Fun with the Odometer. Piled on quite a few more miles since it was reinstalled back in 2007.
My Suzuki GSX-R 750 H, a complete history: Back to the East Coast
Installing trim on the new tank. Here is the tank I had in storage for many years. Finally decided that my dented tank had to go. Of course had to first pull the old tank off the bike. Then installed the petcock on the new tank. I noticed I actually had some NOS Suzuki gas tank trim in my toolbox. Seriously I must be crazy. So, I cut the strip to length and installed it.
Oh yeah just like the old days. Along with the tank install I also cleaned the carbs, changed the plugs, did an oil change, cleaned everything else and lubed the chain. The carbs were real bad. I also had to replace many misc. worn carb parts and gaskets too.
Gorgeous just gorgeous filters and cleaned up carbs and engine. During the cleaning I did some other routine maintenance like cleaning and oiling the lever pivot points and inspecting the wheel bearings. Since I installed the new tank, I also wanted to get her back to a more stock and clean look. The "Slabbie" sides got badly worn during the 2010 Colorado trip. Water and the rubbing of the saddlebags damaged the decals and paint. So, I had a spare set and installed them.
On the water's edge at Solomon's Island, MD. The grab bar was looking pretty worn so I repainted it along with adding the passenger rearsets back on. Since I did the "chop mod" so many years ago, I couldn't even tell which were the original sets for the bike. So, I just grabbed a spare clean set. The rearset pegs were a funky story. Many of them that I had were missing the little locking nubs and bearings. I had to take three or four apart to assemble two good ones.
After all the maintenance and restoration work in Maryland. My Suzuki GSX-R 750H, a complete history: Back to a more refined stock look.
Out for a ride Oct. 2013. Beautiful Southern Maryland as the leaves are changing. As much work as I did on the bike after arriving to the east coast, I really did not have all that much time to ride. New job, the government furloughs, playing music all summer really cut into my saddle time. Add to the fact I bought a Shelby GT-500 . . . well . . . let's just say I was occupied quite a bit. I did take a few rides around the DC area and down south but she mostly stayed parked.
Taking a ride break April 2014 in Waldorf, MD. The 2013/4 winter I made sure to crank her up every weekend. I didn't want to waste a good battery. I figured it would also help keep the carbs clean. We had a lot more snow and bad weather than usual. So, she sat for a few months. When it got nice enough to roll her out, I was able to take a couple rides . . . but there were bigger plans afoot . . .
POD loaded for CALIFORNIA once more. Again with the 18-inch hoops . . . After a quick 18-months in MD, I was off to CA again. This time down south in sunny San Diego!!! Forget the cold winters, now I can RIDE a lot more. It also won't be so bloody hot in the summer like TX. I'm glad all the updates were made during the slow time out east.
Time for a tire swap. So, I took a job promotion with the Navy and BAM here I am back in CA. I realized quickly that the nightmare at work we call "parking" would have to be changed for me. No room to park (especially if arriving later), need special stickers etc. Well, with a motorcycle I found out that you can park right next to the building. HMMM. I decided to press her into commuter use. Ya, I know, this old ass bike running everyday is probably not the best idea. But, I figured I have taken care of her and she should be alright. First thing I did was get some new tires installed. AWESOME thing is is that there is a motorcycle dealer less than 10-min from the house. SWEET! I actually had the tires in Maryland, but the nearest place to get tires installed was over an hour away.
New tires and ready to roll. Suzuki GSX-R 750H, a complete history: Now in So-Cal
Stopping for a cigar in La Mesa, CA. When I had the bike torn down for the tire swap, I made sure to clean up all the 4-years of crud from the forks, brake calipers, mounting bolts etc. I found it hard to believe that that amount of time and 5,764 miles had gone by since I had the front end apart.
"Rockstar" parking out in front of work. I went ahead and pressed her into service almost right away. I am using her as a commuter bike four days a week. She is averaging 30. - 31.4 MPG. This is saving me some dough as my other vehicles don't even come close to this mark.That is the story so far up into the summer of 2014. 23-years and counting . . . |