Finally Back Home

[Txclassic]

Well, my ride is finally back in its stable.
Picked it up this morning after the latest transmission repair attempt. Technician and the owner of the dealership test drove it with no problems.

I babied it home to ensure my ride would last more than just 5 miles this time.

After getting it home with no issues, I waxed her up, slapped on the Corbins, put leather conditioner on the seat, and adjusted the highway pegs. After a couple of hours of TLC, I was ready for a thorough test drive.

So far, so good. Took it for about 100 miles of mixed highway and stop-and-go and the transmission performed flawlessly. Every time I would accelerate in 2nd, I winced at the thought it might pop out of gear. But it didn't thank goodness.

1 to 2 had good positive shifting and it stayed in gear under various acceleration loads. Also stayed put after 3 to 2 downshift followed by acceleration.

Near the end of the day, I put a little more acceleration load in 2nd gear and it continued to work well. Maybe the dealer got it right this time.

Sure was good to be back in the two wheelers club again. In the 9 months since second gear punched a hole in the engine block, I've only had 10 riding days.

I'm praying the repairs hold this time.

 

[Molinoman]

Welcome back to the land of the "Riding Rocket Captains". I also finally got mine back up today after solving my "seat problem" and it sure felt good to be on the road again.

Dennis

 

[Kmutt]

Congrats you two!!!!!!
You both have been off for a while.
TX - youll get to see how well the dealer is true to word on this one.
Did they come up with an answer or was it replace till it works philosophy?

Molino - Cmon you know you have a smile bigger than that!!!!! You couldnt possibly
be shy!!!!!!

mutt

 

[xhdskip]

Congrats both of you.
I had a new front tire mounted yesterday morning now.
I've missed quite a few Patriot Guard Rides because it was dangerously bald. Rode it like I stole it all afternoon, sure felt good.

 

[Txclassic]

Another 150 miles on the odometer and still running well. Woo Hoo!

I've resolved not to downshift until coming to a complete stop (accept when I'm speed matched to the lower gear). Hopefully, that will lessen the backlash and wear on the gears. I used to downshift and use engine braking at every stop. What changed my mind is reading the owner's manual for another bike. It said not to do any downshifting until slowing below 16 mph. Sounded strange, but I'm going to sacrifice some brake dust for gear teeth. At least I don't have to crack the engine case to change brake pads.

Speaking of brakes - - - When I brought it in this last time, I asked the dealer to replace the rear brake pads. I even confirmed he did this when I called to see if the bike was ready. When I picked up the bike, nothing had been done to the rear pads. The tech. even confirmed this when he looked at them. There was absolutely no record of any service being done on my bike since the last time. No brake job and no parts list for the latest repairs either. No bill to pay either.

I didn't want to wait for them to replace the rear pads, so I decided to take the bike in another time. A few miles down the road, I notice that the front brake lever has lost its sponginess. Sure enough, when I got home, I confirmed that they had changed out the fronts instead of the rear.

My first reaction was, the dealer's lack of repair documentation and the 9 month wait - - their loss. My wife gets the prize for taking the higher ground. She would drive 5 miles back to the store to pay for a pack of gum if she discovered the cashier forgot to scan it! So, yes, I will call the dealer Tuesday to get the service bill on the brakes.

Anyway, the engine is running strong, and the tranny is shifting smooth, and I am very happy to be riding again. Coming up I-45 from Galveston this afternoon with the wind at my back, feet on the pegs, and the pipes making that deep drone at 3000 rpm. Life is good.

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Well, my ride is finally back in its stable.
Picked it up this morning after the latest transmission repair attempt. Technician and the owner of the dealership test drove it with no problems.

I babied it home to ensure my ride would last more than just 5 miles this time.

After getting it home with no issues, I waxed her up, slapped on the Corbins, put leather conditioner on the seat, and adjusted the highway pegs. After a couple of hours of TLC, I was ready for a thorough test drive.

So far, so good. Took it for about 100 miles of mixed highway and stop-and-go and the transmission performed flawlessly. Every time I would accelerate in 2nd, I winced at the thought it might pop out of gear. But it didn't thank goodness.

1 to 2 had good positive shifting and it stayed in gear under various acceleration loads. Also stayed put after 3 to 2 downshift followed by acceleration.

Near the end of the day, I put a little more acceleration load in 2nd gear and it continued to work well. Maybe the dealer got it right this time.

Sure was good to be back in the two wheelers club again. In the 9 months since second gear punched a hole in the engine block, I've only had 10 riding days.

I'm praying the repairs hold this time.

.....and I'm hoping my first ride will be uneventful as well. I imagine it will be. Gus us using my bike for his transportation (and I imagine to haul his girlfriends around on....). I might even have a new tire if I leave it there long enough...... I'm reasonably sure there is no carbon inside now.

Hope you used my leather cleaner on the seat?

 

[wilbur-t]

Congrats on getting back in the saddle. Long may you ride!

 

[fastfreight]

look on the bright side

These guys could have decided to go to medical school!

 

[Txclassic]

My impression of my dealer improved today. The service manager called to see if everything was working OK. I told him so far so good and asked him if they discovered the root cause of the problem.

Turns out they had ordered a complete upgrade kit for another Rocket owner. He totalled the bike before they could even get a chance to install the kit. SO . . . . Rather than keep fighting the problems with my transmission, they simply used his upgrade to rebuild mine from scratch!

Whatever was wrong with my tranny, I hope it's in the parts bin.

I told him about the brake snafu and to just add up the charges and I would pay the bill Saturday. The service manager said no charge for the brakes! He was going to good will them anyway for all the time my bike has been in the shop.

I told him I still need to have the rear brakes replaced and since the tire has to come off anyway - - go ahead and replace it at that time. He said he would give a heads up the the service guys to get me in first thing Saturday and he would cover the rear brakes as well. If that works out as he promised, then he has taken a big step in restoring my faith.

Rain the rest of this week, so further tranny testing will have to wait.