Honda CTX

[Water Warrior 2]

I did it today. Put down a deposit on a new black 2014 Honda CTX 700 naked model. I will likely pick it up in a few weeks when the weather is better.
It is likely the cheapest new bike that is freeway capable. Looking forward to spring weather and sunshine on my visor.
Recently Honda dropped the price in Canada and the U.S. to unheard of levels. Poor sales? Who knows and I don't care. New bikes are hard to come by at a decent acceptable price. If it wasn't for the wonderful taxes>:( we pay up North I would feel like I won a lottery.
I know I said I would give the old Honda 650 Silver Wing a shot on the road but it just doesn't do it for me. When I sit on it, it just doesn't feel right.
The CTX is not near as high and top heavy as the Wing. I am also weaker at 70 years young.
Time to dust off the new Shoei Multitec helmet I have never worn.

[blaine]

Congrats W.W. I knew you'd be back in the saddle!!! :)

[Vegas Street Rider]

Sounds like you have some fun riding to look forward to. Enjoy and be safe.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks guys. It's time to move on with my life and a new bike is good therapy.

Anyone in the BC lower mainland looking for an old Honda? Somewhat motivated to make room for the new bike. Make me a deal I don't understand and it's yours.

[Water Warrior 2]

Having spent the last couple days wandering through the CTX700 forum(after joining up) I am pleased to say the folks there are my kind of people. Just like the GZ forum. It doesn't appear to have any screwballs or nut cases on site. Just like here, there are some very knowledgeable folks with a desire to ride and tend to there bikes in a proper fashion. I'm happy and satisfied, just like here. Nuff said.

[alantf]

Mind you, that just reminded me of the screwballs and nutters we used to have on the old forum. E.R. for one, (you'll know who I mean) Remember - he had to be banned. I agree, it's much more peaceful now. :tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

Mind you, that just reminded me of the screwballs and nutters we used to have on the old forum. E.R. for one, (you'll know who I mean) Remember - he had to be banned. I agree, it's much more peaceful now. :tup:
Heh heh. ER is still around on another forum. He is a bit better and not so snarly as he was before. Near as I can figure retired life and a new location did wonders for him. Also, I think the other site trimmed his horns a bit too. He is generally much more civil. It is so strange(to me anyway) that a person can be a PITA online and yet be so personable as folks have mention after meeting him.

Getting back to the new bike. A friend is going to ride it back here for me when the weather allows in a few weeks. I haven't ridden in 3.5 years now and my skills are surely not up to dealing with Vancouver traffic. He is a safe experienced rider who I can trust with a bike or my Ranger for that matter. Also his opinion of riding the bike will be a bonus. We just talked about that today so he is probably online studying the bike and getting familiar with it.

[JWR]

Congrats WW. You'll love getting back on two.

[Water Warrior 2]

Latest CTX update. To heck with waiting for better weather to get the bike home. It can ride in the back of the Ranger. My local shop can unload it and Harvey the owner can get a look at it while he is unloading it. He will be doing the servicing in most cases. I will do the riding for 5 or 6 minutes to get it all the way home after that. This actually should have been the plan in the first place but I really did fail to think things through. Wednesday of next week, the 27th and I will have a new shiny Honda parked next to the Ranger at home.
It was kind of silly of me to have a good friend ride for an hour from the Honda dealer with a new bike with new tires that might be far too slippery if it does rain. I can wear off the new tire coating at my leisure when the roads are dry. A much safer plan for all concerned.
Future plans are to put the old Honda on CL and be done with it........period.
Plans for the CTX will be an adjustable windshield from Madstad made specifically for the CTX. I did have Madstan adjustable windshield brackets on my Vstrom and they worked well. The downside of the new windshield and adjustabable brackets will be the cost. With our Can $ going down the crapper I will have a very expensive farkle but why not. My slush fund should take care of that. The only other add ons will likely be some extra lighting to make me more visible day and night. Looking forward to midnite coffee runs that were so pleasant on the Vstrom.
Got a line on some LED driving lights out of Hong Kong that have good reviews. They even have some LED lights that the GZ could handle easily for all of the GZ night riders. Apparently there is also an available LED dimmer switch for their products. Time to start communicating with the vendor and do some real pricing with the dimmer included.
It may be cloudy and only +7 today but things are looking brighter and warmer in the near future.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Sounds like this bike has taken some years off your age. I know mine does that for me. Really happy for you.

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds like this bike has taken some years off your age. I know mine does that for me. Really happy for you.
Thanks VSR.
Tried to order the windshield late last night and my CC would not work. Could be my usual luck with online purchases. I tend to get some kind of info input wrong. Maybe I should buy stuff online more often to keep in good practice. Gonna buy a movie at Wally World and see if the card is rejected or not. MasterCard just may have flagged it due to lack of use. It has been a while as I usually just do debit purchases locally and use a CC out of town while travelling which hasn't happened for quite a while.
Just thinking back it is likely near 2 years since the CC was exercised.
Oh well, just some minor glitch to overcome and rectify.
Presently waiting for a reply about the LED lights and a firm price for the dimmer. I'll fill in all the blanks for our members once he gets back to me.

