What did you do to your bike today

[JonS]

After letting the bike sit for 2 months, I went for a ride on the Navajo land. The sky was blue with big puffball clouds. Riding under a huge sky is something I really love. You feel like you can see forever. Wish I had the literary skills to properly describe the feeling.
Then I came home and cleaned the poor, neglected bike. Lastly, I put a bed sheet over it so I won't have to clean it next time. Oh yeah, I put fresh gas in it too.

[Sport-Touring]

[Cablebandit]

Broke in a new rear tire to the tune of about 450 miles.  Oh I picked up the PA tag in the process.

[02Tac]

Did some tagging and installed a Scottoiler

[Andrew]

Did some tagging and installed a Scottoiler

All Right  
Someone who uses P clamps over Zip-Ties    Well done Sir

And may I add, congrats and so long to constant chain maintenance

P.S. check your rear brake fluid (bit low and a bit dark)

[sslangs]

Nothing major, just added a 12v power outlet.  $10 at cycle gear (can't go wrong), though the wiring is about 1.5" to short.

[02Tac]

Dark is from lighting and low is because it is about time for new pads.

All Right  
Someone who uses P clamps over Zip-Ties    Well done Sir

And may I add, congrats and so long to constant chain maintenance

P.S. check your rear brake fluid (bit low and a bit dark)

[Frankienuckles]

I spent some time giving my neglected chain a good cleaning with a grunge brush and diesel (nasty job).  It was filthy and kinda dry, but still has life in it. I then measured my it for wear and checked it for tight spots. I am going on 26,000 miles on this chain (stock chain) and it looks good and is still in spec! Yay, DID! Who needs a shaft drive! While doing this I noticed it is just about time to order some rear brake pads. It is kind of strange to do my "winter" maintenance piecemeal like this as I usually take the bike off the road for the bad weather. Not this year...

[02Tac]

Today, new rear pads and a good bleeding.

[mxvet57]

Took apart the valve train.

[rgbeard]

Eeeek!  Did you give the patient general anesthesia?

[rgbeard]

I've been using my Commutasaurus Rex (Goldwing 1200) without a topbox for the past many months.  Finally I had to give in and install it for purposes of practicality.

[02Tac]

A month ago or so I installed a Ballistic EVO2 battery - ttp://www.ballisticparts.com/products/batteries/batteries.php - in the Bandit.

Great battery, but different cold weather characteristics then a lead/acid battery - http://www.ballisticparts.com/downloads/video/video2.php -.

Other than that, it is a great battery and provides more than twice the CCA of a lead/acid battery at 1/5th the weight.

SO, on to the maintenance of the day. Pulled teh battery out and balance charged it. This is not a necessity, but will help it last longer. They come with a three year warrenty.

[Cablebandit]

Is that a lithium battery?  Similar to the Shorai?

[02Tac]

 Yes, they are both LiFe (Lithium iron) batteries.  When I was looking to upgrade the battery I looked at a number of options.  The Ballistic EVO 2 seems to be the best bang for the buck.  Compared to the Shorai LXF18A1, the EVO 2 12 cell has a higher amp rating and a higher cranking out put for the same money.

 To give you an Idea of the size difference from a normal battery, here it is installed.  You actually have to use the supplied foam from the box it comes in to give it a snug fit in the battery box.


I had to use some foam on top too.

[02Tac]

 If you decide to go with one and do not have a LiFe compatable charger I would recommend one.  It is not specifically required, but will prolong battery life in the long run.

[Cablebandit]

I guess it's good to add that into the battery cost.  I've never hooked anything up to battery tenders and have never had a battery issue.  I don't think my stuff sits long enough to bother.

[02Tac]

 I would not hook one of these up to a tender. They do not lose charge like a lead/acid battery does.  You can charge it today, put it on a shelf, come back a year later and it will still have 90% of its charge.  The charger they offer is a balance charger, I use the ones I have for my radio control stuff, that balances the cells inside the battery.

 My stuff does not sit, but it does get hard use in the form of a fairly short commute (under 10 miles) and use down to the upper 20s. I was going through a lead/acid battery every 14-18 months.  I would replace them when cold weather performance deteriorated.

[Cablebandit]

Weird, I ride year round and it sits in a cold garage.  Never an issue.

[02Tac]

Weird, I ride year round and it sits in a cold garage.  Never an issue.

 I chalk it up to frequent short commutes which are hard on a battery and the fact that I replace them before they leave me stranded.  Kind of a preventive maintenance thing.  When I lived elsewhere and used the previous bike for pleasure, not commuting, the batteries were replaced far less often.

[mxvet57]

Took these off.




And put these on.