A 14k Gold Northshore Ride

[emptysea]

Yes, it's the end of December, but no, this is not a report from Oahu's North Shore. This one comes to you from Chicago's Northshore, the nickname given to the string of affluent suburbs that border Lake Michigan to the north of the city.

I ride here often. It's close to my home, I love to see the beautiful homes, and there's a pretty twisty little section that transports my mind to a certain gap between the mountains of North Carolina if only for about 30 seconds.

I have written about this route before, as recently as last week in fact. If it was June, I'd probably have skipped sharing the ride with you. After all, it was only about 60 miles of seat time and I just wrote a short piece about riding around the Northshore recently, but it's pretty rare to have the combination of Chicago, December, sunshine, and 48 degrees. I took advantage of the warmth and went for a run at around noon. Only two miles, but it felt good. A shower, some leftover Chinese takeout, and I was out the door and riding east...then north.

The bike performed well. The new exhaust popped on deceleration more often than it did on last week's test ride. I'm going to double check that they blocked the pair valve and, if not, perform that mod. Even so, the popping wasn't really that bad, just different than last week. The roads were drier than last ride, so I was able to truly enjoy my 30 seconds of twists in Glencoe.

I hit Sheridan Road starting in Wilmette and then road north as far as Lake Forest. I swung west there and worked my way back south toward the homestead. I didn't carry my teathered camera with me on this trip, but I managed to stop at a few significant spots along the way with my iPhone to snap a few which are shared below. I arrived home just before dark--perfectly timed. As it turns out, it was perfectly timed for more than just the amount of daylight. You'll see why in the last picture.

First stop: The Baha'i Temple. With apologies to my friends in Evanston (to the south), I feel that this building stands sentinel at the entrance to The Northshore.


To get to this beach in Glencoe, you have to navigate a very steep driveway that has a switchback at the halfway point. The peace in this picture belies the panic that would course through me a few minutes later when I killed the bike rounding the switchback on the steep uphill. It took a lot of strength to save the bike and my dignity...the Aleve seems to be working, thanks.


The North Shore Congregation Israel synagogue, also in Glencoe, overlooks Lake Michigan. It is a magnificent specimen of architecture set on a magnificent piece of land. If you ever have the opportunity to see the inside, don't pass it up.


"Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art." - Frank Lloyd Wright
FLW home in Highland Park, IL


The Deer Path Inn is one of the few boutique hotels that existed before the term "boutique hotel" did. I have never been inside, but Cheryl's new job is located nearby so I'm planning to meet her at their pub after work sometime. I understand they mix a very nice cocktail.


A few random pictures, all but the first taken at the Skokie Lagoons on my return trip.





I rode home in the twilight of an unexpectedly wonderful day. Maybe you thought that the "14k Gold" in the title referred to the gold in the sun or the gold of the tony Northshore, but it really refers to the perfect timing of the day. As I rolled into the garage, I reached for the key to shut her down and saw this...

Silly, I know, but I got a kick out of it.


The CB1100 is hooked to its tender, waiting patiently for the next break in the weather so it can log mile 14,001.

MTC

[Cormanus]

Great report and photos MTC. Like the serendipitous ending too.

[Rocky_imp]

Well done
It's great to be able to get out for a ride this time of year.

[the Ferret]

Great report ES... and outstanding pics

Love both yours and Cormanus's reports ...different yet both so entertaining. Like having a book with two of my favorite authors taking turns writing chapters.

[Rick Froscheiser_imp]

Very nice write up and great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Another great write up by you! Love the photos and 14K gold is so fitting.

My understanding is that the increased popping on decel could be caused by a number of things but very often happens when an already lean running bike has a free flowing exhaust added without fuel management changes, resulting in an even leaner condition. Too lean and the temperature of the exhaust gases go up (your pipe will be hotter) and this tends to reignite any unburned fuel that remains when you close the throttle. This goes back to our earlier discussion about needing some sort of dyno tune or air/fuel management system. What did you learn at the dealership Christmas party?

Another consideration includes making sure the dealer installed new gaskets at the header connections when they installed the new pipes. Leaks at the headers can also cause popping on decel. From all I've read, the popping itself is not harmful. Just annoying.

Regardless of all that (I'm sure you'll get it all sorted), great ride report. I'm hoping the weather continues to cooperate so you can continue to ride and share with all of us!

[emptysea]

MG. - Here's the thread on the modification of which I referred.

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1824

I am not sure that it was done, even though I asked Hodna to do it. I believe that the stock ECU will adjust itself without need for reflash, but if the PAIR valve mod was done and the popping continues, I may have to reconsider the PC-V or some other similar modification.

I'm so glad that so many of you enjoy my posts, but be warned that your compliments only serve to encourage me. My children similarly warn people who laugh at my jokes.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I did that same modification on my cruiser back in '06 with a marble after I put on some aftermarket pipes and it helped tremendously. It didn't eliminate the popping but it certainly reduced it. Personally, I'm starting to question whether it's worth changing out my pipes on the CB. I'll save that discussion for another thread. I didn't mean to change the focus of this thread away from your ride report.

[emptysea]

I love wandering discussions as much as I love wandering on my bike. If I had not dropped my bike which presented me with the opportunity to do the exhaust mod with insurance money, I probably would have stayed with stock. Don't get me wrong, though, I love the Yosh; it's just that i could use that money to pay for an extra day or two of food/lodging on a motorcycle trip.

[Rick Froscheiser_imp]

EmptySea I put the same pipe om my CB and did the pair valve mod no popping. I had it put on a dyno and the fuel air ratio averaged 13. I posted the numbers and graphs from the dyno run with the stock ecu here on the forum do not rember which one I think under Yoshimura