Tip of the Day

[bomber]

Offering a tip that might not be known to all . . . .

Dimming Dash Lights


There are a number of automotive features that even most high end bikes do not have -- dimmable dash lights

I prefer to keep the clocks illuminated *just* enough to be able to tell the relative positions of the needles in my truck -- drive the other family drivers nuts, but that's how I like it, and it's easily changed for others who want the "Tokyo By Night" look . . .

The first time I rode the Tiger out in the Thulies at night (deep in central Illinois, 40 miles from the nears town of any size), I found that activating the high beams produced an instant headache as the blue Hi-Beam light on the dash pieced my cranium clear to the reptilian brain stem . . . very bright, indeed (as were the Turn Signal Indicator, Neutral Indicator . . .

I asked for ideas about being able to reduce the energy leaving these indicators here, and on another board . . . I got links to ho-made pulse-width modulators (the lights on the Tiger's dash are LEDs, so a potentiometer won't do), advice to wear shades at night ("are you COLL enough to sport Wayfarers at night?) and suggestions  doubting my gender, since this bothered me . . .. .

I wound up going to the local auto parts store that caters to the Fart-Can Import crowd -- other than being two generations older than the rest of the clientele, it was a painless excursion . . .

I picked up a roll of the darkest window tint material I could find (labelled 90%, but I've no idea if that indicates anything specific), cut small round pieces of the meterial, and placed them over the offending lights in the binnacle.

Hey, presto, lights that could be seen as either illuminated or not, but lights that did not ruin your night vision.

Yeah, I shared this tip here a while ago, but it may be new to some on the board . . .

What's YOUR tip?

[mxvet57]

What's YOUR tip?

My tip? It's raining, the temp is 45, The wind is blowing 30+, And the house is warm. Bike is parked.


 

[Scratch33]

What's YOUR tip?

My friend's new (to her) Ninja 650r tilts a little too far over on the sidestand.  She's short and has a bit of trouble getting the bike upright when she's ready to ride.

I bought a hockey puck at the sporting goods store, carved out section on top to match the shape of the sidestand 'foot', and attached it to the bottom using galvanized nuts & bolts.  Gives her about 1" or so less lean.

[Hunter]

 I got links to ho-made pulse-width modulators

What's YOUR tip?

I don't know about anyone else here but I really don't want prostitute made parts on my bike, call me old fashioned.  

Tip: Don't know why it works but if the front brakes are feeling like they have air in the lines or you can't seem to get them to completely bleed out. In the evening before putting the bike to bed for the night pull the front brake all the way in and secure it in place with a zip tie for the night. Early the next morning cut off the zip tie and quite often presto; firm front brakes. I've tried this trick during the day since I was first told the trick to no effect.

I have my suspicions that it has something to do with falling temperatures at night, barometric pressure and phase of the moon but don't want to put my ignorance on display.

[bomber]

  . . . but don't want to put my ignorance on display.

with that pooch as an avatar, no chance of appearing ignorant!

Good tips, gents . . . .

[sammyseaman]

Offering a tip that might not be known to all . . . .

Dimming Dash Lights


There are a number of automotive features that even most high end bikes do not have -- dimmable dash lights

I prefer to keep the clocks illuminated *just* enough to be able to tell the relative positions of the needles in my truck -- drive the other family drivers nuts, but that's how I like it, and it's easily changed for others who want the "Tokyo By Night" look . . .

I picked up a roll of the darkest window tint material I could find (labelled 90%, but I've no idea if that indicates anything specific), cut small round pieces of the meterial, and placed them over the offending lights in the binnacle.

I'm the same way and this is a great tip, Bomber

[JeffM]

I tinted my overly bright alarm clock LCD so that I could sleep at night. I suppose I really should have just stayed up and gone riding...

[buls4evr]

 Great tip Bomber.... I bought a piece of this stuff and went crazy on EVERY "BRIGHT" light that I own....bike ,car and truck.


  My tip is an old one from my MX racing OR days. I always wire my grips on the bars no matter whose glue/hairspray whatever was on there underneath. They never slip around this way.

  Also... If you ride an ADV bike spray PAM spray under your fenders before you go out to do dirt riding. The dirt rinses right off along with any calcium -chloride brine that might be on them.

[Gary B.]

Don't fry bacon in the nude...









oh wait, you probably know this...

[Andrew]

Don't fry bacon in the nude...









oh wait, you probably know this...

Well that kills the Sunday morning breakfast plans

[bomber]

  Also... If you ride an ADV bike spray PAM spray under your fenders before you go out to do dirt riding. The dirt rinses right off along with any calcium -chloride brine that might be on them.

Now THIS will be handy, and soon .. .thanks!