On a Thursday I drove up to Amarillo to pick up Ernie at Darth Rider's humble abode. Hilarity ensued but, with Donson's help, we got him loaded and I headed back to Willow Park.

Saturday, after the swelling had gone down, I set about getting ready for a ride down to the Texas Hill Country. Dave had kept his trick CRG bar-end mirrors but gave me the stock mickey-mouse ears. Sunday morning, when I set out for a bit of familiarization, I learned that the stock mirrors are some of the best available mirrors in the industry. They show you VERY clearly that your upper arms are still attached to your shoulders...

I'm supposed to leave for Fredericksburg on Monday. Fortunately the Cycle Gear in Fort Worth is open on Sunday afternoon. I hustle down there and pick up a pair of Chinese CG knock offs. They're a HUGE improvement!



I called Dave and we figured Ernie needed to have his precious bodily fluids changed. Two quarts of Rotella synth and a K&N filter, a quick chain lube with some left over PJ-1 Black and we're ready to go travelin'.

Monday was an iffy weather day but it was a pleasant ride and learning experience. Lessons learned:
1. 3.6 gallon tank @ indicated 80mph gives you a 120-mile range.
2. After 120 miles you're quite happy to take a break.
3. Said 80mph indicated is taching 6k RPM n top gear.
4. The seat could use to help.
5. Ergonomics are just about right.
6. The seat could use some help.
7. This is NOT a 600-mile day bike... 500 might be pushin' it.
8. With the stock springs, you use up 3/4 of your fork travel just buy closing the throttle at speed.

Two days spent chasin' my tail on the twisted sister in the Hill Country tells me that this was the RIGHT bike for me at this time. You have to be goin' stupid-fast to make the 330's a BIG challenge. I don't run tat fast any more. But it was fun stuffin' the little bugger inside a ham-fisted R1 rider corner after corner for 12 miles headin' into Leaky. He was happy with his throttle though...

OK, back at home it's time to heat up the plastic. Sportbike Track Gear, Pit Bull, Curvy Girl and a few others had most all I need.

The next Saturday I head over to Harry's shop to use his front-end stand to change the fork springs. The stock oil seems OK for now.



Next came a stake in the heart of my old friend Dave. The Vance & Hines exhaust had proven to be WAY too loud. Or I'm too old. Or both. It went on Craig's List and a new Ti Akrapovic is on now. The V&H was half the weight of the stock system. The Akrapovic is half the weight of the V&H. I honestly thought the box was empty when Jeff (our UPS guy) tossed it to me!

 

Then the CORE braided steel brake lines showed up and were installed.





Did I ever tell y'all that the only thing I hate worse than electrics is bleeding new, empty brake lines?

I'd moved my 20-year-old sheepskin to Ernie and added a new tank bag.



And finally, yesterday (Saturday) came the finishing touch, a Corbin Gunfighter and Lady seat with removable backrest.

 

Nice results. Do yourself a favor on the brake bleeding. A mityvac works wonders, or get a plastic hose on the bleeder to minimize any fluid spills onto the tires or paint.

 

Been using a vacuum-pump style bleeder since my first race bike with disc brakes in the early `70's. It helps but not as much as a banjo-bleeder-bolt on the MC at the top of the circuit. Yep, it's on order.

 

Cool, I was concerned with the spillage in this pic and how it was such a pain for ya to bleed.

 

Bob,
I like your writing and nice report on the work.
Thanks!

 

Yeah, bleed hose weeped. It's getting old and stiff like me. Cleaned it up with brake cleaner. Gotta remember to replace that hose before the next annual bleed.

 

Thank you, sir!

 

I hear that. I was trying to set my front fork fluid tonight on one of the rides. Dang plastic hose kept on breaking. Old hose and mess.

 

I love Delrin. It's a strong, lightweight, easily machinable engineering 'plastic'.




It does not do well when used a few inches from the exhaust...