interesting... 2 carbs huh? how does that work?

[Edited on September 20, 2010 at 10:51 PM. Reason : 30 carbs]

9/20/2010 10:51:13 PM

I don't know I just took everything apart reassembled and fired it up and went riding through fields. There is only really one, and a secondary attached to it. Dual intakes on the head. I don't mess with singles much this is my 1st I jus know he to tear down and get properly running again. Maybe someone else including you, if you are playing dumb can enlighten us. The repair manual calls it the 'secondary carb'

9/21/2010 12:13:51 AM

thumper with two carbs?

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 12:50 AM. Reason : k]

9/21/2010 12:37:32 AM

It was weird.. Only one side is really the carb with floats etc. Owners manual even calls the other the secondary. I really dunno

9/21/2010 8:22:55 AM

That sounds all kinds of fucked up.

9/21/2010 8:45:20 AM

Finally found a bike I really like. Went in and got my permit today, so time for some RIDING! And practicing . . . . since this is my first bike and I've never really ridden before (aside from knowing what does what and reading the DMV manual). Still need to get the hang of being in the right gear and not stalling on occasion.

Need to find a decent helmet too, I only have a beat up old 3/4 with no face shield that I'm using now with a pair of sunglasses. That won't cut it for long, heh.

9/22/2010 10:45:25 PM

'81 special with a sportster tank?

[Edited on September 22, 2010 at 11:44 PM. Reason : no wait, it's has points, must be '79]

9/22/2010 11:21:08 PM

Heh, yeah, its a 79. Has a Sportster tank and seat, and some simple side panels instead of the big stock ones.

9/22/2010 11:51:10 PM

That thing is sweet! is that a grind/ clearcoat job on the tank?

And I have NFI (no freakin idea) about the 'secondary carb'... You take me for more of a smartass than i actually am...

9/23/2010 12:27:42 AM

Yeah, its grind and clearcoat. I actually think I'm going to sand it back down, hit it with some gun blue to darken the metal and give it a nice color, and then redo the clear coat. Ought to keep the nice metal look but match the rest of the bike better that way.

9/23/2010 1:05:40 AM

I've never riden before, but I get the basic concept. I'm studying the motorcycle handbook as I make this post. Any suggestions who/where I can go for a beginner's course that will supply a motorcycle for me to learn on?

9/23/2010 2:48:00 AM

From what my roommate has told me you can sign up to take a BRC (Basic Rider Course) at pretty much any community college like Durham or Wake Tech or at some local shops (you'll pay more, but get better "loaner" bikes usually). It costs around $100 at a CC, $200-300 at a shop. They provide the bikes (which are usually 250cc), you bring your own helmet/etc and wear the proper clothing and shoes. They're generally weekend on Sat and Sun. Once you're finished with the course you get a certificate that means you don't have to take the road test to get your motorcycle endorsement at the DMV. You still have to take the vision, signs, and written tests but they're a JOKE . . . . . I was in and out of the DMV on Avent Ferry in less than 20 minutes today to get my permit and that included the wait time. With a permit, by the way, the ONLY restriction is you can't have a passenger.

Personally I had the bike in front of me and couldn't resist, so I just said fuck it . . . got on and started riding. It definitely takes some getting used to and you'll want to tool around back roads or a parking lot for a little bit until you get a feel for the controls, but its doable. About on par with learning to drive a manual for the first time. You'll stall out or fuck up a lot before you get it right, and after that it'll still take months of practice before you're perfect and it becomes habit. With a bike though there's nobody in the passenger seat to talk you though it . . . . so start slow somewhere where you won't get creamed by a dumbass kid in a pickup truck if you mess up (not that I almost did, *cough*). DO know the basics, how the controls and gears work and how to up and down shift, how to brake properly, and what hand and foot does what. If you shift into the wrong gear, or accidentally twist the throttle while you're trying to use the front brake, etc, it might not be pretty.

