A Student Budget Bike

[Steve]

Does anyone else use the squeegees as the gas station? I don?t even take the helmet off, just lean forward a bit.

If you keep using the gas station squeege, your next move will be to throw the visor away. :shock:

I shudder when I have to use them on my glass windshield on the car. I refuse to even think of using them on plastic. Not on the visor, not on the windshield. Also, do not use paper towels. With continued use, paper towels are about as effective as 600-grit sandpaper. Much better to use your own wet microfiber cloth that you carry in a Zip-Loc sandwich bag. And, as much as possible, only wipe in an up-and-down direction.

It is inevitable to put some small scratches in the plastic, no matter how careful you are. Scratches are like mirrors in that they reflect light and the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. Most of the lights you see tend to originate above the horizon. If the scratch is horizontal, the light will also be reflected up, usually right into your eyes. If the scratch is vertical, the light will be reflected down, and you are not as likely to notice the scratch.


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[SDK]

awesome read. hooked from the first to the last. hope she is still treating you nicely. as for the movie Run Lola Run great great movie. you can only watch it in German with English subtitles.

Shane

 

[BentRod]

Stop! HEY! what's that sound?

Stop! HEY! what's that sound?

Stop. HEY! What?s that sound?

Anyone else a fan of Buffalo Springfield? no? a couple? nice!

Sorry everyone for my absence. I have just completed my first round of Midterm Examinations and managed to land a decent summer job.

so Where was I? ah right.. 3 weeks of blissful riding with a new paint job, great times! right up until just about everything that hadn't been replaced already started to snap, rattle and general fail at the most inconvenient times possible.
My three weeks of bliss came to a rather abrupt conclusion when the replacement throttle cable I had purchased SNAPPED. Well, that is what I get for buying a previously used throttle cable. More genius points for me I?m sure. Who would have thought that being uber cheap would have a down side?

Here is a lesson to new riders, Replace EVERYTHING that isn?t meant to be permanent. I mean every cable, the chain, starter motor brushes, even the FUSE, EVERYTHING. They will all go eventually, some more spectacularly than others.

I was riding home to Toronto from my student home in Hamilton (About 80km or so), and about 30km out the throttle cable goes, leaving me on the side of the road. I turned up the idle to about 4K and rode the shoulder to a gas station and dough nut shop. A quick call our favorite mechanic Chris, and the bike is on the back of his pick up, off to get a new throttle cable. Despite how desperate life seemed, I was to find that I got off easy that time.

Fast forward about a week or so, and I stop at the bank on the way home. I come back out, and wouldn?t ya know, the bike won?t start. I get a jump from a pick-up truck, but it won?t even turn over. CRUD. So I push the bike home and look at the wiring harness. While the battery sits on a charger.. I can?t see anything wrong.. I have no idea what to do and memories of a certain summer day playing with a tv are creeping through my mind. Time to call you know who.. CHRIS! He was pretty good about all these repairs, and I encouraged him to visit by keeping cases of cold beer around.
The wiring harness gets a looking over and we find nothing wrong.. ah. Gremlins! grrr?having just gotten this thing on the road, I was not particularly pleased, and the longer it took, the better that sledge hammer looked. We try starting and the 10amp resistor that is in place is glowing.. Test it and it shows something like 100 000 ohms? we wire the bike to bypass the fuse, and I head off to Canadian Tire and set up a blade type fuse to replace the original fuse system.

Any more trouble? Well I?m not getting stranded ever again, that?s for sure (Boy am I going to eat those words). I?m going to be ready, so I carry a tool kit and extra fuses, wire, tape.. etc..

I would eventually snap my clutch cable, blow lord knows how many light bulbs, and have my battery die on my 3 times while parked at a gas station/fast food joint/friends house.. but that is all pretty routine now..

The really bad stuff was my first accident.. and ya, it happens to just about every new rider? even you

but that is for next time

 

[madadam]

This story sounds strangely familiar...

This story sounds strangely familiar...

Love the story so far... it hits very close to home for me as well.

I was not far away from you, on a co-op placement in Cambridge, Ontario between my third and fourth year of my mech eng degree when I was introduced to the wonderful world of motorcycles. Up to then I had steered clear of them; I knew I would love it but was afraid of them... the news is filled with talk of people dying on them (or not far away from what's left of them). Then a friend at work convinced me to come for a ride on the back of his, and afterwards we both knew I was instantly hooked. I knew I would like it, but didn't expect the sense of freedom and exhileration that comes with it. I was in love.

