Dirtbike.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151002_174508_zpsugrrdbmy.jpg)
Almost getting to peak time, seems like.
Fall seems like the best time of year for riding dirtbikes and the like.
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on October 04, 2015, 06:07:49 PM
Almost getting to peak time, seems like.
Fall seems like the best time of year for riding dirtbikes and the like.
It's certainly scenic. A bit chilly and slippery leaves are slippery, but it's great adventure weather.
Yeah looks like a good time.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151003_160222_zps4lgncbeb.jpg)
From atop this spot, you have a pretty epic view. Can see the waste rock piles way in the background from the mine. Those fuckers are gettin' huge.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151003_160228_zpszvk3wywu.jpg)
Super old bridge. No longer in use, but still accessible. Originally it was moved here from like Cincinatti or some crazy shit. EDIT history: "...a rare Pennsylvania through truss highway bridge, particularly because of the length [271 feet (83 m)] of this single span. It was purchased by the State Highway Department in 1919, moved from an unspecified Allegheny River site, probably considerably upstream from Pittsburgh, and then erected on this site in 1921."
The new bridge is pretty spectacular.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151006_145923_zpstuxks1br.jpg)
Back when it was still bein' used...
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8e/62/97/8e6297da5785bc96ec41f05c57e7bca7.jpg)
New bridge...
(http://www.miningjournal.net/photos/news/lg/549312_1.jpg)
Also found this sweet lookout spot over Ishpeming.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151011_182740_zps8mhu6u1i.jpg)
Washed 'er up after washing mom's car. Might be the last wash of the season depending on how much more I ride, if at all, after today. 46 and sunny...still ridable with the right clothing (ie, way too many layers). :lol:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151022_161207_zpsgod0jthg.jpg)
Nice!
I haven't washed my bike yet, either. I was going to, but then I got new fairings and it was clean that way for a while. :lol:
Then I rode to Nevada and collected many bugs and never washed those off either. :mask:
Get the bugs off sooner rather than later. Otherwise you end up with baked on permabug. :ohyeah: :mask:
Always good to have some spray detailer where you park your bike...can hit the front end after each ride or particularly buggy rides between full washes. Takes 30 seconds.
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 20, 2015, 01:31:02 AM
Super old bridge. No longer in use, but still accessible. Originally it was moved here from like Cincinatti or some crazy shit. EDIT history: "...a rare Pennsylvania through truss highway bridge, particularly because of the length [271 feet (83 m)] of this single span. It was purchased by the State Highway Department in 1919, moved from an unspecified Allegheny River site, probably considerably upstream from Pittsburgh, and then erected on this site in 1921."
The new bridge is pretty spectacular.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151006_145923_zpstuxks1br.jpg)
Back when it was still bein' used...
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8e/62/97/8e6297da5785bc96ec41f05c57e7bca7.jpg)
New bridge...
(http://www.miningjournal.net/photos/news/lg/549312_1.jpg)
Cool pics....Y'all got some interesting bridges.
And fall looks pretty neat there, the colors are quite nice.
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 22, 2015, 03:50:01 PM
Always good to have some spray detailer where you park your bike...can hit the front end after each ride or particularly buggy rides between full washes. Takes 30 seconds.
Soak a microfiber in hot water, and drape it on the front of the bike for several minutes then wipe off. It softens up the dead bugs carcasses so they clean easier.
Quote from: Speed_Racer on October 23, 2015, 10:48:28 AM
Soak a microfiber in hot water, and drape it on the front of the bike for several minutes then wipe off. It softens up the dead bugs carcasses so they clean easier.
Ohhh that's a nice idea. Hot soapy (Dawn) would be even better! Less mess than using degreaser or something, too.
Wow, fall looks *awesome* in the YouPee. Such intense colors.
Quote from: Laconian on October 24, 2015, 10:21:58 PM
Wow, fall looks *awesome* in the YouPee. Such intense colors.
It is. Very colorful. Tried to make the most of it!
Now we're transitioning quickly into the cold, wet fall stage before the snow comes. Leaves are pretty much down by now.
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 23, 2015, 11:06:35 AM
Ohhh that's a nice idea. Hot soapy (Dawn) would be even better! Less mess than using degreaser or something, too.
It might be OK on a dirtbike since they use colored plastic instead of paint, but you really should not wash a vehicle with dish soap unless you plan to apply wax immediately after the wash.
Quote from: MX793 on October 25, 2015, 07:07:17 AM
It might be OK on a dirtbike since they use colored plastic instead of paint, but you really should not wash a vehicle with dish soap unless you plan to apply wax immediately after the wash.
Well, yeah. Considering how little paint there is to wax, I'd probably wax with every major wash. Not for dirtbike cause dirtbike, but if I had a street bike.
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 20, 2015, 01:31:02 AM
Super old bridge. No longer in use, but still accessible. Originally it was moved here from like Cincinatti or some crazy shit. EDIT history: "...a rare Pennsylvania through truss highway bridge, particularly because of the length [271 feet (83 m)] of this single span. It was purchased by the State Highway Department in 1919, moved from an unspecified Allegheny River site, probably considerably upstream from Pittsburgh, and then erected on this site in 1921."
The new bridge is pretty spectacular.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151006_145923_zpstuxks1br.jpg)
Back when it was still bein' used...
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8e/62/97/8e6297da5785bc96ec41f05c57e7bca7.jpg)
New bridge...
(http://www.miningjournal.net/photos/news/lg/549312_1.jpg)
Why is the river (or perhaps it's a lake) substantially lower in the photo of the new bridge? I could see maybe due to snow melt but looks like the photos were both taken in the fall.
They span at different places. The older one appears to be in a slow-moving, flood plain area on the river (perhaps in a lake or reservoir) while the other appears to be at a gorge/ravine somewhere up or down stream.
The two bridges are very close, with the new one being just upstream of the old. The road dives into the basin to meet the old bridge while the new bridge just maintains road level by spanning the entire basin.
It's very likely that the copyrighted image of the old bridge above was taken from the new bridge. It's a very popular spot and gives a great view of the old bridge. This is a picture of the same view, but not zoomed...
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8333/8076785527_4ddfd90033.jpg)
Man. That's beautiful.
And yeah, part of the reason for the new bridge was flooding, or more specifically, a dam failure. The old bridge is probably just 15' at most above the water at normal levels. That road is the only one that allows a lot of people on the other side of the river to cross, so no bridge leaves them with the option of staying home or a 50+ mile detour.
That waterway is part of what's known as the Dead River Basin. 5 dams, two being hydroelectric. One failed like a decade or so ago and the damage was pretty epic.
And of course, the old bridge is just...old. it was time for a new one. The old one is like a 1.5 laner.
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 25, 2015, 10:03:47 AM
And yeah, part of the reason for the new bridge was flooding, or more specifically, a dam failure. The old bridge is probably just 15' at most above the water at normal levels. That road is the only one that allows a lot of people on the other side of the river to cross, so no bridge leaves them with the option of staying home or a 50+ mile detour.
That waterway is part of what's known as the Dead River Basin. 5 dams, two being hydroelectric. One failed like a decade or so ago and the damage was pretty epic.
Yeah dams are great things to have until they fail but I bet that was a learning experience to make sure the ones you do have are structurally sound. Here in CA, the infrastructure is literally crumbling but the state does nothing about it. I think with El Nino, we're going to see a lot of bridge failures and some levy collapses as well, like around Sacramento....which is a disaster waiting to happen.
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 25, 2015, 10:05:46 AM
And of course, the old bridge is just...old. it was time for a new one. The old one is like a 1.5 laner.
Yeah that is a little dated. Functional obsolescence, as we realtors like to say.
Now this is a rather striking yooper bridge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portage_Lake_Lift_Bridge
Built in 1959 and still going strong....how bout that. Definitely a cool mechanism to let boats pass through and I sure hope it's structurally alright because I imagine replacing something like that here in 2015 would be rather expensive.
Nice pics, giant_mtb! This is the reason I ride MTB's. :ohyeah: We have a similar old bridge here on Hiway 94.
