HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: kretz@remus.rutgers.edu (Kevin Kretz)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: ST1100 still reigns supreme
Date: 1 Oct 92 06:02:06 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

In article <1992Sep30.171614.21472@osf.org>, jsm@rosencrantz.osf.org (John S. Morris) writes:

] I rode an FJ last spring. It was as smooth as my K bike. 8-)
 
 
] BTW: I did have great experiences with Honda's, Yamaha's, Benelli's,
] Norton's, Harleys, etc. But somewhere along the line I changed into
] one of those people who buys a bike for things they don't mention
] in the reviews - which BMW satisfies.

] The quality of the assembly

I don't have it near by, so I won't quote it, but Yamaha's ratio of
new bikes sold : problems with said bikes is much lower than BMW, and
Harley, and (of course) the Italians, according to some survey.    

>, the commonality and availability of parts

I have 3 Yamaha dealers within 5 miles of my house.  I know of _one_
BMW dealer in my area code.  And I am not in a sparsely populated
area, so it gets worse when you get away from here, for BMW dealer
availability. 	 

], BMW's evolution vs. revolution strategy

You mean, avoid having to make a new engine for as long as possible?
I can certainly see the merit in designing an engine that can hold its
own for a couple of decades, but it is not any better than retooling
for an ever-changing market when necessary. 

] the amazing accessories

What can you get for a BMW that you can't get for my FJ?

] the post-sales support BMW gives its owners

All the stuff that breaks before it should that they fix? Gee, thanks.
My Yamaha dealer put in a *new* transmission after the used FJ I
bought (with 10K miles) started stuttering in 2nd gear.  For free.

] the useable toolkit

If you don't like a toolkit, $15 will get you a swell Craftsman one.


] the rallies and open houses (especially the donuts!)

Well, you've got me there.

] the MOA and RA etc.,etc., etc.

And there.

] -John

So, if you like donuts and meeting people, you should buy a K.

                                                  Kevin
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
From: bill@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu (William E. Johns;S23015)
Subject: Re: No spark on XL600
Organization: Washington State University
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 92 01:27:11 GMT

In article <1992Sep27.022904.6607@javelin.sim.es.com> blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com writes:
>This one has been driving us nuts (yeah, yeah, I know, that's a short
>putt, not a drive), my brother Val's '86 XL600R has little or no spark. 
>
>It died on him suddenly while he was riding up on the mountain, and he
>had to push it home. I don't know if it's related, but he said he heard
>a loud pop at the same time that it died.

er, you _did_ remember to open the petcock on the coil and tap into
your reserve electrical charge.

Of course you did, an old fart like you wouldn't forget that.
                                                               :-)

Ride well tapped,

Bill
________________________________________________________________
bill@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu if you feel compelled to send email
johnsw@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu if you seriously expect an answer
AMA #500924   DoD #00314   WMTC #0002   SR= 2.125
Yamabeemer fjgs1200pdr100 740GLE  KotV KotRR KotD #0001  :-)
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

If you walk, just walk.
If you sit, just sit.
If you ride, just ride.

Above all, don't wobble.
                             Zen saying (slightly modified)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
From: DEHP@calvin.edu (Phil de Haan)
Subject: Re: First Bike
Organization: Calvin College
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 17:42:50 GMT

In article <1992Sep25.174504.16639@pica.army.mil> tcora@PICA.ARMY.MIL (Tom Coradeschi <tcora>) writes:
>DEHP@calvin.edu (Phil de Haan) writes:
>>In article <Buy9yr.G96@solbourne.com> markb@solbourne.com (Mark W. Bradley) writes:
>>
>>>I just got my first bike.  It's an 1100 Katana, but it's a little slow
>>>for me.  Any ideas on how to get some more HP and speed out of it.  Maybe
>>>a turbo kit or something I can do myself with minimal risk would be the
>>>solution.  Any ideas?
>>
>>In keeping with my philosophy that there are no dumb questions, only dumb 
>>answers:  to get more speed, use an alternative fuel, maybe rocket fuel.  
>>That first explosion should get you moving faster than you ever thought 
>>possible.  Or just continue to use regular petrol and wait for your first 
>>crash.  You'll be going faster and slower than you ever imagined.  At the 
>>same time!

>How Quickly We Forget.

>The only acceptable alternative fuel is Spooge(tm).

