tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post1083267251290476936..comments2024-02-22T09:07:33.321-07:00Comments on OddBike: Editorial - EulogyOddBikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14058888630705128092noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-69830712472020171842015-04-13T15:02:52.483-06:002015-04-13T15:02:52.483-06:00I thoroughly enjoyed this (long) read, and applaud...I thoroughly enjoyed this (long) read, and applaud you for sticking with your blog, which I only learned about through your comment on Mark Gardiner's Bikewriter site. I write too, and I know how difficult it is to produce good, clean copy - and yours is very, very good. My only gripe is a very picky one: it really grates that you have seemingly decided to throw away a couple of centuries of tradition by putting the $ sign at the end of the numbers. Yes, I know, I'm a pedantic old sod. Keep up the good work. <br /><br />Ron McMillanRon McMillanhttp://www.ronmcmillan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-37214393059027242972015-04-06T12:32:57.503-06:002015-04-06T12:32:57.503-06:00Mosied over here from the comment section on Wes S...Mosied over here from the comment section on Wes Siler's article after vaguely remembering seeing this blog a while back... keep up the good work!erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01280799513426803698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-91974362277584954742015-03-23T20:50:28.362-06:002015-03-23T20:50:28.362-06:00Thanks! I might need a spot to stay on my way thro...Thanks! I might need a spot to stay on my way through if you have a couch available! Unfortunately I will need to be back home by the 6th at the latest so I won't make it to Miller, but I will be at Speed Week (that is the intended climax for the trip). Send me an email and we will connect between now and then. jasonevariste (at) gmailOddBikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058888630705128092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-39582580766964218682015-03-23T16:43:26.887-06:002015-03-23T16:43:26.887-06:00Wow! I first discovered your site shortly after yo...Wow! I first discovered your site shortly after you started it, while I was searching for articles and reviews on the 916. I read this article hoping to find word of the OddBike USA Tour #2 since you mentioned a second tour way back when you wrote about moving to Calgaray. I've been so busy though I haven't cought up to your site in some time. I almost cried reading about the demise of your beloved 916 though. Literally, I lifted my hand to my mouth as I realized what was happening. I'm so thrilled you kept it though and that you will resurrect it. You really can't ask for better eye candy in your apartment in my opinion, at least for now. You are right though, it can't stay as static art forever, it needs to be ridden again. <br /><br />If your second USA tour does indeed bring you through Utah on the way home, look me up, I'd love accompany you on a ride some time. We have some great roads here in Utah. Check out Mt. Nebo scenic loop in Payson, Utah. Also, if you happen to be heading back in the first week of September, the 5th and 6th will be the Bonneville Vintage Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park here. It is a lot of fun and there are almost always unique bikes there. The week after that is World of Speed at the Salt Flats (which you already know about). Anyway, all the best and if I can be of any assistance when you come through Utah, please let me know! Even if its just for a ride on my old 94' 900ss ;)Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13468592947210133697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-8193586496584944562015-03-22T20:37:04.937-06:002015-03-22T20:37:04.937-06:00I'm glad I read this through to the end. Alway...I'm glad I read this through to the end. Always nice to see a story with a happy ending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-4244928635539365292015-03-18T18:49:43.537-06:002015-03-18T18:49:43.537-06:00Small note to the curious, installing a set of sli...Small note to the curious, installing a set of slip ons has improved the fueling considerably. Running Map 2 with stock pipes really messes things up noticeably. With proper pipes throttle response isn't as abrupt and there is way less surging. Also it sounds like the end of the world, like any twin should.OddBikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058888630705128092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-45216102007452234002015-03-18T15:45:56.285-06:002015-03-18T15:45:56.285-06:00For the moment the priority is the second OddBike ...For the moment the priority is the second OddBike USA Tour, which is going to happen this August. A campaign will be going live in June for that. After that I intend to put money aside to fix it up, though I wouldn't ask for donations to fund that particular project. The trip is more site-related and will generate more content than the bike rebuild.<br /><br />Rest assured I will cover the resurrection, whenever it does happen!OddBikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058888630705128092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-39184544247397325112015-03-18T09:41:47.728-06:002015-03-18T09:41:47.728-06:00Ah, thanks for the clarification. You must have sc...Ah, thanks for the clarification. You must have scared me so much with that little tidbit of information that I naturally assumed that had to be it, haha. <br /><br />As for your description of the old-school Buell's way of delivering power, yeah I find that intoxicating. I also don't notice the 6000 limit as much, because indeed, while it does appear there's way more to be head after passing that number, I never even try because I often stay a little lower in the range. Two reasons: first, the noise down low is incredibly addictive and second, I figure I will keep those bikes in one piece a bit longer if I don't push them too hard. <br /><br />Maybe this is a stupid idea and I don't know how many readers you get (and whether it would be viable), but I would - love - to read the multi-part article you write about the inevitable rebuild of that beautiful 916 of yours. Perhaps you could set up some sort of donation mechanism where we could chip in to help out with the cost of parts and such. I'd certainly be willing to help!