up to 9K the extra power is amazing for a 400cc motorcycle.

[grcamna2]

That's a powerful little 400,is it smooth running also ?

[toytuff]

That's a powerful little 400,is it smooth running also ?

Yes, I was quite surprised myself. I think they were rated @44 hp. It likes 4K or above. I notice just a tad of vibration in the bars @ 4500 in 6 the gear, but other than that none. It likes 100LL gasoline also. 

Still getting the feel of it. Seems to "follow" the groves in the road but I did go to radial Avons which are just a little under the OEM bias size. Experimenting with tire pressure and running 35 F/R now. Maybe to much?

It's a hoot to ride but an in town bike. Can't see doing a long highway trip on it. Wouldn't have the time anyway. Suzuki geared this bike low and don't foresee changing the gearing. Just going to keep it and ride it. 

[grcamna2]

The light bikes tend to track into the grooves,tire style can contribute.. I usually move around on rain grooves rather than letting them dictate how I roll over them.

[toytuff]

Agree. Dry weight is listed at 386 pounds. Add 4.2 gallons of fuel and 3.2 quarts of oil to that figure.

[Stev-o]

Good to hear your riding it, John.    The mid size bikes are fun.    35 lbs is not too much, I run some tires up to 40. 

[toytuff]

Oh yeah! Weather has been cool but about to end.

Doing some more reading and it appears in March of 2016 I ordered the wrong size tires. The rear needs to go on the front and a larger tire on the rear. Service book says to remove exhaust which I prefer not to do. I think I can do it with extra hands.

Front is 90/90/18, rear is 100/90/18. Should be front 100/90/18, rear 110/90/18.
Stock size in bias was  360/18 front, 410/18 rear. Just put the rear on the front and order new rear.

Have time to ponder the procedure as I won't do until next fall. Just going to ride it. 

[Stev-o]

I've seen that in manuals too, certainly easier to remove the wheel with exhaust off, but much more work. 
As long as you can get the axle out, shouldn't be an issue

What tires did you buy? Need a new front tire for my new Suzi...

[toytuff]

Originally I bought these. 90/90/18 front, should be a 100/90/18 which is on the back. About a 1/2 inch from what I figure.

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_61_75&products_id=461

Rear should be 110/90/18, about 3/4 inch. Smaller tires on both ends. They are bi directional.

The swing arm is open at the rear so "it" might be possible to slide it all out. If not, bigger project.

[Stev-o]

As much as I like the Roadriders (have 'em on my Z1) want more on a vintage tread. 

The open swingarm should make the rear wheel removable....

[toytuff]

As much as I like the Roadriders (have 'em on my Z1) want more on a vintage tread. 

The open swingarm should make the rear wheel removable....

I found some old pictures from March 2016 when I cleaned the wheels. I went with the size that was on it when ordering a new set. 300/18 front, 350/18 rear IRC gs11. Cross reference to radial and I'm correct in size.

Seems different  web pages have different tire sizes. I'll stick with what I have and ponder next fall.

[grcamna2]

Ducati picked up by new owner yesterday. Very nice lady, going to good home.

She'll look good in full leathers on that Duc