The odo was now at 990 miles total. It was time to celebrate the end of the official break-in period with a nice cruise through the city at twilight. You know the feeling, the sun is setting, the day is getting cooler, a slight breeze is blowing, and the city lights are starting to really sparkle.

I slipped on my gear and toured out to Ybor using the back roads to get there. 7th avenue is all lights so I was in 1st most of the time, which, is okay.

Take in the scenery and practice using the clutch. U-turn back down through Channelside, cruise past the ocean for a couple miles.

Sweetness!

On the way back home I came upon another rider who tailed me until we got to the expressway.

Yeah! I think I'm really starting to enjoy it now.

The place: Rad's Cycle
The time: 8pm, every Wednesday
The Destination: Quaker Steak & Lube, St. Pete.

While I was in the shop, waiting on my gear assembly to get fixed, one of the mechanic's girlfriend told me that they have a meetup every Wednesday evening to go riding out to Bike Night in St. Pete. So, I showed up Wednesday evening.

Sure enough there were other riders there. Three/four girl riders, about seven or eight other guys + me. Pretty good group. Some stunters, especially one of the girls (she was a maniac). And, of course, I was the newest rider there.

There is nothing much more that I can say except that once we got on the expressway, the pace was too fast for me. I stayed with them for about 8 miles through light traffic, but that was it.

I bailed and headed back home. That was it for me. I rode the expressway all the way home, pretty comfortable ride. The lights on the ZZR are nice too.

It was an excellent experience while it lasted though. So, maybe another time.

Oh, there is no question this time. It was broken!

Remember that rear wheel I removed and carried to the dealer? Well, when I got it back, the mechanic took the spacer from between the gear hub bearing and the wheel bearing and placed it on the outside. of the gear hub bearing.

So, when I got it back and saw that piece, I looked at it and said; "That wasn't there before. It must be something he had used to balance the wheel and forgot to take off."

Oh the pain that little misguided answer caused me.

I put the wheel in place, slid the axle through, and started tightening up the nut. Looking at the manual it states "92 lbs/ft" of torque to tighten it. I have my torque wrench set, I tighten down, it looks good (well, except for the fact that the castle nut seems to be a little too for down on the thread away from the cotter pin hole - hey I didn't make the rules). Before, putting in the cotter pin I rest my hand on the tire, you know, just to give it that gentle turn of love.

&%$#@!. What the *&%$#!

The wheel isn't turning.

You have got to be f*&%$# kidding me. I used the proper torque and everything, how could this happen. I loosened the nut it spun. I tightened it up again it wouldn't. I took the axle out, looked at everything, everything seems to be in place. Put it back together again, same result.

I did this about three times.

On all those times putting it back together, I noticed there was a spacer flopping about inside the hub of the rim. And then it occurred to me,... Nah! That couldn't be it. I looked over at that "extra piece" of metal that the mechanic left on the wrong side of my gear hub. I picked it up and placed it on the inside of the gear hub bearing. Perfect fit. And,... it was the perfect size for the space between the gear hub bearing and the wheel bearing.

You have got to be kidding me. I placed my fingers inside the gear hub bearing to confirm my fears. Yes, the bearing was now shot because I had literally tried to force the inner race out by torquing down on it.

Bearings shot, brand new bike, only 600+ miles. I am all kinds of pissed off now!

I carried the rear sprocket assembly back out to the service dept, and told the guy at the counter there the story. He didn't even know where to start, how long or how much it would cost (well he wasn't a mechanic, he just works at the desk). Luckily, (and as the guy said, it was just the blessing of him being there) there was a fellow rider there that said he knew a shop just around the corner that does a lot of the work on his bike that could more than likely replace the bearing for me in about 5 minutes.

Dude! Hook me up!

He gave me the directions and the mechanic shop's business card and I was OUT!!!

When I got there the shop was actually closed. But the owner was so cool he let me in anyway and took a look at the gear. If you're in the area and need a shop for repairs, tires, parts, etc., go to Rad's Cycles they'll take care of you.

Rad was back there beating on the bearing for I don't know how long trying to get it out of the hub (which scared me). It then got really silent. He reappeared after a while with another hub from a 636 that he said I could have for $20. Sweet!

I grabbed it and, I was OUT!!!

Got back, switched the sprocket onto the new/old hub, slapped it into the wheel, mounted the wheel, adjusted the alignment, torqued down the axle nut, secured it with the cotter pin and I was done.

Runs great!

My first wheel maintenance, and a broken bearing. Live and learn.



Rad's Cycle
9637 Palm River Road
Tampa, FL 33619
813-514-8775
radscycle@aol.com

http://www.myspace.com/radscycle

Another puncture! This time it's a staple. I'm gonna try my best to just ride on the car tire part of the road, and more to the middle of the road instead of the edges and see if that helps. It really sucks to have to think about something else while riding, but in a way that's where I really should be riding anyway for the most part.

