Mekanix

If your bike is 99-00 model, you probably are experiencing the dreaded wire loom problem. Bite the bullet and do the fix, cut and solder job. If not it will haunt you forever. Trust me. Instructions are posted in here somewhere...

I get about 40, +- 2 mpg all year around. Bone stock, except for the K&N

:icon_clap: :icon_clap: Dude, that's sooo cool! I like that almost as good as your jiggling sig file. Nice job!

I run dunlop qualifiers, 208. They are a track tire. I don't care so much for the wear, as I'd rather have the grip with some of the crazy shit I do. After a run up the mountain, it's not uncommon to see some discoloration from the heat the tire has built up supporting my fat ass. I don't drive so good, and my form sucks, so I like a tire that is more forgiving of my ham-handedness. I guess when I get my next bike and finally convert this thing into a tourer, I will go Michelin, until then I will melt them dunlops away. Fwiw, I get them for about $150 installed, so I don't care much.

OK, sorry it took a while, Friday is my weigh in. Starting weight: 225 Today: 208.0 Last night I had a mushroom swiss burger with all the grease. About midnight I had a buffalo burger patty with a Negro Modelo. This morning I had a bratwurst (Johnsonville) for breakfast I fully expected to not get any more hp this month, since I have been out of control and eating whatever I wanted. I went to PJ's last weekend to get a new tire and stopped across the street to get a full kfc dinner. Then I went to the Eddie Money concert and had dinner there before I saw the show. I was also sleepy and had about 3 vanilla latte's throughout the night. This has been my week, so I am really suprised with how it's going. FWIW, I have put everything into my food counter and I have maintained a steady 2800 or less calories. It took 3 days to normalize my concert day, but I just put food in until I hit 2800 or so, then move everything else to the next day. It's pretty hard to keep eating, when I know I am already starting the day 500-1000 over billed, but I keep reminding myself that my body needs fuel and will trigger starvation mode if I don't. So I graze, even if I'm not hungry. I feel great! Riding is more pleasureable, sex isn't nearly as taxing ( ) My pants keep fitting better and better. I have been wearing my "skinny" jeans for a solid month now. I slipped a disk at the beginning of my weight loss and my feeling in my foot is almost back to normal. I even had a cute little 21 year old force her number on me last weekend (she stuffed it in my pants pocket). I told her to behave. The last time I was under 210 consistently was over 3 and a half years ago. I really see sub 200 in 2 months. The last time I was there was 4 years ago. That was only for a week. Before that, it was ~14 years ago? In the military? I can't remember... Other hp increases?

Yesterday, update. 211, from 225 in 2 months, average weight loss is 1.75 lbs/week. Just where I want it. I plateau'd, but I seem to break about 3 pounds when I crash thru it. I'm having a birthday, and I cook like a demon, so I expect to not have any gains this week, may even backslide. I'm happy, not feeling deprived, my clothes fit better, it's getting easier. I've maintained <2600 this whole week in calorie intake, eating what I usually do, just not so much. I'm not really pushing hard on this thing, just keeping an easy pace and reminding myself that I didn't become a lard ass overnight and I won't go back that way either. After my birthday, I am lowering my average daily to <2400 as a target, which I think I will be able to do. I find myself grabbing a pile of deli turkey or scarfing a can of tuna on work nights, just to stay over 2200, so I don't think it will be too hard to do. I think I am on the right track. I still track every single thing that goes in my mouth, but it's getting easier and easier. I am making better decisions for what to eat and still educating myself about what is a good thing to eat and what is not. Yay me! Johnny

:icon_clap: :icon_clap: :icon_clap: :icon_clap: Thanks for the heads up! I forgot all about Chromium :icon_wall: Seriously dude, great job! Johnny

I used to change the washer every time I did it. I have been using the same washer for probably 6-7 changes, still no leaks.

+1 on the screw in piston. I don't understand it either, but apparently on some vehicles, (my 2003 mustang, for instance) you can't press the piston in. I bought one of them square brake tool thingies you turn with your 3/8 wrench, then ground off two of the four studs on that to match the dimple pattern on the cylinder. Crank crank crank until it goes in. I hated it too, but I would have hated it more if I had pressed on that thing till something broke.

Yup, me! Both is called Christmas, lol.

:icon_clap: :icon_clap: I'll keep you informed when the harvest arrives, the state slogan is "Red or Green" and refers to what type of chile you want with your dinner. Note that there is no "none" option given. Here's what I'm talking about... http://www.zianet.com/focus/places/HATCH.HTM http://www.thesantafesite.com/articles-dat...e-that-is-.html I go on a run to Jemez Pueblo a few times in the summer and get The Ojo burger, Christmas. http://losojossaloon.com/ Click on menu and then los ojos special for a pic, damn flash wont let me steal the photo! One of those and you are good all day, lol.

