Central New York Carb Clinic 2016

How early do folks expect to be there? I was thinking of riding out of the Capital District area of NY (Albany area) by 6:30, which would get me there by 8:30. I am wondering if that is too early.

 

I have a greater distance to travel will be local between 6:30-7:30. Figure it will take me about 5+ hours. Dave should expect to look out his front window and find my truck in his driveway. I'll be sleeping till he bangs on the window!

 

That's some ride. Safe travels.

 

I'll be up about 6-6:30 to get coffee on, and the rest of the stuff out. We start when we start..... May be with coffee, may be with brakes...... It might starting with a Coffee Brake ( Mork from Ork sound) ... Lol

People get here when they get here. If you arrive in the wee hours of the morning, you'll know it's the right place if there is a blue Porta-John in the pull-off at the bottom of the drive.

I will TRY to get the CNYCC signs up ,just before the driveway, tonight but don't hold me to that.

I'll have my phone next to me in case you get lost,hopefully I'd hear it ring. If not, I'll be checking it as soon as I get up.

Dave

 

Dkav........you don't even need to bring tools-----I have all mine here.

Now, I don't have extra carb rebuild kits just laying around, BUT if you bring your rack,we can open it up to at least inspect it and see how things look, and I'll show you around your carb rack, too, so you have a better idea of what is there.

If you need directions and info.......send me a private conversation and I'll get it to you
Dave

 

Light....your brakes will be done, they're sitting right here.Nuch is getting his done, too, so I'll work with you guys at the same time, and show you both how to do it at the same time.

BluesBass (John) will also do a fork rebuild demonstration on Nuch's bike, for those who wish to see how that is done.

 

special thanks go out,in advance, to Len at xj4Ever......a package of goodies/door prizes appeared in the mail yesterday----

THANK YOU, LEN!!!

Dave fox

 

Door prizes??? I was hooked as soon as you said there would be coffee. I might have to leave earlier. Ha ha.

Looking forward to working through the brake shoes. I will also be passing along the info to my kids. The 23 year old is planning on getting his permit today. The recent bike will be primarily ridden by him,then possibly my daughter (21) as she is also interested in riding.

And if there is anything I can do to help anyone else, let me know. I will be there to learn.

 

I'll have camera(s) for pics of fork rebuild. Going to hit the sack now so I'm rested for the drive tonight.

 

Canopies are back up, with all the appropriate cunnerman-rigged splints.....soda cooler is stocked--

 

Giddy-Yup!

 

Have a great time and remember the ones who will be looking out for pictures of the gathering since we are too far to attend. This is also my 1,000th post

 

I'll have my phone charged, so at least in the beginning, I will be taking pictures. I can't wait to arrive.

 

Tools are ready, grill is ready.....looking good.

Signs are going down by the road after I eat

 

Now I remember how my kids feel the night before Christmas. I've already set my alarm a bit earlier. Might have to push it back a little more. Bike has been synced this afternoon, although I am hoping to see how to sync them a bit better. Still have to colortune, but might do that after I learn how to check valve clearances. Can't wait to arrive in the AM.

 

If you want valves checked, do NOT start the bike AT ALL. We'll push it up when you're here, too.....

 

I'll settle for seeing how to check valve clearances. I'll be riding my bike to your place. However, due to the generosity of my wife and her encouragement to get further involved with the bikes, I have the tools here to get it done.

 

Signs are up....xj700 airhead will go down by the driveway when I get up.

 

Cool. I have a 750 here that we can use as a valve-check guinea pig. It only has 5,4k mi on it, but it's due.... May become the ONLY Xj that ever actually DID get its 5k mi valve check.... Lol

 

Still Awake... boo...

Think Happy XJ Thoughts... Gotta get some sleep so I can do the drive... harumph...

 

Awesome! I have the alarm set for 5:00. Coffee with the wife, then out the door. I'm not sure which I am looking forward to more; meeting those who have been so generous in helping me with the bike or learning more about maintaining my bikes.

See you bright and early.

 

Sounds like you're bitten by the same xj bug that I am. Drive safe. I am looking forward to meeting you at the clinic.

 

Same!

 

Holy cow... It's only 45 degrees!!!!

 

Next Stop CNYCC2016!

 

Hitting the road as soon as the first cup of coffee is down. See y'all soon.

 

Overcast, 40 degrees....coffee-hot

 

700 is sitting at the bottom of the drive

 

Have fun! Wish I could have made it, maybe next time...

 

8am-Nuch arrived..... So did the rain

 

Pulled the bike in from the rain--- we're still here!!!!

 

9am - lightcs1776 arrived in a lightning storm--- LIGHTning.... How appropriate.

Both guys are working on learning to do their rear brakes

 

Randy and Connor arrived about 9:45

 

Randy is attacking a 'no lights' issue... Bad 5a fuse in the headlight bucket

 

Damnit. My 2 cents: next central new York carb clinic should be held at Dave's other house in Cornwall, Ontario. Soooo jealous of youseguyz!

 

The important stuff..... After all, it is a CARB clinic---

 

It was an awesome time. Thank you Dave for being such a gracious host. Also let your wife know it was a real pleasure meeting her. I am looking forward to the 10th carb clinic. I learned a tremendous amount from you and the other folks. And a big thank you to Len. The oil cooler is a great addition. Also, although it doesn't affect the bike or how it works, it really looks cool.