(http://www.artist-perspective.com/Portfolio/Bridges/i-ddcGvFZ/2/XL/Sweetwater%20River%20Bridge-XL.jpg)
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on October 25, 2015, 11:47:49 AM
Now this is a rather striking yooper bridge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portage_Lake_Lift_Bridge
Built in 1959 and still going strong....how bout that. Definitely a cool mechanism to let boats pass through and I sure hope it's structurally alright because I imagine replacing something like that here in 2015 would be rather expensive.
Don't you remember seeing that bridge in Houghton while we were there? We drove over it a couple times.
They just did/are still doing some major work on it. It's a cool bridge. Walked across that sucker drunk many a time with my housemates. Houghton (where Michigan Tech and the bar scene is) is on one side and Hancock, where we lived, on the other.
Quote from: shp4man on October 25, 2015, 12:15:03 PM
Nice pics, giant_mtb! This is the reason I ride MTB's. :ohyeah: We have a similar old bridge here on Hiway 94.
(http://www.artist-perspective.com/Portfolio/Bridges/i-ddcGvFZ/2/XL/Sweetwater%20River%20Bridge-XL.jpg)
Bridges made of triangles are the best! :lol:
This is an old bridge:
(http://i60.tinypic.com/2dkedev.jpg)
Did you cross at walking pace or did you fork over a dollar? :lol:
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 25, 2015, 05:29:26 PM
Don't you remember seeing that bridge in Houghton while we were there? We drove over it a couple times.
They just did/are still doing some major work on it. It's a cool bridge. Walked across that sucker drunk many a time with my housemates. Houghton (where Michigan Tech and the bar scene is) is on one side and Hancock, where we lived, on the other.
I do remember it well....that's why I mentioned it. I think I have pictures of it somewhere and given it was winter, it seemed especially striking. Though maybe that's partly due to the fact that I was a little blazed.
That was also the same area where I thought you may have been exaggerating about yooper snow banks until I realized we were walking on it.
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on October 25, 2015, 05:39:18 PM
I do remember it well....that's why I mentioned it.
Ahhhh gotcha. I figured, but ya know...internet, hard to tell, etc.
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 25, 2015, 05:39:09 PM
Did you cross at walking pace or did you fork over a dollar? :lol:
It's only illegal if you get caught :devil:
Another oldie (this one ~20 years older than the first):
(http://i61.tinypic.com/2dcefqc.jpg)
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 25, 2015, 05:40:04 PM
Ahhhh gotcha. I figured, but ya know...internet, hard to tell, etc.
Houghton is a fun little town with some interesting bars and it definitely had more going on and was bigger than I imagined. I thought Marquette was Houghton sized and everything else smaller but I was indeed wrong. I even enjoyed the beer at the KBC, which doesn't usually happen with me and beer. Besides the bridge, the fake palm trees at the Downtowner were definitely memorable:
(http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/EncinitasLiving/1530526_10151629644802824_1181887428_n_zpsr6zw9wc9.jpg) (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/EncinitasLiving/media/1530526_10151629644802824_1181887428_n_zpsr6zw9wc9.jpg.html)
That's a nice touch when it's 11 degrees or whatever outside. :lol:
It was a really good time.
That deck is awesome in the summer, especially with the outside bar.
Quote from: MX793 on October 25, 2015, 05:43:07 PM
It's only illegal if you get caught :devil:
Another oldie (this one ~20 years older than the first):
(http://i61.tinypic.com/2dcefqc.jpg)
Covered bridges are awesome.
Clay and I did a little side trip after the NY auto show and went looked at covered bridges somewhere in rural CT. Very interesting structures and something we don't really have here in CA. Or maybe we do and I just haven't seen them.
Quote from: giant_mtb on October 25, 2015, 05:59:51 PM
That deck is awesome in the summer, especially with the outside bar.
I bet.
Nice view too.
Leaves.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151105_151355_zps6kwyandu.jpg)
Leaves.
(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/10/03/automobiles/wheels-leafs/wheels-leafs-blog480.jpg)
After putting 1,300 miles on it meself, starting to see some wear at the foot control areas from pants and boots and shenanigans! :rockon:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151105_152246_zps3zcfcnjl.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151105_152227_zpsqkam2vir.jpg)
Quote from: giant_mtb on November 05, 2015, 02:11:11 PM
Leaves.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20151105_151355_zps6kwyandu.jpg)
Comin' up on mid November and still out there, eh? Very nice. I don't see too much snow and ice either so I"m sure that makes for some good riding.
Ya it was like friggin 65 that day. And now it's 38 and shitty.
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on November 05, 2015, 02:51:07 PM
Leaves.
(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/10/03/automobiles/wheels-leafs/wheels-leafs-blog480.jpg)
Why don't you make like a tree and get outta here?
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on November 07, 2015, 10:20:37 PM
Why don't you make like a tree and get outta here?
That as funny as a screen door on a battleship.
Quote from: giant_mtb on November 07, 2015, 11:21:48 AM
Ya it was like friggin 65 that day. And now it's 38 and shitty.
Yeah 65 is great for November....seems like it's been colder here than there this fall.
Ya might be riding until December and man, good timing on your purchase.
Hah I think December is a stretch. I might get one or two more rides in. I dunno. I've been treating every ride like it might be the last one. Just in case.
It snowed a bit yesterday morning. Night's are still getting colder and colder...Tacoma said it was 30F on my way home from the bar last night.
The insanity at Glamis starts about Thanksgiving day....
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/0b/d6/83/0bd683510289ce151d2f49a6632edef2.jpg)
It's kind of like a Mad Maxian drunk driving/no cops loony fest.
Quote from: shp4man on November 08, 2015, 02:39:53 PM
The insanity at Glamis starts about Thanksgiving day....
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/0b/d6/83/0bd683510289ce151d2f49a6632edef2.jpg)
It's kind of like a Mad Maxian drunk driving/no cops loony fest.
What does this have to do with CRF. Why are you on my lawn.
Quote from: giant_mtb on November 08, 2015, 02:44:53 PM
What does this have to do with CRF. Why are you on my lawn.
Dirtbike! :lol:
Quote from: shp4man on November 08, 2015, 03:08:54 PM
Dirtbike! :lol:
I see like three dirtbikes in a sea of quads and sand rails.
Quote from: giant_mtb on November 08, 2015, 03:28:40 PM
I see like three dirtbikes in a sea of quads and sand rails.
It's like this, the desert enthusiasts typically have a motorhome towing a trailer full of toys, many of them dirtbikes and other stuff out to Glamis or Ocotillo Wells to tear up the sand, get drunk and have fun. I'm not really one of them, but have to say I'm fascinated by the whole expensive as hell spectacle.
I find enduro far more interesting because I live nowhere near a desert.
https://youtu.be/A-fP3pkAOcM
https://youtu.be/uYtUYt53H54
Quote from: giant_mtb on November 08, 2015, 12:50:35 PM
Hah I think December is a stretch. I might get one or two more rides in. I dunno. I've been treating every ride like it might be the last one. Just in case.
That's the spirit.
I'm guessing some Stabil in the gas tank is about all I need to do for winter storage? Don't think I'm gonna get any more rides in lol. And if I do, it has a pretty full tank. Gonna drop some stabil in, swish it around, and run it for a bit so da stabil can get to working parts as well.
That's all I did to my bike. If I had more space, I'd put mine up on stands too so I don't get flat spots on the tires come spring.
Some extra pressure in the tires for storage should help prevent that.
Stabil'd Dirtbike. Got snowblower out for the first time. Dose of sea foam with a full tank of fresh gas. Started on the 4thish pull. Warmed it up, changed oil, ran it again, changed oil again. Woulda changed it again (it's just a quart) as there was still some black nasty comin out with it, but my drain pan ran out of room (whoops).
Quote from: giant_mtb on December 03, 2015, 11:47:44 AM
I'm guessing some Stabil in the gas tank is about all I need to do for winter storage? Don't think I'm gonna get any more rides in lol. And if I do, it has a pretty full tank. Gonna drop some stabil in, swish it around, and run it for a bit so da stabil can get to working parts as well.
Fuel injected or carb'ed? IIRC, we always drained the tanks on the dirtbikes before winter storage when I was a kid. Not sure how easy that is with FI dirtbikes these days. The carb'ed bikes, which had a fuel petcock, were easy.
