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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm going to put together a 75,000 mile review here in a month or so, but in the mean time just want to share a few things. My bike is bone stock and the only thing that has been changed is the tires, oil, belt, steering bearings/races, air filter, plugs, and exhaust gaskets, very basic stuff in my book. I was a little disappointed in the steering bearings at 66,000+ miles, but that disappointment is on me for not slappin' a little grease up there now and again.
My exhaust is stock and has only 70,000 miles on it, but they are shot. I've got small leaks all over and a chirp from the inside on the right side. I'm ready to change them out when I get back.
At 45,000 I replaced the belt and was amazed how well it had done and felt I could have got another 60,000 out of it with no problem. The pulley looked good and didn't expect to replace it until the next belt replacement. Well, that assesment is correct, I need to replace the pulley and the belt with only 25,000 on the current belt. Seems the pulley has gotten into a wear pattern, though I trust it to put the 6,000 miles on it to go to Cali and back, I've got my eye on it the whole way. The belt has a pattern in it as well, but trust it to ride it out without great concern, however, I'll have the other eye on it.
Though operationally there doesn't seem to be any mechanical problem, the rear caliper is ready for a change. It seems to get a little hotter lately and seems a little loose on the slider, so I think I'm picking up some vibration making it heat up. Another thing to keep an eye on while on the road. I trust everything to last the trip, but the bike is coming apart after I get back. I've got 4 days going, and 4 days coming home so that will allow me to "Take it Easy", as I'll ride I-40 but Wolf Creek Pass is out and perhaps the Grand Canyon this time. That might be a next year thing when I can really vacation it.
Got good tires front and back, and good brake pads, but there again, inspections at every stop. I've got internet on the phone so I'll be able to look up whatever I need on the road.
So, at 70,898 miles the bike is well broke in and runs like a champ. I just put in AMSOIL 20/50 and feel better by doing that in the heat. My plan is to only change out the filter in California and see how that works for me. If I don't feel comfortable after doing that, I'll change the oil, but I've got the half quart and a new filter loaded for the change out.
One more note, it seems my antenna got broke and the reception is really sucking. I don't know if I can apply an aftermarket thingy and I don't have time to do the satalite radio thing with all my other TO DO stuff before I leave. It looks like I might really be the biker with just my thoughts to take me down the road with the rhythm of the V-Twin in harmony with the highway. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i was wondering.. what kind of brake life did you get over all those miles? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | It seems I get about 15,000 miles if I'm not mistaken, I don't rightly remember, but that's the number that sticks in my head. I use my front brakes more, and get the Victory pads for replacements.
Also, I wonder if the car tire works so well on a bike (I'm not a dark-sider), I wonder how a car muffler will work? I should get more than 70,000 miles with the Midas touch... |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Man, with all your dribbling and spewing of typist clarity, it amazes me you still have the energy for irony and sarcasm. I need to ride more. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | I'll be curious to read your 75k review, but this is great insight! Thanks! |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | I'll be curious to read your 75k review, but this is great insight! Thanks! |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Sorry for the 2 posts......I hit the send button twice. |
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Tourer
Posts: 309
Vineland, NJ United States | how did you know you needed to replace steering bearings? What were the symptons. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Ed, I noticed about 8,000 miles earlier the bike was getting knotchy in the steering. It would pick up a mind of its own and not stay on the track it wanted to pull left or right all the time, mostly to the right. I finally pulled it apart and thought it was only dry, so I slapped some grease up there. However, that made it only slightly better and it still pulled. When I pulled it completely apart you could see the flat spots on the bearing and the race. Man, what a ride....
Edited by varyder 2010-06-24 5:43 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I just replaced brakes front and rear at 25,000. That was a little too long to push it. One pad in the front had just gotten to metal on the top 1/2 inch pad. No damage to the rotor thank heavens. |
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70,000 Mile Interim Review
