Backup Bike

[El Camexican]

I’d been looking for a backup bike for a few months with the idea that it would be something I could use on the enduro tracks without subjecting my long distance bike to the abuse of bent pipes and perforated cases. It also gives me something to ride when doing a rebuild or waiting on parts. The hope was that I could find a twin to my 2002 as I have a fair stock of parts and interchangeability of wheels and suspension would be nice.

Yesterday’s paper had this at the top of the bike ads, so I went to see it. I was floored! I would have never imagined a 13 year old dirt bike could be in this condition, especially after the condition I bought my first one at the tender age of 7 years.

It came with an aftermarket pipe and stinger, rad guards, skid plate, Boyesen reed block, soft seat, brush guards, Trail Tech headlight and IMS foot pegs. The chain and sprockets seem to be original and the factory chain guard that typically gets ripped off on the first ride is still on it. The tank is hardly stained! (maybe he’s been running straight gas?):lol:

On the not so great side the oil looks a tad creamy, but it may just be from sitting and not a water pump seal, the fork seals are weeping slightly and it didn’t want to rev out when I took it around the block. Could be the 5 month old gas, a plugged jet or maybe a stuck power valve, but rather than speculate it will get torn down to the frame once the Tri-Z is back together.

This bike may end up being the long hauler based on what seems to be about 3,000 hours less use than my current ride.:Bounce

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[tripledog]

That is a nice looking bike! My back up bike has 27 speed twist grip shifting and pedals.

[90guy]

Nice that's for sure. Ive seen some of the older KTM come across and always been curious on how they ride without that rear linkage and all?

[deathman53]

I have 3 of them, they all ride good. The faster guys like the linkage from what I understand, its more veristile and can work in fast whooped out stuff and slower also. That is a nice looking bike. I have a 98 200exc, 06 450exc and 07 250xc(converted to 300 w/ sx cdi and head). Like them all, the 98 definitely needs suspension improvement, nowhere close to 06 or 07.

[atc007]

Wow, What a ride. These little rewards in life make the daily grind almost worth it lol! Enjoy her! When the Tri Z's back together he said........:)

[onformula1]

Congrats, very clean Katoom, K-Style!

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[El Camexican]

Thanks for the replies guys.

90guy and Deathman, I would be the first to agree that the non-link suspension is not what you'd pick given a choice, especially for a pro level rider, but at 49.25 years of age the only reason I'd ever have to charge into a set of whoops is if my aging eyes trick me into thinking I'm on a flat straightaway.:eek:

However it is far and away better than the Monoshocks which pioneered the single shock transition. Properly set up (which the pre-2014 WP PDS aren't) they can be phenomenal. Mine was built by Jeff Slavens and it feels better than my buddy's stock 2013 link and worlds above my other buddies 2009 stock PDS. However I'm told that the 2014 WP suspensions come out of the box like nothing before them. Based on the rock scars on my buddy's 2013 linkage I can see why they went back to the straight shock setup.

I see no one asked what I paid for it. Good thing as you might not believe me;):)

[El Camexican]

The bike came down tonight. Starting to think I could do a Fonzarelli rebuild on one of these.

I tried to get it to run properly before I tore it down. I started by cleaning the carb and replacing the fuel, nope. Changed the air filter, nope. I pulled the pipe and looked for a plugged pipe or power valve, nope. The piston looks new and the valve is clean. I switched out the spark arrester/silencer for a straight one, nope. Adjusted the power valve to factor specs, nope. Screw it! Down she came, but just before I pulled the engine I thought I'd check the compression. Nothing special, about 140psi, but look at this plug
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What is that? Is that as hot a plug as I suspect it is? The gap was set at .044". I'm wondering if this could be the issue. It started great and ran decent to 1/3 throttle and then just stopped there like there was a rag in the carb. Regardless, it's getting a rebuild, I just wish I knew what was causing the condition before I set out to fix it.
218924

[90guy]

Man that plug is just crazy! cant say I have even seen one that looked like that before!

[YTZ drew]

That's an automotive plug, and yes, it's as hot as you think it is! I don't think it's causing your issue, however. Sounds ignition related, but I would be looking more at stator and cdi. Great news I know, the parts that have no cut and dried test procedure.

[El Camexican]

Tore open the engine today hoping to be the first in, but, somebody else beat me to it.:( and sleeved the cylinder! Typical Mexican rebuild; "O dios mio, whatever shall I do with this slightly aluminum smeared nikasil cylinder? Clean it with acid??? Hell no! Lets bore out the greatest metallurgical invention of the century and stuff an archaic cast sleeve in here!" Followed by; "And let's not match the sleeve with old holes, or even the chamfer the ports!"