Honestly though I might still go take the course just to get that waiver, from what I've been told the DMV skills test is a BITCH and its worth the money to be able to skip it. Especially if you have a big bike, since part of the test involves coming to a full stop (pause as they call it) and then moving again several times . . . all without your feet touching the ground.

9/23/2010 3:53:59 AM

The BRC will teach you a lot of things that you won't soon figure out on your own. Having that certification will also get you an insurance discount.

9/23/2010 8:51:08 AM

I took the "screw it, start riding" approach too, but I probably wouldn't have figured out how to counter-steer swerve if someone hadn't taught me.

9/23/2010 11:09:36 AM

you bought that from the fellow at advanced auto off western. he was asking 1800. nice fellow has helped me out numerous times.

9/23/2010 11:30:16 AM

I hope you didn't pay $1800 for that

9/23/2010 12:09:55 PM

hahahaha funny seeing tyler's bike on here under a new owner

i actually thought about picking that one up when he told me he was selling, but i really just needed something bigger

9/23/2010 12:25:36 PM

Someone needs to buy this pretty stocker in Rocky Mount and we'll have us a gang.
Just don't chop it, unmolested stock XS's are getting pretty rare.
In fact, they're all getting rare, I've only seen these two and one other for sale in Raleigh in the past two years.
The budget chopper slap-on-a-premade-hardtail fad ate them all up,
but lots of people are making XS parts now and doing crazy performance mods
not seen since the 70's so I'm not complaining. A few of the old racers are still left, but they're dying off.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/1956189672.html


[Edited on September 23, 2010 at 2:01 PM. Reason : .]

9/23/2010 1:59:47 PM

eh, i like fuel injection though

9/23/2010 2:57:25 PM

Oh c'mon, mechanical is the way to go. Mechanical ignition, mechanical voltage regulator, etc. There are a few fuel injected xs's running around though...mostly crazy turbo projects.

9/23/2010 4:08:59 PM

I don't guy why you guys are so hung up on bikes that predate you. suspension, engine control, power, tires, ergo, et al have come a long way in 30 years..

9/23/2010 4:38:00 PM

Because they're fucking cool, man

9/23/2010 9:09:56 PM

I work on Harleys all day and I love when I get me a old pan in there I have to work on instead of FI bikes but thats just me....

9/23/2010 10:32:49 PM

taking my class soon and starting to look at gear/bikes.

any recommendations on brands for gear? that seems a lot harder to find than bike suggestions (probably gonna start with a standard).

[Edited on September 23, 2010 at 10:52 PM. Reason : .]

9/23/2010 10:51:50 PM

smoothcrim: the same reason that a lot of people (the kind of people you might find in the "garage" section of a board, as a matter of fact) would prefer to buy a classic Mustang as opposed to a new Prius hybrid, heh. Even though obviously the latter is far more technologically advanced. Often the older stuff is just more FUN. But there's also the fact that its cheaper ($1k and some elbow grease as opposed to $15k+ for a new generation bike), simpler (you can do anything on it yourself if you can use a wrench and screwdriver), and more customizable.

9/23/2010 11:59:49 PM

^^ Cyrion: Brands that are considered good in general are:
Dainese (Crazy expensive but great gear)
Alpinestars
Joe Rocket
Frank Thomas (British brand, not all that well known here but I liked my Frank Thomas suit a lot)

For helmets:
Shoei
Arai
(In general, any Snell rated helmet is going to be fine, but Shoei/Arai will be nicer feature wise, be sure to go somewhere like Cyclegear that has lots of helmets and try them on for fit, it's critical with helmets)

Brands to avoid unless told a specific piece of gear is good by someone knowledable:
Icon

For instance, my gear was:
Shoei Helmet, then Arai Helmet (liked both equally well, but Arai seemed to fit my head better)
Frank Thomas suit
Dainese Gloves, back protector
Alpinestars Boots

9/24/2010 10:23:05 AM

I have an Alpinestar jacket, but the rest of my gear is bargain brand and they work well enough. A $300 helmet will be distinctly higher-quality than an $80 helmet. My $80 bargain snell full-face has been fine for a couple years, but it definitely feels flimsier than more expensive helmets I've encountered. It will probably protect my head well from scrapes and such, but impact-wise I don't have a lot of confidence. Luckily I haven't had the opportunity to put it to the test.

