The Saga Continues...

So, more notes on the continuing saga.

I spoke with the shop here in Memphis today. As they were taking it apart to do the repair (apparently, they didn't need to in order to diagnose the source of the leak), they got their first look at the gasket. They said it was instantly clear that it was a faulty installation. They sent me photos and everything:




So, I called Boulder to inform the shop there. And big surprise, they are still denying that it was their problem. The shop here is supposed to call them tomorrow. I'll wait to see what comes of that before I pursue other options going forward.



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You're Not Gonna Believe It...

As a VROC member put it, I've got enough material to write a book. On the way home from Denver, the bike developed an oil leak. It could have been there in Denver, but I didn't notice it. I was in Kansas at the time that I noticed it. When I got back to Memphis, I took it to the shop here. It spent three weeks on the floor of the shop before they could get to it. (Don't get me started on how motorcycle shops can't keep their shops on schedule or stocked with basic parts...). They determined this past week that the leak was with the clutch cover gasket. I had them send me the service estimate (overcharged on labor, of course), which I passed on the Colorado Powersports in Boulder. I assumed, wrongly of course, that Colorado Powersports would pay to fix their mistakes. Come to find out today, that I was wrong. So, the bike is getting fixed this week in Memphis. I'll be calling today to speak with the owner of the Boulder shop to discuss his options. I have no patience for them anymore. I've given them two months' worth, which is about a month and a half more than they deserve, and I'm done being nice to them. If you live in the Denver area, and have need of a motorcycle shop/dealership, avoid Colorado Powersports at all costs.


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Back In the Saddle Again!

So, picked up the bike this morning and did a quick ride in the mountains. So nice to have the bike back after almost a month! I'll post again when I get back to Memphis.












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Going Back...

So, I got the call on Friday afternoon that the bike is done and ready to go! I'm flying out of Little Rock on Monday. The shops closed on Mondays, so I'll pick it up Tuesday morning and test ride it. Then, I head back for Memphis on Wednesday... Here's hoping for an uneventful ride back...


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Location:Boulder/Brighton, CO

Motorcycle Mayhem Update

So, as it turns out they couldn't fix it in time. I talked to the dealer yesterday, and here's what they told me. The 5th gear has an oil port on it, and during assembly, they were one spline off on lining up the gear, so the oil port didn't quite line up. At this point, they called Kawasaki technical support to make sure that this would have caused such a large drop in oil pressure. Kawasaki said it would have caused a slight drop, but not the 30 psi that it lost. Their opinion was that all the o-rings on the oil line and the oil pressure release valve needed to be replaced. So, the dealer had to order parts. They are having them overnighted, but as late as it was in the day, the parts won't be in until Thursday, which means that they won't have the bike done until Friday. Since I have to be in Memphis on Saturday for work, I am flying back to Memphis today. Once I know that the bike is done (hopefully this weekend), I will fly back to Denver, pick it up and ride back to Memphis. Here's hoping for them to actually get it done this time...


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Location:Boulder/Brighton/Chicago/Little Rock/Memphis

Motorcycle Mayhem

I've been contemplating this entry since yesterday, and, truly, I couldn't make this up if I tried. So, I had high hopes that the bike would be done yesterday, and that I would be able to pick it up and head home. It was not to be. They got the engine together and back in the bike, but were having trouble with the oil light. When they turned the bike on, the oil light would be off, then when the fan would start to cycle, the light would start to flicker. When they revved the engine, the light would go out. When the bike would get back to idle, the light would come back on. They thought it was electrical. So, they checked all the electrical connections, and found no issues. Then, they ran an oil pressure test. Turns out the oil pressure was low. It's supposed to be between 42 and 60 psi. It was 30. So, this means they have to take the engine apart again... Needless to say, I am doing my best to stay calm. It seems every time this dealer attempts a repair, they break something else. So, now they'll work on it Tuesday, and hopefully get it done. Otherwise, I'll have to fly home for a meeting for incoming students and then fly back to get the bike...


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Location:Boulder, CO

Rainbows and Bunny Rabbits

So, we've had a lot of afternoon thunderstorms up here lately. Here's some pics I took...

This is the cleanest wall of rain I've ever seen...







And rainbows...








The girls really enjoy playing chase the bunnies in the yard. Were guessing there are around 20 or so that live under the shed...

























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Location:Brighton, CO