A Motorcycle Thread About Absolutely Nothing!

Interesting article I read in the August 2014 AMA magazine concerning NY:

By Brian LeSchander...."I am a 59-year-old married male, a homeowner, a business owner, a pilot and former airplane owner, a skydiver, a BASE jumper (retired), a ski instructor, and last but not least, a dedicated motorcyclist since the age of 12.
My motorcycle-only checkpoint story began on Sunday morning, May 25, 2014, as my wife and I donned our full-face helmets and riding gear and climbed aboard our 2005 touring motorcycle for about a two-hour ride. We headed east on New York Routes 5 and 20 to meet my brother in Auburn.
We were about an hour and a half into this ride when we crested a hill and joined what turned out to be a very long line established by the New York State troopers as a checkpoint. DWI checkpoints are common on holiday weekends, but this turned out to be something I had yet to experience in my 40-plus years of riding.
I was directed by a trooper to pull into a dead-end road less than 50 yards long with at least a dozen bikes parked in every direction. The area was covered with rocks, stones and debris. I had an 850-pound motorcycle with a passenger aboard and would not have voluntarily chosen this as a stopping point.
I was ordered to shut down and get off the bike, produce my license, registration and insurance identification card. The officer held my documents and said he would return them to me after they did a lights, horn and tire check in case he had to write me a citation. The current New York State inspection sticker on this bike apparently wasn't sufficient. My paperwork was also in order. He still insisted that we proceed with the check. He did the check and with a smile, handed back my paperwork and released me.
I have the utmost respect for the police in this country. However, there were several things that could have been done differently at this checkpoint.
* First, regarding safety - allegedly, the whole point of this checkpoint - they compromised my and my wife's well being by directing us to an area that was not suited for maneuvering large motorcycles.
* Second, they had no organization at the checkpoint. People and motorcycles were parked and moving in every direction - another unsafe condition.
* Third, at this point in the ride, both my wife and I were in search of a rest room. We were held at this stop about 15-20 minutes with no available facilities.
Motorcycle-only checkpoints like this one are a clear case of discrimination and a transparent attempt at revenue gain. I wouldn't be as upset if they were stopping all vehicles and putting them through this check. They didn't - just motorcycles.
Aside from the inconvenience and discrimination of probably hundreds of motorcyclists that day, I also question whether the ratio of citations served that day justified the 12-15 officers on duty.
This checkpoint created a safety issue rather than preventing one."

In this same magazine I found another related excerpt:

By Jesse Erbaum....."Motorcycle only checkpoints (which are common in NYC) are referred to by locals as "motorcycle stop and frisk." They don't make anyone safer, and only feed the image that the NYPD is an illegitimate authority that enjoys harassing riders two or three times a week during the summer."

I did not know that NY was still doing this. Many states have been challenged and have stopped this practice.
 
TinCanSailor said:
Interesting article I read in the August 2014 AMA magazine concerning NY:

By Brian LeSchander...."I am a 59-year-old married male, a homeowner, a business owner, a pilot and former airplane owner, a skydiver, a BASE jumper (retired), a ski instructor, and last but not least, a dedicated motorcyclist since the age of 12.
My motorcycle-only checkpoint story began on Sunday morning, May 25, 2014, as my wife and I donned our full-face helmets and riding gear and climbed aboard our 2005 touring motorcycle for about a two-hour ride. We headed east on New York Routes 5 and 20 to meet my brother in Auburn.
We were about an hour and a half into this ride when we crested a hill and joined what turned out to be a very long line established by the New York State troopers as a checkpoint. DWI checkpoints are common on holiday weekends, but this turned out to be something I had yet to experience in my 40-plus years of riding.
I was directed by a trooper to pull into a dead-end road less than 50 yards long with at least a dozen bikes parked in every direction. The area was covered with rocks, stones and debris. I had an 850-pound motorcycle with a passenger aboard and would not have voluntarily chosen this as a stopping point.
I was ordered to shut down and get off the bike, produce my license, registration and insurance identification card. The officer held my documents and said he would return them to me after they did a lights, horn and tire check in case he had to write me a citation. The current New York State inspection sticker on this bike apparently wasn't sufficient. My paperwork was also in order. He still insisted that we proceed with the check. He did the check and with a smile, handed back my paperwork and released me.
I have the utmost respect for the police in this country. However, there were several things that could have been done differently at this checkpoint.
* First, regarding safety - allegedly, the whole point of this checkpoint - they compromised my and my wife's well being by directing us to an area that was not suited for maneuvering large motorcycles.
* Second, they had no organization at the checkpoint. People and motorcycles were parked and moving in every direction - another unsafe condition.
* Third, at this point in the ride, both my wife and I were in search of a rest room. We were held at this stop about 15-20 minutes with no available facilities.
Motorcycle-only checkpoints like this one are a clear case of discrimination and a transparent attempt at revenue gain. I wouldn't be as upset if they were stopping all vehicles and putting them through this check. They didn't - just motorcycles.
Aside from the inconvenience and discrimination of probably hundreds of motorcyclists that day, I also question whether the ratio of citations served that day justified the 12-15 officers on duty.
This checkpoint created a safety issue rather than preventing one."

In this same magazine I found another related excerpt:

By Jesse Erbaum....."Motorcycle only checkpoints (which are common in NYC) are referred to by locals as "motorcycle stop and frisk." They don't make anyone safer, and only feed the image that the NYPD is an illegitimate authority that enjoys harassing riders two or three times a week during the summer."

I did not know that NY was still doing this. Many states have been challenged and have stopped this practice.
Click to expand...

yep. it's a big problem in NYC. Jesse Erbaum is a friend of mine and we're in same club. he's a very very large guy. not a fat person. I feel that he is 8 feet tall. if he sat down on a couch, he still would be taller than me :eek3:

He would be a perfect replacement for Chewbacca. our club frequently teases him because when he rides, it looks as if he's riding a mini-bike. Jesse and few other people are key fighters of this. we can't really understand the NYC's irrational hostility toward motorcycles when all other cities and several countries embrace it.
 
TinCanSailor said:
Interesting article I read in the August 2014 AMA magazine concerning NY:

By Brian LeSchander...."I am a 59-year-old married male, a homeowner, a business owner, a pilot and former airplane owner, a skydiver, a BASE jumper (retired), a ski instructor, and last but not least, a dedicated motorcyclist since the age of 12.
My motorcycle-only checkpoint story began on Sunday morning, May 25, 2014, as my wife and I donned our full-face helmets and riding gear and climbed aboard our 2005 touring motorcycle for about a two-hour ride. We headed east on New York Routes 5 and 20 to meet my brother in Auburn.
We were about an hour and a half into this ride when we crested a hill and joined what turned out to be a very long line established by the New York State troopers as a checkpoint. DWI checkpoints are common on holiday weekends, but this turned out to be something I had yet to experience in my 40-plus years of riding.
I was directed by a trooper to pull into a dead-end road less than 50 yards long with at least a dozen bikes parked in every direction. The area was covered with rocks, stones and debris. I had an 850-pound motorcycle with a passenger aboard and would not have voluntarily chosen this as a stopping point.
I was ordered to shut down and get off the bike, produce my license, registration and insurance identification card. The officer held my documents and said he would return them to me after they did a lights, horn and tire check in case he had to write me a citation. The current New York State inspection sticker on this bike apparently wasn't sufficient. My paperwork was also in order. He still insisted that we proceed with the check. He did the check and with a smile, handed back my paperwork and released me.
I have the utmost respect for the police in this country. However, there were several things that could have been done differently at this checkpoint.
* First, regarding safety - allegedly, the whole point of this checkpoint - they compromised my and my wife's well being by directing us to an area that was not suited for maneuvering large motorcycles.
* Second, they had no organization at the checkpoint. People and motorcycles were parked and moving in every direction - another unsafe condition.
* Third, at this point in the ride, both my wife and I were in search of a rest room. We were held at this stop about 15-20 minutes with no available facilities.
Motorcycle-only checkpoints like this one are a clear case of discrimination and a transparent attempt at revenue gain. I wouldn't be as upset if they were stopping all vehicles and putting them through this check. They didn't - just motorcycles.
Aside from the inconvenience and discrimination of probably hundreds of motorcyclists that day, I also question whether the ratio of citations served that day justified the 12-15 officers on duty.
This checkpoint created a safety issue rather than preventing one."

