It looks like I will be out of the running for the highest mileage (miles put on the bike) any more as I was let go today due to my doctor keeping me out of work too long for their liking.

So I find a 13 at a really good price. I mean really good. So good I was ready to buy if it checked out and close to home to boot. I call this am and get the scoop on the bike and everything sounds good so Im ready to put down my deposit to hold it. No problem with test rides when I get there and a older guy owned it. Guy calls me back to go over everything. Price of the bike check. Tax check. Title check. Something else that was 28.50 for the state check. Documents fee 199.00 NO. Set up or some other fee 199.00 NO.

So I walked away from the deal because of principal. Its still at a very very good price. But I dont like the tactic of getting me to call and then play games. If they had added 400 to the price to begin with I may have bought it anyway but was aggravated they did this. Because I wasted my time and hopefully some of theirs.

What are you guys seeing with dealerships doing this?? I told him flat out I will find one from an individual and wont pay that BS. He of course said everybody has to pay it and I told him Im not everybody. Deal went down the drain. OH, I was paying cash also so no financing and yet another way to get screwed if you are not careful.

On Wednesday I am going to Barbers (by car) for 4 days to the Vintage Days.
I will be a volunteer in the museum on Friday and Saturday pm and Sunday am.
Is anyone else going ?, they are great days and it is getting bigger each year.

Or rather running with my Chic Design “Guyra” gauntlets. Available from Takashi: http://www.samurider.com/?p=19117

With winter approaching I thought I would raise the topic of cold weather protection.

I had a chance to ride in 48 degree weather the other day (mild by winter standards). First I spent 5 minutes mounting a pair of Chic Design gauntlets to the mirror stems. While not a substitute for heated grips in cold weather, these gauntlets do a pretty good job of keeping the wind off your hands and don’t detract from the look of the bike.

Today was rainy and I decided to see how they would do. Hands stayed dry with an occasional drop hitting the top back of the hand.

Mandatory pictures:







Anyone using gauntlets this Fall? Headed grips and gauntlets?

Just ordered the CB500F bars (53100-MGX-306) from Motosport.com for $38.64. They also carry the Kawasaki Fork Boots (49006-1335) and currently have them for $46.02 each. Total $130.68 out the door, with free 3 day shipping. Pretty good deal if anyone is considering the purchase.

SIDE NOTE: As stated in Chip's earlier thread, the CB500F bars use the same bar end weights currently in our bikes, which makes them a great option.

Going down a two lane today about an hour before dark to get a chicken dinner from an old country type store close to the house and out of nowhere a deer jumps out of a ditch. I see this out of the corner of my eye and go left hard because nothing was coming and nearly clean out a ditch. The good news here is that I was in my old pickup truck so its all good. The deer hit the right side of the truck and folded in the mirror and broke the housing and skinned up the door but that is not a big deal. Looked in the mirror and the deer rolled several times and got up and ran back the same direction he came from. It could have been way worse.

Just throwing this out there for you guys to be extra careful on your motorcycles. First one that has hit me in my life. I dont think I would have been able to avoid it on my motorcycle. I was only going about 50 mph. Please be careful and mindful these deer are everywhere and more active this time of year.

I lieu of buying a new CB1100 (for now at least) think I'm about to buy this... http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1988-...-113175964

Would anyone like to give their opinion on how overpriced you think the asking price might be?

Here's the beginning of my little adventure. I'll write more when I get time. For now, here's a photo of trip meter on the odo upon my return to FL.

I've written about installing the 19 tooth countershaft sprocket on my 2013 model to reduce engine rpms (and vibration) at highway speeds. It dropped the 70mph rpms from 4000 to about 3775, a noticeable improvement, but I wanted more.

The sprocket needed to be steel for it to last at all. The sprocket bolt pattern/inner diameter are common to a lot of big Hondas (VTR1000, '94-'95 CB1000, Blackbird) but none used anything smaller than 39T. I called all the US manufacturers, found one back East, but there were problems, and not all their fault.

I met Jim Alfaro of 7th Gear Design at the Venice Vintage show, saw the quality of his sprockets, and knew this was the answer. I gave him the dimensions and requirements, ordered it and got it in less than 2 weeks. The sprocket had to have lightening slots, and the stud holes had to be counter-bored to clear the nut flanges. It is about 7 ounces lighter than stock and looks just great - I should have bought 2 so I could hang one on the wall!

The last pic shows from left to right, 7th Gear Design, Stock, and less than satisfactory first (and 2nd) ones.

Installation was a breeze. Here's a tip - to loosen or tighten sprocket nuts, do it with the wheel in place. Stand on the right side, put your foot on the rear brake, use a 19mm socket and a 1/2" drive ratchet/breaker bar, and you can break loose the nuts with ease. If you take the wheel off before loosening the nuts, you will be fighting to hold the wheel. Reassemble and torque the nuts in the same way - 80 ft/lbs torque.

Now, 70 mph is about 3600 rpm, roll on torque is still strong, and vibes are noticeably more comfortable. (Yes, you can record accurate rpm/speed on the centerstand).
7th Gear Design also makes countershaft sprockets and aluminum rear sprockets with any type of lightening holes/slots. Price was $75 plus $12 shipping. I cannot say how happy I am with the outcome.

Thanks to a thread on this forum I have been looking on Cycle Gears site at leather jackets for about a week. Decided this afternoon to pull the trigger. Every time I show a jacket (on line) to the wife, she makes a face. I figure it's sour grapes and she will get over it.

This afternoon I announce I am buying the jacket. She looks close to tears and tells me, I guess you will have two of them.HUH!!! Seems like back in August I tried on a HD brand jacket, really nice, fits perfectly. She knew I wanted it and put it on layaway for my Christmas Present.

I tell you I lucked out 28 years ago, when I married her. I am so tickled. Sometimes I think I just don't deserve her.