OK... much has been done to the SV to get it ready for the Dragon run.
1. relocated the vapor gauges. Those clamps I had rigged up looked like ass. I made a simple mount from the aluminum nerf bars that used to be on the handle bars. pics coming soon.
2. New pilot 2 tires. Me like. Very much. However, the bike needs new head bearings.
Couldn't really tell too much until it was up on the lift.
Also, while installing the new tires, my mechanic discovered that the swingarm was torqued down incorrectly by the PO and had some play in it. Thats fixed. The PO also used the wrong hardware on the rear brake caliper. The bolts were too short and were barely gripping. WTF! He swapped new bolts on and we are good to go. I LOVE this mechanic!
3. Swapped out the Renthal bars and then raised the handle bars with the Mr. Bones-style trick with the upside down old bar clamps. MUCH better riding position. Bring them one inch closer and it's much better for me and my 43 year old back. Those wide Renthals are now for sale if anybody is interested. I will put up a post about them soon.
Interestingly, the flat spot in the neck bearings is much more obvious now that I am not putting so much pressure on the bars by having to lean so far forward. I don't know why.
4. Got some new aluminum OEM control levers. Those carbon-fiber looking ones had to go.
5. I have cranked down the pre-load adjusters on the forks to the max. Front-end dive on braking is nearly gone.When the forks come off for the neck bearing job, I am going to swap out the oil for something thicker. I have no idea what is in there. I am guessing the springs are original. I can't afford anything else right now.
6. I need some tail luggage for the Dragon run. Anybody have any extra gear they want to sell?
