Update on my "low mileage bike"

Back near the end of December I rolled my 1986 Kawasaki Concours over 90,000 miles.  I wrote about it in this post where I compared the total mileage to how many miles per year that actually averages out to.  Well, due to way too much work travel, I just today noticed the Connie has 91,200 miles on it-less than 400 miles more per month.  Yes, I'm still trying to make this my first 100,000 mile motorcycle but at this rate it's going to take another 2 years!

At least I've now put 10,000 miles on the bike, and worn out the front tire that came on the bike when I bought it.  I was afraid the tire was going to dry rot, since I let this bike sit for nearly 2.5 years while remodeling our house, traveling and deploying for work, and riding my other bike.  But now the Connie is my main ride, as I think this is probably the most versatile bike I've ever owned.  I already have bought my next Concours, another low mileage bike.  The next one is a 20 year old C10 with less than 15,000 miles on it-less than 750 a year.  It's getting a full restoration while I ride the 1986.

If you'd like, comment with your bike, and how many miles you have on it-let's see some real high mileage bikes on here!

Kawasaki Concours C10 Front Brake System change-out

I've started restoring the 1994 Kawasaki Concours C10.  One issue that was apparent right off the bat was the front brakes were clamped to the rotors.  Shortly after buying the bike I pulled the left front caliper and found out that the seals were blown and one pad was worn down to nothing.  As I researched rebuild kits and read how to do it, I also searched the Concours forum for tips and tricks.  I also checked "The Emporium" where folks list bikes and parts for sale or needed.  Lo and behold, a member had a full brake set-up for sale for not much more than one rebuild kit!  By full, I mean FULL, from lever to pretty good brake pads!  So I ordered them and had him throw in some other parts including a matching clutch lever and master cylinder.  Time to schedule a major motorcycle maintenance project....

Unfortunately the parts came while I was on the road for work for what seemed like forever.  No bike riding, no motorcycle projects-these trips even went over weekends.  Finally at home last Saturday, I decided to ride my other C10 (Miss Swail) and put off the Connie repairs until tonight.  I was able to get some time this evening, so I put on some coffee, put the iPod in the speakers on shuffle and got to work.  I shot some video so I'll also make a YouTube video.  The old set-up came off very easily.  While the fasteners were dirty or worn, none of them were too hard to get out.  Things were still pretty messy, which is to be expected when doing maintenance on older and semi-neglected bikes.  The right side brake pads weren't too badly worn so hopefully the rotors are ok.  I checked out the replacement set-up, got the bolts from the old set I would need and went to work re-installing the set.  The right side brake calipers didn't want to cooperate and took most my time, but over-all everything went right back on pretty well.  I might pull them off and clean them up some more, but right now they are a big improvement cosmetically.  I still need to bleed the brakes fully, but the fluid in them looks brand new, another encouraging sign.

Here's the tools and parts you'll need if doing this job (and I'd bet 1980/1990s Ninja as well):

8, 10, and 12 mm wrenches (I have a three headed t-wrench that works great, but you'll still need box end wrenches for bleeder valves)
5mm allen key (for handlebar clamp)
phillips head screw driver for brake reservoir cover
DOT 4 brake fluid
rags

I didn't have to remove any lines or banjo bolts.  It took a little finagling to get the reservoir and lever past the throttle cables, but that was much easier than either disconnecting a brake line or the cables.

Goal is to get main fairing re-installed, move my non-leaking tank from the other Concours, bleed the brakes and do a road test.  Oh yeah, also need to change Miss Swail's front tire, so plenty of motorcycle maintenance projects still to do!

First ride in a month and upcoming motorcycle maintenance projects

I have been traveling for work almost every day for the past four weeks, and the one afternoon I was home was one of the rare Southern California rainy days.  So for nearly 30 days I hadn't ridden.  I had visited a Polaris shop, talked bikes with a few of our students and even received some replacement parts for the new-to-me 1994 Kawasaki Concours.  But I hadn't ridden.  Yesterday I pumped up the older Connie's tires, checked the fluids, rolled her out of the garage and tried to fire her up.  True to form she was a little hard to start, but since it's nearly summertime tempuratures here already she fired up on the third try and soon was idling nicely.  I let the Connie warm up a little bit longer than usual and was off.  The improvised bracket my buddy Glen and I made is holding up nicely-I'll probably pull it off when I move the tank to the 94 Connie for test rides and plasti-coat it, but for now that motorcycle repair worked well.  I rode on a few errands and took the long way home to my short twisty road "run" I do just to get some non-highway miles in as well.  I rode about 50 miles which was a good break-in ride after that much time off.

I've got a number of projects-both motorcycle maintenance and motorcycle repair-awaiting me.  The replacement parts I bought off of the Concours forum (a great resource for Connie owners) have been sitting in the garage.  I opened the box tonight and the front brake system looks great at first glance.  The centerstand is in much better shape than the one on the '94 Connie but not a priority.  If you've ever put a full-size sport-tourer on a centerstand you'll know why!  I'll likely do that project as "mechanical fellowship" with Glen.

The next project will be a new front tire for the old Connie.  The parts are on order from BikeBandit and should be here by the time we're ready to do the project.  My local indy shop where I have tires mounted and balanced isn't open tomorrow, so that motorcycle maintenance project is awaiting both the tire and the shop being open.  No rush as the current front probably has 500 miles plus left on it and I won't get to ride that much until this weekend at the earliest.

Other repairs need to be done to the bodywork on the older Connie, but that can wait.  I also need to service the Harley Sportster's K&N air filter, but the bike is out on loan right now for a friend who is rebuilding his bike's clutch.  I am in no rush to get it back what with these projects and also getting some riding in!

I'll post some pics and maybe a video or two to my YouTube channel, where there are a few motorcycle maintenance videos already.  And the Joe Namath/C.C. Ryder sandwich intro scene from C.C. and Company, probably my favorite biker exploitation movie!  Check it out if you get a chance.