[alantf]

Yes, mastercard can be weird sometimes. I use their debit card, but I've found that on some airline sites (when booking flights) if I click "debit card" it won't accept it, so I start all over again and then click "credit card" and it accepts it, even though it's a debit card all along. :hmm:

[burkbuilds]

WW, congrats on the new bike. I hope you love it. I'm sure you are eager to get it home. A thought on the new tires, I always get a cloth rag and some mineral spirits and rub them down really good to remove the mold release coating that is on new tires. This will help them get a grip a lot sooner than just riding alone does. Still, stay off the wet roads until you've got some miles on them. Have fun. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

WW, congrats on the new bike. I hope you love it. I'm sure you are eager to get it home. A thought on the new tires, I always get a cloth rag and some mineral spirits and rub them down really good to remove the mold release coating that is on new tires. This will help them get a grip a lot sooner than just riding alone does. Still, stay off the wet roads until you've got some miles on them. Have fun. :)
Never fear. I plan on being a dry roads rider. When I had the Vstrom I was equiped for wet weather, cold weather with heated gear down to my toes. No matter what, I will likely always have availaible rain gear onboard for insurance just in case. Sunshine riding and some night time riding once I hang some real lights on the bike.
We are being treated to the Vancouver bike show this weekend. I have always enjoyed it so I will probably go. I might be fortunate enough to find some farkles there and use my debit card since my Credit card decided to leave the collective. Tried to call M/C and couldn't even get my info accepted on their system. >:(
If I ever find my shuttle craft and lift off to the Mothership I'm going back to my home planet where everything is free. :lmao:

[blaine]

Never fear. I plan on being a dry roads rider. When I had the Vstrom I was equiped for wet weather, cold weather with heated gear down to my toes. No matter what, I will likely always have availaible rain gear onboard for insurance just in case. Sunshine riding and some night time riding once I hang some real lights on the bike.
We are being treated to the Vancouver bike show this weekend. I have always enjoyed it so I will probably go. I might be fortunate enough to find some farkles there and use my debit card since my Credit card decided to leave the collective. Tried to call M/C and couldn't even get my info accepted on their system. >:(
If I ever find my shuttle craft and lift off to the Mothership I'm going back to my home planet where everything is free. :lmao:
Take me with you!!! :P

[Water Warrior 2]

Take me with you!!! :P
Totally funny. As luck would have it my CC would not work at Wally World either. Declined, so that is that. I can apply for a new card again at Wally World tomorrow. So I made my purchase with a debit card. And it is about an Alien trying to get back home. The title is "Paul". Funny to the bone. :lmao::lmao:

[Water Warrior 2]

Looks like I will have two M/C's to play with. Mailed an application for a new card Saturday on the way to the bike show. Later in the day I thought "why not try it again" with the old declined card. Bingo, I won. The card was re-instated abeit a lot later than I was assured.

New Led driving lights are in registered air mail as I type. New Madstad adjustable windshield is also in the mail as of today.

Today is Monday, Wednesday the new bike comes home. Am I excited? You bet. I just wish my stomach would realize excitement is a good thing and settle down.

So much to actually get done before Wednesday. The best part is being in a position financially to do it all without any financing. M/C will be paid off completely when the statement comes in. Bike will be fully mine when I pick it up. My "to Do" list for today and tomorrow is getting longer so I better get my act together pronto.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Looks like you will have two Christmases this year. Excited for you.

[Water Warrior 2]

Looks like you will have two Christmases this year. Excited for you.
Make that 3 Christmases this year. Lynda got me into the habit of saving spare change. Got a bag full of rolled coins. Also discovered the rolled bills I had been hoarding. I knew I had some but not how much. An extra $1500 or so all together. Yahoo!!

[Vegas Street Rider]

Awesome!

[Vegas Street Rider]

So today is the big day. I bet you can hardly sit still. Hope you enjoy every minute of it.

[Water Warrior 2]

You betcha. I'm too tired to fill in the details right now. But soon.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Looking forward to hearing all about it.

[Water Warrior 2]

Okay, I've had a very long extended nap and a bite to eat. What a day I have had. Woke up far too early after a night of nightmarish sleep, put on the coffee and a light breakfast. I am blessed with the good fortune of not remembering nightmares for long in most cases.

The Ranger was waiting for the trip to Vancouver to pick up the bike and carry it home. Tiedown straps, Check. Riding gear, Check. A pocket full of cash, Check. Odds and ends on my list, Check. Bob is awake, Check.

Stopped at the Golden Arches for a road coffee. Five minutes later an overhead highway sign declares an accident and left lane may be closed. No biggy. Well, not for me except for the delay. But it was a biggy for some one else. Drivers in small cars do not fare well when being collected by a logging truck. The drivers compartment, left side only was the only real piece of car left. Hopefully there was no front seat passenger as it was virtually non-existant.

