Danimal

at 1200 miles I made the change today to synthetic oil on Sunny2.0. Motul 7100 20W-50. And she is purring like a happy cat. So I wandered around a bit to feel her out and man, does the DR like the 20W. Shifts like butter. 
Ready now for leaving next Monday for a week in Appomattox VA and the Horizons Unlimited event there. After that? The Yukon and Alaska!

I sold what’s left of the old bike along with the unused parts from the new bike to a fellow DR650 enthusiast who has the tools and capabilities to rebuild motors. 
He sent me pictures of the old lump. As suspected, the cage on the main bearing failed. Somehow bizzarrely, no apparent damage anywhere in the motor other than some scoring on the crank. He’s replacing the bearing a confident she will run again!

Thanks Jim. The sync with Pink Floyd was absolutely fucking perfect. One of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. 

 

Nice! Throw on a big tank and some soft bags and come to Alaska with me. You have time. 

2 hours ago, mello dude said:

Thank you for posting these.. its a good reminder for me to get off my ass. 

You’re thinking of doing some traveling?

Can you do the same for the other two?

No way of imbedding the video’s thumbnail? What am I doing wrong Jim?

Thought some of you might enjoy a few. My editing skills are lacking as was the equipment, but the results aren’t too bad 

I mounted the speed sensor more permanently on my lower fork leg using Sugru, same as the old bike. The tape will hold it in position until the Sugru cures, about 24 hours

then put one of the new decals on the topcase to make it official 

It’s simple really. Those sections of New England are the oldest, most densely saturated population wise in the US. You can’t ride more than a few minutes without coming through a small township.ive found the best scenery along the coast 

I’m sure you do lol

Rode up in Ashtabula Ohio to continue the break in miles

I have a near new pair of Gerbings gloves and socks for sale. XL. 
 

It’ll always be Cycle South. No matter where I head. 2025 is looking more and more like Portugal or Spain   

The new decals are in!

Google Lens FTW

Lexus RX350

Either are good states to be in Brian. I was probably both. 
 

Today it was adios to the Warp 9 motor covers. Maybe it’s the tolerances on the aluminum inserts, but mine just won’t stay snug. And an oil leak that was hard to find was the result. And I’m not resorting to thread lock to keep them snug. So off they came. In the long run, another layer of complexity in something so simple. My lower crash cage will continue to be the protection the motor needs.

For sale cheap to anyone in the area (won’t ship).

I also took the opportunity to pull the starter motor and install the W9 end cap that they sent me under warranty. The last one had the bearing freeze up and was field repaired in Ushuaia. I hope this one lasts longer. Stock end cap (2011, 525 miles) was bone-dry of any lubricant. This is a known issue with DR650’s and produces the infamous “rooster” sound when starting. This DR, even though only having 525 miles, is still 13 years old and needed this work  Warp 9’s solution is a machined end cap with a small sealed bearing for the starter shaft to spin on, rather than the (dry) bushing in the stocker  

4 hours ago, motocat12 said:

Do those hold the valve open to measure pressure and then seal with the cap? The passive ones I've seen did that.

Yes. That’s how it works. Seems to be holding pressure. 

Today I installed the two sensors for my new FOBO TPMS. It’s CarPlay compatible so the display is there live on my CarPlay unit. Seems to work great! 

Also added side pannier pockets to my new Giant Loop tank bag  

Wrapping up the build with an Eclipse party. You folks should stop by. Just south of Wooster. 
 

Just got a decent camera drone for my upcoming Arctic Circle trip. If anyone has wanted quality aerial footage of something let me know. I’ll be playing with it as soon as this weather breaks. First planned mission is to film the destruction of the Gorge Dam on the Cuyahoga River. 

Most touring-road oriented bikes aren’t comfortable going down trails in the woods.

I‘m sure the Wing is a great handling bike.

It’s just that my preferred riding “style” changed since back then Tony

 The last road bike I owned spent the last year of its long, long life exploring dirt and gravel roads that I had flown past for years while looking for the best twisty pavement. It was totally ill-equipped for what I put it through and when the next few bikes allowed me to explore those same roads more comfortably and confidently I was hooked. 
My bike will still sit at 75 on the highway all day, in relative comfort with the mods I’ve made. It has over a 450 mile range. It has over 11” of suspension travel and more than 10” of ground clearance (great for high curbs entering hotel lobbies in Mexico). And the highest-tech electronics on the DR is my iPhone. No ABS pump or sensors to fail. No fuel injectors to clog or fuel pump to fail. All positives when you live on your bike for extended periods. Like most of you, my longest “trip” was a week at the Gap every Summer. 

And I am by no means a great offroad rider. In fact, since my leg injury, I’ve turned around on single track and real bad roads more than a few times. When my DR is fully loaded it’s a beast to pick up for me with the bad leg. All luggage usually is clipped off first. Hell I’m thinking of getting a trail jack to help lift it. 
I can’t imagine trying to lift up a Gold Wing several times in a day. 
I’m getting antsy now to ride