Adventures of the Antirider Rider

The XT returns home after a short vacation in the mountains. As usual, I expect the battery to be dead, instead it roars to life!  I guess the vacation did it some good! The other two SV’s surprisingly are alive as well. Unfortunately, I spoke too soon because the XT refuses to start again.  Jason [...]

What’s better than having your own storage building?  How about having a custom ramp built just for it?  Those bikes don’t like making the jump up alone! Mark brings down all the tools and supplies needed.   Jason brings out a few scraps just for testing. Mark makes some preliminary measurements and using the board as [...]

Say it ain’t so.  The bikes are getting some loving. First comes the track bike with some fresh oil. and a good bath Then the street bikes also gets a good bath. Then it gets prepared for surgery. The old regulator rectifier gets disconnected. The first gen SVs are said to have known problems with [...]

With the new building in place, it’s time to start loading it up with bikes.   Here comes more stuff.   Next is the workbench Then the running DR and rolling chassis DR With a cozy fit, the bikes have to come out for the stuff to go in.   The essential organizing tool is [...]

During the calm before the storm, we play a game of musical cars to make the house as redneck as possible by parking the Lexus in the front yard.   The new building is almost gone as it drives away down the street. Fortunately, he turns back around. Mark stands guard as the empty spot [...]

 The nice thing about traveling with a mechanic is having someone who can help you with road emergencies.  J3 notices that the rear tire is low when we stop for dinner.  He finds the culprit by the light of the Blackberry. Fortunately, we find a repair kit at the local gas station.  Enjoy the picture by picture [...]

The last time I tore down an SV, I had no idea what I was doing.  I grabbed a tool box and started undoing all the bolts and screws I could find.  This time I’m a bit more prepared for bagging and tagging. The front end is toast and the front wheel is taco’d – lots [...]

The old Acerbis bark busters have got to go.  After busting multiple levers last season, I realize these aren’t cutting it. Step 1:Remove the old set.  The bar end inserts are quite difficult to remove as the metal on metal is close to seizing. Step 2: Get the new Cycra bark busters out of the [...]

Jason sends me a Craigslist link on a whim as he calls me an SV hoard.  This is what is for sale: He makes an offer and seriously, this is not a joke: this is the fourth first gen SV I’ve owned.  After a trip to Rock Hill, SC, another SV joins the stable. Those [...]

Jeep season is over. Off comes the safari top to leave it in it’s most naked state: no top, no doors, no nothing. The hard top has been collecting weeds all summer. The Snap-on pressure washer comes out to play. We flip the top on it’s side.  Thank goodness that Tarheel is somewhat covered up. [...]

Did you hear?  That’s right.  ALL THREE of my bikes need new clutches.  Jason did the one for my street SV and now the other Jason is doing the SVS. Not that we don’t have an abundance of Pit Bull stands but instead, Jason opts for this wooden stool. He then decides that he wants [...]

After discovering the street SV needs a new clutch and cover gasket, the parts on order finally arrive.  Jason goes to work to button things up. The original gasket is deformed so we get a replacement and the cover finally goes on without leaking oil. A mechanic must always test ride his work before the [...]

Everything Japanese is always brightly colored with interesting animation including the candy.  In the end I work for a Japanese company so it’s nice to share these tasty treats. This is a make your own caption exercise.   I ask Jason to help clean my battery terminals.  My solution of Coca-Cola is not well received. [...]

I guess it’s true.  I must be hard on clutches. Jason fiddles with the battery to try to get it started. Next he goes to adjust the clutch but no luck. He pulls off the clutch cover case and sure enough, the plates are under spec. Let me set the record straight: I don’t ride [...]