[ST] Fog, black rims, tire mount gouging, etc

[David Earl <dlearl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Some stuff I've learned from experience or stolen from other lists, 
which work for me:
Those of you with Arai helmets, there is an extended nose piece 
available which replaces the stock rubber bit and extends all the way to 
your checks and nose.   It works very well.  I got mine at BMW San 
Francisco, but I'm sure any Arai dealer can get them, notably Kiernan's.  
Lot's of coatings work OK, but cost money.  Nothing I've tried works any 
better than the spooge that collects around the top of dish soap 
containers.   Grab a bit between thumb and forefinger  and spread it 
around the inside of the screen.  (Best done with the screen removed) 
 When it's almost transparent, buff lightly with a soft cloth (I find 
yellow dusting cloths work excellent).  Thanks to Flash for this tip.
Black rims: I use an orange based cleaner/ degreaser to clean the rims 
(Sprayed on a cloth and wiped, NOT sprayed on the rims.  It's 
detrimental to the adhesive on the balancing weights and probably the 
rubber tires as well)  I pick up a lot of tar here in Las Vegas in the 
summer.  For that I use normal tar remover (Once again, applied on a 
cloth, not sprayed).  Both methods leave a slight grey haze on the rims 
which I remedy with Lemon Pledge, the duct tape of cleaner/polishers. 
 As someone else posted, a nice coating of SOMETHING makes it easier to 
keep the rims clean in the first place, but mind those weights.
Tire balancing: The one and only time I went to the FORMER Triumph 
dealer  for mounting (simply because the adaptor for the S/S Swingarm 
isn't all that common) they quoted me $125 for F/R mount and balance and 
informed me they wouldn't be able to do the job for a week.  I smiled, 
left, and proceed to the M/C Accessory store (with my mail order tires, 
I might add) that normally does my tires.  They charge $25 each for R/R 
and mount and spin balance. (The dealer only static balances) They had 
neither the adaptor or the correct socket for the rear hub so I bought 
them for them.  Now they generally drop everything and mount my tires 
whenever I come in for $20/ each, on the bike.
If I were you, I'd forward all of our  email replies to the dealer along 
with a note explaining that if they are interested in your future 
business, they need to make ammends, like your next set of tires at 
dealer cost , mounted and balanced for free.

Happy Trails
David
'99ST

Happy Trails


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