In this same magazine I found another related excerpt:

By Jesse Erbaum....."Motorcycle only checkpoints (which are common in NYC) are referred to by locals as "motorcycle stop and frisk." They don't make anyone safer, and only feed the image that the NYPD is an illegitimate authority that enjoys harassing riders two or three times a week during the summer."

I did not know that NY was still doing this. Many states have been challenged and have stopped this practice.
Click to expand...

Dang! I can't believe it!! In Kansas, they never have motorcycle 'stop and frisk'. Cops respects bikers as long as they obey laws. They are not picky like in NY. My motorcycle have Rebuilt Salvage title and sticker on it (hidden behind fork, perfect spot that DMV guy put in respectful manner), updated license sticker and registration. My concern is that I will be moving to Vermont next year, Since that NY is states away from VT. It sound like I may have to avoid problems by loading bike on trailer and cover it or use "horse trailer" to mask it. If I ever unload motorcycle at campground in NY and ride on highway, let cops pull me over and inspect it. I don't give a *** damn about it. I'm Kansas Redneck guy.

In State of KS, all cops even highway patrols are eyeing on all SPORT Bikers because it's illegal to wheelie and speeding, many accidents contributed from wheelie and speeding. They'll annoys you. So whoever have Sport motorcycle, don't wheelie or $500 fines if you do. They passed the law few years ago. Before the law, I saw kids wheelie their Sportbike at 70mph on highway (straight up, not at angle). My sons saw them and I told them DON"T even think of that!!

GP motorcycles and Cruisers pose no issue and cops and highway patrols won't watch you as long as you are not doing anything stupid. They don't care about monkey bar height as long as you can handle it (use common sense) but not overtly tall monkeybar that can pose issue with squeezing lever quickly (saw youtube about African guys riding motorcycle with overtly tall monkeybar, that's stupid!!)

Its a real dumb idea for them to have motorcycle checkpoint. Are they expecting find any contrabands from state away? I believe just a few bikers do like excessive handlebar height, unsafe design ect. Sound like to me that NY is greedy for revenue. They need to find something better than just motorcycle checkpoint. I am concerned about Rebuilt Salvage issue if I cross state line to NY just to ride through. Are they overtly picky about it. If they asked me why rebuilt salvage, I would simply state that had a minor slow speed motorcycle/car accident and car hit rear of bike but no damage to swingarm and wheel, replaced bent exhaust pipes that's it. Overall body are in excellent shape and safe on highway.

I would like to know what's NY law allowing and disallowing regarding of motorcycle. Hope it's not all that complicated. I do have running spotlights on all the time for safety (Triangle of lights) but what about NY? If they disallowed that then they're plain stupid for not allow safety factors for bikers. I do know few states don't allow running spotlights, mine can be disconnected by wire connector.

Catty
 
Couple days ago, I just worked on my motorcycle to re-adjust valves. It was overdue for valve adjustment. I didn't know that I was supposed to do that every 6,000 miles but my bike is 24,500 miles now. Until this year, my bike seem to idle rough and uneven. I did clean the carburetor but it didn't solve problems. Something I learned from repairing my friend's 250cc scooter (MP-250-A Chinese made Liahai-Yamaha clone engine). The Moderator of Chinese Scooter Conference blog been "preaching" to all bloggers to adjust the valve!!! Not carburetor or sparkplugs. My friend's scooter won't stay idle and it only have 1,300 miles on it. I found out exhaust valve was out of spec, it was (minus) -001 inch that it literally opens just tiny bit when it's closed. I re-adjust exhaust valve to .005 inch as specified. I fired up and it finally stayed idle and ran like new.