Wonderful. Fortunately the tools I made up to work on my Tri-Z cylinder fit very nicely in the 72mm larger hole. There is one messed up area I'll have to leave as is, but the rest will clean up with a few hours of work. In other good news they didn't gap the rings properly, so they are better than new (too small), just need to be gapped and the piston needs to be prepped, it's like new as well. Its a Wiseco and weighs a fair bit less than the Wossner I had kicking around.

The con rod seemed a little loose, so I split the cases and while I can see someone was in before and managed to score the crank seal surfaces of the cases the innards are mint. The clutch basket doesn't even have dimples! I have a spare crank with a fresh rod on it, so that will go in. Looks like there may have been a crank seal leak on the wet side as well.

The "Don" that put the thing together set the cylinder up.010" too high (KTM uses multiple base gasket thickness to get the piston head flush with the top of the cylinder) and retarded the ignition timing, so between the lack of compression, partially blocked ports and a spark plug I've never heard of you'd think it might run like crap, but not as bad as it was. No, that seems to have been caused by a .050' gap on the reeds when "closed". They will seal when sucked on, but in a relaxed state the gap is huge. I'm thinking this has to be the cause of the low reves. I should be able to get the engine together this weekend, but there's a locking clip missing from the power valve, so that will require a week or two to get, but it can be added in the frame if I get that far.

This is supposed to be the "spare" bike, but I'm getting some ideas for it...:naughty:

[onformula1]

Tore open the engine today hoping to be the first in, but, somebody else beat me to it.:( and sleeved the cylinder! Typical Mexican rebuild; "O dios mio, whatever shall I do with this slightly aluminum smeared nikasil cylinder? Clean it with acid??? Hell no! Lets bore out the greatest metallurgical invention of the century and stuff an archaic cast sleeve in here!" Followed by; "And let's not match the sleeve with old holes, or even the chamfer the ports!"

Wonderful. Fortunately the tools I made up to work on my Tri-Z cylinder fit very nicely in the 72mm larger hole. There is one messed up area I'll have to leave as is, but the rest will clean up with a few hours of work. In other good news they didn't gap the rings properly, so they are better than new (too small), just need to be gapped and the piston needs to be prepped, it's like new as well. Its a Wiseco and weighs a fair bit less than the Wossner I had kicking around.

The con rod seemed a little loose, so I split the cases and while I can see someone was in before and managed to score the crank seal surfaces of the cases the innards are mint. The clutch basket doesn't even have dimples! I have a spare crank with a fresh rod on it, so that will go in. Looks like there may have been a crank seal leak on the wet side as well.

The "Don" that put the thing together set the cylinder up.010" too high (KTM uses multiple base gasket thickness to get the piston head flush with the top of the cylinder) and retarded the ignition timing, so between the lack of compression, partially blocked ports and a spark plug I've never heard of you'd think it might run like crap, but not as bad as it was. No, that seems to have been caused by a .050' gap on the reeds when "closed". They will seal when sucked on, but in a relaxed state the gap is huge. I'm thinking this has to be the cause of the low reves. I should be able to get the engine together this weekend, but there's a locking clip missing from the power valve, so that will require a week or two to get, but it can be added in the frame if I get that far.

This is supposed to be the "spare" bike, but I'm getting some ideas for it...:naughty:

Trike conversion?

[El Camexican]

Trike conversion?

LOL! NO! That would need to be a 380 if it ever happened.:lol:

[atc007]

When my shop was open. Dad would literally laugh out loud... They don't bring you ANYTHING. Until, Dad,brother,cousin,Uncle Joe,Jim Bob,His cousin and three of his friends get their hands in there and F up every singe thing they can ,,, THEN, They bring it to get fixed.. I think this may run much better when done :). I assume the barrel going back on will be Nicked?

[El Camexican]

When my shop was open. Dad would literally laugh out loud... They don't bring you ANYTHING. Until, Dad,brother,cousin,Uncle Joe,Jim Bob,His cousin and three of his friends get their hands in there and F up every singe thing they can ,,, THEN, They bring it to get fixed.. I think this may run much better when done :). I assume the barrel going back on will be Nicked?

It's amazing isn't it? Some people (me) have mechanical problems the minute a fly craps on something and others can ride around until a wheel falls off, oblivious to the fact that not a single bearing, seal or gasket isn't F'd up on their ride.

