The end of the season 2018

[Rocky]

The last scheduled club ride was for Saturday, 13 October, but due to the rain from the tail end of Hurricane Michael it was postponed until today, 14 October.
The forecast for Sunday was for a mostly sunny day, but also for cool temps so our fingers were crossed.
When I woke up around 6:00 AM I could hear my furnace running which wasn't a good sign. The outside temp was 4C (39F) and not expected to be over 10C (50F). Riding even relatively short distances isn't fun at 10C so we pulled the plug and called it a day/season.
From now on members could ride on their own or organize an impromptu ride if they wish. Some of the hardcore riders ride right into early December but that's not for me.
For me, the end is usually 31 October. The odds for a mild day for a ride in November isn't worth keeping a bike out just in case and then have to service it for the winter in a cold garage. I prefer to do that when it's still relatively mild.
It has been a great summer with very little rain and lots of great riding.
Over the next couple of weeks I'll service the bikes and put them inside for the winter; wash them, change oil and filters.
Such is life and the way it is every year

 

[SarahP]

I'm glad you got to do a good amount of riding this year, Rocky! I'm feeling ashamed that I didn't get out more this spring/summer. Work, household issues, health stuff -- all of that keeps interfering with my riding plans.

And somehow, the lottery is $264M this week, and they *still* haven't pulled my numbers. Pretty inconsiderate of them....

I'd like to change the oil in the Street Twin, but am worried that I can't get the filter off. I'll have to put it up on the lift and see how it goes. Y'all can expect some questions from me if I do that, LOL!!

Sorry your ride for today didn't pan out. Even with a heated jacket and heated grips, I don't like riding cold, either.

 

[shanered6]

Same here Rocky great summer but ended abruptly and i think a very short autumn this year ! ..... its been a very odd year long winter no spring and then a long summer and no autumn to speak of , wonder what next year will bring ??

 

[Rocky]

I'm glad you got to do a good amount of riding this year, Rocky! I'm feeling ashamed that I didn't get out more this spring/summer. Work, household issues, health stuff -- all of that keeps interfering with my riding plans.

And somehow, the lottery is $264M this week, and they *still* haven't pulled my numbers. Pretty inconsiderate of them....

I'd like to change the oil in the Street Twin, but am worried that I can't get the filter off. I'll have to put it up on the lift and see how it goes. Y'all can expect some questions from me if I do that, LOL!!

Sorry your ride for today didn't pan out. Even with a heated jacket and heated grips, I don't like riding cold, either.

I'm not familiar with the layout of the ST engine, but getting the filter off shouldn't be any more difficult than it was for Barney.
For years I used a strap wrench I bought at the auto parts store, but for the past few years I've used a specific filter wrench. It fits the Triumph filters as well as the Honda filters - which are exactly the same.

FILTER WRENCH FITS 2 1/2"

 

[DaveM]

I always feel sorry for you guys that have to pack away for the winter month and it seems like just the other day when you pulled the bikes out. I suppose living where I do putting bikes away for winter just was not something we did or even though about.

 

[Rocky]

"In the land of the pale blue snow
where it's 44 below
and polar bears roam o'er the plain"

Words from a well known song here.
This is the land of four seasons and dreaded winter is one of them so mothballing bikes in the fall is an annual ritual.

 

[Qship]

I too am feeling the urge to winterized the T'bird. Went for a ride yesterday and it only got up to +6C here and strong winds. I was geared up so it was bearable, but not enjoyable. To try and hang on for one more good ride just isn't worth it. Like Shane said, summer ended abruptly this year. After the second week of September, Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Think we're in for an early winter this year. I have riden well into November in the past, but not this year, methinks.

 

[shanered6]

I went on a run with the gsx1400 owners club a few weeks ago and there was frost on the seats of the bikes in the mornings , but then the sun would come up and you wouldn't think it was the same day .

 

[DaveM]

I suppose these days that I now do not depend on the bike as my only transport I also tend to not ride at times when it gets really cold.

You know below about 33c

 

[Rocky]

33C????

When it gets that "cold" I stay in the shade.

 

[DaveM]

 

[SarahP]

You guys are some tough riders...I like what Qship said about it's being bearable but not enjoyable. And Rocky, thanks for the filter photo. I'm alo hesitant to do this type of work because I have a hard time doing it sitting/lying on the ground. I have a decent hydraulic lift that I Use for the small Honda, I need to check and see how high up I can get the Bonnie on it! Thanks for the idea!

 

[SarahP]

33C????

When it gets that "cold" I stay in the shade.

Soooo, for Rocky and all the rest of the Canadian readership -- now that the riding season is almost over and your country has legalized it, will you be partaking of any of the Devil's Lettuce to help get you through the long, cold, dark winter nights?

 

[Rocky]

no SarahP, I don't play around with anything like that. I have never smoked and certainly don't plan to start now.
I don't drink either which I think has contributed to my good health, strength and longevity.
But don't mistake me for some kind of puritan

I guess it depends on your physical ability and dexterity, but I have no problem laying on the garage floor and changing oil and filters - and I'm a spry 81 years-young
If you can get the bike up in the air then of course you've got it made. Just make sure the lift is up to the job and is stable.

 

[SarahP]

I have never smoked and certainly don't plan to start now.

LOL, edibles, baby, brownies are where it's at. So I've been told. No damage to your lungs!

LOL Heck, the demand is so high (pardon the pun) right now in Canada that I don't think the legal stuff is even available.

To each his own --

 

[Qship]

Like Rocky, I do not partake in the wacky tebacky.
Apparently there's a fairly large percentage of the population that does according to the long line ups at the cannibis stores.
To each their own.
A fine legacy our current PM has bestowed upon us.