Carried on in a light rain to the city. My bike is ready to go after signing the papers and doing the cash handoff. A big gentle giant comes outside and easily loads my bike and ties it down nicely and professionally. Only a few drops of rain so the day is looking good.

The closer to home the heavier the rain and bit of fog or low clouds. A gigantic rain cloud settled in over the town and things are not looking too good. I know I'm going to get real wet on the short ride home after the bike is unloaded at the local shop. Not a good omen. went straight home, put on all my gear, stuggled into my rain gear and then to the DOT for a plate and insurance. Done. Now off to the shop.

Backed in out of the rain, bike off loaded and I'm headed home in a driving rain on new tires on a strange new bike. Learned a few things right off, the foot controls really need adjusting for my size 12's. Forward controls are really strange for the uninitiated. All in all, a very tense ride in very poor riding conditions but I did get home without mishap. My back locked up like a wooden beam and started to hurt.

Here comes the freaky part. I had intended to ride the old 83 Silver Wing back to the shop. One minor repair needed. Finally got it started on one cylinder and hoped it would stay running. Why did I ever buy it 2 years ago. It is a big top heavy pig that is really scary to an older not so strong me. Had a few highly tense moments but no oops so I'm more than happy.
Got to the shop, parked it inside and left in the Ranger. Straight home in all my riding gear except helmet. Somewhat wet, uncomfortable and aching all over. Hence, my extended nap.

All in all, an exciting event filled day that ended well. Now I'm going back to bed. Night all.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Glad you made it home safely. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. It reminds me of a trip back from Tofino through Hope and down into Idaho. It poured cats and dogs for two days solid and when I got into northern Idaho, I hit snow. Did I mention this was on July 3rd and 4th? Not ideal riding weather.

[Water Warrior 2]

Glad you made it home safely. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. It reminds me of a trip back from Tofino through Hope and down into Idaho. It poured cats and dogs for two days solid and when I got into northern Idaho, I hit snow. Did I mention this was on July 3rd and 4th? Not ideal riding weather.
OMG, that would be a gruesome ride. As much as we don't want bad weather for our trips it can and will happen. Such events are to be savored because they make us who we are in real life. We will never gain experience and wisdom at home in a rocking chair. After I retired I bought my own idea of a rocking chair. It had 2 wheels and it was blue. My Vstrom made me younger again after years of aging. Returning to riding was the best medicine money could buy.
Lynda bought her GZ at age 60. She had never ridden before and wanted to give it a shot. Her smiles and enthusiasm made her years younger too.
We made a lot of new friends on our travels and that made riding even more of a pleasure. We never met a rider we didn't like. :tup:

[Vegas Street Rider]

I know what you mean. This is my 52nd year on a motorcycle of some sort. Started out on a 50cc Tohatsu, graduated to a Triumph 650, then a Greeves 500. Bought a BMW in Germany and promptly totaled it on a mountain road, and for the time being, I have my little GZ commuter bike.

[Water Warrior 2]

I know what you mean. This is my 52nd year on a motorcycle of some sort. Started out on a 50cc Tohatsu, graduated to a Triumph 650, then a Greeves 500. Bought a BMW in Germany and promptly totaled it on a mountain road, and for the time being, I have my little GZ commuter bike.

My only crashes were with off road bikes and crashing comes with the territory. I became very adept as crashing in slow motion. Not near as harmful. That said, I've had some near miss adventures onroad due to lack of smarts on my part. Proper training at a good rider traning school helped a lot. Training and reading Proficient Motorcycling filled in many of the blanks.
Lynda became an amazing rider. Bought her GZ at 60 and trained on a Honda Rebel 250(wishing it was her GZ). She was safe, observant as all get out and a treat to ride with. No mishaps or get-offs ever. Watching her on the twisty roads with her GZ and later the Suzuki M-50 was like watching poetry in motion. The bikes were like they were on rails. I think she was a natural rider but never had the chance earlier in life. She conquered every road surface under the bike and endured all sorts of weather. After 5 years she hung up her helmet and said "I'm done riding". The M-50 was eventually sold and the proceeds went towards her new 2012 Corolla. An end to an era but she put the car to good use with travelling and goofing around. Camera in hand she was unstopable.

[Water Warrior 2]

So I get to ride the big old honda from the shop. First things first I will insure it for 3 months rather than just a day. Might as well give it some exercise and a tank of new gas with Seafoam in it. Hopefully it will start running on two cylinders with a cleaner fuel system. Might get a touch wet and cool but not near what I experienced the other day when I almost drowned.

Although the old bike may be mechanically solid it isn't exactly pristine looking after so many years. If it doesn't sell on CL I just may have to leave it somewhere with the key in it and hope it disappears never to be found. Yeah, I could do that. Sounds a little crazy but I have no interest in it at all. Chalk up the overall cost to experience and be done with it.

Really getting itchy to ride the new bike. After the foot controls are adjusted I will install the new Madstad windshield. It was delivered yesterday. It has laser cut brackets that mount on the handlebar clamps. A real neat design. It is 22 inches high overall and about 18 inches wide. The brackets allow for height and tilt. Just loosen 2 knobs and adjust to preference. Snug up the knobs and enjoy. Had the same basic thing on my Vstrom and it was great but it was actually using the fairing windshield mounting points instead.

