Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Pushed over the edge

Sunday was an iffy day. The skies looked threatening on the verge of rain but I got an early start and hopped on my bike around 9am and headed East towards Langley. I was looking forward to a relaxing ride without having to worry about whether my chores were done or not. I can't relax when I know there are things to be done. I decided to take the fast route taking the freeway (Hwy99 and Hwy10). It takes about an hour to get to the business district on Fraser Highway and I find my reserved spot, empty just waiting for me & my 'Strom

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Lately I have not found the need for speed. All the way while I was riding I was content to just go with the flow. I keep an eye on my rear view mirrors as the traffic approaches and pass. I find another vehicle travelling around the speed limit and I just tag behind, following at a modest distance. I eventually catch up to another car which had a mattress on its roof tied with two wraps of rope. The mattress is fluttering in the wind and doesn't appear to be that secured but I stay behind as we are approaching my exit. I don't know why drivers' can be so stupid as to take the freeway when they should take a slower surface route.

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I came to Langley to attend the monthly meeting of the Canadian Route 66 Association. I have been a member since inception but I have been absent from meetings for a while. It is a breakfast meeting and today we have a garage tour to see a special collection. If you are a member of a car club you will know what a garage tour is.

Many people have collections. Usually they are motorized vehicles such as; hot rods, muscle cars, performance cars, motorcycles. They can also be Trucks, electric trains, dolls, antiques and so on. As these are private collections, they are not usually open to the public and also you have to respect their privacy as to location and what they may own. Not anyone can be invited to their homes so someone would contact them as ask if we may see their collection, and most are happy to show you what they have. It is easier if you are part of a recognized club.

Anyway here is a teaser photo, further details will be revealed on a future post . . .

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By the time I finished our Garage Tour and rode home it was close to 3pm. Something had been on my mind for a long time. As you know V-stroms are not meant to be clean, and rain is the preferred method of washing.

But every time I look at my bike, my eyes see this

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It's the caked-on crude that is caused by flinging chain lube coming into contact with dirt. My whole chain looks like this, as well as the sprocket. I took a bit of kerosene to reveal a section to show what it looks like

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I know kerosene isn't kind to your hands so I put on some protective gloves and keep working away at the grime

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I have also taken a kerosene soaked rag and cleaned my chain. It's not easy to clean between the links and my fingers are getting tired. I also decided to drag out my hose, washing supplies and give my bike a much needed bath. I got to run my hands over every inch of its sensuous body, feeling its contoured tank, caressing my chamois into every possible crevice trying to get it clean

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While it wasn't as clean as the first day I bought it, it is 85%+ better than what it was and I would have to work with a toothbrush to get at the more confined areas. I also spent some time trying to clean the black rims

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I must have spent 3 hours cleaning my bike and when I finished putting all my cleaning supplies away, I re-lubed the chain. It's amazing how much time it takes but it makes me feel good to know I have a clean machine. I'm almost positive that it will go faster now

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30 comments:

  1. The bike will have to go faster, less wind resistance without all that dirt.

    I really like the picture of the strom behind the flowers. Really cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trobairitz:

      I "stole" that flower idea from SonjaM (thanks Sonja). You will notice that flower bed from the photo above

      That caked grease has been bothering me for quite some time. I still have some cleaning to do

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. what can I say ? I just had to do it. That grease has been bothering me since last year, but I make sure I apply plenty of Chain Lube

      Delete
  3. garage tours sound like fun!
    hard work pays off...looking good! :)

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    Replies
    1. Ms M:

      it's still a work in progress. Have more stuff to clean, but I need your toothbrush and perhaps a pressure washer. Maybe I'll send you airfare and come on up here and do it for me. You are good at cleaning "bob", and I'm a bob too

      Delete
    2. well, i would love to visit you and mrs skoot, i really would, but, you cant have my toothbrush bob :D hehe... ;)

      Delete
    3. Ms M:

      perhaps one day when you can drag yourself away from work, you will take more time off (and that's an order)

      Delete
  4. But you replaced the zip tie holding your chain guard on. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Troubadour:

      you mean, you look at my nearly clean bike and all you noticed was the chain guard. Yes, thank you for the zip tie. It lasted until nearly September when I got around to getting a proper screw. So far it hasn't rattled off, but I carry zip ties in my emergency package now

      Delete
    2. mental note, add more zip ties to my bag. thank you gents...

