Oil change complete

I replaced my OEM oil filter for a K&N filter. I had to purchase a special tool from Cycle Gear to remove the Suzuki filter because as you can see in the picture there is no way to grip it otherwise.

The K&N has a bolt-like fixture on it to help in removal next time.

Oil change time

I had to grab a couple things from Cycle Gear to change the oil on my Suzuki C50 and Kat's Honda Helix. The price of full synthetic is outrageous. Do you pay this price for your bike?

Still, it really should be done before Friday when we leave for Daniel Boone National Forest and Red River Gorge.

Pouring Rain

First work day after I get my bike out of the shop and it's pouring rain and thunderstorms.

This is stupid. It's almost May!!!

Shifting with a new clutch cable

Just a quick observation....

My clutch cable must have stretched out over the last 25,000 miles so gradually that I didn't notice the change until it was close to failure.  I'll tell you when I did notice a difference...when it was replaced!  At first I was having a hard time shifting because the travel was a lot bigger than it had been.  It seemed like I was letting the clutch out forever before it started to ease into gear!

I may do a little research and see if its able to be adjusted without screwing up the clutch plates like the previous owner did by skipping the original maintenance and not getting it dialed in properly.

Clutch cable replaced in record time

Inga at Yamaha Suzuki of Louisville was able to get my bike in and get the clutch cable replaced very quickly. She said that normally it would take 2 weeks but they would be able to work on Saturday. I gotta call earlier today that said the bike was finished. They just got the part in yesterday. This is very good news and means I won't be down during the weekend while it's supposed to be great weather.

Suzuki of Louisville - Down Two Weeks?

The gal at Suzuki on English Station road here in Louisville is pretty nice. Her name is Inga and I talked to her today.  I hitched my bike up to a rented uHaul trailer and towed it over with my truck. I called the parts department earlier this morning and ordered the clutch cable. The guy said it was lucky that I called when I did because he was just getting ready to place the order. So now my clutch cable should be in tomorrow. I talked to the service department and they said it it's generally going to be two weeks before they get to my bike at this point. I explained how it is my daily driver and I use it everyday to get back and forth to work in the service guy said that they could probably work me in sooner. When I spoke to Inga she told me again it would be 2 weeks.

I told her that when I spoke with the service department they said they would try to get me in sooner because it is my main vehicle. She said that they might be able to get to it on Saturday afternoon later in the day. So now my bike is in the Suzuki shop until at least Saturday. I really hope they are able to get it done then and let me pick it up because I'm missing out on a lot of time.

Clutch cable

This is something I never had to worry about on my maxi touring scooter. The clutch cable broke on my cruiser just getting back into town. I sailed through a couple red lights and had to stop/start the bike in gear a couple times. By the time I got home I was getting pretty good and easing from one gear to another. Finally with the driveway in sight, I got it into neutral.

Now I must get the clutch cable replaced at the busiest time of year. That really pisses me off. I rode the bike all through many days of this nasty winter (not as many days as I'd have liked) and I don't want my daily driver to be down in prime weather.

Besides this I'm taking my wife to Red River Gorge for her birthday next month.

Overdue Maintenance

My Suzuki needs front brakes and an oil change. Kathy's Honda Helix needs a new CVT belt and probably roller weights. I have to get this regular maintenance done soon, especially now that I have a garage and tools where I can find them...