KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: rjs987 on March 21, 2022, 07:36:45 PM
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I've seen threads like this on other forums and figured "why not?"
Just the simple stuff and not the place for extended discussion about scooter things.
So to start. Today was very windy. Temps are around 74F which is really warm for March in central Iowa. And sunny too. But the clouds are moving in and getting ready to rain about 2 inches in the next 2 days starting tonight.
So my wife and I pulled the Rav4 out of the garage and washed it. It is white, but was starting to look a really darker shade of gray.
While that was being done I decided to also pull out the AK 550 and wash that as well. It was overdue from winter/cold riding. Before I bought my AK I was unfamiliar with how to care for a bike with a Matte finish. I noticed that some people have equated that to a satin finish but those are 2 different finishes... not the same thing. Even the cleaners that are specialized for those finished state they are for Matte AND Satin finishes.
Anyway, before I bought mine I had posted the question about how to properly take care of a Matte finish and the most common reply on a few different forums was to simply wash with clear water and wipe down with a microfiber cloth. NO cleaners (at least never use cleaners made for most car bodies or motorcycle panels) or that will cause the Matte finish to become blotchy and look really bad. And definitely NO WAX. That would be even worse on the Matte finish. As I said above there are special cleaners made for a Matte finish but I figured the most economical method was the most commonly suggested one... rinse well with just water and wipe with a microfiber cloth. So that's what I did. The bike looks new now!
In a few days after the rain is done I'll be going out for a ride.
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Thanks for the photo - "clean scoots are happy scooters!" - I think Abe Lincoln said that....
Do these come in other colors? Kymco doesn't seem to have a corporate color, (see "Honda RED", Kawasaki bright green)
Seems most maxi scoots come in only one or two colors in each continent.....and some colors only come in a particular country!
And most maxis seemed to change color each year.
We got the red Forzas in the USA, I think Cananda got grey ones - some countries got white - while Asia had several pretty wild colors. (lime, orange, yellow, etc.)
The French and Italians bring some pretty classy "expensive looking" colors and details to their maxis, while Asia seems to stay with a basic color palette, or grey and black. (the 1st generation Kymco LIKE was drawn for Kymco by an Italian design house, for example ....see the many small details; VW asked an Italian house to shape their cars in the 60's & 70's)
I'd love to see Kymco ask the French and Italians to draw a series of scooters for them to consider.
I'm not a fan of the "re-assembled broken dinner plates" look of the panels fitted to modern Asian bikes or scooters.
Again, thanks for the pic!
Stig
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interesting suggestions you received on caring for your matte finish...lots of matte cars out there and I can't imagine people just using water on a dirty car? That is a recipe for scratches. Surely a gentle, neutral pH car soap wouldn't harm a matte finish? As someone with a healthcare and chemical company background we would never suggest cleaning with water only as water doesn't encapsulate, trap and suspend soils, like a detergent does. Think of a dirty bathtub...use soap/bubble bath and the dirty water all drains out. Use only water and the soil leaves a dirty ring in the tub as the dirt is redeposited on the walls of the tub. Same thing happens in a car wash bucket with soap vs one without.
But hey, I've never even washed my scooters! They only get a wipe down with detail spray after riding. I don't think they've ever really been dirty...
I will add that I like the matte blue on your scoot. It would be strange to have a bike that couldn't be polished..but I bet you could clean it up well and use one of the new hybrid spray ceramic coatings. I use them on everything nowadays..killer protection, shine and water beading.
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Had a nice 20 mile ride first time in months and gave her a bath with Gunk and Murphy's. Smells so good and shines!
Might add that you guys convinced me to add pull wires to seat latches. I had her started before my ride mentioned and the gloves were under the seat! Pull wires allowed access so restart was avoided.
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I got my 500 out with it's new battery and put about 25 miles on it. Haven't yet gotten into the mood to give it a much needed bath. Since it's white, it looks pretty good anyway. No wonder us old people like white ;D
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Not really WITH my scooter but FOR my scooter.
Went to Walmart to get some Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 oil for my AK. Gathering what I'll need to do the oil change coming up in early May, or sooner if I end up riding enough. Their web site said they had it in stock for pickup today so I went in. Half the oil stock on the shelves was missing entirely. And no full Synthetic Rotella T6 anywhere. Lot's of empty space on that wall. I did see they had SuperTech 4 cycle full Synthetic motorcycle oil in 10W-40 in the 1 qt sized, and seemed to have plenty of that. Based on the cost for the Rotella online the SuperTech oil was about $8 more per gallon. I decided to shop around to see if another Walmart or other store in the area had the Rotella since that's what I've always used in all my bikes since 2004. When I came home and looked again the Walmart web site showed out of stock on the T6 5W-40 this time. But they did show a 2.5 gallon jug that could be ordered... for a higher price than the SuperTech qt bottles would be. I am thinking they just didn't update the web site with what they will be able to get now since the price on the one gallon T6 that was out of stock is the same as it was last year. I guess I'll have to go back and get the SuperTech stuff. Same specs. Produced by Warren Oil. JASO MA2 spec. $7.86/qt. Must have oil that is JASO MA or MA2 spec'd, which means nothing that is Resource Conserving, since the AK does have a wet clutch like all my previous bikes. Don't want slipping clutch plates.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...-40-4-Stroke-Motorcycle-Oil-1-Quart/556497072 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-Full-Synthetic-SAE-10W-40-4-Stroke-Motorcycle-Oil-1-Quart/556497072)
BTW- slipping clutch plates due to using oil that is resource conserving, or has extra friction modifiers, is not an issue with scooters that have the clutch located on the swing arm since the engine oil is not shared with the clutch and usually the clutch is dry, not wet like on many motorcycles and the AK 550 (and the Burgman 650 and others like this).