Yeah, what he said I went thru the Easter day(s) festivities and I knew I was gonna put a few back on. I am coming back down, at 215 today, but I have had a hankering for pickles and saurkraut these last two days so I am sure it's water weight and I am more likely at 214 or 213. Being out of the gym for 2 weeks has done a number on me, I was finally able to get back in and start slowly getting some pressure on my back. For those that know, L5-S1 disk slipped out, pinched the sciatic on my right side. Was the left last year and it put me out for about 3 weeks then, but I recognized the symptoms and I knew it was nothing serious enough for another cat scan. The feeling is almost normal in my leg now and I'm just waiting for the inflamation to go down before I go back in full speed. Still eating what I want, still moving up in hp. Last night I had a burger and a diet coke while staring at little orange shorts and watching cage fighting on the tube. This in addition to breakfast, lunch and snacks. I am feeling NO PAIN in this process, just a little irritation in my ass for watching everything I put in my mouth. Keep it up folks, and AirborneXX, I hate you! :icon_clap: I'll be right there with you in oh, 9 months or so!

I'll bet money on you, Jew! Or rather, I'll bet chile! You hit your goal, send me a pm and I will send you the freshest, world famous New Mexico green chile I can get my hands on as soon as harvest hits, sometime around August. If you want it roasted over an open flame, I may have to have some shipped from a store, cause I think it has to stay frozen, but I may be wrong. You go, boy! Johnny (everybody knows never to bet on a Jew, they hate to lose... look at it as "support" )

This is not a good visual. There are things here I don't want to know, or think about. I agree totally. Safety is a priority and I wouldn't recommend that anyone ride their bike if it was anywhere near a marginal state. I am severely ocd and I just like sitting on the floor, playing with my bike. Once or twice a year I use a soft toothbrush, remove the wheel (check bearings) and roll the chain in a bowl of kerosene, looking for damage and possible wear in the links. If I find anything suspicious, believe me, I will change the chain in a heartbeat. To date, I have seen none and have no wear on either the front or rear sprockets. FYI, I use the brush on the side plates, not the roller surfaces. What doesn't wash out with the kerosene can stay where it is. As for the old used socks, I was just kidding around. I use old clean socks. Which I cut up when the elastics wear out on them. They make good throw away rags and are mostly soft cotton which absorbs the kerosene. Then I oil the chain up. I hope my lame attempt at humor is taken in the context it was meant.

White gas is naptha, a leftover from making gasoline. Used for zippo lighters and for removing gay rainbow bumper stickers from used cars one purchases. It is essentially a solvent, not like kerosene which is a little less aggressive. I use kerosene yearly on my chain, and I have over 20k on this one, with no signs of stretch/wear on it. DID, if I remember correctly. I also lube every 300 miles or so with mobil 1 synthetic gear lube, but I might use lucas, from what I read on a previous post. I wipe off the excess with used old socks... the added stiffness of the sock makes for a better scrubbing action.

Oh buddy, I feel for ya. I had 2 slices of Papa John's meats pizza last night, with ranch dressing Utter heaven, I tell ya. I have the distinct advantage that, because I work nights, I get a night a week when my overlap of eating per day calorie intake lets me splurge. Last time I had a regular angus sammich from Quizno's. I get the nutrition info from the web when I go to a chain, plug it into fitday and it tells me where I need to go to finish the day. I now know that Quizno's is gonna put a 900+ dent in my intake and 2 slices of yummy pizza is right at 1000 with the dressing. I am still goaling for 2400 calories a day, give or take 300. Im down 13 pounds, or almost 2 hp as of today At the end of the month, I will post stats, since it seems like a good time to do it. Remember, I started this program in the beginning of Feb, so AirborneXX has a distinct advantage over me. Also, I threw my back out 2 weeks ago and I haven't been able to go to the gym since, but I think I will be starting again slowly Monday morning. So as to keep the weight I personally have lost in perspective, I have lost 2.166 pounds a week on average. I noticed that on the tv, they are actually posting the time it takes for those slimming hydroxy type thingies. Most of the models lose 30-40 pounds, but over a period of 28+ weeks to get there. Considering I am not taking anything of the sort and just watching what I eat, I am doing alright. And I had pizza! Oh, props to AirborneXX, you are a gentleman and a scholar, although in this circle, that may not be a compliment :icon_think:

I think all the balls are there, but the squirrel cage is missing? I hope you don't have too much pain trying to replace those bearings.

So.... You turned your Blackbird into a Harley?

I drain my fork oil into one profession automotive paint mixing pail (clear plastic). I use another with clean fluid and pour it back in, the same amount it showed on the side.

