Tech Day in Rendon 6/7/08 (DFW area)

[Squidward]

John, thanks for the ride buddy. That thing is truly a hoot to ride. I can see why you love it so much.

Anytime, Bill. Maybe you can actually go around a turn or two on it next time. Same goes for Wayne.

 

[Squidward]

I believe I uttered the only profanity spoken during the whole event.....

You apparently weren't near Wayne's ZRX at any time that we were working on it.

 

[Squidward]

Try erasing everything except the url: http://cdn.smugmug.com/ria/ShizVidz-2008051501.swf
and then surrounding it with [flash ] [/flash ] tags (no spaces).


Viola!!



It's wonderful to know that such an intoxicating sound is preserved for all time on the internets.

I see the box for the embedded video but nothing plays and it's just a black screen. I tried going to Scott's link and got nothing there also.

 

[RTScott]

I see the box for the embedded video but nothing plays and it's just a black screen. I tried going to Scott's link and got nothing there also.

Yeah....all I get from the embed is a black screen also.

Which link did you click on Squidward? If you click on the small link above the long one, it should take you to the video.

 

[pacman]

Hmmm, perhaps the flash tags only work with youtube vids. In fact, now that I think about it, I almost positive that's the case. You might hit Scott up to see if there is a way to make the tag with Smuggy.

Fixed it for ya...............
(This may be the only record of who it belongs to................)

Thanks for catching that Don. I was picturing the right face, I just put the wrong name with it.

 

[Squidward]

Yeah....all I get from the embed is a black screen also.

Which link did you click on Squidward? If you click on the small link above the long one, it should take you to the video.

It's got to be something on my end. It works on Kim's pc but not on mine.

I see you caught me doing what I do best in that video.....I believe it was a donut.

 

[Crew Chief]

It's got to be something on my end.

See if you have flash 9 installed. I don't and I can't play it either.

 

[Graubart]

A few random shots:

The wizard at work.

Officer Scott.

This shot was posed. No real wrenching going on.

My next bike. I don't mean this specific bike. Just one like it.

Ryan's version of a Bikini Bike Wash.

I KNEW that Burgman's had an engine in there somewhere!

Hmmm. Four mechanics....one screw. That's about right.

 

[RTScott]

A few random shots:


I KNEW that Burgman's had an engine in there somewhere!

Nah...it just has cages for the hamsters!!

 

[Gilk51]

Ryan's version of a Bikini Bike Wash.

I offered Ryan to strip down to a speedo and wash bikes as seductively as I knew how but he passed on my offer??

Wow! Thank goodness Ryan didn't listen!

 

[RedPill]

Here are a few of the shots I took.

Scott's Fashion Statement

Think we can save her, DOc?

A few bikes in the drive

The Basket Case

. . . and the Basket

Yep, it's an FJR

Wayne Wrenching (he did a lot of this)

Crumpet

Super Duke

Chuck - Strom Consultant

How many wheels?

VoyagerRider's Ride

 

[Gilk51]

Some mo...

A pair of V-Strom 1000s. DFW_Warrior's is on the left. Freddie (EagleRider) works on his on the right.

Dan (RedPill) walks in front of the lift while work is underway.

Hannah, Soozy, and Bill stare at Hannah's bike

Mike looks at the ailing ZRX

Freddie's V-Strom with the instrument cluster removed

Euro-Trash! Hide the women and children!

Jeff (bung), John (Squidward), and Kim (wonder91178) make an appearance

Of course, I had to see Kim's Bonneville

Mike, Marty, and Ron inspect Ron's Concours before taking it around back for surgery

John shows off the new KTM while Ron looks on

Ram (ram.subram) brought his R6 to check the chain tension

Freddie scowls at having his picture taken. He's working!

Wow! Burgmans (Burgmen?) require a lot of fluids! Chris (sharkey) works on his.

