Bob, been catching up on your recent posts on this thread - just love the cleanliness and meticulous attention to detail. Your approach surely an inspiration but I know I will never achieve such a level of work.
Wow, just read this entire thread after clicking on the link you provided in the “what did you do today” thread. I am flattered that you were inspired by my “super clean” bike! I am also SUPER envious of your immaculate bike! Holy crap is that thing clean! After reading the entire thread, I actually learned a bit and a few things I want to point out-
1. Your initial idea to go with a crash bar and foot pegs like mine would probably get you the comfortable leg position you want- I am 5’9”, and the footpegs are in the perfect position for me to stretch my legs out. I even use them in town. If you’re still going for max comfort, I strongly recommend going this route.
2. After having the TC bros “Lanesplitters” that some folks didn't like, and then the buckhorns, and now lower EMGO “Superbike” bars, I do have to agree that the lower bats seem to take strain off the low back. I’m only 36, but I’ve had back problems for going on about 7 years now, and though the buckhorns were comfortable for my upper body, I do think it strained my lower back.
3. I installed that same x-ring chain last fall when I rebuilt My rear wheel, and it was very sticky as well.
4. I’ve been using Bel-ray chain wax in a small spray can with a little straw. Silver and blue can. It doesn't sling off and is nice and tacky. It goes on white so you can see where you sprayed it.
5. I also replaced my rear sprocket with a 32 tooth, but I have seen my top speed decrease. After reading your thread, I am more inclined to wonder if it isn't the sprocket but the extra 15-20 lbs I’ve put on since buying the bike!
Champion makes spark plugs! LOL. The best I've found is Honda chain lube. At least that's what I prefer, and I don't have a chain guard! It dries in about 30 minutes.That chain lube was the worse stuff I’ve ever used! I threw the whole can right in the trash!
After reading this a second time, you have convinced me to order a 31T sprocket.
"adding a washer under the guard mount" not sure what your talking about there or whereWell crap! I didn’t get my ride in today. Today was spent chasing my tail, I said yesterday I sprayed chain lube on my new chain, I wiped off the excess and let it set up for a couple hours and then took it out for about a ten mile shake down run. That chain lube was the worse stuff I’ve ever used! I threw the whole can right in the trash!
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I’ve never used that brand before, I picked it up at Walmart and it was inexpensive. I went out in my garage this morning to check things over after my little test ride and that crap flew off and went everywhere! It was all over my freshly painted swingarm, the freshly polished rear wheel and spokes, the sidewall of the tire and have a look under the left side cover!
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I swear it looked like more that I had even sprayed on! And that crap was sticky, apparently sticking to everything
BUT the chain! It took me a long time to clean all that stuff up.
Then I messed with my shift shaft guard. Greg has offered to send my one of those poly razzmatazz synthetic guards which I’m gonna try, but in the meantime I tried Randy’s suggestion of adding a washer under the guard mount, it didn’t put any pressure on the guard, it just rotated it a little lower. Not perfect but better! This pic was before that little mod,
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So cover went back on, and pegs and shifter, then I installed my windshield. And my little lightweight tourer is ready for a trial run.
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These photos are for Greg and Pete, who like to make fun of my little tape boxes
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With the cars in and two bikes, it’s a game of inches! Haha!
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I’ll follow up after a better test run, I’ll get a little distance in next time.
Later, Bob
I gotta give that a try I take a thin one as Jim suggestedAdd a washer to the rear guard mount (arrow on the right) to shim it down a little lower .....
..... and you actually put the washer on top of the guard, not under it as he stated.
Mailman, can you please ecplain what the piece of Deltron was intended for, and did you install it?
Because I also didnt like my new chain rubbing on my freshly painted swingarm, i mounted a piece of hard rubber on the top of the swingarm, coming off of the front chain guard bolt.
It allows the chain to not touch the swinger at time of rest or when doing chain maintenance.
The material is Delrin. I get it on E-Bay.If I had the same material, I would give that a go on my lathe. Very cool design.