Here's my update from 11 days ago... I've been rollercoasting for about 6 months now, bouncing between 218 and 224. Mostly I sit around 221. I am not afraid to admit that I don't know anything about something and I figured getting advice from a fella that has maintained his weight for over 60 years was a good place to start. Looking at the previous posts I made here, you can see Clarence Bass links all thru it. I bought a couple of books just before February. I have been lifting consistently for over 6 months now, but I hit a wall, weight wouldn't come down and strength wouldn't go up. I've been doing what conventional wisdom said, cut caloric intake drastically and excercised like crazy. What I got so far is that I was over training by doing the cardio, burning off any gains the weight lifting workout gave me. My muscles were constantly being torn down right after being built up. Additionally, my severe calorie reduction put my body in starvation mode and I was constantly tired, living on energy drinks and binging every weekend to sate my hunger. I have been using www.fitday.com to track my eating and shooting for a target calorie intake of 2300 to 3000, while shooting for 2400 as a goal. Based on what I read, a moderately active man burns about 14 calories per pound of mass, so I wanted to get near that but slightly less to start losing the weight. My aim is for ~180 by the middle of the summer and I am trying to not lose any muscle. It was very hard to get the muscle and I don't want to accidently lose it by losing the weight too fast. I set my target calorie intake to 14*180=2520. The first thing I noticed is that I gained 4 pounds and peaked at 225, roughly 2 days after I started my new diet. As discouraging as this was, I decided my body is probably all out of whack and if I give it consistent fuel and maintain my exercise routine, I should be fine. As of today, I'm down to 221. The difference is I feel great! It's amazing how much food I am putting away. I'm hungry almost all the time, but it's more like "I could eat" instead of "my face is caving in!". My coffee and energy drink need is almost gone. I'm drinking half caff and I get jittery now. I work nights and Im not exhausted and dragging ass all night anymore. I guess my body is off starvation mode now, cause I am consistently just below 2400 calories and I am full of energy and constantly eating. As much as I've heard that eating 5 or more times a day was the key, I'm finally seeing this in practice. Still hard to wrap my head around it since it's never what I did before but it is working. I never claimed I was a rocket surgeon... I still enjoy my bourbon and beer, albeit it's cut down a little. Key was to set up a meal plan that I enjoyed and didn't feel deprived with. The second thing is that my muscle strength is exploding. I do 375 deep knee leg presses and I've hit the squat limit my back surgery allows at ~200 pounds, but my legs have grown a half inch in a week. My body seems much more responsive to my workouts and, again, I feel great! I feel my muscle mass is pretty much where I want it to be, so when I get close to 180, I should not be gaining a lot more muscle. My body fat meter on my scale broke (lol) so I can't calculate how much muscle I have, but Im going by feel. Pants fit better around the waist. I ordered a new scale will start punching in my bf as well as weight next time I check in. Johnny

OK, basically 0 change for the month. No real excuses, I've been keeping it a priority to not lose muscle mass, while cutting the fat away. I talked to Carol here at www.cbass.com who happens to be in my home town. Apparently Clarence is in his seventies, has a few books about bodybuilding and lean mass that he's published over the years. This is what he looks like at 70... A photo collage of him thru the years... http://www.cbass.com/PICTORAL.HTM A few minutes of a conversation with Carol, his wife and I learned a critical error in my training. I bought Ripped 3 and Fit for Life, will try to apply these to my real world. Ill start a separate thread in HP Gain, so anyone interested can track my progress. From looking over the website, I really think you could glean all you need from there, but we'll see. Ill see if I can get the lady to take a pic of my fat ass (in a tank top, so as not to gross everyone out too much) so the before and after shots are for the record. Consider this day one and pic added when I get it, when I will also start the new thread. Just got this from his website, guess I'll make another trip out there and get this book too.

As far as getting sick goes.. When I work out really hard, then don't get rest, I catch a cold. I've found making sure I get enough sleep (I have no kids, so it's pretty easy) is the key. Also, I take an average of 5000mg of vitamin C a day, and I have found that when I do get a cold, I've cut it from a 14-16 day ordeal to around 6. Even when I am sick, I don't feel as bad. FWIW

+1 I bought 2 gaskets, one for each side cover. I never liked the look of old bronze on the 99 anyway. Pulled the stator cover off when my electrical died. Filled, sanded, painted black, baked in the oven a bit...voila! Both sides are great, match the black of the bike and the engine well and no more ugly scratches to be seen. Pretty cheap fix, but now it looks better than the body. I need to paint again...

OK, I'm putting this to paper. 6' 220#. BMI puts me at overweight, not obese. I have been lifting a lot last year, gonna step it up another notch and cut the drinking in half *again*. Military weight was 182, but I'm bigger muscle-wise so I can expect to find the hint of a six pack at ~195, which is what I'm shooting for. There, I said it, lets see if I stick to it

LETS BURN HIS STORE DOWN! just kidding... maybe...