Lamont Going It Alone!

[b2k]

I ran over 20,000 miles on my front tires with very little wear. What wear they had was very uniform. At around 18,000 miles I did get a bit of 'out of balance' cupping on my right front (very hard to see in the early stages) but I look closely at my tire wear fairly often. Tires can give you early warning about suspension problems and other issues.

I put Ride-On in my front tires (already had it in the rear) and the cupping went away. If you catch these things early enough you can save the tire.

Tires can go away in a hurry if there is an alignment problem and I started to get some pretty good wear on the inside portion of the right front. It had to be alignment (too much toe out) and seemed to begin about the time I had the DPS replaced (around 20,000 miles). I coudln't be sure but it was convenient to blame the DPS changeout.

But as I looked into the DPS possibility, I could see no way for a DPS swap to cause an alignment issue. So Lamont and I decided to give my Spyder an alignment before going to CA. When lifted my Spyder we found quite a bit of slop in the wheel, like a bad wheel bearing.

We were were about to inspect the wheel bearing when Lamont said something about the tie rod end. BINGO! The slop was all in the tie rod end. Wheel bearing was fine.

You can't buy just the tie rod end. You have to buy the entire tie rod with both ends attached, over $100.00. Our semi-local shop did not have one in stock so we ordered 4 (2 for me and 2 for Lamont). Then we jacked up Lamont's RS and stole the tie rod off of his. Now that is a first! Using Lamont's ride for a parts bike for my ride made my day! :yes:

The swap was a piece of cake. The whole operation took about 30 minutes. Eye to Eye was exactly the same so my alignment issues should be resolved.

I doubt I can save that right front tire now. It's too far gone. I'll get 2 new fronts, put a new tie rod on (the one I stole from Lamont has over 50,000 miles on it) :yikes: and get an alignment.

wonder how long it will take you to get them from Lamont.you know UPS ships over there:yikes:

 

[BajaRon]

wonder how long it will take you to get them from Lamont.you know UPS ships over there:yikes:

Should not be a problem. These are delivering to East Tennessee ATV. With Lamont out of town I should have no problem getting them.

 

[Lamonster]

Made it to Shawnee OK. Man did I see some serious weather damage getting here. :shocked:

 

[bjt]

Sounds like your out of the woods as far as flood worries, correct? In any case, ride safe bro. :f_spider:

 

[BajaRon]

Made it to Shawnee OK. Man did I see some serious weather damage getting here. :shocked:

Glad to hear from you. Went by the house to see if Chris had heard anything (and to get the Glo-Rider I forgot to replace when we swapped tie rods).

She said you were negotiating the detour. How did it all go?

 

[Raptor]

Made it to Shawnee OK. Man did I see some serious weather damage getting here. :shocked:

I bet you did, man. I have been in floods before and it's pretty gnarly. Flood water is pretty nasty stuff. Very glad your trip is progressing in a positive direction. Stay safe. :doorag:

 

[Lamonster]

I bet you did, man. I have been in floods before and it's pretty gnarly. Flood water is pretty nasty stuff. Very glad your trip is progressing in a positive direction. Stay safe. :doorag:

I didn't get a chance to stop and take pictures but this is the town that was really bad. Looked like a warzone nojoke
http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2011/may/08/unlucky-arkansas-town-struggles-from-tornado-and-t/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...orms-in-region/2011/04/27/AFCa0OvE_story.html

http://tornadolinks.com/archives/212

 

[flamingobabe]

Be safe...have fun...keep us posted during your travels......

 

[TicketBait]

Lamont,

Be safe...have fun...keep us posted during your travels......

:agree:

 

[Raptor]

I didn't get a chance to stop and take pictures but this is the town that was really bad. Looked like a warzone nojoke
http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2011/may/08/unlucky-arkansas-town-struggles-from-tornado-and-t/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...orms-in-region/2011/04/27/AFCa0OvE_story.html

http://tornadolinks.com/archives/212

It is just gut-wrenching to see and read about things like this. I have Kin that live just outside of Pine Bluff and it seems like every year we keep our fingers crossed for their saftey. I pray that these folks in Falkner County area will get a break soon; I believe they have been through enough already.

Ride on, Sir. Hopefully things will open up a bit for you now. Keep us posted. opcorn:

 

[BajaRon]

Putting in extra miles today Lamont? No update?

We are having a light show here. The wife is concerned about more tornadoes. But nothing on the radar so it's just bright rain so far.

 

[Lamonster]

Made it to Flagstaff just now. Man what a day. :shocked:
I had bad wind that started in Texas, all the way through New Mexico and into Arizona. My mileage was pretty much in the gutter seeing I had a head wind the whole way. I was happy to get 20mpg and the worst I got was 18mpg. nojoke

Then I went from 95 degrees to 55 degrees within one fuel stop. It got colder from there. I got to try my Firstgear suit I got from Ron and I love it, I went from chattering teeth to nice and warm. I'll never take a road trip without it now.

Time to get some work done and some sleep. :doorag:

 

[BajaRon]

Made it to Flagstaff just now. Man what a day. :shocked:
I had bad wind that started in Texas, all the way through New Mexico and into Arizona. My mileage was pretty much in the gutter seeing I had a head wind the whole way. I was happy to get 20mpg and the worst I got was 18mpg. nojoke

Then I went from 95 degrees to 55 degrees within one fuel stop. It got colder from there. I got to try my Firstgear suit I got from Ron and I love it, I went from chattering teeth to nice and warm. I'll never take a road trip without it now.

Time to get some work done and some sleep. :doorag:

Google maps says 901 miles. Sounds like you did it the hard way. Glad the Firstgear suit did the trick. You look good in that suit too! Cold is NOT GOOD! Especially when you're tired near the end of your day.

San Diego tomorrow.... Looks like the desert run won't be too bad. Mid 80's to low 90's tops. Won't need the suit for that.

Good to hear from you and that (other than low mileage) you're doing fine.

 

[Lamonster]

Google maps says 901 miles. Sounds like you did it the hard way. Glad the Firstgear suit did the trick. You look good in that suit too! Cold is NOT GOOD! Especially when you're tired near the end of your day.

San Diego tomorrow.... Looks like the desert run won't be too bad. Mid 80's to low 90's tops. Won't need the suit for that.

Good to hear from you and that (other than low mileage) you're doing fine.

You know the suit looks a little bulky but it feels great going down the road. I was really surprised how comfortable it felt. It was like going down the road in a nice warm sleeping bag. hyea:

When I got to Flagstaff the gal checking me in said it had snowed today. :shocked:

By the way I'm still mad at you. :lecturef_smilie:

 

[docdoru]

By the way I'm still mad at you. :lecturef_smilie:

BajaRon: are you boycotting this weekend event? :joke::roflblack:

 

[dancogan]

...I had bad wind that started in Texas, all the way through New Mexico and into Arizona. My mileage was pretty much in the gutter seeing I had a head wind the whole way. I was happy to get 20mpg and the worst I got was 18mpg....

I heard about the winds on a motorhome forum I visit. The winds were so strong some people were getting a LHM, just like we get on the Spyder, because of the need for such strong steering adjustments just to keep the vehicle straight on the road. The stability system thought something was wrong. And if you think your gas mileage sucked ... some of these guys only get 6-7 mpg on a good day! :roflblack:

 

[Raptor]

Lamont, you are making good time. Seems the winds are pretty bad all up and down the coast and beyond. No exception here in the Bay Area either. It's been like that around here for a while now, but the last few days have been really bad.

Good deal on the suit as well. I was gonna get one too, but I look like a blimp in the thing! :roflblack: Of course, after learning about the effects of Hypothermea in my MC saftey class last night, I may just rethink the whole thing. But layering is pretty good to do as well. It gives you added flexibility.

Anyway, nice ridin' man! Stay safe. :thumbup:

 

[Wheeler~]

BajaRon: are you boycotting this weekend event? :joke::roflblack:

You pot stirrer!!!!!!

 

[BajaRon]

By the way I'm still mad at you. :lecturef_smilie:

I know... But we are still talking and I think with a little counciling we can patch things up...

BajaRon: are you boycotting this weekend event? :joke::roflblack:

This weekend's event is mowing hay for this winter. The cows don't care where I go or what I do, as long as they have plenty to eat.

Thanks for turning the spit! :yikes:

 

[Wheeler~]

Doc, this forum finds you guilty of, "Turning the spit", (?) and demands that you forfeit your ladle. :roflblack: