What a great bike...

[azcycle]

So this wasn't the first time I've ridden the "new" r65, but I rode it into work for the first time this morning, 13 miles.  Really love the way it handles, and is very comfortable in street-traffic.  

It's taken a bit of getting used to the weight distribution opposed to my 250cc scooter, but now I'm getting more comfortable leaning it over into corners. I have ONE left turn light that if I hit just right, I get the left-turn arrow and can just lay it over and roar out... great corner.  Managed to get it just right this morning, and pulled away with a huge grin on my face.

The dual sport tires John had on it have to go... they make it a bit squirrely feeling.  His commute consisted of some dirt roads, hense the dual-sport tires... but once the rear wears out (and it's close) I'm putting some road tires on there!

Came home from a spin this weekend, and Trish said she was really happy to see me enjoy her dad's bike so much.  As much as I like my scooter, I have missed SHIFTING!

Four hours to go and an awesome ride home!    Can't wait to take it up the local mountain twisties, Mt. Lemmon, come Spring when the snow melts from the upper elevations.

[Bob_Roller]

Great to hear you got the bike out !!!

The ride up Kitt Peak to  the observatory that they have there, is another good ride, but I can't comment on conditions up there (6,880 Ft, 2,100 m) during the brief 'winter' we have .

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap990118.html

[azcycle]

Bike gave me a bit of trouble on the ride home. I've been bitten by the "low charge" problem now too.  Bike barely had enough juice to start in the office garage yesterday.  It stalled on me twice at stoplights on the way home, and I had to push-start it both occasions.

Went straight home and put it on the battery charger, so I won't have this problem on Thursday when I ride in!

[Bob_Roller]

How old is your battery ?

As if you didn't know this already, the desert heat here, is murder on batteries .

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

And keep your rev's above 4000.

[azcycle]

Not sure how old the battery is but it certainly won't hold a charge long, so I ordered a new one following the Staab battery link around here somewhere. Should arrive tomorrow.

Revs?    I honestly have no idea, considering John took both the tach and the speedo off this bike.  I just keep up with traffic and hope I'm not speeding...

While I have the original tach and speedo, I think I'm just going to get a Trail Tech computer with idiot lights and rewire it.  

[azcycle]

New staab battery arrived yesterday.  It was interesting trying to remove the bolt from the positive lead without touching the metal frame of the bike.    

Sanded down and cleaned all the contacts, installed the new battery and let it charge overnight. This morning... VROOM!  Nice bright dashboard lights (they were dim/flickering before), and no stalling.

The right turn signals now won't work. The switch was tempramental yesterday and only worked when I wiggled it. Nothing this morning, so it looks like I have to crack open the left control and clean the contacts.

[Bob_Roller]

If you remove the ground, negative or earthing cable from the battery first, it won't make any difference if you touch something while removing the positive cable from the battery .

Not an uncommon occurrence to have the switch go bad, if the switch feels 'limp' no real detents, the switch is probably in need of replacement, there's a few plastic parts inside that go bad with age and use, there are no individual parts available, you have to replace the entire assembly .

So don't be too surprised, if it still doesn't work correctly after cleaning .

[suecanada]

If you will be riding in the urban setting a lot maybe you would consider upgrading your alternator output from 280 watts standard to around 400 watt output by using one of either the Motorrad Electrik upgrade from Rick Jones http://www.motoelekt.com/charging.htm or John Rayskis's EuroMotoElectric upgrade. www.EuroMotoElectrics.com
Both owners are excellent and consumer support comes first!

Either is a great choice. The euromotoelectrics one has no brushes and mounts a rectifier which replaces the voltage regulator and diode board outside the front engine compartment in the cool air. I have experience with this system and can attest to the ease of installation and that it works fine. I do not know about Rick Jone's upgrade but there are those that have it on this forum who might chime in.
Best thing I ever gave my LS!!!!

[azcycle]

Jeez, give the "dope award" for the battery. I know to remove the ground cable first I just jumped right in. A good way to fry stuff.

As to the switch... I still feel a definite "click" and there is no looseness so hopefully a good cleaning will solve the problem.

That new alternator looks great... but $500 is a bit steep right now. I'll just continue to put it on the battery maintainer at night.

[Semper Gumby]

Curious Graeme,

What brand, kind and size dual sport tires are on the bike?

Thanks,

[azcycle]

Fixed the bad turn signal switch. The right side didn't work and fixed (see how long it lasts) by using the soldering iron and putting a small bit of solder over the tiny metal contact plate. Then filed it down and voila... it works!

Semper:  John has Kenda's on there.  I actually have a brand new, unmounted rear tire which says: Kenda K270 6P - 450-18.

The rear one is really too wide, as the outer knobs on the right side can rub on the swingarm a bit when cornering and it's chewed the lip of the rear fender.

I understand why John had them on there, as he lived down a long and very rutted dirt road, but I really don't like they way they feel on the road... too "squishy."

You can see them on the bike here:

[Bob_Roller]

If you start looking for tires, there's a good place to start, in Tucson .

It's Southwest Mototires .

http://www.swmototires.com/

[TXRider60]

Sounds like you're having fun already! Don't think anyone has mentioned this, but I've always kept a Battery Tender(TM) on my Beemers, if they're unridden for even a weekend... Batter tender has the quick connect plugs which make it a very quick process-- and if all else is well, it helps minimize the low-battery syndrome.

[azcycle]

Yep it goes on the battery tender every night.  Great riding yesterday... I was on it all day running errands, which included a trip out to John's property (and back) through the Saguaro National Monument.

While out at the property, I think I found the original exhaust mufflers.  They're dinged up in a couple places (on the side toward the bike) so if I ever get tired of the loud Harley-pipes on it now, I'm glad I can put it back to stock.