First ride!

swooshdave · May 2, 2012

Of the season...

I drained the rest of the oil from the sump, I had drained a bunch when I put the bike away last fall. Added 3 quarts of 50wt, which was like syrup. Battery was just under 12 volts, I had it on the Battery Tender Jr. but then moved it to a solar charger to keep it topped off. I probably need to keep it on the tender. I threw in about a gallon of gas, gave it a few kicks and it sputtered. A few more kicks and it roared to life. Once warmed up it idled just fine! I thought I was going to have to at least tear down the carbs and clean the pilot jets. Probably a healthy dose of non-ethanol gas has helped. It's got a little ethanol in it now, but the next tank will be filled with the good stuff.

Oregon Norton club meeting is Saturday, I've missed the last couple but the weather is suppose to be spectacular. I'm skipping a vintage trials on Saturday but I want to get some more miles on the Norton. Just the little spin I took this afternoon had the back and arms creaking. I need more riding time in the full crouch, or more pain killers.

If you're over 40 and planning on riding a Proddy... I hope you are limber and maybe even teach yoga. :mrgreen:

DogT · May 2, 2012

You don't know how much motivation it takes to get on these things for me. Ugh. I've been on once this spring, but it's time for real now. Maybe a trip to Sperryville will wring it out for sure. At least it should be above the arm sleep rpms.

Dave
69S

CanukNortonNut · May 2, 2012

Good to see you going.
Keep her cranked. shiney side up. feel the torque.
Life is grand.
CNN

gtsun · May 2, 2012

Ride on Swoosh! Do you spray anything in the cylinder spark plug holes to lube the rings after it's sat a while. I'm about to start my bike for the first time in 6 months. Took me that long to do two weeks work but that's another story. I think I sprayed WD-40 last time, what do you guys do after your bikes have sat a while???

Skyguyz · May 2, 2012

Looks real nice!

Jealous here. Mine is still a few bits away from done. Say, your primary cover could use some of this treatment. (Use OEM inspection covers.)

I know you are looking for an elegant solution. Looks stock, but vents well. Just another idea for ya!

Guido · May 2, 2012

gtsun said:
Ride on Swoosh! Do you spray anything in the cylinder spark plug holes to lube the rings after it's sat a while. I'm about to start my bike for the first time in 6 months. Took me that long to do two weeks work but that's another story. I think I sprayed WD-40 last time, what do you guys do after your bikes have sat a while???

What I have done after it has sat for a long time is do a fluid change and pull the plugs and push or tow the bike in 3rd or 4th gear to get the pump primed and oil to all the parts.
A few hundred feet should do it.

Keith1069 · May 3, 2012

If you're over 40 and planning on riding a Proddy... I hope you are limber and maybe even teach yoga

Thats a good feeling. Not ridden in nearly 20 months but after a bit more 'mechanical' work on foot next week I'm hoping to get back on board this year. Never had a problem with back on mine but its the wrists that kill and that's with me used to it. What I'll be like after so much time off, who knows. Think it will be short and easy rides to build up.

concours · May 3, 2012

Sta-Bil is life..... if you HAVE a life, it saves wasting precious time re-cleaaning carbs. I give it away at Christmas to fend off the time bandits....

gtsun · May 3, 2012

Yes Sta-Bil is a good thing no question. I usually pull a banjo bolt off the head & pump some oil in to lube the rockers etc & I guess a few shots of WD-40 in to lube the rings and cylnders is a good idea?? Of coarse fresh fluids everywhere. I have a oil pressure Gage and the last time I did this I was pleasantly surprized to see the pressure come up instantly. How is life with that fairing swoosh? I haven't put mine on for fear of the reduced turn radious but they do look cool. I actually have front & back turn siganals now for the first time!! Thanks to those who told me about the NAPA modern flasher unit... Happy motoring lady and gents.

Hobot · May 3, 2012

Duh I did case vents in front of the inner cover too but ran a belt I've had grit fray edges till belt came apart, so put gauze like filer element behind the decorative bug screens. I also placed exit vents at low rear of cover with just a grill over the hole as crap can't get in that way. I'm glad others are trying to help swooh present a more finished look to the world for our Commando reputation impressions : (

pete.v · May 3, 2012

If you're not doing 70+ then there's no air to hold you and no real reason to crouch. If you have to worry about your aching back, sore wrists and don't for get the numbing crotch, then you might as well trailer that thing to your meeting, wheeling it off for a few photos and don't forget the for sale sign.

Don't get me wrong, Dave.
I feel that if you don't get comfortable with that bike, it will go away or will sit some more(always drain tank and pull float bowl before storage).

A proddy is all well and good but lets get real, it's not practicle. You will never feel great about it if you have to get off avery 30 minute or less to get feeling back and to stretch out debilitating cramps. Trailer it, sell it, or make some changes so you can enjoy that great motor. I strongly suggest option 3. That way you can take that little girl and wifey for a spin. I have never ridden a bike where riding two up made so little differance in power.