So I applied my experience to my motorcycle and after adjustment, it ran even, smooth and soft. I noticed performance improved as well. I realized that I shouldn't be messing with carburetor first place. I tuned the jet back to factory level and left it alone.

I also fixed the speedo magnet which flangs broke off, I put superglue it together and put it back on front wheel and now it's working fine. If It breaks again, I would buy new one for $30 at Suzuki dealership. What cause the breakage, Originally, I bought my motorcycle and removed the wheels to replace tires. I installed wheels back in and accidentally broke 4 flangs of magnet while covering the speedo sensor at the axle, I glued all 4 flangs with superglue and gingerly place it back on and held wheel up to align axle bolt and speedo sensor in and tighten it. Works fine for 5 years until I ran over railroad track at 55 mph ( I was speeding 55mph over 25mph limit at industrial area near my work, It wasn't that rough but stood up the bike while running over it) and it broke flangs off the magnet. hee hee. I can guess speed limit by feeling engine vibrations and what gear I am in.

Catty
 
purplecatty said:
Dang! I can't believe it!! In Kansas, they never have motorcycle 'stop and frisk'. Cops respects bikers as long as they obey laws. They are not picky like in NY. My motorcycle have Rebuilt Salvage title and sticker on it (hidden behind fork, perfect spot that DMV guy put in respectful manner), updated license sticker and registration. My concern is that I will be moving to Vermont next year, Since that NY is states away from VT. It sound like I may have to avoid problems by loading bike on trailer and cover it or use "horse trailer" to mask it. If I ever unload motorcycle at campground in NY and ride on highway, let cops pull me over and inspect it. I don't give a *** damn about it. I'm Kansas Redneck guy.

In State of KS, all cops even highway patrols are eyeing on all SPORT Bikers because it's illegal to wheelie and speeding, many accidents contributed from wheelie and speeding. They'll annoys you. So whoever have Sport motorcycle, don't wheelie or $500 fines if you do. They passed the law few years ago. Before the law, I saw kids wheelie their Sportbike at 70mph on highway (straight up, not at angle). My sons saw them and I told them DON"T even think of that!!

GP motorcycles and Cruisers pose no issue and cops and highway patrols won't watch you as long as you are not doing anything stupid. They don't care about monkey bar height as long as you can handle it (use common sense) but not overtly tall monkeybar that can pose issue with squeezing lever quickly (saw youtube about African guys riding motorcycle with overtly tall monkeybar, that's stupid!!)

Its a real dumb idea for them to have motorcycle checkpoint. Are they expecting find any contrabands from state away? I believe just a few bikers do like excessive handlebar height, unsafe design ect. Sound like to me that NY is greedy for revenue. They need to find something better than just motorcycle checkpoint. I am concerned about Rebuilt Salvage issue if I cross state line to NY just to ride through. Are they overtly picky about it. If they asked me why rebuilt salvage, I would simply state that had a minor slow speed motorcycle/car accident and car hit rear of bike but no damage to swingarm and wheel, replaced bent exhaust pipes that's it. Overall body are in excellent shape and safe on highway.

I would like to know what's NY law allowing and disallowing regarding of motorcycle. Hope it's not all that complicated. I do have running spotlights on all the time for safety (Triangle of lights) but what about NY? If they disallowed that then they're plain stupid for not allow safety factors for bikers. I do know few states don't allow running spotlights, mine can be disconnected by wire connector.

