More upgrades on the R90

I did the final upgrade on the R90 before the summer road trip today. I got the brakes upgraded from a single sided disc to a dual disc. Basically, I gained 30% more stopping power and dropped about 60% of the hand pressure required for stopping. While we had the front end apart, we went ahead and put a set of anti-dive springs in the forks. These help control the way the forks compress during heavy braking. While we had everything torn apart, we also put in stainless steel braided brake lines and new fork seals.

I can tell a big difference with the new setup. Before, I had a whole lot of "go fast" but very little stop. Now, I can reel in the speed much more comfortably. I don't feel like I am breaking walnuts just squeezing the brake lever. Since there is a disc on each side of the wheel now, I don't get any lateral torque when I grab a handful of brake. It is very even and tends to run straight, instead of drifting left. The brakes also feel like they recover faster than they did before. The new suspension setup in front is also very nice. I can grab some front brake to start my weight transfer going into a corner, and it feels much smoother.

Now it is time to finish off the suspension update on Kel's bike. We got her heavy duty progressive shocks on the back, and the new progressive fork springs for her forks have come in. Now it is just a matter of installing them.

TTFN

Dave

GRRRR.....Wanna go somewhere.....

Anywhere....Just go. I just got done with the 2k service on the R90, and took it around the block. The thing that I find on the bike is that when you get more than one days ride from home, you develop an instant sense of clarity. That is the moment you realize that the only thing that really matters is getting back home alive. Work stress, friend stress, any stress, is just not significant any more when you are on a bike in the middle of nowhere. My running joke is that a motorcycle is a machine to transform gasoline into perspective.

The problem you run into when you spend a lot of time traveling on the bike, is that when you get home you start thinking about the next trip. Right now all I can think about is my next trip. I am planning a big "Go away" this summer. I have not decided whether I want to do the Dixie overland East (US80 from Dallas, TX to Savannah, GA) or a Border to Border loop (Del Rio, TX to Canada). I guess it will depend on whether or not Gary can go with me. He has finally retired from the Army (27 years). I am planning 2 weeks in July for the trip, so I have time to decide. I know I can't wait that long for a trip, so I will probably eat a long weekend or two in between depending on what the weather and work will allow. Right now all I know is that I want to go somewhere.....anywhere.

Cold, windy, wet, and on two......

The forecast calls for 20 MPH winds, chance for rain, and 42 degree weather. This is called payback weather. For people who ride in Texas and gripe about the heat. I always tell rookies to enjoy the 100 degree days because when (if) winter comes in, you will miss the heat. I am sitting in the garage next to a loaded bike, listening to the wind blow outside, and all I can think of is how nice it will be to be knees in the breeze even if it is below freezing.

For anybody that wants to check my math...... 42 degrees + 65 MPH = 27 degrees WCF.

http://observe.arc.nasa.gov/nasa/earth/wind_chill/chill_wcscript.html

I think Kel has the best observation for my particular outlook on these things... "It is just different for you, you're stupid"

on that note, I will go to bed and dream of a vibrating lawn chair.

TTFN

Dave