[Previous entry: "Rollin' w/ RideOut USA"] [Next entry: "Robyn is a winner"]
05/27/2006: "Frisco's Bike Nite/Fat Tire/New Chain & Sprockets"
Well, It's been quite some time since I last posted. Too long. It's not like I wasn't doin' anything. I was just too damn lazy to actually post the pictures I took . . until now.
First, I should give my boy, Eddie of SportBikeChat.com a little plug. SBC is one of the many host of Frisco's Carhop Bike Nite.
I decided to head out there to see what all the fuss was about. I love to talk about bikes, see new bikes, see custom bikes and to hang out with like-minded individuals . . so Bike Nite is a great place to do that. If you're in the SoCal area, check out SoCal Bike Nites for Bike Nite info in your area.
I got to the bike nite right when it started, around 7pm. It was still pretty quite. I then saw Eddie. He had his SBC booth in the vendor area. Once he saw Robyn for the first time, he said I should park her next to his booth.
As you can see from the photos, getting there early gives you a better choice in parking . . because it gets packed. There had to be well over 400 bikes there at one time. Probably over 500 came through (some folks only stopped for a bit or left early . . and many showed up late). There was a DJ goin, portable Dyno, raffles, give aways . . it was off the hook.
Of course, I've been taking an occasional short putt to my local Biker Hangout, the Rock Store. Mostly, to go watch the motorcycle races on SPEED with fellow fans. There's just something about sitting with other race faces watching the race that beats the comforts of home. The food is good at the Rock Store too. I'm willing to talk/chat with anyone that has an interest in bikes.
I met a newbie when I was there to watch the Le Mans MotoGP race (Rossi was robbed by faulty machinery). He was on a brand new 2006 GSXR-600. Looked sweet. His riding buddy (who owned an '05 999s w/ a FILA paint scheme) and he were down from Santa Maria. Their friends never met up with them. We hung out and chatted while I waited for the races to start. The newbie was talking to me about possibly going to Keith Code's Wheelie school with his buddy. Of course, I asked if he had taken the MSF course, which he had. I then suggested to him to go to Keith Code's Superbike School before he went to the wheelie school.
We then saw a few more nice bikes pull up. This chopper took the cake though. Not because it was particularlly nice looking (it was pretty trick) BUT because it had the fattest back tire I had ever seen on a bike. It was a 320!!! Insane.
After the race was over, I was ready to head out. I figured I'd show the Out-of-towners one of my favorite little roads, Cornell. It's right off Mulholland HWY just a few miles down from the Rock Store. It takes you right by Paramount Ranch. I took it quite easy up Mulholland, keeping an eye on these 2 so I could access their riding skill level. I got stuck behind some big truck too, and didn't want to lose them. Once we turned onto Cornell, I was ready to go . . but had to pass that big truck to do it. I figured that since there were no real exits off of Cornell, I could wait for them at the end. I blow by the truck after the first corner and then just do some fairly spirited (considering I was not in leather) carving of Cornell Rd.
Once I got to the end, I waited. Cornell's not long, but twisty . . and some of the turns are blind. Once I saw them come around the corner, I was releaved that I didn't have to go back and find out where they lost it. I gave them a few options to get back on their way since I was heading home. They picked going back up Cornell . . It's that fun. I was glad I had suggested Code's Superbike School
Of course, there was plenty of commuting on the bike going on all this time too. I basically refuse to do my 45 miles commute into Westwood (home of UCLA) in a cage anymore. It takes about 45 minutes on the bike and it takes almost twice as long in a cage . . on average. If it rains, expect it to take 2 hours or more. I'm only willing to sacrifice so much time in my week commuting anymore. In fact, sometimes, I work from home (being a Network Engineer really helps here).
I basically had to work from home all of last week. I know some that read this will consider that a perk, and it is, but I actually like working in the office when I can. Everyone in the local office is cool . . and really smart. Plus, Network latency, especially over a VPN slows down my work pace. ANYWAY, this is supposed to be about bikes . . so let me get back on track.
