Got my parts...

[opaque_machete]

Well, the parts for my little XT225 finally came in yesterday. All we are lacking is the valve lapping compound and we'll pick that up tomorrow. I'm hoping one or both of us will have the bike running by Wednesday so I can ride it to class. That would be awesome! :wootrock:

I can't wait to ride it. I have only ridden it down the road a couple of times when we first bought it, so I already know it's a fun bike to ride. It's like a heavy bicycle and so cute! I'm soooo looking forward to going places my little Ninjette just can't get to. Can you tell I'm excited? :roflmao::ecstasy::yahoo:

[theWolfTamer]

Just a little. congrats!

[zukilady]

:D:

[KansasKawboy]

:yahoo:

[Luna Tique]

:popcorn1:

[opaque_machete]

Running behind. :oops: Just picked up the lapping compound today and he has to work in a couple of hours and doesn't want to get dirty before work. Tomorrow I have classes all day and I won't get home until after 5 pm. :mad: It may be Thursday before we can get to it. :ohsnap: I'll keep you posted. :D:

[indianscout]

Don't you just hate it when things like work, school, eating, sleeping, etc. get in the way of wrenching on your motorcycle?!?!?!? :lol:

[opaque_machete]

Yeah, I do. But now I have another problem...I've been invited to go riding with another chick from this area tomorrow! Which to do...which to do? Hmmmm, wrench, or ride? wrench....or....ride?

:chin: :kcd: :lol:

[indianscout]

No doubt, I would go ride and wrench another day!

[opaque_machete]

YES! Finally, she is fixed and ready to go. The insurance will be effective midnight tonight and I'm goin for a ride tomorrow! :yahoo::ecstasy::kcd:

[indianscout]

Don't forget to take :LT::LT: , it's the :rules: here on TWF!! Have fun!!

[eastofthesunset]

:LT::LT:.......we want :LT:


So happy you have a new ride. I wouldn't mind having an xt if a good deal came my way.....nice bike!

East

[ridingAK]

Can't wait to hear, and see, all about it! :ears:

[Luna Tique]

What they said.:thumbup:

Have fun.

[opaque_machete]

Okay...{insert best Yosemite Sam impression}...I'm down again on that XT. Got a pecking in the engine that gets worse the hotter it gets. Valves were coming out of adjustment, but we got those tightened down correctly but still can't seem to figure out where the pecking is coming from. This is frustrating. I was sooo looking forward to taking it off the beaten path. :cry1: Well, at least I still have my Ninja...knock on wood. :lol:

[Luna Tique]

:gaah: Darn gremlins

[opaque_machete]

:roflmao:

Taking her out tomorrow with the hubby to play some tag for ADV. Pictures will follow. The pecking is still audible when it's warm, but I'm beginning to get used to the racket. :lol: I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that a) there's nothing really wrong with the engine, I'm just being paranoid, and/or b) if it goes it won't be catastrophic. :lol:

[ImaSoftT]

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/prestonjjrtr/Smileys/th23_29_107v-1.gif?t=1296225879 that it is option A. Hope you have a great ride.

[zukilady]

Every time I see this thread I think it says "Got my PANTS"

:lol:

[Dualsport Chic]

:roflmao:

Taking her out tomorrow with the hubby to play some tag for ADV. Pictures will follow. The pecking is still audible when it's warm, but I'm beginning to get used to the racket. :lol: I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that a) there's nothing really wrong with the engine, I'm just being paranoid, and/or b) if it goes it won't be catastrophic. :lol:

From one XT owner to another, wishing you luck in addressing your ticking issue and hoping it's nothing big - as these bikes are just too much darn fun to leave in the garage!

[opaque_machete]

Every time I see this thread I think it says "Got my PANTS"

:lol:

Well, I got those too. :lol: I finally broke down and bought a pair of Ventures (not the Airs this time) and they work great. (I discovered that yesterday when it began to pour the rain on my way home from class, and again today when we were off-roading and I got splashed all the way up to my hips. What a trip!

Anyway, everyone wanted pics, so here are the ones I was able to get before we got drenched. On the very beginning of the trail, we came around a corner and there stood 4 beautiful horses. (sorry, no pics of them.) We immediately pulled off the side of the trail and shut off the engines. When one spooked a little, we began talking to her in a soothing voice. Hubby got his helmet off before I could, which calmed her down a little, and I kept talking to her and she was able to get around us with a scared look on her face, but at least not utterly terrified. I wish I would have had a camera, since the looks on the riders' faces were priceless. Motorcycles not only pulling over and letting them pass, but to shut off engines and take off helmets and speak soothingly to the horses. The looks were priceless and they profusely thanked us. Well, that would have been really uncouth of us to spook those horses and risk someone getting hurt or killed. Not good. Anyway, back to the pics I did get.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DwcT7gSI4dM/TnvB7xUUFcI/AAAAAAAAAIo/8_2SClOBTkA/s400/DSCN0606.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_E5-thJaFrk/TnvB8Pt7rhI/AAAAAAAAAIs/_ovxXvKPn6o/s400/DSCN0607.JPG

