A short nap in the mud

Today, I dropped the bike for the first time.  The trails were in perfect condition, except for a few spots.

With my appetite for dirt wetted, I just found this 50 mile ride in Wisconsin:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?14771-Pictorial-of-The-30th-State/page23

It is a shared-use trail called Cheese Country Monroe to Mineral Point Trail.

I found it here:  http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134301

Direct link to this and other area trails:  http://www.tricountytrails.com/

07777.7

I took a nice ride this morning, following the Fox river south on Route 31 from Wayne to Oswego and returning on the other side via Route 25.  Later, on the way to work I noticed that the odometer was going to roll through a cool number and pulled over to take a picture.

Yes, its a useless blog post and I am a nerd.  I have been busy with other things lately and figured that I should update this blog to keep it flowing...

Milwaukee day trip

A friend was traveling through Milwaukee, which is around 100 miles from my home.  I wanted to take the bike on a short trip, so I met him and we had lunch.  I put fresh oil in the KLR's engine before the ride.  The bike proved itself on the highway, cruising at 80mph and around 5500 RPM without any problems.  I lost about ten miles of range at highway speeds, switching to reserve at 190 miles instead of 200.

Backstage (kinda) at the Warped Tour in, Introducing my bike to Jason's '65 CB77

Stopped by Great Lakes Distillery to get some absinthe for a couple of friends

R/R front brake pads and rotor

Since I have owned the bike, the front rotor has had a rusty ring on one side, obviously indicating a problem and reduced brake grab.  Stupidly, I have been putting the brake job off- even though there have been a couple of times when I could have used a bit more stopping power (cars turning left in front of me mostly).  I had sold the bent front wheel off of the parts bike, but kept the rotor for this reason.

There is a directional arrow on the rotor, which faces left

The pads and caliper pins seemed to move freely, but for some reason the inboard pad wasn't fully seating on the rotor

I found the speedo washer badly bent

A vise and a ball peen hammer took care of that

I added some grease after this pic was taken

The hub and bearings were in good shape

I didn't have any "non-permanent" thread locker (or couldn't find it) so I put liquid paper on the bolts

Installed pannier boxes

Finally, after waiting 3 months for these boxes to arrive and another week of procrastination, my panniers are mounted.  I really would not have chosen these because they are way too big to look cool, but the price was right.

Without a center stand, the swing arm stand was essential for the installation

That's my '82 KZ550A in the background

Ready for adventure, or grocery-getting

The paint on the boxes is of poor quality, but then so is the paint on my plastics!

There was not enough flatwashers to use some as spacers (as instructed) so I used 3/8" lockwashers and no threadlock

I was too lazy to remove the side covers, so a sharp nail and locking pliers did the trick

The total width is over 36" and it looks stupid.

Damn, I just added about 25 pounds to my bike.  Its a good thing they are easily removable.

No crank at McD's, voltmeter flakey?

Painted the plastics (minus the tail)

Today, before priming the new drywall in the bathroom, I removed most of the plastic pieces.  I scuff-sanded them with 220 grit sandpaper, cleaned them with Prepsol solvent and painted them with Krylon Camouflage "Woodland Light Green" paint.  The tail will have to wait until another day...

Installed Eagle Mike's rear brake pedal mount

Another quality product from the famous KLR650 guru.  Installed in 10 minutes, and worth every penny!  I think it looks nice next to the Happy Trails master cylinder guard.

Went back to the trails in Montgomery

The trails were still wet, but not as muddy as last time.  I was able to have more fun this time, standing on the pegs and even getting out of 1st gear a few times.  I need to get a dirt bike for the kids!

Explored a local gravel road

I recently spotted this gravel road and today I decided to go back to explore it.

Looks like the motorcycle entrance to me!

Installed handlebar risers

I purchased these at RockyMountainAtvMc.com just a couple of days ago, and they arrived today.  I installed them after getting home from work and have not ridden the bike with them yet.  Standing on the pegs (on the side-stand) felt good, and I will find out tomorrow morning for sure.  I did use the spacers under the bolt heads, because it seemed like the bolts were close to bottoming-out.

Obviously, black would have looked better but these will do the job

Tested out the Heidenau K60's in mud

It rained last night.  Too muddy to really have any fun (with my lack of experience).  I almost lost it a few times, but was able to keep it right-side-up.  The guy that sold me the gas tank had told me about this place, and it was better than I had imagined!  I look forward to coming back next month when it is less muddy.

Upgraded my tail light to LED

This just came in the mail today, I found it "hardly used" on eBay for a good price.  It is the 'WOW' LED tail light kit from Happy Trail and found on KLR650.net.  Money well spent!!