>Does this mean I get to spew out another gratuitous newbie flame?
>-- 
> 
>                tom coradeschi    <+>    tcora@pica.army.mil


Tom, if you need permission it's already too late.  Next time fire away 
buddy.  I like John Cougar as much as the next guy.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 Phil de Haan (DoD #0578)                                       Every day
 Calvin College                                                        is
 Home of the 1992                                                    ride
 NCAA III men's                                                   to work
 basketball champions                                                 day
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: merenda@remus.rutgers.edu (Kill Bon Jovi)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: How far do you commute/Cereal for Breakfast
Summary: breakfast...
Date: 3 Oct 92 16:04:59 GMT
Article-I.D.: remus.Oct.3.12.04.58.1992.19864
Distribution: usa
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

In article <4008@cvbnetPrime.COM>, tjohnson@atcc5.prime.com (Tod J Johnson) writes:
> All;
> 
> 	This thread is fascinating. I mean some guy commutes 6 miles, and
> then the next guy commutes 24!!! Unbelievable!! My favorite so far was the
> guy who could commute 13 miles if he chose one route, and then 15 if he
> chose the other route!!! I mean wow!!! 13 or 15 miles!!! Hey this would
> really blow my mind; does anyone commute 21 miles???? I don't even want
> to know. That would really knock me off my seat. I couldn't handle it. I'm
> talking a coma here folks. Let's hear some more.
> 
> Just Fascinated;
> 
> Tod J. Johnson
> DoD #883
> "Go Slow, Take Geritol, Not 21 miles Please, I can't take it"
> 
> P.S. Does anyone eat Cereal for Breakfast besides me?? I think people
> would like to know. Reply soon, and often!!!

Tod-

for breakfast i have coffee. ALOT of coffee. 
it's low in calories (none), low in saturated fat (again none!)
and it gives you a really good rush if you drink enough of it.


how about the rest of you? what is the official DoD breakfast?
10W40?  used 10W40? old tires? pop-tarts? 


peace. ride safe.

-Frank  Merenda-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
From: crpresto@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu (Charlie Preston)
Subject: Re: Argument Ammo (about the MSF course)
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 21:22:03 GMT
Organization: Illinois State University

In article <marcl.717796227@os-d> marcl@os-d.isc-br.com (H. Marc Lewis) writes:
>mojo@Caere.COM (Morris Jones) writes:
>
>>mikel@berlioz.nsc.com (Michael G. Lohmeyer) writes:
>>>I would like to teach my wife to ride my bike.
>>...
>>>I feel that I can teach
>>>her well enough to get her safely started, and even better, I can monitor
>>>her much better than an MSF course can.
>
>[text deleted]
>>Mike I knew better than to even let my wife take the MSF course while I
>>was teaching it.  You're inviting emotional disaster.  It's very
>>difficult to give coaching and correction to someone you are close to.
>[text deleted]
>>I'm not saying you wouldn't be a good candidate to teach someone to
>>ride, but you should think twice about your choice of students.  Put
>>her through the MSF course instead of trying to do it yourself.  In the
>>long run, you may wish you had.
>
>I second what Morris says. . .

I also agree with Morris.  For the first year (or more) that I taught
motorcycle safety I didn't want to have any friends as students in my class.

Chas
From: lotto@laura.harvard.edu (Jerry Lotto)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
Subject: Re: Wobble at 70mph+
Date: 27 Sep 92 01:26:13 GMT
Organization: Chemistry Dept., Harvard University
In-reply-to: jim.wenzel@grapevine.lrk.ar.us's message of 24 Sep 92 16:09:00 GMT

>>>>> On 24 Sep 92 16:09:00 GMT, jim.wenzel@grapevine.lrk.ar.us (Jim Wenzel) said:
Jim>   Another problem I  seem to be having with my  sporty is that at speeds
Jim>   in excess of 70+mph the  front-end starts wobbling terribly. The tires
Jim>   are fairly  new and don't  show any wierd  wear patterns. I  do have a
Jim>   windshield on. Suggestions  would be appreciated as it  makes the bike
Jim>   almost impossible to control.

Try angling the windshield back.  Is it the convertible style?  If so,
move it up so the cutout fits OVER the headlight cover instead of
against it.  Viewed from the side, the large surface area of the
windshield should match the fork angle.  If that doesn't fix it, try
removing the windshield to see if that is the problem.

