2009 Royal Enfield REunion

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Documentary

A youtube video by a young guy that rides a military, user name Porkchop. Worth a look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNgGhTiFInE

Broken Clutch Cable on the REB August 19, 2007

Picture: Transmission end of cable at 11,278 miles

Ever since I caught the original clutch cable fraying and replaced it before it broke I have keep a close eye on the heavy duty replacement. That happened in May of 2006 at a little over 5000 miles. The heavy duty cable never showed any of the typical signs of impending breakage like stretching so the clutch needed adjustment or fraying. It did take quite a bit of fiddling and filing to get the heavy duty to fit on the clutch lever arm down behind the transmission cover when I first fitted it.

So you might say I was bit surprised when the damn thing snapped yesterday about a mile from home. Luckily I was able to turn around without having to stop and proceeded home shifting without the clutch (worked pretty smooth actually). I caught the green light for my left turn and made it in with no problem. I even shifted into neutral as I pulled into the drive. Sure I carry a spare but why stop for repairs if you can keep riding?

You can see from the picture that the cable broke just a little below the top of the knob. Looks like I'll be talking to the boys at CMW in the morning. I will just wait on the replacement as I can't see putting on my OEM spare and having to drop the oil again to fit another heavy duty. I also think I will have to do a better job of preparing the lever arm so the ball will pivot better.

10,000 Miles on the REB February 27, 2007

On the way to coffee at Spangle's this morning the REB turned over 10,000 miles. I looked back on the blog and it was August 27, 2005 that 1000 miles rolled over on the odometer, that means I've had the REB for about 18 months now. 90% of that mileage was done in the first year. The REB has had an easier life since Dubya came into the stable.

I can't say enough about this little bike, it is a joy to ride, especially on short runs and around town. I am still planning on taking it to the Classic Motorworks get together in Faribault, MN this June, and to the Rally on the River in Steelville, MO the end of September.

I have decided against removing the head to look for carbon. It is running so well that it seems like it would be a waste of time (if it ain't broke.......).

Entry for December 20, 2006

Rain!!! At last some moisture in the form of rain. It is around 40 degrees so hopefully we will be spared the ice this time around. Just 100 miles West they are getting snow.

Good thing I got a little riding in last Monday. Adjusted the valves on the REB and it sounds and runs great but something isn't right if it will only hold adjustment for 500 miles. I guess I just need to fire up the stove in the garage and pull the head off the thing to see if I can tell what is going on.

Riding prospects look grim for the next couple of weeks because of the weather. The Kids start arriving tomorrow with the grandson and his parents coming on Saturday. It will be great having everyone home for a few days. Maybe the weather will warm up enough that Pam and I can ride together.

Victory Motorsports December 16, 2006

Picture: Open House at Victory Motorsports in Moundridge, KS
Victory Motorsports is a small independent shop in the equally small Kansas town of Moundridge. They haven't been in business too long and today they had an open house. Louie, Neil, Paul and I rode down there to see what was going and do a little meet and greet. They had the usual free hotdogs and pop, door prizes and sold tickets for a raffle to win a scooter. They are selling the new Diamo scooter. It is owned by Yamaha and built in China. Most of the ones they had were 50cc but they were showing a 300cc that was a good looking scoot.

I rode the REB today, I like to show up at things like this with something different. The owner had actually heard of Royal Enfields, maybe I'll throw a little business there way should the occasion arise.

Pretty profitable day, Louie won a pair of goggles and I won a helmet in the door prize drawings. The scooter won't go until spring. The helmet is one of those shorty kind, all black and small size, just fits Sue, now she doesn't have any excuse not to ride with me, ha ha.

After stopping in Lindsborg for a cuppa, Louie and I traded bikes. He had been wanting to ride the REB and I have always liked the Suzuki S40 (650cc single) but had never ridden one. The S40 is smooth and quiet, I had to look down to find the well forward foot pegs but once I got rolling it was a nice ride. Eighteen miles on the REB probably cured Louie of any Brit bike like fantasies he had and frankly I was glad to climb back on the REB. I am convinced that I must have a ride that I can move around on in order to ease my back pains. Most of today's bikes have easy chair like seating but once you in the saddle you can't change positions.

I had to adjust the valves when I got home, they were getting a little loose. Adjustment should last more than the 600 miles, but loose is better than they way they were getting tight with the stock pushrods. Believe the head will be coming off soon to see what is going on.

Something is screwed up with Yahoo Photos and I can't get into it to share my albums. Maybe it will get fixed later.