After installing the clubman bars I had noticed that the OEM cables were too long. I essentially got creative in running the cables so it was somewhat “nice” looking. The throttle cable though on the right side of GIN was somewhat in front of the turn signal. I could monkey with it a little and it dropped it to the lower bottom right of the amber flasher. I wasn't satisfied.
In a previous post I mentioned the Honda CL parts bike I had. Given to me by a well-meaning friend as it was left on a property he’d purchased. It was now pretty useless as it had been drug over by a heavy equipment operator. (Amateur!) So I have been using it as a parts bike if there was anything I could use on the Suzook. First was the seat, which I like for the café look. Except for a hole on one side of the leather it’s in pretty good shape. After a few mods to the steel seat pan it should fit pretty nice. The next items to be used of the CL would now be the shorter stemmed front turn signals. This would get them out of the way of the throttle cable on the right and give me more space on the left with the controls.
I had my son help me to work on the turn signals project early this Sunday morning.(which would be the 10th of Sept) He’s also been given a motorcycle by a well intentioned friend of ours. As with the CL, there was no title and it was non-op. And like me, my son couldn't pass up the offer of a free motorcycle. That’s not running. Will take space in my (the wife’s/mom’s) garage. Has a limited budget to get in riding condition again. I’ll stop there, though I could go on. Back to point. I needed the help getting started on the turn signal swap and he needs mechanical experience so I had him start removing the turn signals off of the Honda as I started on the GIN.
I paid close attention as I worked to remove the headlamp, losing a part which I had no idea where or what it was after getting the large bulb out. The only way I was aware that something was somewhere on the ground was my hearing it fall there. As soon as it touched the ground I looked for movement so as to try to spot or track its path. It disappeared and that without me ever getting a bead on it or what it was, nut, bolt, fuse? Within seconds of this I immediately stopped and started scanning for whatever it was to locate it. It didn't make the sound as if it went far. It should have dropped on the tire and bounced a short distance on the asphalt which was what I was working on. Slowly moving back away from the front of GIN I crouched and looked for anything that was not flush with the driveway. Nothing stood out! I changed position from front, side, rear to opposing side and could not find it. I figure it must be a nut or bolt in the light grey hue of the faded asphalt it landed on. Frustrated and little time to continue the search, I moved on back to the task at hand. I would mentally remind myself to not forget to look for the mystery item before heading in and getting ready for a one o’clock meeting.
My son had pulled off both turn signals from the Honda CL and was pulling them apart to clean em up as best as could for the swap. The first one he opened had water inside as well as quite a bit of rust. He was disappointed to get rust on his sock. He then told me that he was planning to head out and meet some friends. (He spends a good amount of his time in volunteer work, reaching out to the community) So that was the end of my help and his expanding his mechanical skills today.
Rode to work a couple of times and it was great! With the exception of properly operating turn signals, I have been using the old hands to let others know my intentions.
I noted that Ballard hosts the "Backfire Moto" which caters to all types of two-wheeled beasties. Cafe racers are the main draw though few in number. The Backfire moto website (http://www.backfiremoto.com/) let's us know that all are invited. It would appear that if you're hard-core, soft-core, wannabe or posuer or possibly even the genuine article you can come and hang. Being more the former and not so much the latter, I'm there.
They even have cool apparel on their site. The black hoodies are the bomb. I'm just not in a position to shell out the cash for an extra at this time. You know how it goes. Creditors, taxes, bills and food always seem to take priority in this world. motorcycles come up with the short straw. The therapy they provide though is cents on the dollar, which only the few understand.
