Cafe part duh

[musicman]

I think we're on to something here... been a while since I even touched photoshop, haha. My 2mp camera sucks, takes worse pictures than my phone, oh well, $5 at goodwill, can't complain too much

[Road Rash]

Ah! There ya go! Looks pretty nice. The rear fender aids this look.

[6pkrunner]

Lot nicer looking.

[musicman]

I do like the smaller seat, kinda sucks though because it takes away space for a battery. I've thought about going kick-only but then I couldn't run the HID. Not the end of the world though, I could toss the kit on the FJ and run a standard bulb in the Suzuki.

Actually, I think that's what I'm going to do, then I don't need to mount a starter 'noid. Simplifies things even more!

[subid]

I'm just glad to see you pull a trailer with an old Corolla station wagon

I have one just like it, 210,000 miles and going strong.

[musicman]

Haha, that old turd is still around, been 4 months since I've seen it but I think it's about 280000 miles or so.

[tkent02]

I think we're on to something here...

That's what I'm talking about. Sweeet!

Wouldn't a small battery allow the use of the HID lights if it was kick start only?
Like a couple D cell sized 12v NiCads or something?
The lights don't need to be on except when the engine is running, the battery is just to help it regulate correctly?
Or is there more to it? I don't know didly about HID lights.

[musicman]

I thought about something similar, and really I'm not sure... My HID's I've ran in my cars in the past have been kind of fidgety about voltage, for example my current DD, 2008 Aveo, uses the headlamps as DRL's (running lights). There's a resistor somewhere and it drops the current, makes them dimmer. The DRL's are always on, lights get brighter when you turn the headlights on with the stick (it's stupid...). ANYWHO, to make a stupid story shorter the lower voltage would cause the ballasts to be stupid, and they wouldn't come on, until you shut the car off, and started it again with the headlights "On", sending full voltage. 2 ways I could've fixed it, relay kit or disable the DRL's (which is what I did).

Seems to me if the voltage drops when the kit is on it could cause the ballasts to goof up, and these lower end kits don't like to re-fire when they're hot. Where I'm going with this is if say the light shuts off in the middle of the night due to voltage fluctuation, I might not have a headlight until the ballast cools! haha

I'm also debating the kick-only gig, I'm not sure what R/R one would use, not sure if I would need a capacitor or mini battery with the points, and something's up with the rings in this turd, I have blow-by out the crank case and the compression isn't great. She's kind of tough to start when she's could... might be kicking for a while, lol. Or carry a can of starting fluid... hah. Eventually it'll get rebuilt with a 650 barrel and custom pistons someday, for now though it's just weakened, still pulls in the 40's for mileage (with the vetter fairing)

[tkent02]

I'm also debating the kick-only gig, I'm not sure what R/R one would use, not sure if I would need a capacitor or mini battery with the points,

A small battery would work, or a capacitor. Don't know anything about the HID lights, but if you turn them on when the engine is already running the voltage should be steady if your charging system is working properly.

and something's up with the rings in this turd, I have blow-by out the crank case and the compression isn't great. She's kind of tough to start when she's could... might be kicking for a while, lol. Or carry a can of starting fluid... hah. Eventually it'll get rebuilt with a 650 barrel and custom pistons someday, for now though it's just weakened, still pulls in the 40's for mileage (with the vetter fairing)

You have adjusted the valve clearances? Hard cold starts, poor fuel consumption and low compression all point to tight valves.

[musicman]

Yeah, went through the valves. I thought that's what it was initially. It's got a lot of blow by into the case, not enough to scare me (had worse, lol), I think I've got a compression ring froze up somewhere. This bike was so neglected when I got it I almost tossed it in the trailer and scrapped it. Sucks the oil too, doesn't leak a drip when it's sitting but it's burned a quart in about 1500 miles of riding last season. It needs to be gone through bad, just not a priority on my list. When I do the motor the frame will get the tabs cut off and everything will get powder coated.

[musicman]

Exaggerated the oil usage, went and looked at my remaining oil and it used just over half a quart, not sure why I thought it was more. Anyway though, the engine is weakened and would be tough to kick when it's cold, I have had worse though. Went over the HID kit and made up my mind to put it in the FJ, makes more sense there since I've got a 9 day ride planned for this year, vs the 550 will get ridden now and then on the weekends. Helps with the electronics though.

[tkent02]

A pint in 1500 miles isn't bad.

[musicman]

For a 34 year old bike I guess you're right.

[tkent02]

brand new BMW's standard is a liter in 1000 miles.

[musicman]

Hah, that cracks me up. I run my Korean Chevy 4-5k miles on an oil change and it doesn't use much of anything, maybe a cup.