<br />Roelfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03918323133875922448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-31610271618216198232015-03-18T08:47:27.636-06:002015-03-18T08:47:27.636-06:00Two corrections: first, it's not the galley pl...Two corrections: first, it's not the galley plug in my case. That's held up fine (I've inspected twice since I bought the bike). My big end conrod bearings have just worn out. Judging by the amount of metal in the oil, I don't think they have spun yet but they are eating themselves quite quickly. Fine bronze glitter in the oil pan. I had the top end apart last winter and I did note that there was more freeplay than would be acceptable, but I ignored it. This is the result.<br /><br />Second, I love Buells. I love the design and engineering, and the weird factor, and the scrappy American underdog character to Erik's work. I just find those highly-tuned Sportster mills very strange to ride, especially when you have been raised on sportbikes. A big slug of torque, then you hit the rev limiter. To their credit they don't seem to run out of breath, the power just runs right into the absurdly low 6000 ish rpm redline. If you weren't looking at the tach you'd think you had another 2000 rpm to spare, then it hits the wall.OddBikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058888630705128092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-17986865918547918372015-03-18T05:59:28.247-06:002015-03-18T05:59:28.247-06:00And to think it was one your articles I read a whi...And to think it was one your articles I read a while back that warned me away from buying a used 916 a couple months back. Mention of the 'galley plug' specifically. And now it looks like your bike is dying from that issue? That totally sucks man, sorry to hear it.<br /><br />I actually owned a 998 a couple years ago and then traded that in toward a Monster 1100. (Funny story, that 998 turned out to be on the verge of dying the mechanics later told me, big end bearing failure). The Monster is great and reliable, but like you said, it doesn't have that x-factor as much as the 998/916 had.<br /><br />I do own two Buells now though (M2 and X1), love those even more than I do any of the Ducati's I've owned. Missed opportunity for you in my opinion :D. You really don't like the old tube framed versions? <br /><br />Anyway, great article! Hope you get the means to fix the 916 one day. Respect you holding onto it. Roelfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03918323133875922448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-72589223365779322432015-03-17T15:03:40.485-06:002015-03-17T15:03:40.485-06:00It's something I hope I don't have to deal...It's something I hope I don't have to deal with. I've fixed the "brown connector" problem on the rectifier, but the stator is always a potential problem (not that it isn't an issue on Japanese bikes too, I've dealt with plenty of them frying stator/regs but nobody seems to deem that a "common" problem for some reason).<br /><br />The good news is that I work for an Aprilia dealer. The bad news is the replacement stator retails for 1500$. Sooo... if that happens I'm going aftermarket.OddBikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058888630705128092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-53524880228125107732015-03-17T14:55:58.019-06:002015-03-17T14:55:58.019-06:00Well what can I say, your pieces always makes me s...Well what can I say, your pieces always makes me smile because of how similar our approaches are to biking. Really sorry to hear about the 916 although I belive you have the determination to make her run again. In Sweden we have also had a warm period and I managed a quick run on my 916. Flicking that throttle properly for the first time of the season is alway a magical moment, ahhhhhh, the intake noice is to die for... Now its only a matter of sorting out whatever electrical gremlins it will challange me with this year;-) As always, thanks very much for your time and work.<br />All the best/ Niklas K Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-71982631402152080342015-03-17T13:36:11.944-06:002015-03-17T13:36:11.944-06:00The T may have an Austrian engine but it is Italia...The T may have an Austrian engine but it is Italian to the core...as attested to by its shitty electronics. You may want to fix that stator over heating problem before it fries and leaves you stranded.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-65900068214277362912015-03-17T07:55:18.049-06:002015-03-17T07:55:18.049-06:00Awesome article, this is fast becoming my favourit...Awesome article, this is fast becoming my favourite motorcycle blog.<br />I cannot afford anything nearly as exotic, but I love the odd-balls an awful lot.<br /><br />I hope the Duc breathes again when you can afford the work required!Mr.Paynterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07465665067509894763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-86733959438988561792015-03-13T07:56:51.307-06:002015-03-13T07:56:51.307-06:00nice bike, that. Love the torque of my 2010 1098 ...nice bike, that. Love the torque of my 2010 1098 SF. Have fun and plan on budgeting extra for tickets and insurance increases! Have fun and stay safe. Cheers, MartynMartyn Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269525861859836599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-68904703264167798212015-03-13T03:17:27.099-06:002015-03-13T03:17:27.099-06:00I hear ya! I nursed back into life a 900 SS from 1...I hear ya! I nursed back into life a 900 SS from 1989, the all-Italian one (Weber carbs, Marzocchi suspension, Magnet Marelli ignition, wiring loom like a bowl of Spaghetti). It still hates temperatures under 15° C, cities and anything but really flat roads. It's painful and demanding, but when it comes to life, there's no other thing in the world.<br />Luckily, I'm living in a cheap city (Berlin) and able to afford a 2nd bike, so I won't let go of the Diva, even with its 60k km and a first engine rebuilt. Some love never turns old.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16958589575844102982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164874096778415414.post-73293050956084619422015-03-12T11:48:45.665-06:002015-03-12T11:48:45.665-06:00Great article, congrats on the new bike. Makes me ...Great article, congrats on the new bike. Makes me glad my friends and I got into air cooled 90's dual sports. Every so often I see a exotic that sparks my imagination sitting at the Rock Store or Newcombs and my mind starts putting financial figures together in my head. It always passes and I go back to riding my long-suffering Honda XR. Glad there are bonkers people like you that keep these beauties on the road though.<br /><br />Love your blog and read every update!Cheap Thrillshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17288256517014753888noreply@blogger.com