I'm going to clean up the cylinder and use it as is for now. I'll keep my eye open for a good one too. The power valve set up is worth more than a cylinder, but once it's bored you can't go back (at least not properly). At my age and with this bike being for the shorter rides it may even last me the rest of my life. Sad to think that.:( I was out in a public riding area this morning and of 30 guys I think I was the oldest one riding. There was one older guy there but he just came to watch. Aging sucks!

[atc007]

Yes it does. John Natalie is learning that this summer :( :(.. Happens to all of us no matter how hard we fight it. My buddy and I always laugh. we have a couple neighbors,,never change their oil. Hang their weed eater up, get it out next spring, starts in 3 pulls,,and this goes on for a decade... We have to tune and clean everything every year... I hear ya!

[onformula1]

It's amazing isn't it? Some people (me) have mechanical problems the minute a fly craps on something and others can ride around until a wheel falls off, oblivious to the fact that not a single bearing, seal or gasket isn't F'd up on their ride.

I'm going to clean up the cylinder and use it as is for now. I'll keep my eye open for a good one too. The power valve set up is worth more than a cylinder, but once it's bored you can't go back (at least not properly). At my age and with this bike being for the shorter rides it may even last me the rest of my life. Sad to think that.:( I was out in a public riding area this morning and of 30 guys I think I was the oldest one riding. There was one older guy there but he just came to watch. Aging sucks!
Stop it with that old stuff, it's all in the head.

Watch this video of Feets Minert

He and many others ride the over 80 year old Vet. Class in motocross almost every weekend!

http://motocrossactionmag.com/news/meet-an-american-legend-chuck-feets-minert-video


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[YTZ drew]

At my age and with this bike being for the shorter rides it may even last me the rest of my life. Sad to think that.:( I was out in a public riding area this morning and of 30 guys I think I was the oldest one riding. There was one older guy there but he just came to watch. Aging sucks!
Nah, you're going to become one of the "ancient ones" as seen in the Metamucil Militia. Hopefully I will too. They appear at 1:43

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPmOTp8Hr0c

[El Camexican]

Only time will tell boys, everything just seems to hurts more and be harder to see every year. It may be time to start looking for the dreaded Harley soon... or not.:lol:

[onformula1]

Only time will tell boys, everything just seems to hurts more and be harder to see every year. It may be time to start looking for the dreaded Harley soon... or not.[emoji38]
Na, those things handle poorly.
218982

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[danbur55]

Ha gotta be tough to to get old. ( it has to be the dumbest thing we will do)

[El Camexican]

Got the liner matched to the cylinder today. 5 straight hours stopping only to change bits. What a task, People who do this for a living don't get paid enough. My hands are so cut up from the edges on the bottom of the liner I didn't even want to touch the phone to take "after" photos. Engine is together aside from the head and part of the power valve.

I was planning to blast and coat the frame among other things, but looking at it closely I don't think it even has a scratch on it. Maybe it just gets cleaned. Not my style, but It would be nice to get it running before Christmas.

[onformula1]

Got the liner matched to the cylinder today. 5 straight hours stopping only to change bits. What a task, People who do this for a living don't get paid enough. My hands are so cut up from the edges on the bottom of the liner I didn't even want to touch the phone to take "after" photos. Engine is together aside from the head and part of the power valve.

I was planning to blast and coat the frame among other things, but looking at it closely I don't think it even has a scratch on it. Maybe it just gets cleaned. Not my style, but It would be nice to get it running before Christmas.

Why didn't you just take the sleeve out and match it from the outside?

[El Camexican]

Why didn't you just take the sleeve out and match it from the outside?

As in remove it from the cylinder and then put it back in? I was of the belief that doing that (besides being difficult) required a bore afterwards due to distortion after heating it and putting it back in. Please explained the process, doing it that way might have been a lot easier.

[onformula1]

A sleeve is installed first then dipped in acid so the ports are etched-marked from the inside, then pulled out and milled & port matched then reinstalled.

The outer cylinder gets heated and the sleeve almost falls out, the sleeve doesn't get that hot.

There is more to it, but I type slow plus you know the number,,, :lol:

[oldskool83]

All this ktm talk is making me want to pick up the 1 of the 2 ktms up the road from me at a garage, 85 and 86 enduros. Your KTM is pretty nice EL!