Just had to share a bit. Now back to your regular programming.

[Water Warrior 2]

Sure is quiet around here lately.

Still haven't been out for a ride on the bike. I'm gonna blame Bush and the weatherman. Rain and more rain.

No windshield installed due to a couple missing parts that were delivered today. Also got a Battery Tender quick coupler for the bike. Still waiting for my LED driving lights too. And(drum roll)there is a Honda centerstand that fits the CTX. Gotta get me one of those. ................Here is the ugly part. Everything I have ordered or will order is in the U.S. or Japan. Paid for in U.S. dollars. Considering the tanked Can. dollar I'm going to be hurting for a short time. I'll just let Master Card do the conversion and wait for their statment.

Also will be getting some Grip Puppies for the handlebars. They are the foam sleeves that fit over the OEM grips to make them larger. Had them before on the Vstrom and liked them a lot. No more clenched grip on the smaller 7/8ths bars.

So that is the latest news in my little wide spot on the road. One road in and one road out. But really great twisties for all to enjoy.

Time to get back to my computer games now. Later.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Thanks for the update WW.

[Water Warrior 2]

News of the ugly sort. Went online to order the center stand from Japan. Not gonna happen. Thanks to the Canadian dollar falling in value and the cost of the CS in U.S dollars I won't be looking at getting one. I am looking at $420 before shipping, currency converion fees, customs fees and whatever else might be added on. So at least a $500 hit with no end in sight. Humbug. A center stand would be so nice but that cost is just retarded. So much for the ease of chain maintenance I was hoping for.

I know! I'll just pretend the CTX is a GZ and make do with what I have. Have a good day guys an gals.

[Water Warrior 2]

Today was the big day. A short but cold 1st ride. Noticed 2 things first off. The seat needs to be modified to fit my backside and boy oh boy can this thing hustle. The power at low revs is really good and throttle response is crisp as all get out. Being on a new bike and riding in the cold made me tense up quite a bit but it was worth it. Tomorrow might be a touch warmer but I will make that decision tomorrow as to whether I have another short ride. A naked bike is a bit of a new experince for me. My Vstrom of a few years ago had much better coverage with the fairing, handguards and heated grips. At the time I also had heated clothing right down to my toes.

The LED driving lights arrived yesterday. It may take me a couple months to get them on the bike though. I need much warmer temps to do anything on the bike and I need to plan out exactly where all the wires will go after the lights are mounted. The whole system has 2 relays for hi and low power settings with a memory function. This will allow for the LEDs to work in concert with the regular headlight hi and low. Sounds kind of trick and I will only really need the regular hi/lo headlight switch to make everything happen. On low beam there will be a conspicuous triangle of light and a wow factor triangle on hi beam. Okay, I admit it. I am a light junkie. I like to see and be seen.
If the system works as well as I anticipate it will, My Ranger will get the same treatment. Never have liked the Hella 450 driving lights that much but they are better than nothing.

[burkbuilds]

I'm glad you like the new bike. Warmer weather is coming. It hit 87 here today, you won't be to far behind.

I found out today work is sending me to Italy for 2 weeks. It's tough but someone has to do it. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Hopefully the weather will be warm and dry enough for the next 3 days for a ride. Got my fingers crossed.

Italy should be a nice interesting change of pace for you. Do you have adequate health care coverage for the overseas trip? I'm sure you have it covered but just a mention can't hurt.

[Water Warrior 2]

Got a few things planned in the next week or so. Off comes all the plastic, front fender and side covers front and rear. With luck I might even find out where the gas tank is hidden down under. I am slowly getting my act together to do the LED driving light install and wiring. Rear brake pedal still requires an adjustment for a more reliable action as it is too high for my big foot. Right now all the LED brackets are in the dishwasher prior to painting them black.

Found some Memphis Shade fork clamps hiding in a closet so the lights will go on the forks to provide a triangular light effect to be more noticeable to oncoming traffic.
The wiring should be a real challenge as I have to extend everything a bit to reach back to the under seat tray where the relays will live next to the battery. A Stebel air horn is on the menu too. Those things really get rid of forest rats quickly. I know from personal experience you can scare a cell phone driver so bad their arm jerks and flings the cell out the window. That alone was worth the price of the air horn. LOL.

[Water Warrior 2]

Went for ride around town yesterday. Oh my, that seat is just a nightmare for my body. Tried a Gel pad too. Not looking good. Priced out a Corbin seat with a backrest..............................and almost blacked out from shock. $1100 + Can Dollars. That doesn't include Customs fees or delivery charges be what they may.

That seat on a lawn tractor down the street is looking pretty good right now.

[alantf]

The most comfortable seats I've ever had were the tractor style seats on my first ever two wheeler, back in 1965. A 1959 Lambretta LI150.

b25.jpg (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=601&stc=1&d=1459014417)

[Water Warrior 2]

The most comfortable seats I've ever had were the tractor style seats on my first ever two wheeler, back in 1965. A 1959 Lambretta LI150.

b25.jpg (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=601&stc=1&d=1459014417)
Yup, tractor seats are great. I spent many an hour on my lawn tractor years ago and never had a sore butt or back.