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Did go back to Walmart and bought 7 qts of the Super Tech 4-stroke full Synthetic 10W-40 motorcycle oil. It's the blue bottle with the silhouette picture of a sport bike on the front.
Took the long way around on my bike just to burn off a little more gas from the tank, but not real far. The last red bar was already flashing so only rode about 8 miles, so double the distance than if I just went straight there and back. I put 3.06 gallons in the tank after 160.5 miles. Calculates out to just over 52 mpg. A while back I siphoned out the tank and measured how much I refilled to a full tank. I wasn't able to get all the gas out of the tank that time (didn't have a siphon bulb... yet, but I do now) but still put back in 3.4 gal and estimate possibly another half gallon was still in the bottom of the tank. So I figure I had enough for another 25 miles. The official spec for my AK 550 is a 3.9 gallon tank. When the last red bar flashes it is a strong suggestion to start looking for gas, about 55 miles left in the tank. Then when that drops off the red "E" starts flashing and that means I only have about 15 miles to go before the tank is dry.
The next oil change interval (3000 miles) on my AK does not require a filter change. It is the only oil change on the schedule that doesn't. Every oil change, at 6000 miles and every 6000 miles after that, does also show to change the filter. The AK only needs 2.6 L of oil without the filter change and 2.7 L of oil with a filter change. So 2.8 qts with a filter change. The total capacity if I should totally drain the system, such as in an engine rebuild (that I really don't every expect to need), is 3 L or just over 3.1 qts.
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Well, did it again. My wife received an email from the local grocery store with a one day sale on Lays chips. As you all know the price of groceries, including chips, is way higher than it used to be just recently. So off I go to get 2 bags of the coveted chips. A 2.6 mile round trip that I turned into a 20 mile ride. My wife was wondering how far that store was that I decided to go to. I told her it was the local store but it was a long way to get back home! A total of 28 miles just today doing errands and shopping to stores that are only 1.3 or 2.5 miles away.
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Cut down the over grown yews across the front of the house yesterday morning and spent the rest of the day cutting up the branches into smaller bits to put in the recycle bags. We can pack a lot in those bags when it's cut up. Did more cutting this morning. My wife with the loppers for the skinny branches and me with the electric chain saw for the thick branches. When I say over grown I mean 3 yews spanning 15 ft like a continuous hedge that is almost 6 ft tall and very dense. Some of the branches at the base were 5 inches diameter and one or two up to 8 inches diameter. So the chain saw was needed for those. It was getting warm, finally. Today was supposed to get up to just over 70F but actually got up to 80F. So this afternoon I put down the garden tools and went out for a ride.
Rode 104 miles today on a figure 8 loop route on several county roads I had not been on for a little while and a few that were entirely new to me. Mostly all alone on these roads. I did see several groups of motorcycles out today. A few of them of at least a dozen of what looked like Harleys but definitely all V-Twin cruisers. Lots of leather vests and a few leather chaps, all with patches everywhere. But they gave me the biker wave anyway. I didn't look to see if any rider jerked their hand back when they realized I was riding a scooter. I'm sure a few did. No pics of the groups since they were all going the other way as I was riding.
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In preparing for my first long-ish trip on the AK I've been gathering and checking a few things. Since I don't have a top case on this bike I am returning to how I packed with CTX1300, which also did not have the top case. I have a large dry bag that I first bought and used with my first 2005 Burgman 650. It sat in storage for several years but I checked and it is still good to use now. That bag is 55 L I think, so it will fit everything I usually would put in a top case (the last one I had on my 2013 Burgman 650 was a 46 L case) plus the few items that will not fit into the smaller under seat storage box... about a half helmet worth of stuff.
While I was out filling the tank today I also stopped by Lowe's and bought a Battery Tender Jr. They had them for $5 less than Amazon and most other places and as a bonus I get a 10% military discount off of that. I normally carry a set of motorcycle specific jumper cables when I ride on longer trips just in case. Same as taking along the tire plug kit and other tools. I already have the Battery Tender Plus for when I park in the garage but that might find its way to being used for the JD tractor so I now have 3 maintainers, one for my wife's Metropolitan, one for the JD tractor and now the BT Jr for the AK. The BT Jr takes up a little less space than the jumper cable set so that will save me a little there, even with the alligator clip cord that come with it. Testing the BT Jr now on the AK and it seems to be working just fine. I really don't expect to HAVE to use it while on the trip but it will be along just in case. I will bring the alligator clip cord just in case someone else at the campground needs a little battery boost. Won't be the first time I've assisted someone with a 1100 or 1300 sport touring bike get running again.
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Moved from one shed to another. I organized the "another" shed so I can back in and ride out.
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Finally got around to adding the storage box divider I bought a several months ago. It uses double stick tape on the side channels that hold it so didn't want to even try until temps were above 60F. They were today and will likely stay there overnight and tomorrow in the garage at least. I have a lot of stuff in the storage as always (as you can see) and until the double stick tape sets up on the box sides I won't move anything to behind the divider. The storage box in the AK 550 is sloped from shallow in the rear to deep in front so this will help to organize things. If I need to I can slide the divider out to have the full length of the storage box. I ordered this from AliExpress.
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not a damn thing for 3 months, now!!
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not a damn thing for 3 months, now!!
ouch......
Stig
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Since there have been reports of the double stick tape coming loose that holds the aluminum side channels I added a bead of JB Weld Plastic Bonder to them to reinforce that connection. I don't need these to ever come off and I can still slide out the divider if I need a longer storage space. So this is how that looks now. I really don't care if it doesn't look aesthetically perfect since it is hidden under the seat.
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I added one of those locking license plate storage boxes to mt K-Pipe, now I have a place to keep the registration and insurance card
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Geve my scoot antother bath today. In missouri we are currently in the rainy season and it is very difficult to keep a clean scoot. Next week we are supposed to be in the mid 90s :-\ what ever happened to spring.