One thing I will say is if you're in the market for a full-face helmet, don't be compelled by the ones with the flip-up chin. I have one and I've never been compelled to flip up the entire face as opposed to taking the thing off or flipping up the visor.

9/24/2010 11:02:50 AM

I know nothing about owning old things. I only buy the newest ahahhahahahahah i love old shit.

and the simpler the better

9/24/2010 12:39:46 PM

my plan was to probably try helmets on at a store around here. not much near Madison though and online is so much cheaper >.<

thanks for the help though. probably just gonna do jacket/helmet/gloves for now since ill likely be just commuting <5 miles on it (no highway). get boots/pants if i start riding more.

9/24/2010 2:01:35 PM

Lumex: I saw a wreck where the dudes flip-up face on his helmet got ripped off. He was lucky that his face didn't follow So I second your recommendation, I'd never get a flip up face helmet.

^ Yeah Cyrion, jacket/helmet/gloves is great for around town. Just get a regular pair of boots (just boots, not motorcycle boots) that are tough enough to take some minor damage but look normal and jeans, that's what I wear around town.

I'm not a big fan of anything that doesn't cover your ankles or shorts, but that's really up to how much you're willing to risk.

9/24/2010 3:40:11 PM

Well, the XS 650 completely died on me in Durham today, so I might not get it after all. Guess I'll see what happens when we look at it tomorrow and figure out what went wrong.

9/24/2010 6:43:48 PM

Rode 4 new bikes today and lets just say FUCK BMW bikes!

9/24/2010 7:12:25 PM

^?

9/24/2010 7:31:25 PM

^

9/24/2010 8:15:02 PM

Well I had to PDI 3 new harleys and we took in a 1150 bmw gs on trade. The thing it so big and what a slug! Why one would ever pay that kind of money for one is far past me!

9/24/2010 8:22:39 PM

The GS is a little odd to me in that it's the #1 seller, but most of them never leave the pavement. It's kinda like a Wranger...it's a killer at what it's meant to do, but there are better choices for grocery-getters. People must either like the image or be delusionally optimistic with great intentions, but never actually put the bike to good use.

I've never ridden a GS, but my dad has an 1150RT (and I have a 100RT, but haven't yet ridden it), and for what it is, I don't think it feels big or unwieldy at all. Not when it's a legit long-haul alternative to full-dressers like Gold Wings or Electraglides. No, it's not my SV650, but it can do things that my SV can't (or would really suck at). Same thing with a GS. No, it's neither a touring bike nor a motocross bike, but it's pretty much the yardstick for what it's meant to do. If you want to ride from Alaska to Patagonia (or from Poland, through Iran and the Arab states, by the Med, across north Africa, and back up to Poland, as a group of guys I met a couple of years ago in Sicily were doing), it's THE preferred tool for the job.

Check out the photogallery on http://www.advrider.com, and then you'll see the appeal of the bike (maybe not of that type of riding, but if that's what you want to do, the GS is your bike.)




Haha, how you could like Harleys and poo-poo a BMW is beyond me, too. After riding from Sedona, AZ to the Grand Canyon and back, and being thoroughly disappointed with the Softtail I rented (I didn't find it to be very comfortable, and the brakes, handling, and engine all flat-out sucked...also, I was the only rider in our group of 5 guys on HDs not to experience mechanical trouble on that little trip, all from a fleet of 1-2 year old, dealer-maintained bikes.) In comparison, my dad's 1150RT probably has double the power:weight ratio, is more comfortable, smoother, has good wind protection, is MUCH more nimble in the handling department, and has the best brakes I've ever seen on any motorcycle other than a sportbike.

[Edited on September 24, 2010 at 8:50 PM. Reason : in fairness, I'm a 3rd-generation BMW rider...but BMWs do rule, and Harleys are ornamental turds ]

9/24/2010 8:43:48 PM

saling my f4i tonight that i got running again. looking to pick up another fix me upper on the cheap.

9/24/2010 9:18:19 PM

I like me some v twins.(Make way more money working on them lol ) That bmw was slow and so fucking big and so slow! I think i 450 would eat and then some! I do like there headlight set up the the lil guy then the blind ya guy hahah. It is deff not a bad bike it thats what your into... Just not my thing.

9/24/2010 9:38:35 PM

I love beer!!! And alot of it....

9/24/2010 9:40:21 PM

Yeah, like I said, I don't quite get why so many people buy the GS bikes. They'd be better off with other BMW offerings.

...and I have a V-twin! I like them pretty good, too, but there isn't much love lost between me and HD. They look and sound nice, and I guess if I had a half-dozen motorcycles, I'd have a panhead or panhead chopper or something, but it wouldn't be for riding far or any place that I actually needed to successfully arrive at.

[Edited on September 24, 2010 at 9:43 PM. Reason : although the GS is the ticket if that's really what you want to do]

9/24/2010 9:42:54 PM

lol.

9/24/2010 9:54:25 PM

Got to get on a busa today for the first time and lets just say why the hell do they make such a monster!?!?!?!?

9/25/2010 3:24:51 PM

Rode a couple Triumphs downtown today, and I think I'm about sold on either a Sprint or a Tiger 1050. Leaning toward the Tiger because it's just a shitload of fun to ride. As soon as I found out that it has *no* reservations about getting a wheel up, I was like all the way back. I'll be looking to buy one in the very near future.

[Edited on September 25, 2010 at 4:32 PM. Reason : 1050]

9/25/2010 4:31:12 PM

My buddy has a speed triple, and that thing is faster than I would want to deal with... Its got a lot of torque, and just blasts forward when you twist the throttle... Its a nice sensation but after a couple seconds of it you are past 100mph

9/25/2010 4:47:42 PM

Anyone here have a Dual-sport bike, or experiences with them?

I've ridden sport bikes and cruisers but never one of these. I like the idea and look of em but I don't know anyone who has one.

Specifically the Suzuki V-Storm 650 or comparable Honda (though I don't think the Transalp is in the States) or the Yamaha whatever its called.

9/28/2010 9:35:32 PM

They're cool for the preload on the rear suspension and the wind protection, but after sitting on one and talking to a couple owners, the impression I get is that they're SV650's with taller suspension and lower gearing. Not exactly "dual sports," IMHO. I'm happy with my SV650 until I can afford to have both an F800GS and a Street Triple R.

9/28/2010 10:09:17 PM

bahahah left my ignition on and the headlamps killed my battery today...had to grab a random dude to push me down a hill and pop the clutch in front of a packed L&L

9/28/2010 10:42:10 PM

Just out of curiosity... How much markup is there on most new motorcycles (typically)? Another words, how much off the MRSP is reasonably negotiable? I'm looking at a few BMW's... I'm going to play the waiting game and see if I can find one used that I want exactly without having to buy one new...

[Edited on September 29, 2010 at 2:12 AM. Reason : .]

9/29/2010 2:11:42 AM

OK, I'm not gonna lie... I've been thinking about picking up a motorcycle. Perhaps a 600 GSXR
to learn on, but what I really want is a Ducati, maybe a 748, or possibly a 996 Monster mmm.

9/29/2010 2:33:18 AM

Ahmet... In the motorcycle thread? Say it ain't so...

9/29/2010 3:27:29 AM