Entry for September 01, 2006

Picture:  Timing chest

 

The saga continues.  I picked up the REB on Wednesday (Aug 30th).  David said he couldn't find anything wrong with it and that is was running fine.  Foolishly, I loaded up and headed home without riding it at the dealership.  Two hours later as sat in dirt readjusting the exhaust push rod I vowed never to do that again.  The bike ran great at first then a couple of miles down the road it lost power and died and would not restart.  A check of the push rod confirmed my suspicions.  After I loosened up the valve a bit it started right up and I made it home just as it was dying again.

  A little side note here......as I sat by the road working on the bike several cars and trucks passed by without stopping.  No problem, I knew what I was doing and had my cell phone but I was really surprised when I heard the rumble of a big twin coming down the road and the rider didn't even look my way.  No, disappointed is more like it.  Things like didn't used to happen and can't believe that any of the ROMEOs would fail to stop and offer assistance to a fellow biker.  A nice young lady in a beat up old car finally stopped and asked if I needed help.  I assured her I was OK and even got the bike going while she was there.  I really appreciated her stopping and let her know it.

  Well the REB is sitting at the dealers again.  I hauled it down there today.  He seems real anxious to get it repaired so I will stick with him for now.  For sure the problem lies in the exhaust valve.  Last night I took off the timing chest cover just to satisfy myself that the tappets were OK.  They looked like new as did all the timing gears (see picture).

Entry for August 25, 2006

Picture:  The REB at rest.  Sure hope the sleeve of my jacket didn't get melted.

  After consulting with Classic Motorworks and Broadway Street Bikes in Wichita I have decided to haul the REB to Wichita (Haysville actually) and let them take a crack at the ailing engine.

   Yesterday, Thursday, I readjusted the exhaust valve and it seemed to be running OK so I went for a seven mile ride to warm things up.  After shuting it down for a few minutes and then restarting it didn't sound right.  Checked the push rod and damned if it wasn't tight.  To compound things there is now no compression, a first for the REB.  Hey, no problem, the valve is too tight so it isn't closing all the way, just loosen the push rod and problem solved.  Not happening today.  Still no compression.  It starts and runs, how I don't know, a tribute to the toughness of this little thumper I guess.  Anyway Pat is coming over this morning and we are going to load up the REB in my truck and haul it to the new dealer in Wichita.  I hope they are as good as they look.

  Here is my diagnosis:  as to the push rod adjustment problem I think the tappet is worn down.  CMW said 5/16 lift was withing spec but I think that is the problem.  No compression, I hope it is just a carboned up valve.  When I rode it and the push rod tightened up not allowing the valve to close completely carbon must have gotten in there (at least I hope that is the case).  This bike has always used more oil than I thought normal so I suppose rings can't be ruled out, although it is odd that it would show up so suddenly.

  I have no clue how long it will take for David at Broadway SB to get things sorted out, just hope I have it back for the RE Rally on the River the first of October.

Entry for August 24, 2006

Picture:  Louie's DR200, a bit firmer ride than his Harley (Max and Pat contributed to the photos in the album)

                                     The REB is Down

 Pat and I were joined by a new ROMEO yesterday.  Randy with his cherry 2001 Suzuki Savage 650cc thumper made the 125 mile ride with us to Puffy's Ice & Steak House in Maple Hill, KS.  The ride was uneventful except for a rock road detour to get around a bridge east of White City on KS4.  I guess "uneventful" isn't a good way to describe a ride through the Flint Hills, although they were a bit hazy it is always spectacular.

  We were the last to arrive as we had miscalculated our travel time.  Puffy's is a nice place that would be worth a second visit sometime.

  Seven of us, including Louie on his brand new Suzuki DR200, rode back through Council Grove for a stop at the DQ.  When getting ready to leave DQ the city mayor walked up and introduced himself and visited with us for a few minutes.  He owned the DQ and had been in the back washing his new Goldwing when he saw us.

   When I pulled in the driveway at 5:30pm I killed the engine so I could move Sue's car and when I started it back up there was this awful tinny, clanking noise coming from the bottom of the engine.  The first thing I checked was the oil but it was fine.  Then off came the pushrod adjuster plate and there I found the problem.  The exhaust pushrod was just flopping around, loose as a goose.  Upon further examination I found the adjuster to be tight on the pushrod leaving only the tappet as the culprit.  I have to get into the timing chest to look at the tappet and there I'm treading into unknown territory.  After I talk to Classic Motorworks, www.enfiendmotorcycles.com, this morning I will decide what to do..........stay tuned.

Entry for August 21, 2006

Picture:  Two choices of pillion seat

  I have spent this rare rainy Kansas day building a pillion seat to mount on the luggage rack.  Classic Motorworks wants $60 for this seat and I just can't see spending that much.  I used some 5/16" plywood that I had on hand and found a 1/2" sleeping bag pad at Walmart to use for the cushion.  I cut three pieces of the pad to fit the plywood and spray glued it all together.  Also drilled holes in the pads to relieve some of the density.  Don't know if it helped but those pads are pretty hard.  The vinyl came from a sewing place (now that is a topic for another blog).  My upholstery job shows a lack of skill but I don't plan on using it that much.  Total investment, including brackets, was about $25 and I still have half a can of glue.