[El Camexican]

Well after an e chat with OnF1 regarding power valve clearance last night (the large valve was rubbing on the piston in the old set-up) I spent 3 hours tonight jacking with the power valves.

The fun started with the manual showing the 380 set-up and not the 300 which is different. Then there was the issue the gears not having alignment marks which I “think” were an upgrade because my other engine has them. When I finally got things lined up I realized the two smaller valves (there are 3 in total) where switched around.

I never did get my head around what that was doing to the engine, but when everything was installed properly it became apparent the main power valve (the one that was rubbing) had been adjusted about 8mm lower than it should have been.

Good news is that everything is in place; bad news is there is at least .060” of clearance between the piston and worn power valve flap. I guess time will tell if it is going to have a large effect on the low end power. I’m hoping not as there are plenty of other places around the stock setup that allow pressure to bleed.

Picked up a spare cylinder and PV yesterday, so happy about that.

[onformula1]

^ Give it a try, in the modern MX bike era top tuners are running lower compression, I have seen more heads rechambered for less compression than stock then heads rechambered for more compression and not because of today's fuel.

I build a lower compression Honda CR500 that felt like a very, very fast CR250, but would smoke a stock CR500 and if you ever rode one of those they are no slouch!
That thing was a blast! and yes it was still a "rock crawler" it lugged like a trials bike. I miss that bike, plus you could start it with shoes on!

[El Camexican]

Two steps forward one step back…

Dropped the engine in and bolted almost everything up. Had to leave the PV cover off the right side because I managed to lose both the new clips I bought between my mailing address and home and the head just came back from Slavens. Bolted the head on and took a compression reading of 180psi, up from 140 with the old head and the wrong base gasket.

So with the engine sitting in the frame it occurred to me that I should do a leak-down test. That’s when the fun started. It wouldn’t hold 6psi for 6 seconds, so out came the soap spray. Leaking base gasket, so I pulled the engine out and removed the jug for a light coating of case sealer on each side of the .002” thick gasket and again the engine was pressurized.

Still leaking fast, this time from the exhaust gasket, so again case sealer was used. Pressurized it again and it started leaking from the factory welds on the exhaust flange. At least 1/3 of the weld didn’t penetrate between the two parts, so I removed the flange and stuffed the plug into the port and pumped it up again. Still leaking!!! But where???

I ended up soaking the entire engine and couldn’t get a bubble out of it even though it was bleeding off 5psi per minute. Couldn’t hear anything either, so I uncovered the left side crank seal. No leak there so I removed the right side covers to check the other side of the crank, no leak there either, but wait! No more pressure bleeding either!
It held 6psi for 10 minutes, wtf???

I turned the crank slowly and tried to get it to leak, but it didn’t, so I decided to put the covers back on. The whole time the engine is holding pressure, when I went to press the PV rod on I hear a sharp “pssssst” and the gauge dropped to zero. I screwed with it for 20 minutes and could get it to stop leaking with a light touch of a finger, but I couldn’t get bubbles to form. I’ll live with it.

Color scheme is going to be very un-KTM, pics and fire up next week.

[onformula1]

White?... :lol:

[El Camexican]

White?... :lol:

Nope. For the record I suspect I may have the only white one of that year in North America. I can't even find that plastic anymore. Besides, if I made a second white one the first one would only be half as rare. ;)

[onformula1]

OK-

White- check.
Orange- sadly, check.
Black- check,,, Metal Mulisha look a like boys, there everywhere out here.
Blue?
Monster energy?
Silver?
Yellow?
Pink?
Chartreuse?
Red, green, white?
Clear?

HAHAHAHAHA! Sneak peek?...LOL

[El Camexican]

You're extensive list has the color on it, but I can't find a 2000-2002 300 in that color with a Google search. I will tell you that the plan is to have as little orange on it if possible.

[atc007]

Two steps forward one step back…

Dropped the engine in and bolted almost everything up. Had to leave the PV cover off the right side because I managed to lose both the new clips I bought between my mailing address and home and the head just came back from Slavens. Bolted the head on and took a compression reading of 180psi, up from 140 with the old head and the wrong base gasket.

So with the engine sitting in the frame it occurred to me that I should do a leak-down test. That’s when the fun started. It wouldn’t hold 6psi for 6 seconds, so out came the soap spray. Leaking base gasket, so I pulled the engine out and removed the jug for a light coating of case sealer on each side of the .002” thick gasket and again the engine was pressurized.

