Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => The Bike - C10 => Topic started by: ATC Buckeye on May 29, 2011, 06:52:02 AM
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Yesterday we returned from a 5 day, 1200 mile tour of West Virginia. What a great place to ride. I know the mileage tally is low but 90% of the roads we were on were twisty as hell. What a blast. A few thoughts on my first trip on the Connie.
The good:
My bike turned 79,000 miles on this trip, and a large majority of the 1200 miles we did were at ridiculously high RPM's. Flirting with the red line, pinning the throttle coming out of curves, slamming TCro's new shift linkage up and down, the Connie never broke a sweat. I have no idea how long (if ever) it's been since this bike has been wrung out like this, but it performed admirably. Not one issue.
The fairing. This one is actually good and bad. We got caught in a short yet strong rain storm and we didn't really have a good spot to pull over for rain gear so we just pressed on. I was riding with a V-Strom and a HD ElectraGlide Classic, and those guys were soaked. I took a little water through my mesh pants around the thighs, but other than that I was good as long as we kept moving. I actually got the most wet when we stopped at a gas station as there wasn't room under the canopy when we first pulled in.
This is the first bike I've toured on that my head was out of the wind. What a relief. Looking through a windscreen takes some getting used to, but now it's all good. Also, having music, mainly Sirius radio on a bike might be the greatest thing ever. I don't know if I can ever go back. Now I really want real cruise control!
Fuel capacity is great. Those other guys always needed gas when I could've gone quite a ways further. Gotta love that.
GIVI luggage is absolutely awesome. Huge capacity, waterproof, and easy on/off at hotels.
Progressive shock and Race Tech forks worked GREAT. Excellent upgrade!!!
The bad:
The seat was rough. I use an early model stock seat (the taller and flatter one) which feels fine for short distances, but the long haul, no way. I'm gonna get with Russell at some point and have him make me a good one. That stocker was killing me!
The heat. Most of the ride it was 85+ degrees, and the Connie was really roasting me on some of those mountain roads. Granted, I had it up above 8000 rpms most of the time so that couldn't have helped. I use those heat shields that a member on here makes and I'm sure that helped some. I was wearing some Firstgear mesh pants with basketball shorts underneath, and at the end of one particularly long twisty day, my right shin looked like it had been sunburned. I ended up cutting the toe off an old sock and using that to cover that section of my leg between my boot and knee to protect it from the heat. There's just no two ways about it, the Connie can get HOT. However, in the rain, the fairing was awesome. Guess you can't have it all.
The brakes. Something weird happens with my front brakes I've noticed. Sometimes, when I squeeze the lever, it goes way in before firming up, like nearly to the grip. But if I let it go real quick and squeeze again, it gets firmer and firmer each time. The third or fourth time I do this, it gets really firm and engages right away. Any idea what the cause could be? I have stock calipers, braided lines and some aftermarket pads and levers. What is the current status on changing out the calipers? Aren't there some that bolt right up? Adapters?
Overall I enjoyed the job the Connie did. The heat sucked, but it was a damn hot day and I neglected to bring my mesh jacket (stupid!). The brakes are a bit unsettling though. I need to get that figured out.
I'll get some pictures posted later today.
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You may have air in the brake system, or need to rebuild you master cylinder.
Either is Easy job.
When doing repair,,, DO NOT GET BRAKE FLUID ON YOU PAINT!!!
(Don't ask me how I know)...
Ride safe, Ted
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I did flush and replace all brake fluid this winter. Perhaps I have some air in the brakes. I'll have to look into the master cylinder rebuild. I'd sure like to replace the calipers with some that are a little more "current" though ;)
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Here's a couple pictures from the trip:
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/2011%20WV%20Missed%20Opportunities%20tour/IMG_6984.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/2011%20WV%20Missed%20Opportunities%20tour/IMG_6990.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/2011%20WV%20Missed%20Opportunities%20tour/IMG_7005.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/2011%20WV%20Missed%20Opportunities%20tour/IMG_7024.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/2011%20WV%20Missed%20Opportunities%20tour/IMG_7064.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/2011%20WV%20Missed%20Opportunities%20tour/IMG_7055.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/2011%20WV%20Missed%20Opportunities%20tour/IMG_7073.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/2011%20WV%20Missed%20Opportunities%20tour/IMG_7070.jpg)
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I did flush and replace all brake fluid this winter. Perhaps I have some air in the brakes. I'll have to look into the master cylinder rebuild. I'd sure like to replace the calipers with some that are a little more "current" though ;)
Was the spongy brake lever after continuous hard braking? Maybe you boiled the brake fluid? Can this still happen these days with DOT 4 :-\
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Was the spongy brake lever after continuous hard braking? Maybe you boiled the brake fluid? Can this still happen these days with DOT 4 :-\
If the brake problem only crops up under hard riding it may be boiling. If it's like that all the time you likely have air in the lines.