Back in 1978 I saw a Suzuki 750 Water Buffalo with a horse saddle and a sheep skin. Looked very cozy.

[blaine]

A friend of mine has a ol Honda 450 rat bobber with a ol Massey Harris tractor seat on it........Says it very comfy & never has back pain. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Went for ride around town yesterday. Oh my, that seat is just a nightmare for my body. Tried a Gel pad too. Not looking good. Priced out a Corbin seat with a backrest..............................and almost blacked out from shock. $1100 + Can Dollars

So I got real serious about a new Corbin seat and backrest. Contacted a supplier in Ontario Canada. A few bucks shy of $900 delivered to my door. What the Hey, why not make the bike a pleasure to ride and not a exercise in discomfort and back pain. My slush fund will receive a hit but I'm not getting any younger and would like a few creature comforts before I expire.
Now it's time for my midday meds. LOL.

[blaine]

So I got real serious about a new Corbin seat and backrest. Contacted a supplier in Ontario Canada. A few bucks shy of $900 delivered to my door. What the Hey, why not make the bike a pleasure to ride and not a exercise in discomfort and back pain. My slush fund will receive a hit but I'm not getting any younger and would like a few creature comforts before I expire.
Now it's time for my midday meds. LOL.
I think you will find it money well spent. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

OMG, did I screw up big time. The supplier I ordered from uses Corbins website for info. So I just carried on and placed the order. Yup, on Corbin's site. Early this morning I sent a request to cancel the order. Hope they will do it.
What I should have done is emailed the Canadian supplier my order and let them carry the ball kind of thing. They do all the shipping, taxes and duties that apply. This way it would be easier for me and I support 2 different companies while saving a few bucks if all goes well. Should know shortly if things work out, if not I have just been treated to a new lesson concerning online purchases. Yup, I'm my own worst enemy sometimes. :doh:

[Vegas Street Rider]

Sounds complicated. Here in the US, online purchases are relatively simple. It does vary from state to state, but generally, you pay as advertised. Sometimes shipping is free depending on the company and, in many cases, sales taxes are not charged.

[Water Warrior 2]

Buying in Canada is a different kettle of fish in many cases. Buying a product from the U.S and having it shipped North is an exercise in frustration sometimes. Thanks to the Canadian government we have all sorts of crap to contend with just for a simple purchase. Trade agreements are always in favor of the U.S. Good for you guys but it sure is a PITA here. I very much doubt U.S. folks have to pay through the nose to get something from Canada.

Thanks to FTA(Free Trade Agreement)and NAFTA(North American Free Trade Act)the Canadian dollar has been on it's knees for many years.
Canadian Customs is a money grab at the border with duties and fees for the simplest things. Some stuff is shipped by major couriers and they charge horrendous fees to bring it to your door.
In the past I have ordered riding gear from down South and had it mailed here. No real problem except who is at the border making up the rules. 2 Separate orders from the same vendor and one has duty and the other doesn't. Both were riding jackets for us bought 2 weeks apart.

So, back to my Corbin seat story. Corbin was kind enough to cancel the order. They didn't have to do that. I thank them for that. Now I am going to wait till my next MasterCard statement comes in to see for sure that there was no charge for the seat/backrest. If all is well I can start over with a lesson well learned.

Right now it is a beautiful day for riding and I am at home painting odds and ends for the bike. Flat black brackets and fixings for the LED driving lights and stuff to mount an air horn to one of the frame tubes.

Tomorrow is much the same, do the light bracket install, put the fender back on(don't scratch it) and then figure out where the wires can go through the bike and extend them too. Oh right, buy some wire too. Make a list stupid!!

Sitting and watching paint dry. Hmm, I retired for this? LOL.

[Vegas Street Rider]

I experience the same frustration being retired also. When I work on a project, invariably I need a part or component and find that no one has it in stock and then I wait for my order praying they send the right one the first time.

When you finish outfitting your new ride, post lots of pics. That looks like a nifty bike online.

[Water Warrior 2]

I experience the same frustration being retired also. When I work on a project, invariably I need a part or component and find that no one has it in stock and then I wait for my order praying they send the right one the first time.

When you finish outfitting your new ride, post lots of pics. That looks like a nifty bike online.

Must be an old age thing. I sometimes get an idea but really haven't a clue how to get started on it. So I just browse all the shelves in a big box hardware and most of the time I get an idea purculating in my mind about how to go about it with odds and ends on the shelves. One of the older fellows at Home Depot asked if he could help me. I said I was looking for an idea. He said he knew that feeling very well.

Pics? Hmm, haven't done any since the forum changed hands and I lost the easy way to post pics. I honestly haven't a clue how to post now and the only time I tried it was an exercise in frustration for my stone age head. That said, if you really want pics in the future you can sent your email address directly to me and I can forward pics straight to you. You can post them here for everyone or not. The choice would be yours.

