Yeah, I used to have a sheepskin for my Triumph cruiser. They’re nice!
-
Now taking nominations for the 2025 XS650 Calendar! Nominate an XS650 you think deserves to be in the calendar.
-
Enjoy XS650.com? Consider making a donation to help support the site.
XS650.com receives a small share of sales from some links on this page, but direct donations have a much greater impact on keeping this site going.
Mailman’s Suzuki C50 Boulevard
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Yeah, I used to have a sheepskin for my Triumph cruiser. They’re nice!
Got mine from Ultimate Sheepskin.
I lost my sheep skin air cushion (for the last time) on a BMW ride last fall. even with a string it left hte bike when I stood up to "air things out" and change muscle positions while going through a town on a camping trip, was 20 miles later before I realized it was gone and didn't go back. That thing had 10 years and 10's of thousands of miles of butt time on it. Inside the zippered sheepskin was a cheap walmart neck pillow. It replaced "gel" pads which IMHO were worthless. Like mailman just enough air to keep your butt bones from contacting the seat, guess I'll have to find a replacement.
For cooler weather I have a set of bicycling winter "bibs" with a butt pad coming. Will be interesting to see how they work both MC and E-bike. The guy with the Sondars E-bike was receptive to my offer but the bike seems to be in limbo somewhere tween here n Texas...
For cooler weather I have a set of bicycling winter "bibs" with a butt pad coming. Will be interesting to see how they work both MC and E-bike. The guy with the Sondars E-bike was receptive to my offer but the bike seems to be in limbo somewhere tween here n Texas...
Last edited:
That parallels my experience with sheepskins and other types of pads.I lost my sheep skin air cushion (for the lasat time) on a BMW ride last fall. even with a string it left hte bike when I stood up to "air things out" and change muscle positions while going throug ha town on a camping trip was 20 miles later before I realized it was gone and didn't go back. That thing had 10 years and 10's of thousands of miles of but time on it. Inside the zippered pad air was a cheap walmart neck pillow. It replaced "gel" pads which IMHO were worthless. Like mailman just enough air to keep your butt bones from contacting the seat, guess I'll have to find a replacement.
For cooler weather I have a set of bicycliing winter "bibs" with a butt pad coming. will be interesting to see how they work both MC and E-bike. The guy with the SondarsE-bike was receptive to my offer but the bike seems ot be in limbo somewhere tween here n Texas...
I cannot seem to keep them in position as a wiggle around a fair bit while I ride. Perhaps having something sewn right INTO the seat of my riding pants would be the way to go.....
This may sound “out there”, but anti inflammatory diet does wonders for motorcycle seat tolerance. I find I no longer need a seat pad or highway pegs.
Today was service day for my Suzuki 
So before I began I took her out for an hour long ride. Left the house at 8:00 AM it was 41 degrees with a light cloud cover. Here is a rather clumsy video of my bike starting up this morning. I forgot that I had to pull the clutch in to start it.
Then I pulled it in and drained the oil from the motor and rear differential.
The oil that I drained out looked just about as clean as the oil I replaced it with! And check out the magnet on the drain plug, not a speck of metal on it. New bikes sure are different that way.
I decided to pop for full synthetic this time around. We will see if I notice any difference over the semi synthetic Suzuki brand I used last time. And some fresh gear oil for the rear. You’re not required to change the differential oil at every oil change but it’s such a small amount of oil, it’s silly not to.
I’m stopped for lunch right now. Later I’ll go back out and check my air filter and tires and start my bike up to check for leaks. Fun fact: My highway bar makes it impossible to remove my oil filter from the frame, until I unbolt the bottom and swing it forward.
So before I began I took her out for an hour long ride. Left the house at 8:00 AM it was 41 degrees with a light cloud cover. Here is a rather clumsy video of my bike starting up this morning. I forgot that I had to pull the clutch in to start it.
Then I pulled it in and drained the oil from the motor and rear differential.
The oil that I drained out looked just about as clean as the oil I replaced it with! And check out the magnet on the drain plug, not a speck of metal on it. New bikes sure are different that way.
I decided to pop for full synthetic this time around. We will see if I notice any difference over the semi synthetic Suzuki brand I used last time. And some fresh gear oil for the rear. You’re not required to change the differential oil at every oil change but it’s such a small amount of oil, it’s silly not to.
I’m stopped for lunch right now. Later I’ll go back out and check my air filter and tires and start my bike up to check for leaks. Fun fact: My highway bar makes it impossible to remove my oil filter from the frame, until I unbolt the bottom and swing it forward.
Love my Alaska Sheepskin buttpad...
That plug is pretty clean, you sure that motor works??? Haha.
I know! Surprising right?