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Took my 2011 DT300 "Hardly Davidson, Orange and Black Division" on a 50 mile cruise, take in one compliment at a stop, then settled back home in front of my PC to order up a new OEM windshield.
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I tore the front end apart on my X-Town 300i ABS and ordered a pair of Auxito H4 led bulbs for it. They will be here Saturday and hopefully I'll remember how to re-assemble the scoot. I'm also waiting for my Cockpit GPS mounting bracket to arrive.
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I ordered a pair of mirror extensions from Amazon, hopefully they’ll fit.
https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Universal-10mmMount-Adapter-Threaded/dp/B007NIPI86/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?crid=1BD91R0G5ZET6&keywords=8mm+motorcycle+mirror+riser&qid=1653390056&sprefix=%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-9
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I swapped out the OEM windscreen for a Givi on my AK550. While I had the windscreen out, I opened up the front end a bit more and moved the battery tender lead from it’s original place hanging above the front wheel into the right-hand glove box. I should be able to get pictures tomorrow; then will hit the road to test how well the Givi windscreen protects me and to confirm if I need to cut the height to enable me to see over the screen.
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I tore the front end apart on my X-Town 300i ABS and ordered a pair of Auxito H4 led bulbs for it. They will be here Saturday and hopefully I'll remember how to re-assemble the scoot. I'm also waiting for my Cockpit GPS mounting bracket to arrive.
Follow-up: Installed my new LED lights. While I had the front end off, I also put small white LED's in the European turn signal locations. What a HUGE improvement. If you X-Town owners want MUCH better lights, go for it. I tried to upload pictures, but my files were too big. I also installed a new GPS mounting bar and that looks great also.
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Follow-up: Installed my new LED lights. While I had the front end off, I also put small white LED's in the European turn signal locations. What a HUGE improvement. If you X-Town owners want MUCH better lights, go for it. I tried to upload pictures, but my files were too big. I also installed a new GPS mounting bar and that looks great also.
Hope you get the photo thing sorted - would like to see the improved LEDs.
Stig
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Hope you get the photo thing sorted - would like to see the improved LEDs.
Stig
Stig
Here are several pics taken with my android phone. 1. Facing bike in garage. 2.Low beams on garage door. 3. High beams on garage door.
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wow, those are some bright lights! How do they look on the road? Are they positioned so they're not blinding oncoming traffic? That high beam looks to be putting out a TON of light.
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wow, those are some bright lights! How do they look on the road? Are they positioned so they're not blinding oncoming traffic? That high beam looks to be putting out a TON of light.
Been raining a lot, so not riding much. No one flashing lights at me yet. Haven't done much back road riding yet to see about high beam. These lights are easily adjustable with a long (16") phillips screwdriver. Very happy with results so far!
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Stig
Here are several pics taken with my android phone. 1. Facing bike in garage. 2.Low beams on garage door. 3. High beams on garage door.
This picture shows what they look like in the daylight. Without the glare you can see where I installed white LED's where the European turn signals normally go.
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Here's my Garmin GPS mounted on my scooter. This mounting bracket bolted right on and looks great!
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I changed my engine and differential oil to full synthetic.
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Installed another 12-volt accessory plug for my GPS. This one is wired and fused directly to the battery. It's hot all the time.
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Today I packed the AK 550 for my trip to Wisconsin Riverside Resort in Spring Green, WI. Wanting to leave by 7:30 am to beat the chances of rain when I get there. I changed how I packed the dry bags on since now I have the luggage rack installed. That white smaller dry bag is sitting on the last 6 inches of the luggage rack plate so it's not going anywhere. The long blue dry bag is longer than the one on the other side so that made a nice place for the white bag. The stack is lower by the thickness of the long blue dry bag so not nearly as tall as my last trip. I combined the smaller tent and tarp dry bags into one to do this. I also relocated the white dry bag with my rain suit and extra riding gear (gloves and liners) and water to the rear instead of in the step over tunnel. I wanted to regain the ability to step over to save my hips when climbing back on the AK after refueling. That also makes it easier to refuel since I don't have a bag to move first. I like having that space open. I've considered getting a tunnel bag but thinking if I really need one I'll just stick with a small dry bag for now, and then only if I really have to put it in the tunnel. So for now I won't be getting any step through tunnel bag. I have an extra 20 L white dry bag folded in under the big yellow one just for having an extra. It folds small so why not.
BTW- for comparison the windshield is in the lowest position and I can easily look well over it as I very much prefer. Those bags still make a really nice back rest for longer trips. ;D
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SrLUfBB26xzh6sqs9 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/SrLUfBB26xzh6sqs9)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bcx53PGmyfySD6UB9 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/bcx53PGmyfySD6UB9)
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That looks like a great backrest. Enjoy your trip.
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Is the Resort a campground? and all that is for camping?
Stig
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Is the Resort a campground? and all that is for camping?
Stig
Yes, the resort is a camp ground. And all that is for camping, cooking, keeping the blood suckers away (Wisconsin state "bird"). It looks like more than it is.
That long blue dry bag holds my self inflating sleeping pad (76" x 25" x 2.5") and self inflating pillow (the secret to successfully use these is to partially DEflate before closing the valve), and my sleeping bag liner. The gray bag holds my tent and tarp and all poles and stakes for those as well as my MSR fuel bottle. The yellow bag holds everything that goes inside the tent (clothes, sleeping bag, casual and shower shoes, etc.) and the camp chair and insect repellent and sunscreen. Cooking gear and tools are under the seat. The white dry bag holds the rain suit, extra gloves, inner jacket liner that doubles as a wind breaker around the camp site, mini compressor and tire plug kit, first aid kit, 2 water bottles.