--
Jerry Lotto <lotto@lhasa.harvard.edu>         MSFCI, HOGSSC, BCSO, AMA, DoD #18
Chemistry Dept., Harvard Univ.  "It's my Harley, and I'll ride if I want to..."
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: declrckd@rtsg.mot.com (Dan J. Declerck)
Subject: Re: Regarding Fringe
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 20:56:39 GMT

In article <1992Oct1.150240.25047@ncsu.edu> bcasper@eos.ncsu.edu writes:
>
>I was watching the news last night and at the very end as the credits were
>rolling they were showing this footage from the country music awards of the
>guy that sings that 'achey breaky heart' song singing that song and dancing
>around on stage.  He was wearing these blue jeans as most country singers
>like to do and they had lots of long and loose fringe running down the
>sides of the legs.  So I'm looking at this guy and I'm thinking "Man does
>he look silly, and what is the point of all of that dangling stuff."  It is
>most certinly on there because of some traditional styling, and serves no
>purpose other than a visual one.
>
>So I got to thinking...  Fringe has been around for a very long time.  The
>cowboys and settlers of the West had it on their clothing. I've seen pictures
>of Indians with fringe as well.  It would seem that for people from that age
>to do something, they would have to have a practical reason - I doubt that
>they were fasion motivated.
>
>Try as I might, I can't come up with beneficial purpose for fringe...
>
It wicks out the water, and supplies a higher surface area to  evaporate it...

It also adds a visaul effect to show off the rider in Werstern style riding in
horse shows (for those equestrians among you).




-- 
=> Dan DeClerck                      |  EMAIL: dand%isdgsm@rtsg.mot.com   <=
=> Motorola Intl Subscriber Group    |                                    <=
=>                                   |  Phone: (708) 632-4486             <=
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: kgdykes@thinkage.on.ca (Ken Dykes)
Subject: Re: Sportsters .nes. Harley
Organization: Thinkage Ltd.
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 22:23:57 GMT

In article <Stafford-250992090600@stafford.winona.msus.edu> Stafford@Vax2.Winona.MSUS.EDU (John Stafford) writes:
>In article <kekjOHW00WAEA0w2V5@andrew.cmu.edu>, John Makel
><jm4b+@andrew.cmu.edu> wrote:
>> 
>> the FX, a culmination of a stripped HOG with a sportster(un Harley
>> though) front end, performance and handling., 
>
>The FX was Willie G. Davidson's factory custom.  He never intended
>it to be a sport bike to compete with the Sportster.  IMHO, the
>FX was OK for a sled.  A catastrophe for handling.  I owned two.

of course people should take the word 'catastophe' with several grains
of salt.
there are so MANY configurations in the FX line, and so many things
to can hang off a bike (fairings, bags, etc) even saying 'i owned two'
is almost meaningless.
especially since the two are the same owner, implies same configuration
(perhaps not, but implied)

my fxrs-sp has not been a catastrophe in my mere 5 years experience with
it. i previously rode sport-yamahas.
i've done the rockies and logging roads with full load of camping/holiday
gear on it.
i've even had the pleasure(?) of riding through cyclone like winds which
an hour later the radio reported was the vicinity a twister was
seen heading from... (i honestly figure 5 minutes later i would have been done,
i was in the "birthing" stage of the twister i think)
(i was picking cornfield out of my deepest inner ears for the rest of the
day :-)

i do not have a fairing (micro windshield instead), small leather saddlebags
instead of 10ton filled-with-everything fibreglass bags, and the "-sp"
in the designation means taller than usual suspension and dual front-disc.
(dual front brakes dont really give shorter stopping distances, but rather
 give you feather-touch two finger braking control, ie: not a case
of boolean dive/no-dive frontend handling)
i only weigh 180lbs instead of just my mid-girth weighing 180 lbs :-)
all these things are factors that can greatly change handling.

i will admit it isnt wildly forgiving, you can do anything with impunity,
design of suspension, but, 'catastrophe' ???? nawwww.

-- 
   - Ken Dykes, Thinkage Ltd., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada    [43.47N 80.52W]
         kgdykes@thinkage.on.ca   postmaster@thinkage.com   thinkage!kgdykes
         harley-request@thinkage.on.ca             kgdykes@math.uwaterloo.ca
From: nagy_r@darwin.ntu.edu.au
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
Subject: I finally did it!
Date: 2 Oct 92 19:01:33 +0900

At Last!!

I put my deposit down with the HD dealer today for a 1993 Fatboy.  :)

Now it won't be delivered until March next year, but that's ok.
Tell me fatboy owners, what can I look forward to.  For that matter I'd
be happy to hear from ANY HD owners in Australia (or anywhere else in the 
world)

Looking forward to some responses..

