As you'll remember, I've been working my way through my 1300 doing a 50000 mile discovery/service, since I bought the bike with that many miles on it (for a steal, IMHO, though your mileage may vary). I've got about 60,000 on it now, and Larry Igofar has been helping me
1) Learn the bike, its structure and features
2) Guiding me, training me and enlightening me on a range of obvious to subtle conditions the bike has (had)
3) Making my 2005 long distance road worthy so I can kick around some of the backroads in this land of ours with confidence
You can look at the old posts by searching on my user name Paul Drobny to see the truth and look at Larry's wall of shame to get an idea of what shape the bike was in. In a nutshell as of the last service, Larry had the engine running and idling nicely, breathing properly and getting good fuel mileage. He also had cleaned and bled the brake, clutch and suspension hydraulics. I've got brand new front pads, determined the rear pads have plenty of play left in them. We've got the suspension adjusted to my body and preferences, fixed the detent on the preload adjustor, replaced the many missing pieces, including a sack full of push rivets, screws, gaskets, bushings, etc. Along the way we straightened out bad bulbs, cleaned up a pesky oil leak (that was the original reason I sought Larry's assistance, actually), made the bags harware work correctly for ease of use and smooth transition, changed crankcase oil, and differential fluids, and cleaned up everything within the tupperware we had open.
Remaining Item: Replace the stuck open thermostat, flush & replace the coolant. I had the thermostat when I went over there in early January, along with a gasket. This was also to be my lesson in removing the tupperware completely from the bike. While we were in there, we examined, cleaned, and dried everything and I had a good look at where the engine placement of everything is. We flushed the radiator, and replaced all of the missing clips and bolts which over the course of the previous owner's work were many. He noticed that the
mirrors were put on improperly, and showed me how to tuck away all the rubber stuff. Both crash bars were bent, and we replaced those and the bar covers while it was all apart. It took all of about 3 hours. In his thorough and I might say comical manner, he walked me through it and generously offered the parts he had that I needed. In return I either brought with me what we knew needed replacement or I drop shipped him anything he "fronted" me. Not only did I have have fun through this whole process, I enjoyed his mechanical insight, his dry sense of humor and cycle design insights. Igofar has so much experience to fall back on, its truly phenomenal what he grasps and senses could be associated with the path we followed.
I don't know how much experience you've had with finding mechanics and fixing issues, but in my too many to even characterize, I've never found anyone like Larry. He not only lets you past the "insurance line" that nearly all commercial shops have, he actually revels in teaching you about your machine and shares his insights so you can be an integral part of your motorcycle owner/operator's experience. I'm really not a bad mechanic myself .. I've been doing it since I was a boy, but I'm humbled by Larry's skills, patience and attitude. I actually look forward to going over there! For those of you in California, we are lucky to have this guy within riding distance of us. SoCa guys, I recommend ignoring the trip-ometer readings, just get on and head out. NorCal guys like me, no issue. I quit looking around Sacramento and the Bay Area .. Larry's in my "backyard".
:bow1: Thanks a million Larry, you've restored my faith in mechanics everywhere, and even my fellow man. There are definitely good people out there that are great with a 'cycle, and you're in the front of that group! Even more generally, the fact that this forum draws people like Larry and all those of you that have helped me get my ST1300 firmly under my skin, is a gratifying experience. Thank you all!
