Been piddling the bike; ownership is great

[LobsterMagnet]

Over the last few weeks I've cut down the fender, relocated the stock rear indicators, shaved down the adjustable dog bones (stupid product doesn't fit, why the fuck did the original owner by them?!?!) and raised the bike back to stock height. I just finished changing the spark plugs and putting on bar-end mirrors.
Next up is a carb cleaning, I suppose.

Why did I just type all of this in? Because the more I work on the bike, the more I love it. Riding is great but I think the real feeling of ownership and man/motorcycle love comes from maintenance. I love this god damned bike so much more now that I've caressed her insides with my fingers...smelled her on my fingertips...et cetera.

If there are any other new riders out there reading this that haven't been taking care of their ride, do it. Prove your love and stop taking joy rides!
Start slowly tearing that thing apart and fixing whatever discrepancies you find along the way. It will make your riding experience that much more gratifying.

[Mortal]

I installed a new tail light today. One of those integrated LED ones. Went together pretty fast, but I had fun while doing it.

[gtramontelli]

Wait til you do a shock and fork rebuild on that SV, it makes the bike way better. I have a penske rear shock and a fork kit from traxxion dynamics and the bike is a)finally set up for my fat ass and b)handling bumps the way it should.

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by LobsterMagnet

Over the last few weeks I've cut down the fender, relocated the stock rear indicators, shaved down the adjustable dog bones (stupid product doesn't fit, why the fuck did the original owner by them?!?!) and raised the bike back to stock height. I just finished changing the spark plugs and putting on bar-end mirrors.
Next up is a carb cleaning, I suppose.

Why did I just type all of this in? Because the more I work on the bike, the more I love it. Riding is great but I think the real feeling of ownership and man/motorcycle love comes from maintenance. I love this god damned bike so much more now that I've caressed her insides with my fingers...smelled her on my fingertips...et cetera.

If there are any other new riders out there reading this that haven't been taking care of their ride, do it. Prove your love and stop taking joy rides!
Start slowly tearing that thing apart and fixing whatever discrepancies you find along the way. It will make your riding experience that much more gratifying.

Apparently you're ready for an Italian motorcycle. You appreciate riding so much more when you're able to do so much less of it. Mama mia!

KeS

[LobsterMagnet]

I do like the way the Monsters look...but if you look at it that way I may as well pick up a harley!

gtramontelli, about how long did it take you to do a fork swap?

[smakawhat]

THere's nothing more satisfying and taking pride in a job well done that you did.

I've done some more routine maintenance myself (oil, brakes) and it's made me appreciate my bike more also.

[gtramontelli]

Originally Posted by LobsterMagnet

I do like the way the Monsters look...but if you look at it that way I may as well pick up a harley!

gtramontelli, about how long did it take you to do a fork swap?

I didn't do a swap, I replaced the valves and springs with a kit by traxxion dynamics. Same tubes and such. And umm...I paid the shop to do it. I did the rear shock myself, though, which was fairly easy (Straight swap). The idea of taking the front end off the bike was a little intimidating for me.

[YZFHEFF]

I too like working on motorcycles. ;)