A Motorcycle Thread About Absolutely Nothing!

[Jiro]

I just finally got crash bar today through mail. I tried to put it on and it did fit but the bolt hole did not line up just 1/4th inch because the crash bar bottom flange was drilled a bit far from the rounded end. Since it's a minor fix, I took it to my friend and he milled the hole so it can be closer to the rounded end. After I took it home and it finally fits and bolted in. It took some struggle for me to get bolt in. I had to ask my son to screw in bolt while I wrestle the crashbar. Crashbar isn't perfectly aligned so I am fully aware that it requires muscle to get it fitted in.

here's the pix!

Catty

looking nice there! Wish I have one for myself to rest my foot on it

hhhmmm... the one that's not aligned is on the left side (facing forward when seated), right?

 

[purplecatty]

looking nice there! Wish I have one for myself to rest my foot on it

hhhmmm... the one that's not aligned is on the left side (facing forward when seated), right?

No. Its the holes on bottom flanges (both sides) are not aligned to bolt hole. My friend milled the hole so it aligns to hole. As for bracket on top of crashbar which connects to frame of motorcycle isnt aligned so my friend use shop vise and he tweaked it. But the view of crashbar both front and side look great and even. This crashbar was originally from HongKong china lol.

 

[purplecatty]

The seller of crashbar asked me to take pix of flaw so she can notify manufacter to fix it before they produce too many flawed crashbar lol. To me its a minor fix which i did.

 

[Reba]

cutest one I've seen today at motorcycle forum. twin girls.

That is cute! That would make a great family Christmas card.

 

[Jiro]

That is cute! That would make a great family Christmas card.

i've got more!

 

[purplecatty]

Very cute pix of baby in motorcycle helmet. I like one with crying baby in helmet and I bet it's loud inside with his voice

Yesterday, I finally got my Suzuki Volusia inspected and got license plate!!! I was planning to take riding test just block from DMV. As I pulled over to parking lot with motorcycle on trailer where riding test were underway. As soon as I got out and it started to sprinkle. The Examinator saw me and he pointed upward and shake his hand hinting me "It's gonna rain and maybe cancelled". I walked to DL place and stood in line hoping it's just a sprinkle that go away. The guy in front me in line were talking to me. I motioned him with finger pointed to my ear and shook a bit. He realized I'm deaf. So He asked me how am I doing. I told him doing fine and planning to take riding test. He said ME TOO!! So we both are thrilled. While standing in line and waiting, few minutes later, He got phone call and turned around me and waved his hand across his neck and pointed through window. OOOHHH NOOOO!! It's pouring out and Riding test been cancelled. We both just skipped the line and head out to parking lot on our way. I saw guy who was in the middle of riding test was disappointed that it was cancelled and Examinator left. The guy decide to practice even if it's rainy. I can tell he's a real Rookie cuz he stalled his friend's Harley

The guy who were front of me was riding scooter and I drove my truck with motorcycle on trailer, he was surprised that I had nice motorcycle and thumbed up at me. I pulled over and made a quick visit to guy who was on motorcycle and asked him if he know what's needed be done on riding test. He said nope, I did not get all so I don't know.

Oh well!! At lest, my motorcycle IS LICENSED and Insured!!! So I can ride around neighborhood more freely without worrying about Cop catching me without License plate. I did rode several miles to store across highway and head back. The cop drove past by me and not even check on me Whew!! (I still have Motorcycle Permit tho). I rev up bike more on straight stretch on back road beside highway then rode around Rounda then go leaning around curves at 35mph with no issue. I did jackrabbit start on intersection that cross the highway when light turned green and reved and shifted up to 45 mph then slowed down several blocks down. My bike was pretty fast going My bike was idling slow and nearly died so when I got home, I remember that there are Idle adjustment knob underneath gas tank just sticking out of carb. The Idle Adjustment screw was connected with simple tube to Idle jet on Carb. I just simply popped the Idle Adjustment knob from clip and straighten the tube and then tune the Idle. I just tweak it and it idle a little faster. My son told me it sound more quiet when its idling a bit faster. Strange.

Later in the evening when it became dark, I decide to head out with motorcycle and wear helmet. I rode to Hwy K-7 and rode 65 mph for a mile then slow down to exit to Shawnee Mission Parkway loop leaning on ramp at 40mph. I was wearing T-shirt and it shook violently on highway speed Then off the ramp and sped up to 60mph on Parkway and stopped at stoplight. I saw Honda Touring motorcycle with small trailer hitched to it turning left on other side of intersection. The rider waved at me :smile: and when light was green, I rev up back to 55mph to next stop light and turned left to Monticello Rd and head back home. It was fun ride but not much of adrenaline rush tho. I was wee bit leery but getting used to it.

I plans to go back to DL place this Tuesday (they closes Monday) and take riding test to get over with. I spoke with guy about motorcycle riding test at Rental place where I rented Motorcycle trailer, he told me that it is easy and you shouldn't have any problem with it. He thumbed up at me and wish me luck.

Motorcycle Trailer at rental place cost $14 a day. Cheap lol.

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

I have question about engine and gear shifting at certain speed on V-Twin. Remmy that I don't have tachometer on bike... When I throttle up and let go clutch easy, It go smooth. When I shifted to 2nd gear at 15mph and throttle up to 1/4th to reach steady 25mph. (I just merely "tweaked" the throttle, not more than 1/4 twist) The engine kinda stalling. I had to downshift and throttle up a bit more until 25mph. Is that normal for V-Twin to stall a bit while leveling at certain speed with little throttle? Am I supposed to give a bit more 1/4 of thottle to keep engine strong and smooth on 2nd gear (same as 3rd, 4th and 5th gear on certain speed). I do not have original Suzuki Volusia Motorcycle Instruction Manual that will tell me what is correct speed to shift from 1st to 2nd then 2nd to 3rd so forth. My engine runs good on idle and runs smooth when throttle up with gear engaged.

I only got downloaded Volusia Repair Manual book in PDF.

Catty

 

[sequoias]

I have question about engine and gear shifting at certain speed on V-Twin. Remmy that I don't have tachometer on bike... When I throttle up and let go clutch easy, It go smooth. When I shifted to 2nd gear at 15mph and throttle up to 1/4th to reach steady 25mph. (I just merely "tweaked" the throttle, not more than 1/4 twist) The engine kinda stalling. I had to downshift and throttle up a bit more until 25mph. Is that normal for V-Twin to stall a bit while leveling at certain speed with little throttle? Am I supposed to give a bit more 1/4 of thottle to keep engine strong and smooth on 2nd gear (same as 3rd, 4th and 5th gear on certain speed). I do not have original Suzuki Volusia Motorcycle Instruction Manual that will tell me what is correct speed to shift from 1st to 2nd then 2nd to 3rd so forth. My engine runs good on idle and runs smooth when throttle up with gear engaged.

I only got downloaded Volusia Repair Manual book in PDF.

Catty

In my views, you are probably shifting too early to the next gear which cause the engine to stall a little bit. Try shifting it a bit higher and change to the next gear without the engine stalling. I don't know the shift points for your motorcycle, though.

 

[purplecatty]

In my views, you are probably shifting too early to the next gear which cause the engine to stall a little bit. Try shifting it a bit higher and change to the next gear without the engine stalling. I don't know the shift points for your motorcycle, though.

Yup, apparently.. I will have to google search for volusia's shifting speed limit and hopefully someone post on their website. If not then I can call Suzuki dealership in Olathe, KS that they can provide me good information.

Or I just give a throttle an oompah

Catty

 

[Jiro]

Yup, apparently.. I will have to google search for volusia's shifting speed limit and hopefully someone post on their website. If not then I can call Suzuki dealership in Olathe, KS that they can provide me good information.

Or I just give a throttle an oompah

Catty

You only need to shift if you can feel the gear's about to hit its torque limit

 

[purplecatty]

You only need to shift if you can feel the gear's about to hit its torque limit

Got it.

I rode motorcycle today 4 miles round trip today and I got it figured. My son was a passenger. He had a blast riding at 60mph on Parkway. Now that I am getting to know my motorcycle's "personality" and now shifting and throttling smoothly without little stalling. Learning that V-Twin is a high reving engine and it like to spin fast. It doesn't mean I can go red-line I would just use my common sense to shift on correct speed in order to keep engine rev on average rpm.

Since it was really windy out today, I had to squeeze handlebars a little tightly since wind was trying to push me backward harder while I go fast. I was wearing black motorcycle jacket while wearing church clothe with tie (my son too wear jacket and he was wearing same thing I do). My church friend asked me if I let my tie fly over me, I told him that I just wore jacket so I won't have to deal with it. My son recorded video on phone during ride and he now have 10 min worth of video .

I'm getting alot better riding on motorcycle now and it's beautiful out. The only thing I haven't had experience are riding on wet pavement. I haven't tried out new Metzeler 880 Marathon tires in rain I'm just leery over it.

When I was leaning deeper around the corner (making sharp corner turn at 20mph), my crashbar was only 2 inches to pavement I guess I have to be careful tho.

Catty

 

[The Highlander]

Anyone explain me about motorcycle's fuel system.

CARB (carburetor) vs EFI (electronic fuel injection)

I believe EFI is better than CARB for MPG, smooth, and control at any temperature and attitude. I don't understand why old school love carb over EFI.

 

[The Highlander]

Got it.

I rode motorcycle today 4 miles round trip today and I got it figured. My son was a passenger. He had a blast riding at 60mph on Parkway. Now that I am getting to know my motorcycle's "personality" and now shifting and throttling smoothly without little stalling. Learning that V-Twin is a high reving engine and it like to spin fast. It doesn't mean I can go red-line I would just use my common sense to shift on correct speed in order to keep engine rev on average rpm.

Since it was really windy out today, I had to squeeze handlebars a little tightly since wind was trying to push me backward harder while I go fast. I was wearing black motorcycle jacket while wearing church clothe with tie (my son too wear jacket and he was wearing same thing I do). My church friend asked me if I let my tie fly over me, I told him that I just wore jacket so I won't have to deal with it. My son recorded video on phone during ride and he now have 10 min worth of video .

I'm getting alot better riding on motorcycle now and it's beautiful out. The only thing I haven't had experience are riding on wet pavement. I haven't tried out new Metzeler 880 Marathon tires in rain I'm just leery over it.

When I was leaning deeper around the corner (making sharp corner turn at 20mph), my crashbar was only 2 inches to pavement I guess I have to be careful tho.

Catty

Let me guess, Someone who sold his motorcycle to you and he knew you always break everything and he recommend you to get a crash bar for your motorcycle?

Post here a video!

 

[Jiro]

I don't understand why old school love carb over EFI.

because they're a Luddite!

 

[purplecatty]

Let me guess, Someone who sold his motorcycle to you and he knew you always break everything and he recommend you to get a crash bar for your motorcycle?

Post here a video!

Nah it's not because I break things. It make my motorcycle look "bigger" and my friend recommend me to get it to protect engine as well. I planned to get saddle bags.

The Seller who sold me motorcycle needed cash for his medical bills and also to pay back some money to his parent. That's why I got real good deal on motorcycle.

As for Carb and EFI, I wish my motorcycle have EFI so i don't have to maintain and tune up carb. Learning that later model of Volusia do have EFI. I have carb and I recently tuned up the idle so it'll run a bit faster.

I think the reason why they prefer carb because it's old school and easy to fix and tune up. I believe they don't want to buy special computer to tune up efi system.

Catty

 

[The Highlander]

Nah it's not because I break things. It make my motorcycle look "bigger" and my friend recommend me to get it to protect engine as well. I planned to get saddle bags.

The Seller who sold me motorcycle needed cash for his medical bills and also to pay back some money to his parent. That's why I got real good deal on motorcycle.

As for Carb and EFI, I wish my motorcycle have EFI so i don't have to maintain and tune up carb. Learning that later model of Volusia do have EFI. I have carb and I recently tuned up the idle so it'll run a bit faster.

I think the reason why they prefer carb because it's old school and easy to fix and tune up. I believe they don't want to buy special computer to tune up efi system.

Catty

Ah I see. I think Carb is pain in ass to keeps adjust all times to make it perfect for idle, weather, and attitude plus it keeps tune up carb all times.

Last question.

Which cheap to replace a Carb or EFI if fuel system fail?

When EFI failed and just replaced it and no adjust need but Carb do.

 

[purplecatty]

Ah I see. I think Carb is pain in ass to keeps adjust all times to make it perfect for idle, weather, and attitude plus it keeps tune up carb all times.

Last question.

Which cheap to replace a Carb or EFI if fuel system fail?

When EFI failed and just replaced it and no adjust need but Carb do.

Carb is cheaper than EFI. You just buy Carb kit and take it all apart and clean it then replace with new parts from kit then put it all back together. Yes it's pain to tune up. Newer carb like my Volusia do not need to adjust often. It only have Idle adjustment. EFI are expensive but it last longer than Carb. I was told by part technician that EFI tend to be unpredictable. You don't know when EFI fails. IMHO, EFI does last long and you just forget the maintenance, Just worry about oil filter, air filter and sparkplugs to replace. Carb are predictable because you can tell it's going bad, hard starting, stalling, or engine dies quickly on idle and forcing you to keep throttling to keep it going. My carb is in good shape and engine start just one crank. I have choke and I use it when engine is cold. I use just a little choke to make engine run bit fast and strong until warm up.

I plan to replace sparkplugs on Volusia. It require me to remove gas tank (I probably just lift it up, not removing it) in order to replace plugs.

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

About Crashbar,

I noticed that Harley that have crashbar have shorter frame that rider can lay his ankle on highway pegs on side of Crashbar, While mine motorcycle (Volusia) have longer frame and I barely reached crashbar. Kuryakyn Highway peg would suit just fine because of offset peg that stretch back from Crashbar rather than side to allow me to put ankle on it. They're expensive tho.

Catty

 

[The Highlander]

Carb is cheaper than EFI. You just buy Carb kit and take it all apart and clean it then replace with new parts from kit then put it all back together. Yes it's pain to tune up. Newer carb like my Volusia do not need to adjust often. It only have Idle adjustment. EFI are expensive but it last longer than Carb. I was told by part technician that EFI tend to be unpredictable. You don't know when EFI fails. IMHO, EFI does last long and you just forget the maintenance, Just worry about oil filter, air filter and sparkplugs to replace. Carb are predictable because you can tell it's going bad, hard starting, stalling, or engine dies quickly on idle and forcing you to keep throttling to keep it going. My carb is in good shape and engine start just one crank. I have choke and I use it when engine is cold. I use just a little choke to make engine run bit fast and strong until warm up.

I plan to replace sparkplugs on Volusia. It require me to remove gas tank (I probably just lift it up, not removing it) in order to replace plugs.

Catty

Ah.

I thought we can tell when EFI fail like loss power, misfire, trouble to start up, etc..

You can use the fuel pressure gauge to check fuel system.

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Fuel Injection Explained

I just googled and I noticed the EFI system and the fuel system are same policy as cars. I never knew that motorcycle use the fuel pump. I thought the motorcycle don't need a fuel pump since the fuel tank is top of the engine.

 

[purplecatty]

Ah.

I thought we can tell when EFI fail like loss power, misfire, trouble to start up, etc..

You can use the fuel pressure gauge to check fuel system.

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Fuel Injection Explained

I just googled and I noticed the EFI system and the fuel system are same policy as cars. I never knew that motorcycle use the fuel pump. I thought the motorcycle don't need a fuel pump since the fuel tank is top of the engine.

Yup, whenever the EFI being used, There's always a fuel pump. EFI must have pressurized fuel to be injected into combustion system.

Catty