Diary

2001 entries

06/10/02, mileage 22106

Pick up my bike from a warehouse in Los Angeles, after getting it shipped out to the USA. There are some pictures of it coming out of the crate. The battery is dead, so I've bought a new one. Change the oil (put in Motul 300v, synthetic 15w-50 at 25 dollars for 4 litres) and oil filter (part no. 16097-1070). I could do with a socket to fit over the end of the filter, its so small my chain chewed up the old one. Drain the petrol tank and carb float bowls. Squirt some Scottoil down through the carbs to lubricate the bores.

08/10/02, mileage the same

Fit new battery, after charging it over night. The engine starts after some churning (to fill up the carbs), smokes nicely from the oil in the bores, but eventually settles into a regular idle. There's a bit of hesitation on opening the throttle, which may need looking at.

11/10/02

First ride, starting is a little problematical until I pull the clutching to allow the starter to turn, and use the choke to get to start. Ride to Bert's Mega Mall to buy a new chain. Go via Sears to get Dremel to help with tomorrows chain removal. Bert's didn't have a rear sprocket but did have a front one. Luckily the rear sprocket is in better condition than the front one. Plus I'll have trouble chainging the rear sprocket without a stand to let me take the rear wheel out.

It turns out I haven't forgotten how to ride, in my defence the last time I rode was the end of December 2001. The bike is smooth, with delightful handling (pushing it around by hand it feels heavy, awkward and lacking in steering lock). Ninety miles an hour is effortless. The engine gets a little warm on the surface streets, but a quick look at the coolant bottle told me it wasn't filling that up (or if it was it was much).

My cordura riding gear (Heine Geriche Tuareg jacket and matching trousers) is so comfortable I feel rather vulnerable, compared to my stiff and tight fitting leathers. Its well vented which I thought would be too cold for an evening ride, but seemed to work out well.

12/10/02

Work out I'm going to need a stand to lift the back wheel off the ground to change the chain. As I haven't got one I go for a ride instead. Head up the LA Crest highway, stop at Newcombs Ranch for a lemonade.

My motorcycle outside Newcombs, as you can see its still got its UK registration plate. I should get it registered soon. I was surprised to see an MZ Scorpion Sport parked outside.

By the time I get Wrightwood the trip meter is on 105 miles which has had me worried about running out of petrol. Fill the bike up in Wrightwood and empty me. Ride the Crest back home, its seventy miles just to get home, with a maximum altitude of 7,400 feet.

Head to the LA Bikers Newbie Dinner in Marina del Ray, get there in time have a load of fun. Have trouble finding the freeway entrance on the way home, fortunately one the guys at the dinner is heading the same way. So he gives me a hand.

13/10/02

The chain has loosened up nicely. Set the Scottoiler to one drip every 54 seconds. Ride to Santa Monica, pick up the Pacific Coast Highway heading North. Top views fo the Pacific Ocean. I stop at El Pescador beach and wander down to the sea.

Motorcycle and the Pacific Ocean, does it get better than this? Well not having to ride a sport bike on a loose surfaced car park would be nice. :)

Sit on the beach for a bit and say Hello to the Pacific. Take some photographs for a dodgy composite panorama. My Scottiler seems to be eally soaking the chain in oil, so I turn it down some. Looks like I'll have to read the instructions again.

Take the Mulholland Highway back in land. Which is really twisty.

I went from the Mulholland Highway onto Highway 23, which was just as twisty. The views down the valley were quite spectacular.

Some of the houses looked like they came straight out of a Michael Morecock novel. I was expecting the psychadelic defenses to kick in at any moment.

19/10/02

Fit the front right indicator clamp. This consists of two plates (92200-1016 washer, signal lamp and 92200-1520, washer signal lamp) that clamp the rubber mount of the indicator (with the help of 224C0408, screw pan-wp-cross, 4x8). The original survived the crash that ripped the indicator out. But I can't remember where the remains of the old indicator are.

19/10/02, mileage 22,530

Replace the bleed nipples on both of the front brake calipers. The old ones came out ok, but the tops were quite corroded (which is why I was replacing them). Flush some brake fluid (Castrol Dot 4) into both front calipers. The old brake fluid came out the colour of varnish.

Top the radiator off with some water and antifreeze mix I'd put together for the Chevy.

10/11/02, mileage 23,039

Balance the carburettors, using a borrowed Carbtune II (thanks Brian). This doesn't even out the tickover (there's a noticeable beat over the firing of the cylinders). So presumably its either the valves out of adjustment or the carb fuel screws or float bowl height are out (thanks again Brian).

Flush some new fluid into the rear brake. Take the front sprocket cover off and check the size of the front sprocket nut (its 27mm).

28/11/02 Thanksgiving Day ride

Meet up with Kathryn and Francois in the Pantry in downtown Los Angeles for breakfast. Head over to the Rock Store in the Santa Monica Mountains. Kathryn had a pink alien who spent the day with us. The alien's travels can be seen on www.spacebrothers.com with the pictures from today are at world tour/bikers.

At 9:30 am on Thanksgiving Day, the Rock Store was fairly quiet. Although it did get busier and some other folks from the LABiker list joined us for a day riding in the mountains.

At the end of the day we headed over to Cindy's for Thanksgiving. Going via Daryl's to pick up some yams.

30/11/02, mileage 23,657

Fit new chain.