Picked up the staple on Friday. Found it on Saturday (during pre-ride check). Plugged it and did practice for an hour. Removed the wheel (another first, this means I have to put it back on myself. Drat!) and carried it to the dealer on Monday. Picked it back up at lunch time.

Had to take my bike in for the first maintenance (600 miles). What do they do? Basically not too much. But, since I already bought the maintenance package, it's good to go out there and feel what it's like to ride to the dealer, and wait for your bike to come back to you. An experience nonetheless.

I had to go out there anyway. I had picked up a wood screw in my rear tire (Dunlop D207) at around 470 miles. &%$#@! I plugged it and made the service appointment. I then rode another 100+ miles and brought it to the dealer at 594 miles. They did the maintenance and put on a new Qualifier for me. The bad thing about this is (aside from the money spent for the new tire) is that this tire now has to be broken in.

I took the long way home, which, has some nice curves. After I got to my neighborhood though, I thought, well, since it needs breaking in, now is as good a time as any to try out the expressway! Smile! Followed by ...Fear! Followed by ...Resolve!

Let's boogie!

I headed back out to the intersection for I-75. I'm choosing the southbound leg 'cause it's usually a lot less traffic, and it's actually more scenic. Here I am, stopped at the on ramp, contemplating at the last minute whether to go on the expressway or not (this is my first time - "...but Morpheus, you told us to go on the expressway was suicide!"). Time's up!

The light changes to green and I'm off. Following the same rules taught to me in the MSF course, the same skills I use on local streets, and plain old common sense, I'm over in the left-most lane doing 90 mph before you can say choose the red pill or the blue pill. I don't care anymore 'cause I'm concentrating on the road.

First impressions: When riding over 70 mph, if you sit up on the bike your body gets blown all over the place. Note to self. Lay down on bike when going fast. The other thing is, the bike is really, really stable. And, last but not least. The acceleration is awesome. Kick it down to 5th (or not) and you can easily pass anything within a second.

I went down the expressway to the next exit (about 6 miles) that was enough for me. Made a U-Turn right back onto the expressway and headed back home. It's amazing how many people fall asleep while driving. Anyway. I'm in the far left again so I switch to the right, then back to the left. Looking at the speedometer it reads 95 while I'm traveling beside the minivan in the middle lane. Hmm,.. I don't think that's correct. I really don't think the minivan is doing 95 mph. I'm not hanging out beside him anyway, so I turn on the throttle and the speedo says 120+.

What else can I say. I kept my head down, and I'm back at my exit within the next minute.

Exit, Off-Ramp, Merge, on the local road again.

Just another day.

PS: I changed the oil again as soon as I got it back from the dealer (that's just me). Replaced their filter with the bigger Purolator filter, replaced their oil with the heavier oil (it's HOT out there man). Boy, did they slap the grease on the chain. It splattered all over the place. Took me about an hour to get it off the rim. And,... they put way too much oil in the engine! I couldn't even see the level through the sight glass. And,... to top it all off the rear tire was under inflated (33 psi when they said they put in 42 psi, manufacturer spec is 41 psi). What the &%$#@!

I've been riding the bike hard now for a while. You see, although I might not be riding for long distances or going super fast, the engine has been getting a really hard workout. Practicing in the schoolyard is really tough on the bike.

In the middle of the day (the time when I'll be out there) the air temperature is around 97 degrees. The bike is always starting and stopping. Top gear used is 3rd. Most of the riding done in 1st or 2nd. RPMs are usually below 4000. And, since the bike is not moving at an appreciable speed for very long, it really doesn't get much of a chance to cool off. Typically, while practicing in the schoolyard the engine runs at a blazing 222 degrees. Considering that the temp warning light will come on at 239 degrees I think that's pretty scary. However, to put it in perspective. If you sit at the stoplight on a hot day the engine temp usually climbs up to 212 degrees easy. I guess that's why the manual specifically states no extended idling. Once the bike keeps a steady pace though - say around 65 mph - the temps come down to about 165 degrees. I've seen as low as 140 degrees on a cool day (82 degrees ambient) traveling at 40 mph.And it's not just the engine either. The tires get a proper beating as well. Hard breaking, hard swerving, skidding both front and rear. The chain, the gears, the clutch everything gets pretty well baked while practicing for 2 hours.

So after 145 miles I really think we need to change the oil. Yeah, I know; the manual states the first oil change will be done during the first maintenance. But, do you really want all that sheared-off metal bouncing around your engine, scraping against everything, impinging and sticking to the clutch. Umm, I don't think so. Actually, I think this oil change is coming quite late, but, I was just afraid to do it earlier (you know, experience and all). Anyway, I went out and got the oil and the filter, propped the bike up on the stand and proceeded.

This is my first time and I'm nervous. Moving on! I lift the swingarm up onto the stand and then unscrew the drain plug. Damn, those factory guys really put this thing on tight! I'm going to need a longer handle. I get the plug out, and so far so good. I open the filler cap too, to make sure it comes out smooth.