And there was another white B-man out front. Bert has a Voyager package on his

Hannah's bike on the lift

Michelle (fjrchik) tests the location of her foot pegs that were just adjusted & tightened

What are these three conspiring to do? Ed (ed29), Scott (STScott), and Bill (Graubart)

Jeff (bung) 'splains something while Kelly (FWRex) and Kim (wonder91178) listen. Think he is showing how carburetors work?

Gathering around the old Vulcan. Rebecca (Squeaky) glances at the seatless TW200, Ken (KenH) and Hannah look in. Ryan admires his own machine...

Something has Elsi (TexasShadow) tickled as Marty (voyagerrider) checks his water level. Chris (sharkey) checks with his broker about buying gas on the way home

Watching the fun - Marty on the left, Chris sitting, Scott (not sure of his screen name), and I didn't meet the guy on the right

The hostess, Beth, checking the grill. There was plenty of good stuff to eat

There were lots of blue bikes in Rendon

Brad (jbh) is one of those FJR types

 

[DFW_Warrior]

Bill if you'll Pm me with an address, my bike has only gone from the shop to the front of the house in about 4 days. It's itching to go somewhere.

Mike

Actually the black chair is also mine so I don't know if you'd really want to haul that around as well. But the good news is that I need to head down towards your neck of the woods in the next couple of days anyway so I may just see if I can pick them up from you then.

 

[TexasShadow]

'Elzi's the name, Black Booty is my game.
Even though I didn't participate, it was a very grand tech day with a great turnout. Glad I missed the fire.........

 

[Gilk51]

A bunch of folks came to help and socialize and not have their bikes worked on. Mike seeded the circular drive out front with his Yamaha Seca. And this happened:

which led to this

and later this

and if you are not careful, this

(that's Rebecca's 'Strom almost ready for a track day)

...meanwhile, back in the garage, Ken (KenH) and Soozy (Soozy) have dessert

and the Rex workers take desperate measures

How many ways can they elevate the gas tank?

Soozy (Soozy) and Rebecca (Squeaky) in top form

The puzzling ZRX stumps Wayne (pacman1), John (Squidward), and Bill (DFW_Warrior)

Right next door, Don (donroger1) helps hold the carb synchronizer for Ron's Concours (Don used to have one, too)

More help for the Rex: Ed (ed29), Wayne, John, Kim, Jeff

I think Jeff is about to say "remember what I said 4 HOURS ago?"

Deciding what else to put the gas tank on

Jeff makes his point and gets Bill's attention. John's hands are stuck...

No pictures of the "Eureka" when the Rex was fixed or Wayne frantically asking to borrow a helmet & calling Ms. Pacman for his helmet, and jacket, and boots, and gloves, and the gloves...

No pictures of the Vulcan sputtering to life momentarily and putting a grin on Hannah's face - until the little fire incident...

But some progress on this beast:

Looks like more parts of the two carburetors to clean plus both the front and rear brake switches (for the brake light) to replace. But lots of promise.

 

[Gilk51]

I didn't get a picture of everyone leaving but I got most of the ones that were in the garage area. Now, you do need to watch out when the Euro-bikes get going!

Michelle (fjrchik) on her, well, um, FJR...

Ryan (L8RG8R) on his Aprilia

Another FJR, this is Brad (jbh)

Bill (Graubart) with the new GPS running (and routing him thru Albuquerque) on V-Strom power

I sure hope he turns right...

Ram (ram.subram) on his R6

Scott (STScott), still needs some parts to come in to fix his Pie Run damage

Chris (sharkey) off on his Burgman

And Scott (?) takes off after him

Freddie (EagleRider) and his V-Strom

Shannon and Brent get ready to go (don't know their screen names)

They're off!

Kelly (FWRex) on his ZRX

Marty (voyagerrider) prepares to, um, ride his Voyager

No pictures of hooligans in shorts and flip-flops roaring up and down the street on bikes that were not their own.

 

[Tourmeister]

I too want to thank Mike and Beth. Your place looks a lot better than 6 years ago. I am very glad that I did not have to discharge the fire extinguisher.

From what I have read, the possessed Kawasaki was running by the end of the day....Yea...

It was a great group of people and I really enjoyed being around all of you, Thanks for allowing me to participate.

Ron

Welcome to the site Ron

 

[Squidward]

I can't believe how much fun that was. We really need to do that again.

 

[L8RG8R]

Sorry for the big disappointment with no bikini. I'll be sure and bring it next time. It's PINK!

Mike! I had a great time!! A million thanks to both you and your wife. I can't believe I missed the fireworks!

 

[RedPill]

Did the sandpaper bushing work on Michelle's GPS mount?

 

[wonder91178]

I feel the need to tell Wayne he has quite an awesome avatar

 

[L8RG8R]

Did the sandpaper bushing work on Michelle's GPS mount?

You know? I'm not sure. I was assisting Eaglerider with his flush mounts when Michelle and someone else put the mount back on. I'm not sure if they ended up using the sandpaper or not.

 

[hilljack]

Just a quick note to thank Mike and Beth for your hospitality. It was the first event I have attended and I was really impressed with actual amount of work that seemed to get done. It wasnt one of those events where its an excuse for everyone to come together to just socialize and eat/drink. While I didnt have maintenance items to resolve I appreciate just getting to watch and learn.....and thanks for making me feel welcome as the lone Harley guy.

Thanks again Mike, the garage setup was 1st class and the hot dogs and brats hit the spot.

 

[FWRex]

I feel the need to tell Wayne he has quite an awesome avatar

+1

 

[pacman]

Thank yew. Thank yew vera muuuuch.

 

[Tourmeister]

Now people are going to think that is Wayne... a scary thought...

 

[DFW_Warrior]

I feel the need to tell Wayne he has quite an awesome avatar

I didn't see that until Wayne posted up... That is way too awesome. John is right, I am very metro-sexual, and not a redneck!!!

 

[wonder91178]

I didn't see that until Wayne posted up... That is way too awesome. John is right, I am very metro-sexual, and not a redneck!!!

Now you'd have been a redneck if that can had been Miller Lite or Coors Lite...or maybe Miller High Life, the champagne of beers!

 

[RTScott]

Thank yew. Thank yew vera muuuuch.

Good to see that someone appreciates my work!!!

 

[DFW_Warrior]

Mike, it looks like I'll be in your area tomorrow evening sometime. Are you by chance going to be home?

 

[Gilk51]

Mike, it looks like I'll be in your area tomorrow evening sometime. Are you by chance going to be home?

If you go, can you pick up my drill? I'll get it (and maybe the chain kit) from you this weekend...

 

[DFW_Warrior]

Okie dokie.

 

[Crew Chief]

I just wanted to take a minute and repeat how much Beth and I enjoyed having everyone here. A year is a long way off to make plans, but we're looking at a weekend in mid May next year to do it again.

I wish that I'd had a little more time to get around and visit a bit more. Next year I have a menu in mind that will take almost no time on "game day" and should still be pretty good.

In the mean time, if someone needs to finish up a little work we could probably do a micro mini tech day once in a while. It takes a bit of coordination because for the next 14 months or so I'm still a drilling guardsman and loose one weekend a month but it's doable.

Everybody was a big help. Our clean up was pretty much changing two trash bags and putting a few things back in their normal place. No cleaning at all really. Never had a party like that!

I was very pleased at the number of women motorcyclists that were present. Nice to see the gals have fun too! I also enjoyed the cross section of bikes. from cruisers to full on sport bikes to scooters with four wheels. That's pretty diverse!

Wayne, that is a fetching avatar but somehow, I just don't think it's you. Ryan, I thought we talked about the bikini thing...I'm just not thinking it will work & Sharkey, I'm thinkin' the same thing about the speedo. I'm particurally pleased that hilljack showed up or we would have had a bike event without a Harley. There had to be some American iron here somewhere. We couldn't' let the Italians and the Austrians make all the noise! Well...the Japanese ZRX does OK in that department too. Everyone that took pictures needs to check the white balance on your cameras. They make me look like I have no hair in the back! And Chuck, thanks for your help, but your last post made it look like everyone was in a hurry to get out of here. You'd have thought the place was on fire or something!

