Quick thoughts on riding

It's been a while since I've posted. Considering that I'm selling my bike and my riding career has an uncertain future, you may understand why I've been a bit quiet lately.

That said, I've had a few quick thoughts I wanted to share:

I just had lunch for less than one gallon of gas. The dollar menu at Wendy's is awesome, but I don't ever remember having to pay less than $1 for a whole meal back in the day!

I'm precariously close that that $20 fillup. I used to get mad when I had to pay more than $10 at the pump to fill up - on premium. A $20 weekend went a long, long way just a few years ago. Now, motor sports has become much more expensive and I'm less likely to "blow away" so much money to go for a ride.

Road rage lives on. I rarely get so upset at another driver for driving recklessly that I feel something needs to be done. When I saw a Jeep Wrangler consistently endanger another rider, I knew I had to take action. I got a good look at the driver and memorized the license plate. I reported the @#$% to the local police department and filed a complaint. One of the people (read: the driver) in the vehicle was using a cell phone and didn't seem to notice that he was driving 20+ mph over the speed limit and tailgating everyone.

Having to sell the FJR got me riding this week. I've enjoyed every moment of it (even though I got very upset at the aforementioned incident). Riding for the sake of commuting really is fun, even if the temperature isn't regulated. It's nice to just be "out there." And getting more miles for the money is a good feeling, too.

Not that'd I'd be opposed to a smaller bike with even better mileage!

Sentiments

As I've been preparing the FJR for selling, my neighbor has dropped by occasionally to check on my progress.

He told me recently that if he won the lottery, he'd buy my FJR. He'd even keep it in my garage. He just didn't want to loose his riding partner.

That was very nice of him to say.

But I replied with, "If you were a true friend, you'd buy me a new KTM Adventure."


Good thing we're friends since I was just kidding! What a great guy!

Getting Ready: The first step

So I've decided to sell the FJR. Yes, it's come to this, but I know that it's the right thing to do and for once I feel good about it. In the best case scenario, I get to keep the bike, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

But before I sell, I need to accomplish a number of tasks that all boil down to one simple concept: bring the bike back to as close to stock as possible.

So all the blue fairings have to go. The glove box has to go. I get to keep the PIAA 4000's! (Yay!) The handguards and bar ends have to go. The heated grips will probably have to stay. The custom wiring with the battery monitor, cigarette lighter and controls for accessory lighting will probably have to stay (because it will be very difficult and time consuming to remove). The car horns have to go. (Now, that was a blast!)

The FJR has no clothes!

It wasn't easy, but I managed to leave the radiator
on and still have access to the headers.

I had recently acquired a replacement exhaust, so I'm adding that to the bike. The old set is dented, scratched and worn. This new set will make this six year old bike with 60,000 miles look much newer. (I brought the old gal home in October of 2002!)

Aren't those new pipes pretty?

I removed most of the plastic last weekend. I couldn't stay in bed this morning, so I decided to "get productive." I removed the old exhaust and replaced the headers. I had to drain the coolant (I'll have to replace it; It was old anyway. Besides, recommended replacement is every two years!) My father taught me that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right. So I replaced the exhaust gaskets, too. But I did manage to save myself some work by leaving the radiator on the bike.

With the new exhaust on the bike (okay, it's actually "low mileage") and a solid cleaning, the FJR will look her best since a long, long time. Only one more thing to make her perfect: the right saddlebag needs to be "touched up." A bit of road rash has taken its toll cosmetically. Next paycheck may get this painted.

I wrapped the headers a few years ago, which really
cut down on the heat cooking my legs.

Yeah, there's some discoloration there.
Riding in the rain has worn some of that wrap, too.

Soon she can stroll onto Craigslist and I'll finally get my asking price.