I used to get a kick out of posting pics of Lynda's GZ and the stuff I did to it. I had a lot of fun with doing stuff and she had all the fun riding the bike anywhere it was pointed.

[Water Warrior 2]

The paint is dry. Later tonight I can install the fork clamps and put the fender back in place. My mismatched parts will all line up after some thought and a little brute force.

Mr. Brilliance won't have an air horn to install though. I looked for it...........how do you loose something in an apartment? Ah.... that's how. I finally remembered I put it on Lynda's M-50 cruiser when she had it. Oh well.

The Can dollar is on a bit of an upswing so I will check my MasterCard online next week for a zero balance. I just might get that new Corbin seat for a bit less than anticipated. Got my fingers crossed.

[alantf]

Lets see if I can help you to upload pics :)

click on post reply. Scroll down to Manage attachments, and click.
A box will come up. Click on Browse, then find the picture you want, and click on it. Click upload, and wait while it uploads. The picture description (eg jpeg 100) will come up in the attachment box. Drag and drop it into your message, and - hey presto - it's done. :tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

Well that sucks. I can choose a pic but it won't upload. Clicking on upload does nothing. That particular screen appears to remain in the background mode in muted colors.





Well I'll be something unprintable. It worked this time. I hope I can do this again.

[Water Warrior 2]

Now for the real test.

[Water Warrior 2]

It appears I have to do a double click to get any response to load a pic.


Just a random pic. Sv650 with a lot of suspension upgrades. The rider wrote it off a couple years ago with a really bad oops that he walked away from. He admits quite quietly that speed was a factor.

[Water Warrior 2]

They say practice makes perfect. Another random pic.

[Water Warrior 2]

This H-D also has a reverse added to it. Hand shifter and whatnot, The rider is somewhat disabled and needs to just keep his left foot in the foot board surround.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thank you Alantf. Your help is more than appreciated.

[alantf]

Pleased to be able to help. :) If you want more than one picture in the same post, just do the browse etc for each picture you want, and all the picture numbers will come up under each other. Just drag them, one by one, into the post, and they'll all come up side by side. I think the maximum is four or five.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Nice random pics. Looking forward to seeing your new cruiser when you are done WW2.

[Water Warrior 2]

More random pics.

Pics of my Vstrom650, Lynda's GZ and an egg we found in Alberta while riding to the far SouthEast corner of Manitoba.

The egg was quite a project. It was computer designed at a University in Montana and consists of more than 5,000 pieces to make the egg shape. It acts as a wind vane too. While we were there it actually turned on it's pedestal with just a slight breeze. Really amazing.

The GZ made a wonderful small touring bike. Yeah a little slow, but it did the entire trip of 5,000 kms(3,000 miles) with nary a whimper.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks again Alantf. You have really made my day.

As a side note. Tomorrow I start the first day of year #12 of retirement.
And some contractor working here bought my old Honda. It is his now and although I didn't get near what I put into it I am happy it is gone.

It really has been a fine day with warm temps but I didn't get to ride the new bike. But that is okay. I have the rest of my life to ride.

[Water Warrior 2]

Oh, forgot to mention this just for general info. The old 1983 SilverWing I bought a couple years ago is gone. I never did ride it due to Lynda being in ill health so it just sat there after I put a bucket of cash into it. Lost a lot of money in the end but I seriouly think I was never meant to ride the bike. It was mechanically sound but just looked really neglected by the previous owner and age was a major factor also. Glad to see it go to a new home.

[Water Warrior 2]

Light show. Did a temp hook up and fitting of the LED driving lights for the CTX. It is quite amazing what 35 watt LEDs will do.

The LEDs are just so powerful compared to high or low beam when on full power. The neat thing is that I can dial down the wattage for daytime running lights or less light when on low beam at night.

[Vegas Street Rider]

They will definitely see you coming, which is a good thing.

[Water Warrior 2]

I am sure I will like the lights. I miss my midnight coffee runs in the mountains. The extra light will help me spot the wildlife that insists on leaping out and scaring me half to death. The next big feat will be the wiring of a permanent nature. It will be a bigger challenge than any other wiring jobs I have done in the past. I made a total cluster *uc* on my Vstrom that lead to wires being like a plate of noodles. Maintenence was harder and I couldn't even figure out what I had done a year later.
This bike should be more professional looking and user friendly during maintenance. Never attach wiring to fairing panels if they ever need to be removed in the future. I am trying to find a route along the frame tubes and still make the bike user friendly during maintenance.
There are days I long for the simplicity of the GZ and it's lack of side panels and fittings.

[burkbuilds]

Wow, that is really bright. Very nice.

[Water Warrior 2]

Now I've done it. Ordered a Corbin seat and backrest for the CTX. Sure hope that fixes my seating problem. The slush fund will take a major beating but what of it. I am really not comfy or even safe feeling on an OEM that doesn't fit my skinny butt. I wind up hanging on to the bars for dear life and that just pumps up my arms and hurts my wrists just for good measure. All that should change in a few weeks after the seat is delivered.