      Delete
    3. Ms M:

      sometimes the pivot bolt rattles off of your brake or clutch lever. I have read of many people using Zip ties as a temp repair.

      Delete
  5. You have been warned...no more pics of washed adventure bike, or Andrew and I will have to come and sort you out, consider this your final warning!!!!(Besides I feel guilty)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roger:

      I used to have a Jeep, and I never washed that either.

      Seriously, send me the airfare and I will come and wash your bike, and give it a HIGH SPEED drying maneuver. And if you are lucky, I will give you back the keys

      Delete
  6. Bob, nice job on the drive train... Now it's ready for its closeup!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David:

      still more work to do on it, One Day . . . when I have time

      Delete
  7. Clean? Really? You cleaned the bike? It's just gonna get dirty again. ;) Very dangerous. Might affect the balance and center of gravity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steel CupCake:

      well, you have two "clean" bikes, at least they look clean. Mine was looking a bit tattered so I had to clean it up a bit and get some of the shine back. I need little fingers to get to the tough spots

      Delete
  8. Not sure I could handle a clean bike... that can't be right. This vehicle is meant to be dirty. If you are so obsessive about a clean bike you should maybe ride a Harley. Honestly? Great job!

    BTW the flowers become your bike. Lovely pic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonja:

      it was really bothering me that it had become so dirty. Mainly from the flinging chain lube. The Front wheel was fine. I don't normally spend time cleaning cars or bikes

      the flowers were your idea from your errands post

      Delete
  9. Great job with the cleanup Bob.....while I enjoy getting mine dirty; one has to keep them clean in order to spot leaks and such.

    Dom

    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Charlie6:

      you're right about spotting weaping oil leaks. Plus the engine runs cooler without crude caked on it, also the chain will last longer when clean and lubed. That's your advantage of having a shaft drive

      Delete
  10. So does cleaning the bike mean you are planning to sell it?

    Nice shot with the flowers...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard:

      I thought about an upgrade, but then I can't find anything better than what I already have. I have good fuel range, and that 90° V-twin engine is very smooth and I like those wider handlebars.

      Delete
  11. Nice 'Strom. I had a 2009. Loved it!!!
    Here's a picture from my 2009 Lake Superior trip:

    http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/w9fcc/Facebook/Lake%20Superior%20Bike%20Trip%202009-1/?action=view&current=6371_101396729874039_100000111377260_19092_3509213_n.jpg

    And the whole album:

    http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/w9fcc/Facebook/Lake%20Superior%20Bike%20Trip%202009-1/

    And this year's bike:

    http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/w9fcc/F800ST/?action=view&current=12-18-2011-a.jpg

    Wonderful blog. I'll add it to my links on my blog if you don't mind!!

    Dan, Contemplative Rider.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan:

      That's a nice F800ST you have. I also like white. Do you still have Lobster ? nice to have a spare bike sitting around for guests. Not long now until June 29th rolls around. I'm envious, perhaps, one day . . .

      I added you to my blogroll too

      Delete
  12. Good job with the cleaning Bob. A clean bike makes some people feel better and you must have smiled when you saw that lovely shiny metal under all that dirt.

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    Replies
    1. Gary:

      lately, it was really bothering me with all that grease build-up. There is still more work to do but it's a start. I'm waiting for a warmer sunny afternoon

      Delete
  13. hahaha. I'm sure it will, looks like it has unloaded a lot of dirt! It looks marvelous! I think bikes like being touched and caressed during the cleaning process. You showed your bike some love!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sharon:

      nice to hear from you. I know you keep Jessie spotless. Adventure bikes are not supposed to be washed, but I just had to do it as it was bothering me. Bikes are not the only things that need to be caressed . . .

      Delete