Quote from: MX793 on December 03, 2015, 04:01:23 PM
Fuel injected or carb'ed? IIRC, we always drained the tanks on the dirtbikes before winter storage when I was a kid. Not sure how easy that is with FI dirtbikes these days. The carb'ed bikes, which had a fuel petcock, were easy.
It's carb'd. I was gonna drain it (like I do most everything else), but I stabil'd and turned the petcock off after running it instead. I guess I could've also turned the petcock off and run it 'til it died to empty out the carb, but, meh, I ran it for at least 5 minutes after sloshing the Stabil around in the tank, so it should be fine. A dose of Seafoam in the spring and she'll run like a champ.
I don't like draining tanks. Can lead to rust.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 03, 2015, 06:45:29 PM
I don't like draining tanks. Can lead to rust.
Ordinarily, I agree. Dirtbikes have plastic tanks.
Quote from: MX793 on December 03, 2015, 07:14:57 PM
Ordinarily, I agree. Dirtbikes have plastic tanks.
Oh. Good point.
Quote from: MX793 on December 03, 2015, 07:14:57 PM
Ordinarily, I agree. Dirtbikes have plastic tanks.
Mine is actually metal since it's the (factory) street legal version of the CRF.
Quote from: Speed_Racer on December 03, 2015, 02:07:31 PM
That's all I did to my bike. If I had more space, I'd put mine up on stands too so I don't get flat spots on the tires come spring.
Just burn out to get them back to round. :lol:
Think I might bundle up and go for a ride. I mean, we have basically no snow. I'm sure there'll be some on the trails in the trees/shady areas, but we shall see. It's 43-45ish degrees. Gonna take a couple psi outta the tires for extra traXion.
Wet and slippery. Most areas of the trail still had a little snow on 'em. It was fun as hell, but also a chore to be sliding around and stuff. Thought for sure I'd eat shit at some point but only had a couple close ones.
Well shit, might as well get out there and have fun, even if it's a little slippery. Because how many Decembers are you able to go dirt bikin' in the UP? Not too many I'd imagine! :lol:
Y'all should be snowmobiling by December 10th.
Yeah, winter sports tourism is gonna take a huge hit this year.
Quote from: giant_mtb on December 10, 2015, 05:05:04 PM
Yeah, winter sports tourism is gonna take a huge hit this year.
So no ice fishing? I hear it's just an excuse to get drunk anyway. :lol:
(http://images2.citypages.com/imager/u/original/6578680/grumpy_old_men.jpg)
Quote from: shp4man on December 10, 2015, 05:20:25 PM
So no ice fishing? I hear it's just an excuse to get drunk anyway. :lol:
(http://images2.citypages.com/imager/u/original/6578680/grumpy_old_men.jpg)
That's almost exactly what it is. And yeah, probably not any of that happening this year.
Quote from: shp4man on December 10, 2015, 05:20:25 PM
So no ice fishing? I hear it's just an excuse to get drunk anyway. :lol:
(http://images2.citypages.com/imager/u/original/6578680/grumpy_old_men.jpg)
....and get away from the significant other and/or the family. :lol:
Quote from: giant_mtb on December 10, 2015, 05:05:04 PM
Yeah, winter sports tourism is gonna take a huge hit this year.
Yeah that's definitely a bummer and the warm/non-snowy pattern is looking pretty damn consistent.
46 degrees and sunny today. Streets are mostly dry and clear. Still snowbanks and such and no way the trails are rideable yet, but Dirtbike fired right up. I forgot (well, neglected) to take the battery out before winter, but she had all the juice.
Braaaaaap
Snapchat screenshot boiiiii. Snow has gone down tremendously over the last week.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/Snapchat-4544008554514303482_zpsrujmebcp.jpg)
Got out today. Trails are still pretty useless, but the sand pits by my house were nice and clear. Went to tighten up my rear shock...basically stripped everything behind the carb off only to realize I should've made sure I had the proper tool to tighten the shock first....oh well, now I can deep clean it since it's all apart.
Short list so far for the summer:
Tires. Desperately need more aggressive tread.
De-smog & upjet.
I know I'm ready for a bigger/better bike, but I kinda wanna just keep this one forever and eventually get it on the street for a town/trail cruiser.
On the other hand I could easily sell this thing for $2k and get a nice MX.
I'd love a KTM. But $$$ and hard to find. People don't let them go.
Nice weekend coming up (60s?!?!?!), so I'm back to itching to ride. I've got tires picked out and a couple other odds and ends in my cart. Yeah, the tires don't match but who cares...the matching front (not that it'd have the same tread anyways) isn't available from this site. Bar pad, couple spark plugs, tire irons.
Stock rear tire is 120/80-18, thinking I'll get this one in a 120/90 for a little more sidewall cush (it doesn't come in a 120/80). Stock front is 2.75-21, this one's a 3. I'll check clearances tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure an extra 1/4" should be totally fine up front.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/37783/i/sedona-mx907hp-hard-pack-rear-tire (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/37783/i/sedona-mx907hp-hard-pack-rear-tire)
(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/productimages/300/0000-Sedona-MX907HP-Hard-Pack-Rear-Tire.jpg)
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/19572/i/irc-tr8-battle-rally-front-tire (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/19572/i/irc-tr8-battle-rally-front-tire)
(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/productimages/300/0000_IRC_TR8_Battle_Rally_Front_Tire_--.jpg)
Fuck. Smacked a rock just right on the shifter...the whole shaft that goes into the tranny bent backwards 25-30 degrees. Luckily I was close to home and was able to limp it home in 2nd before I lost any significant amount of oil.
I hope this isn't a big/difficult job and that there's no other damage.
Part #9. Gonna have to take the whole motor off, split the case...everything. Fack.
(http://oem.moto-all.ru/assets/images/item/honda/motorcycles/crf230l/637446.gif)
OUCH......
Did you bottom out on a jump or what?
Got myself a cheap air ratchet to make all this disassembly/assembly miles faster. Table's ready for parts and labels. Gonna take lotsa pictures along the way. This'll be my first time disassembling any motorized thing so completely. But while I'm at it, I can also do my upjetting, de-smogging, airbox mods, and a valve check.
Just sucks because it was the first real ride of the season (lots of mud but minimal snow) and we've got a string of decent weather coming up...and my new tires and shit are gonna be here Thursday but there's no way I'll have anything done by then since I need to order the shifter shaft.
Just part of dirtbiking, I suppose. Shit happens. And low ground clearance.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on April 18, 2016, 05:55:42 PM
Did you bottom out on a jump or what?
Kind of. Was playing around in a sand pit near my house. It's kind of a drop-in and right in my line as I dropped in was a good sized rock I couldn't miss. Stupid mistake...I've played in the pit many times before and usually have a keen sense of where all the big rocks are. Thought it was just the frame that got smacked til I stopped on the other side and couldn't shift for shit.
Finally diving into this project. Been so busy with the spring detailing rush and all that. Parts came like a week ago (finally). Got the gearshift shaft, the seals where it enters the case, and a couple other little things from the diagram (why not, washers and springs are cheap). Hopefully I have everything I need and nothing unexpected (damage) shows up. Plastics, tank, and exhaust are off. Now to the nitty gritty to get to the gearshift shaft as easily as possible!
Popped my rear tube putting my new tire on. Oh well, bike is sitting for now and I can grab a tube anywhere.
Quote from: giant_mtb on May 10, 2016, 06:27:12 PM
Finally diving into this project. Been so busy with the spring detailing rush and all that. Parts came like a week ago (finally). Hopefully I have everything I need and nothing unexpected (damage) shows up. Plastics, tank, and exhaust are off. Now to the nitty gritty to get to the gearshift shaft as easily as possible!
Popped my rear tube putting my new tire on. Oh well, bike is sitting for now and I can grab a tube anywhere.
Been a while since I did a tube motorcycle tire, but I recall that putting just a little bit of air in the tube when mounting the new tire would help reduce the chances of pinching it.
Quote from: MX793 on May 10, 2016, 06:29:00 PM
Been a while since I did a tube motorcycle tire, but I recall that putting just a little bit of air in the tube when mounting the new tire would help reduce the chances of pinching it.
