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IT IS FIXED! It was the spider ground. I pulled it apart, cleaned it, and greased it up with some dielectric. The bike started and runs with no weird lights on. Thank you for all the help! You guys are the best! OR rocks!

Out for my test run since breaking my back and everything feels good. Just stopped for some supplies.

no need to get racist up in here....

that is the one. the one cabin that has decent wi-fi coverage when you have IT people to troubleshoot the coverage.

Triumph makes bluetooth speakers?

The VFR is 99% ready. I'm adding a gps mount tomorrow.

I just called and our group is in cabin 506. 1st cabin next to the parking lot for trailers.

Was installation difficult?

Maybe those 40 neighbors could offer to buy the property from the current owner and make a nice quiet park instead of just complain about it.

Just don't EVER use it in Harrisburg. It will take you through hell. It will be 110 in the middle of massive street traffic, red lights and funerals....and it will take you past 10 on ramps that if used will put you on 5 miles of freeway and get you out of town ....but no, it just takes you past them to mock you and instead takes through a school zone and a parade. Other than that it is fine.

Yea fuck that thing, chuck it in the trash.

Good luck safe travel mates. Very jealous and extremely happy for you guys at the same time. Lots of pics and keep thread updated even if just gas station ones. Will ride vicariously through the thread.

Pulled the carbs off the Honda, reset my float levels and fucked around with air screws and tightening intake boots clamps until it finally idles steady at 1200 rpm and doesn't hang after being revved or stall out after idling too long. New seat foam and cover arrive next Weds. In the near future I'll be replacing the rusty pitted fork legs with brand new shiny ones, ditching the huge stock headlight mount brackets for some little skeletonized black anodized ones and either painting or replacing the headlight bucket. This year is all about the cosmetics and making this bike look as good as it runs.

yep, competing WAP's

That's some good work! Now you're that much better at electrical problems. A few times my car's dash would go mad, the radio would cut out, and ultimately the engine would not start. Traced it to a corroded ground and battery terminals. One time I sunk an old car in a puddle. It was completely dead after that. I should've thought to check the ground and starter motor for corrosion or shorting. That was an old AMC Gremlin. heh

Mine was a 1980 kawi 550 LTD 21 years ago. Great learner bike. I was 12 and couldn't reach the ground, had to start/stop next to a cement block in the yard, or jogging alongside.

Return to the scene of the crime, a half-mile up this Trail is where I broke my back.

Agree. An EX500 was my first bike, and while it is definitely enough power and weight to get you into trouble, it's also not going to leave you bored any time soon. I wish I had never sold mine. I've had 5 or 6 bikes since the EX, and while others were faster, better-looking, fuel-injected, etc., the EX500 was stupid cheap to maintain, and more than adequate for street riding. The only time it ever felt slow was with a passenger (and then it felt lightning quick after the passenger was gone), or after I spent a weekend at the track on my F2. usable torque, enough top-end (I think it would legitimately do 115), comfortable riding position... There's a lot to like, so long as you're not concerned w/ looks. That said, I saw a guy put a small vinyl decal on his headlight. It mimicked the shape of the newer Kawasaki headlights. Totally changed the look of the bike. Vast improvement. Probably cost $3 in vinyl adhesive.

VFRs use these solid metal microchip jumper looking spider- things to cause their ground issues. making it into 1 ball of solder fixes it

24 Hours from now, I will be on the bike heading West...

Damn happy for you dude. See u next week.

Our first night's hotel is within walking distance of a gas station and a walmart. Shouldn't have any trouble finding something.

Here's Fucking Racebike Cabin location (helpful map). Not sure where all you savages will be lodged but I'm guessing in the surrounding cabins.

I think so, we'll see..lol

Think the wife and I will be doing this either Thursday or Friday as well. The other full day I'm planning on a 4 state run - 28 to Mountain Rest SC, then Chattooga Ridge Rd west to 76, pickup 19S at Blairsville to ride Blood Mtn, then 60/68/Cherohala/129 back

It's ok. I've been throwing money at him lately.

Buy that $1400 ex500 and call it a day. That bike is in your price range, doesn't look too abused, was probably dropped once or twice but almost any used starter bike has been dropped. Ex500 is enough power that you won't get bored of it but forgiving enough that a new rider won't get himself into serious trouble.

So this guy is building this right down the street from work. He is my hero.

Updated photos after repair from damage, and stage 2 upgrade, along with 20% window tint along with some more inside billet bling.