Starter buttons whose little green cap has broken off are known to cause big problems. I forget the ins and outs but Snowbum from one of those other K-bike tribes once went on at length about it.
That bike looks like it's led a rough life.
TY for that and all the comments, appreciate them.
Based on the switch condition and coloring, the bike has spent alot of time outside, probably more than one Idaho winter in the snow. If I end up keeping the stock configuration with fairing, I should just find some good controls, which the cafe guys toss all the time.
She is cosmetically beat, and had a terrible white paint job over the factory silver. Nevertheless I'm surprised at how the bike turns heads. I caused a small sensation just with a stop at the local post office.
I'm riding her every day at the moment. I'm a computer consultant in a resort town, so I have to run around alot. I have various ways to do so, and I find this new option is pretty fun. At first look at the battered saddlebags, I was thinking...do I even want to use them? Now I don't think twice but just strap them down.
"That is a very sexy bike", said one of my high-toned clients, to my surprise. In truth, it's a sexy bike to ride. There is a rawness to the whole thing. Opposite of a gold wing. There is seldom the "quiet rail" feel, since by 3K, the engine is pulsing through your body, enhanced by the laid out RS posture. Left peg leads the way into a world of buzz. I just embrace it. LOL I love the fairing, and handling seems frankly excellent. I think the fastest I have had her going is a bit over 90. Very stable, and smooth in the sense of wheel to road.
I feel like Daenerys Targaryen on one of her dragons ;)
This late 84 build is a imperfect motorcycle, even if fresh, I suspect. For one thing, the head is on the wrong side! The big sealed-looking power plant has you expecting serene delivery, but while the power band is very even and predictable, the ever increasing buzz says: yes you are sitting over 4 flying pistons. It begs to be ridden hard. I like it more every day :)
DSC06520 by
unoh7, on Flickr
Rear Spline lube (how are the splines?) and tranny oil change next on my list. I did drop some seafoam in the tank and crankcase a week ago. Oil is getting cloudy fast after that, which is good. I will swap it and the filter again in not to long.
Cold starts: I tried a bunch of methods, but now I just get her firing without touching the throttle (that can take 5 short attempts in the cold), then I push up the "choke". Warm, starts are instant.
Scariest thing is getting on and off. So crazy top heavy compared to all my other bikes. Stepping off without side stand down does focus the mind. Once she got away from me and the poor left bag had to catch her. LOL. Then I got to see what it takes to raise the dragon. ;)