Yeah, I've changed many a mountain bike tire and have always used that same principle. Makes it less pinchable and just easier to work with. Alas, I pinched it anyway. :lol:
Dirt bike is fixed. Had to Dremel away material to make the shaft clear the hole. It was pretty bent. New one slid in nicely. Buttoned it all back up, flushed oil a couple times, and it fired right up. Shifts nice and smooth.
Ready to ride besides rear tube and new shift lever.
Maiden voyage was a success. Did about 40 miles. Gonna need a couple extra chain links for big bump clearance for this new super knobby tire, also the tool kit box which is sort of tucked in the upper left underside of the rear fender will need to come off for side knob clearance as well. Other than that, she's runnin great. Tires make a huge difference. Can climb shit I struggled to before with much more ease. Not the most powerful bike, but she'll get anywhere now with all the tractions. Still not enough balls for 30 degree sand pits, but oh well. Next bike.
Feels so good to ride after like 2 months off. And now it's actually summer outside!
Sounds fun.
Logging roads?
Not so much yesterday. Did mostly old railroad grades turned ORV/snowmobile trail and power lines. There are soooo many old trails and roads from all the mining stuff.
Took the blinkers off. No need for them since I'm not streeting it. They're just getting scratched up. Cleans up the look a lot.
Since I took the blinkers off, I used those mounts for aux LED lights. The stock headlight is fine for the road but fairly weak for trail. The pictures exaggerate a bit how bad the stock light is because camera (I can ride comfortably at night), but...
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160724_225051_zpscsiukmye.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160724_225111_zpsimvt3oat.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160724_224753_zps9dano3gx.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160724_224807_zpsrsc9peku.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160724_230705_zpsc4vvntg1.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160724_230729_zpsc1wcq2ve.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160724_231053_zpsf07eq6pi.jpg)
For less than $30 spent on lights and harness, I'm super pleased. Haven't had a chance to really aim them yet...took my tools with me when I snapped those pictures, but the mosquitoes were horrible and I didn't DEET myself so I snapped the pics and moved. They're pretty good where they are, though. Exactly what I needed for more confident dark trail riding.
Only thing I don't like is that since I have them connected directly to the battery, the push-button switch has a red LED indicating Off that is constantly on. I don't know how/didn't try to wire the power into the on/off of the ignition. I doubt it'll be an issue for the battery besides long storage, but it's still in the back of my head.
They don't throw super far (they're flood pattern, after all), but they give me that awesome close range light you need when tackling rocks and roots and picking a line.
And, no, I wasn't riding on a bike path. The No ATV sign is at the intersection of the bike path and the ATV trail and was a good reference point for the lights. Second set of pictures is from a section where the two actually combine for a few hundred feet before said intersection.
Did 25 miles of single track today. It was tough and tiring, but epic. Had a few impacts...it's only got 9.5" clearance without rider, so some of the deeper ruts and bigger rocks became obstacles. It was like riding mtb single track, but dirt bike sized. Lots of ruts, whoops, technical climbs, ferns covering your trail, etc. My new standard! Hoping to make this a weekly ride as a sort of workout/gut check. Started getting pretty tired after about 18 miles. Dumped it in a couple corners and picked some sloppy lines as a result, but that's what handguards are for. Definitely the most epic riding a 230L has probably ever done. Took me about 2.5 hours with breaks and used about 1/3 of a tank. :lol:
Had the trail to myself. Empty parking lot and didn't see any signs of fresh tracks anywhere. New tires were killer. Noticed some actual wear on the rear tire afterwards.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160725_172134_zpsmjmsm334.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160725_132233_zpsep32qxuo.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160725_151516_zpsldfeyorz.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160725_135654_zps0ktqi4tc.jpg)
Looks very green and pretty.
How fast could you go on a trail like that?
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on July 26, 2016, 02:06:34 AM
Looks very green and pretty.
How fast could you go on a trail like that?
Probably as fast as your survival instincts will allow
Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on July 26, 2016, 02:06:34 AM
Looks very green and pretty.
How fast could you go on a trail like that?
Depends. It was a lot of second gear, with short spurts of 3rd. So anywhere from 5-25mph depending on the immediate terrain.
And as mentioned, yeah, pretty much as fast as you're willing to go. It was not easy at all. But so fun and worth it. It's the kind of riding I like to do...excited to get a real bike. A KTM 350 XC-F is in my future, methinks/hopes.
I was seriously considering replacing the Head Lights on the Warrior with some LEDs. What kind did you use?
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-G8 on July 26, 2016, 04:16:26 PM
I was seriously considering replacing the Head Lights on the Warrior with some LEDs. What kind did you use?
I'd recommend it, man. They're awesomely bright. Can't speak to their longevity, but they feel solid and well-made. Dumped the bike a couple times yesterday and bumped many a stick and branch and they didn't budge. Basically, $30 total invested and an hour to install/wire 'em up...maybe 2-3 hours if you're the "look, I mounted a bracket, time for a beer!" kinda tinkerer like I tend to be. :lol:
Lights: https://amzn.com/B00T62RK1U
Harness: https://amzn.com/B00EZ9Y33W
OK! Thanks!!!!
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-G8 on July 26, 2016, 06:19:40 PM
OK! Thanks!!!!
:ohyeah:
How's the Warrior these days? Did you get it up to camp yet?
So ready for a real bike. Gahhhhh. I really don't like the local KTM dealer, but I wonder if they have any sweet financing deals. No way I could buy a new bike outright, but I wannnnnnts.
Quote from: giant_mtb on July 26, 2016, 09:02:29 PM
:ohyeah:
How's the Warrior these days? Did you get it up to camp yet?
Yeah I took it up on Memorial Day! Then my cousin rode the crap out (damn near non stop) of it on the Fourth Of July and broke an inner Tie Rod on the second day of the weekend!!!!! :facepalm: I'm heading back up on the 18 of next month so I'll fix it then! I'm jst pissed that I'll have to work on the damn thing after all the work I've put into it!
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-G8 on July 26, 2016, 09:14:14 PM
Yeah I took it up on Memorial Day! Then my cousin rode the crap out (damn near non stop) of it on the Fourth Of July and broke an inner Tie Rod on the second day of the weekend!!!!! :facepalm: I'm heading back up on the 18 of next month so I'll fix it then! I'm jst pissed that I'll have to work on the damn thing after all the work I've put into it!
Fack! How many beers did he have? :lol:
Quote from: giant_mtb on July 26, 2016, 09:19:39 PM
Fack! How many beers did he have? :lol:
NONE! He doesn't drink! :huh: He got in over his head! This was his first real seat time on a Quad! He met up with some guys on dirt bikes and they were kicking ass on some trails! He tried to keep up and took a small jump and landed at a weird angle! The Tie Rod snapped were it meets the rod! IDK how he managed not to hurt himself!
Quote from: giant_mtb on July 26, 2016, 09:05:57 PM
So ready for a real bike. Gahhhhh. I really don't like the local KTM dealer, but I wonder if they have any sweet financing deals. No way I could buy a new bike outright, but I wannnnnnts.
450?
Quote from: CaminoRacer on July 26, 2016, 09:40:45 PM
450?
Nah, 350. I'm light. 450 is too much for me and enduro.
Finally got some real boots. Just been rockin' steel-toe hiking/work boots. Finally tore the laces up on the left one from shifting, so...
Got me some Alpinestars Tech 1 boots. Was *this* close to just ordering a cheaper, $120ish pair from the internet, but I knew I should try things on before buying. Hit up the local powersports place. They had some Fly Maverick boots - $120 - that I tried on...not much padding, felt pretty plasticy. So I took one step up to the $199 Tech 1's and it's a night and day difference. Well worth the extra $80 and I'm glad I went and tried 'em out before just ordering cheap-o's. Also got a cheap jersey and some elbow guards. Only "gear" I don't have at this point is basically riding pants and a chest protector.
Walked in with $180 cash with no intention of spending it all on boots, but spent about a hundred more after all was said and done. But I'm happy with my purchase.
(http://www.alpinestars.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/800x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/e/tech_1_black.jpg)
Follow up:
Bought a size 10. Put it on with my socks and knee guards and stuff and sat on my bike...too big. My toe was just too long for comfort and I had a little play in my foot. Went back and they exchanged em no questions asked and I got a 9. Much better. Nice and tight, and they'll loosen up a bit over time, so there'll be room for warm socks in the fall if I need em. It's about 83 out now and they're hot, but not unbearable.