Still leaking fast, this time from the exhaust gasket, so again case sealer was used. Pressurized it again and it started leaking from the factory welds on the exhaust flange. At least 1/3 of the weld didn’t penetrate between the two parts, so I removed the flange and stuffed the plug into the port and pumped it up again. Still leaking!!! But where???

I ended up soaking the entire engine and couldn’t get a bubble out of it even though it was bleeding off 5psi per minute. Couldn’t hear anything either, so I uncovered the left side crank seal. No leak there so I removed the right side covers to check the other side of the crank, no leak there either, but wait! No more pressure bleeding either!
It held 6psi for 10 minutes, wtf???

I turned the crank slowly and tried to get it to leak, but it didn’t, so I decided to put the covers back on. The whole time the engine is holding pressure, when I went to press the PV rod on I hear a sharp “pssssst” and the gauge dropped to zero. I screwed with it for 20 minutes and could get it to stop leaking with a light touch of a finger, but I couldn’t get bubbles to form. I’ll live with it.

Color scheme is going to be very un-KTM, pics and fire up next week.

That is maddening.. hopefully it will behave once ran in.

[onformula1]

Got it-

ktm jackpiner

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/13/0b91e42ef52292a1c39a5ad3920c4590.jpg

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[El Camexican]

Got it-

ktm jackpiner

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/13/0b91e42ef52292a1c39a5ad3920c4590.jpg

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What year is that? I'll guess 1990ish? Looks a little like an IT 250. You can scratch orange, blue and white off the list.

Finished polishing the swing arm tonight. Timed it, 7 hours.

[onformula1]

Thats a 1997 KTM 200 Jackpiner 30th anniversary edition 1967-1997 The first KTM's in the USA were light blue and labeled Penton's after the legendary enduro, ISDE, ISDT race and importer John Penton.

http://dirtbikemagazine.com/home-features/rebirth-of-the-jackpiner

[onformula1]

Are you going green?

KTM Limited Edition model they only 175 of them because the popular enduro size in the old days was 175cc, most were sold in Europe.

219907

[90guy]

Im hoping Pink here. Now that would be a popping KTM!

[onformula1]

Like these?

219908219909219910219911

[90guy]

Well apparently that would be to common for EL. haha so the search continues.

[El Camexican]

I suspect you'll all be disappointed. Regardless, the color goes well with "shiny"
219922219923219924219925219926

[onformula1]

Looks great, I sure hope you used the soap trick on those hands.

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[El Camexican]

Looks great, I sure hope you used the soap trick on those hands.

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Oh yea! That and a wire brush:lol: Once you start getting to grits finer than 600 the particles start getting into your pores. Still not as bad as the silt from a centerless grinder though. That stuff stains your skin.

[onformula1]

^ Do you know of a compound that cuts fairly smooth aluminum, but with casting lines and pits better than a black compound.

Not sandpaper, kind of between?

[onformula1]

Do you prefer the palm sander VS. a DA sander?

What did you spray on the sandpaper?

[El Camexican]

^ Do you know of a compound that cuts fairly smooth aluminum, but with casting lines and pits better than a black compound.

Not sandpaper, kind of between?

I can't tell you which it is, but I know they exist. A lot of what a compound can do is related to what you have it on. A heavy cloth wheel with enough power behind it can cut into metal with a fine compound on it. On the other hand a course compound on a wool buffing wheel will hardly remove a small scratch. Find a place near you that works with brass and ask them what they can recommend for you. I had a green bar of something here that worked great, but I used it up and because I don't have a powerful polisher I try to minimize my buffing by taking everything down to 2000 grit paper first. After that you can polish by hand with Mothers.

[El Camexican]

Do you prefer the palm sander VS. a DA sander?

What did you spray on the sandpaper?

I use a palm vibrating sander with water. Air is the way to go, but I use an electric with a lot of care.

[onformula1]

As always, thank you for your time, I am getting better at this polishing thing and always looking to do it faster/better.

Pretty soon I am going to have to find something else to learn.

I am probably going to get back into custom cone pipe building because that's always a blast! :lol:

[El Camexican]

Finally together and running properly. Aside from the porting, the plug, the low compression, the and PV adjustment the O-rings on the PV were swollen. They likely got hit by brake cleaner at some point on the last rebuild, so they were holding back the mechanism. Unfortunately I stripped the screws on one of the retainers and had to weld a bolt onto the small stripped head of bolt. That was a mess to clean up.

