Author Topic: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars  (Read 6324 times)

Offline stevewfl

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my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« on: December 07, 2014, 05:54:15 PM »
Like every time I drop a bike off with Steve, I pick it up so much better.  This time it was the C14 for a valve job, and tire change, and figure out what Kawi did during a slave cylinder warranty job that trashed my shifting, change plugs, change fluids, bleed the brakes several more things I'll remember after I post.

So many valves needed adjusting, or valves so far out, or a combo of the two where going on, because now the throttle is noticeably more responsive.  Shifted rough after warranty work at Kawi, thats fixed.  Called me about a bad radiator overflow hose, I said sure change it, and the he didn't charge me any more than we had discussed when I dropped it off.

My tires were the first to be done on his crazy nice brand new tire machine and balancer. I tested the tires to OHH SHYTE "within posted limits" on i-75, they passed the no vibration test.

Every time I go there someone is either riding a LONG distance or trailered a bike in from somewhere.  if I saw this phenomenon with any other mechanic I wouldn't understand.  With Steve I totally get it. 

Man wow I couldn't thank him enough, and I certainly left a tip.

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline tomp

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2014, 06:48:37 PM »
Sounds like the bike was well taken care of for you.  Enjoy riding for a long time to  come.  tp
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2014, 05:11:47 AM »
Tell us more about your shifting issue, Steve.
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Offline gPink

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2014, 05:16:43 AM »
Did the almighty kipass fail to protect?

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2014, 05:19:48 AM »
Methinks Stevewfl was shiftless.
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Offline SevenAce

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2014, 06:43:19 AM »
My bike was running just fine when I took it to SteveinSunnyFlorida. Now I have the peace of mind to give 'er hell for another bunch of years! The bike had been so good to me considering how goopy the rear end oil was, how dingy the coolant was, how sludgy the clutch fluid looked and the gritty uselessness of the brake fluid. The air-filter was probably the dirtiest I've ever seen. That could have been as important to service as the valves! 14 of the 16 were adjusted - but even they were 'in spec'. Steve rocks.

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Offline stevewfl

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2014, 07:21:54 AM »
Tell us more about your shifting issue, Steve.

Felt notchy once Kawi messed with it under warranty.  Not "that" bad, ran it for over >50,000 miles like that.  But not as smooth as it was before. They replaced the slave cylinder.  It wasn't anything major either except the clutch would engage "immediately" after letting it out. I mean the second it left the grip.   That was crazy.

As always, KiPass has never ever left me walkin'  ;D
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline stevewfl

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2014, 07:22:56 AM »
My bike was running just fine when I took it to SteveinSunnyFlorida. Now I have the peace of mind to give 'er hell for another bunch of years! The bike had been so good to me considering how goopy the rear end oil was, how dingy the coolant was, how sludgy the clutch fluid looked and the gritty uselessness of the brake fluid. The air-filter was probably the dirtiest I've ever seen. That could have been as important to service as the valves! 14 of the 16 were adjusted - but even they were 'in spec'. Steve rocks.

Yup Steve rocks!  I put a new battery in my FOB just for peace of mind
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline Cold Streak

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2014, 07:39:48 AM »
Quote
It wasn't anything major either except the clutch would engage "immediately" after letting it out. I mean the second it left the grip.

Mine is close to that, but only when it's cold.  I've replaced the fluid and bled it a couple of times with no change.  I assume the new slave cylinder made a big difference?

Offline stevewfl

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2014, 08:02:11 AM »
Mine is close to that, but only when it's cold.  I've replaced the fluid and bled it a couple of times with no change.  I assume the new slave cylinder made a big difference?

yup, it will eliminate it 100%, at least that was the case with mine
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2014, 08:07:09 AM »
So that's what Steve did, he bled it some more?
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Offline gPink

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2014, 08:27:22 AM »
I had the 'moving engagement point' til I changed the fluid and bled the system then went back and drew fluid out of the master right at the piston bleed hole with a mityvac while pumping the lever gently. I think it was a partial blockage in the piston mechanism. All good now. Engagement point back toward the end of the lever throw.

Offline hlh1

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2014, 12:57:55 PM »
I sure wish Steve was closer... 
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #13 on: December 08, 2014, 02:39:32 PM »
I sure wish Steve was closer...

There's a lot of people that ride in and hang out in Florida while he wrenches.  While I was there, an out of state C10 was on one of his  lifts. Steve said "guy trailered it and dropped it off".  That engine was in a million pieces, can;t remember what all steve said was going on with the bike  ;D
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline twowheeladdict

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #14 on: December 08, 2014, 08:16:35 PM »
Where is steve located?
My Concours Travels:
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #15 on: December 08, 2014, 08:26:16 PM »
Where is steve located?

Just North of Tampa, FL
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline twowheeladdict

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #16 on: December 09, 2014, 04:57:09 AM »
Just North of Tampa, FL
Thanks.  Have a niece in Tampa, and BIL in Spring Hill.
My Concours Travels:
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #17 on: December 09, 2014, 07:26:30 AM »
Thanks.  Have a niece in Tampa, and BIL in Spring Hill.

right on, let us know next time you'll be in town!
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

sailor_chic

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Re: my C14 visited "Steve in Sunny Fla"...5 stars
« Reply #18 on: December 09, 2014, 08:34:10 AM »
I'm working in Port of Tampa.