I bought my '82 GS400T, and, with much help from the above-mentoned friend, got the thing running before too long. It was in decent shape, considering, and it only took a new battery, fork seals, chain, rear tire, all fluids, and a fistful of lightbulbs and fuses to get it back on the road. Within the first month I travelled back to Ottawa for my sister's wedding, which is about a 5-hour drive by highway. I took a scenic route instead, going north of Toronto on the back roads, and it turned into an 11-hour ride through twisty countryside.

That was several years ago and now I'm back home in Ottawa. I've only had a few snags (snapped cables, etc) to deal with. So far I've been able to get by on a student budget (yeah I'm still a student, I must be a sucker for punishment and signed up for grad school). Thankfully I haven't hit any big problems, since I don't have a seasoned vet like Chris or my old friend in Cambridge to call upon when I'm stuck anymore.

Well that turned into a much longer post than the "hear, hear" that I originally intended. My apologies for the rambling . Looking forward to the next installment!

Cheers,
Adam

 

[Rider2898]

I'm in the middle of working the bugs out of 1981 Gs 750 EX. I'm 20 and this is my first bike. I love it. I had my first laydown about 2 weeks ago. Hope that doesn't happen again. This story is so much like my own it's rather amazing. Great reading. :-D

 

[Kcwiro]

I'm in the middle of working the bugs out of 1981 Gs 750 EX. I'm 20 and this is my first bike. I love it. I had my first laydown about 2 weeks ago. Hope that doesn't happen again. This story is so much like my own it's rather amazing. Great reading. :-D

nice choice of a bike there Rider2898 ... now lets be careful out there I have had a good amount of close calls on my bike last year... and a occurance that I will explain in my GS story I am starting covering my bike safety course, purchase, buildup, etc.. get lots of pics.. . Keep that guy in good shape.. don't see any close up pics of your bike anywhere ... looks good in the avatar though

BentRod, I stillo get a good laugh out of your story telling in here keep it up.. there are a lot of poor student bikers out there today and best to say you are a inspiration upon yourself =)

later

 

[basic]

this story hits very close to home. Sounds kinda like what I'm going through now. While i'm not on a "Student" budget, it's just as tight...I just purchased my bike ('80 gs750L) a month ago and am working out the problems. so far i've duct taped the seat, replaced the tank, petcock, cleaned the carbs, changed oil (twice, had to throw out 4 qts of brand new oil from leaving the petcock on prime overnight) have new (to me) solenoid on the way, as well as new airbox to carb boots. Have to replace the RR and possibly battery yet. After that it's time to start runnign relays (and get the horns working so it will pass inspection) but it's something and a lot cheaper (and easier to work on) than a car. I have never rode a motorcycle, and am planning on taking a MSF course this spring. But just knowing the thing is sitting out back waiting for a ride is a feeling that can't be described. I'm even going to paint it until i can learn to ride it...gives me some time to figure out what colour to paint it....

 

[scottp8113]

But just knowing the thing is sitting out back waiting for a ride is a feeling that can't be described. I'm even going to paint it until i can learn to ride it...

boy do i know just how you feel... it's finally starting to warm up here and i would love nothing more than to just hit the road and play with my new to me bike... if only i wouldn't give a hat-trick of tickets to the first cop that would be nice enough to stop me... no license, no registration, and no insurance yet... but hey it's all good in the end.

 

[basic]

..if only i wouldn't give a hat-trick of tickets to the first cop that would be nice enough to stop me... no license, no registration, and no insurance yet...

sounds like the same list of tickets i would get....no motorcycle endorsement, no license or registration or valid inspection on it, no insurance on the it...just working on getting it to the point that it will pass and then all will be good.

 

[Skievryday]

Tips for budget riders

Tips for budget riders

A lot of the guys on here will suggest ATGATT... ATGATT can be expensize. Joe Rocket Jacket, Gloves, Boots, Pants- dang!

I went down once on my 650 L at about 20. (Reason #4 why you don't try going from 70 mph to 15 with only 200 ft and a single disk on the front wheel. F!) I was wearing a polyester long sleeve hiking shirt, carpentry gloves, jeans, and Columbia hiking shoes. Polyester- bad idea. It burns into your skin. Had to scrub it out. Lesson learned. Other than road rash on my right elbow and a dilsocated left shoulder (put it back in and road home) I was ok.

Now what I wear. Leather jacket ($70 at Wilsons- kind of retro cut motorcycle jacket), Padded construction gloves ($20), jeans, and Timberland 8" boots (NOT STEEL TOED! -Steel plus 650 lbs equals no more toes.)

My point? These will help in a crash and I can actually use this stuff outside of riding. Granted I sold my bike 6 months ago and only have 3 years experience but it is a tip to those of us who can't justify spending $300-400 at BikeBandit. And I will probably get the pro gear with my next bike for longer jaunts. Just my 2 cents.

 

[seuadr]

Timberland 8" boots (NOT STEEL TOED! -Steel plus 650 lbs equals no more toes.)

i dunno if i've just been lucky, but on two occasions i've had something of great weight, the first time, a fork loaded down, the second time, a 4X4 truck ( with an ex asshat friend ) and both times, my redwing steel toes protected my feet.

 

[oldschoolorange]

Hey Nice work here Kevin, I am enjoying the read. After reading through the posts it disturbs me to see that I am portrayed as somewhat of a drunken sexual deviant.

 

[BentRod]

gee chris.. Strange how that comes out sometimes eh?


might want to work on that...

HAhahaha.... sorry folks.. I'm having a really good laugh here at OldSchoolOrange's expense.

 

[BentRod]

Like Sleeping with her SISTER... uhoh..

Like Sleeping with her SISTER... uhoh..

so I've gone and done it again...
this time it is a 1982 GS550M... which I believe makes it a Kat...\\/

My girlfriend is already laying claim to Lola and the new beauty hasn't even been delivered yet..

I will update you all once I get this darn Measurements and Engineering Design lab done.

 

[madadam]

I disagree!

I disagree!

NOT STEEL TOED! -Steel plus 650 lbs equals no more toes.

I've heard this said a few times, but it makes no sense to me. If something hits your foot hard enough to deform the steel shell and sever your toes, imagine what that impact would do to unprotected toes. With steels, at worst you'd have neatly-severed toes that could probably be reattached; without, you'd have a mangled, bloody mess of broken flesh and splintered bone that'd resemble squashed grapes. Not much of a choice if you ask me.

 

[spyug]

The steel cap severed toe wive's tail has been busted don't you know. The sharp as tacks Mythbuster crew dialed up a test and even with something like 20 tons of force they couldn't cut the toes off of their gelatin foot form.

So steel toed Redwings, Kodiaks, Mark's or Wally-world specials it is.

Whatever you wear....ride safe.

Cheers,
Spyug.

 

[QuaiChangKane]

The only issue I've ever had with steel-toed boots is having something strike your foot just hard enough to curl the edge of the steel toe in just enough to make the boots uncomfortable.

I was actually surprised the first time I rode in steel-toed boots at how comfortable they were - I always thought the stiffness and added thickness of the boot would make shifting cumbersome.

Note that I don't habitually ride in steelies - I prefer my Aerostich Combat Lites


The only problem I've seen with riders using steel-toed boots is on the MSF range - the bikes are small enough that guys with larger feet have a hard time manipulating the shifter on the range bikes (Honda 250 Rebels & Nighthawks). This is something to consider depending on your choice of bike.


Also - remember that comfort is just as important (even more so) as crash protection when selecting riding gear.

-Q!

 

[QuaiChangKane]

Now what I wear. Leather jacket ($70 at Wilsons- kind of retro cut motorcycle jacket), Padded construction gloves ($20), jeans, and Timberland 8" boots.

Be VERY wary of the "motorcycle" jackets they sell at Wilsons. Wilsons is not in the business of making protective motorcycle gear - they are in the business of making garment leather. Remember that it's not just abrasion that your gear needs to protect against, it's impact. Leather with no armor only protects against a small portion of riding hazards.

You can get very inexpensive motorcycle gear if you know where to look - www.newenough.com consistently clears out previous model-year jackets by big-name brands for less than $100.

Also, check eBay, CraigsList, and your local riding forums for deals on used gear, and NEVER buy your motorcycle gear at a motorcycle dealership.


-Q!

 

[BentRod]

this seems to fit in here with the student budget...

my first jacket. 120$ I got a mesh jacket with a removable liner and full armour. I have gone down in thei jacket a number of times, and you can take my word, the extra few dollars for armour are worth it.

Riding pants: eh? JEAN! oh.. and rather large shin guards that are intended for downhill mountain biking.. they cost about 40$ a pair.

Riding boots: how about Army boots. 23$ at surplus stores and you will never twist your ankle. also double as dress shoes in a pinch.

Gloves: Went leather with armour and full gauntlet.. also worth it. I grabbed a pair off of the web adds for 27$

Helmet: Gmax full face. lucky me the cheapest helmet fit great!

I now own an additional riding jacket, textile riding pants with full armour, and a full face shoei Helmet


Remember boys a girls.. Be safe, because new skin is a lot harder to get than a jacket. You don;t have to spend a lot, but don't sacrifice safety.

 

[n1elkyfan]

I bought a Gmax helmat to and am very happy with it. Where did you get your gloves at.