[ChiefGunner]

Well, I ordered some 9” LED light bars for the trunk sides which arrived today. I have matching 4.5” ones for the rear of the trunk but they won’t arrive until Saturday. The side ones you see here will be running/turn as well as the rear ones. Wasn’t able to get them wired in today due to lack of materials to do it properly including quick disconnect waterproof plugs. Will have that Sunday, so I’ll have to post a short video of operation when done.
UPDATE: Well, as usual USPS is jacked up. First the lights were originally to be here last Thursday, then it was Friday, then Saturday. Now who knows! I ordered cable I needed from Amazon and they said delivery Saturday, I ended up getting it Friday. Maybe we should just scrap USPS and give all shipping to Amazon. They are always on time or earlier than promised.

 

[ChiefGunner]

View attachment 77518 View attachment 77517 View attachment 77518

Tapped two factory-drilled holes on my Honda Shadow to 8mm metric, to mount a piece of scrap sheet metal through which I will use a toggle switch to manually activate my radiator fan.

Why not install a thermal switch and relay to automatically control it coming on by temperature? About $20 for the switch, another $15 for the relay and some wire and a little time.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Well, the lights finally showed up. Installed them yesterday and get to wire them in today. Will be configuring for running/turn signals.

 

[ChiefGunner]

I disassemble my plug caps to clean them and bypass the resistors (haven't found a source for replacements).
Are there alcohol-soluble materials in these things? That's surprising, given that electrical cleaners are generally alcohol based.
Admittedly, I don't know much about TPSs. My tech predates all that stuff.

The previous poster is incorrect about damage to TPS throttle AS LONG AS ITS NOT ENERGIZED BEFORE IT EVAPORATES. A “short” will cause an Issue no matter the medium used.
Most are alcohol/ether or trimethyl based and evaporate quickly while providing a medium to flush out dirt and contaminants.
Been working electronics industry for over 40 years. Used this stuff frequently.
Just be careful when using it to protect painted areas from contact.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Not today, but last Wednesday (I'm running behind on everything--my Christmas cards are finally going out tomorrow.. ) : FIXED!!!!!!!! View attachment 77622
Rode another 75 miles or so after leaving the shop, and NO LEAKS!!!!! They opted to drill out and replace the original one so I get to return the extra repair tool I had bought. I should have around $300 in the repair, which is far better than the $600 oil pan the first shop wanted. I'm just thrilled to have found a shop that would fix it the way I wanted it fixed, and I consider it an upgrade over the original so I feel less unhappy about having to deal with it for a month.

Might ride tomorrow if it's not too cold and cloudy, then we've got a nasty storm and dangerously cold winds coming in. Supposed to be in the 50's when I get home after Christmas from the tundra!

Glad you got her fixed Lori. 👍

 

[ChiefGunner]

Lol, yea I did use a lot. When you do this sort of single sheet upholstery without boxings you end up with a lot of extra material which you either have to either make folds for, or be constantly bunching up the extra material.

So the whole piece I was basically bunching up all the extra fabric I could on the underside without it showing along the visible edge, and that sort of method requires tight control of the material, thus the extra staples.

Yeah, I decided to have mine professionally done.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Wow , that's some nice work!

Thanks Mike. They are very good and it has a “lifetime” guarantee too.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Wow! That looks like it should have four legs, a tail, and reins up front.

Reins? That’s a two-tone salt water crocodile with Python accent. Don’t know where you get “reins” from?

 

[ChiefGunner]

Wow
If it sees so amazing on photo.... live vision must be impressive. Very nice color and texture choice

Do you have some photo of complete machine?

Sure @MrCarradine , just go checkout my showcase.

 

[ChiefGunner]

I've seen it in person--it is absolutely amazing!!!

Awww shucks. You’re too kind Lori!
Thanks

 

[ChiefGunner]

Finally got my wig-wag brake flasher installed. I like the better visibility. Had to be mindful of where I tied in so that the trailer lights & LEDs didn’t flash.

Brake light upgrades and additional trunk running /turn signals.

youtube.com

 

[ChiefGunner]

After some bitter cold of 11 degrees without wind chill, temps are going back up. Have mid 60’s on Sunday & Monday with no rain.
Definitely going riding! Will take some pics of course!

 

[ChiefGunner]

Well, I figured “I can’t have a bike this customized and not have the plate to go with it”, so I broke down today and ordered a custom vanity plate for the bike “1 VIPER”.
Yeah, there were some others I liked better but unfortunately were already taken. Should have that in 7-10 days according to DMV.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Happy New Year!!! Boy, 62 degrees on both New Years Eve and New Years Day!!! Picked up supper and the raw milk yesterday. View attachment 77794
And today I finally got recyclables dropped off at Target... View attachment 77795
...and then had a snack!
View attachment 77796
Saw 10 bikes or so, figured there'd be a lot more on a Sunday that's a holiday. What, are there football games or something unimportant like that going on today?

Here’s a picture of an event here in Charlotte with a great turnout.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Well, my ClearView taller wider windshield arrived today along with my custom made emblem.
I love when a vision takes shape!

 

[ChiefGunner]

Very nice, Chief, but I can't read what the emblem says.
How about a close up?

It’s the name of my bike “CrimsonViper”.
It’s custom made out of 316 stainless and polished to mirror finish.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Nice ride!
Is that an electronic deer whistle I spy?

S F

Thanks.
No, that’s just a regular air driven one. They work but you must be going at least 35mph.
That’s the next upgrade I need to complete. The “Hornet” is the best one out there with a range of 1700ft.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Have you done any testing with these? I am wildly curious how well they work. Living in rural South Texas and sometimes doing 80+mph at night in the complete dark on country roads for hours at a time these could be a MAJOR thing for me.

I’ve always used them and never had a deer strike or a close call using the air driven ones. I imagine they don’t have a great range which is why I’m wanting to go electronic.
The “Hornet” had a 5yr study done in WV. All theIr EMS vehicles were getting deer strikes, so they put the electronic one on all their vehicles and in 5 years never had another incident.

 

[ChiefGunner]

Just finished my latest upgrade to the bike.

Edge lighting my ClearView windshield on a 2018 SVTC

youtube.com

 

[ChiefGunner]

Cell phone .....

I’ve already recently been the recipient of that. Fortunately I wasn’t on my bike or I wouldn’t be here.