Biiiiig problem!

[T99Ford]

Question:

Does anyone else have this problem: when it is raining outside, and you don't want to ride, you take your bike all apart and start changing things, just to be doing it?

Just wondering... Now I'll go start putting it back together

[trbig]

when it is raining outside, and you don't want to ride

I have full rain gear and don't have that problem! All the roads are cleared of 99.9% of fair weathered riders... that's when I really LOVE to ride!

I get the "Oh that poor man" looks from people in the cages... they just can't see the big grin behind my face shield...


Tod

[ejoy1220]

You obviously can't wrench on the bike when it's nice out, you're too busy riding! The rain breaks in the weather allow you rare maintenance opportunities haha !

[T99Ford]

Your're lucky!
I am one of those poor, sick individuals who has polished his machine to a high polish, and would rather not foul a good polish in the rain--I know, I should be hit with a stick. I should have never polished the stupid thing, but it was broke down, and I needed something to do...If it keeps raining, I may just break down, though

[bikerphil]

Re: Biiiiig problem!

Originally posted by t71ford


take your bike all apart and start changing things, just to be doing it?

Sure have, that's the secret to having a tip-top shape XS. After a few years of working on your bike(s), you'll have nothing left to fix so you can spend your time here when not riding.

[trbig]

Maybe not perfect... but not too shabby either. Road grime washes right off...




Wax on stuff doesn't let things stick too much.

Tod

[T99Ford]

Tod--

You don't have all the legendary trouble with pods in the rain??

[trbig]

I think the problems in the rain with pods... is right up there with the "Don't jump a bike from a running car"

When water dropletts get into the pods, the water is atomized just like the air/fuel. Water hits the hot cylinders and vaporizes/expands. Water is 33% oxygen... atmospheric air is 21%.

Whatever the reason.. even if my figuring is faulty.. the bike runs great in the rain. I have been passed by semis in a HUGE downpour.. blasting me with the equivilent of a firehose or more and nearly knocking me off the bike. Not a stumble or miss anywhere. I take it as more wive's tales...

What's the difference in this and the vehicles that have their air intakes in the front of the grills or fender wells.. including ram air systems. You don't think water is going in there in large quantities in the rain?

Tod

[bikerphil]

nice

trbig, that's a sharp lookin XJ! Pods are the way to go. XJ's airbox is the ultimate hassle to remove.

[trbig]

Thank you Phil. You are right. The XJ's airbox doesn't move like the XS's. I got tired of prying and twisting on all those expensive boots. I can have the carbs out literally in about 3 minutes. One bolt for the enrichener cable, 4 clamp screws, pull carbs out of intake boots, remove throttle cable and vacuum advance line and hoses off the petcocks... throw them on the bench. Reverse order back in.
There are those that say you'll lose performance from pods...some disagree. I never had it running right with the airbox to find out. If so.. I'm willing to swap a couple HP for the convenience. Seems to run just fine against other bikes still.

Tod

[bikerphil]

Yup, those pegs on the frame that hold the sidecovers just keep that huge friggin' airbox from moving any which way.

[T99Ford]

If you're jetted right, you should only gain performance with pods. Plus, it sounds cool, and everyone knows you have four carbs

[mro]

When it's raining outside





Some people like to ride anytime, some don't....


mro

[saddle up]

Originally posted by trbig


I have full rain gear and don't have that problem! All the roads are cleared of 99.9% of fair weathered riders... that's when I really LOVE to ride!

I get the "Oh that poor man" looks from people in the cages... they just can't see the big grin behind my face shield...


Tod

Trbig,
I agree. I do the same thing. The only problem with that is the big clean up after. I use my bike to commute to and from construction sites. Muddy, gravel roads etc. So know I am on day two of the intricate cleaning.(I let the cleaning go during the wet season, it appears that the crappy weather is on the way out in the PNW until OCT),, The bad thing is I noticed some rock chips here and there.

Also as stated in another post, I like commuting in the rain better than the cage. It seems you are above the road spray, and can see so much better. Commute times are way better without acting like kid on a crotch rocket.
I had a windshield on but took if off (too many stars and weird visions looking thru two layers of plastic) as I prefer the naked eye, albeit with the shield up a quarter.
Ride safe and YOU have a nice day.
P.S. I never did have any problems with the pods no matter how hard it rained. At the worst, a slight milli-second stumble.

[egsols]

I had a windshield on but took if off (too many stars and weird visions looking thru two layers of plastic

I didn't like through mine either, especially during a rainy night. That's why I had it cut down to just below my eye level. At the new height my vision is clear and the angle of the sheild makes the air and rain deflect above my head keeping most of the wind and crap off my face.