Pretty, Even in Winter

.
Here is South Carolina, you can ride almost all year long.  The temperature and rain/snowfall are generally compatible with riding on most winter days.

We have had a lot of rain this year, but it seems to have tapered off, so I went out for a ride this week. 

Recall that I live near the Blue Ridge Escarpment, so there are many roads that climb into the mountains to the north.  I didn't go into the mountains on this ride though.  I only went a hundred miles or so on some of our flatter back roads, but I noticed that the sky and scenery were quite pretty.

The temperature was in the low forties so I bundled up and was glad to have the heated grips and handlebar muffs already installed.  Those, along with good insulation elsewhere, allowed me to brave the cold and gusty wind.

Here are a few snapshots of the scenery today.

A little overcast yonder, but no rain is forecast.

I forgot to turn off the GoPro at a bathroom break -- again.

I didn't see any other bikers, but it was a great day to be out.

Hope to see you on the road this winter.
.
.

.

Christmas Reason

.
It is that time of year when we think of cool weather, gift giving, family time, and a few days off from the workaday world.  For those of us who live in warmer climates, it could be that we can sneak out for a few miles on the roads or in the woods on our scooters. 

All good, these things. 

There is one more thing about this season, though that is paramount.  The reason for our celebrating in the first place.  It is the birth of Jesus Christ around 2000 years ago.  Christ is God's son and his teachings are fundamental to our lives now, and into eternity. 

It is at this special time of year, that we would do well to hear the Christmas story once again.
The prophet Isaiah wrote about the coming of Jesus to earth about seven hundred years beforehand:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and The Government shall be upon His Shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty GOD, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His Government and peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will perform this. 

A physician named Luke wrote of the birth about thirty years after Jesus' death:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with Child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His Name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Around thirty-three years after Jesus' birth, he was killed by crucifixion, laid in a borrowed tomb for three days, then arose from death.  He was seen by multitudes here on earth after that. 

If you don't know Jesus Christ as your living savior, then find a church that preaches from the Bible, and where they believe that it is the inerrant word recorded by writers inspired by God.

They can explain the wonder of the birth of Jesus Christ and what it means to you and me. All you have to do to go to heaven after you die is to believe what happened to Him, and to ask Jesus to be your savior.
...

Merry Christmas to all, and happy riding in the new year.	. . .	. .

Water Pump -- Again!

.
Well, I got done with the stator installation, the battery replacement, and the front tire install.  I went for a ride long enough to prove out the stator/battery work and to scuff in the front tire -- a couple of hundred miles or so.

I felt very good about the repairs, and parked the bike in the garage for the night.

Next morning, I found this:

I pointed menacingly to the oil spot on the floor as if scolding a pet that had messed on the floor.

Surely my [pet] motorcycle would not have done such a thing in my otherwise spotless garage. 

I peeked at the engine through the openings in the cowling and found the front of the engine and the inside of the cowlings defiled by an oily, dirty mess spread over a considerable area.

"What have I done wrong with the stator installation?" I asked myself.   It turned out that I didn't do anything wrong over there.  The stator cover is a considerable distance from the oil I was looking at here.  The wind pressure during my 200-mile ride would have caused the left side of the engine, and well behind this, to be oily.

Well, if not that, what? 

I removed the bottom fairings, and wiped down the engine so I could see where the oil was coming from.  I ran the motor until hot, and I couldn't see anything.  (Naturally, it never acts up when you need it to.)

I looked at the oil filter, since I'd just installed it, but didn't see anything leaking there either. 

Finally, I saw some oil coming out of the water pump weep hole.  Just a little, mind you, but oil nonetheless. 

The general neighborhood of the leak.

Closer up view of the vent with the oil wiped away.

The water pump oil seal was apparently leaking.  On this machine, there is a shaft driven by the innards of the engine, that extends out through an oil seal, then a coolant seal to drive the coolant pump impeller.  Between the two seals is a weep hole to the outside. 

