Author Topic: First bike, first long trip, looking for advice and tips from the experienced (Read 14934 times)

Aladinsane07 · « **Reply #75 on:** August 06, 2011, 03:01:48 PM »

Thanks for the reply. Don't you just love previous owners

Will you be updating from the road?

markreimer · « **Reply #76 on:** August 06, 2011, 03:53:29 PM »

Not sure about being able to update from the road or not. I'm camping the whole way so I won't have wifi and updating from my phone doesn't sound like much fun... I'll try to put up an update when I get to Vancouver though. I will definitely make a large post about the entire trip when it's over. I picked up about 20 rolls of medium format film yesterday (I'm a freelance photographer) and just got paid for a photo job so I'm going to pickup a GoPro on Monday as well. There will be no shortage of documentation! I'll post a link on this thread to the trip log - most likely in the travel section of the SOHC4 forums

WarwickE36 · « **Reply #77 on:** August 06, 2011, 05:31:02 PM »

Number 1 most important thing. At least 2 rolls of Toilet Paper. Have fun man. Keep us posted!

jneuf · « **Reply #78 on:** August 06, 2011, 06:46:45 PM »

You won't regret the purchase of the GoPro! I'll be using mine to document my portion of the SOHC rally. Have a good time!

markreimer · « **Reply #79 on:** August 06, 2011, 08:41:49 PM »

Jneuf - when are you meeting the other guys? I tried to get into contact about that but never heard back. What are the dates? I might be able to join you!

jneuf · « **Reply #80 on:** August 06, 2011, 09:47:04 PM »

I THINK it's coming up to the border next weekend. My folks live right by the border, so I figured I'd volunteer to go meet down there...Then it'll come up to Winnipeg, and I have no idea who will be taking it out west! When are you leaving on your trip??

I don't think I got the message you sent, but I'll PM you my email address.

Syscrush · « **Reply #81 on:** August 08, 2011, 04:20:26 AM »

If you want, you could sign up for Twitter and put the link here. That way we can follow your progress and live vicariously through you while you're out on your adventure and we're stuck working in stupid banks.

markreimer · « **Reply #82 on:** August 08, 2011, 07:54:51 PM »

Dunno why but I just can't stand twitter $:-\$

I did my valves today. Some were a bit out and had to be tightened down. Strangely after they were all set to spec there was a very small tapping sound. I opened them all up and re-checked. Everything was to the manuals tolerance. Still a very soft tapping sound, only audible while riding, not at idle. I also adjusted my cam chain tension at the same time. Two far more experienced riders than I had a look and thought it sounded fine. Any ideas?

Picked up a GoPro HD today, can't wait to use it in the mountains. Check back in two weeks for a link to a ride log. Thanks everyone for your help!

Syscrush · « **Reply #83 on:** August 09, 2011, 03:26:12 AM »

Valves tend to tighten when they go out of spec. After an adjustment it's normal to have some tapping/ticking.

Redrider969 · « **Reply #84 on:** August 16, 2011, 06:40:56 AM »

Sorry to be adding to the list so late. But last night one more important thing suddenly popped into my head, and I thought I'd better mention it. If you need to patch or replace a tube, the tire is much easier to get back on the rim if you have something to lubricate the edge of the tire. A little engine oil will work, but I prefer hand cleaner (but not the stuff with pumice). It's nice and slippery, and rinses right off the bike and your hands with a little water. And, you can use it to clean up yourself after the job is done.

markreimer · « **Reply #85 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:11:01 PM »

And I'm back! Got in last night at 2:30am. 7 days, approx. 6,500km! The bike made it out ok mostly...

I've dropped off many rolls of film and downloaded some footage - full ride report to follow.

One recurring issue I had was my primary chain tension. Every morning I'd have to tension it as it would go from 1.5-2cm slack to about 4-5cm. I replaced the chain in Vancouver with a brand new one. That was Friday. Same problem - every evening it would stretch out big time. Yesterday I rode 1,325km and my chain was practically dragging on the ground when I got home. How much stretch is normal? This chain is only 5 days old and I've already used up about 1/3 of my available adjustment. And I can pull the chain off the sprocket at the back, as seen in the photo. I feel like this is definitely not normal... What could be causing this?

Once I get the full report written up and images scanned I"ll post a link here. I have to say - this bike rules. I had so much fun on it.

jneuf · « **Reply #86 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:33:19 PM »

1300 kms in one day! I'm not sure I could do half that!

Congrats on making the trip successfully. Looking forward to seeing some of the pics..

Oh, and Godzilla and the SOHC4 relay are currently in Winnipeg....care to put some more miles on your bike?

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #87 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:51:55 PM »

Cool, congrats. That's the drive chain by the way, the primary chain is internal and connects the crank to the main gearbox shaft.

The chain on my 550 goes slack very quicly too. I have to adjust every 200-300 miles.

markreimer · « **Reply #88 on:** August 17, 2011, 02:02:38 PM »

Oops... always learning something new! Thanks!

Stevenarrow · « **Reply #89 on:** August 17, 2011, 02:34:17 PM »

if you need any work / tune ups in Vancouver, I recommend Moto Method

http://motomethod.com/Welcome.html

They do great work on older bikes and will teach you what they are doing along the way -- very helpful.