It's your bike, you do what you want.
It probably wouldn't hurt to change that color either. :mrgreen:

swooshdave · May 3, 2012

pvisseriii said:
If you're not doing 70+ then there's no air to hold you and no real reason to crouch. If you have to worry about your aching back, sore wrists and don't for get the numbing crotch, then you might as well trailer that thing to your meeting, wheeling it off for a few photos and don't forget the for sale sign.

Don't get me wrong, Dave.
I feel that if you don't get comfortable with that bike, it will go away or will sit some more(always drain tank and pull float bowl before storage).

A proddy is all well and good but lets get real, it's not practicle. You will never feel great about it if you have to get off avery 30 minute or less to get feeling back and to stretch out debilitating cramps. Trailer it, sell it, or make some changes so you can enjoy that great motor. I strongly suggest option 3. That way you can take that little girl and wifey for a spin. I have never ridden a bike where riding two up made so little differance in power.

It's your bike, you do what you want.
It probably wouldn't hurt to change that color though. :mrgreen:

Luckily you can always turn to pvisseriii for moral support. :roll:

If you recall I have a Roadster tank and seat standing by for that day when I get tired of the racer bike. In the meantime I'm just going to ride and bitch about it. :mrgreen:

And the Roadster will be yellow too. :twisted:

swooshdave · May 3, 2012

Guido said:
gtsun said:

Ride on Swoosh! Do you spray anything in the cylinder spark plug holes to lube the rings after it's sat a while. I'm about to start my bike for the first time in 6 months. Took me that long to do two weeks work but that's another story. I think I sprayed WD-40 last time, what do you guys do after your bikes have sat a while???

Click to expand...

What I have done after it has sat for a long time is do a fluid change and pull the plugs and push or tow the bike in 3rd or 4th gear to get the pump primed and oil to all the parts.
A few hundred feet should do it.

Kicking it over with the ignition off will have the same effect.

swooshdave · May 3, 2012

gtsun said:
Ride on Swoosh! Do you spray anything in the cylinder spark plug holes to lube the rings after it's sat a while. I'm about to start my bike for the first time in 6 months. Took me that long to do two weeks work but that's another story. I think I sprayed WD-40 last time, what do you guys do after your bikes have sat a while???

Didn't think of that. After six months I'm probably not worried. If it had been six years...

swooshdave · May 3, 2012

concours said:
Sta-Bil is life..... if you HAVE a life, it saves wasting precious time re-cleaaning carbs. I give it away at Christmas to fend off the time bandits....

When I put it away I shut the taps off and run the engine until it quits. That should get most of the gas out of the carbs. And then I drained the tank.

DogT · May 3, 2012

I agree with SD, ride it and whine. I figure it helps keep what's left of my mind and aching bones going. I'll ride it until it's just not viable. Then maybe I'll put it in the living room. But I'm not using those rear sets.

If I'm not riding for 6 months, I pull the fuel lines, drain the tank, and the avgas evaporates in about a day. It doesn't seem to clog up the pilot.

Dave
69S

pete.v · May 3, 2012

swooshdave said:
Luckily you can always turn to pvisseriii for moral support. :roll:

Sorry, It just seem oxymoronic to ride a Norton knowing that its going to hurt. I have never had a more comfortable ride.

Yellow is OK (not) ,it's just my fun

Mark · May 3, 2012

It looks like the wrong style of bike for comfortable riding to me.
that thing is set up to tuck in and go fast.

clip ons and rear sets are equivalent to being put on a torture machine for me.
(the ol' back and wrists just can't take it anymore).

It sure is a good looking bike - form over function - but I'd rather have one I enjoy riding
than one that was just cool to look at.

swooshdave · May 3, 2012

Mark said:
It looks like the wrong style of bike for comfortable riding to me.
that thing is set up to tuck in and go fast.

clip ons and rear sets are equivalent to being put on a torture machine for me.
(the ol' back and wrists just can't take it anymore).

It sure is a good looking bike - form over function - but I'd rather have one I enjoy riding
than one that was just cool to look at.

Thats the interesting part, so far since I've had the fairing and clipons i haven't been able to take it out for a real ride, just low speed stuff around the neighborhood. Which isn't what this bike is good for.

I should be able to let it stretch this weekend.

B+Bogus · May 4, 2012

Swoosh,

Stay with it ;o)
I'm building a Proddy Racer because my MkII is a real pain in the a*** at motorway speeds, and the bike is more than happy to lug along at 80+
My Ducati (same position as the PR) is the most comfortable bike I've had for long distances by far - there's just enough draught comes over the bubble to keep the arms light (as already reported), and with the weight being spread out it's easy to move around if I'm feeling sporty. I generally do by the time I've noticed it sounds best above 5k :mrgreen:
I get chronic back ache sitting bolt upright, but leaning forwards with the arms taking some weight it's far better, especially for longer rides.
At town speeds - an utter pig!
So it's no town bike... :roll: not to worry, eh?

First ride!

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