[burkbuilds]

Nothing beats a good fitting seat. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Finally got the Corbin seat and backrest I ordered. The stock seat was a very cruel and unususal punishment for my old body.

[burkbuilds]

Wow, that is one nice looking seat. How does it fit you? Are you more comfortable and relaxed now?

[Vegas Street Rider]

Looks like it gives you lots of back support. Hope it helps you ride in comfort.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks guys. The seat is awesome. Nice support and I don't slouch with the backrest. I've only had two rides with it but it was just as nice as I expected it to be. The seat puts me about 3 inches higher and in a more upright seating position. Better posture and a better foot control position is a bonus.

I did have some serious doubts after ordering and sending a month's rent to get the seat shipped to Canada. It was a gamble to say the least. Thankfully Corbin worked their magic and all is well.

Serious doubts and great expectations at the same time don't make much sense but it was an on again off again decision that I had to make. I actually put less thought into buying the bike than I did about buying the seat.

Now I have to get my act together and do a proper wiring of the driving lights and install a Stebel air horn that a good friend gave to me.

Further down the line are soft side bags and some reflective tape just to brighten things up after dark.

Should have it done by the end of summer. No hurry, just a bit at a time and a little riding now and again. I seem to have lost the passion for riding and moding but it will likely improve with more riding and tinkering with stuff.

[Fawlty]

. I seem to have lost the passion for riding and moding but it will likely improve with more riding and tinkering with stuff.


You've been having a rough time WW. You WILL get through it and it WILL improve. Ride and Tinker as often as you can and the passion WILL return, slowly but surely. Stay with it. We are with you on this.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Hang in there WW. The ebb and flow of one's psyche is normal. I have a passion for a lot of different things and my interest for one or the other peaks at different times. I would bet your excitement for riding will come back soon. How about a road trip?

[Water Warrior 2]

How about a road trip?

No road trips except in the Ranger right now. Might do some overnighters if and when I get some bags on the bike. At the moment I am SOL with my body. Pulled something in my right shoulder and to top it off my back decided to revisit some old bruised discs that have not bother me since 2006. And yes, I'm doing therapy and what not.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Take care of yourself. I can relate to the aches and pains that the so-called "Golden Years" bring. I would like to turn in my back for a new one.

On another note, our riding has been limited recently due to the heat here. The coolest day we have seen for a week was 104 degrees. It was 114 and 115 two days prior to today. By the time I get home from work, I am medium rare.

[Water Warrior 2]

Take care of yourself. I can relate to the aches and pains that the so-called "Golden Years" bring. I would like to turn in my back for a new one.

On another note, our riding has been limited recently due to the heat here. The coolest day we have seen for a week was 104 degrees. It was 114 and 115 two days prior to today. By the time I get home from work, I am medium rare.
Wow, that is just too hot for this old guy. I would be living in my a/c Ranger.

[Vegas Street Rider]

My wife uses the car as I am strictly a two wheeler. The years riding up north toughened me up to tolerate just about any weather conditions. My biggest concern in the heat is the wear and tear on the air cooled GZ. I automatically change to a 20/50 weight oil in early June because I know what's coming.

[Water Warrior 2]

Just a quick update. Have not done any of my projects on the bike. Just some short rides and mid night coffee runs into Vancouver.

But the bike will be finished for spring. It now lives in my apt with me where there is heat, adequate light and a coffee pot. All my tools are handy too. Driving lights will be working, air horn will be installed, Nelson-Rigg textile saddle bags will be on and some floor boards to replace the foot pegs.

Oh yeah. I got some black reflective tape to put on the bike. It is black like the bike but shines a brilliant white when light hits it. I have some on my helmet.

[Vegas Street Rider]

Look forward to seeing the finished project.

[Water Warrior 2]

Look forward to seeing the finished project.

Me too. And I get to ride it come spring.

Something I discovered is the amount of energy required to move a 500 lb bike on a carpeted floor.

[burkbuilds]

Post some pics when you get it all finished up.

[Water Warrior 2]

Post some pics when you get it all finished up.
Never fear BB. Pics will come and I am also willing to show any oops moments that occur. Moments of my bad decisions may help other to avoid a mishap.

[Water Warrior 2]

Still tinkering with the Honda. I have to hand it to Honda. When they design a bike it is a pretty thing but a heck of a machine to strip down. Can't figure out how to remove some side panels even with the service manual. But I did manage to get my driving light wiring harness snaked through from front to back. Actually 2 of them for future use just in case. Four wires to a harness and both were TOO Dang Short. Imagine that. Measure twice and cut once you say...........ah just start over.

So now I have one 8 wire harness with plenty of added length. I started doing the light wiring about 2 months ago on a slow schedule so I wouldn't get too busy and do something stupid. NOW I actually have the lights wired and functioning properly. I am impressed with the whole set-up. Now I have to figure out how and where some of the removed plastic bits of bike have to go back on. I don't like puzzles that much and I have a dandy puzzle here. The headlight plastic shroud and signal mounting panels are a few of the pieces. Lots of many weird pieces that fit very precisely and should not be forced into position. But first I have to tuck the wiring out of sight and under some of the plastic just below the ignition switch.