Fozzie
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: declrckd@rtsg.mot.com (Dan J. Declerck)
Subject: Re: Sportster Crotch Rocket??!!
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 21:24:49 GMT

In article <1992Oct01.163530.11991@gecko.uucp> ed@Tekelec.gecko.uucp (Ed Campbell) writes:
>>Randy Davis:
>
>>  And don't be surprised that they were loafing along, and blow your doors
>>off when they turn up the throttle, for 1/2 of what you just spent hopping
>>up the Sportster...  (Sorry, Jeff).
>
>      Maybe not, go look up what the fastest motorcycle ITW is. It is
>a general misconception that all Harleys are slow. The fact is, they
>are ridden slowly because they are such a joy to ride, there is no
>hurry to get somewhere and get off them. Another reason is that, when
>you ride the best there is, you don't feel any need to prove you bike
>is as good as some other one.
>
>>ZX-11 #00072 Pilot
> ^^^^^
>      Will it still start in 1 kick when it is 35 years old?
No, it will never start in 1 kick, as it has no kick-start (I know of no new
 Kawasaki sport bike that does). It is all electric, as a good maintained
well designed bike probably shouldn't have a kick-start, unless one is into
a "nostalgia" thing. I consider this analogous to have a hand crank in a modern car..

How many Harley Riders with good running hardware and electric start
actually use the kick-starter??
My last bike (a Honda 750) would start on the first kick, and it was 20 years old.


>      Will you even remember it when it is 35 years old?
I'd say so, it is the penultimate compression of time and space.
It is the fastest street legal way to do 0-60 right now.

To quote a friend of mine ('nother ZX-11 owner):

I let the clutch out, wicking the throttle through the first three gears.
I could feel the front wheel come up off the ground, just enough to start
skipping across the pavement. I let off, looked down, and was doing 135 mph.
MAN! am I happy I bought this thing, it is utterly amazing!

We were out in the farmland in mid-state illinois. This guys' no squid either.
He grew up in Georgia, and has an MSEE. WE always wear helmets, and good 
leathers.

-Dan



-- 
=> Dan DeClerck                      |  EMAIL: dand%isdgsm@rtsg.mot.com   <=
=> Motorola Intl Subscriber Group    |                                    <=
=>                                   |  Phone: (708) 632-4486             <=
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
Subject: Re: Stafford, our inside source?
From: Stafford@Vax2.Winona.MSUS.EDU (John Stafford)
Date: 29 Sep 92 08:27:38 -0600
Followup-To: rec.motorcycles.harley
Distribution: world
Organization: MSUS

In article <Eem3pBa00WAE83SGAv@andrew.cmu.edu>, jm4b+@andrew.cmu.edu (John
Makel) wrote:
> 
> Mr. Stafford,
>     I am far from new to the list, have been a subscriber to HD digest
> for about 2 years now.  I worked at the Harley Davidson shop in
> Washington, Pa. AKA Washington Harley Davidson, I ran parts
> and wrenched from 1972-1976,  I also have owned Harleys since 
> 1969. As far as an inside source, I still have contacts internally
> to Harley via the Harley shop. 

I'll not assume that Pa is too far from Mil. to be a good contact.
Did you know John Warren?  He did some consulting for
Harley before they bought themselves back and he _may_ (or you
may) know if the Evo was really an AMF initiated design.  We have
all speculated upon this point several times.  Any input?

> But since you build bikes maybe
> your knowledge can be of more benefit than mine, maybe we all
> should go out and get a pan and get the shovel top end and chop
> it and become an expert like you.

Naaaaa.  You know better.  My Harley pretty much reflects the time
and environment I had when I built it; rural circumstances and
few $$$.  It's a gravel-scratcher.  Period.  To settle any doubts
concerning the breadth of my interests, next spring I'll post some
specs and GIFs of one of my favorite projects, a very exotic, hand-built
Sportster road-rasher built here in Winona by a local craftsman.
He fabricated his own swingarm, steel tank and body parts among
other things.  Very European.  (He built it to outrace his Ducati.
Quite a goal.)
From: bob@halfdome.sf.ca.us (bob pasker)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
Subject: Re: Makel, our inside source?
Date: 26 Sep 92 19:17:18 GMT
Organization: Disorganized Organization

In article <1992Sep26.100434.1297@msus1.msus.edu>, stafford@msus1.msus.edu writes:
> john stafford (the iconoclast)
                     ^^^^

which presupposes that there exists an icon, i.e. an _image_, to be
broken.  i thought you like to *ride*--what's this bit about image?