Kinda tough to get used to compared to ankle-high work boots. Totally different motion for shifting. Cant just flick the ankle. Kinda have to move your whOle leg. Need to adjust my controls a bit. They feel nice and safe. I've got skinny little legs, so theyre basically as tight as they're able to go, and they're perfect. The 10s were definitely too big. If they made half sizes, I'd probably get an 8.5. :lol:
Did some camping and riding. Washed her up today when I got home.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160817_145902_zpsfixpeb6p.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160817_165544_zps818cmtqj.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160818_160724_zpspbrwuh7h.jpg)
Awesome pics man. :ohyeah:
I feel like looking at this thread has inspired me to get my X and try to get dirt wheels so I can do some of the same stuff. I'll definitely be trailering it around with the Miata to go dirt biking. :rockon:
You have to! It's a blast. Two wheels are always fun. Would be sweet to have an on and off road wheelset for a bike like yours.
Is the suspension any different or adjustable? I'm guessing it's tuned a bit differently for street use, but all the travel is there and it's not like you couldn't take it off road as is. My bike certainly isn't really meant for a lot of the shit I throw at it, but it does just fine and it's bone stock. :ohyeah:
Yep!
It's got the full travel of a dirt bike. The only difference between the 250R and 250X is the front rotor, gearing and wheels/tires. The X also has a black frame and swingarm vs silver on the R, but otherwise the suspension is all the same. The X also has the skidplate as well, which will be very useful offroad.
I'm a complete n00b at dirt biking (only been once before) so I'm not planning on throwing anything crazy at it yet. Just want to do simple trails and explore, really.
Oh nice. I was thinking they'd have it all tuned differently and shit. Skid plate is definitely prime.
First things first...bark busters. Otherwise you're gonna be snappin clutch and brake levers left and right when you dump it. :devil: :lol:
Also super nice to have for tighter trails so brush and branches aren't hitting your hands and/or slamming on your front brake for you. And the first time you bump a tree with them...omg you're so happy you have them instead of broken fingers.
MSR or Moose are the way to go. Cheap ones are too small for real bikes (even mine).
(http://dirtbikemagazine.com/Media/News/HW0X4107.jpg)
Also, seems weird to me that the off road bike doesn't have a skid plate stock but the R does...? Why do you need a skid plate on the street when you probably have 10+" of clearance. :lol:
Sorry to continue the thread jack - the R looks like it may or may not have a skid plate? Some stock pics show it having one and some don't. The X looks like it doesn't, but mine definitely has one, so maybe it was installed afterwards?
I might look at getting a beefier one.
Good call on the barkbusters. I don't really like the look of hand guards, but they'd be nice off road. I can probably swap them off in a couple of minutes anyways to go back to supermoto mode.
Yeah, coulda been installed after. Handguards are pretty easy to install, so they'd be just as easy to take off. Like most things, the first time takes a minute but after that, it's easy peasy. Definitely recommend. I must have gone through at least my handguards' worth in brake and clutch levers in my first couple months of riding. Not that I was bad or uncomfortable on two wheels, but riding dirt with power and 250+ pounds is a different ball game than mountain biking or riding powered wheels on pavement, which was where all my 2 wheel experience was. Depending on what sort of dirt you end up riding, it may be a total non-issue for you, though, but yeah. Relatively cheap investment to keep yourself from suddenly ending your ride because you washed out in some sand and snapped a clutch lever. Or spend a few extra bucks for the fancy levers that are designed to pivot out fully when dumped and skip the handguards.
(http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/smartshop/my-dirtbike_pivot_brake_clutch_levers_(5).jpg)
Basically what I'm saying is that falling is inevitable. Happens to everyone, whether it's because they were trying something difficult or because a hidden root jacked em off the bike.
Dammit, I haven't even learned to ride yet and y'all are making me want to go get a dirt bike. :lol: I'm sure there are some awesome trails around CO.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on August 18, 2016, 09:11:26 PM
Dammit, I haven't even learned to ride yet and y'all are making me want to go get a dirt bike. :lol: I'm sure there are some awesome trails around CO.
Do it do it do it. If you can ride on dirt confidently, riding on the street is like riding on a glass smooth pillow of easy.
Quote from: giant_mtb on August 19, 2016, 09:28:58 AM
Do it do it do it. If you can ride on dirt confidently, riding on the street is like riding on a glass smooth pillow of easy.
lol. Don't want to spend the money right now.
Went for a nice long cruise today. Did just under 96 miles of dirt roads, logging roads, and more little dirt side roads. Never had to touch my reserve, which means I was getting at least 60mpg. 2.3gal tank including .7 reserve means I used at least less than 1.6gal. Damn.
It's that time of year. The colors are starting. Went for a nice little mine tour this evening. I really feel blessed to live near a mine. So many trails and powerlines and old RR grades and access roads. It's awesome ORV territory, especially dirtbike.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160929_182234_zpsddep47tn.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160929_182246_zpss3iudla0.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160929_190818_zpsavnyrlcu.jpg)
Quote from: giant_mtb on August 18, 2016, 02:45:28 PM
Did some camping and riding. Washed her up today when I got home.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160817_145902_zpsfixpeb6p.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160817_165544_zps818cmtqj.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20160818_160724_zpspbrwuh7h.jpg)
:golfclap:
I need to go back up to the boundary waters next summer. Looks great.
Was 65+ degrees today. Couldn't pass up the chance to get a good ride in. Did some mine 'venturing.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161006_182118_zpsbaej6ofz.jpg)
Check out all the sweet tracks I made downhill there last time I was out this way...'cause motocross! Slidey turns are fun. Nice loose rocks for it. Used the bigger standing rocks as obstacles/turn points. :lol:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161006_174847_zps4xc5ouvq.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161006_174902_zpswxaq1bm8.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161006_165639_zpspqofpkxc.jpg)
Pretty trees!
Quote from: BimmerM3 on October 06, 2016, 10:35:44 PM
Pretty trees!
Yeah man. Colors are bloomin'. Seems to come outta nowhere every year! Always awesome to get a nice warm, sunny October day to enjoy some colors.
Really hoping I can squeeze in a trip up north to the Keweenaw. Their colors are probably peaking now and I dunno if we're really gonna have any decent weather coming up to make a trip worthwhile. Regardless, I at least want to get up to the Estivant Pines (old growth, white pine forest) before snowfall, no matter the color or cover.
I frequent this spot on ze dirtbike. It's right off the trail, totally open, no No Trespassing signs or cameras. There're tunnels and passages in the basement...me and my gf went down there the other night...she got spooked and didn't want to go very far. It was funny...I'm super bad at watching scary movies while she loves it. But I'm totally cool going into some dark passages while she's not about it at all. :lol:
But anyways, I took these pictures when I went for a walk with Kota, the dog I semi-frequently dogsit. So I'll just put them here.
Not really sure what this building was. Obviously something to do with mining/railroad/maintenance/something. There's an overhead crane in the one section. Pits under the floor, big concrete footings. The doors aren't big enough for trains or mine trucks or anything, so maybe it was some sort of mill/processing place where machines were mounted to the floor footings? Dunno.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161015_162611_zpsff1q1v99.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161015_162929_zps1gmy7obr.jpg)
Boat sitting against the far wall. Like a 20 footer by my eyestimates.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161015_162854_zps3pwagrec.jpg)
Overhead crane. Flanked by concrete footings left and right, and a pit towards the back there...
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161015_162714_zps0i3qol4i.jpg)
Giant flywheel of some sort sitting outside...blue dog leash on the center hub for size reference...
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161015_163815_zpsjlagceyh.jpg)
Looks like a good place to squat.
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on October 18, 2016, 06:36:00 PM
Looks like a good place to squat.
Too well-traveled. Great place to draw penises, though.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161015_162854_zps3pwagrec.jpg)
Freakish nice weather last week. Took a climb.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161104_174734_zpsmofiwumc.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161104_180012_zps4uqbzl7f.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161104_180604_zpskewspb9c.jpg)
I miiiiiight have taken some of the MTB single track on the way back down...
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20161104_183320_zpsi744wsxv.jpg)
Now that snow is finally here to stay, cleaned up the garage and winterized the bike. Filled up the tank and put some Stabil and Seafoam in it. Turned the fuel off at the petcock and burned all the residual stuff out and ran the treated stuff for about 10 minutes.
Part of me wants to try riding it on the snowy streets. But I know what that results in. If it didn't mean making a fool of myself in front of all the neighbors I'd do it. :lol:
Ugh. I really want to get dirt wheels. I already bought all the dirt gear. Just can't find a freaking wheel set.
Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 09, 2016, 06:17:02 PM
Ugh. I really want to get dirt wheels. I already bought all the dirt gear. Just can't find a freaking wheel set.
For RX-7?
Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 09, 2016, 06:17:02 PM
Ugh. I really want to get dirt wheels. I already bought all the dirt gear. Just can't find a freaking wheel set.
Really? Is the frame different that you can't just throw regular YZ250 wheels on it?
I've been running Stabil in my tank since October. I think I'm gonna get in the habit of doing it all the time unless I know I'm riding multiple times that week. That way there's no risk of gumming up the carbs over time.
Quote from: giant_mtb on December 09, 2016, 06:24:50 PM
Really? Is the frame different that you can't just throw regular YZ250 wheels on it?
Yeah, WR250R/X has different hubs than any other Yamaha dirtbike. I need WR250R wheels only (with an X rotor and sprocket).
Slim pickins.
Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 09, 2016, 06:40:30 PM
Yeah, WR250R/X has different hubs than any other Yamaha dirtbike. I need WR250R wheels only (with an X rotor and sprocket).
Slim pickins.
Oh yeah, WR, not YZ. That sucks. Probably $Texas, eh?
Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 09, 2016, 06:40:21 PM
I've been running Stabil in my tank since October. I think I'm gonna get in the habit of doing it all the time unless I know I'm riding multiple times that week. That way there's no risk of gumming up the carbs over time.
That and/or Seafoam if it's a year round machine (?). Seafoam isn't a stabilizer, but it is a detergent.
Ethanol free gas for carbs.
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 09, 2016, 06:51:59 PM
Ethanol free gas for carbs.
That, too. I only put ethanol-free in my carbed things; dirtbike, snowblower, lawnmower.
Quote from: giant_mtb on December 09, 2016, 07:01:04 PM
That, too. I only put ethanol-free in my carbed things; dirtbike, snowblower, lawnmower.
I am amazed every time my mower starts. I've used the same old gas can that filled up two years ago, and i let it sit in the carb all winter. I have never changed the oil or air filter. I'm hoping it might give me an excuse not to mow the lawn. :lol:
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 09, 2016, 07:14:16 PM
I am amazed every time my mower starts. I've used the same old gas can that filled up two years ago, and i let it sit in the carb all winter. I have never changed the oil or air filter. I'm hoping it might give me an excuse not to mow the lawn. :lol:
Right? My lawnmower probably hasn't had an oil change since it was new and it's at least 13 years old...it was my dad's and I know he never did anything with it because I used it all the time as a kid. It didn't run when I got it (it sat for a few years since he bought a Husqy riding mower), but I cleaned the carb and put a new pixie plug in it and she chooched right up. Still didn't bother changing the oil. :lol:
It's rare that I see ethanol-free gas. Honestly I think I've only ever seen it in Iowa (ironic since I figured they'd love corn products)
Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 09, 2016, 09:02:07 PM
It's rare that I see ethanol-free gas. Honestly I think I've only ever seen it in Iowa (ironic since I figured they'd love corn products)
That sucks. There are a couple less-chain-y places locally that offer it. A godsend in this area.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 09, 2016, 09:02:07 PM
It's rare that I see ethanol-free gas. Honestly I think I've only ever seen it in Iowa (ironic since I figured they'd love corn products)
Shell v-power
Quote from: SVT_Power on December 10, 2016, 08:21:52 AM
Shell v-power
Only in Canada. Most US stations add 10% ethanol to V-Power too.
Yeah, I don't know of any gas stations around here that offer it without ethanol. Wish I did.
There is a place down the road that sells E85 though. If I ever wanted to do some crazy build, I'd have zero issue finding E85 pumps
You can frequently find ethanol free fuel at marinas, or gas stations near marinas. Boats no like ethanol fuel.
Premium grade fuel (91+) at a couple of chains around here is ethanol free. Generally try to gas up the bike at those places (since it requires at least 91 anyway). Will also use those with the Mustang as the end of the season approaches so it's got a tank full of ethanol free fuel when I put it away.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 10, 2016, 08:33:33 AM
Only in Canada. Most US stations add 10% ethanol to V-Power too.
Dang
Quote from: SVT_Power on December 10, 2016, 09:09:16 PM
Dang
(https://susannahartigan.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/1280458394-corn.jpg)
Riding season is back. Some shadier sections still have snow but it's damn close to being all open. Of course, that also means it's mudding season, but that's kinda fun, too. :rockon:
Starting the summer with 2,780 on the odometer. Gotta get a 2017 trail permit/sticker and I'll be set. Gave 'er a good wash after a couple muddy rides.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20170402_170743_zpszg0gitgt.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20170402_170711_zpsm4oyor7b.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/giant_mtb/20170402_170724_zpsomydtddp.jpg)
My LED auxiliary lights stopped working today. Hopefully just a fuse or the connector on the battery wiggled lose or something.
Just crossed 3,000 miles last weekend. It had 340 miles when I bought it, so I've put over 2,600 on it since I bought it, and I'm just going into my third summer with it (strictly dirt riding). Hasn't given me a single issue that wasn't self-inflicted (like when I bent the shifter shaft last spring dropping onto a rock). Oil changes, fresh spark plug every spring, and keeping the chain clean/lubed is all it has needed.
Dunno if it's just 'cause I'm really in tune with how it sounds, but I feel like I have some valve tick. I only really know what that sounds like because of my A4 (lol), but I know valve adjustments are a thing on motors like this. Anyone have any experience with valve checking/adjustment? I'd like to do it myself if possible...I'm fairly inclined when it comes to small engines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SMgSEol-HQ
Quote from: giant_mtb on May 24, 2017, 09:02:52 PM
Just crossed 3,000 miles last weekend. It had 340 miles when I bought it, so I've put over 2,600 on it since I bought it, and I'm just going into my third summer with it (strictly dirt riding). Hasn't given me a single issue that wasn't self-inflicted (like when I bent the shifter shaft last spring dropping onto a rock). Oil changes, fresh spark plug every spring, and keeping the chain clean/lubed is all it has needed.
Dunno if it's just 'cause I'm really in tune with how it sounds, but I feel like I have some valve tick. I only really know what that sounds like because of my A4 (lol), but I know valve adjustments are a thing on motors like this. Anyone have any experience with valve checking/adjustment? I'd like to do it myself if possible...I'm fairly inclined when it comes to small engines.
It should be pretty easy on your engine. You just need to remove the valve cover and buy a feeler gauge to check the clearance.
Think I figured out why/how Bikebandit sent me the wrong brake pads when I ordered rears...I think they may have the fronts and rears mixed up, based on the pictures. Bent my rear brake pedal pretty good a couple weekends ago riding some gnarly shit a 230L had no business riding (was with some good riders on sweet bikes). Tried torching it and bending it back, but it's a no-go. So I'm taking a chance and ordering "front" pads, which I think are actually the rear pads along with the new brake pedal.
Fingers crossed, and if all goes well, I'll have new pads all around. Stock fronts are still good, and one of the "rears" I got before works, but the other doesn't.
Ordered new tires finally. Front still has plenty of tread left, but I don't like it that much. Doesn't have much bite. Rear is ready to go, though still usable. Hoping the rear tire I got fits...not a whole lot of good options in the stock size of 120/80/18, so I went 110/100. :mask:
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/motoz-xtreme-hybrid-tire-p?s=1354320
(https://images.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/275/m/mot_16_tir_xtr_hyb.jpg)
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/bridgestone-battlecross-x30-intermediate-terrain-tire-p?s=999288
(https://content.motosport.com/images/items/large/BGS/BGS0020/X001.jpg)
That rear doesn't look like it would be very good on anything but hardpack.
