Frankenbike goes to the Darkside

[Patriot]

ask the dreaded question "How much?"
"Twenty bucks."

"Oh, that includes balancing. And didn't take any weights. It wasn't perfect. There was a slight drift on the balancer, but even a 1/4 ounce was too much, so I left it bare."

ya know they do engine swaps...for Fifty bucks... :yahoo:

 

[majicmaker]

Don't worry Boys & Girls! I'm a professional Crack Inspector!! :drag: (Keep your minds out of the gutter here please!). He can send the link to me so I can

make sure it doesn't start Cracking on him. I'll keep him safe. After all this Crap, we don't want to lose him now!! We'll all meet in Pensacola for my

Birthday on the 17th and I'll give it a quick look see! I think it'll be just fine. My Lawers have me covered for all sorts of crap like this!! Just sayin" :yahoo:

 

[beemerdons]

Outstanding FJR Car Tire Tech Report, RadioHowie. Thank You! I'm going to do this conversion, just to piss off mi Hijo SkooterG!

 

[C&C]

The 'Force' is still with me (i.e. no car tire on my bike) but you sure can tell a nice story (enjoyed the read).

 

[user 213]

I`m really interested in going to the Darkside so I checked out OCfjr`s thread but geeze, 920 posts, screw that. All I want to know is has anyone here gone there and have negative comments. slo.

Which is why the FAQ now exists. So folks don't have to wade through the 920 posts. So far, no one that has gone to the Darkside has gone back, or had negative issues. Most, as Howie said, find that what has been identified as CT handling traits are there, but it's not as big a deal as they think it might be before trying it.

Nice write up Howie! I have added your pic of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus to the Darkside FAQ. You are Officially Darksider #15. And the first to try this tire, so input and wear pics would be welcome to the FAQ when you have some miles on it.

 

[Fred W]

All kidding aside, nice work on the write up Howie. I don't think I'm quite cheap enough ready yet to go darkside. But it sure is good to know it's out there as an option.

Oh, and that brake stay, what an ingenious solution to that issue. Did you get that cut at Subway? I figured that's the darksider version of the $5 foot-long, right?

 

[wfooshee]

Independant confirmation and pics coming Thursday, when the southern bastages get up here to the panhandle. I've got a coupla roads to put him through, no Carolinas or West Virginia, but there are places where you have to work both hands and both feet. Simultaneously. (Well, all of us except Majicmaker, who gets his choice of left limb.) Hell, two of the roads even have the word "hill" in their names!

Chipley Waffle House, 8AM (Central) then off to Pensacola NAS for lunch in the Cubi Bar Cafe.

All who read this are welcome.

Probably.

EDIT: Photo confirmation of "attachments" will not be attempted.

 

[beemerdons]

wfooshee you strike me as a Good Guy on our FJR Forum through your posts, so I'd like to ask a big personal favor please.

Please take as many pictures of RadioHowie's car tire conversion as you can, but can you please try to avoid his ugly mug.

We of FJR Forum just got blasted by Bustanut joker videotaping FJR elves, hideously evil looking little *******s that they were.

Though was indeed cute seeing Barb and MEM disco dancing, unfortunately the brute they were dancing with was gruesome!

So, in Spirt of the Holidays wfooshee, please no pictures of The Mantee Molester; Patriot Mike by himself is already way ugly!

 

[majicmaker]

Independant confirmation and pics coming Thursday, when the southern bastages get up here to the panhandle. I've got a coupla roads to put him through, no Carolinas or West Virginia, but there are places where you have to work both hands and both feet. Simultaneously. (Well, all of us except Majicmaker, who gets his choice of left limb.) Hell, two of the roads even have the word "hill" in their names!
Chipley Waffle House, 8AM (Central) then off to Pensacola NAS for lunch in the Cubi Bar Cafe.

All who read this are welcome.

Probably.

EDIT: Photo confirmation of "attachments" will not be attempted.

Why, Yes!..............Yes, I am looking forward to see these Mythical "Hill" things of which you speak in Florida. :huh: I've heard rumors of their existence! But, I

assumed they were just folklore. Can't wait! I'm heading out to Clermont in a bit to meet up with Howie in the morning when he passes by. Weather looks good

so far. We'll be at the Waffle House in Chipley at 8am. We'll eat fast!! I actually thought of trying to talk Howie out of it, But, I knew that was going to

be a losing battle. :argue: After all, It's the Waffle House for Christ Sake!! :agree:

 

[RadioHowie]

Independant confirmation and pics coming Thursday, when the southern bastages get up here to the panhandle. I've got a coupla roads to put him through, no Carolinas or West Virginia, but there are places where you have to work both hands and both feet. Simultaneously. (Well, all of us except Majicmaker, who gets his choice of left limb.) Hell, two of the roads even have the word "hill" in their names!
Chipley Waffle House, 8AM (Central) then off to Pensacola NAS for lunch in the Cubi Bar Cafe.

All who read this are welcome.

Probably.

EDIT: Photo confirmation of "attachments" will not be attempted.