We'll see y'all on the road,
Mike & Beth

 

[Gilk51]

It was the first event I have attended

Aw, rats! Sorry I missed you - I think you must be the tall fella in the gray shirt? At least you are in a photo...

As Mike mentioned, one of the things I like about this group is the variety of bikes that folks ride. You can see just about anything sooner or later.

Next time...

And Chuck, thanks for your help, but your last post made it look like everyone was in a hurry to get out of here. You'd have thought the place was on fire or something!

yes, but those pictures took place over a 6 hour time span!

 

[pacman]

Wayne, that is a fetching avatar but somehow, I just don't think it's you.

I know it's not really me, but I just had to spread that lovely pic as far around the forum as possible. Making it my avatar is the best way to get maximum exposure.

We couldn't' let the Italians and the Austrians make all the noise! Well...the Japanese ZRX does OK in that department too.

Just to update everybody, the ZRX is continuing to improve. I headed out on it Sunday evening, and got about 5 miles down the road and it began to surge and stumble very badly. I pulled over to do a quick inspection and immediately noticed that 2 of the carb clamps (not the filter clamps, but the actual carb clamps) were loose. They were the 2 on the side I was working on. John got his side all snugged down, but I got distracted and forgot to tighten them down.

I tightened up the clamps, gave everything a quick once over, and headed out again. The surge came before at about 5k rpms and only on steady throttle, so I took up to speed again and cruised steady, and she was smooth as glass. So of course, I had to whack it open. Yeehaw! The Rex is pullin' like a freight train!!

All went well for awhile, but after I rode for about 30 minutes, the surge come back, and it was worse than before. It was smooth and strong on open throttle, and still pulled very hard, but on steady throttle, it surged and stuttered so bad that it couldn't hold a steady speed. I made a bee line for the house to do some ZRXOA research and start tinkering with the carbs again.

What my research told me was that I need to raise the needles 1/2 to 1 full notch - in other words, move the clip towards the sharp end of the needle. To do a 1/2 notch, you put one of the 2 washers under the clip and the other on top. 2 washers = 1 notch on the needle. I decided to go with 1/2 notch, and give it a test. I took it out again this evening, and so far things seem promising. The bike ran great and didn't surge at all. I didn't have time to go for an extended ride, but I think I may be getting it close to dialed in.

 

[pacman]

If you go, can you pick up my drill? I'll get it (and maybe the chain kit) from you this weekend...

Ahh, the missing chain kit. What would it take to snag that little beauty from you for a couple days, Chuck? Pie? Ice Cream? Milk Shake? I can make arrangements for whatever your heart desires.

 

[donroger1]

Did the sandpaper bushing work on Michelle's GPS mount?

Dan,
There wasn't enough clearance to get the sandpaper beside the post.
Didn't have any "plastic" shim stock with me either...........

 

[Squidward]

I know it's not really me, but I just had to spread that lovely pic as far around the forum as possible. Making it my avatar is the best way to get maximum exposure.



Just to update everybody, the ZRX is continuing to improve. I headed out on it Sunday evening, and got about 5 miles down the road and it began to surge and stumble very badly. I pulled over to do a quick inspection and immediately noticed that 2 of the carb clamps (not the filter clamps, but the actual carb clamps) were loose. They were the 2 on the side I was working on. John got his side all snugged down, but I got distracted and forgot to tighten them down.

I tightened up the clamps, gave everything a quick once over, and headed out again. The surge came before at about 5k rpms and only on steady throttle, so I took up to speed again and cruised steady, and she was smooth as glass. So of course, I had to whack it open. Yeehaw! The Rex is pullin' like a freight train!!

All went well for awhile, but after I rode for about 30 minutes, the surge come back, and it was worse than before. It was smooth and strong on open throttle, and still pulled very hard, but on steady throttle, it surged and stuttered so bad that it couldn't hold a steady speed. I made a bee line for the house to do some ZRXOA research and start tinkering with the carbs again.

