What'd you do for your Connie today?

[voileauciel]

Had my first set of Avons installed today: 110/80-18 Storm 2 Ultra on the front and an Azaro rear. These really are all they're cracked up to be, but they also give the bike terrible headshake at ~40mph.

Looks like I'll be adjusting the steering head bearings this week...

[Outback_Jon]

I rode the hell out of my Conc today.  And yesterday.  And the day before.   

I did replace my driving light switch yesterday.  The knob had vibrated off somewhere in VT when I went up to the National for the Meet & Greet.  I figure it has washed out into the Atlantic Ocean by now.

I was going to do an oil change, but after getting off the bike after 220+ miles today, I decided I didn't want to go out and wrench on it.  I'll probably get it done tomorrow.

[tbunder]

Had my first set of Avons installed today: 110/80-18 Storm 2 Ultra on the front and an Azaro rear. These really are all they're cracked up to be, but they also give the bike terrible headshake at ~40mph.

Looks like I'll be adjusting the steering head bearings this week...

every time I read the Avon headshake claim I ask myself what one expects when they install a different sized tire on the oem rim than what Kawasaki installed and recommends for the rim, and expect it to be rock solid. it's a skinnier, taller tire so it's naturally gonna be more squirrely.

[T Cro ®]

every time I read the Avon headshake claim I ask myself what one expects when they install a different sized tire on the oem rim than what Kawasaki installed and recommends for the rim, and expect it to be rock solid. it's a skinnier, taller tire so it's naturally gonna be more squirrely.

Sorry to burst your bubble here but you are wrong in thinking that the "skinny" tire is the culprit with Avons and headshake as the Concours will headshake with any brand of tire......

The Dunlop K series 120/70-18 as used on the Concours was special made to fit the 3.0" rim and in fact only measures out at under 111.0 mm whereas when a 110/80 is mounted on the 3.0" rim it is in fact is just as wide if not a tad wider than the special made 120 is.

To which it is at best only 3 to 7 mm taller than the stocker and as those who have run other than stock sized tires on the Concours a taller front tire can be even more stable than a shorter one.

Given the info at hand when researched one will find that the 110/80 is a better choice than the 120/70 is simply due to rim width; you will not find a single tire maker that list the 3.0" as the prefered rim width other than Dunlop for the K series tire only.

[CRocker]

Got her all put back together (plastic, that is) after finding my oil leak and fixing it...Thanks to all those who have shared their knowledge on this forum!   Then went on a nice 120 mile ride in the mountains...on my way back down the mountain I was thinking about how much I love riding this bike when I was jolted back to reality...oncoming traffic flashing headlights...emergency traffic control by a guy in a reflective vest...orange cones restricting my lane...and, around the corner...the slew of emergency vehicles and EMTs working on the CBR rider...looks like he was coming up the canyon and low-sided in a 25mph right-hand corner...slid across the oncoming lane...and hit the armco pretty hard...I have to say...it didn't look good.

Anyway, I got back home just before dark...safe and sound.

My prayers go out to that young man, and his family...

[voileauciel]

Tightened up the steering head bearings, no more wobble. Only took me 40k miles to finally fix that...

[DannyL]

Had my first set of Avons installed today: 110/80-18 Storm 2 Ultra on the front and an Azaro rear. These really are all they're cracked up to be, but they also give the bike terrible headshake at ~40mph.

Looks like I'll be adjusting the steering head bearings this week...

I hope they are too. I ordered mine today despite the parts guy pushing for the Pilot 2's he had real cheap, I passed based on the advice I read here.....

[ManWorkinghere]

• put on fleece top under all three layers of jacket/liner for the first time this season.  Departure temp 41F.  Winter gloves too (but I did not use the Heated Grips)
• need to replace bulb in headlight as High beam burned out. Spare bulb in car, not bike. 
• like the variable resistor mod on gas gauge. Replaced fixed 220 resistor two weeks ago. Now the needle hits E when Reserve needed.  Took 5 1/4 turns
• listened to iPod music on way to work.  Blondie, Eurythmics, Enya, Moody Blues, etc.  Need to find new audiobook from Audible.com
• waved to 6 riders, 3 responses, on I-94 going to work.  Fewer cycles in number riding in the colder weather.

[bouts]

Got it safetied, registered and insured in Alberta!  $393 a year for insurance here, vice $1600 in Manitoba!!  It passed the safety, no issues of course!

[Daytona_Mike]

Got it safetied, registered and insured in Alberta!  $393 a year for insurance here, vice $1600 in Manitoba!!  It passed the safety, no issues of course!

Wow, that is expensive. We are not required to have insurance  if we wear a helmet. I did buy medical and  PLPD anyway. It is $75 a year.

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

Some big work on Shoodaben -
New Avon Storm front tire 110/80-18;
New Michelin PR3 rear tire170/60-17;
New 320mm Wave rotors;
New Murph dual headlight;
New fork gaiters;
Flush and refill fork oil;
Clean and repack steering stem bearings;
Clean and grease 4 wheel bearings;
Clean and grease speedo cable and drive;
Install rear brake pads;
Replace a dead bulb in the instrument cluster;
Change final drive oil;
Replace busted driveshaft coupler oring;
Replace front motor mount bolts to grade 8 bolts;
lots of cleaning!

I also designed a rubber isolated handlebar mount system, I'm waiting for it to come from the machine shop now. Hope to give it a test ride going to Barber Motorsports next month - Steve
 

[Uglydog56]

Got rid of the crappy roadsmart on the front of my bike and shoehorned on the PR3.  I currently have a pr3 front and pr2 rear.  I needed a rear really really bad mid-trip and the local shop had the pr2 in stock.  These tires are amazazing.  With the luggage off and the suspension set on angry, this bike is about the best handling bike I've ever sat on.  I nudge the handlebars and it falls to just the right lean in the corner, and if I need a little more she just does it instinctively, and never tries to fall over, just steers around the pothole/slow car.

for tbunder, the 110/80 avon roadrider I was running on the stock front end measured 116mm.  Those numbers on the side are just a size like shoes - some run big, some run small.

[bouts]

Did some routine maintenance, then went on a 365 km ride, through small back roads, tree lined secondary roads, fast 4 lane highways, and back to the residence!  The best things to do to my 'Connie!!!!

[anycleavers]

Some big work on Shoodaben -
New Avon Storm front tire 110/80-18;
New Michelin PR3 rear tire170/60-17;
New 320mm Wave rotors;
New Murph dual headlight;
New fork gaiters;
Flush and refill fork oil;
Clean and repack steering stem bearings;
Clean and grease 4 wheel bearings;
Clean and grease speedo cable and drive;
Install rear brake pads;
Replace a dead bulb in the instrument cluster;
Change final drive oil;
Replace busted driveshaft coupler oring;
Replace front motor mount bolts to grade 8 bolts;
lots of cleaning!

       

Here I was patting myself on the back for getting my brake fluid changed. I wish I had a tenth of the knowledge that some of you guys possess.

[Ron Dawg]

"Here I was patting myself on the back for getting my brake fluid changed. I wish I had a tenth of the knowledge that some of you guys possess."

I KNOW that's right       

[T Cro ®]

       

Here I was patting myself on the back for getting my brake fluid changed. I wish I had a tenth of the knowledge that some of you guys possess.

Steve's got some guy named Bubba workin in his shop dat he gets to do all his flunky work! 

[Caffeinated]

New battery yesterday, and rode it to work today.  It was looking lonely and dejected when I would leave on the C14, so I brightened it's spirits.

[co11ins]

Yesterday around trip of about 500miles, northern France. Visited a few ww11 museums then home

[Silver Connie]

i highsided her.  oily road put on the brake, rear end came around...you know the rest.  it was all low speed. bikes banged up good on the right, i just got a skinned knee and ego. didnt even realize the brake was in a lock in that oil, i actually thought the back brake didnt work at all and eased on the front and thats when the back end came around low then caught and flipped. i just got her lined out, looks like i got some more work ahead of me.

[RFH87_Connie]

Ouch!  Good thing you're alright.