So we've all heard/seen the 650 xchallenge...let's see your XCOUNTRY!

[Geoffster]

Originally Posted by snooker

Dammit Geoff! You keep hanging out around youngsters and throwing around this newfangled Interweb slang... so I have to google just to decipher read your posts! First the honey badger and now what? The Flying Spaghetti Monster? aka Pastafarianism? Really?

Shall I quote from The Loose Canon?

Originally Posted by snooker

... and another thing, I posted about oil and swearing off synthetic in favor of your beloved Rotella... you didn't even respond? where's the love Geoff?

Actually, the older I get, the more agnostic I become -- about oil, that is, not the FSM. If an oil matches the bike's label for viscosity and grade, I say GO FOR IT. My 650 is currently running BMW 10w-40 because that's what the mechanic put in. But I still buy Rotella when I change oil myself.

"I don't always change my own oil, but when I do, I use Rotella T."

(Did you know The Most Interesting Man in the World is actually Jonathan Goldsmith? lol!!)

[kingbob7]

If you can turn the nut back on, and create some space between the nut and the swing arm on the open end of the nut. Then insert a flat washer or two or three behind the nut to take up space. Then turn the nut back off and the nut will push the bolt outwards. Kind of like a built in press. It might be enough to break the dissimilar metal bond. Good luck again. Bob

[muddyrabbit]

Originally Posted by kingbob7

If you can turn the nut back on, and create some space between the nut and the swing arm on the open end of the nut. Then insert a flat washer or two or three behind the nut to take up space. Then turn the nut back off and the nut will push the bolt outwards. Kind of like a built in press. It might be enough to break the dissimilar metal bond. Good luck again. Bob

I like this plan.

[muddyrabbit]

Couldn't find a washer, so just went back to turning the nut against the swingarm. Did not work. Need band aid.

[Starboard]

Originally Posted by DRONE

Those look like Ortleib Backrollers on a standard H-B rack.

Just an educated guess, right Starboard?

Drone wins the prize! Yes, it's my old bike-tour veteran Ortlieb Back Roller Classics mounted to standard H-B racks, with the only modification that I have added 2 additional straps down low to prevent them from moving around. I had the bike on nearly as rough of roads as I'd like to ride on and they didn't budge- I even went over at low speed and they supported the bike. I'm not sure how they'd fare going faster, but then again anything would break if you were going fast enough. The fact that they're waterproof, very easy to access and remove, and are inexpensive compared to some hard luggage makes them a winner in my eyes. No, they're not as secure, but I don't leave them in the bike completely unattended. Plus, the extra safety strap I use is sort of a pain in the ass to remove, so you couldn't simply pop them off without undoing it.

The trunk is an old one I used to have on a scooter- it was about $50 at JC Whitney. It's pretty cheap, and not really up to hard core use, but I have it and it works well enough for now. I did a little research and it looks like it's available under a different name from motorcycle superstore:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...vel-Trunk.aspx

I made 2 custom brackets for the box mounting plate out of 22ga sheet metal- they're way too thin compared to the beefy H-B racks, so I'll be re-making them soon.

It was a pretty good setup for a few days of riding. I think a windshield is in the cards for the near future- I'd like an easily removable one I can pop off quickly though. I used all of the gear I've used a bunch of times on long multi-day bike tours, so I was already familiar with most of the gear in the bags. The XCo felt nearly the same with all the gear on vs. without. I love showing up on a bike or a motorcycle and 15 minutes later you have a tent and campsite all set up, especially on a mountain top.

Now I need to start planning a longer voyage- maybe a week down in Mexico or something like that.

[ptpete]

Originally Posted by DRONE

My solution was black plastic door edge molding that you can buy at any auto parts store.

This didn't eliminate 100% of the refracted light, but it removed a lot of it and didn't look too offensive or obtrusive. The next step was to place a strip of black electrical tape on the top edge of the lamp where it protrudes out from under the bezel. Probably got rid of 90% of scatter.

Ok, some more Man love for Drone!!

Took off the headlamp mount to put on black electrical tape on the lens. I went for covering the full width of the bottom edge with the molding.


Here's the before and after pics.





Sweet!

I have to admit, when I first read all of Drone's mod's I was like "This guy is insane!" ... but now I find myself making more and more of them.... Next up LIN3 lights.

[DRONE]

LIN3's rock! Wait till you see! And practically bulletproof. Super brake light mod and cheap.

PM me if you need help figuring out how to set the strobe to "steady".

BTW, if you thought I was insane for the mods to my XC, you should see my sidecar rig. About twice as many mods.

[tbarstow]

Originally Posted by snooker

Really?? Tim I know you're a metal--ist but you can just imagine my pucker when I read your post?? I mean I'm not sure exactly where you would apply the flame to burn the bolt out in this case..

Burn the threads off in the tapped hole. You're not going to hurt the aluminum.

Or, if you want to use tools, skip the EZ out and just get a left hand drill bit.

[muddyrabbit]

Progress.

[tbarstow]

Originally Posted by muddyrabbit

Progress.

When you replace these bolts, use normal socket caps that use a 4mm allen wrench, not button heads that use a 3mm allen wrench. Skip the stainless hardware as well, it's too soft.

[muddyrabbit]

More progress, $10 slide hammer:

[snooker]

Originally Posted by tbarstow

Burn the threads off in the tapped hole. You're not going to hurt the aluminum.

...

ok. but. still. puckered.

In this case you can't get to the threaded part of the bolt very well either to apply a direct flame. One swingarm replacement was enough for me. I guess I'm a wimp.

[muddyrabbit]

Originally Posted by snooker

ok. but. still. puckered.

In this case you can't get to the threaded part of the bolt very well either to apply a direct flame. One swingarm replacement was enough for me. I guess I'm a wimp.

Agreed. Tbarstow is a wise man on many subjects, but dude you'd have to be out of your mind to go after the lower shock bolt with a torch. I would be happy to watch video of him demonstrating on his bike though.













Anyhow, as has been pointed out, copious lubrication with something aggressive should help this process. To that end I am taking a break for some additional soaking in something sure to penetrate to just where it's needed.

[Pescador]

A member is selling lights. He has a new one. What do you guys think?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...751838&page=17

Price looks good. Not sure of light output or quality?
No warranty info.

[Geoffster]

Originally Posted by muddyrabbit

Anyhow, as has been pointed out, copious lubrication with something aggressive should help this process. To that end I am taking a break for some additional soaking in something sure to penetrate to just where it's needed.

Vodka martini? Shaken, not stirred?