When I fired it up it ran great on the pilot circuit and then started burbling and breaking up. I'd put 1 size smaller jets than the base jets KTM recommends which is still a little richer than what I run in my other bike, so WTF? I pulled the carb and replaced it with the one from my trike (same 38 PWK) and I was making the change I decided to check the needle. Turns out it's the same needle KTM recommends for sub zero riding. I removed it and put in a blue JD needle I had.

Fired the bike and it ran 95% better! Went for a few laps around the block and ended up dropping the needle one notch, going down another size on the pilot and another on the main. Once jetted I went 1.5 turns in on the PV spring adjuster and it now pulls clean from zero and breaks the tire loose on pavement half way through a third gear roll on.
:Bounce:Bounce:Bounce

I'm not thrilled with the look. I was hoping to leaving it without decals, or any orange, just black and silver with lots of polished parts, but it just doesn't work on a dirt bike, so custom decals are on the way. Here it is for now. My riding buddies have dubbed it "Mad Max".:lol:

220443220444220445220446220447220448220449

[onformula1]

Looking good, it sounds like the engine worked out. Very cool.

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[El Camexican]

Still not quite done to what I want, but getting closer. I think the frame might end up orange now that I step back and look at it. Picked up the black tank for $30 bucks:w00t: it really makes it all come together with the decals. Company is called Decal Works and I can't say anything other than "WOW" about their work. Perfect alignment with all holes and lines and the material quality is superb.
222251222252222253222254222255

[oldskool83]

Looks pretty cool. I do not know if you know this but the 03-06 or 07 style tank shrouds seat rear fender/number plate are a direct swap i have seen on a few of the older bikes. Either way looks nice. Funny how 18" rear wheels look meaty on today's bikes but years ago they didn't. I am looking to do similar things with my YZ426F back up ride.

[atc007]

Perfection as always. Gorgeous ride..

[onformula1]

The number 13 is interesting, Pro's never touched that number and it was skipped by the AMA, but when Ricky Johnson landed it on points after his wrist injury and used it, I did too. It was great because when I went to a different track it was always open and I didn't have to change numbers.

It was a lucky number for me.

The bike looks great, but is the backup bike supposed to look better then the standard ride? :lol:

[El Camexican]

Looks pretty cool. I do not know if you know this but the 03-06 or 07 style tank shrouds seat rear fender/number plate are a direct swap i have seen on a few of the older bikes. Either way looks nice. Funny how 18" rear wheels look meaty on today's bikes but years ago they didn't. I am looking to do similar things with my YZ426F back up ride.

I know the front fender fits (I use a 2009 style) but was unaware of the other plastics. The rear's I like best are the 20o9, but the rad covers with the diamond shape I don't like at all. I have two spare sets of minty orange plastics, so I don't think I need any more for now. The 2012 plastics look like someone was trying too hard to make a change. Maybe I'm just too old to "get it" I still think the 1983 RM 250 is the sexiest bike ever made:lol:

If you like a beefy tire look at a 2.50" wide rim in black along with a 140/80 18". The combo of black on black with the wider rim is pretty cool, but I went back to the narrower rim because the Tubliss set up was losing air every day and even faster if I ran under 12psi. The guys at Tubliss were surprised it even sealed at all. Anyway, run one with a tube, the combo looks great.

[El Camexican]

The number 13 is interesting, Pro's never touched that number and it was skipped by the AMA, but when Ricky Johnson landed it on points after his wrist injury and used it, I did too. It was great because when I went to a different track it was always open and I didn't have to change numbers.

It was a lucky number for me.

The bike looks great, but is the backup bike supposed to look better then the standard ride? :lol:

I was born on the 13th and have worn it in every sport I could since??? It's not always available though, there's a few of us out there looking to claim it at events. It's on every lotto ticket I select as well. Maybe that's why I never win? :lol:

PS. The standard ride may be getting a makeover soon as backup bike does seem to have raised the bar, but backup bike will NEVER be as accessorized as the long hauler.

[onformula1]

I was born on the 13th and have worn it in every sport I could since??? It's not always available though, there's a few of us out there looking to claim it at events. It's on every lotto ticket I select as well. Maybe that's why I never win? :lol:

PS. The standard ride may be getting a makeover soon as backup bike does seem to have raised the bar, but backup bike will NEVER be as accessorized as the long hauler.

Keep in mind, you are a great guy, very talented, very smart and you are a hard core builder- Never say never :lol:

Sometimes you get that itch! May I remind you it's not your fault, that's what I tell my wife... she's has bought it for 23 years... how I don't know! & she's smart.