Quick Indian Motorcycle Prep For Rhinebeck - Classic American Iron Magazine & Harley Forum

Buzz_Kanter · #1 06-11-2009, 08:45 PM

After questioning if I will be going to the Rhinebeck AMCA event this weekend due to questionable weather predictions and some minor family issues, I decided this afternoon to chance it and go tomorrow morning (Friday) through Saturday late afternoon. So I figured I better give the old girl a going over (motorcycle, in case you have other thoughts).

I pulled my 1931 hot rod Indian Scout 101 motorcycle out of the garage into the light mist of the early evening and fired it off and let it get good and warmed up. I have not ridden my beloved little Indian since fixing the broken fuel line and patching the small leak in the bottom of the gas tank. I've started it a few times but it would not stay running. After checking the oil and gas levels I fired it up and this time it ran well and warmed up enough so I could idle it down with no throttle and fully retarded ignition.

After I was comfortable it would not leave me stranded on the Indian Scout 101 motorcycle ride scheduled for Saturday, I pulled it into the garage and wiped it all down. Then popped it up on the rear stand and lubed the chain inside and outside as I slowly spun the rear wheel. Then I shot the entire bike with detailing wax and rubbed it down until the thing was nice and shiny.

I checked the saddlebags content and removed anything I didn't think I'd need in the next few days. Polished it one more time and called it a night.

Sure hope the weather and motorcycle cooperates this weekend. Wish me luck and stop me to say hi if you see a smiling guy go by you on a shiny black Indian 101 Scout with red gas tank panels and dark tan saddlebags.

Bigincher · #2 06-11-2009, 08:58 PM

I hope it all works out for you, Buzz. Happy trails.
Cleaning and polishing before a trip is a wise thing to do; that's when you'll find the loose bolts, cracked brackets, missing nuts, etc. Sounds like you'll have a great ride!

Buzz_Kanter · #3 06-12-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigincher

I hope it all works out for you, Buzz. Happy trails.
Cleaning and polishing before a trip is a wise thing to do; that's when you'll find the loose bolts, cracked brackets, missing nuts, etc. Sounds like you'll have a great ride!

I agree. It seems I find many of the items needing attention when I clean the bike. It's good to check out everything and I find it kind of relaxing too. Sort f a zen thing.

Last night I also checked the tire pressure. In spite of the tires "feeling" about right on a squeeze test, when I put a gauge on them I found the front almost 5 pounds more than I like and the rear about 10 pounds too little. I understand the rear leaking a little air, but how can the front pump up without me doing it?

I used my little portable compressor to get the tire pressures right.

Bigincher · #4 06-12-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz_Kanter

Last night I also checked the tire pressure. In spite of the tires "feeling" about right on a squeeze test, when I put a gauge on them I found the front almost 5 pounds more than I like and the rear about 10 pounds too little. I understand the rear leaking a little air, but how can the front pump up without me doing it?

Perhaps you overfilled it last time? Was it parked so direct sunlight was shining on the wheel all day? I dunno....! Did you fill it with Nitrogen last time...?!

Chris Haynes · #5 06-12-2009, 06:01 PM

It will pump up if you filled the tire while it was warm then check it when it is cold.

chiefj48 · #6 06-12-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

It will pump up if you filled the tire while it was warm then check it when it is cold.

i think you have that backwards.....

Chris Haynes · #7 06-13-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefj48

i think you have that backwards.....

Not at all backwards. If you put 25 pounds in a hot tire when it cools and gets smaller the pressure rises.

unclepsycho · #8 06-13-2009, 12:15 AM

Huh???

when air gets warm... it expands... within the confines of the tire... there is now bigger air trying to take up the same space as the smaller air...

at least thats the way I have seen it work.....

on race day we start with lower air pressure in the tires...so that when they warm up... they are at the proper pressure for racing.