Looking at the oil as it pours out into the drain pan I can see it does have a metallic color to it. So, there you go. It did need changing. After it seemed like that most all of the oil was drained, I replaced the plug, and proceeded to undo the fairing bolts and screws. I then kind-of slid the fairing out of the way. It's slid back just enough so I can reach and remove the oil filter without spilling oil on it.

Damn! These factory guys tightened up this filter pretty good too! I had to get my extra large channel locks to pry the filter loose. I ended up crushing the filter real bad while removing it - well, now it's crushed so there is NO WAY you can ever use it again. You see I got a Purolator Pure One filter PL14612, and I wasn't sure if it was even going to fit.

The new filter fits no problem. However, I will be using the larger PL14610 the next time since there is plenty of room for it.

Okay. I replace the oil, button everything up, and go out for a test ride, of course.

Now the nightmare begins.

When I first start up the engine the Oil Pressure light stays on! Alright, I know I just drained all the oil, and..., since this is my first time changing oil in a motorcycle, I figured OK, maybe, the oil hasn't reached everywhere yet so that's why the light is on. Fair enough assumption. So, since the engine was already warm, I put it in gear and gently rode off up the street. I got to not even 50 ft from my house when I heard the most gut wrenching sound coming from the muffler. I would describe it as the wheezing of an asthmatic 80 year old on the 21st mile of a marathon. It was just plain scary!

Now, I had plenty of cause to be scared. First oil change, different oil, different filter, never worked on a bike before, bike is brand new, and now I freakin' broke it! Crap!!!

I turned some more on the throttle and the sound just got worse. It was like the engine just didn't want to push! And, there's that darn oil pressure light still. And then, guess what?! It shut down on me. Now I'm really panicking. This can't be good. Only 145 miles and I destroyed it already. What the hell! How could I have been so stupid! Why didn't I just carry it to the dealer?

Why?! 

Hold up just a &%$#@ minute though! What did I do wrong? Even if on the off chance, that it didn't like the new oil would it react this way? Well, maybe it didn't like the new viscosity and it's having a hard time moving around in it? You know if you don't have experience with something and then something abnormal happens you doubt all the choices you've made.

I tried starting the engine again. It wouldn't. Again. No. With the choke open/half-way. No. But, I heard something on that last try, so I pressed the ignition button while giving it some throttle and it fired up. It sounded like crap, but at least I didn't have to walk back down the street. I got back to the garage with the oil pressure light still on, so I checked the oil level again. Well it had definitely dropped from the level it was at when I filled it up. And, that's why I was taking it out for a test ride anyway. Alright, so maybe it is the amount of oil. I added some more oil, bringing it back up to the correct level in the sight glass, and hoped to he** that this fixed the problem.

I rolled the bike out to the street and tried to fire it up again. Yeah! No! It didn't even want to turn over. Brand new bike, and the engine seized and no good anymore.

What the %$#@!

*&%$#@!!!

The weirdest thing about the whole scenario though, is that on that first time I took it out after the oil change, even though the oil pressure light was on, the engine temperature was only 153 degrees. I mean that's like the coldest it's ever been while moving. So for the engine to seize just didn't make sense. Different viscosity oil? Yes. But I changed from 10w/40 to 15w/50. I mean come on, it's not like I put peanut butter in there!

So, I'm sitting there looking at the gauges. I had turned the key to off. So, I turned it back to on just to confirm the temperature. 156 degrees, that looks pretty darn cold to me. Perplexed, I took a look over at the trip meter. Nah! Could that be it? You know when I'm mowing the lawn and.... Let's see.

I reached down and switched the fuel petcock from ON to RESERVE and pressed the ignition switch again. WHOOHOO!!!!! That's the sound I'm looking for!

When I had looked at the trip meter it was showing 145 miles. Now, granted this bike might give you about 50 miles to the gallon. However, most of my riding has been practice, which, burns a lot of gas. And, it just so happens that I was running out of gas at the same time I decided to do the oil change. Just my luck.

It fired up and sounded good so I immediately took it to the gas station and filled up the tank, then went for a real test ride. The oil pressure light went out before I even left my driveway.
When I came back now there was too much oil in the tank so I had to remove some.

My first oil change, and first time running out of gas. Live and learn.

It's the 4th of July. It's a weekday, and the streets are mostly quiet this early in the morning. The barbecue crowd isn't out and about yet. I am thinking this may be a good time for that first ride to the beach.

The morning was nice and cool, slightly overcast and very quiet. I fired up the 'saki ready to try out my new start-off technique. I was also eager to try out the new light pods I recently installed under my brake lights. They flash when the brake switch is closed hopefully getting the attention of motorists behind the bike.

The ride was enjoyable, and I saw quite a few other motorcyclists out that morning. I didn't stall out at any stoplights so it was a good day. Of course I couldn't go over 50 mph. No tailgaters though. Sweet!