I used to pull a pop up camper with my motorcycle several years ago. Now THAT was more than just camping. I don't believe in bringing half the house with me when I camp but I do believe in bringing what I need. Most of what I pack now will fit in a backpack for backpacking selected for size but not for being necessarily lightweight since the bike is carrying it.
Here is how I packed when I pulled the camper. The saddlebags and top case were half empty and only had enough to keep them from bouncing much.
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And this is that camper set up along with the tarp that I still use over my tent.
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Serious Adventure rider stuff! Post in Battle scooters on ADV.com!
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Serious Adventure rider stuff! Post in Battle scooters on ADV.com!
Not really adventure rider level just yet but I do post over there as well as on the ST-Owners forum and BurgmanUSA.com.
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My grandson has his Iowa motorcycle permit (age 14 requirement here) and I and the other boys have been taking him on some jaunts. Usually 100 to 125 miles at a time. He has a very low miles Honda 250 Rebel that I pretty much stole for a song.
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Wow, that pack job looks great, hope you have a good trip to WI, I will be in IOWA in two weeks for 4th of July at Clear Lake.
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Wow, that pack job looks great, hope you have a good trip to WI, I will be in IOWA in two weeks for 4th of July at Clear Lake.
Yes I did have a good trip. Details in another thread on this forum... in the Roadcraft sub forum. With a link to many more photos of the trip.
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Just went out to fill the tank after my trip to LOCSTOC (mc/camping event). The gas station is 1.2 miles away and ended up with about 26 miles today. Since Costco Gas has LONG lines at all the pumps during the day I went at 8:40 pm (they close at 9) and they had a few open pumps when I got there. So just a short twilight ride after filling the tank. Calculated that the AK got 53.6 mpg average for the entire trip (LOCSTOC). That included a low of 49 mpg with a wicked head wind the entire tank during the first leg going out, and a high of 56 mpg with only a side wind coming home.
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Just went out to fill the tank after my trip to LOCSTOC (mc/camping event). The gas station is 1.2 miles away and ended up with about 26 miles today. Since Costco Gas has LONG lines at all the pumps during the day I went at 8:40 pm (they close at 9) and they had a few open pumps when I got there. So just a short twilight ride after filling the tank. Calculated that the AK got 53.6 mpg average for the entire trip (LOCSTOC). That included a low of 49 mpg with a wicked head wind the entire tank during the first leg going out, and a high of 56 mpg with only a side wind coming home.
What causes long lines at Costco?
I haven't seen long lines since night of 9/11.
Syig
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What causes long lines at Costco?
I haven't seen long lines since night of 9/11.
Syig
With prices everywhere else at least $4.80/gal for regular gas (even just across the street) Costco gets the lines with $4.40/gal regular gas. Premium is also similarly lower priced. So every Costco member in the county lines up to fill up. They have 3 islands with 2 pumps on each side of each island... so 6 lanes with 2 pumps each. Sometimes there are vehicles at every pump and another 6 cars waiting to pull up and sometimes it is even more with the lane that bypasses the entry to the pumps clogged with vehicles. This happens all the time during the mid day. And it doesn't matter what side of the vehicle the gas filler is located. You'd think people from the entire state are coming in for gas all day. Even at 8:40 pm (closes at 9) there were only 3 pumps open. This has been going on for several years now.
Costco is the only station in the area where this is happening. I can go to any other gas station and pull right up to an available pump without waiting but not at Costco unless I go right when they open or just before they close.
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today I reinstalled my motor that has been out since Feb. It took about 5+ hours in a 90 degree garage to get the motor in place, all electric connections cleaned, carb pulled and cleaned, reinstalled, vacuum lines hooked up, swingarm installed (and rubber shock bushing pushed out and a new one installed (old one, like all the other rubber hanger bushings on my scoot was worn and the rubber was torn), exhaust, body panels, fender, rack and seat installed. Remaining old fuel siphoned out and new fuel put in, new oil put in, battery charged up...key inserted and BOOM...she fired up (after a little cranking to get fuel to the carb).
Came inside for dinner with plans for an after dinner shake down ride...but the skies opened up with rain...so maybe first ride will be in the morning. But she runs!!
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Went on an early morning jaunt to Wales and back clocking up 159 miles and returning home at 06:20 hrs! It was great, I must do it more often!
Liked the moon bathed in orange light. (OK I know it's dust in the Earth's atmosphere!) That last one could almost be a Picasso?
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Went on an early morning jaunt to Wales and back clocking up 159 miles and returning home at 06:20 hrs! It was great, I must do it more often!
Liked the moon bathed in orange light. (OK I know it's dust in the Earth's atmosphere!) That last one could almost be a Picasso?
Hey hey. Good for you@!
And thanks for the very rare photos!
I really got to get another study of a U.K. map!
Wales...embarrassed say I doubt I could find Wales on an unmarked map....and Dylan Thomas has been my fav poet since the 1960's. (even my daughter quotes him now🙃
Again, well done you!
Stig
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Wales? Sticky out bit, middle left! Or, on the right across the water from Ireland.
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Wales? Sticky out bit, middle left! Or, on the right across the water from Ireland.
OK, I'll look at a map of Wales. Swansea was Thomas's home, yes?
Drank himself across NYC on a speaking tour for elderly wealthy ladies and co-eds...until dying in a NYC city hosp. if I recall.
Stig
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OK, I'll look at a map of Wales. Swansea was Thomas's home, yes?
Drank himself across NYC on a speaking tour for elderly wealthy ladies and co-eds...until dying in a NYC city hosp. if I recall.