That weep hole, by the way, can show both oil and coolant leakage.  The oil side of the water pump drive has an elastomeric shaft seal and the coolant side has a ceramic face seal.  If either of them leak, the leakage comes out of the weep hole.  This design also prevents coolant and oil from mixing should there be a leak between them. 

I had had this trouble before, at 41,000 miles.  Back then it was coolant, so I replaced the coolant seal, buttoned it up again, and it was fine for a short time.  Then the oil seal began to leak and I had to do the repair all over again. 

Now, at 66,000, it has begun leaking oil again, so this time I will replace all the seals at the same time, so I don't have to repeat the task.  . 

I got on the Internet and began looking for the best deal on parts.  I ended up at Ron Ayers Motorsports.

My needs were a bit more pedestrian than stocking stuffers.

I bought the following for my 2006 Ninja 650R:

• 49063-1055 ceramic face seal $11.65
• 59256-0007 water pump impeller (in case the old plastic one was stuck and I broke it getting it apart) $20.92
• 92049-1259 oil seal $4.27
• 92055-0082 case O-ring $1.74
• 92055-0083 pump housing seal $4.32
• 92055-1155 pump cover seal $7.38

The total was $61.68 including a whopping $11.40 shipping charge. 

I punched the order button, and the parts were in my hands two days later.  I began the repair.

I removed the right Inner Cowling for access to the coolant expansion reservoir and radiator cap.  I drained the coolant and removed the five screws holding the pump cover (be careful not to lose the two dowels in the cover).  Then I took the impeller screw out (Put the bike in gear and hold the rear brake to be sure you can apply sufficient torque to the screw.) and the impeller came off the shaft easily.  So, I didn't need to buy that expensive new impeller, it turned out.   Next, I pulled the housing (one more dowel there).  The housing is a very thin aluminum die casting, so be careful not to bend it when removing and handling it.

This is what's left after all that is removed. 

I checked the pump drive shaft for radial clearance that might have caused the seal to fail, but could not detect any. 

I cleaned everything with a rag, then with brake cleaner -- outside to avoid the fumes.

The oil seal can be easily removed from the housing by prying it out with a screw driver.

The cup side of the ceramic face seal for coolant is a different matter.  It is pressed into the housing and there is a sealant on the outside of the seal cup that not only prevents leakage there, but tends to lock the cup in tightly.  I set up a makeshift press using two sockets and my bench vice.

The socket on the left side is bearing on the housing.  The inside diameter of that socket is just slightly larger than the outside diameter of the seal cup flange.  Make sure it is properly centered on the seal before applying force with the vice. 

The outside diameter of the socket on the right is just slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the housing bore that holds the seal cup.

Check all of your metric and English sockets to find the best fits.  If you bend the housing, you will have to replace it to the tune of about $35. 


The coolant seal cup came loose with only moderate force.  I further cleaned the housing with brake cleaner.

I pressed the coolant seal cup flange into the housing using a flat piece of hardwood and a socket on the opposite side to support the housing.

the oil seal is similarly pressed into place with a piece of hardwood.  Its face is to be flush with the highest part of the housing on that side.  It is not to be even with the four recesses. 

The mating half of the coolant seal is contained in the back of the impeller.  It is easily removed with a screw driver.  I opened the envelope containing the new impeller and was surprised to find that it is a nicely-machined aluminum die casting.  The original was plastic.  That is why I was afraid of damaging it during removal. 

I went ahead and installed the new one.  I'll keep the old one as a spare (though I don't expect to wear out or break the new impeller).  The coolant seal is an easy finger press fit into the back of the impeller.

I carefully applied a bit of grease to the various O-ring seals and to the oil seal lip.  The grease lubricates the seal, but it serves to prevent the O-rings from falling out of position when reassembling the pump.  Do not apply grease to the coolant seal faces. 

Clean both faces of the coolant seal with a high flash point solvent.  I used a little brake cleaner on a clean rag.  I carefully wiped both faces, then applied a drop of coolant to both faces to provide the initial lubrication. 

I threaded the oil seal in the pump housing onto the shaft, and pushed the housing against the mating face on the engine.  The one dowel aligns this.  The impeller slips onto the shaft, and the screw securing it is tightened to 87 in-lb.  Again put the bike in gear and hold the rear brake to be sure you can apply sufficient torque to the screw.

The cover went on next (with the two dowels) and the screws were tightened in a star pattern to 87 in-lb.

I reconnected the coolant hose, filled it up with coolant and ran the engine, topped off the radiator when partially warmed up, installed the radiator pressure cap, filled the overflow reservoir to the F mark (with the bike standing upright), and continued running the engine until the cooling fan came on.  Once cool, I rechecked the coolant level in the overflow and set it between the F and L marks with the bike upright. I reinstalled the cowlings so everything looks nice again.  For the time being, I left off the Inner Cowling so I could top off the coolant expansion tank if necessary. 

I was ready for a test ride.




But....

It turned cold, and I didn't have time to go out for a couple of weeks.




Then this:

Phooie!

So I decided to use the time to put on my hand muffs for the winter riding season.  They really help keep the hands warm in concert with the heated grips.

This winter I selected the Ducks Unlimited pair instead of the Hippo Hands brand.  They look better on this type of bike, though they don't protect as well as the larger Hippo Hands. 

When the snow goes away, I'll go out and test the water pump -- and enjoy warm hands!

Maybe I'll see you out there.
.
.

.

Stator, Battery, and Front Tire

.
Well, it happened.  The stator in the alternator failed, as they tend to do in Ninja 650Rs.  Mine got me almost to 66,000 miles, so I am pretty happy.  It also didn't just let me down in the middle of nowhere, fortunately.

The stator is wired in a three phase pattern, and one of the phases was not producing an output voltage. 

I think the failure is right where the burned place is in the photograph below.

That failure made the stator produce less power to recharge the battery and run lights, ignition, fuel injection, and accessories.  I noticed that occasionally the horn was not very loud and the trip odometers and clock would sometimes reset to zero when starting the engine.  I tested the stator according to the Kawasaki manual and found the problem.

The stator OEM part number is 21003-0042 for my 2006 and others.  I bought a new stator from grimcycles on ebay, and it got here in about a week.  It looks good and fit fine.  More importantly, it now produces the full power that it should.  That cost me $144.95 for the part, shipped.  My labor, as usual, is free.

I changed the oil and filter as long as I was in there.  You lose most of the oil when opening the stator cover if you do it with the side stand instead of a rear stand.  If you use the latter, you only lose about a quart.  It needed changing anyway, so that was fine.  I use Mobil 1 and a Kawasaki-brand filter. 

The procedure to change the stator is well documented here.  I reused the stator cover gasket.  It is not metal, but it is sufficiently sturdy if you are careful handling it.  Use silicone sealant only around the wire passthrough, not on the entire gasket. 


I buttoned up the engine, filled it will oil, started it up and found that the charging voltage at 4000 RPM was correct at 14.6 volts.


I went for a ride, and the symptoms of the weak horn and disappearing odometer reading persisted!

Now what?

Well, I tested the battery after it had been on trickle charge overnight and found its voltage to be lower than it should be.

That is an indication of a bad battery.  I last replaced the battery in late 2012, almost 30,000 miles ago.  That time, I replaced it with the same as OEM, a Yuasa YTX12-BS.  I did the same this time, and found it only a few dollars higher than six years ago at $59.88, shipped from Amazon seller Avid Cycles.  It got here in a few days, I filled it, charged it, and everything works fine now.


Oh, wait a minute.  What about the tire I mentioned?   Well my front tire was about worn out so I sent away to Sportbike Track Gear for a fresh Michelin Pilot Road 4.  They had the lowest price of $146, shipped when I used an $8 rebate from previous purchases there.  I took it to the local Foothills Powersports dealer to be mounted and balanced for $37.  The worn out tire had 10,500 miles on it and the resulting cost per mile was $0.018 over its life.  Even at as long a life as I get because I ride sedately, tires are a significant expense of owning a motorcycle. 


So I have two good tires, and an electrical system that works properly now.  The whole escapade cost about $390.  This motorcycling isn't cheap!


I might say, though, that this bike has been very reliable over its life.  I never abuse it, so that probably contributes to its longevity.

The other major issues -- besides routine service -- have been the fuel pump failure, the loose kickstand, and the water pump seal failure at 41,000 miles.  I have done all of the maintenance and repair myself, so the costs were much lower than if I had to take it into a mechanic each time. 

Not too bad for an elderly ride like mine.

Hope to see you on the road!
.
.

.

Veterans Day -- A Salute to Those Who Fought for Our Freedom

.
Veterans Day  
(from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.
In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

If you see a veteran, take a minute to thank him for his service, and for his helping preserve our freedom.  
.

What is at Risk November 6th?

.

Election day is coming upon us rapidly, and this election is very important to our future -- yours and mine. 

If the Democrats take over the House or Senate, then everything Mr. Trump has accomplished in two years will be lost.  If you would like to see a list of those accomplishments, then look here. 

And remember, Mr. Trump campaigned on many issues.  At that time, it was just talk.

Now, two years later, we can see that he has achieved many of those promises. 

So what do we as citizens stand to lose? 

Here is the short list:

• Lowest unemployment in years, and in some cases, in history.  The tax cuts, new incentives to business, and the reduction in regulations would be wiped out along with those jobs that have been created.  Democrats have vowed that they will reverse all this to take money out of your pocket. 
  Read this.  

• Our sovereignty.  In plain language, illegal immigrants are set to invade us, and more are on the way.  These are able-bodied young men with almost no women and few children.  These are not refugees, nor are they seeking asylum.  If we let them in, they will become a surge of Democrat voters who will never again vote in a Republican to any office.  They will take our jobs, use our health care system without paying, bring in disease, increase gang activity, and allow terrorists free entry to destroy us. 
  If you think this is not true, then why is the latest wave of illegals waving the flags of the countries they claim they want to leave?  See this story.  

Other risks of electing Democrats:

·        Your right to bear arms would be threatened, preventing law-abiding citizens from defending themselves, their families, and their property. 

·        Health care would be even less affordable than Obamacare is now.  …and watch out for what Democrats are calling “Medicare for All.”  It is a way to provide health care for more people, but made possible by taking away health care benefits from the rest of us. 

·        Democrats not only would destroy a good man and his family, but our entire nation to gain power for themselves.  The recent Supreme Court hearings are an example of the power the Democrats so desperately don’t want to lose.  They would destroy a good man at any cost and destroy our nation to regain power for themselves. 

These things affect everybody, including ordinary blokes like you and me.  Our standard of living would fall, and more of us would be stuck without jobs or in lower-paying jobs.  Many more would have to go back on welfare, supported by those who are still working.  

Don’t let that happen.  Vote Republican on election day.  

.

We Must NEVER Forget 911

.

We must never forget what Islamist terrorists
did to us in 2001.  

Think it was just isolated to 9/11/2001?  


It was not.  We are still in danger from these people.  



 Here is a page that shows all of the 104 terrorist attacks and threats since 9/11.  
Note that this page has not been updated, except for the graphic that looks like this: 

Scroll to the right in the graphic in the link above to see each specific incident.  


 "This graphic does not include activities that are merely linked to terrorism, such as traveling abroad to join a terrorist organization.  Each plot requires some threat directed at the U.S. homeland. Additionally, to be included, the primary motivation of the terror plot or attack must be a radical Islamist ideology, which supports the use of violence as a means to achieve the long-run objective of imposing Islamic law."  


All attacks were committed by Islamist terrorists.  

If you have forgotten the devastation on our own soil of the 9/11 attacks, look here for a short review.   The blood shed by over 3000 people is not visible in the photos. 

NOT ONE of the five masterminds of the 9/11 attack have been brought to justice, some 17 years later!  


We must stand strong against these terrorists and our sympathetic politicians forever and always, lest the freedom of this greatest country on earth be lost forever. 

.