Janel & Gary's Photos, Music, and News...: Front Forks & Other Progress

Thanks for dropping in....

This will be a spot where we will share our news, thoughts, photos, interesting links, and some music with you.... Oh yeah.. you can also stay abreast of the parts search and build-up of the BMW R-100 RT touring bike and the restoration of my BMW R75/5.

You can find the blog archive at the top of the yellow right sidebar (about 1/2 way down the page) if you wish to read posts from the past...

If you like the music in the background, be sure to open any links in a new tab, or use the pop out player option. Otherwise, when you navagate away from this page you will no longer hear it.

If you pop out the player, it will open the player in a small window which will remain open and playing even after you close your browser.

If you use the pop out option while viewing this page, you will want to mute the player on this page to avoid it running in two instances.

We hope you enjoy your visit!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Front Forks & Other Progress

Happy New Year everyone!

Here is the latest on the bike project...

BMW motorcycles ride smooth. The front forks and rear suspension have a lot of soft travel which sucks up shock of hitting bumps and potholes, and that makes long rides without tiring easy. I have on more than one occasion done 1000 mile days, and 600 mile days were common.

The spring rates of the front forks changes when you add a fairing that is heavy. I found with my previous /5 that the front end would dive deeply when the front brake was applied. The cure was stiffer springs, change of the viscosity of the fork oil, and sealing of a couple of the oil ports in the shock absorber system.

I suspect I will have the same problem with this bike, so I have ordered a pair of replacement progressively wound coil springs. They are on their way from Texas.

In addition to the billet upper triple tree,

I have a set of lower fork braces on the way as well. These are designed to keep the fork legs parallel throughout their entire range of travel.

These additions should take care of the front end suspension. All that is left to do is to locate, obtain, and install braided stainless steel flexable brake lines to the front calipers.

Another e-bay find is a new old stock leather tank cover made back in the 70's by Mustang. Had one on my /5 way back then, and never thought I would see another. It will be used on the project bike to protect the paint when using a tank bag.

It should look good with the corbin seat and it also adds a couple of pockets to store small items in... great place for a small camera.

No comments:

Post a Comment

The Rat Cat Story - by Janel

Rat cat came to us in a strange way. I was looking out at the greening of sping taking place when I heard a strange sound under the shrubs. I walked around to the front of the bushes and there underneath was what looked like an injured rat or squirrel. Upon further investigation it turned out to be a 5 month old kitten with an abscess so large that he looked like Quasimodo. He was so sick that he allowed me to pick him up and wrap him in a towel. I immediately took him to the vet where he stayed for a couple of days. Apparently he was bit by either another cat or rodent - therefore his name is rat cat. He has been a member of our family for 9 years. He is really a character and very loyal to me. He actually sleeps on my pillow every night and is very aware of any little hurts that we may have. He lays his body on the injured place and seems to think he is healing you. he is a joy and tribulation all in one.

Alexander's History.... Gary

Alexander came into this world, as do many kitties - homeless, very small and not so sure to survive. Cowering in a small and cold steel cage in a bleak shelter, he pulled at my heart strings and I happily added him to my life. He started out tiny, so I thought he needed a big name, thus Alexander the Great. He has since grown to meet his name. He is a big lug but very sweet and affectionate. He can meow up a storm when he wants his chow, which is so often he's on a diet now.

He is an American Short hair tabby cat who has many cute tricks....

He rubs noses and taps on my shoulder when he wants my attention and at meal times'

One cute gesture he taught himself was giving a high five. That was his first trick and it still cracks me up after 10 years.

At night he waits for me to pull back the covers and say, "let's settle in", and thats just what he does. He snuggles into his spot by my side and there he sleeps comfy and cozy all night.

He is a great cat, that Alexander... Whoops.. have to go, Alex is calling me for chow. Time to go , dont want to keep the big guy waiting.

==================================================