Quote from: MX793 on May 15, 2019, 08:14:42 AM
That rear doesn't look like it would be very good on anything but hardpack.
I know, right?
The XTREME HYBRID is like a Mountain Hybrid, but with a more aggressive tread for extreme conditions, with serious straight line drive for those soft hill climbs and muddy bogs. It has traction characteristics of a trials tire, with the dimensions of a serious off-road enduro tire to maintain the bike's handling characteristics.Has good reviews, sounds like it's good for single track, rocks, roots, trails. Probably not the best sand tire, but 230L is no sand bike to begin with.
What you really need is a limited slip diff.
Obviously not a sand tire, but also looks like it would suck in cling, clay-rich mud and deep loam. The lugs are stocky and without a lot of space between to allow self-cleaning. Lug profile looks more like a trials or aggressive dual-sport tire. Both good on hard surfaces. Not so much on loose soil or mud. Probably fine on groomed or semi groomed trails.
Quote from: MX793 on May 15, 2019, 09:01:00 AM
Obviously not a sand tire, but also looks like it would suck in cling, clay-rich mud and deep loam. The lugs are stocky and without a lot of space between to allow self-cleaning. Lug profile looks more like a trials or aggressive dual-sport tire. Both good on hard surfaces. Not so much on loose soil or mud. Probably fine on groomed or semi groomed trails.
Well, let's hope I like it.
Otherwise, I'll go with another Sedona.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Dma-3kGrL._SX425_.jpg)
Seeing it in somebody's hand makes me feel better...the lugs are spaced apart farther than the picture leads one to believe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqqCfAGnhPI
New tires are in, pretty sweeeeeeet...but this weekend is supposed to be chilly and rainy, so pooooo. But perhaps I'll take a rainy day to get them onto the wheels....sounds like a lotta work, though. Last time I did it, I wrestled with the fuckin' rear tire for probably an hour before I finally got it on, and apparently the rear tire I just got has a pretty stiff carcass as well........might just take it to the local powersports shop and have them do it. :lol:
Might need an extra chain link, dunno. I got away with the last tire by cutting off the lowest portion of the mudflap that protects the rear shock (tisk tisk, I know), but this new tire is also, theoretically, another .2" larger in OD, so we'll see.
If I don't end up liking rear tire - or simply for next time - I'll try one of these. I wonder how a more MX-style knobby would work with 230L's fifteen steeds of fury...maybe it'd be too much knob. :lol: I mean, it has done just fine with the Sedona, which has (well, had) pretty serious knobs, though not in the paddle-style of a more MX-y tire.
(https://content.motosport.com/images/items/large/BGS/BGS002K/X001.jpg)
It really comes down to the type of terrain you ride on. Mostly hardpack trails, dirt/gravel roads, and some pavement between? Use a hard terrain tire with broader and more tightly packed knobs. You'll get better traction and much longer wear. For deep, soft loam, sand, or a lot of mud, get a soft terrain. For an equal mix, medium terrain. I did far more MX than trail riding. Soil in the area was a mix. Some sandy tracks, some tracks that could be loamy or somewhat hardpack do depending on the weather and when they were last groomed, and if it rained the mud tended to be deep and tire-filling. Didn't want to change tires all the time, so I typically ran a soft-medium terrain front paired with a medium terrain rear. I tended to like rear tires with a bit of paddle shape. Before I stopped riding off-road, the Michelin M12 was my rear tire of choice. Good traction and knobs tended to round off rather than chunk (not a problem on a 12 hp machine, but a 40+hp machine could tear knobs off, particularly on soft terrain tires). Before that was a Dunlop with similar characteristics, but I switched to Michelin after that Dunlop was discontinued.
Yeah, I have a pretty solid mix of terrain here. Most of my riding is ORV trails and single track, so it varies from some sandy sections, to hardpack, to mud, and everything in between, though once everything dries out, it's a lot of medium/hard with rocks and roots. This Motoz might be a good all-around tire, while excelling at some of the more technical stuff I like to fuck around with. Albeit, as noted, it's probably not an excellent sand or mud tire). But 230L isn't a sand-/mud-slinger anyway...it just chugs along and gets you through when you need it. Big sand hills? Not a chance, even if you had a paddle tire...it just doesn't have the power. So I wanted to try a tire that might be more appropriate for a 14hp machine. We'll see! If I like it, I like it. If I don't, I don't.
And yeah, tire wear is amazing when you only have 14hp. Which is kind of why I wanted to try the Motoz with its soft compound and trials-y focus. I got 2 (3?) seasons out of my Sedona, which means over 2k miles, and I believe it's a hardpack tire. I could probably run it all this summer, too, if I really wanted to, but the center lugs are about half gone, so it's time for fresh meat.
Also excited to have a front tire with some more bite. The current front tire is okay, but it's not very aggressive, especially for loose conditions and cornering. But it's DOT legal, so probably a decent option for actual dual-sport riding...which I don't do, as I do not ride the street.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/616uPxAzoWL._SY679_.jpg)
Paddles aren't necessarily great for mud. Limited lateral stability. Problem with mud, particularly if it's clay-rich soil, is that it packs into the knobs and turns your tire into a slick unless the knobs are spaced far enough apart that it self-cleans. Tighter packed knobbies give mud more surface area to cling to, so the tire never cleans out. Sort of like the difference between winter tire tread and summer tire tread on a car. Slush can pack and cling inside of smaller tread grooves and you just don't get any traction because you're left with snow sliding on snow. A more open tread design bites into the snow better and cleans itself out better when spinning. Look at a soft terrain MX tire and the knobbies tend to be taller, narrower, and more widely spaced, often not even remotely paddle-shaped. The knobs at the shoulders (used in cornering) are almost like cleats.
Tires fit. Wasn't worried about the front, but I knew the rear would be a slight puzzle. Just had to put my smaller, stock front sprocket back on so I could get more chain play to clear the swingarm at the base of the shock link. No worries, the larger one I put on last summer wasn't doing me any favors with such little power.
Should be able to get out for a ride tomorrow evening. :rockon:
Next...new front sprocket of stock size. The stocker is a bit worn.
Am pleased with tires. Front bites much harder than the previous front, rear has great traction on rocks and roots and shit, and pleasantly slides out on harder corners. With the last setup, it was that the rear gripped harder than the front, so it was always a gamble of washing out...I much prefer the tail-happy setup. Rear isn't a mud/sand tire for sure, but it'll do what it has to do to get me there...230 isn't much of a sand/mud lover anyway with such low power. It's a tractor.
(https://i.imgur.com/AnVH2Yn.jpg)
Had to put the stock (smaller) front sprocket back on to get enough chain slack to fit the rear tire (1.9" larger OD than stock, 1" larger OD than previous rear tire that barely fit), but that's okay...the larger sprocket wasn't doing me any favors anyway. Thought it would give me more top end, but with 14.8hp, it just made it more sluggish up top. So now 1st gear is nice and super short again. The thing tracks right up anything.
I think I need to put a smaller front sproket on Dakota.
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on June 04, 2019, 07:27:03 PM
I think I need to put a smaller front sproket on Dakota.
I'd start with a slightly bigger rear sprocket. Front sprocket changes are much more aggressive.
Quote from: MX793 on June 04, 2019, 08:07:32 PM
I'd start with a slightly bigger rear sprocket. Front sprocket changes are much more aggressive.
Yeah, but that would result in an unacceptable increase in unsprung, rotating mass.
Quote from: MX793 on June 04, 2019, 08:07:32 PM
I'd start with a slightly bigger rear sprocket. Front sprocket changes are much more aggressive.
I was slightly amazed at the difference two teeth made. I thought it'd stretch out the top speed, but the revs were too low in top gear to get anything more than what was already available unless I was on a flat/downhill section of road. So, not worth it, since I don't ride street anyway.
Quote from: giant_mtb on June 04, 2019, 09:00:51 PM
I was slightly amazed at the difference two teeth made. I thought it'd stretch out the top speed, but the revs were too low in top gear to get anything more than what was already available unless I was on a flat/downhill section of road. So, not worth it, since I don't ride street anyway.
IIRC, changing 1 tooth on the front has the same effect as 3 or 4 on the rear. 2 teeth on the front is a big swing in gearing.