-- 
-- bob pasker
-- bob@halfdome.sf.ca.us 
--
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley,rec.motorcyles
From: mlj8e@mljsg.pharm.Virginia.EDU (Michael Johnson)
Subject: Re: MSF: BRC or ERC?
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 12:35:33 GMT

In article <1992Oct1.194638.15889@nsisrv.gsfc.nasa.gov> tim@intrepid.gsfc.nasa.gov (Tim Seiss) writes:
>There are a few openings left if both the Beginning
>Rider Course and the Experienced Rider Course, but I have to
>sign up *now* if I want to get into one.  My question to any
>of you experienced riders, is which one I should sign up for?
>
>... I just haven't ridden all that much on the street.

The answer is simple: If you are an experienced road rider take the
ERC, if not take the Beginning rider course.  If you are not sure, then
you are a beginner and you should take the Beginning course!


--
      Michael L. Johnson
      mlj8e@virginia.edu
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: paulb@harley.tti.com (Paul Blumstein)
Subject: Re: Long time mystery
Organization: Black Belt Motorcyclists Association
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 05:03:28 GMT

In article <1992Sep30.230052.4438@megatek.com> tomw@stephanie.megatek.com (Tom Wright) writes:
+
+Why don't the pad-lock holes on the forks and the frame line up 
+when the bike is on its side-stand? ...

My '88 XLH1200 lined up perfectly, but my '88 FXLR requires the front
wheel to be turned slightly to line up.  I assumed that the difference
was manufacturing tolerance.
____________________________________________________________________________
	"Four wheels good; two wheels better" -- Motorcycle Farm????
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Paul Blumstein, paulb@harley.tti.com, DoD #36, ABATE, AMA, HOG, KD6LAA
            Transaction Technology, Inc., Santa Monica, CA
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley
From: ed@Tekelec.gecko.uucp (Ed Campbell)
Subject: RE Sportster crotch rocket
Originator: ed@rover
Organization: Tekelec Inc
Date: Mon, 05 Oct 1992 21:26:07 GMT


>Ed, ride on a ZX11 sometime.  Really.  Harleys are a blast to ride.  The
>ZX is another kind of blast completely.  Each works, well.

  I have. It was even more uncomfortable than the R90/6 I used to ride,

the "power" band was so narrow that it really should have an 8 speed
gearbox to make up for the lack of low RPM torque, and it didn't seem
to handle as well as the '49 Triumph I had years ago. Now, if they'd
extend the frame 6 or 8 inches, drop the engine down maybe 2 1/2" and
lower the seat about 4 to 5", put replaceable bearings on everything
that turns, .... but then, Harley's always been like that.

>Careful with that one, too.  There are many people who feel exactly
>the same way about their bikes (some riders of German marques come to
>mind), who DO NOT ride slowly.

     My personal experience:
 R90/6; 138 MPH max, 0 - 60, 5.8 sec. rebuild required at 96000 miles.
  XLCH; clocked at 146 MPH, still winding. 0 - 60, 4.9 sec. rebuild
        required at 136000 miles.
   The only mods to the XLCH were Sifton cams, a higher geared sprocket,
and an adjustable high speed carb jet costing under $200 total. The BIG
difference was that the R90 seating position was very cramped, and the
seat was so high as to cause nose bleeds if you climbed up too quickly.

>If I showed you a 48 Indian that was still healthy (Indians NEVER
>started with one kick; that wasn't the technique), would you conceed
>that Indians are better than Harleys?  How about if I showed you an
>old 1-kick BMW?

   Indians had good points like the cooling fins and plunger suspension,
and bad points like the belt drive generator and sticky starter clutch
that made them about equal to Harleys. In '48, they used the same Linkert
carburator as Harley. On Indians, Exelciors, Hendersons, etc. one kick
start means close the choke, crank the engine 3 or 4 times, open the
choke halfway, turn on the switch and start counting kicks.

   Besides, for US made bikes, '48 is still fairly recent. Now a friend
of mine has a '32 VL in mint condition that he rides regularly, I find
that rather impressive.

BTW  I find a kick start, especially in combination with a Linkert or,
even better, Amal carbs to be a great safety factor. With an electric
start (Have they started using automatic chokes yet?) it is possible
to start a bike even when you shouldn't. OTOH, if you can get a kicker
started after a party, you are probably in good enough shape to ride
it home.

Ed Campbell

'57 FL
'76 XLCH
My other car is a '54 Harley Servicar.

*************************************************************
   "Never trust anyone in a cage, if they weren't nuts
    they'd be on a scoot like anybody else."
                        Grandmother
=============================================================




Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley