But that was before I put on the crash bars last night and the highway pegs this morning and the Fenda Extenda this afternoon. I also changed out the oil again to see how breakin was coming along. Apparently quite fine, there was no residue in the oil and very little "fuzz" on the magnetic drain plug. I put Shell Rotella T 15W40 into the crankcase, yes that is an allowed fill according to the owner's manual and I know from experience and other peoples' oil analysis tests that it's a good oil.
Now all that's left is to put on the automatic chain oiler, the electronic cruise control, and the heated grips, and then she's ready for a trans-continental trip. Yes, I have all the parts for this, including a new fusebox and associated relay and plugs and such, but I'm dreading the electrical parts of this project. Not because they're hard, mind you. Rather, because they're tedious. Doing electrical wiring right is a major chore, and if you don't do it right, then Lucas electrics seem reliable...
-- Badtux the (soon to be) Electrifying Penguin
8 comments:
You will soon need to hop up the engine to be able to keep up with cars with all the added weight. Kinda like havin' an amplitudinous girlfriend.
I have become a believer in using motorcycle-specific oil in engines that share a common oil supply with the gearbox.
Go read yer e-mail. I need your address.
I got 70 horsepower, Gordon. My first car (a Chevy Chevette) had 5 less horsepower and weighed 1500 pounds more. I don't think I got a power shortage, heh!
Didn't get any mail from you. Not even in the spam inbox. So you're gonna have to try again.
Shell Rotella T is a diesel-formulated oil formulated for high pressure operation and shear resistance. Oil analysis shows that it holds up as well as or better than the motorcycle-specific oils while providing equal or better protection at half the price. It also doesn't harm a wet clutch, the Rotella tech guys have done the JASO testing and verified that it would meet JASO standards if it was submitted to JASO for certification, but the Shell marketing guys don't want to submit it for certification 'cause they don't want to turn off big burly American truckers with "what's that funny Jap shit doin' in my oil?" 'cause truckers are where most of their sales come from.
Anywho, you can get the Rotella T from any Wally World in the Untied States, which is pretty much everywhere. Nice when you're on the road and the oil level is showin' a half quart down... just find your nearest Wally World (I got'em all programmed into my GPS -- whoa, wonders of high technology!) and there ya go. Meanwhile that motorcycle-certified shit... where ya gonna find that when you're inbetween Lake Charles and Lafayette? Huh?
-Badtux the Oil Penguin
the more you carry the fatter one looks, Americans have no idea how to live light, leave the bags off and slide through the traffic, if you have to tote, put them back on and remember you won't see them cause they are behind you and you will still think you are cool - and you will be
I had all my bags on that day because I was going shopping after work. Usually I just have the top-bag on the bike, it has my laptop computer and business shoes in it for when I get to the office. I tossed my camera in that day too.
I carry less and less nowdays. Usually the top bag has clothes in it, one bag has cold weather gear in it (or just my jacket and pants liners and rain gear if it's summer and I'm not going to northern Alaska), the other bag has a few tools that don't fit under the seat (an air pump being the biggie), oil for the engine and chain, and toiletries and a pair of shoes (so I don't have to wear my motorcycle boots around the hotel, those boots AIN'T made for walkin', hon!). Mostly they aren't full when I start out, but get filled with stuff as I go alone and pick up tourist crap. You know how that goes.
Just got back from a LOOOONG ride on the Blackbird, so more on that later...
-Badtux the Tired Penguin
I sent you another e-mail about 2:30PM Sunday, 8/6. Sent it to the address in your profile.
Got it and replied, Gordon. Lemme know if the reply didn't get to ya!
Checked e-mail a coupla minutes ago. Nothin' yet. Sometimes those things get stalled in the ether, like a bad 'beam me up'.
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