Quote from: MX793 on June 05, 2019, 05:10:13 AM
IIRC, changing 1 tooth on the front has the same effect as 3 or 4 on the rear. 2 teeth on the front is a big swing in gearing.
Yeah, noticeable for sure.
So with the rear tire being 1.9" larger than the stock size, that's effectively like gearing it down as well, right? It feels peppier, especially in 4th-5th gears where it would start getting sluggish unless you really revved 'er out. Probably doesn't have as much top speed, but I'm rarely looking to get above 50mph anyways unless I'm on a wide open dirt road or something.
Haven't driven my truck in three days...just do my morning/afternoon commute on the trails with dirtbike. It's a ~15 minute ride, and much more enjoyable than driving the fuckery of potholes across town every morning.
Quote from: giant_mtb on June 07, 2019, 07:17:38 AM
Yeah, noticeable for sure.
So with the rear tire being 1.9" larger than the stock size, that's effectively like gearing it down as well, right? It feels peppier, especially in 4th-5th gears where it would start getting sluggish unless you really revved 'er out. Probably doesn't have as much top speed, but I'm rarely looking to get above 50mph anyways unless I'm on a wide open dirt road or something.
Haven't driven my truck in three days...just do my morning/afternoon commute on the trails with dirtbike. It's a ~15 minute ride, and much more enjoyable than driving the fuckery of potholes across town every morning.
Bigger tires are the same as going to a smaller rear or larger front sprocket. It effectively gears the bike taller.
Ohhhh okay. I was thinking about it backwards. Putting that smaller front sprocky back on was def. a good choice then.
Put 86 miles on today, 10 hours out. Good crew. I never ride as hard as I do when I'm ridin' with much more experienced riders (been riding all their lives) on big bikes keeping pace. 230L is NOT designed for aggressive trail riding...have to push it (and myself, of course) hard to keep the "normal" pace of big/real dirt bikes. But I digress...it was a great day.
Yamerhaw 426. Husqy FE501. KTM 450EXC (bored to 540). Annnnd the 230.
(https://i.imgur.com/KU96QrP.jpg)
The crew gets together (+/- a couple people) 2-3 times every summer for these group rides. I love it.
85 degrees and sunny. Luckily most of the 26 mile trail is in the woods/shade. One really shitty thick mud section made me skip a section (fuck getting stuck as frig by myself) but a great ride otherwise. Today's "skill" I worked on was using my legs more for turning. Stab down more with my foot to lean/turn as opposed to only relying on my arms/body. Really helpful, especially in the turn and burn sections.
(https://i.imgur.com/F2RCJoT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CU1hATL.jpg)
Quote from: giant_mtb on June 15, 2019, 09:04:31 PM
Put 86 miles on today, 10 hours out. Good crew. I never ride as hard as I do when I'm ridin' with much more experienced riders (been riding all their lives) on big bikes keeping pace. 230L is NOT designed for aggressive trail riding...have to push it (and myself, of course) hard to keep the "normal" pace of big/real dirt bikes. But I digress...it was a great day.
Yamerhaw 426. Husqy FE501. KTM 450EXC (bored to 540). Annnnd the 230.
(https://i.imgur.com/KU96QrP.jpg)
The crew gets together (+/- a couple people) 2-3 times every summer for these group rides. I love it.
Do y'all just intentionally sink the rear into the sand as your "bike stand?" :lol:
Quote from: BimmerM3 on July 03, 2019, 02:30:37 PM
Do y'all just intentionally sink the rear into the sand as your "bike stand?" :lol:
Yup! Motocross style bikes (like the blue Yamaha there) don't come with kickstands. The other three do have kickstands, but it's more fun to bury it.
Also, kickstands really sink into sand. So you either find a rock or dig it. Or a combination.
Haha, makes sense. I just hadn't thought of it before.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on July 03, 2019, 03:16:17 PM
Haha, makes sense. I just hadn't thought of it before.
Yezzir. Dual-sport (street legal) dirtbikes come with a kickstand by necessity. Motocross bikes designed for track use only just cut it to save the weight, etc.
You can actually see in that pic that my kickstand is down...I went to dig in at that picture-perfect spot and there was a giant rock a bit beneath so I had to fake it. :lol:
That time of year again (I say this every year lol). Colors are pretty much in full swing. Have some really nice weather this week. Low 60s today, should last through Thursday...might see snow this weekend. Can't ride tomorrow, but will be on Thursday afternoon. After that...I'll be lucky to get one or two more rides in, methinks.
(https://i.imgur.com/wk3CQtx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/76dYvmQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MqBW2QE.jpg)
Looks fantastic. The air must be clean up there. Can imagine the Fall aromas.
Quote from: FoMoJo on October 08, 2019, 04:43:28 PM
Looks fantastic. The air must be clean up there. Can imagine the Fall aromas.
Yes, fall weather does smell awesome!
How much do YouPee cabins cost?
Quote from: Laconian on October 09, 2019, 07:36:43 PM
How much do YouPee cabins cost?
Do you mean rentals or ownership? Both vary pretty widely, depending on where they are. A body of water automatically jacks up the price. But still quite reasonable for people with average money.
Both? I've been fantasizing about getting a FYA cabin lately.
Well. Lots of options, depending on what you wanna spend, how remote you'd like to be, and whether or not you require a body of water. Lots of stuff available that's out in the nature, but still close enough to town that it's not a total pain to go to the grocery store.
Very sought-after area. Higher $:
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/463-S-Basin-Dr-Negaunee-MI-49866/106463578_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1489-N-Camp-Rd-Ishpeming-MI-49849/106486967_zpid/
190 acres ---> https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1460-Tony's-Ln-Ishpeming-MI-49849/2108459128_zpid/
More "reasonably" priced places:
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3420-S-Helen-Lake-Rd-Ishpeming-MI-49849/218718905_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1730-Herron-Dr-Gwinn-MI-49841/2093115953_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6180-S-Shore-Rd-Gwinn-MI-49841/249495305_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2718-W-Pike-Lake-Trl-Gwinn-MI-49841/218717186_zpid/
More along the lines of truly remote:
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/14073-Black-Creek-Rd-Skanee-MI-49962/2087507629_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5180-N-Little-Huron-Rd-N5180-Skanee-MI-49962/2084390955_zpid/
If you have some real Fuck You money...
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/W6282-Ives-Lake-Rd-Big-Bay-MI-49808/2097439118_zpid/
All kinds of options. Just go on Zillow and browse around the UP. You'll find something you like somewhere. These are just some examples from my general area.
Might be picking up a (free) CRF230F without a motor. Mine is the L. If I can, it would be cool to swap suspension components to get the extra travel and ground clearance of the 230F. If anything, it's a free set of nearly new tires, spare wheels, and other swappable odds and ends.
https://sheboygan.craigslist.org/mpo/d/sheboygan-honda-v65-engine/6995513053.html
I highly doubt that would fit without extensive modz. :lol:
Quote from: giant_mtb on November 24, 2019, 07:14:38 PM
I highly doubt that would fit without extensive modz. :lol:
But it would have so much power that you could run that motor direct drive, so you'll save room by going without a transmission. Ain't dertberk a steel tubular frame? That is easy enough to modify. Put street tires on it and to wheelies all over town.
Here she is as she came out of storage, nice and clean.
(https://i.imgur.com/0dYsBJB.jpg)
Annnd here's what some of the roads were like today.
(https://i.imgur.com/R1W28OA.jpg)
Edit: ^^^^ check out that odometer...5,666
Dirtbike has fresh tires (Tusk Recon Hybrids, rear's a gummy for Xtra Traxion). New chain and sprockets on the way. She's just shy of 8,000 miles on the stock sprockets...pretty due. Put a fresh battery in 'er 'cause the previous one wasn't holding a good charge anymore and she doesn't have a kick-start for backup. Never fun when you get into a weird spot where a push-start isn't an option.
Other than that...uhhh...it's an old-school air-cooled Honda and continues to be bulletproof despite me beating the shit out of it. Just keep the oil fresh and she's golden.
Did 26 miles of single-track yesterday with a friend of mine (on a brand new YZ250X...holy fuck that thing rips single track)...and the Honderp never complained. Just tractors on.