| Author | Message | ||
     1stbuell |
Hey Blublak, is this you at Pocono? \image {Blublak?}  | ||
| Chrisb |
Which dealer can I trust in Maryland/DC to actually do a TPS reset and check my timing. I called Frederick and the guy said he could try to squeeze me in and it should only take 1/2hr. I told him I have this coming friday off and I could hear him cringing on the phone. The issue is they are probally one of the farthest dealers from me, I'm in St. Mary's county. | ||
| Blublak |
Yes, that's me at Pocono. The guy behind me is running video on me. As was the guy in front of me. They even got part of my hard landing on tape. I'm hoping to see the disc sometime soon. Good news. I took the bike out on Saturday and ran it around a little. Slowly climbing up to speed to check the alignment and see how she felt. I was careful (ok, so I had no headlights, and am missing a turn signal) but can safely report that she tracks true at 30, 50, 85, 110..  As tested by me, braking is still strong as it ever was. I report no problems in ride-ability.. So I'm good to go for Summit Point.  Gotta love a solid built machine like these! By the way, looks like I'll have a 'pit crew' with me at Summit.  BumbleBuell says she's gonna go. Not ride mind you, but I think she wants to check it out and see what it's like. Cool no? So, aside from Mio (1stBuell) and I.. Any other Buellers going to be there?  | ||
| Blublak |
Hey Chris. If you're in St. Marys, doesn't that put you close to Pax River? If so, you may want to look into Ft. Washington or Baltimore. Don't know much about Baltimore, but Ft. Wash. has pretty good rep. For more info on them, get in touch with Jose. Best of luck to ya. If you still don't like the dealers near you. Then there's always the fun part of going from your place to Fredneck.. Finding new and fun ways to get there. | ||
| Chrisb |
yep near PAX. Went ahead and sked with Frederick | ||
| 1stbuell |
I need help! I have a new set of tires and brake pads to install but cannot get any shop to do them this week. I have a track day on the 24th and need this done asap. Any suggestions (no, am too lame to them myself). | ||
| Blublak |
Hmmm... Only things that leap to mind are: A) try a bike shop that is NOT a Buell Shop. Risky as the wheel set up may throw them for a loop, but would get it done in time. B) call TPM. They have track side service, see if they can do it first thing in the AM and then help get the wheels back on the bike. They may not be able to do it.. but you can try calling and seeing if they can. 3) Anyone have any other ideas? Or can lend a hand to Mio? (yeah, I was never very good at cataloggin' stuff) | ||
| Bluelightning |
Mio, Brakes are easy. Jose has just gotten a tire tool to change his own tires, not sure of his schedule. I can change your pads today or tomorrow (4/18 or 4/19). It's about a 20-30 minute job to change your pads, and depending on how old your fluid is, I'd change that and re-bleed while we are at it. I have all the parts, just bring your service manual in case there is something tricky (i.e. alignment issues) about your brakes. Oh and I'll do it for ya no charge cause I hate to see a fellow badwebber in a bind before going to the track.  | ||
| 1stbuell |
Thanks Blue, That is very nice of you, however, I was able to get an appt with CAD Cycles here which is about 10 minutes away for tomorrow. My pads won't be in till later today anyway. I will take everything to them since I need the tires done as well. I will take you up on it next time since I should learn to do them myself. Also, I would like to sponsor a "Tech Day" this summer. I don't know yet when but if people want to chime in as to what would be a good date, I am flexible. Plenty of space and driveway and shade! | ||
| 1stbuell |
Blublak, Is your wife riding or driving to Summit Point? If she is driving, any chance I can have you take some stuff for me there (suit, gas, lunch, skills)? Call me 240-401-1140 Thanks | ||
| Blublak |
Yep, Consider me calling in a few minutes.. or it might have already happened, depending on when you read this.. But let's not get into that whole time/space thing.. hehehehehe.. | ||
| 1stbuell |
Where would you take your bike to get it properly tuned (dyno, remap, etc). I have a race ECM, Drummer original and K&N filter on the bike but would love to see if everything is working in unison. I live near Battley's in Gaithersburg but try to avoid it. | ||
| Bluelightning |
Mio, You can take it to American Pro Street Cycles (also in Gaithersburg off of Laytonsville Rd). They have a full dyno and machine shop on site. That is where I took my X-1 to get tuned. I know they deal alot with the FI and carb Harley's, but they should be able to check your bike out and see what it is doing. John is the owner and used to work for Zippers long ago, so he knows how to squeeze hp from a Buell. | ||
| Rasmonis |
Hey everyone, it's been a while... Mio, how did it go at the track? | ||
| Blublak |