Catty
Click to expand...

no don't worry about it. motorcycle "stop and frisk" is only in NYC because we have serious problem with illegal riders causing havoc here. many riders ride ATV and non-street certified dirt bikes... and many of them are not licensed or insured... and handful of them are riding stolen bikes.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUEXftRlgr4]NYC Motorcycle Gang Closes Broadway, Again - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waDZGp6N8jo]Crazy Motorcycle Stunts and Police Chases - YouTube[/ame]

and you've heard about a motorcycle gang chasing after Range Rover and beating up the father.
 
Jiro said:
no don't worry about it. motorcycle "stop and frisk" is only in NYC because we have serious problem with illegal riders causing havoc here. many riders ride ATV and non-street certified dirt bikes... and many of them are not licensed or insured... and handful of them are riding stolen bikes.

NYC Motorcycle Gang Closes Broadway, Again - YouTube

Crazy Motorcycle Stunts and Police Chases - YouTube

and you've heard about a motorcycle gang chasing after Range Rover and beating up the father.
Click to expand...

Whew, Ok no problem. I won't do anything crazy like the Sport Bikers. Which means that I can relax and enjoy riding in NY state.

TinCanSailor did not mentioned specifically "Gang" issue. If he mentioned that, I wouldn't have to comment that.

Yes I saw video last Spring, that's crazy. Kid's fault for just slowing down and bump Range Rover front bumper. It's dumb move for him to make a big drama out of it.

Catty
 
purplecatty said:
Whew, Ok no problem. I won't do anything crazy like the Sport Bikers. Which means that I can relax and enjoy riding in NY state.

TinCanSailor did not mentioned specifically "Gang" issue. If he mentioned that, I wouldn't have to comment that.

Yes I saw video last Spring, that's crazy. Kid's fault for just slowing down and bump Range Rover front bumper. It's dumb move for him to make a big drama out of it.

Catty
Click to expand...

NYPD is targeting everybody and now more aggressively as part of "Vision Zero" law. Jesse, few people, and AMA are fighting it at court. For you... I wouldn't worry about it much. Cops are not targeting bikers in New York state but they are in NYC.
 
Question: My clutch cable snapped completely off from the lever. Both are stock. I see the cable itself is fairly easy to install, but have only seen it done with an aftermarket lever. Is there a specific part needed to install a new clutch cable to my lever, or just as is like the aftermarket lever? my bike is an '05 cbr600rr.
 
Chanse_It said:
Question: My clutch cable snapped completely off from the lever. Both are stock. I see the cable itself is fairly easy to install, but have only seen it done with an aftermarket lever. Is there a specific part needed to install a new clutch cable to my lever, or just as is like the aftermarket lever? my bike is an '05 cbr600rr.
Click to expand...

Either you go to Honda Motorcycle Dealership or order through Ebay for "OEM" cable. It should not cost alot. You might want to check through online store as well that they sell reasonable price for clutch cable that matches model of your bike. It's not all that hard to find tho.

Motion Pro OEM Clutch Cable for Honda CBR600RR, 02-0536

Motion Pro Clutch Cable - CBR600RR (03-06)

It look reasonable priced.

Catty
 
Jiro said:
the goal of "Vision Zero" is to reduce casualty/accident rate caused by vehicles... basically "zero pedestrian casualty". and just prior to being signed into law... some lame duck politician attached a last-minute pork that targets motorcycles.

Vision Zero
Click to expand...

Glad I don't live in NYC don't think I could handle that place.
 
Chanse_It said:
Question: My clutch cable snapped completely off from the lever. Both are stock. I see the cable itself is fairly easy to install, but have only seen it done with an aftermarket lever. Is there a specific part needed to install a new clutch cable to my lever, or just as is like the aftermarket lever? my bike is an '05 cbr600rr.
Click to expand...

you can just go to any honda dealership and buy a clutch cable from there. it's probably $20-30.
 
Chanse_It said:
Question: My clutch cable snapped completely off from the lever. Both are stock. I see the cable itself is fairly easy to install, but have only seen it done with an aftermarket lever. Is there a specific part needed to install a new clutch cable to my lever, or just as is like the aftermarket lever? my bike is an '05 cbr600rr.
Click to expand...

It seems some people did not quite understand your question. You should not need any special tools or parts to replace the clutch cable. The oem lever should be pretty similar to the aftermarket ones.
 
EasyRider01 said:
It seems some people did not quite understand your question. You should not need any special tools or parts to replace the clutch cable. The oem lever should be pretty similar to the aftermarket ones.
Click to expand...

oh and also - tie a string to old clutch cable and then pull the cable out so that you can tie a string to new cable and then pull the string back in.
 
saw this in my FB feed -

Need gas for your motorcycle in China? Hmmmm, you can't use the pump, that is classified as unsafe, you have to go to the motorcycle box located at least ten feet from the station (to reduce risk of fire) and then use mandated fuel tea pot (about six of these to fill up a BMW R1150GS Touratech tank), to fill your tank. Yep THAT method is safe as gas splashes all over the station getting it from the pump, it splashes all over walking the thirty feet or so to the bike and creates impressive amounts of gas steam when it hits the hot engine!

No wonder the motorcycle fill up box has to be located away from the gas station.
Big government watching over your health (and speaking of watching, police cameras everywhere in the station as some of them would have let us fill up at the pump but they would just look up at camera and say not possible) or are they insuring you won't live long enough to worry about your old age?
Click to expand...
10375077_10152258171687043_6659009517077464274_n.jpg
10570317_10152258171722043_2759999541905998572_n.jpg


I did some google search for similar issue and yep - same thing in Mongolia

Milton and I were (no idea where we were but may have been Sichuan) somewhere, and it was one of the stupid teapot provinces and at a station where it was strictly enforced. There were 2 small pots each big enough to make tea for an entire 30 person danwei but no more. Milton got in early getting the "good pot". I got the leaky one. Yeah, leaky one!!

There I was carrying it from the pump to my bike which of course was parked 30m away against the right hand side of the gas station. The walk to the bike created a stream of gasoline from pump to bike from the leaking pot. When I arrive at the Jialing and tried to get the spout into (or somewhere near) the opening on my gas tank I discovered that too was damaged. Now I have gasoline leaking from not just the bottom but now also the top and now all over my bike and over Motokai. As I was trying to salvage this ever so delicately Milton was my advocate firing at the attendant how in the world this could be safer than filling up at the pump??

Gasoline everywhere: Ground, Bike, Clothes, Motokai

Really? This is safer?
Click to expand...
6144392806_c51144e240_z.jpg


and different person in China -
Motokai was re-filling his bike, wondering why there wasn’t much ended up in the tank. Note the puddle underneath his bike, which according to Sinopec is less a fire hazard than filling up at the pump:
Click to expand...
IMG_20130405_144625.jpg


Motokai finally gave up and switched to another kettle. Notice how the first teapot splays, side way, at the spout:
Click to expand...
IMG_20130405_144430.jpg
 
Jiro said:
saw this in my FB feed -


10375077_10152258171687043_6659009517077464274_n.jpg
10570317_10152258171722043_2759999541905998572_n.jpg


I did some google search for similar issue and yep - same thing in Mongolia


6144392806_c51144e240_z.jpg


and different person in China -

IMG_20130405_144625.jpg



IMG_20130405_144430.jpg
Click to expand...


IMHO it's pretty dangerous suppose prankster flicked lighted match to person filling up the tank with pot, Foomp!!

I understand that it's Chinese law and I would have to fill it with pot. Perhap bring repair putty to fix leaky pot so me and rest of the Chinese population can use it without worrying about leaks :lol:

I think they made a law because large population of Chinese people smokes so probably why pot was a reason for safety. Supposed if someone had an urge to light a cigarette while having pot next to them away from gas pump, (light cig and kboomm!!!) so Gas pump would not be needed to put out fire,



Catty
 
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