The Chief and his Superbike Pt. 5

I was looking at pics of VFR's which led to me looking at VF750R's which led to pics of RC30's. In the process I was reminded of some more of my childhood heroes. You see, if you're looking at pics of Freddie Spencer that's going to lead to pics of Eddie Lawson. I believe I've made it no secret that Eddie is my favorite motorcycle racer. I've met both of those cats and they could not have been nicer. Freddie was not racing at the time, he was a team owner. Anyway, I love both of those guys but I thought it was cool that the pics I ran across Eddie was out front with Freddie hot on the trail. I suppose pics could be found the other way around but it's my fantasy so why ruin it? While perusing these photos I collected some more pics to share that will be perfect for reference on the Old Man's Kawi project. All photos are property of their respective owners. If any need to be removed, let me know.

That's close racin'

More Superbikes adhering to the formula:

Nuther Wes Cooley Suzuki

I've neglected Graeme Crosby thus far. My apologies.

Mike Baldwin on a Honda. What a beautiful machine. 

Yet another Moriwaki prepared machine. Piloted by John Woo.

Dave...of course. Nice ram air thingy. 

Slide it like Randy

We had a video tape of this race and I just about wore out this part watching him crash. Randy Mamola was and still is, amazing.

Of course, our version was in English. Slow it down and watch him look over his shoulder and then high side. Coolest. Crash. Ever.

One year later

My Crazy Uncle has been gone for one year today. I miss the shit out of that guy. I was out working on my Honda and thinking about how much he would have dug my new scooter and we'd have gone riding together. Come to think of it, I was using some tools that a different uncle gave me. He was less crazy but every bit as influential. He used to drive me around in his 442 Olds. Cancer stole him too. Maybe they are hanging out together.

J.S.Mengel 

I love this picture.

So went on this ride sort of around the state. We got a room in Terre Haute and the next morning went down to the continental breakfast. It was pretty grim and offended Johnny sensibilities, such as they were. He suggests we go get coffee at the gas station. I'm thinking breakfast and coffee at the gas station are not really the same thing but he seemed adamant about drinking gas station coffee. So we load all our shit on the bikes and drive across the street to the Marathon station. There's a marquee on the front of the building and I catch a glimpse of what it says and start cracking up inside my helmet. A big van or something is parked in front of the sign so I just see it for a second and Johnny misses it. Still giggling to myself, I get a couple bottles of water for the trip, and a large coffee. Maybe some cupcakes or something, can't remember. He does his thing and we go outside to loiter in front of the no loitering sign. It's really more of a suggestion than a rule anyway. I'm standing there grinning like a dumbass. More than usual. Unk asks me what's so funny. I tell him when this van pulls away, take a look at the sign on the wall. Some lady comes out and moves the van a minute or two later. He walks over to have a look and loses it. He starts laughing his ass off. 

So we're standing there in the gas station parking lot about seven in the morning, drinking shitty coffee,  laughing like a couple of stoned teenagers. Now our friends Gymi, and Red were supposed to come with us on the trip. Things didn't work out so it was just me and Unk. He says, "Stand in front of the sign and we'll get a picture to send to Gymi". So I did. 

Straight from Unks cell phone.

So he sends the picture to Gymi and we drink some more coffee and tell jokes and try not to make eye contact with the schizophrenic urban camper who walks by. That guy was scary, he was engaged in a heated argument with himself. Seriously, he was fucking pissed. Luckily he was walking fast and more concerned with the voices in his head than the two motorcyclists speaking ill of the dead. So we finish up and get ready to saddle up and I look at him and say "What if Gymi's wife's name is Kathy?". He gets this blank look on his face for just a split second...and then starts fucking cracking up again. My face hurt I was laughing so hard. Gymi's wife's name is not Kathy, I checked. 

I hope Unk is hanging out with uncle Mark having a good time. They'll be sitting in some bag chairs, drinking coffee, telling stories...  Shit, I hope they run in to Kathy so Unk can tell her the story and they can laugh about it together. 

Rest in peace Uncle John. You too, Kathy. Whoever you were. We meant no disrespect, we were just a couple of insensitive assholes drinking coffee at the Marathon in Terre Haute. 

Things I'm learning while working on the VFR

1)  There is not enough light in my garage.

2) Bolt cutters work pretty darn well to cut an endless chain. (saw that on the VFR forum)

3) Latex gloves are a wonderful invention.

4) Working on a fully faired, watercooled,  V-4 is a pain in the ass an exercise in patience.

5) Charging the battery on your camera is key to using it to take pictures for the blog.