Stig
Well according to Wiki, Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales, in 1914. During his fourth trip to New York in 1953, Thomas became gravely ill and fell into a coma. He died on 9 November 1953 and his body was returned to Wales. On 25 November 1953, he was interred at St Martin's churchyard in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire.
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Well according to Wiki, Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales, in 1914. During his fourth trip to New York in 1953, Thomas became gravely ill and fell into a coma. He died on 9 November 1953 and his body was returned to Wales. On 25 November 1953, he was interred at St Martin's churchyard in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire.
The account I recall of his NYC recital tour (by his wife, or agent?)..was that he stopped for drinks at every bar across the city - from his cheap hotel to his destination.
There are a lot of bars in NYC.
All 6 of my kids have listened to my scratchy old LP of him reading A Child's Christmas in Wales..at Christmas time.
Stig
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You're as bad as me for brain-washing your kids with the things which impressed you at whatever age! Every time youngest says "Dad you're sooo embarrassing" I have to remind her it's in the Contract. That's what Dads do.
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Today... I rode to a hospital appointment :-\ Nothing serious and made my day when the nurse, on spotting my Triumph T-shirt, congratulated me on my taste and then regaled me with tales of her Dad's Norton!
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I meandered around for about 160 miles today. No hurry & no place to be. I found out that my 500, which gets about 45 mpg up on the 4 lanes running 70-72, gets closer to 60 mpg running at 55-60. I tend to run slower when riding alone, and most of my riding had been previously done with my boys on their bigger bikes at higher speeds.
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Finally got my Shad top box light kit installed. With the LED lights in the front, and the additional taillight in the back, the scooter is pretty well lit up now. While I had it all apart, I installed an Iridium spark plug. The next project will be 16gm Dr. Pulley sliders. I'll wait until I get 1000 miles on the scooter before I do that.
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Finally got my Shad top box light kit installed. With the LED lights in the front, and the additional taillight in the back, the scooter is pretty well lit up now. While I had it all apart, I installed an Iridium spark plug. The next project will be 16gm Dr. Pulley sliders. I'll wait until I get 1000 miles on the scooter before I do that.
The Shad light is sperate and below the top case?....not within the top case?
Photo with lights off to see what you have there, please?
Stig
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The Shad light is sperate and below the top case?....not within the top case?
Photo with lights off to see what you have there, please?
Stig
The Shad LED light bar for the rear does mount on the bottom of the top case base. That actually makes a lot more sense since the case is removable and the LED bar remains when the top case is off the bike. That's usually where I mount a LED bar on my previous bikes.
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The Shad light is sperate and below the top case?....not within the top case?
Photo with lights off to see what you have there, please?
Stig
Here's a photo you requested. The shad light bar mounts under the base. You can take the top box off, and the light remains in place and operational. In the picture the light appears to be white, but the LEDS are red and operate with the taillight. The x shaped taillight is the factory light on the X-Town.
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Here's a photo you requested. The shad light bar mounts under the base. You can take the top box off, and the light remains in place and operational. In the picture the light appears to be white, but the LEDS are red and operate with the taillight. The x shaped taillight is the factory light on the X-Town.
OK, yeah I think I've seen that before. It's like an optional mounting plate with a band of LED's?
I'm a big fan of extra rear lighting - probably few others here ride every single ride in the dark like i do!
Every ride starts in the dark - some days still dark when I return home!
Thanks for the pics.
Stig
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Finally got the bike out to blow off the cob webs. Needed to go back to the grocery store to correct an inflated price on something on which they overcharged me. Isn't that everything these days though?
Anyway, the 2.6 mile round trip to the store turned into 16.3 miles going the long way. Rain was in the area so didn't want to be out dodging the drops too much. Took a new side street that cut through what was a corn field last year but now connects 2 main routes. That kept me away from a busy major road so that was good.
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Anyway, the 2.6 mile round trip to the store turned into 16.3 miles going the long way.
That, in a nutshell, what biking (and scootering) is all about, riding, just for the sheer pleasure and peace of mind it brings.
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That, in a nutshell, what biking (and scootering) is all about, riding, just for the sheer pleasure and peace of mind it brings.
AMEN
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Early start today (no, not Stig early) riding over at 7:15 am to the workshop which is taking a look at my daughter's BMW brakes today. Wonderful ride through dew touched countryside to hand over the keys. Return home the long way round meant a round trip of about 25 miles and a return home telling myself that I must find more excuses for outings before the neighbourhoods have properly woken up.
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Early start today (no, not Stig early) riding over at 7:15 am to the workshop which is taking a look at my daughter's BMW brakes today. Wonderful ride through dew touched countryside to hand over the keys. Return home the long way round meant a round trip of about 25 miles and a return home telling myself that I must find more excuses for outings before the neighbourhoods have properly woken up.
Yep - getting out there before the world wakes is the best!
Ummm...the shop has the BMW - to look at the brakes - but the car got there without the keys?? Curious.
Was it
(https://i.postimg.cc/SxmvBSzn/TOAD.jpg)
Stig
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OK I understand your puzzlement Stig. It’s a complicated shuffle as daughter doesn’t finish work until after the workshop has closed so, I meet her there the evening before in the Landy and bring her home. At the crack of dawn the following morning I nip over there with the keys and handover / brief the mechanic. Then it’s home in time to run her into work!
Diagnostics now done & new servo required “oh yes, and don’t drive it until repaired, the brakes could fail at any point!” Guess who’s on chauffeur duties for the next few days? Plus point? Well yesterday she said “why don’t you come and get me on the Triumph?” Result!
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OK I understand your puzzlement Stig. It’s a complicated shuffle as daughter doesn’t finish work until after the workshop has closed so, I meet her there the evening before in the Landy and bring her home. At the crack of dawn the following morning I nip over there with the keys and handover / brief the mechanic. Then it’s home in time to run her into work!
