BoxheadTim said:Well, Triumph got some actual asphalt (and some dirt in this parking lot) under its tires, but right now working on the Elise takes priority.
This pic should be the new ad for Triumph.
BoxheadTim said:Well, Triumph got some actual asphalt (and some dirt in this parking lot) under its tires, but right now working on the Elise takes priority.
This pic should be the new ad for Triumph.
Finally got a chance to take the R100GS around some local roads. I only rode it around the dealership's parking lot, so this was the first time getting it out of second gear.
Overall it did well with suitably bovine handling. Looks like there are some minor issues I need to look into - I think the front brake is dragging a little, and it's squeaking when you ride at really low speeds. I'll probably also have to check the carb balance as that feels a little off. If it's not, then the CV carbs probably want some new diaphragms.
Oh, and I remembered why I didn't like the OEM seat on the previous one I owned, and why there was a hideous Corbin-like contraption included with the bike. While I probably have to wear a dark visor if I have that seat on the bike, it should be a lot more comfortable and a lot less squishy.
All in all, so far it doesn't feel like the worst vehicle purchase I've made recently.
And after yesterday's successful low speed loop of my local roads, I decided today was a good day to take the GS for a longer ride. The short ride reminded me why I'm not that big a fan of the OEM seat, so I put the other seat that it came with onto the bike. Frankly, not sure if this seat is a big improvement comfort wise, but I suspect I might have to give it some time to break in for my specific posterior.
All in all, it was a good mix of 55mph roads with slower roads, some decent corners and wildlife that had the good sense to run away from me instead of into me. Somewhere along the way, I managed to snap a pic with an appropriate sign.
Today I decided that I couldn't ignore the Harley shaped lump in my shop any longer. Might've got something to do with the fact that it's inspection time and there's a non-zero chance that I'll be traveling for a large part of October. For work, not pleasure.
Anyway, I don't really speak Harley, but I'm learning. I know it'll pass inspection as is, but it also needs a three hole oil change and I need to trace the source of a rather annoying oil leak at the front of the engine. Which seems to originate right from underneath an oil filter cover that the PO bolted onto the bike. Yes, he liked his extra chrome.
The fun part is that it seems to be impossible to remove decorative the oil filter cover without removing the front downpipe, because you can't lift it up high enough over the oil filter to actually get it out the left side. I guess that's one extra cover that's not going back on. I guess I better get a couple of exhaust gaskets from the River-based motorsports place.
The air filter also looks like it's not been cleaned since shortly after the dinosaurs died out, so I guess I should break out the K&N cleaning kit. As least pulling the air filter cover confirmed what I suspected, namely that it's got a stage 1 kit (air filter, non-mufflers and tune), probably straight from the showroom floor.
Good news is that I think I found the drain plugs for the crank case, oil tank and the primary under all the oily gunk on the engine. Now if I could find the drain plug for the transmission I should be in business for an oil change. Oh well, I have the OEM shop manual and like to learn new things, so how hard can it be?
That said, I've owned a Road King in the past and I have to say the way those are put together makes a bit more sense to my European brain.
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