Why, Yes!..............Yes, I am looking forward to see these Mythical "Hill" things of which you speak in Florida. :huh: I've heard rumors of their existence! But, I

assumed they were just folklore. Can't wait! I'm heading out to Clermont in a bit to meet up with Howie in the morning when he passes by. Weather looks good

so far. We'll be at the Waffle House in Chipley at 8am. We'll eat fast!! I actually thought of trying to talk Howie out of it, But, I knew that was going to

be a losing battle. :argue: After all, It's the Waffle House for Christ Sake!! :agree:

Make it 7am??? Granny's house is 2 minutes away. I'll be sleeping in my riding clothes, won't be brushing my teeth, putting on deodorant or wiping my ass, so I'll be ready to fly as soon as my feet hit the gound. :****:

 

[RadioHowie]

Independant confirmation and pics coming Thursday, when the southern bastages get up here to the panhandle. I've got a coupla roads to put him through, no Carolinas or West Virginia, but there are places where you have to work both hands and both feet. Simultaneously. (Well, all of us except Majicmaker, who gets his choice of left limb.) Hell, two of the roads even have the word "hill" in their names!
Chipley Waffle House, 8AM (Central) then off to Pensacola NAS for lunch in the Cubi Bar Cafe.

All who read this are welcome.

Probably.

EDIT: Photo confirmation of "attachments" will not be attempted.

FYI...I will NOT be goaded into squidly activities. Hell, the Michelin will still be smelling new when I get there. Gotta put more than a couple hundred slab miles on both the tire and my muscle memory before I go and get all wfooshee-ey.

Ummm....what was the thread topic???

 

[majicmaker]

Independant confirmation and pics coming Thursday, when the southern bastages get up here to the panhandle. I've got a coupla roads to put him through, no Carolinas or West Virginia, but there are places where you have to work both hands and both feet. Simultaneously. (Well, all of us except Majicmaker, who gets his choice of left limb.) Hell, two of the roads even have the word "hill" in their names!
Chipley Waffle House, 8AM (Central) then off to Pensacola NAS for lunch in the Cubi Bar Cafe.

All who read this are welcome.

Probably.

EDIT: Photo confirmation of "attachments" will not be attempted.

Why, Yes!..............Yes, I am looking forward to see these Mythical "Hill" things of which you speak in Florida. :huh: I've heard rumors of their existence! But, I

assumed they were just folklore. Can't wait! I'm heading out to Clermont in a bit to meet up with Howie in the morning when he passes by. Weather looks good

so far. We'll be at the Waffle House in Chipley at 8am. We'll eat fast!! I actually thought of trying to talk Howie out of it, But, I knew that was going to

be a losing battle. :argue: After all, It's the Waffle House for Christ Sake!! :agree:

Make it 7am??? Granny's house is 2 minutes away. I'll be sleeping in my riding clothes, won't be brushing my teeth, putting on deodorant or wiping my ass, so I'll be ready to fly as soon as my feet hit the gound. :****:

Oh God! Thanks for putting THAT visual in my head! But, Ok! 7am is good for me. Wfooshee! Did you get that? Hello! Hello! :dance:

 

[Longrider]

Very nice report. Many Thanks. I would only add the tire pressure you are using?

Longrider

 

[wfooshee]

7am is good for me. Wfooshee! Did you get that? Hello! Hello! :dance:

You guys know it's not even hardly light yet by then, right?

But I can be there. It will still be dark when I get up to leave, though. . . . .

Damn Eastern time zone bastages.

 

[lnewlf]

Good write up! looks good-price good-mileage good-buuut,I'm thinking about the few times a year when the dormant squid in me emerges on some twisty mountain road with a few of my wildhair riding buds....and I know that the capable FJR is up to the challenge, but that tar,I don't know, I don't think so..

 

[LgFJR]

Howie what a great report......I'm still laughing.........you certainly should have a job waiting at one of the cycle magazines if they throw you out of radio. Having already been to the darkside five years ago on my Valkyrie I know you will love the Michelin , especially on the giant slab that is FLa. It will make you work a little in the twisties...........I have only one small caveat for you on the darkside. Take this FWIW...........considering no ABS and the Valkyrie is a giant 850lb pig........I did have a very brief episode out here in light rain. Fortunately I was only at medium speed around 65mph or so, I was straight and level and I applied light brakes, (no mood altering drugs or ackahawl in my system) and the tire felt like it locked up and slid for a good fifty feet. Completely controllable........straight ahead..........but I have to say it was a weird sensation. So thats my only precautionary word on the darkside.........watch for hydroplaning in the rain......I know you get some real downpours back there...........but that bigger patch just makes sense might want ride up a little on the water. I think the ABS will make a world of difference, and no question the FJR out handles a Valk in every way.........but just something to file away in the back of the mind. Perhaps check with OCFJR and see if there are any reports. That was the only issue ever with my Kumo on the Valk...........otherwise it actually rode much softer on the slab, you will like it a lot....................

LG

 

[doctorJ]

Independant confirmation and pics coming Thursday, when the southern bastages get up here to the panhandle. I've got a coupla roads to put him through, no Carolinas or West Virginia, but there are places where you have to work both hands and both feet. Simultaneously. (Well, all of us except Majicmaker, who gets his choice of left limb.) Hell, two of the roads even have the word "hill" in their names!
Chipley Waffle House, 8AM (Central) then off to Pensacola NAS for lunch in the Cubi Bar Cafe.

All who read this are welcome.

Probably.

EDIT: Photo confirmation of "attachments" will not be attempted.

Why, Yes!..............Yes, I am looking forward to see these Mythical "Hill" things of which you speak in Florida. :huh: I've heard rumors of their existence! But, I

assumed they were just folklore. Can't wait! I'm heading out to Clermont in a bit to meet up with Howie in the morning when he passes by. Weather looks good

so far. We'll be at the Waffle House in Chipley at 8am. We'll eat fast!! I actually thought of trying to talk Howie out of it, But, I knew that was going to

be a losing battle. :argue: After all, It's the Waffle House for Christ Sake!! :agree:

Make it 7am??? Granny's house is 2 minutes away. I'll be sleeping in my riding clothes, won't be brushing my teeth, putting on deodorant or wiping my ass, so I'll be ready to fly as soon as my feet hit the gound. :****:

So how can someone pick you out from the usual Waffle House customer if not met you before ?

doctorj

 

[dcarver]

Independant confirmation and pics coming Thursday, when the southern bastages get up here to the panhandle. I've got a coupla roads to put him through, no Carolinas or West Virginia, but there are places where you have to work both hands and both feet. Simultaneously. (Well, all of us except Majicmaker, who gets his choice of left limb.) Hell, two of the roads even have the word "hill" in their names!
Chipley Waffle House, 8AM (Central) then off to Pensacola NAS for lunch in the Cubi Bar Cafe.

All who read this are welcome.

Probably.

EDIT: Photo confirmation of "attachments" will not be attempted.

Why, Yes!..............Yes, I am looking forward to see these Mythical "Hill" things of which you speak in Florida. :huh: I've heard rumors of their existence! But, I

assumed they were just folklore. Can't wait! I'm heading out to Clermont in a bit to meet up with Howie in the morning when he passes by. Weather looks good

so far. We'll be at the Waffle House in Chipley at 8am. We'll eat fast!! I actually thought of trying to talk Howie out of it, But, I knew that was going to

be a losing battle. :argue: After all, It's the Waffle House for Christ Sake!! :agree:

Make it 7am??? Granny's house is 2 minutes away. I'll be sleeping in my riding clothes, won't be brushing my teeth, putting on deodorant or wiping my ass, so I'll be ready to fly as soon as my feet hit the gound. :****:

So how can someone pick you out from the usual Waffle House customer if not met you before ?

doctorj

Easy, Radio's head is as flat as his tire! :rofl:

 

[user 213]

I have only one small caveat for you on the darkside. Take this FWIW...........considering no ABS and the Valkyrie is a giant 850lb pig........I did have a very brief episode out here in light rain. Fortunately I was only at medium speed around 65mph or so, I was straight and level and I applied light brakes, (no mood altering drugs or ackahawl in my system) and the tire felt like it locked up and slid for a good fifty feet. Completely controllable........straight ahead..........but I have to say it was a weird sensation. So thats my only precautionary word on the darkside.........watch for hydroplaning in the rain......I know you get some real downpours back there...........but that bigger patch just makes sense might want ride up a little on the water. I think the ABS will make a world of difference, and no question the FJR out handles a Valk in every way.........but just something to file away in the back of the mind. Perhaps check with OCFJR and see if there are any reports. That was the only issue ever with my Kumo on the Valk...........otherwise it actually rode much softer on the slab, you will like it a lot....................
LG

Is it possible that the light rain was the first in a while? I'm thinking oil/water issue, not hydroplaning. I've ridden the CT in torrential rain and it's better than a moto tire for water dispersal. All those tread blocks and sipes, deeper grooves, etc. It throws spray! I've never felt any hydroplaning or slippage under braking, (or ABS engagement from the rear), with the CT. I do have a Gen I, so no linked brakes. And you can engage the rear ABS with the CT, you just have to stomp on the pedal, or do something dumb, (yep, we all go there now and then, eh?), but it hooks up so much better than a moto tire that it's pretty rare for the CT to do any slippage.

Of course, I'm running an all-season tire too, as is RH. I know some summer rated car tires that are outstanding in dry conditions, but become slippery, scary pieces of eel skin in the rain.

 

[user 213]

Good write up! looks good-price good-mileage good-buuut,I'm thinking about the few times a year when the dormant squid in me emerges on some twisty mountain road with a few of my wildhair riding buds....and I know that the capable FJR is up to the challenge, but that tar,I don't know, I don't think so..

Your question has been added to the FAQ.

The tire does have traction all the way over to peg dragging lean angles. It does require more effort to transition from side to side. After a day of twisties you will feel the work out in the shoulders. Especially before you have developed the new muscles from riding the CT for a while. If you live for/in the twisties, the CT isn't the best choice. If you cover the miles, but also enjoy the twisties when you ride them, the CT works fine and doesn't limit performance.