WD wrote on 06/12/12 at 21:20:27:Learn how to stop with ONLY your rear brake. It is neither as difficult or as scary as many riders (especially instructors) tell you it is. One day your front brake is going to fail. Air bubble, old brake fluid because you were too lazy to change it when it started getting dark, dirty caliper piston, popped caliper seal... It happens. Think back to driving a pre-ABS four wheeled vehicle. Remember how to pump your brakes? Same thing. And downshifting is cheating.
You CAN ride on snow or ice. You may HAVE to one day. Decrease your tire pressure, slow down and do not engine brake. Go easy on the service brakes. Line your clothes with as many free publications as you can find, great wind barrier. Buy some trash bags and cheap duct tape. Goes over your clothes. You'll still be cold but you won't be covered in frozen water that melts and makes you colder. I've ridden home 36 miles in 5*F, not fun but I made it in one piece, so did my bike.
Buy a tool bag and some REAL tools. Throw the factory kit away except the plug socket. Carry an extra sparkplug (pre-gapped). Carry a cable splicing kit. Carry a GOOD mini flashlight and some spare batteries. Good does NOT mean a harbor freight LED unit... Carry a set of spare bulbs.
Personally, I carry a "head mounted unit", one of those thingies you wear around your forehead; it keeps your hands free and it shines where you're looking.
Quote:Oil leaks are normal. Air leaks are normal. Needing to adjust your clutch lever and rear brake is normal. Greasing your levers is not only normal, it is necessary for smooth operation. Lube your cables (don't use WD40, it dries sticky).
Lube your brake shoe pivots.
I need to greas my drum pivots, as the rear brake tends to stick, but... do I need to disassemble the rear wheel ?
Quote:Adjust the bike to fit YOU. Change the bars and/or seat if need be. Get forward controls or floorboards (you'll need to make mounts). Reposition the shifter to fit your boot toe (and ride in steel toed boots, trust me on this one, rocks hurt). Get more comfortable grips. Get wide levers if you need them, cable clutch early Marauder parts fit.
Watch the old guys with long gray beards full of heavy weight engine oil. If they can't walk right they have been riding for a long time. Watch how they ride. Believe it or not, they pre-trip the bike before EVERY start, even if they only stopped long enough to gas up. Once you learn your machine a pre-trip is a quick visual scan from the seat.
Biggest tip, come ride with me. I have absolutely no problem telling you how you are messing up and how to correct it.
I'd love riding with you (although you sound a bit line those 1960 PanAm commercials...
)
Thanks
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