Diagnostics now done & new servo required “oh yes, and don’t drive it until repaired, the brakes could fail at any point!” Guess who’s on chauffeur duties for the next few days? Plus point? Well yesterday she said “why don’t you come and get me on the Triumph?” Result!
What a girl!!!*
I dropped wife's car at brake shop Sun eve. Envelope with key and instructions dropped in their night box.
Stig
*one of my most effective threats with daughter. "How about I take you (pick you up) on the scooter?"
She does her "Excitable Girl" impression then...
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I dropped wife's car at brake shop Sun eve. Envelope with key and instructions dropped in their night box.
Stig
Yes, in hindsight that would've been a better option, but in my defence, I'd not been to this (BMW Specialist) garage before! After diagnostics - failed servo - they strongly advised it not be used until repairs effected, so it's now off the road for a few days. Interestingly, as wife's Landy is in the workshop too (bad planning eh?) I've been running daughter to work and back on the Kymco and have just filled up and returned my best mpg ever! 86.9mpg UK. Obviously it's enjoying being used?
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Dentist appointment today. By cage = 11 miles. By bike = 28 miles. I took the bike ;D
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Turned down a 40 mile group ride because I'm making the same trip in a couple of days.
Then... bent my mirrors out to give a better view around my shoulders
(That 1/4 inch steel rod is difficult to bend).
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Well according to Wiki, Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales, in 1914. During his fourth trip to New York in 1953, Thomas became gravely ill and fell into a coma. He died on 9 November 1953 and his body was returned to Wales. On 25 November 1953, he was interred at St Martin's churchyard in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire.
my great x13 grandfather, got on a boat in Swansea, 387 years ago and sailed to the Colonies
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Nice day so took the AK out for a short little ride to pick up a few sale items at the local grocery. Some fit under the seat and some fit on top.
2.9 miles round trip by cage. 17 miles by AK. ;D
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3bVk2DXZW12oVUGXA (https://photos.app.goo.gl/3bVk2DXZW12oVUGXA)
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I'm replacing some bits on my K-pipe with shine. Maybe a couple stickers too. Replacing a mirror on my UXV450i,
getting ready for my annual trip to my brothers Labor Day weekend party, gonna bring the UTV as usual, and the K-pipe this year.
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I'm replacing some bits on my K-pipe with shine. Maybe a couple stickers too. Replacing a mirror on my UXV450i,
getting ready for my annual trip to my brothers Labor Day weekend party, gonna bring the UTV as usual, and the K-pipe this year.
pics or I didn't do it. replaced the shifter with an anodized red adjustable shifter, my size 11 foot is gonna like that, I extended the length nearly 2 inches from stock length, and an anodized adjustable side stand, got that for no reason than it's bling. stock sidestand is perfect, but, if I go with slightly larger tires, the adjustment may com in handy, oiled and adjusted my chain too.
and of course my stickers, the Thrush woodpecker that came with my Cherry bomb, my YSS stickers that came with the shock, and my sticker for riding the K-Pipe up the Mt. Washington Auto Road
(https://i.imgur.com/Dk57Re5l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Mjn0luVl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3ykElGjl.jpg)
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pics or I didn't do it. replaced the shifter with an anodized red adjustable shifter, my size 11 foot is gonna like that, I extended the length nearly 2 inches from stock length, and an anodized adjustable side stand, got that for no reason than it's bling. stock sidestand is perfect, but, if I go with slightly larger tires, the adjustment may com in handy, oiled and adjusted my chain too.
and of course my stickers, the Thrush woodpecker that came with my Cherry bomb, my YSS stickers that came with the shock, and my sticker for riding the K-Pipe up the Mt. Washington Auto Road
(https://i.imgur.com/Dk57Re5l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Mjn0luVl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3ykElGjl.jpg)
Randy,
Thanks for your pics of most likely the hottest K-Pipe on this continent!
Stig
Ps: the Q-tips....what did you use them for?
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Randy,
Thanks for your pics of most likely the hottest K-Pipe on this continent!
Stig
Ps: the Q-tips....what did you use them for?
to clean out some threads, if I can't finger tighten till snug, I make sure any crud is out of threads
still gotta firm up the forks with a brace (haven't been able to find one, but I have a good fabricator)
and I have to get the steering damper I bought (Otom Racing) mounted
I don't know if I will ever use all 17 horsepower
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Not really what I did WITH my Kymco specifically, but what I did FOR my Kymco today.
Since we all live under the stigma of supply chain problems these days I ordered both front and rear tires for my AK 550. I like the OEM Metzeler Feel Free tires that came on it so ordered the same. The price was as good as I can find from RevZilla. Found out they have a military discount through GovX. Ended up costing me under $275 for both tires including sales tax. That actually ended up being a good price for both front and rear. It will be several thousand miles before I need to replace them but figured if it takes longer to get stuff delivered in general I'd get those on order now just to have them when I need them. I'll be removing the wheels myself and taking them in to a local shop to replace the tires when the time comes.
Thinking about ordering the CVT belt also just to have it on hand for the same reason (delayed or extended delivery times). And maybe even the final drive belt later on.
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probably not a bad idea to stock up on needed parts..I have noticed tires are a bit harder to come by these days.
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probably not a bad idea to stock up on needed parts..I have noticed tires are a bit harder to come by these days.
After I purchased my 2012 LIKE200I LX new in 2013 I bought some "consumables" for it. Belt, sliders, brake pads, bulbs, new clutch assembly (at a good price from a member here who owned a shop !) , exhaust gasket and nuts, air filters, etc.
Much if it stayed in a box in my bedroom for years.
Bulbs, brake pads and airfilters are still waiting their chance to get into the game!
I use new nuts each time that I remove one from the cvt.
