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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Re: After Covid ride~!
« on: April 22, 2024, 01:00:34 PM »
aah, you'd mentioned not riding or wanting to ride again, recently...now it makes sense. Covid can be a scary thing, glad you're feeling better.
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General Discussion / Re: Forum
« on: April 21, 2024, 01:25:37 PM »
I was starting to get a little nervous!
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General Discussion / Re: new tire fiasco
« on: April 10, 2024, 04:23:39 PM »
The crazy thing was trying to lift the bike when it was sitting on the floor. It reminded me of a car sitting on the ground after the wheels have been stolen. I would have rather lifted it off the side than how it was sitting..but it’s all back together and the new tires feel great.
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General Discussion / Re: new tire fiasco
« on: April 08, 2024, 03:30:07 AM »
it seems that changing your own tires is a valuable skill to acquire as a bike owner!
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General Discussion / new tire fiasco
« on: April 08, 2024, 01:05:10 AM »
the last major thing I needed for my 84 Nighthawk was new tires. I ordered them online and took them, along with my wheels, to my local motorcycle shop for installation. I also asked for new wheel bearings as the old ones were a little notchy.
During the wheel removal process..I had bike on center stand and wood blocking under motor...removed front wheel with no problem...removed rear wheel and I must have bumped it just enough to start it rolling forward. With the massive front weigh bias the bike did the unthinkable...and rolled off the center stand, off the wood and onto the floor. It was staying fairly upright but I wedged some 2x4 wood under the exhaust to keep it from tipping. I then put some tires around it to keep it from falling. This thing weighs 400+ pounds, without wheels. My first thought was 'holy sh*t..how am I ever going to get this back up?
Fast forward 2 weeks and I have my wheels back from the dealer with the new tires installed. A nice chunk of aluminum was missing from my front wheel and my rear wheel hub had a nice ding in it (likely from the wheel bearing removal/install??).. The damage was clearly not there prior to the wheel install but I have no proof..it's a 40 year old bike...it still sucks, though. Makes me rethink learning how to do my own tires.
Yesterday I had 2 buddies come over to help me lift the bike back on the center stand. The 3 of us didn't even budge it! I called a 4th guy and we lifted it right up and onto the center stand, easily, on the first try. I got the wood blocking back under and then got the front wheel on, which is the key to keeping it upright.
Installed my wheels today, new petcock, and put it all back together. Can't wait to ride it with the new rubber on. Total cost of new tires, wheel bearings and installation was...gulp.. about $775. Still a little bitter about the wheel damage...but unfortunately it is almost to be expected. Oh, well, ready to ride!
During the wheel removal process..I had bike on center stand and wood blocking under motor...removed front wheel with no problem...removed rear wheel and I must have bumped it just enough to start it rolling forward. With the massive front weigh bias the bike did the unthinkable...and rolled off the center stand, off the wood and onto the floor. It was staying fairly upright but I wedged some 2x4 wood under the exhaust to keep it from tipping. I then put some tires around it to keep it from falling. This thing weighs 400+ pounds, without wheels. My first thought was 'holy sh*t..how am I ever going to get this back up?
Fast forward 2 weeks and I have my wheels back from the dealer with the new tires installed. A nice chunk of aluminum was missing from my front wheel and my rear wheel hub had a nice ding in it (likely from the wheel bearing removal/install??).. The damage was clearly not there prior to the wheel install but I have no proof..it's a 40 year old bike...it still sucks, though. Makes me rethink learning how to do my own tires.
Yesterday I had 2 buddies come over to help me lift the bike back on the center stand. The 3 of us didn't even budge it! I called a 4th guy and we lifted it right up and onto the center stand, easily, on the first try. I got the wood blocking back under and then got the front wheel on, which is the key to keeping it upright.
Installed my wheels today, new petcock, and put it all back together. Can't wait to ride it with the new rubber on. Total cost of new tires, wheel bearings and installation was...gulp.. about $775. Still a little bitter about the wheel damage...but unfortunately it is almost to be expected. Oh, well, ready to ride!
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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Re: Finally ready to ride
« on: April 08, 2024, 12:47:49 AM »
yes, looking great!
