Stifler's Mom
- Thread starter 4eyes
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JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Excellent, sir!
cyclefreak
Over 1,000 Posts
Glad to hear you finally got the registration mess worked out with her.
CresentSon
Over 1,000 Posts
In celebration of getting the power steering on Mom's GRAND MArquis fixed (the third times the charm), I took SM out for a run on the new tires. This was the first time since having them mounted, not counting using my buddy as a crash-test-dummy. 
After taking the scenic route to the edge of town, and letting the old girl warm up slowly, plus giving me a chance to make sure all systems were working properly after my mucking about. We headed out on the four-lane for a high speed (relatively ) run. She pulled strong up to around 85 indicated, and as I checked my mirror to make sure I wasn't about to get flattened by a WALMART or TYSON chicken truck, I noticed a significant smoke-screen protecting my six. Being a bit startled by the increase in smoke relative to what is produced just bopping-around town, I pulled onto a seldom-used two lane that lead back toward home.
Of course now all senses are on high alert, and paranoia is also high. I notice the bike is doing the hootchie-coochie under me as we trundle along at a sedate 55mph, as I start shuffling through my mental Rolodex of shit I coulda left loose or that coulda busted, I noticed rain grooves cut in the blacktop. :-[ Whew one thing not to worry about.
The bike ran strong as we made our way back home at a normal pace, but after I stopped and let it idle on the driveway I heard a bit of a grinding noise among the usual cacophony of two stroke sounds. ???
After the run, the temperature outside dropped 30 degrees in three hours and it started snowing last night around 10, so I haven't checked anything yet. Any suggestions, or is it just my imagination. :-\
Since this is my first two-smoke, do they all smoke like a freight train at highway speeds?
After taking the scenic route to the edge of town, and letting the old girl warm up slowly, plus giving me a chance to make sure all systems were working properly after my mucking about. We headed out on the four-lane for a high speed (relatively
) run. She pulled strong up to around 85 indicated, and as I checked my mirror to make sure I wasn't about to get flattened by a WALMART or TYSON chicken truck, I noticed a significant smoke-screen protecting my six. Being a bit startled by the increase in smoke relative to what is produced just bopping-around town, I pulled onto a seldom-used two lane that lead back toward home.Of course now all senses are on high alert, and paranoia is also high. I notice the bike is doing the hootchie-coochie under me as we trundle along at a sedate 55mph, as I start shuffling through my mental Rolodex of shit I coulda left loose or that coulda busted, I noticed rain grooves cut in the blacktop. :-[ Whew one thing not to worry about.
The bike ran strong as we made our way back home at a normal pace, but after I stopped and let it idle on the driveway I heard a bit of a grinding noise among the usual cacophony of two stroke sounds. ???
After the run, the temperature outside dropped 30 degrees in three hours and it started snowing last night around 10, so I haven't checked anything yet. Any suggestions, or is it just my imagination. :-\
Since this is my first two-smoke, do they all smoke like a freight train at highway speeds?
While the tires were being mounted, I pulled a spark-plug, more out of boredom than curiosity. It was a bit carboned-up, but I figured that was just from putting about town because I didn't trust my tires.
Up to now my two-stroke, mechanical experience has been on chainsaws and weed-eaters. And so long as they started easy and ran, I didn't care how much they smoked.
This bike has a bit of a learning curve for me, but that is one of the reasons I bought it. I missed out on the two-strokes back in the day, because I rode four-stroke enduros and CBs. :-[
Up to now my two-stroke, mechanical experience has been on chainsaws and weed-eaters. And so long as they started easy and ran, I didn't care how much they smoked.
This bike has a bit of a learning curve for me, but that is one of the reasons I bought it.
I missed out on the two-strokes back in the day, because I rode four-stroke enduros and CBs. :-[
I've got plans to do just that tomorrow.
The high tomorrow is supposed to be around 60, so I'll be in the garage.
The grinding noise has me more worried than the smoke. And it did idle well after the last ride, so I'm hoping there is no seal problems.
When I bought it, I was told it had fresh bearings and seals on a fresh rebuild. But that and a couple of bucks can get you a cup of coffee. :
The high tomorrow is supposed to be around 60, so I'll be in the garage.
The grinding noise has me more worried than the smoke. And it did idle well after the last ride, so I'm hoping there is no seal problems.