 

Randy and Connor busy with a brake job and fork job on their 750 Seca
Lightcs1776 gets an oil cooler installed


After things were completed, Nuch's bike was synced, and Connor's bike was synced.

A Valve clearance check demonstration was given.

As the day drew to a close, several had to drive home, several stayed for a late day/evening ride.

Nuch was the long-hauler, and we had a great time talking parts, non-bike stuff, etc..... He left just before 10pm.

Days total:

Two fork rebuilds,
Two rear brake jobs
One front brake job
One 'no lights' issue resolved
Two bikes synced
One oil cooler installed
One clearance check demo
One broken turn signal replaced
Two mirrors installed

Not bad for a day that poured for the first half....

More pics and details coming.....

Dave Fox

 

Sorry I couldn't make it this year Dave.

 

No prob...... I'm sure there's enough rain for next year yet......

 

Au contrare......i bet it made a big difference to the engine---- you didnt feel it but I bet your engine sure did!!

 

To explain a bit-- Len sent a surprise for lightcs1776---- a package for the add-on oil cooler to be installed on his 750 Maxim. More pictures will be posted. I need time to process and label them.

Also, Nuch was expecting a fork seal rebuild kit.... Len sent a deluxe rebuild kit, and pics will be forthcoming on that, too.

Everyone also went home with other goodies that were from xj4ever....these include:
-Vacuum tube clips
-Fuel line tube clips
-Fuel filters
-Xj4ever stickers
-Deluxe bowl drain screws
-Colored fuel lines ( that were disseminated to color- coordinate bikes)

Progressive Insurance supplied a kickstand plate for everyone, too.

Thank you, Len for your continuing support of the CNYCC!!!!

 

I wish to send sincere thanks to everyone who attended.... Whether to work, or learn, or meet people, or just come for fun, or to eat--- we accomplished all of those. It is so enjoyable to watch a bunch of people, that all need something done, get together and share any info, idea, etc..... To get a lot of jobs done. The list if things we accomplished is amazing.

Thank you all.... I hope had safe trips home.

Dave Fox

 

Oh, I am sure it did. However, I was referring to how it looks. I think it looks great pretty cool. Grin.

 

Good morning everyone, usually several tools get mixed up and we play "Where's Tool-doe" for a bit.... Only 1so far, and it's a 13mm shallow socket (3/8" drive). Can everyone check to see if you have a stow-away socket? Only 1 prodigal tool.... That's pretty darn good this time!!! Lol

Dave Fox

 

Checked my pockets and didn't find anything. Hopefully it isn't stuck in the mud that the rain caused.

 

I imagine it probably is, but it doesn't hurt to put out an APB anyway.....

Dave

 

Looks like it was a good time again. Next year!

 

Just now have a chance to sit at the computer and share my thoughts, so, here it goes…

What an awesome weekend.

With the XJ hitched to the truck, I left Long Island around 2am on Saturday morning. With only one and a half hours of sleep, I was somewhere between exhausted and excited to get on the road. I stopped two times along the way to return and replace my coffee “rentals” if you know what I mean. Around 4am I was feeling a bit punchy, but as I saw the daylight at the horizon it gave me the energy to press on. It was still clear at this point, though I did notice the clouds moving in off in the distance.

On approach, I saw the CNYCC sign at the road’s edge accompanied (just behind it) by an XJ700… Red… Like Mine! I knew I found my destination.

After pulling in, I hopped out of the truck and before I even turned around I heard a voice say… What happened? Did you bring the rain with you?

Indeed it had started raining and there was Dave standing there, soaking wet, with a big smile on his face.

We unloaded, moved the bike under the canopy and I got the nickel tour. With coffee already up, Dave wasted no time in getting the new parts out. It wasn’t long before Lightcs1776 showed up In a soaking wet lightning blaze of glory… and we were quickly knuckles deep in a rear brake replacement. And let me tell you about my new Progressive Spring kit for the front end… Rock Solid! A big Thank You to Len for the unbelievable components once again! And oh yeah, she stops on a dime now! Love my new back brakes!

Throughout the morning, other friendly faces appeared and got right to work. It rained and it was muddy, but when the late afternoon hit, the sun came out.

When all the work was done, a group of us got to sneak in a ride south, then through some of the hills and backroads. There is some beautiful country around the CNY carb clinic that is for sure and it was not without a fair share of deer. One shot across the road right in front of the group.

When the ride was over, Dave helped me strap the XJ back down to the trailer and we had the chance to close the day with some talks of home grown orchards and hard apple cider. What a day.

I stayed in Utica that night and headed to Lake George the next day. I arrived in Lake George on Sunday… The day AFTER the closing events of Americade. As I headed into town, All the bikers were leaving. Around noon, it looked like someone picked up Lake George and shook everyone out! I felt like the only one there! It was a Ghost Town! I did have the chance to take the bike out for another great ride. I headed north along the lake on Route 9N. It was uncomfortably cold. Still a good ride though. After about 30 miles, I turned back and headed towards town again as it looked like the next wave of storms was coming in.

When I get the chance to offload my camera I’ll post a few pics. Just didn’t want another day to go by without telling everyone what a great time CNYCC2016 was. Dave is an awesome host and it was an absolute pleasure to meet and work alongside everyone who attended. As soon as Dave announces CNYCC2017, It will be marked on the calendar. Hope to see everyone back again as well as those who could not make it.