My hubby, taking a picture of me taking a picture of him. :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c_UGlFObWsw/TnvB8qMQ-NI/AAAAAAAAAIw/mqilgTw8r-8/s400/DSCN0608.JPG

First mud. Can't tell it from this picture, but there is a little there under the wheel wells. :lol:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-50XzKu8rJVg/TnvCZd2BsxI/AAAAAAAAAI0/TBP_q2kVAX4/s400/DSCN0609.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uPzTkDqmwok/TnvC3b3MwOI/AAAAAAAAAJE/XmtkBkTV5Bg/s400/DSCN0614.JPG

See the trees in the background?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PWIXkms4hBU/TnvDSr09kKI/AAAAAAAAAJM/F1xWV9qlK-Q/s400/DSCN0616.JPG


On the way up, I noticed a bunch of blackened trees. Then it hit me, we had a small fire here about 3 years ago. It broke my heart to think that all of these trees were dead. But I noticed a bit of red amidst the blackened remains of the trees. Out of death springs...Life.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-buExX0ZcmuE/TnvC0n9PFHI/AAAAAAAAAJA/szm_SjI9_X4/s400/DSCN0612.JPG

It's amazing how mother nature takes care to heal the wounds of the earth.

Time for the leaves to begin changing in the mountains! :yahoo:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BjjvWxxIQxs/TnvCaviMlyI/AAAAAAAAAI8/7nrWtpEx978/s400/DSCN0610.JPG

We made it to Patty Ridge, a great hiking trail almost up to the top of the mountain. This area is a bear reserve and is closed during the winter while the bears hibernate. However, this trail leads straight into bear country and bears have been known to traverse it as well as people.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-STf6tHMzy6A/TnvE1nawKtI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/7rcVp7dH1EU/s400/DSCN0626.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PVUZDdRDO6E/TnvFYr0TJbI/AAAAAAAAAKE/54iit82tCRM/s400/DSCN0630.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RI3FEgyHPHs/TnvD1bSU8fI/AAAAAAAAAJg/Z3Y3IO6zi74/s400/DSCN0621.JPG

Hubby's DR650 and my little XT225...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ffnlVoO_Qb4/TnvD0ivkMsI/AAAAAAAAAJc/VXJQO-E_TTA/s400/DSCN0620.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NXyjtv8nAos/TnvDuJNhw6I/AAAAAAAAAJY/6Hb8kNUHv30/s400/DSCN0619.JPG

That's all the pics I have as within 2 minutes of putting my camera away, it began to rain again, and we just came home. I'm sorry to say that on the way home, little xt started smoking and knocking, and she's just not feelin' good. So, I'm back on the Ninja for now. She's had a really rough life. The PO didn't know how to treat a lady. She's had a really rough 12k. But we'll get her fixed up...soon...I hope. :cry1:

Other than that, I had a really neat experience in off-road riding. It wasn't as fun as I thought it would be, but I was worried about everything rather than having fun. I haven't given up on it yet, just need practice. Lots of practice! :lol:

[ImaSoftT]

The pictures are awesome, I really love east TN. Oh and http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r146/12_8/sm/1Lai/laie_getwel.gif little xt. Thanks for sharing your day with us.

[opaque_machete]

:thankyou: for the well wishes for the little xt. She may need it.

I love E. TN too, but I'd love to be able to see other parts of the world as well. That's why I spend so much time on TWF and ADV. I don't have the time or the money to travel with kids still living at home. The pics from ride reports are just awesome. To see through someone else's eyes what they see on the road and to hear their thoughts is just amazing to me. Just wait until the leaves turn and you'll probably get many, many, many more pics. :roflmao:

[zukilady]

Look how cute your little bike is! Yes, I hope you do get her fixed up, and I hope you get to enjoy off-roading soon. I sure think it would be fun. Don't think I'd find myself in bear country, though...:hiding:

[Luna Tique]

This plant is called Virgina Creeper. It grows here also. It is one of the first of the "REDS" of Autumn :cloud9:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-buExX0ZcmuE/TnvC0n9PFHI/AAAAAAAAAJA/szm_SjI9_X4/s400/DSCN0612.JPG


Love this kind of road :wootrock:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c_UGlFObWsw/TnvB8qMQ-NI/AAAAAAAAAIw/mqilgTw8r-8/s400/DSCN0608.JPG

I only have to walk to our orchard to see bear sign.;):
:slaphead:In fact I have to start picking the first of the apples today or the Son of *itch will get them before me.:lol: He doesn't understand what drops is his and what is on the tree is MINE. :shrug:

PS: Great dueling photographer shot also.:lol:

[eastofthesunset]

opaque_machete,
The pics were Great! I love the southern scenery. I moved a short time ago from NC mountains...miss it bunches.

Sorry to hear the XT is under the weather. Good thing is parts are readily available.:): I hope you are able to get her up and running and enjoy some additional seat time before the first snowfall...keep us posted.