When I bought it, I was told it had fresh bearings and seals on a fresh rebuild. But that and a couple of bucks can get you a cup of coffee. :
Apparently I'm just a worry-wart. : I rode the bike around town today and everything worked fine. I checked the oil level in the gear-box, and it was still full (and clean). The new tires are holding air fine. I found that, the only reason for the dragging front brake, was the worn out cable. So new cables are definitely on the "wish list" with brake shoes and clutch-pack.
The grindy noise was non-evident today, so it may have just been the worn-out clutch complaining after the hard ride.
I love the new tires!
The front must be filled with helium, because it tried to float away today. 8)
The old girl was really in fine form this afternoon. I visited one riding buddy who is building two DT 250s, and is almost ready to get them (well one) back on the road. My old racing buddy is having electrical issues with his GS 1000, but it is looking bitchin' with drag bars, pod filters, and a period original Dunstal fairing. He has an LED tail-light and signals on it.
This was the first time he has seen Stiflers Mom since we brought her back from Barber, and he was pretty impressed. 8)
We touched-base on the aluminum tank and seat I have planned, his welder is ready and he is practiced-up on welding aluminum. So I need to get my ass busy bending-up some aluminum sheet. The paper dollies have already started being manufactured.
I cant wait for summer!
I rode the bike around town today and everything worked fine. I checked the oil level in the gear-box, and it was still full (and clean). The new tires are holding air fine. I found that, the only reason for the dragging front brake, was the worn out cable. So new cables are definitely on the "wish list" with brake shoes and clutch-pack.The grindy noise was non-evident today, so it may have just been the worn-out clutch complaining after the hard ride.
I love the new tires!
The front must be filled with helium, because it tried to float away today. 8)
The old girl was really in fine form this afternoon. I visited one riding buddy who is building two DT 250s, and is almost ready to get them (well one) back on the road.
My old racing buddy is having electrical issues with his GS 1000, but it is looking bitchin' with drag bars, pod filters, and a period original Dunstal fairing. He has an LED tail-light and signals on it.This was the first time he has seen Stiflers Mom since we brought her back from Barber, and he was pretty impressed. 8)
We touched-base on the aluminum tank and seat I have planned, his welder is ready and he is practiced-up on welding aluminum. So I need to get my ass busy bending-up some aluminum sheet. The paper dollies have already started being manufactured.
I cant wait for summer!
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Good to hear, my man.
Those of you who are fans of Jennifer Coolidge, the actress who played "Stiflers Mom" in the "American Pie" series of movies, may be interested in watching "The Mini-Skirt Mob". I watched it last night on Netflix, and the voice, of one of the late teens early twenties actresses, sounded VERY familiar. 8)
She looked GOOD as a redhead.
As for the bike, I finally ordered the brake and clutch cables, along with a stainless allen head bolt set for the engine today. :-[
After a quick once-over checking air pressure, oil levels etc. this afternoon, the old girl fired on the third kick. I let it warm up and then shut it down. After dark I started it back up, and went for a tour of the neighborhood. She started second kick. The main reason I waited until after dark was to see how the headlight mod worked. High-beam was aimed properly (what were the odds) and had good projection, low-beam put out a good volume of light and was very diffused, with a wide bright patch twenty feet in front of the bike.
Other than the sand and pea-gravel lining the road (and scattered through the turns) everything went well.
She looked GOOD as a redhead.
As for the bike, I finally ordered the brake and clutch cables, along with a stainless allen head bolt set for the engine today. :-[
After a quick once-over checking air pressure, oil levels etc. this afternoon, the old girl fired on the third kick. I let it warm up and then shut it down. After dark I started it back up, and went for a tour of the neighborhood. She started second kick. The main reason I waited until after dark was to see how the headlight mod worked. High-beam was aimed properly (what were the odds)
and had good projection, low-beam put out a good volume of light and was very diffused, with a wide bright patch twenty feet in front of the bike.Other than the sand and pea-gravel lining the road (and scattered through the turns
) everything went well.
I had a good day in the garage yesterday. Replaced the old, cracked, skanky, sticking, grey brake and clutch cables , with shiny, slick, smooth, new BLACK cables. 8)
I debated pulling the tank off again, then said screw-it and just duct-taped the end of the new clutch cable to the end of the old one, and snaked it through.
Then I spent three hours beating on the pre-stripped case-cover screws, and replacing them with stainless Allen-head bolts. Thank God for impact drivers with the correct drive bit.
I did take the opportunity to clean the inside of the left cover. The chain had a good deposit of oil and dirt built up. Nothing a toothbrush and diesel wouldn't remove.
I debated pulling the tank off again, then said screw-it and just duct-taped the end of the new clutch cable to the end of the old one, and snaked it through.