  The Wildcat stadium seat was sort of a joke but I think Sue would have been happy with it if I could have figured out how to mount it.

Whitewater, KS August 16, 2006

Picture:  Richard's newest ride?

 The sky had dark and ominous appearance when I left the house at 9:20am.  A half mile and ten minutes later when Neil pulled up on his bright yellow 1000cc V-Strom to join Pat and I, the sky was clearing and the sun shinning.  So goes the weather in Kansas.

  A pleasant ride down old 81 to Lindsborg brought us to the Viking motel where we joined Richard and Gary for the ride to Whitewater.  After a quick stop in McPherson for Richard's glasses we set out for Moundridge to met Paul with his "78 CB750.  The Kansas weather struck again with light rain between Mac and Moridge.  It was the kind of rain that wasn't heavy enough to make you stop and pull on the rain gear but light enough to make you stick it out and get wet. 

  As we pulled in the Victory motorsports  we could see two riders leaving in the distance.  Sure enough Paul had gotten antsy and left with someone else.  We finally caught up with Paul before turning South onto hwy 15.  He and Dale had happened onto each other at the shop.

  The seven of us must have made quite a sight, 2 V-Stroms, 2 scooters, 1 V-twin cruiser, an antique Honda and an antique looking thumper.  Thankfully they held the speed to 55-60 so I could keep up on the REB.

  We were some of the last to arrive but before I went I visited with the Whitewater fire chief who had been checking out the REB.  He told me he had visited India 3 years ago and was familiar with Royal Enfields.  India, he said was overrun with small displacement bikes made in China and the Bullet was the king of the road there.  The "Harley of India" he called them.  He also told me he had a Norton 850 Commando and a healthy appreciation for Birt iron.

  The Whitewater cafe is a nice little place with a friendly staff and varied menu.  Of course the 32 ROMEOs packed the place much to the consternation of some of the locals who turned away after seeing the crowd.  The service was quick though and I got the pan fried chicken dinner ($5.95) quickly.  And no, I didn't leave room for dessert.

  On the way home Neil, Pat and I stopped at Dan's cycle in Hesston.  I'd heard a lot about the place and wasn't disappointed.  I even bought their last flat, snap-on face shield but I passed on the free kittens.

  You might have noticed that the REB was dressed for travel.  I was testing out my packing skill in preparation for the Royal Enfield "Rally on the River" in Steelville, MO the first weekend in October.  This will be my first camping experience in years so I need the practice.  I'm sure this topic will come up in future blogs.

  Another 180 carefree REB miles.

 

A little funny:  H-D rider- "This beer is flat, let's wreck the joint."

                       BMW rider- "This cappuccino is cold, let's only tip 10%."

Cambridge, KS August 9, 2006

Picture:  We left pretty damn early

    As you can see by the picture Neil and I left pretty early in the morning.  All these guys I ride with are pretty patient with me and my slow REB but it does make for some long rides.  It was 160 miles to Cambridge and the last 25 or so miles was some of the best riding I have seen in Kansas.  Actual curves in the road, not just those mile corner turns although were plenty of those too.

  About 16 ROMEOs turned out in the heat at a neat little cafe.  Unfortunately I ordered a pork tender and it was one of those frozen, throw it in the fryer kind.  The fries were great though and the two girls running the place were great.

  We had gotten there early enough that tire kicking wasn't a priority out in the 100 plus heat so after hanging around in the cool as long as we could we headed off to Haysville so I could stop by the new Royal Enfield dealership.  Richard joined us on his new used V-Strom 650.  What a nice bike, I just hope his wife doesn't run over it when she finds out he has bought another motorcycle.  Some guys have all the luck, I have to get by one just one.

  The Enfield dealer didn't have one on display, he said he had sold the two he had and they are getting so popular that he has to wait for another shipment to come in before he can get more.  He did let us go in the back and look at a military he was working on.

  The shortest way home was right up old 81 through the middle of Wichita.  Very interesting ride, saw several old style motels, some of Wichita's oldest restaurants and possibly a hooker or two.  By the time we got through Newton I had seen enough traffic and the wide open road was welcome.

  When I finally got home I heard that it was 108 degrees today (106.9 to 111 depending on the report).  I had been drinking water but evidently got a little dehydrated cause I got some leg craps later in the evening.  The new mesh jacket (Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0) worked great and was actually cool if I poured some water on my t-shirt occasionally.  I even put my gloves back on cause it was better than having the sun beat on my hands.

  The REB just seems to run better and better (knock on wood).  Last year at this time I was having lots of problems with it dying at stop signs and the clutch would get awful sticky.  Now about the only problem I have is getting the side stand up when I take off.

  At 333 miles this was one of my longest rides (maybe the longest).  It has convinced me to make the planned ride to the REunion in MO a two day trip.