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Technical | How To / Re: S100 cleanertotal cycle cleaner
« on: April 07, 2024, 01:19:39 PM »
yes, I used it last Fall on my 84 Nighthawk. It worked well to clean things up. Is it the greatest cleaner around? ...I don't know if I'd go that far...but it worked very well in cleaning up a lot of areas where I couldn't get a cleaning tool in (cooling fins on motor, etc.). I'd sure recommend it. What really blew me away was the S100 engine brightener...it turns faded black painted parts glossy and shiny again. I'll see if I can find the pics I posted previously..
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General Discussion / Re: if KYMCO would spend a few $ on marketing!
« on: April 05, 2024, 02:20:27 AM »IMO Kymco should spend a little more money on customer service. Zero communication when you order parts, no idea how long they will be or where they're at. Even the dealer hasn't a clue. That's BS.
I still find this interesting as my local Kymco dealer has been able to order anything I've needed and had it ready to pick up within about a week.
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General Discussion / Re: Roadside assistance, do you have it or ??
« on: April 05, 2024, 02:18:46 AM »
excellent idea for a topic to discuss.. 
...I don't' have any towing insurance for my bike...need to look into it. On the AMA site I recall it saying they would provide towing up to 30 miles or so? My concern is being farther away from home than that...and also riding a 40 year old bike (Nighthawk) or 28 year old scoot (Helix) that likely no shop will touch.
Any thoughts on riding an older bike far from home? I've never had a problem with any of my bikes (out on the road, at least!). I suppose I need to check with my auto insurance to see about towing options. That $500 of Stig's for a blown tire hurts.
...I don't' have any towing insurance for my bike...need to look into it. On the AMA site I recall it saying they would provide towing up to 30 miles or so? My concern is being farther away from home than that...and also riding a 40 year old bike (Nighthawk) or 28 year old scoot (Helix) that likely no shop will touch. Any thoughts on riding an older bike far from home? I've never had a problem with any of my bikes (out on the road, at least!). I suppose I need to check with my auto insurance to see about towing options. That $500 of Stig's for a blown tire hurts.
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Technical | How To / Re: Iridium spark plug
« on: April 04, 2024, 06:48:18 PM »
sorry to change topics.. (iridiums are good, use with confidence!)...but does everyone know what they would do if they broke down on a rural road? Stig?
I don't have bike towing insurance (I keep meaning to sign up for the American Motorcycle Association - AMA) to get their 'free' towing...but I really have no idea what I'd do if I broke down. I don't own a truck, nor do I know anyone close with a truck...I guess I could call a towing company...
Do others have a plan in place in case of a random roadside breakdown?
I don't have bike towing insurance (I keep meaning to sign up for the American Motorcycle Association - AMA) to get their 'free' towing...but I really have no idea what I'd do if I broke down. I don't own a truck, nor do I know anyone close with a truck...I guess I could call a towing company...
Do others have a plan in place in case of a random roadside breakdown?
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Technical | How To / Re: Iridium spark plug
« on: April 04, 2024, 12:34:08 PM »
nothing wrong with iridium....the 'best' anything is subjective...price, longevity, performance, etc... I had to think about it for a second but none of my 3 bikes currently run iridiums (my People S200 did)...all regular NGK plugs. I think the main benefit to iridium in an automobile is the much longer life span...in bikes/scoots with easy to change plugs it's not as big of a deal. They do claim less fouling and potentially better performance.
I seriously doubt the 'butt-dynamometer' test would note a real difference...but iridiums are excellent plugs and if you've had good luck previously, go for it!
I seriously doubt the 'butt-dynamometer' test would note a real difference...but iridiums are excellent plugs and if you've had good luck previously, go for it!
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General Discussion / Re: Where is your cell phone when you're riding?
« on: March 26, 2024, 01:33:20 AM »
Left riding jacket pocket
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General Discussion / Re: tragety in my family
« on: March 23, 2024, 02:19:10 PM »
so sorry for you and your family.
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General Discussion / Re: nearest deer miss yet!
« on: March 22, 2024, 12:24:28 PM »
deer are a menace, here. We have so many that I won't ride on certain roads at dusk....and there are other roads I won't even DRIVE my car on at dusk due to the number of car-deer accidents that happen.
A youtube motorcycle channel I watch showed the guy's girlfriend filling their 'deer feeder' at their house! Who feeds deer?? What, do want more of them running around to kill you quicker on your bike?? Crazy.
A youtube motorcycle channel I watch showed the guy's girlfriend filling their 'deer feeder' at their house! Who feeds deer?? What, do want more of them running around to kill you quicker on your bike?? Crazy.