Since I have no pics watch Joey Dunlop go 'round the Isle of Man. Amazing video. I used to watch this when I was a wee lad (okay, I was eleven). I've seen Dave Roper narrate a lap of the TT circuit riding a Matchless. I've also seen Mike Hailwood do it in a video as well. I wish I could find that video, it had all kinds of cool shit on it. Anyway, enjoy the King of the Mountain in V-4 to Victory. 6 1/2 minutes of it anyway.

About the lack of comment replies...

I must apologize. I read the comments to moderate them but sometimes don't have time to leave a comment. Then I forget. How rude. Anyway, thanks for leaving comments and I'll work on replying in a bit more timely fashion.

Tools and horn

Not a very inspired post title but I'm tired. Got the chain tool today. Looks like a winner. Chain is on it's way.

The little tab on the top gets sawed off...

And welded on the end to double the thickness...

To loosen that there pinch bolt.

Yes, it's filthy. Even I don't let my bikes get that dirty. That's previous owner dirt. I'll get to it. I decided to add that little 17mm box wrench at the end of the new wrench so if I needed to make an adjustment on the road I would have both tools required to do the job. I wouldn't use it as an everyday tool as the spanner is only 304 stainless. Kinda soft. I had them burn it out on the big laser at work. Sorry, I can't make you a wrench but I can supply the CAD file if anyone wants it. Leave a comment with some contact info and I'll see what I can do. 

I also got my horn upgraded tonight. Well, I finished tonight. It's taken me three separate nights to have enough time to get it done. I combined the stock horn with a horn from a Blazer I found in a junkyard. The Blazer had a nice row of weather sealed Bosch relays right there under the hood. So if you're looking for a horn upgrade head to the junkyard. I don't think it's as loud as the Fiamm on the S-Wee but combined with the stock horn it has a decidedly European sound to it. The Japanese beep combined with the Detroit Honk sounds pretty good. Louder and unique. And it cost me almost nothing. Except for some mosquito bites and I cussed at my soldering irons a few times. Oh, I also made a sweet tank prop after the prototype just about went all stigmata on me. More on that later. Must get ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.......... later. 

A few issues with the Viffer

I rode the Viffer to work yesterday. Now, I know I need a chain and I'm getting the distinct feeling that the PO was not all that interested in maintenance. The single sided swingarm requires a special tool to adjust the chain. He didn't have the tool. Huh? 10K mi. and you never adjusted the chain? Owners manual? Nope. O.K., so the manual is on it's way from Honda and I'm looking into building the tool.

From VFR discussion board

I heard a funky noise last night on the way home and I'm thinking it's the chain. Not sure. It's parked until I can figure it out. I did a little searching on the forums and I'm not the only one who's heard it. This is no big surprise, I knew it needed a chain when I bought it. I didn't know I needed one of these:

 That goofy looking spanner in the lower right is the mystery tool. I'm told it's the only thing in the tool kit that's worth a piss anyway. Of course, by 2006 Honda wasn't interested in including toolkits in all bikes sold. I hear some had em, some didn't. For a reasonable fee they'd sell you one. There's also a shock tool that's missing from the picture but I've got a preload spanner that'll fit already.
The clutch is also acting weird. It's got a bit of a light switch quality to it. Nothing, nothing, nothing, ENGAGE. It's my first time with a hydraulic clutch. I adjusted the lever but I'm sure it needs to have the fluid changed. Evidently the slave cylinder's proximity to the chain will cause chain lube to get past the seal and contaminate the fluid.

So, I've got that going for me. No worries, I'm just buried right now. Work, kids, everything I own needs work. I ordered a chain and sprockets, the new chain tool is being laser cut, I'm about halfway through upgrading my horn. I'll keep ya'll posted. Maybe.

My Dad bought a motorcycle

http://shopteacherbob.blogspot.com/2013/04/now-its-spring-for-sure.html

Yeah, you knew that. He dropped off the plate and the weather was nice so I gassed her up and delivered the bike last night. Gonna miss that bike.

I rode the Viffer to work yesterday. I do love this one, too. It needs a chain bad so I'm going to have to park her until I get a little maintenance done. I need a special tool to adjust the chain. The ride seemed a little mushy so I need to see what's going on there as well. It could be that I'm just used to the old bike but if the heavier bike with a 90lb. weakling in the saddle seems mushy...might be time for a fill and drain of the forks.
The shock has a reputation for being lackluster so that's not a surprise.
Nice today, maybe I'll find time to take some proper photos.