New (to Me) 2000 Kawasaki W650

[Barnone]

Speedo66,
Yikes, that is a lot of damage to your bike. Hopefully the frame and forks are not bent.

[ORexpat]

Just put new shoes on the Dub. Had Metzler Lasertec's. Lasted about 7K miles. Rear was shot, front had tread but was also scalloped, with predictable influence on the handling--wretched.

Put new BT45's on and went with the 120 in the rear. First impression is--really positive. Though they're too new to push yet, the turn in is great, and they're stable in turns and at speed, unlike what the Metzler's had become.

[Speedo66]

Anybody put rearsets on their W and have a right side front footpeg bracket and footpeg laying around?

[ORexpat]

Took a ride in Northern Virginia today, around an almost-not-there place named Delaplane. The railroad depot saw much use during the Civil War. Lot's of back roads; the best views were usually on the gravel roads.







My kind of roads . . . .

[Barnone]

ORexpat,
Nice ride and photos.
The depot looks in pretty good shape. Is it in use? Somebody needs to restore it.

[ORexpat]

The depot's now an antique store; not open very often. It's a little out of the way and while thousands of cars go by 100 meters away on Rt 17, it seems very few stop.

There's probably a dozen up-scale wineries within a 30 minute radius. I'd bet some ambitious and hardworking type could build a business plan for some sort of eatery or tavern here . . . .

[Speedo66]

Nice location, nice pics.

[zwish]

Originally Posted by zwish

Does anyone have a functioning link to the Captain Jake Needle Shim Mod? As the weather is starting to take a slightly chilly turn, the lean condition of my W is really starting to rear it's head. I've got the air mixture screws set to 3 turns out. I'll probably be increasing that a bit as well. After reading a few posts about how helpful the shim mod was, I think it's time to give that a go. The bike is taking a very long time to properly warm up. Thanks.

Or any other tips for improving warm up time? I've got my mixture screws at 3 turns out right now. Maybe go to 3.5?

[Barnone]

Originally Posted by zwish

Or any other tips for improving warm up time? I've got my mixture screws at 3 turns out right now. Maybe go to 3.5?

Try 3.5 but when I had mine at 3.5 the warm up time was the same as 3 if I remember right.

I start the bike at full choke, let it warm up a bit, half choke, start riding at a moderate pace for a bit more, and then choke off. No big deal for me. I am riding for more than 2 miles though.

[Barnone]

Originally Posted by Speedo66

Anybody put rearsets on their W and have a right side front footpeg bracket and footpeg laying around?

Speedo66,
Don't know if are on the Yahoo W650 group but in case you are not, used W650 parts for sale at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/W650riders/message/175743
Also you might post there for the parts you need.

[Irish1]

Not affiliated. http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...255214999.html
Looks to be an excellent value in excellent shape. I'm constantly looking
for a W650 for myself so I came across this.

[folmonty]

Originally Posted by zwish

For you folks who have done Capt. Jake's air mixture screw mod,

What method did you use to drill through the caps? Currently, I don't have a Dremel and I'm trying to see if there is a simple way to do it without having to buy one. Thanks.

Just reading through the postings and saw this - make a small hole using a drill after punching a dimple with a nail or punch (lightly). Then put a wood screw in 1/2 turn and pull the cap out. It's very easy but you must remove the carbs to do it.

[folmonty]

Originally Posted by ORexpat

Took a ride in Northern Virginia today, around an almost-not-there place named Delaplane. The railroad depot saw much use during the Civil War. Lot's of back roads; the best views were usually on the gravel roads.

Nice pictures ORexpat! How cool is it that you have all that in your back yard. I'm envious! Good to see you still so active helping other Wriders with their bikes. Like the BT45 review as I have a set to put on. Enjoy the fall weather!

[Barnone]

Originally Posted by Irish1

Not affiliated. http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...255214999.html
Looks to be an excellent value in excellent shape. I'm constantly looking
for a W650 for myself so I came across this.

Nice looking seat. I emailed him and said I would buy it if he would (I'd pay) ship it to me.

[folmonty]

Originally Posted by Kentucky

Finished prepping the W for a nice little ride. Leaving home in Daytona Beach next wednesday to ride to NOLA Motorsports Park to announce the season championship for the AMA Pro Road Racing season. Leaving the NOLA the following Monday to ride to LA (Pomona) to announce the AMA Pro Grand National Championship the following weekend. This will be my second coast to coast trip on the W. It is a fantastic touring motorcycle.

My route will be predominately a southern one across I-10 on the way out. Coming home will be a 6 or 7 day victory lap to celebrate the end of the 2012 racing season for me. It has been an amazing year announcing MotoGP twice, World Superbike and every round of the AMA Pro Road Racing season plus all but three rounds of the 2012 Grand National flat track season.

It would be cool to meet up with some W owners on the way home. I'm leaving LA on the 15th of October. Not sure exactly of my route back to Daytona but it will certainly include a good bit of two lane.
Barry

Outstanding story Barry. One never knows where the Wubya might show up. Your travel log sure speaks volumes to it's versatility. I'd like to read your entire story as "the year in review." Bet there's some great memories eh? Wubya running with the big dogs!