Planning First Long Ride

[peels]

well Ill just say it again. IF your boxer isn't quite right, surgy, vibraty, ticky, weak, Just do some maintenance!!!!! It WILL feel like a different machine lol must just be the nature of the boxer twin...or twins in general? Really never seen regular maintenance make such a difference.


I fitted those 3923 plugs last night. Before that, I had done the valves twice, because they were ticky when I got done the first time. then did TB sync with a manometer from work, which I was not quite sure of my abilities there. And indeed, It wasn't quite right.

I went ahead and made a simple tube manometer, and did it again last night. I had gotten confused, and hurried, Brass screws were not right. adjusting idle accidentally with the right throttle cable, and screw on the left. That's what happens when you stop in the middle of something go have a beer and come back LOL

also, removed the clogged canister and lines, drained gas, put some clean premium in....

all is well, now. idles nice and smooth now, throttle response is immediate. Surge, after short cold ride, seemingly.... all but gone.

Hopefully Ill see some better MPG now too.

[swamper]

My mileage is better with the twin plug 2004 over the 2002 but not by a lot. Usually around 45 unless I push over 70mph.

[peels]

THough much shorter than originally planned, I am back from my first "long" trip. It was FANTASTIC.

1600 miles in 3 days. from here in SE Iowa down into the Ozarks of Arkansas.

had 3 issues....

1: Rain. BIBLICAL rain.... first, Hit small amount of rain in MO which I was prepared for lasted 45 minutes.. Met my friend at peel ferry-it was dry took my rain gear off... then about 5pm stopped, looked at radar put pants and jacket back on. Well....it POURED, and continued for HOURS until we reached his house. Highway 7 is fantastic...but I was soaked. It didn't look too bad on radar, so I didnt put my boot covers on. mistake lol.

2: I lost my Iphone in that ride though. either to water from the rain somehow, or something in my pocket...sort of ruined day 2 for me...because I was pissy all day. Using an old 5s now. After having the 6plus for 5 months, this tiny thing is murder-first world problems!

3: Went to visit a different friend over on the OK border. Stopped for a bite. sitting there by our bikes, we were enjoying a cheeseburger...out of NOWHERE... "HHHHHIIIISSSSS" My front valve stem started leaking-was the damndest thing.(glad it happened sitting- not trucking along at 80mph) So, limped across street to walmart tire(i know i know) but luckily, one of their workers was a biker. Albeit a biker-gang style biker-a "bandido".... we found a crack in the rubber. I whipped off the wheel, ive gotten good at it, he fixes it. NO CHARGE. Got an odd feeling though, that had my friend with the Harley not be there, Id have paid something LOL.


I'm quite jealous of the folks living in that area, who ride motorcycles. It's beautiful country. I returned home via hwy 65 through some very scenic and curvy roads. I tell ya... I was SANS cellphone(GPS and music) At the same time it was a pain and making me anxious to not have mapping(and music), it was actually liberating. I missed a turn in lebanon missouri to head north to 54. SO stopped at a Truck stop...got some gas. got directions from an old lady how to get back to 54. which turned out to be some REALLY great roads. Unfortunately followed the entire time by a local sheriff. which started to make me wonder if the truck stop lady didnt lead me into a trap... ever see the dumb Dan Akroyd movie "nothing but trouble"? LOL!!!!

saw a few BMW folks on the way.

anyhoo, it was a good time and looking forward to the next ride. thanks everyone here for help, info, and advice over the last couple years.

[swamper]

What was your Mileage LOL????

[peels]

What was your Mileage LOL????

LOL

covered in the MPG thread. just under 44mpg for an AVERAGE! so whatever demons were haunting me, have been seemingly exorcised! <crosses fingers>