Guess what, I actually found something to build dowel out of. An old tire iron. Almost right diameter, works after touch up with grinder. Got everything back together.

Out of gas and may need new battery,see if it will take charge, and I don't know about carb. (still trying to save the one that was on, actually off, in wreck)

Got gas and jump, started. (No noise from tranny.but just in N in garage) Then it fouled a plug. I'll wait till I got good light tomorrow, hungry anyway. Garage is a mess. Cool but humid tonite. Will ride tomorrow.

Played around trying to get carb to work on Sporty. Finally gave up and changed. Running good (a little hesitation but this is a newer carb and has no adjustment)

Rear brake is another story, you cannot ease on the brake with out it locking up. Probably pull wheel and clean soon.

Tranny seems to be ok, but I think speedo is reading way to fast. Other than that and the usual leaks, vibration, and noise on these older ones it seems ok.

Gotta remember this shifts RIGHT.

Here's a pic

http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0030.JPG

If you don't cut the grass, it will grow over the Sporty and then you won't be able to move it anyway
So save yourself the energy and quit working on it now.

_________________
1st motorcycle 2004 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic.

We have weeds that will come up 3-4 foot overnight after a rain. I lost the Panhead in the driveway last year (was about a foot on Friday over 4 Sunday). Could not see it except from the porch.

Weeds have been especially bad this year. (because of rains) In the back I have weeds only about a foot high. This has been an alkali/mud patch with nothing growing for the last at least 30 years.

Last year the farmer next door got 3 cuttings of hay. This year hes already got two and still have over half of season left. 4 maybe 5 cuts this year.

Well sporty barely made it home last night. These things were ment to compete with Triumphs, and they do, as many electrical problems as Lucas. New regulator and it's good to go. Was going to put on a solid state,but I had a mechanical one (actually 4) already.

And the brake problem was just a loose backing plate tie down bolt. Now it has typical sporty brakes. You can break the pedal before you will lock up wheel.

Still having trouble riding a right shifter after all these years. Forgot how bad these iron heads vibrate. And I gotta get springs under this seat, sit a little higher too. Get arse end of seat up so I don't want to slide off the back. Keep forgetting that I have turn sigs. Still don't think speedo is right.

This is why my XLCH is in the front room.

_________________

Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Not much to write just about the heat. Too hot to ride. Friends want to go riding because its a "wonderful day" at over 100F. No way I got AC in truck. Better yet I am riding at night. Only put on around 75 miles last night before rain storm. DAMN And these are the same people that wouldn't ride with me a few months ago because it was too cold, only in the 50s and 60s. (they said it was too cold not me) I'll take cold over heat any day.

Tried to mow weeds today, was doing good till heat came up. Now the mower is vapor locking, and me too. Well I got all the weeds that are in the shade. It was already 86F at 0900. (last update on Weatherbug)

Guess I'll stay in and do quarterlies (taxes) today. Need new line for swamper in garage. The new line (put on last week) got caught in mower, now in 2 foot pieces.

Got weeds mowed finally. Problem was that, overheating and thus vapor lock, was caused by "crumb" clogging axial fan.

Next the sewer backed up again. I have no water proof gloves, so I ride to Home Depot and get some. On the way home I lose the gas cap and cannot find. arriving home I find an old tank with cap and install.

Drag out snake and root. Damn thing is heavy I can barely carry, about five foot at a time. When I am done with sewer I put wheels on the snake. No more carrying that pig!

Today (the 4th) go downtown for breakfast. Hardly any Cafes open.

After breakfast, I decide to go for a ride. I take the 74 Sporty and ride toward Guffey. The Chicken Shiit is today. They put a chicken in a box with numbered squares, and if it gets your square you win. Most festivities are over when I arrive. Hear last song by the band. (Happy Trails to You)

Talk to a few people and head back. Stop to take some pics but can't get camera to work. Damn thing works fine when I get home!

On the way back I hit reserve. 22 miles later is it but I am across the street from Yogi Bears' Campground. The sell me a gallon of gas for their mule. This bike will do 92 miles on complete tank inc. reserve. I don't know if this has a large (2.2) or small (1.9) tank.

Well now It starts to rain, still a couple of hours till fireworks. Got steaks marinating.

10 degree drop in temp while I wrote above!

Well camera parts are on order. The door finally broke completely.The problem other day was batteries, Lithium was charged but didn't stay. Friend of mine has an old Virago for sale, he just got a Royal Star, I believe 650cc.

Spent yesterday working on the house door. I put on 60 miles today, all around town running errands. Only hiway I ran was the mile and a half to Wal Mart.

Yesterday gas went down from 3.14 to 3.09, cheapest its been in two months. Was 3.11 before last weekend and the Fourth.

should have more tomorrow.

Took Sporty for a ride today. Hot around 95F. I gas up before leaving town. (39.8MPG all city)Went West on US 50 (One of my usual rides) Stopped at Cotopaxi for breakfast. (about 1600)

http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0032.JPG

I stopped at Wellsville to take a break. Now looking like rain.

http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0033.JPG

I'm thinking Hill Climb!

http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0034.JPG

I then rode on to Salida. Some kind of celebration going on in the park, but I don't stop. I fill up, I'm not running out today. (44.44 MPG) I then take CO 291 up to US 24/285, and turn North. Take pics of Teeners along the way.

http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0035.JPG
http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0036.JPG

Ride on through Nathrop. Then stop at Johnson Village, have a burrito and a drink. Getting a lot cooler now. I put on my leather. Looking at back of bike.

http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0042.JPG

Where the hell is my tail light lens? The corners with the screws are still there, thats all.

Looking really nasty to the North as I ride on up to Hartsel and gas up again. (45.0 MPG) Stop at the Bar/Cafe and have a cup of Joe. It's sprinkling when I leave, but I don't put on rain gear. I stop about 5 miles down the nine to don leather pants. Rain quits in another two but still cold. Still really cold at county line too.
http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0037.JPG

I got a few pics of some Buffs on CO 9 between Guffey turnoff and Highpark turnoff.
http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0038.JPG
http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0040.JPG
look at the Buffalo calves.
http://img.boschnetwork.com/slimcoloDCP_0041.JPG
Must be pretty tame, as they don't even look when I start bike. Cows, bulls or calves.

I hit US 50 and Head East. I make it home just before dark. And I didn't get pulled over for tail light or run out of gas. HA!

Odie working fine but speedo needle is still jumping. Have leaks developing at Primary, (this is so dinged up I didn't expect it not to leak) Oil fill cap pouring oil (needs new gasket) And got leak at lifter block (will try to tighten but gasket is most likely dried out and need replacing, remember that this bike sat for awhile) Still need to get the right carb on this bike. (this ride must have blown out a lot of carbon, bike is running alot better when I get home) Timing may be mentally challenged slightly, seems to run awful hot. Need to check points anyway. Tranny and electrical are doin good. Need new seat (foam is worn out)or at least springs or a hypo of novacaine in the old keister for a long ride on this bike.