Hermann
Site Donor 2023
That was a title of a magazine column in Cycle Magazine too many years ago to even think about. Cycle Magazine merged into Cycle World at some point. The coulumn was written by either Peter Egan or David Edwards IIRC.
The article was about major and minor maintainance things that get put off, that produce a superior driving experience.
Lately I have been spending some bucks on my 1991 BMW R100gs money pit, but I still love her. This morning after replacing the headlight bulb(not fun), I rewarded myself with a mid-morning ride. After stopping to fill the tank with 4.5 gallons of BP/Amoco 93 octane petrol, I ventured out to the country, away from city traffic and work zones. As I headed to the country I was happy that the bike was running extremely well, sounded happy, and was carbeurating perfectly, and the long travel suspension soaking up all the road imperfections. Must have been a good fresh batch of fuel, and that the bike was just tuned this spring.
The first part of the ride in the country, was leisurely riding at 55/60 MPH on a 2 lane road that runs the width of the north part of Kansas City, which leads to the international airport. The bike had that feel that it was glued to the road, with lots of tactile feedback through the handlebars. After morning rush even riding around the airport is fun. Not many stop signs, no traffic, and places to pull over and watch planes take off and land, sometimes only 100-200 feet above your head. You just have to know the wind direction of the day and go to those places.
After leaving the airport, I hit the portion of I-435 that paralells the road I took to get to the airport. During off peak hours it is fairly deserted. Right after merging onto the Interstate at about 70 MPH, a nice newer Corvette went by me doing about 5-7 MPH faster than I was going, so I decided to pace him at a safe distance. A few times we got up to 80 MPH or so. Road is regularly patrolled by the KCPD for revenue purposes, so you don't go too fast. At those speeds I do a forward lean behing the windscreen. This lowers the CG and takes the wind blast off my head and upper chest. The bike was so responsive and immediatly answered my every command. It was again glued to the road and I could feel everything the tires and wheels were encountering through the handlebar. At 80 MPH the engine is at 5K RPM, at that speed the engine is butter smooth and the mirrors perfectly clear. As I-435 turned 90 degrees to due south, the Vette and myself both had a blast at 80-85 MPH during this long sweeping curve. Right after the sweeper we both took an exit which required heavy braking as there is a hairpin right after exiting, with a long uphill straight, which of course required an Italian tuneup from both of us going up the hill. Did WOT in third from about 40 MPH in 3rd gear and shifted to 4th at 80 MPH and had to break hard again before the stopsign. Then headed back home contented in the fact that it was the best local ride I have experienced in a long time.
Now about that Super Fine Driving Feel
In the last year I have put new tires, new brake pads and fluid change, full tune-up, valve clearance, plugs, air filter, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, a Progressive Suspension fully adjustable shock, new clutch cable, and a new battery. All of these part and pieces have again made my bike a blast to drive safely, hopefully for another 22 years IF I keep up with the maintainance of the bike, and now at age 58, keep up with the healthier living I have been doing for the last 2 years.
Like all old loves, their is still a lot of work to do on them. The amount of parts that are still the originals is extensive and amazing that so many are still in such good condition.
Oops, almost forgot, it time to change the oil in the next few hundred miles.
The article was about major and minor maintainance things that get put off, that produce a superior driving experience.
Lately I have been spending some bucks on my 1991 BMW R100gs money pit, but I still love her. This morning after replacing the headlight bulb(not fun), I rewarded myself with a mid-morning ride. After stopping to fill the tank with 4.5 gallons of BP/Amoco 93 octane petrol, I ventured out to the country, away from city traffic and work zones. As I headed to the country I was happy that the bike was running extremely well, sounded happy, and was carbeurating perfectly, and the long travel suspension soaking up all the road imperfections. Must have been a good fresh batch of fuel, and that the bike was just tuned this spring.
The first part of the ride in the country, was leisurely riding at 55/60 MPH on a 2 lane road that runs the width of the north part of Kansas City, which leads to the international airport. The bike had that feel that it was glued to the road, with lots of tactile feedback through the handlebars. After morning rush even riding around the airport is fun. Not many stop signs, no traffic, and places to pull over and watch planes take off and land, sometimes only 100-200 feet above your head. You just have to know the wind direction of the day and go to those places.
After leaving the airport, I hit the portion of I-435 that paralells the road I took to get to the airport. During off peak hours it is fairly deserted. Right after merging onto the Interstate at about 70 MPH, a nice newer Corvette went by me doing about 5-7 MPH faster than I was going, so I decided to pace him at a safe distance. A few times we got up to 80 MPH or so. Road is regularly patrolled by the KCPD for revenue purposes, so you don't go too fast. At those speeds I do a forward lean behing the windscreen. This lowers the CG and takes the wind blast off my head and upper chest. The bike was so responsive and immediatly answered my every command. It was again glued to the road and I could feel everything the tires and wheels were encountering through the handlebar. At 80 MPH the engine is at 5K RPM, at that speed the engine is butter smooth and the mirrors perfectly clear. As I-435 turned 90 degrees to due south, the Vette and myself both had a blast at 80-85 MPH during this long sweeping curve. Right after the sweeper we both took an exit which required heavy braking as there is a hairpin right after exiting, with a long uphill straight, which of course required an Italian tuneup from both of us going up the hill. Did WOT in third from about 40 MPH in 3rd gear and shifted to 4th at 80 MPH and had to break hard again before the stopsign. Then headed back home contented in the fact that it was the best local ride I have experienced in a long time.
Now about that Super Fine Driving Feel
In the last year I have put new tires, new brake pads and fluid change, full tune-up, valve clearance, plugs, air filter, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, a Progressive Suspension fully adjustable shock, new clutch cable, and a new battery. All of these part and pieces have again made my bike a blast to drive safely, hopefully for another 22 years IF I keep up with the maintainance of the bike, and now at age 58, keep up with the healthier living I have been doing for the last 2 years.
Like all old loves, their is still a lot of work to do on them. The amount of parts that are still the originals is extensive and amazing that so many are still in such good condition.
Oops, almost forgot, it time to change the oil in the next few hundred miles.
