durk

So it seems like winter may actually be here for real now & I decided I would try and clean the padding in my helmet. I began by taking pads & liner out then soaking them in laundry detergent for a while. When I went to rinse them there was a nasty film on them(probably sweat/grime build up). I did the best I could to scrub/rinse them out, but thought there may be a better way of cleaning them. Any ideas, what do you do?

Not sure where you're located Connie14, but location can play a role as well. I'm in the snow belt and often that hinders riding. My coldest temp for riding is 40 degrees and I don't own any heated gear, just layer up. Anything below 40 and I stick to 4 wheels. 4 years is awesome for any location in Ohio that is for sure.

Got out today for an hour and a half to 2 hours. Can't believe it was 60 degrees. Made little over a 100 mile loop around Conneaut Lake PA and my area. Great times. Had a buddy's father in law that rode at least 1 day each month for 17 months straight, hopin to match or beat it. Got 9 straight currently. Gonna be tough to find a day in January is my worry.

I use jack stands 1 on each side of the swingarm(helps to have spools-I acquired a couple from a bike I flipped). Then I have a piece of angle iron on garage ceiling w/ holes drilled in it that I hook ratchet straps to to lift the front by the triple. Not sure about your lift idea. Will you be able to get high enough with the arm/lever?

I had a similar situation this summer. I had a 2004 Altima that just blew all of sudden. It also had over 200,000 miles and I did not want to put any money into it. I ended up posting it on craigslist and just honestly said The motor blew. I eventually got a guy to pay me $450 for it. Obviously I didn't get rich from it but it was more than a junkyard would give me.

Thats a good price. If there is nothing wrong with it I'd go for it. I had an 01 and really liked it. Never gave me a bit of trouble. Saw in pic that the stator cover was scraped up. I had the same thing with mine when I got it used. I took a random orbital sander to it(actually had to sand out the Honda imprint to get rid of all the rash), fired up the bike to get it hot, hit it with some high heat paint and it looked great. I did this just before i traded so i cannot tell you if it stood the test of time. I have also done it to a gsxr i flipped, again it looked great. I say go for it. Gets you on a good bike for cheap is my thought.

I too have experienced this but I don't get what makes ppl feel they have to police the road. I go with Tonik's advice and stay wide.

The way I look at is they pay more attention to laws and such that effect us than I ever think to, and I appreciate that. On top of this you get roadside assistance as others have mentioned and I have used the 10% discount from bike bandit a couple of times. I have no problem giving them money once a year as cheap as the membership is.

I always kill my bike with the key. Both my 600rr and F4i have had touchy kill switches. So once it has a good connection I try not to disturb it. I usually park in neutral unless I'm afraid bike will roll due to an incline. I guess maybe I should park in gear all the time, but then when I go to start it I'm all messed up. Ruins my whole Rainman routine. Math teacher = creature of habit. Neutral at light once the driver behind me stops.

Still raining here in no mans land. I'm out.

Forecast for my area looks like crap. If I get up and it looks good I'll be there, otherwise I'll sit this one out. I'm with Hellmutt and Dubie on this. I've had my share of rides in the rain and its not my favorite thing to do.

I have a few odds and ends and a bunch of plastic. Let me know if you have any questions. http://ashtabula.craigslist.org/mpo/5211110811.html

Congrats on the new bike. Gonna make the epic ride next week? I see we're in the same county. I plan to head down if you want somebody to ride down with.

Thinking I'm in for the ride. Rode with Hellmutt in the spring and had a blast. Willing to ride with his group again or a medium fast group. Figure it out when I make it to the church.

Doc I was the same way for all 5 days for my trip I made to the dragon and back this summer. I know how you feel. I think I was running on adrenaline most of the time when i was riding. Hope you got some sleep and enjoy the day. It is beautiful here at work. Wish i could be out riding right now.

I've rode 7 from New Martinsville to Hundred WV and your right, it is a good time. I have also drove part of 7 in a truck near Morgantown and couldn't help but dream about riding it on the bike. Glad you enjoyed your trip.

Man glad your ok. I am assuming that was a new bike to you. When I rode with you in the spring you were on a Ninja I believe.

My neck was a bit sore, but that's about it. No ergo mods. Weird thing about filter is that it was fine for over 1000 miles or more before it started leaking. My diagnosis is either I did not put it on tight enough and it loosened from vibration, or it just failed.

When I googled it I did find many reports where the filter failed outside of installation error. I have been using them for a good 3 years with no problems, so I figured i'll give them another shot before I scrap them. Who knows it could have been I did not spin it on tight enough and vibration allowed it to loosen. Do you personally know of or have experience with them leaking?

Sorry for your loss

My big secret is I wear bicycle shorts. Originally my butt would be pretty sore after long rides, but the padded shorts really help out.

I think I may have this now.Just some water fall I spotted on WV route 16 as I made my way to the "Back of the Dragon" Of course I had to run it to some rain before I got to ride the Back of the Dragon. Would have been too easy to ride it when it was dry I'm sure. Not really I felt the"Back" and "Snake" were more challenging due to the elevation changes. View of Grandfather Mountain on Blue Ridge Parkway I took this photo in front of the tree of shame before I ran the Dragon for my first time. Thankfully it did not become a jinx to me I got to Deals Gap/ Killboy late on my first run through, so I took advantage of some foto opportunities I figured I might not get the next day around noon. Me just before I made my second and final run through the Dragon due to my leaky filter. Killboy made me look pretty good I think. Obviously I'm no knee dragger. Notice the oil burning off my exhaust I was laying a nice smoke screen I guess as I ran through the dragon.

I have more pics but I suck at using this site so I guess that's all I may be able to post. Maybe I can figure it out later, but right now I am not able to get it done.