Today was service day for my Suzuki
So before I began I took her out for an hour long ride. Left the house at 8:00 AM it was 41 degrees with a light cloud cover. Here is a rather clumsy video of my bike starting up this morning. I forgot that I had to pull the clutch in to start it.
Then I pulled it in and drained the oil from the motor and rear differential.
View attachment 257236
The oil that I drained out looked just about as clean as the oil I replaced it with! And check out the magnet on the drain plug, not a speck of metal on it. New bikes sure are different that way.
View attachment 257237
I decided to pop for full synthetic this time around. We will see if I notice any difference over the semi synthetic Suzuki brand I used last time. And some fresh gear oil for the rear. You’re not required to change the differential oil at every oil change but it’s such a small amount of oil, it’s silly not to.
View attachment 257238
I’m stopped for lunch right now. Later I’ll go back out and check my air filter and tires and start my bike up to check for leaks. Fun fact: My highway bar makes it impossible to remove my oil filter from the frame, until I unbolt the bottom and swing it forward.
Looking at our post on my phone this morning, I to thought you posted a spark-plug pic by mistake
I had to look twice too. I thought that’s a weird looking spark plug with no side electrode. lol. Bike is looking great!Looking at our post on my phone this morning, I to thought you posted a spark-plug pic by mistake
I’ve been working on adjusting my valves. It’s been two years since my last valve adjustment.
If you can believe it, I usually spread this job over a few days. One day to strip the unbelievable amount of stuff off , in order to access the valves. Another day that it actually takes me hours to adjust the valves. Then another day to put it all back together.
I remember one of the criteria for my new bike was to be able to adjust the valves myself with basic hand tools. Well I can but it’s a ball buster!
Man! There is just no room to work! Most of the valves where still right where I set them two years ago, and those that were different, all were within spec, but a few were just a little tight so I reset them.
Harley has the right idea with hydraulic lifters!
If you can believe it, I usually spread this job over a few days. One day to strip the unbelievable amount of stuff off , in order to access the valves. Another day that it actually takes me hours to adjust the valves. Then another day to put it all back together.
I remember one of the criteria for my new bike was to be able to adjust the valves myself with basic hand tools. Well I can but it’s a ball buster!
Man! There is just no room to work! Most of the valves where still right where I set them two years ago, and those that were different, all were within spec, but a few were just a little tight so I reset them. Harley has the right idea with hydraulic lifters!
Geezzzz Bob - what a PITA.
The valve adjustment on my ‘83 BMW R100RS is dirt simple as everything is hanging out in the breeze. Oh well, they all have their foibles.
Cheers,
Pete
The valve adjustment on my ‘83 BMW R100RS is dirt simple as everything is hanging out in the breeze. Oh well, they all have their foibles.
Cheers,
Pete
Last edited:
Hey Pete! Yeah it’s funny we were just talking about that on another thread. I have fond memories of adjusting the valves on my old BMW!
Have you had the opportunity to ride your beautiful BMW this year?
With modern engines (at least bucket and shims) the frequency is in the 20,000 -24,000 mile range. Your Suzuki is probably a little less due to the adjuster. Either way for most people that would be a lifetime of owning the bike. My FJR has 66,000 miles and I have checked valves once. Probably due for another check but not too worried about them.
Mailman, I had my Volusia/C50 for quite a few years (05 to 19) and maybe I shouldn't broadcast but I only did mine twice in about 31K I putI’ve been working on adjusting my valves. It’s been two years since my last valve adjustment.
If you can believe it, I usually spread this job over a few days. One day to strip the unbelievable amount of stuff off , in order to access the valves. Another day that it actually takes me hours to adjust the valves. Then another day to put it all back together.
I remember one of the criteria for my new bike was to be able to adjust the valves myself with basic hand tools. Well I can but it’s a ball buster!
Harley has the right idea with hydraulic lifters!
View attachment 327591
on the bike. It was an 04 with 1700 miles on when I purchased from a neighbor. When I sold it it the valves sounded normal for this machine
and it still rode great.
Attachments
Yeah I know the bucket and shim engines go a long ways , it really is a superior design. They are just more than I want to take on and I’m too cheap to pay a shop to do it.
Nice! It seems like the valves on my bike don’t seem to deviate too much. Heck I’ll probably be 70 years old by the next time they need attention!
If you're using synthetic oil, your valvetrain wear should be so minimal that you could a loooooong time between adjustments.Yeah I know the bucket and shim engines go a long ways , it really is a superior design. They are just more than I want to take on and I’m too cheap to pay a shop to do it.
Nice! It seems like the valves on my bike don’t seem to deviate too much. Heck I’ll probably be 70 years old by the next time they need attention!
Yes, I switched to Mobil 1 full synthetic on my last oil change, and it was a noticeable improvement, less vibration and smoother shifting.