Hey Ramon, long time no read.. Uh, see! How are you doin? What have you been up too? I'll let Mio tell you about his track day, since I didn't really spend much time with him (he was in ART Basic) and getting up to speed on 'the way of the racer' or whatever you would like to call it. I will say this; it was an almost perfect day for it! Started out kinda foggy in the mornin', but by the time I got to the track, it was looking quite nice. Day never got really hot (although we did have a few really good gusts of wind).. On track, I had a good time (got yelled at by a couple of coaches once or twice) Not having the straight line speed that those IL4s' have I usually got passed a bit on the main straight. I was a bit slower getting up to the 110/120 mark and then hauling it down into turn one. A lot of traffic there for most of the day! I mean, a bunch of those folks can go really fast in a straight line, but going into that hairpin half of them drop to 20 or something. Really screwed me up a few times as I think I was coming into it at about 45 or so. Seemed to have problems getting the right line through turn three, but after a couple of Q&A's with some of the racer types, I found my mark and almost have it right. Next problem, turn 5 going into 'the carousel'. Most of these guys are going from the far right side of the track and trying to cut straight across that tight little left-hander without leaning the bike over. Me, I'm hitting about mid track and sweeping up to the left so I am on the outside dropping into the long right (the carousel). No passing on the inside so I found myself 'stuffing' myself so as not to be crossing lines in front of a few of these jokers. Don't get me wrong, there were some guys out there that were way faster then I am, ever. But some of them just seemed to 'follow the leader' and you'd end up in a long train slowly moving through the track. Then, trying to pass in the switchbacks didn't work, (remember no inside passes) as they are going from one side of the track to the other. I'm sure if we were passing on the inside, I would have taken them two or three at a time. I spent most of the day with ART (Advanced Rider Training) instructor John Stevens. He's a good guy and helped me a lot. I'm looking for smoother, not faster and I know it was hard for him to switch between those wanting to run down Mladin and my goals. But he seemed to manage it sort of (a couple of times he kept talking like I was going racing.. I have to admit, one time while chatting with the small group of us; he made a comment that really lifted my spirits. He was talking to one of the racers, on his race machine and suggested he try taking a turn like I did, just not so far inside the line.) I'll take the praise where I can get it thanks. Towards the end of the day, I was following Glen Goldman (TPM Owner and former racer) and coming out of the carousel he looked back to see me about five feet off his back tire! Then some Kawasaki shot up the inside of turn 9 on me and kind of spooked me, they had been telling us no inside passes all day, so I wasn't ready for someone to almost run his bike into my elbow while we were leaned over for the run up to turn 10. After the session, Glen and I talked, then when I said I was gonna grab a drink and head back out, he said I could ride with the 'Red' (intermediate/some racers/yup, fast guys) group if I didn't mind every one passing me. Now that made me feel really good if he felt I could hold a line well enough to move up a group. I declined due to the speed thing. I'm still working on smooth.. I don't want to have to worry about folks that are racing. So, I'm not as fast as a lot of folks that were out there, but I'm not as slow as some either (at least not in the corners). So all in all I'm happy with my day. Now, Thursday, I'm off to VIR to ride with them again, on one of their Ducatis'. I'll let you know what I think of it when I'm done. hehehehehehe... | ||
| Rasmonis |
Blublak, Sounds like you spent a lot of quality time on the track. I need to get with the program and make time to do the same. I'm not getting any better puttering around Frederick. | ||
| Rasmonis |
For those interested, I take a week off in the spring for my birthday to spend quality time @ home. Put K (my 'ol lady) on my bike to see how she'd do with one of her own. She looked great on it, 2 feet later they were both getting acquainted with the pavement. Fortunately I installed pucks when I got back from FL - best $50 investment ever. The best part of the story is that we picked up the bike, she got back on it and rode it around the parking lot for about 30 min without further incidents. Hopefully she'll have her license this summer. I had my first service (1k mi), $250 later, I barely noticed anything. When I brought it in they told me it would take 3hrs. An hour later it was waiting in the bay for pickup. At least it finally feels "broken in". Can't help but to feel "jipped" know what I mean? | ||
| Blublak |
Ok.. From RaceDayPhoto here are some shots of ALL the Buells running at our track day at Summit Point.. Wish it had been a bit more like Pocono.. oh well..  1stBuell (Mio)    Then, like all of us.. there is..  Traffic  I ran into a lot that as well.. although this first picture..  wasn't traffic, it was the three students at the beginning of the day. Two or so laps later, they had gone racing.. and I..  was alone.. so to speak. On the occasions when I was coming either into or out of some turns.. I'd run into traffic.. So going into the twisted sections, I'm on the brakes..  I did get a little speed going, nothing to write home about of course.. the guy behind me is John, the instructor, checking my lines before giving me grief for being 'all over the place'.. although, he was pretty good natured about it all and was just trying to get me to where he felt I could go.  So I kept riding.. Had to have as much fun as possible..  Still hoping Mio (1stBuell) checks in soon. | ||
| 1stbuell |
Hey Ras, I had a great time at the track and big thanks to Blublak and his wife for taking care of me and hauling some of my stuff.  My day started off pretty bad as I dropped the bike trying to push it away from my house so I wouldn't wake up the kids when I started it up. Somehow, I lost footing and dropped the bike on the right side. Damage= broken right foot peg and partially broken front brake lever. Not a good start at 5:30 in the am. I remembered I had the pegs from the rear (which I had taken off) and put those on in a hurry. They fit, but I had no spring action so I need to be careful, plus they are 1" higher than the "S" pegs I was using. Anyway, I ma finally on my way to Summit point about 6am. Miserable fog the whole way there, cold wet and very little visability, but I get there just in time for the sun to start shining. I took the ART Basic class since it was my first time on a track and it was worth every penney. The whole day was a blast, very thrilling, fun, sometimes scary but a thrill. I learned more that day than in the past 2 years of riding. The amount of time on the track was great and the instructors were very helpful and seemed to really want you to "get it". I learned that I have a lot more to learn than I thought. My lines were ok but I got hammered by the instructors on my body position. I guess more track days are in store for me and I look forward to learning a lot more and using it. | ||
| Rasmonis |
All, I stopped by the dealership in Frederick today to make sure everything is still on for Saturday, and it is... For those attending the first meeting I managed to get the dealership to provide a give-away, unfortunately I do not have any specifics on what it will be yet. They also received the demo sling bags today so if you have time, schedule a demo to pick yours up. The sling bags are pretty sweet. I plan on taking the XBX for a spin to get mine. They also have a Blast, XBR and an XBS available. Looks like the weather is going to be good for Saturday (69 & sunny), I'd like to get some riding in before the meeting, let me know if anyone is interested. -Ras | ||
| 1stbuell |
Any more details for Saturday Ras, I'm out of the loop on this one. Thanks | ||
| Rasmonis |
Sure, This Saturday we'll be holding the first meeting of the Frederick Brag chapter for this season. Time: 3PM Place: HD/Buell of Frederick 5722 Urbana Pike Frederick, MD, USA 21704 http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=5722+Urbana+Pike,+Frederick,+MD,+USA+2170 4&om=1 | ||
| Twintour |
Lets ride . Lets meet some place on the northside of frederick, around rt. 26 ,then head up to the Catoctins. Time to meet best around 10 am . I been off work doing day rides thurs.and fri. Its cold in the early morning. all welcome, lets ride. Ramon you pick the landmark to meet on 26. | ||
| Twintour |
1stbuell, are you out of the loop for the ride or the meeting ? I can't stay long for the meeting ,I hosting a party for my son. hope you can make the ride. | ||
| 1stbuell |
I probably will not, also planning for a big party on Sunday for my daughter. If I can sneak out, I'll post on here, but don't expect me. Have a great ride, weather should be perfect.  | ||
| Rasmonis |
I think a ride around Cunningham falls state park would be cool, let's plan on meeting out there. Twintour, I'll call you tonight to work out the specifics. Once we decide when and where to meet tomorrow I'll post here for anyone interested. | ||
| Rasmonis |
Looks like we're going to meet tomorrow @ noon in the parking lot of Walmart @ Rt. 26 Google map link: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1811+Monocacy+Blvd,+Frederick,+MD+21701&o m=1 Store Address: 1811 Monocacy Blvd, Frederick, MD 21701 Figure we'd ride some before the meeting. Call (301) 814 1911 for more information. -Ras | ||
| 1stbuell |
I hope you guys enjoyed this beautiful day! What a perfect day for a ride, unfortunately for me, I was stuck at home with other duties. Anyone going to Summit Point this weekend for the races or for a track day? I might try to do both. I will be up for the for the CCS Races to cheer on Art Diaz racing with a Buell. BTW, Art was at Summit Point this past Monday's TPM track day and coudn't have been nicer. Saw me with my Buell and immediately started talking to me and giving some tips. At lunch break, I went to his trailer and he took his time to set up my suspension and dole out some helpful advice on the bike. | ||
| 1stbuell |
Just to jump in here again, I mentioned a little while back that I would like to host a "Tech Day" at my house in June. Need to hear if we have enough people interested. It would be in Highland (clarksburg, Howard County) MD. Plenty of space and a long level driveway with a lot of shade. Beer and BBQ are always going on in my house and all are welcome. I have some tools but no stands. It would be great to get together and tweak the bikes and there are some great roads coming and going. | ||
| José_quiñones |
count me in |
