AKJason

[Alaska X]

Hey buddy whats going on up there in Fairbanks? Haven't seen you on the board for awhile. Did you get all your mods done? :D

[AKJason]

Howdy!

My bike is up on a bike lift as we speak. I dropped off the wheels and tires at Thunder Road to have em mounted and balanced. But, today we're driving down near Cantwell for blueberry picking. Tomorrow, I do another week of duty in Sioux Falls. Second trip this month! :(

I have Bare's fork instructions printed out and in my 'garage'. I want to do the springs when I come home along with remounting the wheels. I haven't been on my bike in over a MONTH! We're so busy with the extra boys, my travel, and my while-its-summer-to-do list that I just can't squeeze in much riding. I'm still holding out for the idea of a fall ride to Seward if the weather and my schedule cooperates.

[Alaska X]

You will have it on the road in no time. I actualy plan on riding up your way around the third week of Aug. I was going to see what the rest of the guys schedules were before firming anything up. So you have to be done by then at least.

[AKJason]

Bummer! The second week of August I'll be doing a 6 day camping trip around the state, and the third week I'll be in LA being thankful for air conditioning! :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Alaska X]

Nothing is set in stone yet. 8) Most the time my vacation times are subject to change. I'll let you know.

[AKJason]

Excellent, because I owe you a couple of beers!

[Alaska X]

MMMM Beer good :beer2:

[AKJason]

Finally had an hour to work on it this evening. Duh, I forgot to block the front wheel up again. Badda bing and then the threads are right up at the top and I could thread it in easy as pie with the tool.

Also got the rear wheel stuffed back in there. It's pretty nice looking. I can't wait to get the bike off the stand, clean it up and stand back and take a proper look. Gotta pick up some fork oil and top em off, then I can put this project behind me.

[AKJason]

I'm back on the road baby! Whoo hoo! 8)

Okay, I only got 30 miles in but it was a reaaalllly niiiiiiice thirty miles. Okay, got my fix, time to go camping.

The bike definately 'turns in' much quicker with these new bridgestones. I need to scrub em up real good before I go explore how it handles at speed. Meanwhile the progressive front springs definately changed the ride height and changed how it handles over bumps. It's like getting used to a whole new bike.

[alaskarider]

the first 100 miles on new bikes are slick miles. I know you will enjoy the progressives. Enjoy the great riding weather.

[TheAkNeoDude49]

Hey Jason!

Did the progressive springs make the ride softer? And did it lower or raise the bike?

Kent

[AKJason]

Hey Jason!

Did the progressive springs make the ride softer? And did it lower or raise the bike?

Kent

[From the Diamond Center Mall parking lot] My initial impression is that the new fork springs made the front stiffer which is what I was expecting / hoping for. It was definately harder to bottom out on a frost heave.

There are two lengths of springs available, the VTX springs and the Gold Wing springs. The VTX springs are shorter than the stock springs, but actually raise the front end about an inch. My front definately is riding higher, so I essentially have a free extra inch of suspension travel now. The Gold Wing springs will raise the front even further apparently.

I only saw about 1,789 motorcycles on the Seward highway Friday night :( I think I even spied a VTX or two, anybody ride by me?

[kimber_ak]

Clint and I were headed North to Anchorage from Homer on Friday night.

I could not believe how many bikes were out that night, Girdwood looked like a small version of sturgis!!

[AKJason]

Clint and I were headed North to Anchorage from Homer on Friday night.

I could not believe how many bikes were out that night, Girdwood looked like a small version of sturgis!!

Excellent!

I actually saw you two on Saturday! At least the bike looks the same, and I recognize you in the pictures you posted. You were on the Seward at the front waiting for your green arrow to turn onto, uh, I think the light before Nothern Lights perhaps. You and a black VTX with a windshield, that must have been Clint? Asides from the obvious signs, I knew it must have been a VTX watching him try to get it back into 1st from neutral. :lol:

[kimber_ak]

:D Yup that was us. He seems to have more trouble getting it into first than I do. Figured since they are still new (1800mi) this "fun" should end soon.

Any other have this prob.

[AKJason]

:D Yup that was us. He seems to have more trouble getting it into first than I do. Figured since they are still new (1800mi) this "fun" should end soon.

Any other have this prob.

I still have this 'feature'. I think it's a part of the bike's personality, seems like a lot of folks post about it on the board. I put myself in the habit of just leaving it in first and not going to neutral at lights.