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I don't think it was boiling. I'll try bleeding them again and see what comes out.
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I'd say pull the front brake lever before the first start of the day. If you have to pump the brake lever to get pressure I would say it's time for a master cyl. rebuild.
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Getting that last little bit of air out of the front brake is pretty common issue with our notorious brake system. Reverse flusing is the best -- but can be quite messy. If you're running original rubber lines you're kind of out of luck. They will never be as firm as braided steel lines.
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I have braided lines. I'm going to buy the rebuild kit from Murphs and get the air out at the same time.
One thing I forgot to add is the significant amount of drive shaft lash I noticed while navigating those mountain roads at high RPM's. A pretty good lurch from the rear end on throttle opening and closing. I'm betting my rubber cush drives need replacing.
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I have to ask. How long did you have to wait for that glide after revving thru the twisties? :D
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Quite the opposite, actually. He's been riding HD's since the 70s and he can absolutely run the **** out of that EGC. The only thing that holds him back is floorboard clearance. He's FAST on that thing. If I'm behind him I work hard to keep him in sight! The V-Strom guy, forget it. He could take a nap waiting for me to catch up. He's crazy fast.
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You may want to check to make sure the caliper pistons and sliders are free. If they're a bit sticky you can get what you've been feeling.
But yes +1 on the re flushing the brakes
BTW was the brake like this before the trip?
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Heat, same general idea: I have a rifle, a screwdriver, pliers and a bungie net. Takes me less than 5 minutes to convert, and if I ran stock bags I doubt if I would need the net. The rifle base works for me solo. Blessed relief.
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You may want to check to make sure the caliper pistons and sliders are free. If they're a bit sticky you can get what you've been feeling.
But yes +1 on the re flushing the brakes
BTW was the brake like this before the trip?
I think that it was, yes. Sometimes things just don't really seem like issues until you deal with them for 5 days straight :) I did try once to ziptie the lever to the grip overnight (read that on the old forum before the crash) and that did firm it up real nice for awhile, but eventually goes back to needing "pumped up".
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You would love improved Calipers, but the stockers are not too bad if you "know" they are going to perform correctly.
Before you spend the $$ work on the trapped air theory.
The brake system on a Connie can be a real pain to bleed, so when I rebuilt my master cylinder, I used a hand operated vacuum pump to bleed mine. (Available at Harbor freight)
The reverse flush that someone mentioned would be even better, but like I sed,,,,, DO NOT GET BRAKE FLUID ON YOUR PAINT.
Ride safe, Ted
PS: Tell your Harley Buddy I'm impressed. Getting one thru the twisties with a Connie is quite a feat!
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I have braided lines. I'm going to buy the rebuild kit from Murphs and get the air out at the same time.
One thing I forgot to add is the significant amount of drive shaft lash I noticed while navigating those mountain roads at high RPM's. A pretty good lurch from the rear end on throttle opening and closing. I'm betting my rubber cush drives need replacing.
Make sure your slack is out of the throttle cable. I recently removed my hand grib and added more slack in the throttle cable in the process. When I went out for a ride I noticed what seemed to be more back lash in the drive train. Sounds a little far fetched but, it made a difference.
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How do you play your tunage ATCB? Speakers or in your helmet?
I am going on a 4 state ride this coming weekend and am playing music from my Tomtom GPS to high-end Sony earbuds. I had to buy a volume control, as the Tomtom has a fixed output. But it's nice. I can clip the volume control onto my tank bra.
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I have 4" speakers in the fairing pockets, the previous owner installed em but I replaced em with some really nice Polk Audio marine speakers, waterproof and LOUD. Then, I installed a Bazooka marine amp with waterproof wired remote under the seat, and the remote in that blank plastic spot to the left of the instruments. It looks totally stock. Then, I bought a Sirius Stratus 5 (I think it's 5) from Ebay, and a small Pelican waterproof box and screwed the radio down into the box. Then, I mounted the box with some old L-type bracket I had lying around onto my Buck's dash shelf, and slapped the Sirius antenna on the shelf. Great reception, great sound, all waterproof.
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Make sure your slack is out of the throttle cable. I recently removed my hand grib and added more slack in the throttle cable in the process. When I went out for a ride I noticed what seemed to be more back lash in the drive train. Sounds a little far fetched but, it made a difference.
It's not THAT far fetched. With the throttle cable slack properly adjusted, we make certain movements with our wrist, namely, learning to ease into the throttle most of the time. If there is too much slack, the muscle memory you've developed eases into the trottle (which still isn't on, because of the slack) and by the time the cable picks up the slack, your wrist is pulling the cable pretty fast. The effect is basically the same as just whacking the throttle on, instead of doing it correctly.
