Gas powered bikes?

Replaced timing belts yesterday. I used an audio spectrum analyzer app on my phone to the set the tension. You pluck the belt like a guitar string and read the frequency, aiming for 110hz. The 11 year old factory, never-even-looked-at belts were loose but I didn't test them with the app. It's a good think the bike is so ridiculously fast I rarely go over 8000rpm, nevermind to the 11k redline or whatever it is.

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The top is the instant reading, the bottom is a 'waterfall', showing the reading over time. We have the same thing at work for radios.

Fresh belt installed:

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Cross Country Ducati in Metuchen is a big on-line parts distributor. I put an order together of a bunch of random stuff I wanted to replace, expecting to just drive up on Saturday and pick it up. No. That's not how it works in year 3 After COVID. It took 24hrs just to get an email that they received my order with a note to expect it ready in 5-7 days unless they need to order something. What the hell people? You're all supposed to be back on your couches. And it's February. You call the dealer at the last minute on the first nice weekend!

Oh, also flipped the shift linkage to 1up, 5 down, as it should be. I would have done it on day 1 but I didn't think there was room for the linkage.

While I'm typing away, Ducati valvetrains are unique. They are Desmodromic, which means they are actively opened and closed, rather than relying on spring pressure alone for closing. Back in the day, with older spring metallurgy, I think this gave Ducati an RPM advantage. I have no idea if there's an advantage any more or if it's just become one of those things, like 911s with the engine in a stupid location. "Unique" is a synonym for "aggravating" in this context. The clearances have to be set with precision ground shims. As much as I don't want to, my next step is to check the valve clearances.
 
Took the 83 GS850 out to keep the carbs clear. Nice day for a ride just ran to the library and back wish I had more time.
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BDR conversely I have heard "you can do it on a Goldwing" I do not know if my information is good or perhaps very evil...

I would be very interested in joining for some of this. KTM 690 ready for hardcore "adventure" (that means driving motorcycles into trees, among other things)
 
the schwartz said:
Took the 83 GS850 out to keep the carbs clear. Nice day for a ride just ran to the library and back wish I had more time.
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BDR conversely I have heard "you can do it on a Goldwing" I do not know if my information is good or perhaps very evil...

I would be very interested in joining for some of this. KTM 690 ready for hardcore "adventure" (that means driving motorcycles into trees, among other things)
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There always will be someone to say something like that 🙂 "you don't need full suspension", "you can do it on a rigid"... Can you? Almost definitely. Should you, though?
 
N+1 applies to everything with two wheels.

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I've been after a 401 Svartpilen for a bash-around-town bike and visited the tiny Husqvarna shop in Eatontown (walking distance from @ChrisG ). The guy is completely below the radar. He doesn't advertise at all as far as I can tell. He just got in two 401s that he hadn't built yet so I stopped by. We got to chatting and he mentioned that he had a lightly crashed '20 701 Vitpilen (Vitpilen=cafe style, Svartpilen=scramber style) with 1300 miles in the shop. $3800 estimate to repair. The owner was moving and asked if he wanted to buy it. He didn't. Turns out I did.

He managed to crash it in a way that tore the footpeg bracket and sidestand right off the bike without so much as a scratch on the radiator and only a few light scratches on the tank cover. Clutch master cylinder is trashed. About $2000 in parts should make it perfect as long as I don't find any scary surprises. Started right up after I charged the battery.

Putting the Ducati back together too. Didn't need to change any valve shims this time but a few were pretty close. Phew!
 
I’ve actually been aware of that Husky shop for a while now. Another friend had picked up (and flipped) a plateable enduro bike from that guy a few years ago, and made me aware of the place.

That 701 looks super interesting. I’ve never seen one before this.

So far, I’ve been able resist the moto itch without too much difficulty, but it’s always there...
 
ChrisG said:
I’ve actually been aware of that Husky shop for a while now.
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Owner is a funny guy. Some of the Google reviews made him sound like an a-hole but I think he just doesn't suffer fools and is not in the business of holding hands. We got along fine once he binned me in the non-idiot bucket (barely, presumably).

That 701 looks super interesting. I’ve never seen one before this.
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It's pretty cool. It's a KTM underneath the funky bodywork. 693cc KTM single. 75hp/360ish lbs. Should wheelie for days. Me...not so much.

All the modern stuff. ABS, traction control, wheelie control (that is, it prevents wheelies, sadly), slipper clutch. The only thing it doesn't have is lean-angle aware ABS, which is the latest hotness. And yes, I pitched the bike to my wife based on safety. 🙂

They sold terribly in the US. Originally $11.5k, then $9.5k. No longer imported.
 
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