Went on my first long ride today. Took hwy 14 up the Columbia River Gorge about 60 miles. Great ride, great rode! Here are a couple shots from when I stopped at Beacon Rock.

 

nice lookin bike! have fun with it!!

 

Hey A4wheelin, nice bike!!! I have the same bike, 97 Red F3. I use to ride through there (on the OR side) all the time andoccasionally take the loop around Mt. Hood. I miss those roads out there SOOOOOO much!! I'm originally from Salem, ORbut I'm living in DC now. The roads out here in DC BLOW SOME SERIOUS ***!! I have gone through three front rims in 6 months due to pot holes. I'll be turning through a corner and hit the damn things. Ever seen the Scrubs episode where the guy on the scooter falls into a pot hole in the opening sceens... it holds some truth.

 

Is that the original paint scheme, if so you guys certainly do a lot better than us, very tasty.
Looks like it's been well cared for as well, Courts here would have us hung by our genitals if we removed the rear mudguard though.

 

Good looking bike you have there! Yeah I just moved here a year ago and I love it!!! So beautiful and so many places to ride. Good luck in DC and be safe!

 

No it's not the original scheme. All red is stock. It was like this when I got it. I like the black, gives it some originality.

 

Why must you have a rear mud guard? It's not like it does anything at all to prevent throwing water/pebbles up behind you. I could see the chain guard....safety. The mudguard really only keeps the underside of YOUR tail cleaner than it would be otherwise.

 

Yeah well, thats the thing about bureacrats. Once the bike(s) pass the ok from manufacturer, thats it.
Only mods allowed are those that don't change the "integrity" of original. Up until recently, even after market pipes had to carry an "approved" sticker, stating Db rating & so on. Cops and RTA (Road Transit Authority) had a field day, booking riders with non-approved pipes. manufacturers have woken up & attach em now.
I got a caution from a cop after I got my bike, cos I fitted a Bagster tank cover & it covered the "Unleaded Fuel Only" sticker, (that was when leaded petrol was still availible) They even fine people for removing the information stickers on em. Their pretty savage sometimes, I think that they like to have something up their sleeves, in case they can't get you for anything else. Classic was when they released the Suzuki SV650. they had a small plaque pop riveted on the frame. "Warning- Drilling/altering frame can cause safety hazard"

 

Tank cover=

[IMG]local://upfiles/9500/83EFB8C63BB7461CA9B0B17A04D94F55.jpg[/IMG]

 

Pacemaker, what country areyou from or currently living in? I was looking at your pic and that wasn't a scheme released in the US. That really sucks about the cops putting the smack down on any modifications. I think taking the rear fender off gives the F3 a little meaner look. I've been stopped a few times and they never noticed the rear fender missing.