Why did I have to work from home all last week? Well, I did it on Monday because of the rain (a bit untimely since it's late May). I was going to head in on Tuesday morning and pulled around the first corner and gased it . . "clunk, cluck".
Bike was still going (I'm thinking I spun the tire over something on the road).
I get around the next corner, gas it . . "clunk, clunk".
Having felt that before in what seems like the very distant past on my 600RR,
I think to myself "I wonder if I just broke teeth off the rear sprocket?".
I turned around and headed back the house real easy. Checked the sprocket . . yep, broken teeth.
So, then I try to figure out what I need.
1. New chain (don't have)
2. rear sprocket (have 2, the original and an aftermarket one that I want to use, but they are 530 sprockets for a Yamaha R1 wheel)
3. front sprocket (have original 530 17-tooth).
Keep in mind that Robyn has had a 520-Chain conversion done, before I bought her. I've only had to replace the chain up to this point. That means the original sprockets and chain (which come in a 530 width) were replaced with the thinner, lighter 520 chain and sprockets. So I can't just switch to a 530 (thicker) chain unless I change both my front and rear sprockets.
Not only that but when the conversion was done, the front sprocket (which in stock trim comes with 17-teeth) was changed to a 16-tooth sprocket to increase bottom end acceleration. This cuts down on top speed, but I really don't need to do 180+mph and I've gotten accustomed to the extra low end acceleration.
This is the second chain I've stretched in 5 monthes. I'm starting to think the thicker, stronger 530-chain will be a better idea on my 160HP bike. I don't mind the extra pound or two gained. So, I call my shop, LB Racing Development, and the owner agrees. He's having the same issue with his tricked out 2005 GSXR-1000. He switched back the the 530-chain on his last change. They had a 530-chain in stock, but weren't sure they had a 16-tooth 530 front sprocket for the R1. So, I figured I'd get the aftermarket 530 rear sprocket I had and my stock 530 front sprocket. I'd deal with a little less acceleration for a bit (until a could get my hands on a 530, 16-tooth front sprocket) and still be able to make it to work in the early afternoon.
I get all my stuff and ride like a grandma to the shop. They are ready to do everything, get the back wheel off and then showed me that the rear sprocket I brought wouldn't fit.
We eventually figure out that because I have aftermarket wheels (Marchesini Magnesium Wheels) any rear sprocket designed to fit 2004-2006 Yamaha R1 rear wheel won't fit. I had to get a rear sprocket designed for the Marchesini wheel. Great.
So, I call my buddy that told me about the bike. He's like "Oh Yeah, Kyle Racing up here carries those and has them in stock. Call this number and ask for Alex, tell him Steve sent you". Fine.
I'm just about to call Alex and the mechanic says . . "Hey come look at this". He's pointing to my front forks. "See this fluid coming down the fork tubes on both sides, that's fork oil. You've got leaking fork seals. While you're on the phone getting parts, you better get a set of those too". Lovely.
I get Alex on the phone. They've got the rear sprocket I needed and the fork seals, but they don't have the front sprocket I wanted in stock. Fine.
I get those parts ordered. They should arrive Thursday.Now there's no choice but to leave the bike and wait for parts. Once I got home, sitting on the porch
waiting for me was the Scott's oil-filter I had order. I was planning to change the Oil and filter soon myself.
I e-mailed work and explained the situation and that I'd be working from home until the bike was back. I also remembered that I still would prefer the 16-tooth front sprocket. So, I go on-line and find one at Sprocket Center. Order it, and am delighted that it too should be arriving by Thursday. Looks like things were starting to go my way again.
I called the shop and told them I wanted them to go ahead and replace the fork seals, change my oil and filter, and replace the chain and sprockets once I brought everything in.
Parts arrived early Thursday afternoon in the same delivery truck (UPS). I took them over to the shop. They estimated it would be done by Friday afternoon. They were right on the money in the estimate. I got it back yesterday afternoon. Got more done than I was ever planning (which of course meant more money being spent) and missed out on being in the office all week.
The second part wasn't that bad, but the weather was awesome everyday the bike was in the shop. Go figure
The bike feels great though now, and I shouldn't have to replace the chain or sprockets again for a bit.