Stig
Fitting the new clutch was a saga chronicled here. Sucker would not open! Had to disassemble and re-lube it!!
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probably not a bad idea to stock up on needed parts..I have noticed tires are a bit harder to come by these days.
Received a note today that the front tire shipped, but no ETA. Who knows when the rear tire will ship or from where.
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My SatNav bracket was shipped same day by the firm in Greece that I ordered from. Still waiting for it a week or so later! UPS tell me a 1 WD delay owing to the French striking (again).
Edit: Arrived later yesterday! There’s a little project for Monday.
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mt dealer is waiting on an oil filter before they finish my first service, not a big deal, I'm going away for the weekend, ready to go, my K-Pipe loaded in back of silverado, the UXV450i loaded on my trailer, 3 hr drive to my brother's camp in northern VT, mostly I'll be trail riding on the UXV, but plan a little jaunt thru Hazens Notch, maybe Jay Peak, on the K-Pipe, and a pig roast too
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Another day, another shopping trip. Turned a 2.6 mile round trip into 15 miles ;D
Checking the oil level after every ride like I usually do right after an oil change just to look for leaks and drips. Level is staying constant right at the mid point of the dip stick and there are no drips anywhere so all is good.
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Had the Downtown 300i for about a month now. Just seems to get better with use. I have gone back to the full face helmet with riding, verses the open face. The full face is quieter behind the windshield. With the age of the belt, decided to order up a belt and some other items and made the order in the morning and the order was shipped out that afternoon. The belt is giving no signs of ware or problems. almost no black out the CVT vent. Looking forward to lots of miles from this scooter.
Art
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Just an update. Now the rear tire is expected to arrive Sept 8 and the front tire just showed up at my front door. The date code on the front tire is 0422 so it was made early this year at least (end of Jan 2022).
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Just an update. Now the rear tire is expected to arrive Sept 8 and the front tire just showed up at my front door. The date code on the front tire is 0422 so it was made early this year at least (end of Jan 2022).
With experts agreeing that tires are good for 6 to 10 years after manufacture...and scooters eating tires in half to a third of that time - I always smile at the angst suffered regarding that date stamp!
Stig
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With experts agreeing that tires are good for 6 to 10 years after manufacture...and scooters eating tires in half to a third of that time - I always smile at the angst suffered regarding that date stamp!
Stig
True.
I only mentioned it for those who suffer from such angst. I've never really been concerned what the date stamp is and it has never prevented me from using any tires I ordered online. But I was curious. I kept and used up the tires that were on my 2013 Burgman 650. I bought it in the fall of 2018. The tires were obviously the original tires from the factory since the miles on the scooter was only 3301. Those tires looked good for being 5-6 years old already and I easily used them up by the next year. That fits well within that 6-10 year time span.
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Pulled the underseat bin out and attached a couple long zip ties, one to each seat opener latch, and routed them down under the plastic. Made sure I could open the latches with them. Also completely removed the seat shock. Seat opens and rests between the handlebars now, easier to access the front of the bin.
Art
Downtown 300i
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well, I slightly moved my Kymco out of the way so I could service my Helix..decided that Labor Day weekend was a good time for oil, coolant and gear oil change, as well as pulling apart cvt and cleaning components. There's something zen like for me, sitting in my garage with my scoot, music playing in the background, tools and fresh fluids nearby.
Did the oil and coolant on Friday (and yes, Karl, dammit, I had to look at the oil and coolant with a bright light...but luckily didn't see anything out of the ordinary..)
Pulled cvt cover off today for cleaning and gear oil change. Of course nothing goes as planned and ended up pulling trunk off to get better access to airbox, which was blocking access to reinstall cvt cover...air filter was perfect, gear oil looked like new, clutch pads had a little glaze which was sanded off and the belt dust was cleaned off everything.
I've put 1605 miles on it since purchase last summer. First time I've pulled the cvt since purchase when I changed belt and rollers.
Might sound strange but if I had to pick from my 3 2-wheelers I think I'd pick the Helix. Just seems like the perfect compromise between comfort, ease of use, around town and highway.
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and 2 more pics
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I went to my brothers annual Labor Day party, at his camp about 3 hours away in northern Vermont, he's got miles of atv trails and good motorcycling in, K-Pipe fits perfectly in the bed of my silverado with the tailgate up, my UXV45i on my trailer
got a 40 mile loop on the K-Pipe in https://goo.gl/maps/MYr7ZnXRr73wvjB38 (https://goo.gl/maps/MYr7ZnXRr73wvjB38) mostly Vermont gravel roads, and Rt 242 over Jay Peak would be better off gravel, it's so rough
and many miles of trail riding on my UXV, and we ate a pig and all the fixins that go with a pig roast
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and 2 more pics
That's a highly regarded scooter!
Stig
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Backed the AK out of the garage, and then put it back... a few inches to the right.
In between that I put my wife's Metropolitan up for the cold Winter months, hung the pull behind yard sweeper on the wall (with the help of a 4 pulley hoist since I can't lift it any more... getting older), put the JD tractor in its cold season parking place where the sweeper was, put the push lawn mower on blocks, test started the 2 stage snow thrower and put it in its place ready for any frozen precipitation that might come along. The snow thrower started on first pull of the rope thanks to the fuel being treated with Sta-Bil. Sta-Bil was put in all gas tanks and run through so next spring those engines will all start on first try, except for my AK since I ride that often enough every month to keep the gas fresh in that tank. My wife has some plants in pots that take up some of the space in the garage but that is all that is preventing bringing the second car into the garage after sitting outside during the warmer season. Those plants will be dealt with in the next week. The placement of my AK will enable me to back that out of the garage without moving either of the cars as it always is during the cold season. Oh, and all vehicles will have a Battery Tender or BT Jr plugged into them to keep the batteries in top shape. I'll either have to buy another BT Jr or continue to swap one of them between the JD tractor and my wife's scooter as I have been doing. Since we REALLY don't need 2 cars I've had to put one of them on a BT Plus to keep that battery from going dead between times when we do attempt to use it. My insists we keep both cars so...
