Hey, quit your sorry... Threads go where they go! Never a worry!

I'll never complain about a little bit of "Anarchy in the Message Board!"

 

Titanium Red Thunder... Drooool.....

 

Awesome video, thanks Tariq! Like the others, I practically laughed out loud followed by a **** eating grin when that look of relief washed over you.

Bike looks and sounds awesome, looking forward to hearing how first rides go.

 

Inquiring minds want to know....how is it running? Hopefully slow response is due to throttle therapy

 

Well... Unfortunately, I can't yet answer your question! After starting it on Tuesday, I followed the first part of the S&S break-in procedures: Idle for one minute, shut down, let it cool to the touch, then let it idle for three or four minutes, let it cool, repeat about four times... This took awhile, mostly waiting for it to cool between runs. The next is to ride fifty miles keeping the engine from exceeding 2,500 RPM, followed by an oil change. It was already dark when I finished the heat cycles, and it seemed like an error to rush through the rest of it, especially since they say to allow the motor to cool completely before the first ride. I really thought I would have gotten the first ride in by now, but I haven't been home from work before 9:30 at all this week.

It may happen tonight (since we close at 5:00 on Saturday), otherwise first thing tomorrow morning.

I really can't wait to see how it goes!!! Thanks for asking!

 

Okay, last night I got my first 50 mile ride done. I followed the S&S instructions exactly: Stay below 2,500 RPM, avoid lugging, don't stay at a constant RPM for any length of time. This was actually harder than you would think! When I got back I changed the oil and filter.

Today I rode another 80 miles. The instructions say you can use up to 3,500 RPM, but I don't think I exceeded 3,000. So far so good... I had someone follow me part of the way to look for any smoke, and none was reported. But I did learn one thing... When you're trying to really pay attention to any unusual sounds or smells, riding right behind a friend's Norton Commando is counterproductive!

But I have found one annoying thing... I bought a full external bolt kit from Alloy Boltz, which is super nice. I used it whenever putting anything back together, but I also started replaced the bolts in areas that I didn't take apart, like the transmission. I replaced the tranny top and and side cover bolts. I removed one bolt at a time, and replaced it with a new stainless one, torquing each one to the Alloy Boltz spec as I went. My assumption was that each cover would never really lose it's seal doing it this way, but now I have a thin line of weeping fluid around the tranny top and side cover. I snugged each bolt up a little further, but no change. I guess I need to remove the covers, replace the gaskets, and bolt them together again. Annoying. It's not dripping at all, but it's noticeable.

As far as the engine goes, so far so good... Although I really haven't gotten on it at all. Here and there I thought I could smell a little bit of burning oil, but that seems to have gone away, Maybe the rings didn't fully seat right away, or maybe it was in my head.

At one point at a red light I heard a metallic-bag-of-marbles sound that concerned me, but it never came back. I later found my front tank bolt lose. I didn't think it sounded like that, but it didn't happen after tightening it, so fingers crossed...

Also, I don't think my vertical engine alignment is perfect. I dialed it in at one point last year, but with everything apart and back together again it feels slightly off. I meant to order a turnbuckle and some rod ends to make up a new top link, but haven't gotten to it yet. I'll get on that soon and align it properly then. I did get rid of the stupid CCE top link that I had, and replaced it with my old (and worn) OEM link for now...

All in all, things seem okay... Although the pessimist in me keeps expecting something to go wrong still...

I can't wait to get through this break-in period!

 

I was able to put a few more miles on the bike today... Total is now just over 200. The instructions say that you can use up to 3500 RPM after the first 50 miles, but I didn't exceed 3000 until about 190 miles, and only brought it up to 3500 a couple of times. Everything feels okay so far... I can't tell anything about power yet, as I haven't gotten on it at all (restraint... boo!). But it does give the impression that things are just getting started somewhere above three grand, which is what I expected.

No leaks, no bizarre sounds so far! Knocking on wood as I type!

I zeroed out the trip meter at the beginning of the first ride, and won't reset until 500 miles. That means relying on the gauge for fuel... On my way home today it started sputtering in the left lane going about 70 MPH... My first thought was "F*ck... I guess I did something wrong after all..." Then I switched the trusty Pingel to the reserve position and everything was fine... Heh heh...

Here she is out and about earlier today:

 

the oil change gods want you to change your oil today.

 

Ha, I was just thinking about that!!!

S&S says to change oil and filter at 50 miles (which I did), and then again at 500 miles. I was thinking that I might just do an oil-only change at 250...