I dropped mny SG off at the dealer's - Monty's in W Bridgewater, MA last Monday for the 1,000 mile service and some upgrades. I had them install the detachable luggage rack and backrest, swap out the bars for the Touring pullback, and changes the cables. They are a small shop, but have been around for years. You drop your bike off Monday, and they will have it ready by end of week. Given that we have hgad the rainiest two month period in history, no big deal. I'll pick it up Friday.

Well, Friday came and the bike wasn't ready. I'm sure they were busy with Laconia Bike week starting up, and since it was raining, I could wait till Saturday.

So, I got up Sat, and it was still raining. Went to the Army/Navy store and got a cheap rainsuit.

Picked up the bike, and was going thru the work order. SS brake lines? I specified black. Well, accroding to the dealer, they tried to get them, but not available. Never called me to ask. ok , I can live with it, they actually look pretty good. Checked out the rest ofthe work(in the rain). Got up Sun moring, and decided that yesterday was the last day I was going to ride in the rain looking through a windshield and decided to swap out to the 9.5 " clearview that i got last fall.

Also, familiarizing myself with the detachable, I grabbed the sissy bar, and cut my hand on a a sharp chrome edge that was peeling off. Okay, I;m thinking, how bad did these guys screw me? first the brake lines, and then they sold mne a peice of s&*t sissy bar foir $150.

Anyway, I calmed down and figured I'd test out the new windshield. Buffeting was an issue with the 4", so I went way up to the 12", but after the rain ride I dropped it down so I went for a test ride.

Okay, this seems pretty good. I', 5"9, can see comfortably just over the top of the w/s. Good air, and the re-curve seems to push the windstream up over my helmet.

Got off the side streeets, and as I was speeding up, started to hear a rattling noise after about 30 mph. Getting louder and faster as I brought the speed up. Now, I'm getting pissed. Sounds like something loose in the front end or fairing. What the f&$k did these guys do to my bike!

So I pulled over and looked for anything obvoiusly loose. Nothing.

Got back on and the rattlling started again.

Fuming.

Hit a good open stretch of road without much traffic. As I peeked around the right side t look at the lower part of the fairing, I saw the problem in my right mirror.....


the rattling was the visor on my Vega half helmet. You know, the one that snaps on, with a little play in it to avoid lifting your helmet. Guess the wind flow wasnlt there when I rode with the 12" windshield.

Like Sgt Hulka said "Lighten up , Francis."

BTW - I went back to the dealer on Monday and showed them the chrome probelm on the sissybar. Changed it out for my in 20 minutes.

Boston forecast is 85 - 90 this weekend. Riding weather's finally here.

Be safe.

Mike

will post pics with the upgrades this weekend.

 

Man you need a dose of the open road!
I'm the same way about work preformed on my bike I scrutinize every bolt head to be sure they didn't mar anything carelessly. Bottom line is though those tech's are turning wrenches to make a living. I ran a auto shop for a while this is what I observed. Some guys are paticular to the point that they don't turn any hours but they don't have many comebacks either. Some guys are speedy-quick and turn a lot of hours, but they have a parking lot full of comebacks. I my experence its never a middle of the road,both good and quick, it's one or the other. Best for me is the guy that takes longer and gets it done right.

 

Happens to all of us.

Went riding with 5 other couples last week. Most of the group had baggers.
As we're cruising along I heard a subtle but noticeable knocking from my engine. Engage the clutch and it's still there.

We were approaching a stop light and I was ready to motion that I have to pull over when I realize it's the bagger in front of me playing a CD with a deep bass line.


The ride continued without further incident.

Sammi

 

One man's song is another man's sorrow.

 

Shark....what did you decide to do with the windshield? Put the 12" back on? I had heard good things about the Clearview, but to be honest I don't think anything really prevents buffetting and turbulence like either a 12" windshield or my Cee Bailey SSC 13". I wish it weren't so, but at 6'0" I still get turbulence with a 10" windshield, unless it's an extremely calm wind day. The Cee Bailey has worked the best thus far, and I still use my FastAire 9" and 10", the 4" literally hurts my ears, and I am going to try the custom FLT windshields talked about on here that are wider than standard windshields.

 

lol yep They **** me off all the time .