East

[VStar]

LT, I'm glad you identified the leaves as Virginia Creeper, it looks a lot like poison ivy, ouch and itch.
O_M, great pics, beautiful scenery.

[opaque_machete]

Yeah, thanks LT. I didn't know what that was either. I just thought it was really cool how the red contrasted with the black remains of the tree. It was really beautiful in real life. I wish the camera could have captured the real beauty. Have any idea what this one is? Found it today at the NC/TN line in Pisgah.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q6CzazCn30Q/Tn0-oGsWgNI/AAAAAAAAAK4/fPqX-mXk5Hc/s640/DSCN0636.JPG

And, yeah, you better get to pickin'. :lol:

[Luna Tique]

It is difficult to tell but looking at the fruit I would venture a guess and say it is a Common Evening Primrose.


LT, I'm glad you identified the leaves as Virginia Creeper, it looks a lot like poison ivy, ouch and itch.

3 leaf Poison Ivy
5 Leaf Virginia Creeper

[VStar]

Yes to the evening primrose and I was trying to count the leaves, saw a lot of 3's, I thought.

[opaque_machete]

Awesome, the plant I saw and the pics of evening primrose match. Thanks! I wondered what those were. They were beautiful just growing on the side of the road like that. Those pretty yellow flowers on a cloudy day were a bright addition to my dull day. :D:

[opaque_machete]

Sorry gals, just ignore this post,...I'm trying to figure something out and I'm not sure where to put this...Not doing so hot at figuring this out....:mgbanghead:

Map test.

Marjorie's Map (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Jonesborough+Tennessee&daddr=364+Laurel+Run+Park+Road,+Church+Hill,+TN+37 642-5000+(Laurel+Run+Park)&hl=en&ll=36.411336,-82.587662&spn=0.220485,0.424347&sll=36.42569,-82.576725&sspn=0.440886,0.848694&geocode=FYDOKQId-Y0V-ymTr2xZVmFaiDFW85hV516V7w%3BFajYLAIdGEMS-yHdVqzXwBpf_g&vpsrc=6&gl=us&dirflg=h&mra=ls&t=m&z=11)

[ImaSoftT]

o-m, I feel your pain. :hug2: I'm having the same problem.http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/images/smilies/GAAH%21.gif But Astir said she did a print screen and then saved it in Paint and saved it as a JPG and then treated it just like a picture, so I'm going to try that.

[Astir]

I use the printscreen to paint and save as .jpg, but you can also use a free program called MWSnap (http://download.cnet.com/MWSnap/3000-2072_4-10524228.html). Takes a little fiddling to learn to use it, but works great especially if you only want a portion of the screen.


http://astir.smugmug.com/photos/i-mKZCWVn/0/M/i-mKZCWVn-M.jpg

[opaque_machete]

I use the printscreen to paint and save as .jpg, but you can also use a free program called MWSnap (http://download.cnet.com/MWSnap/3000-2072_4-10524228.html). Takes a little fiddling to learn to use it, but works great especially if you only want a portion of the screen.


Oh, that would be awesome, if I used microsoft, but I don't do windows. :lol: I use Linux. Ubuntu, to be precise. But I'll try the Linux equivalent. Didn't think about using printscreen. Duh! :lol: Thanks, Astir. You're a doll.

[Astir]

Linux?! Isn't Lunix for nerds? :rofl:

(We use linux at work extensively, but it is getting harder and harder to keep up to date with our instrument drivers. I am seeing total Borg assimilation to windows for us before long.)

[zukilady]

:lol:

[opaque_machete]

Linux?! Isn't Lunix for nerds? :rofl:


Hey! I resemble that remark. :lol:

[Astir]

:lol:

[opaque_machete]

Okay, it's been a while since I updated this thread. Well, we got the newest batch of parts, the timing chain and guides and installed them. Then, I waited until hubby gave the green light, which he didn't. So I waited some more. And some more....and more.....and finally, I asked him, is that all the parts we need to get the bike in running order? Yes? Great! I'm riding him till something breaks, blows or falls off. So, I'm finally back on my little xt and loving it. :clapping::thumbsup: Pictures will be forthcoming. Planning on taking my first little solo trip by myself this weekend. It'll be around 200 miles or so. I'll take lots of :LT:

[ImaSoftT]

:yahoo:Hope everything runs smooth as glass for you Opie, but take a roll of duct tape just in case. http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/images/smilies/TwoThumbs%20Up.gif

[ridingAK]

Have fun on your solo ride! It will open a whole new riding experience to you! :thumbsup:

[opaque_machete]

:yahoo:Hope everything runs smooth as glass for you Opie, but take a roll of duct tape just in case. http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/images/smilies/TwoThumbs%20Up.gif

:lol: good suggestion. Thanks for reminding me.:thumbup:

[Luna Tique]

and a few zip ties :lol:

Have fun :ecstasy:
Don't forget to stop once and awhile and to take :LT:

[opaque_machete]

Rats. Something came up so I didn't get to go today. :mgbanghead: I'm gonna try again tomorrow.