What do motorcycleists do to kill the winter woes... ( general banter thread)

[JOHNBIGDOG]

[CANOPY SAM]

What are we looking at there, John? It's kinda hard to see. Good project adding significantly more light for night driving!

March 14th, and still no sign of winter letting up even a little bit up here in the northland.

[Dave S]

Looks like he added a RAM mount.

[leech~~]

Looks like the mount I put on my Dualsport for my XOG gps?

[JOHNBIGDOG]

lighting in da garage is not so good, yes its a ram mount for my Xog gps.

[Jcup]

Killed my winter woes by getting a bunch of little parts powder coated semi gloss black. pegs, rear-sets, passenger pegs/brackets, radiator side plates, etc. Also just got done painting my wheels to match my bike. (fusion white) we'll see how long that lasts before the brake dust and road grime drives me crazy enough to paint them black. Here's a before picture of my 06 Triumph speed triple. Once I get all the parts back on I'll post an after shot.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

By paint I hope you mean you are getting those rims powder coated. I think that traditional paint would be stained quickly by the brake dust. I have no experience with this, but I don't hear of many people "painting" the rims.

[CANOPY SAM]

That's a very sharp lookin' bike! The extra flat black add-ons will be a nice touch.

[Jcup]

By paint I hope you mean you are getting those rims powder coated. I think that traditional paint would be stained quickly by the brake dust. I have no experience with this, but I don't hear of many people "painting" the rims.

I would think the clear coat would protect the paint. But, if it doesnt I'm not to worried. I was going to get them powder coated. But I couldnt make up my mind on color and what would look good. I didnt want to spend $100+ on on powdercoat and not be happy with the result. So I went the spray can route and I'm only $30 into it plus my time. If the paints lasts, great! If not, Then I have a much better idea if I should keep them white or go with gloss black.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

I rode my atc for about 45 minuets til my butt was wet and frozen. My new jacket is awesome. I was actually overly warm in it tonight.

[Jcup]

Here's how it turned out with all the paint and powdercoat. Also went on my first ride of the year! I really like how it turned out.

[upnorth]

Sharp!

[JOHNBIGDOG]

Going to have to think of a different spot to put my GPS mount. kinda in the way of the speed-o-meter. But who uses those?

[leech~~]

Going to have to think of a different spot to put my GPS mount. kinda in the way of the speed-o-meter. But who uses those?

My XOG GPS gives the speed as well doesn't yours? Most speed-O's are off anyway so looking at the GPS speed is better anyway!

[JOHNBIGDOG]

If the GPS was in the mount, that would be great, but it wasn't. If I was smart I would have removed it before the trip.

[CANOPY SAM]

Jcup. Where are you that the weather is so dog-gone nice? No snow, no ice, no water?

I'm still looking out my window right now at huge piles of snow, ice, and cold, cold, cold!!!!

[Jcup]

Jcup. Where are you that the weather is so dog-gone nice? No snow, no ice, no water?

I'm still looking out my window right now at huge piles of snow, ice, and cold, cold, cold!!!!

Haha now that I look at it, that picture is very deceiving. Must have framed it just right not to see any.

Just west of the cities. Still piles of snow. But melting very rapidly the last couple days. It hit 50 that day.

[CANOPY SAM]

I figured Independence was the same Independence I'm familiar with. Was thinkin' maybe they were just pics from last year. Sure had a lot of fun with those beautiful Lake Independence muskies when I lived in Waconia! I miss all the great fishing opportunities down there, and I REALLY miss the extra month or month and a half of riding season!

I love the way your scooter turned out. It's really sharp looking. Like JBD said earlier though, I hope that "paint" holds up in those key "abuse" areas. Powder coat might have been a better route, but hey, that could be another winter project next year! Nice job!

[JOHNBIGDOG]

Oil is draining, pulled the spark plugs and drained the coolant, removed the thermostat housing and will install new plugs, fill the oil tomorrow. Then I'm just waiting for parts to get here.

[Dave S]

My Connie got a new juice box (battery) today. Unfortunately I'll be parting ways with her this spring.

[LABS4ME]

The 'other' bike I was trying to get fell through last year... so I decided I was going to buy some accessories and make mine into the 'gunslinger' syle. Worked on it yesterday... will try to get some better finished pics...

before: totally stock without the passenger seat on it.

bags on: Found a set of used Ironbags. They are incredible! Large and extremley heavy duty. I like the fact they are worn... just like the bike and myself!

And then a crash bar and driving lights: Sheesh! They don't give the Excelsior Henderson accessories away anymore!

I bought a windshield too... still haven't gotten myself to put that on. My comfort says yes! The look says no! I may be taking a week long ride this summer. I'll probably mount it by then.

I also found an original Super X passenger backrest and luggage rack. I rarely have the passenger seat on so it may never get used... but it's nice knowing I found one if I ever decide to mount it.

Now to get some riding weather!

Good Luck!

Ken

[JOHNBIGDOG]

anyone else has an extreme case of motorcycle withdrawals?

[leech~~]

I wasn't even going to reply to this because what's the use! It's never going to Stop Snowing!

[CANOPY SAM]

Ha ha ha!!! It's coming.

That's a beautiful bike, LABS!

Been down in the barn the last few days tinkering with spring toys, and the bike as well. I gotta replace the "juice box" too! I must have a slow drain in there somewhere. Put a full charge on it last fall, but she's stone cold dead this spring. I've always had trouble with the batteries on this bike.

[leech~~]

You have to buy one of those trickle chargers and leave it hooked up all winter! I pull all my toy batteries and put them down in the basement where I have made a charging station to keep up with them all.