Maplewood Motorcyclists?

Quick question - my bike was outside all winter and the chain is a bit rustier than normal - how can I tell if its time to change it and where can I bring it for a quick oil/filter change?

A modern O-Ring (or X-Ring) keeps the essential lubrication on the inside of the seals. Surface rust is not as much of an affect on performance. Your chain needs replacing when you can pull it away from the sproket and see daylight through the teeth.

Get some spray chain lube and hose it down.

Rule of thumb for chains.....adjust them cold......lube them hot.

If you are moderately mechanically inclined, an oil change is a great way to get intimate with your ride. It also affords you the opportunity to get an eye on things down below and check for any other maintenance items that may need attention.

sportsnut said:

Quick question - my bike was outside all winter and the chain is a bit rustier than normal - how can I tell if its time to change it and where can I bring it for a quick oil/filter change?

My bike is a P.I.T,A. because you have to take the lower fairing off to get at the filter. I take mine to Motorcycle Mall in Bellville when I'm too lazy to do oil changes myself. Its better to drop it off and come back for it because they are slooooooooow. cost $110 for lube and filter with full synthetic. I replace sprockets and chain every 20k miles unless they show signs of damage. I clean and oil my chain every weekend or after riding in the rain. I like to keep my chain nice and shiny.

What is this "chain" thing you guys are talking about?

- Marc, shafted by my Guzzi

I used to do an oil change before putting the bike in storage for the winter and on taking it out of storage, twice each season. Always with Mobil 1 Racing 4T or Redline oil and clean and lube the chain once a season. Before putting in storage, I would fill up the tank with gas and add lots of stabilizer, also never bought anything other than 93 gas -- yes I am anal.. It kept my bike tip top and it treated me well... but now i miss it.... and the nice weather doesnt help...

ps- here is what I'm planning on getting for next season

Just got a Triumph Daytona. Always out riding with a couple of my buddies. Always down to add more bikers to the ride.

Thanks all. I just bought the bike two years ago and then was sent off to Florida for work so I haven't been as diligent as I should have been with maintenance. I really should try to change the oil myself - it shouldn't be that hard. How do you dispose of the oil?

Pour it into the bottles from the new oil and bring it to a gas station or auto parts place that sells oil. They are mandated to take old oil if the sell oil.

Just wait til it gets dark and pour it down the sewer.............. Just kidding. Take it to any shop like marcsiry said. They we take it.

Your local recycling center will take old oil too.

The Maplewood Recycling Center has a giant yellow bin for old oil. I usually wait until I have about 6 cases of the old stuff and then head over to dump it.

marcsiry said:

What time?

7:30? 8:00?

mja said:

marcsiry said:

What time?

7:30? 8:00?

Works for me.

Are we still on for tomorrow morning? Looks like the weather is going to cooperate.

I can probably do 8 ish.

seaweed said:

ps- here is what I'm planning on getting for next season

I have it on good authority that they will not be selling motorcycles next season. Get out and buy that thing right now!!!

I'm cruiser impaired. Is that a Victory?

I'll be there at 8:00

marcsiry said:

I'm cruiser impaired. Is that a Victory?

Looks like a V-Star 950,

mja said:

I'll be there at 8:00

See you there.

GGartrell said:

marcsiry said:

I'm cruiser impaired. Is that a Victory?

Looks like a V-Star 950,

Yes it's a v-star 950 -- @GGartrell are they eliminating the 950 model or v-star line altogether? sad either way!

So Maplewood train station park side at 8am right?

seaweed said:

GGartrell said:

marcsiry said:

I'm cruiser impaired. Is that a Victory?

Looks like a V-Star 950,

Yes it's a v-star 950 -- @GGartrell are they eliminating the 950 model or v-star line altogether? sad either way!

Neither, it was a joke. I was saying they (all manufacturers) aren't selling any motorcycles at all next year in an attempt to convince you to buy it this year instead. The V-Star isn't going anywhere. It's a huge seller.

whew you scared me there for a minute!!

Good riding today. Thanks for all the roads you showed us, Marc! Hope you guys had a good ride after I split off.

I'm still riding to the Cars & Croissants thing tomorrow if anyone wants to join me. Otherwise, I'm thinking we should do this again sometime.

Thanks for setting up the first meeting of the Maplewood Motorcycle Club, @mja!

I went to hang with my wife and kids at the farm up the road, and @GGartrell took off for parts unknown.

Can't make the event tomorrow, but definitely up for more riding in the future.

Great ride today! I didn't know most of those roads existed. Tooled around the area for a bit and then headed up to Bear Mt. Looking forward to the next one.

Beautiful day up at Bear by the way. We should make it a waypoint on the next ride.

Anyone meeting up tomorrow, Sunday? I just bought a buell blast and definitely not someone who can do 200 miles a day, but am happy to meet up.