Just got back from a nice early morning 140 mile ride...Did a big loop up to the National Wildlife Refuge in Horicon, Wi...Colors are slowly starting to change...
I improved my Rally's quality of life. She was suffering in the late afternoon heat in the shed last summer. So I installed a radiant heat barrier on the inside West wall. The roof was done last year. I might do the south end someday, but there is some shade back there. No attic crawling today either. I'll keep the East side alone, there's shade on that side. I'm thinking of adding some wood trim along the seams for a final touch.
Installed the Slingmods TricLED Amber reflector sequential turns with red rear-facing kit. Exceeded my expectations. Very bright. Dramatically increased my rear end visibility. The amber strips are so thick they are easily visible from the front and rear. A PITA to install.
Just finished the 1st ride of '22. (48 miles) Now only 24 miles until I hit the big 12,000 miler. This next time the fuel is low I'll raise the clam shell to check/change the CVT belt, warning will most likely be on by then. I'm not a rubber burner so belt, I expect, to be in pretty good shape. I'll measure the belt to check where it is in the width range. Maybe in the top 40% of range I won't change it. Trouble is it may need changing when it's 90 degrees out in the shed this summer. Decisions..Decisions.
Today I went for about a 60 mile ride. Then decided to change the engine oil (4030 miles old) Odometer at 12,585 miles, CVT warning came on at 12,528 miles. So I changed the belt also. What a way to spend the 4th! But I got 'er done.
I finished installing the Shad saddlebag. It went about like I thought it would - OK overall but included moments of extreme frustration like everything I do. A few thoughts:
1. The designs of the case and mounting bracket are pretty solid.
2. I wish BRP wasn't so in love with star/Torx bolts. I lost count of how many times the star bit slipped out of the M8 panhead bolt. I smashed my knuckle once and thought I was going to strip the heads. The size of the Torx bit is too small for the torque needed, and a more cylindrical bolt head instead of pan, with a deeper star recess, would be smarter.
3. The longer bolts that replace the 2 Max Mount bolts for one of the bracket pieces were so hard to tighten that I thought I had stripped them several times. It's fun to torque them to spec when the Torx bit keeps popping out.
4. The mounting kit includes large a piece needed if you don't have the Max Mount. That's a waste of money and aluminum - they should offer 2 kits. I can't imagine ever removing the Max Mount and reconfiguring.
I finished installing a backrest with a homemade bracket (looks like it, also) The bracket is made from shelving brackets. I doubled stacked them for increased strength. Glad they do bend somewhat 'cause 90 degrees makes the top of the cushion push to much forward. The bracket goes back across the "lock" open hole in the max mount, then a cross member underneath , with a bolt and nylon lock nut clamps it down. The backrest still twist, but only if I make it. The Ryker backrest is not comfy (according to MY back), too small, too low, and not much padding. The eye hook is just for kicks. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WZ16HWH...roduct_details https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0768SH78H...roduct_details
I installed the comfort seat and managed to break off one mounting tab . BRP, please use a better plastic material or a metal tab system, because you know most people don't want to lift the body off to install a seat that *should* just snap into place. I never had to disassemble any motorcycle I had to remove the seat.
I installed the comfort seat and managed to break off one mounting tab . BRP, please use a better plastic material or a metal tab system, because you know most people don't want to lift the body off to install a seat that *should* just snap into place. I never had to disassemble any motorcycle I had to remove the seat.
Evarbody, DO heat the tabs when installing the seat. Makes them more flexible and reduces breakage.
PS - seems to me somebody used heavy duty paper clips that still fit thru the mounting holes to squeeze the tabs - apparently they were able to remove the clips after installation .,,
Originally Posted by RykerRider1959
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. BRP, please use a better plastic material or a metal tab system, because you know most people don't want to lift the body off to install a seat that *should* just snap into place. I never had to disassemble any motorcycle I had to remove the seat.