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Hmmm. Sounds interesting. Can you post photos of that whole system? No hurry, but if you can sometime, that'd be awesome. Post 'em here if possible so I don't miss them.
I have some great Polk 4" 2 way bookshelf speaks that I used to use for surround rears. I could perhaps use them or at least mount the drivers and crossovers somehow.
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I agree, the throttle cable thing is a possibility. Will investigate.
And yeah I'll get some pics taken here in just a moment of the stereo.
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Okay, here ya go. I've also got the links to all the parts:
http://www.amazon.com/Bazooka-MA-AIC-AMK-BAZOOKA-Amplifier-Kit/dp/B003DVU3QY (http://www.amazon.com/Bazooka-MA-AIC-AMK-BAZOOKA-Amplifier-Kit/dp/B003DVU3QY) Bazooka amp and remote
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6624516&CatId=5496 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6624516&CatId=5496) Polk marine speakers
http://www.amazon.com/SIRIUS-Stratus-Dock-Play-Radio/dp/B002Q0W81Q (http://www.amazon.com/SIRIUS-Stratus-Dock-Play-Radio/dp/B002Q0W81Q) Sirius Stratus 6 receiver
http://bucksporttouring.com/dash.html (http://bucksporttouring.com/dash.html) Bucks sport touring dash shelf
http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1020 (http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1020) Pelican micro case (I THINK that's the right size one, not 100% on that tho)
http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=436 (http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=436) Fuzeblock FZ-1 power distribution panel
Here's the amp under my seat:
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/Kawasaki%20Concours/IMG_7084.jpg)
Here's were all the electricity comes from, a FZ-1 Fuzeblock
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/Kawasaki%20Concours/IMG_7085.jpg)
Left speaker with remote:
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/Kawasaki%20Concours/IMG_7086.jpg)
Remote:
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/Kawasaki%20Concours/IMG_7087.jpg)
Full view:
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/Kawasaki%20Concours/IMG_7088.jpg)
Sirius mounted in Pelican case, cover flipped open for access to buttons:
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/Kawasaki%20Concours/IMG_7089.jpg)
Cover shut, water resistant, still fully visible (I call it resistant and not waterproof because I did have to drill a hole in the side of the box for the wiring. The hole is in a place where it's no factor unless you were to completely submerge it):
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/Kawasaki%20Concours/IMG_7090.jpg)
Full product:
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x266/gojackets21/Kawasaki%20Concours/IMG_7091.jpg)
Overall the stereo is awesome. The remote is a bit of a stretch to reach, but I couldn't figure out any other better solution. The one thing to note, there's no mute button, just the power button. You can shut it off quickly by simply turning the amp off, but when you turn it back on, the volume will be all the way down. That also happens when you turn the bike off. When you fire it up the next time, the volume will be down quite low. I actually like this "feature" because if I roll in the garage rockin' out to something, the next time I turn the key it won't blast me outta house and home. But if I want to shut it off quickly while on the road, you have to hold down the volume button to get it going again once you turn it back on. I hope that makes sense.
I don't think I can ever have a bike without music again. And satellite radio is perfect because you're never hunting for channels while out in the sticks.
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I like it!. Are your fairing compartments at all functional with the speakers? Or I suppose they just are used as enclosures now, which must help the low end.
I can see having spare doors for when you not needing tunes.
Thanks for posting! I think your 2-way polks are more practical than mine with the separate tweeters.
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There's a little bit of room still in there, but I don't use 'em. I've got all the space I need in the luggage. They're pretty tough to open and close now because part of the hinge was trimmed to make room for 4 inchers. No loss for me though.
I removed the rear wheel to check on the cush drive rubbers to see if that's the cause of my driveline lash. Nope, they're old but still doing their job. Everything's nice and tight back there.
What I did find, while checking the adjustment of my throttle/return cables, is the throttle cable was broken off at the grip. The metal braided wire inside was the only thing holding it together. YIKES! Off to Murphskits I go, thanks for the tip on that, whoever suggested it!
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DarkKnight, it was you that suggested it. Good call. That really would've been bad to have that sucker snap somewhere in WV!!
I just hit Murph up for a set of throttle cables and I went ahead and grabbed rebuild kits for the brake and clutch. Might as well get it all done at once!
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Well after much struggling, cursing, etc, I now have a new throttle and return cable installed. What a pain in the arse that job was. I'm still not totally happy with the way the throttle shuts when you let it go, but it's gonna have to do.
I also rebuilt the master cylinder with the kit that Murph offers, and so far so good. Feels a lot firmer (that's what she said) and I think it's good to go now.
Thanks for all the assistance!!
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That's quite a sound system...no Kikker subwoofer? ;)
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Hahaha, wish I could find the room for it!!!