What my research told me was that I need to raise the needles 1/2 to 1 full notch - in other words, move the clip towards the sharp end of the needle. To do a 1/2 notch, you put one of the 2 washers under the clip and the other on top. 2 washers = 1 notch on the needle. I decided to go with 1/2 notch, and give it a test. I took it out again this evening, and so far things seem promising. The bike ran great and didn't surge at all. I didn't have time to go for an extended ride, but I think I may be getting it close to dialed in.

Let me know if you need a hand with any further tinkering. Did you put on some vent hoses to route away from the carbs or are you just leaving it "open-topped" for now?

 

[pacman]

Picked up some rubber hose this evening. I should have them on tomorrow. I forget to get zipties.

 

[EagleRider]

I just wanted to say thanks to Mike and Beth for hosting this event. I had a great time in getting to know Vicky (my V-Strom) a little better too. She let me undress her without any complaints...

Thanks to Chuck and Ryan for giving me a helping hand here and there. That was the best part, the knowledge and level of expertise that everyone brings to such an event, and the willingness to help out...

Oh and the food was great too. I never went hungry, that's for sure...

Now Vicky and I are grinning from ear to ear as we ride down the road. Well...Vicky from her new flushmount turnsignal to her other new flushmount turnsignal...

 

[Squidward]

Picked up some rubber hose this evening. I should have them on tomorrow. I forget to get zipties.

I've got hose clamps that should fit if you want something a bit more substantial than zip-ties.

 

[Gilk51]

Ahh, the missing chain kit. What would it take to snag that little beauty from you for a couple days, Chuck? Pie? Ice Cream? Milk Shake? I can make arrangements for whatever your heart desires.

Man, I look at that avatar and say "What are you talking about, Bill? You HAVE the chain kit!" But it's Wayne...

I think Bill was going to use it this week but it is yours for use as soon as he is done with it...

 

[RedPill]

I Everyone that took pictures needs to check the white balance on your cameras. They make me look like I have no hair in the back!

Hey! I resemble that remark!

 

[TexasShadow]

I just wanted to say thanks to Mike and Beth for hosting this event. I had a great time in getting to know Vicky (my V-Strom) a little better too. She let me undress her without any complaints...

Now Vicky and I are grinning from ear to ear as we ride down the road. Well...Vicky from her new flushmount turnsignal to her other new flushmount turnsignal...

Glad I'm not the only one that anthropomorphizes their bike(s).

It was good to see you again!

 

[KenH]

Yep, I'm missing that one. Don't think that you have to rush over here though. Anytime you're up this way will be fine. If we're not here it'll be fine on the front porch. How'd the bike start this morning?

I'm also missing two snap on extensions and a 17mm socket. None of which is the end of the world....I have spares, but if you see them in your stuff I'd take them back!

I have also found these items:

I think the ratchet is Bills, the jack stands and drill Chuck's maybe? The wire strippers and screwdriver might actually be mine but I'm not sure. The cleaning rags were with the shop towels and hand cleaner that was brought over, but I have plenty if whoever brought them needs them, and lastly, the aforementioned black chair.

I see it didn't take long for Ron to sign up. Nice avatar. I have some pics that you may like from your last homecoming. I just need to find time to process them.

G'day,
Mike

I think the wire stripper/crimper is mine. Marty was using it to wire Hannah's new turn signals. Seems the electrical problems on Pyro boiled (burned?) down to two bad brake light switches. No biggies.

One cannot blow out a gas fire. Blowing just adds oxygen, causing a more intense burn. One cannot beat out a gas fire. That just splashes the fuel around exposing more of it to the oxygen in the atmosphere. One must be wary of using a fire extinguisher on a gas fire because the fire extinguisher blast often splatters burning gasoline, which will really ruin the day for whomever the burning fuel lands on. There are two ways to out a gas fire. The first is to remove the fuel (turn the petcock off and toss the tank in the yard). The second is to smother the flames by covering them up, thus taking away the supply of oxygen a fire needs to exist. The best way to do this is fire retardent foam. Unfortunately, mere mortals can't buy the stuff. Best we can do is shove rags down on the fire and leave them there. Mike, that is why the fire wouldn't go out for you--you kept lifting the rags and allowing oxygen to reach the hot zone again. If the rags themselves catch fire, they will have soaked up much of the gasoline and reduce or prevent the fuel from splattering when hit with a fire extinguisher.

