muffler packing

[batteryparkband]

I posted last week about a speed wobble at 70 MPH. Thanks all for the advice and knowledge. I had the Bridgestone Trailwings mounted yesterday (22 front and 41 rear) and I intalled the LR progressive springs yesterday (thanks Kurt). The wobble is now gone! Haven't completely topped it out yet, but 70-75 was no problem even with a cross-gust from oncoming traffic. I also installed new double sealed bearings and took out the unsealed/single seal ones that were in there. They all looked to be in good condition and were pretty clean, but better safe than sorry. These TW's are much different than the "TrailMaster" knobbies I had on there. They were also wearing down like crazy. Quieter, better feel, and about in. closer to the ground. Just a lot nicer and more stable to ride. So anyone else out there with wobbles, take a look at your tires. I recommend Bridgestone Trailwings. I'll go with the UFO fender and/or the fork brace if the time ever comes, but these things just really did the trick. Much more contact with the road, but enough tread to grip and shed mud when the time comes. -j.

[bigfatgreenbike@netscape.net]

"batteryparkband" wrote:

> I had the Bridgestone Trailwings mounted >yesterday (22 front and 41 rear) and I intalled the LR progressive >springs yesterday (thanks Kurt). The wobble is now gone!

Excellent road tires. I could lift the rear wheel on my buddy's DRZ at 50mph with Trailwings.

> Much more contact with the >road, but enough tread to grip and shed mud when the time comes. >

If it makes you happy thinking that, great. But they're called "deathwings" on the Thumpertalk page, due to their lack of offroad grip. And that's dirt, not mud. Devon -- Brooklyn '01 A15-Z KLR650 '81 SR500 __________________________________________________________________ McAfee VirusScan Online from the Netscape Network. Comprehensive protection for your entire computer. Get your free trial today! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/computing/mcafee/index.jsp?promo=393397 Get AOL Instant Messenger 5.1 free of charge. Download Now! http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/Aim/register.adp?promo=380455

[Lujo Bauer]

I'll second Devon's comment about their off-road capabilities. I ran a 21/22 combo for a while, and while I loved them on the road and they were OK on hard packed ground, they sucked on very loose dirt and in the mud. That rear 22 (I think you meant 41 front, 22 rear) is no good at all when it comes to wet ground. On a grass field with a couple of inches of snow it gave me *no* forward traction. Ditto in mud. Which is not to say that I don't recommend the tires -- I do -- but only if you're mostly sticking to pavement. Cheers, -Lujo batteryparkband wrote:

> I posted last week about a speed wobble at 70 MPH. Thanks all for > the advice and knowledge. I had the Bridgestone Trailwings mounted > yesterday (22 front and 41 rear) and I intalled the LR progressive > springs yesterday (thanks Kurt). The wobble is now gone! Haven't > completely topped it out yet, but 70-75 was no problem even with a > cross-gust from oncoming traffic. I also installed new double sealed > bearings and took out the unsealed/single seal ones that were in > there. They all looked to be in good condition and were pretty > clean, but better safe than sorry. > These TW's are much different than the "TrailMaster" knobbies I had > on there. They were also wearing down like crazy. Quieter, better > feel, and about in. closer to the ground. Just a lot nicer and > more stable to ride. So anyone else out there with wobbles, take a > look at your tires. I recommend Bridgestone Trailwings. I'll go with > the UFO fender and/or the fork brace if the time ever comes, but > these things just really did the trick. Much more contact with the > road, but enough tread to grip and shed mud when the time comes. > > -j.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[batteryparkband]

That's good to know. But, it is my primary commuter and i need a worthy tire to compete with the idiots on 4 wheels in the downtown/I- 25 corridor. My off roading with this bike is pretty much limited to rocks, fire/Forest service roads, and job sites. If I later need to get into the hairy stuff, and find this tire won't do it, I'll switch, but in the meantime, less wobble is sweet, and the ride is nice. I'm sure I'll repost in a month cursing this chosen combo (yes, it IS 41 F/22 R), but just let me live this fantasy in my head for now -j.

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Lujo Bauer wrote: > I'll second Devon's comment about their off-road capabilities. I ran a > 21/22 combo for a while, and while I loved them on the road and they > were OK on hard packed ground, they sucked on very loose dirt and in the > mud. That rear 22 (I think you meant 41 front, 22 rear) is no good at > all when it comes to wet ground. On a grass field with a couple of > inches of snow it gave me *no* forward traction. Ditto in mud. Which > is not to say that I don't recommend the tires -- I do -- but only if > you're mostly sticking to pavement. > > Cheers, > > -Lujo > > > batteryparkband wrote: > > > I posted last week about a speed wobble at 70 MPH. Thanks all for > > the advice and knowledge. I had the Bridgestone Trailwings mounted > > yesterday (22 front and 41 rear) and I intalled the LR progressive > > springs yesterday (thanks Kurt). The wobble is now gone! Haven't > > completely topped it out yet, but 70-75 was no problem even with a > > cross-gust from oncoming traffic. I also installed new double sealed > > bearings and took out the unsealed/single seal ones that were in > > there. They all looked to be in good condition and were pretty > > clean, but better safe than sorry. > > These TW's are much different than the "TrailMaster" knobbies I had > > on there. They were also wearing down like crazy. Quieter, better > > feel, and about in. closer to the ground. Just a lot nicer and > > more stable to ride. So anyone else out there with wobbles, take a > > look at your tires. I recommend Bridgestone Trailwings. I'll go with > > the UFO fender and/or the fork brace if the time ever comes, but > > these things just really did the trick. Much more contact with the > > road, but enough tread to grip and shed mud when the time comes. > > > > -j. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[bigfatgreenbike@netscape.net]

"Volker Traudt" wrote:

>General question: Both of my bikes are quite old (1980 Suzuki TS125 >Two Stroke, 1987 KLR250), and particularly the Suzuki makes an >unpleasant noise that I would like to tune down. > >I have never had a motorcycle exhaust apart, and have no idea how it >can be taken apart and what's in there; but I read about "packing" >the muffler.

I have only repacked Supertrapps, which are designed for easy repacking. Most other pipes either have an end that's riveted on, and you drill out the rivets to remove the core. Then use a pop-rivet gun ($20 at local hardware store) to reassemble it. The core is usually a perforated metal tube that the glass cloth is wrapped around. Some OEM exhausts are welded shut and can't be repacked without cutting them open. I usually use "silent sport" packing, sold by supertrapp. There are industrial grades of glass cloth, meant for wrapping exhaust pipes on stationary engines, etc. and these would do. Fiberglass insulation or marine-type glass cloth for boat repair wouldn't be coarse enough. You can also use stainless-steel wool, which I'm told will dampen noise almost as well as fiberglass, but never blows out. It's what they pack the Laser pro-duro with, and it apparently lasts the life of the muffler. Devon -- Brooklyn '01 A15-Z KLR650 '81 SR500 __________________________________________________________________ McAfee VirusScan Online from the Netscape Network. Comprehensive protection for your entire computer. Get your free trial today! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/computing/mcafee/index.jsp?promo=393397 Get AOL Instant Messenger 5.1 free of charge. Download Now! http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/Aim/register.adp?promo=380455