Then I spent three hours beating on the pre-stripped case-cover screws, and replacing them with stainless Allen-head bolts. Thank God for impact drivers with the correct drive bit.
I did take the opportunity to clean the inside of the left cover. The chain had a good deposit of oil and dirt built up. Nothing a toothbrush and diesel wouldn't remove.
No new parts added, but we are due an update so here goes.
The combination of new pivots in the levers and new cables, has made a major improvement in the shifting and braking on this bike. It went from feeling like a 40 year old beater, to almost telepathic. 8)
I am also very pleased with my tire choice. Before I had to maintain pressure on the bars to keep the bike leaned over mid corner, not very confidence inspiring. Now the bike falls into corners, making it easy to hit an apex, and begging for me to get on the throttle earlier and brake later.
On a recent 45 mile loop of my favorite twisties, I was amazed that anything even remotely close to the speed limit (double the "recommended speed" posted at the turn) is zero drama, and totally stable. ;D
I'm now convinced that it is in good condition for some dependable riding. As dependable as a 40 year old bike can be.
So now I can start buying parts to make it faster and less dependable.
I have been debating with myself, just how stupid I want to go with the engine in this bike. And I think I have come to the conclusion that I will keep this engine fairly stock (just add expansion chambers and improve the air filters), and build a RD350 evil-mutant-conglomeration engine complete with carbs and all. So I can swap the civilized one back in when I have a catastrophic failure while having stupid-fun. ;D
Plus I can have the rest of the bike modified first, so I can make the most of the new motor when it's finished.
As for the temporary lull in modifications, I found something more important to spend my bike money on.....
?!!!?
Kelly mentioned wanting to learn to ride when we were in Barber, but I kinda blew-it-off. : I figured that she was just caught-up in the atmosphere of the event.
Well Wednesday she asked if I would go help her pick out some gear this weekend, and give her MSF BRC class for Mothers day!
So today we went to Cycle Gear in Tulsa OK, the closest place to try on a variety of gear around here. She bought a new lid, gloves, boots, and tried on and selected jackets and pants for purchase next month. 8)
All on her dime!!!
How cool is it to have a wife buy bike-stuff? ;D
So I "invested my parts-cash stash on the BRC in June. 8)
Back to saving. :
The combination of new pivots in the levers and new cables, has made a major improvement in the shifting and braking on this bike. It went from feeling like a 40 year old beater, to almost telepathic. 8)
I am also very pleased with my tire choice. Before I had to maintain pressure on the bars to keep the bike leaned over mid corner, not very confidence inspiring. Now the bike falls into corners, making it easy to hit an apex, and begging for me to get on the throttle earlier and brake later.
On a recent 45 mile loop of my favorite twisties, I was amazed that anything even remotely close to the speed limit (double the "recommended speed" posted at the turn) is zero drama, and totally stable. ;D
I'm now convinced that it is in good condition for some dependable riding. As dependable as a 40 year old bike can be.
So now I can start buying parts to make it faster and less dependable.
I have been debating with myself, just how stupid I want to go with the engine in this bike. And I think I have come to the conclusion that I will keep this engine fairly stock (just add expansion chambers and improve the air filters), and build a RD350 evil-mutant-conglomeration engine complete with carbs and all. So I can swap the civilized one back in when I have a catastrophic failure while having stupid-fun. ;D
Plus I can have the rest of the bike modified first, so I can make the most of the new motor when it's finished.
As for the temporary lull in modifications, I found something more important to spend my bike money on.....
?!!!? Kelly mentioned wanting to learn to ride when we were in Barber, but I kinda blew-it-off. :
I figured that she was just caught-up in the atmosphere of the event. Well Wednesday she asked if I would go help her pick out some gear this weekend, and give her MSF BRC class for Mothers day!
So today we went to Cycle Gear in Tulsa OK, the closest place to try on a variety of gear around here. She bought a new lid, gloves, boots, and tried on and selected jackets and pants for purchase next month. 8)
All on her dime!!!
How cool is it to have a wife buy bike-stuff? ;D
So I "invested my parts-cash stash on the BRC in June. 8)
Back to saving. :
In prepping for the riding season, I switched gear-oil to Motul Expert. It made a huge difference, the bike no longer lurches after being started in neutral and put in gear, with the clutch pulled. And shifts are almost telepathic. 8)
Just got off the phone with the DMV, the year is up for my Bonded Title, a new title is in the mail. ;D
Just got off the phone with the DMV, the year is up for my Bonded Title, a new title is in the mail. ;D