Oh, the stories in the frame tunnel of T-dub's gas tank. Mud from the Ozarks mixed with dust from southwest texas covered in Pyro soot. We should all be blessed with such an exciting life!

 

[DFW_Warrior]

One cannot blow out a gas fire. Blowing just adds oxygen, causing a more intense burn. One cannot beat out a gas fire. That just splashes the fuel around exposing more of it to the oxygen in the atmosphere. One must be wary of using a fire extinguisher on a gas fire because the fire extinguisher blast often splatters burning gasoline, which will really ruin the day for whomever the burning fuel lands on. There are two ways to out a gas fire. The first is to remove the fuel (turn the petcock off and toss the tank in the yard). The second is to smother the flames by covering them up, thus taking away the supply of oxygen a fire needs to exist. The best way to do this is fire retardent foam. Unfortunately, mere mortals can't buy the stuff. Best we can do is shove rags down on the fire and leave them there. Mike, that is why the fire wouldn't go out for you--you kept lifting the rags and allowing oxygen to reach the hot zone again. If the rags themselves catch fire, they will have soaked up much of the gasoline and reduce or prevent the fuel from splattering when hit with a fire extinguisher.

Go figure... our way on the other end of the garage was just to no light the stuff on fire in the first place.

 

[Gilk51]

One cannot blow out a gas fire. Blowing just adds oxygen, causing a more intense burn.

Actually, it did work with two of us blowing. The O2 content is less in exhaled air and you disconnect the flame from the fuel, stifling the process.

 

[ABlueCollarWoman]

Pacman... I think your new avatar is justifable considering the comments DFW Warrior made regarding your Rex...Turnabout being fair play and all...

 

[DFW_Warrior]

Pacman... I think your new avatar is justifable considering the comments DFW Warrior made regarding your Rex...Turnabout being fair play and all...

Actually, it did work with two of us blowing. The O2 content is less in exhaled air and you disconnect the flame from the fuel, stifling the process.

No it did NOT. Why??? Because Ken said so, and that should be enough.

 

[rontx]

I know it's not really me, but I just had to spread that lovely pic as far around the forum as possible. Making it my avatar is the best way to get maximum exposure.



Just to update everybody, the ZRX is continuing to improve. I headed out on it Sunday evening, and got about 5 miles down the road and it began to surge and stumble very badly. I pulled over to do a quick inspection and immediately noticed that 2 of the carb clamps (not the filter clamps, but the actual carb clamps) were loose. They were the 2 on the side I was working on. John got his side all snugged down, but I got distracted and forgot to tighten them down.

I tightened up the clamps, gave everything a quick once over, and headed out again. The surge came before at about 5k rpms and only on steady throttle, so I took up to speed again and cruised steady, and she was smooth as glass. So of course, I had to whack it open. Yeehaw! The Rex is pullin' like a freight train!!

All went well for awhile, but after I rode for about 30 minutes, the surge come back, and it was worse than before. It was smooth and strong on open throttle, and still pulled very hard, but on steady throttle, it surged and stuttered so bad that it couldn't hold a steady speed. I made a bee line for the house to do some ZRXOA research and start tinkering with the carbs again.

What my research told me was that I need to raise the needles 1/2 to 1 full notch - in other words, move the clip towards the sharp end of the needle. To do a 1/2 notch, you put one of the 2 washers under the clip and the other on top. 2 washers = 1 notch on the needle. I decided to go with 1/2 notch, and give it a test. I took it out again this evening, and so far things seem promising. The bike ran great and didn't surge at all. I didn't have time to go for an extended ride, but I think I may be getting it close to dialed in.

By stumbling and surging, do you mean like missing because that is what my Connie does. It runs good under throttle,but, at any constant speed, it is like it is missing.

Ron