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Backed the AK out of the garage, and then put it back... a few inches to the right.
I did the same, but went around the "block" thirty odd miles, tomorrow, I wanna get out for a real riding day, a few hundred miles. but like today, some yard work, I have to replace the frame of my Moose plow, and most importantly, I GOTTA CLEAN MY CHIMNEY, don't mind, I'm yelling at myself, I won't have another 70° day, and it's so clogged with creosote, I can't even get a good fire going
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funny, I moved my S200 out of the way so I could pull out my generator to 'exercise' it yesterday, prior to an oil change. Generator got a half can of Tru Fuel run through it while powering a portable heater. I always run it out of gas when I'm done. It's started on the first pull every time I've run it over the past 2 years. (it was a 'post derecho' purchase after the nasty storm that hit Iowa in August of 2020).
It just occurred to me that my generator motor (a Briggs Chonda clone) is bigger at 306cc than any of my bikes!
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Didn't stop for photos today but I finally was able to get out for a very short ride this afternoon for my first ride of 2023. Had a Christmas present from Amazon to return at the UPS Store. Took the long way around and only ended up with 16 miles. Temps started out about 34 F so didn't turn on the heated grips. The handlebar muffs were plenty. At the UPS Store the temp had dropped to about 33 F. The way back home was the longer leg and I watched the sun set as temps dropped below 32 F and then all the way to around 30 F by the time I arrived home again. It was dropping rather fast. At just below freezing I did turn on the heated grips.
I was wearing 2 of my new Christmas presents on this ride for the first time. A new pair of TM Mid-Tex gloves and a new HJC i10 full face helmet. The gloves are not Tour Master's warmest gloves but my old Polar Tex gloves were worn to the point where they were not nearly as warm as they once were and were starting to split out on the side. My new Mid-Tex gloves seemed warmer and a little thicker and were VERY comfortable. My new helmet replaces my 4 year old HJC C70 full face helmet. The old helmet did have a drop down sun visor but the new one does not. I have sun glasses so not a big deal to me these days. My old helmet was white but my new helmet is a matte deep blue just exactly the same color as my AK 550. Now to install my BT communicator unit. The i10 helmet is designed to be integrated with a HJC/Sena BT communication unit that fits into a pocket in the back edge of the helmet and has molded depressions for the mic and speakers. That unit is based on my current Sena SMH5fm unit so I'll keep my old unit for now.
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Another nice day and another errand to run so the AK 550 won the toss. Sold my Teton Sports self inflatable camping pillow, that packs down to a little smaller than a 2 L bottle of soda, since that is being replaced by a new inflatable Klymit Pillow X that packs to about the size of a pack of cigarettes (4.5" x 2.5" x 1"). The downsizing continues. I was meeting the buyer this afternoon at a Kum & Go store (where there are security cameras). That was 1 mile away. Then I took the long way to go to the grocery store to pick up a few items my wife saw in the weekly flyer. That was another 15 miles to get to the store only a half mile farther than the Kum & Go. Then I rode past the gas station which was 3 miles from the grocery but the lines were so long I decided I could wait until later. I still have about 1/3 tank left. The temps started out around 30 F but ended up around 37 F when I arrived back home. Had the heated grips turned on the low setting at first but then didn't need them in the last half of the ride. Rode a total of 22 miles for a 4 mile errand. ;D
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Set up the portable heated near the Downtown and checked the valve clearance. So easy to do on this scooter. They were OK, and now will not need to check when the weather is good for rides.
Art
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Set up the portable heated near the Downtown and checked the valve clearance. So easy to do on this scooter. They were OK, and now will not need to check when the weather is good for rides.
Art
No pictures????
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https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/the-nw-corner-scooter-views-and-news.1544955/page-8#post-45834941
Pics from the first time doing the valve check. Downtown 300i
Art
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https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/the-nw-corner-scooter-views-and-news.1544955/page-8#post-45834941
Pics from the first time doing the valve check. Downtown 300i
Art
excellent, thanks!
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Another cool day, another ride. Wanted to back into riding more often so went out on the country roads for 47 miles. Temps started out around 34F and went up a few deg. but then dropped to around 32F during the last 5 miles. Stopped for gas on the way out. I also did pull into a side street and stop for one photo. Put the side stand down and it sunk into the soft road shoulder so had to back up onto the grassy bit for something more solid for the side stand to set on. This photo really does show a double curve (S curve) that I came in on but it's a long sweeper and the elevation makes it hard to see. Humidity was WAY HIGH today so it seemed colder than it really was and my glasses kept fogging up around the edges when I was riding at slower speeds so I kept all the vents open on my new helmet. There is an extra set of vents in the chin vent and also right at the top of the visor so there was a little cool air blowing in onto my forehead. This new HJC i10 helmet has really good ventilation. Humidity was above 90% which is really unusual for central Iowa in January. I could just see the haze near ground level so was very alert to any moisture on the roads. Shows up as a gray-ish layer just above the ground in the photo. Otherwise very overcast so no sun shining. Couldn't even see where the sun was in the sky.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CbaJJTicoQQMMran7 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/CbaJJTicoQQMMran7)
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Interesting weather..just 2 hours East of you I had low/mid 40’s plus full sunshine. Beautiful day for a ride!
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I ordered a tall Givi windshield for my AK550 today, and contemplated getting out of my rocking chair and going out to barn and work on my K-Pipe.
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55 F. got out for about an hour, cruising town and quick run down the highway. The breaks in our normal Northwet weather are infrequent and short.