Floor boards are in place but will likely need adjusting once I start riding again. I even have a custom made heel shifter to mount behind the floor board. Many thanks to a very smart Honda owner who dreamed it up and had a few made to fit this bike.

Still need to do wiring for the air horn and determine where to mount it safely.

Have smaller sport bike Nelson-Rigg bags to go on too. They will do well for storing rain gear, a compressor, water and odds and ends. Oh yeah, I have installed a power point under the seat for the compressor too.

Time to run some much needed errands right now so I'll sign off. Pics will follow eventually when the bike is buttoned up and on the road.

[Water Warrior 2]

Finally got the Honda out of my living room and into the under ground parking area. Still have a couple tweaks to do but nothing to stop me from riding. Pictures in a couple days if all goes well and I can figure out how to post pics on this strange and annoying laptop which I love to hate. A desktop is my weapon of choice and this goofy thing is my backup system if I can sweet talk it to cooperate.

[Water Warrior 2]

Finally got the bike out of my living room and parked where it will live this summer. Most of the mods are done but I still have to ride to see if I accomplished to make a real bike out of this Honda. Pics to follow in a few days.

[alantf]

You must have wide living room doors (or a narrow bike) I wanted to get mine into my workshop (with a normal size door) but it just won't fit through the door.
:hmm:

[Water Warrior 2]

You must have wide living room doors (or a narrow bike) I wanted to get mine into my workshop (with a normal size door) but it just won't fit through the door.
:hmm:

Standard apt door. Removing the mirrors and windshield made it possible. Plus I had a friend help manhandle the bike. It takes two people to shift the bike around to get the bike into the hallway and aimed at the building entrance/exit.

Final install of shield, mirrors and soft bags were done in the underground parking area. Loaded the bags with rain gear, tire repair kit, compressor, tool kit and what not.

Yesterday was a real treat. Drove the Ranger south to Horse Shoe Bay in Vancouver to meet two very good friends for coffee. The bike was not an option as they had 2 24x18 framed pics that are destined for one of my walls. Had a wonderful visit and we parted company. Drove home in time to meet the regular coffee crowd at noon in Squamish. Then at 2 pm I fired up the bike for the first ride of the year. It was quite an experience. I just might have made the Honda a rideable bike for me. The floor boards made such a difference that I am amazed. No more fighting to keep my feet on the pegs that were too far forward for me and made shifting and rear braking such a PITA.

Road North up to Whistler for a coffee and had a great first ride. Very comfy and relaxing. Having raised the fork tube up 1 inch in the triples has made the steering just a little better in the curves and almost a bit sporty but not real sporty like I had with my Vstrom in years gone by. The Vstrom with a fork brace and raised fork tubes could compete with sport bikes in the curves. I never did find the bikes limits with sticky tires.

So I had a great day overall and the future is bright. Just a couple more tweaks to the adjustable Madstad windshield and I should be done for a while.

[burkbuilds]

WW, glad you got the Honda ride-able. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

WW, glad you got the Honda ride-able. :)
Me too BB. The weather hasn't been cooperating so I have had only one outing but it was very good. Next week should be very nice and the temps will hopefully allow a midnight coffee run with the help of the LED driving lights. I am quite anxious to see how well the road lights up.

[Water Warrior 2]

At last. Finally got a midnight coffee run with the LED driving lights working. The lights throw a cone of light down the road and to the sides. Great for cornering. Final tweaking for alignment is forth coming. Still not sure if I will ever really like this bike but it is a good machine. Just very Vanilla sort of thing.

[Water Warrior 2]

Parked the bike for winter last week. A full tank of non-ethanol gas and fuel stabilizer. A half hour on the battery tender once a month and every thing will be fine till spring riding weather. :ride:

[Vegas Street Rider]

The riding is just getting good here. Temps are in the low to mid 80's during the day with plenty of sunshine and very little wind. Took a ride up to the Mt. Charleston area to see the trees turn color (mostly aspen) and then back down going through Red Rock Canyon State Park. I also went down to the Strip as I haven't been there since before the shootings and stopped to see the memorial set up by the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Sad state of affairs.

While I miss the 4 seasons, I don't miss the cold. Hope you have a good winter WW2.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks Vegas Street Rider. I could still be riding if I hadn't gotten ride of all my winter gear when I sold the Vstrom 5 years ago. I am primarily a sunshine rider now in summer but do enjoy the midnight coffee runs when traffic is very light.
We still get quite a few riders from the Greater Vancouver Area coming up for coffee but they are likely more tolerant of colder temps than I am. That may sound silly for a boy from the frozen prairies but since moving here in 2005 my body will not have anything to do with cold weather.

[Vegas Street Rider]

I can relate to that. That is one of the reasons I live in Vegas. I worked in the extreme cold weather in the North for decades and now my body can't tolerate it anymore so I avoid that kind of weather as much as possible (except during skiing season). Take care.