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I checked the charging system today. It came with basic, unsealed lead/acid battery which to me is a safety hazard and a problem waiting to happen. Gave it a charge from day one with a 1.1A NOCO Genius but I don't trust leaving it on any charger no matter how safe. I can hear it gurgling.
The charging system puts out a nice 13.2V at idle with the high beam on, which is a typical 55/60 H4. Gets up to about 13.8V at around 3K RPM. It spikes over 14V but then levels off. Looks like a very robust electrical system.
I ordered a Shorai LiFe battery today for about $100 along with a Battery Tender designed for LiFe batteries.
It just sorta looks like a real motorcycle.
[attachment=5715]
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That fuel filter looks like it could be done better. I'm not liking that look.
You know Wolf, you are really pi***ing me off with that bike. Because now I WANT ONE!!
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(12-02-2016, 06:04 AM)Lord Popgun_imp Wrote: That fuel filter looks like it could be done better. I'm not liking that look.
You know Wolf, you are really pi***ing me off with that bike. Because now I WANT ONE!!  lol, yep, there are few details I'll have to get after at some point. It's actually perfectly secure and seems to be of good quality.
The USA model uses a vacuum petcock but I believe overseas versions come with a regular on/off/res setup, and without the evaporative emissions and air injection.
Some owners have pulled all the emissions equipment off, but many have experienced hard running and poor idle performance, so I'm leaving it as it is. Runs just fine that way.
I'm getting more entertainment out of this thing than any bike I can recall so far. Just adjusting the chain is an education.
This thing really is built like a truck.
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How did you buy the bike? From the distributor, then drop shipped to you?
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(12-02-2016, 06:24 AM)Lord Popgun_imp Wrote: How did you buy the bike? From the distributor, then drop shipped to you? No, dealer in SoCal. They delivered it, prepped. Scooter dealers tend to carry them out this way.
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would love to have that engine for the mobility scooter i am building for myself .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy5rkw4SeP4
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(12-02-2016, 06:53 AM)use2b_imp Wrote: would love to have that engine for the mobility scooter i am building for myself .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy5rkw4SeP4 These guys may know a source.
I noticed the kickstand does not have a safety switch. It has the mounting for the rubber piece Honda used years ago, so I bought all the parts needed to install that rubber piece for safety's sake. About $30.
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Got this thing out and wound it up.
Man, when you figure out how to maintain momentum this bike hauls. Cornering speeds are stupid fast. Going 10 mph on average faster through tight sections than I would be on the CB1100, with probably the same lean angle.
Brakes and engine are breaking in nicely, I can feel more power in both. Revs easily to redline (9500 rpm) and the front brake can lift the rear tire anytime. Not too much initial bike, but big stopping power overall. That's just what we want in this kind of bike.
Forks seemed very sloppy but actually now I am used to the bike they are fine. The low power and weight does not create excessive pitching Shocks need more damping, not a lot, springs are actually pretty good. Might see if Racetech can revalve them, or just flat-out replace them with a custom set from Works along with new fork springs and oil.
Bike actually handles brilliantly, it rails in the tight turns. I am waiting to hit the peg down, they don't fold so I'm keep toes out just a bit. Rubber hits first, no peg feelers as such. This thing would just be stupid quick with higher pegs. Stock tires have endless grip, the bike is very light at 266 wet.
Steering is utterly neutral, on/off the front brakes. It loves being trailbraked into a turn, like the CB1100 there is zero tendency for the bike to stand up. The forks give very good feedback during this maneuver, surprisingly. No real flex.
So then I decided to take it on the freeway at about 3:30 this afternoon, plenty of traffic but it was moving. Rode about five miles, it zips right along but 65 mph is about it. It gets up there pretty quick, merging was no issue. You just don't play games, it has adequate power but fooling about is off the table. Very stable at 60 mph, no tendency to head shake or become wobbly. The 18" wheel does its job and there is plenty of rake and trail.
This bike is the ultimate training bike for road riding. Kenny Roberts uses XR100 dirt bikes at his ranch; this 150 is ideal for teaching smoothness of control inputs and keeping the engine on the boil to maintain momentum. You have to be very subtle with input, it turns like a bicycle, almost. Once you start to figure that out, a very quick pace is established. I had no problem at all keeping up with automobiles in the canyons where it was tight (30-50 mph).
A 30-mile ride on this bike feels like a 100-mile ride on the CB1100 but is much more fun. Honestly.
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sak0otCZGqo]Kenny and KR Jr on the XR100s. Yep, these are 100cc bikes. This is what it's all about, motorcycle skills at their best and basic.
Buying the Wolf Classis is the most important motorcycle purchase I've ever made. I am going to begin downsizing across the board, one machine at a time.
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The handlebars have two positions, one is closer and more angled, the other is wider and flatter.
I changed it up to the wide, flat position which was much better. Weight more forward, the suspension works very well, easier to control and be smooth.
This thing corners like the wind, just rails. Still did not touch a peg.
Encountered a guy on a Versys 1000 and we did a nice tailchase through the tight twisties. The weight and power doesn't help there, that was plain.
What is surprising is now the bars and controls are all set up, the bike actually has suspension that I would say is just as good, really probably better, than the stock suspension on the CB1100. This thing is very stable mid-corner at quick cornering speeds. One just needs a very light touch.
The bike is well-built and has truly impressive handling.
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Just checked, the gages on this bike have glass faces. Glass. Headlight bucket all chromed steel. Lot of nice pieces. This thing is actually a beautifully-made motorcycle, far more so than any other retro-classic I've seen. Ain't nothing fake on it neither.
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