I have a membership and rent time in the shop -- learned a ton in the last few months.

bollingball · « **Reply #90 on:** August 17, 2011, 04:19:45 PM »

Get some more foot pegs to mount on that crash bar so you can move those knees around

754 · « **Reply #91 on:** August 17, 2011, 07:38:39 PM »

Sorry for not getting you my contact info , for Kelowna..
If you are getting that rapid wear on the chain its the sprockets.. probably the front cuz you cant see it..
First thing I did on the bike I am riding was change front sprocket, then hit the road and put on abot 750 miles in 26 hrs.. had a bad chain needed replacing by the end of that first day.. found a -20.00 chain in Idaho that held up for over a year..

I say front sprocket if rear is not visibly hooped.... alway check front sprocket before a trip if condition is unknown..

754 · « **Reply #92 on:** August 17, 2011, 07:52:13 PM »

It good you didnt come here Sunday.. Gangland shooting about 2000 ft from my shop.. you coulda rode right past it if your timing was bad... At least 1 round got acrod the street and put a farlly clean hole in a window..

they emptied at least 1 full clip out of an automatic assault rifle into a Cayenne with 5 people in it..

not the place to be...

markreimer · « **Reply #93 on:** August 17, 2011, 08:51:55 PM »

Jeez no kidding. I spent most of the day in Langley as I had a wedding to go to there. I was introduced to a sweet junkyard-style shop called the Bent Bike who helped me out with my chain. I figured my front and rear sprockets were due for replacement. There are some points during the wheel rotation where the chain is quite a bit tighter than others. Probably have some uneven wear. I'll be ordering those in tomorrow.

Also, about the secondary pegs - definitely would have been awesome. My knees were killing me! Also great time about Moto Method. I wish there was something similar in Winnipeg.

smashedmelon · « **Reply #94 on:** August 18, 2011, 12:08:27 AM »

Sounds like a great trip. Let me know if you need anything while you're in around Vancouver and I'll do my best to help you out if I can. I have a K3 parts bike and a few parts kicking around.

Syscrush · « **Reply #95 on:** August 18, 2011, 12:41:11 PM »

Quote from: markreimer on August 17, 2011, 01:11:01 PM

And I'm back! Got in last night at 2:30am. 7 days, approx. 6,500km! The bike made it out ok mostly...

Good!

Quote

One recurring issue I had was my primary chain tension.

As noted, that's not the primary chain.

Quote

Every morning I'd have to tension it as it would go from 1.5-2cm slack to about 4-5cm. I replaced the chain in Vancouver with a brand new one.

But you didn't change the sprockets?

Quote

Yesterday I rode 1,325km

Wow. Wow. That is awesome. Congrats!

Quote

and my chain was practically dragging on the ground when I got home. How much stretch is normal? This chain is only 5 days old and I've already used up about 1/3 of my available adjustment. And I can pull the chain off the sprocket at the back, as seen in the photo. I feel like this is definitely not normal... What could be causing this?

Worn/old sprockets wear out chains. I suspect that if you take a careful look at the front sprocket, you'll see that the teeth are worn into a sawtooth type of shape.

Quote

Once I get the full report written up and images scanned I"ll post a link here. I have to say - this bike rules. I had so much fun on it.

Can't wait!!!

Congrats again, that is some SERIOUS mile eating!

markreimer · « **Reply #96 on:** August 18, 2011, 04:55:30 PM »

Thanks Syscrush!

I didn't replace the sprockets only because I couldn't find any in the town I was in while changing the chain. Definitely asked though. I'll be ordering those up this week. I've also developed a leak in my valve cover. I dropped the bike

in a parking lot (the kickstand shot up as I was leaning it over to park. All that luggage strapped on top and I couldn't keep it upright after I realized the kickstand wasn't down anymore. Went down nice and gentle, just hurt my pride) and after that I started getting some leaking around the #4 and #3 valves. It's a new gasket in there too so it's odd that it started leaking.

I got all my negatives and slides back today. Started scanning them and writing up the report!

Redrider969 · « **Reply #97 on:** August 18, 2011, 05:52:57 PM »

Yes, it certainly sounds like a worn sprocket problem. One short-term fix I've used is to turn the sprockets around - i.e. unbolt the sprockets flip them over and put them back on. The chain pulls on one side of the sprocket's teeth so the wear occurs on one side of the teeth. Flipping the sprocket allows to the chain to pull on the unworn side of the teeth. I wouldn't continue riding for long periods like that, but it probably would have greatly reduced the amount of chain stretch you experienced.

The only caution is to check to see if your sprockets have shoulders on them (the center of the sprocket is thicker then the area around the teeth) you need to make sure that it has the same shoulder on both sides.

Based on how much stretch you've experienced, you may need to replace your chain again along with the new sprockets.

markreimer · « **Reply #98 on:** August 18, 2011, 06:13:17 PM »

Well oddly that is an easy option as well... Due to some irritating circumstances I ended up with two new chains in vancouver, so I have a nice new o-ring chain cut to length ready to install. Just have to find someone with the proper rivit tool for the master link.

markreimer · « **Reply #99 on:** September 15, 2011, 01:30:02 PM »

Hey guys, I finally got my ride report together. If interested, have a look on the advrider forums right here:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=725304

News:

Author Topic: First bike, first long trip, looking for advice and tips from the experienced (Read 14934 times)

bollingball