So after all the work and rain, I got a minute to take her around the block this morning. My plan: get to the gas station without injury, filler up, get a pack of smokes (I ran out yesterday and swore I'd ride to get them) and feel er out for any adjustments needed.

First out: cutting the tags off all my gear


Hadn't worn it in real use. Just checked the fit. But even for a literal ride around the block, I got it all on. Did discover I need a pair of better boots. My work boots are steel toe and I can't feel the shifter.

And this is when I discovered the city of Philadelphia is out to kill me:


Directly out of the driveway where I've been working on my bike are trolley tracks. I'm sure given time I will adjust to turning on the street. But 20 yros of forgotten experience and an unfamiliar bike nearly made me drop her when my tires caught in the tracks.

But Philly wasn't done with me:

The very 1st intersection I come to (and it's unavoidable since I'm on a one way street) is a trolley hub. And going right = more wobble getting out the tracks.

The trip went mostly as planned (the station was out of my brand of cigarettes). With wobbles and jerks, it was pretty obvious I was learning the ropes. As a guy who pulled over stopped to ask and look er over noted. I had planned on doing this at 6 am when the roads were clear of traffic, but of course it was raining.

I did learn what is going to be my nemesis these 1st few days:


I've got to master that throttle quick. The friction zone for the clutch was a snap. But the throttle is a lot more twitchy than I remember. Had the clutch covered constantly as I opened the throttle too much and had to disengage the engine to keep from racing off.

I plan on trying again tomorrow AM and getting to the nearest parking lot to practice while its empty. But right now, I need a beer

Oh yeah, finally decided on a name. She's called Rain. When I repaint her, I'll put the kanji symbol for rain across the upper, lower and cover fairings

 

I really like that colour..... that yellow makes your F3 POP propbably... hows avbout some more pics... side shots .... et....

thanks

-Lee

 

LOL looks are deceiving. Looks good from afar but far from good (imo anyways)

Looks good, right?


Still ok, sure


Now you can see the mismatched rattlecan job someone did on her. How do you mismatch the paint with rattlecans? Also you'll see the fairings don't quite fit right as well.

I'm getting replacement fairings a piece at a time from Ebay. When I get a whole set (that match and fit tight) I'll use these to practice my paint skills till I'm ready to do it for real.

 

appreciate what you have! i bought my f3 with no fairings at all. so i'm stuck with a naked bike i'll gladly take yours though

 

lol... I have some 'chrome' factory decal replicas I got for $15 I'll slap on there to dress her up a lil. People get the engine right but not the make (guy got the 600 and then accused her of being a Kawa)

 

The decals should really help..... and try and fit them better.... my fairings fit on with bolts and these special plastic washers to center the fairing .

-Lee

 

Congrats are your victory ride and that sweet new gear! Bike looks great man! Those trolley tracks look like a death trap lol

 

If it wans primed differently then the final colour will look different.

 

Get yourself a set of frame sliders bud, you'll be glad you have them to prevent un-needed scratches in simple spills. I can't imagine trying to get used to a bike in the middle of a city, being able to streach out and not have counter traffic really helps, any open local lots you could invade for an hour?

 

None nearby. The ideal location would be the stadium parking lots. But if I survive the traffic to get there, I wouldn't need the practice by then

The MSF's Basic Rider Course (which I'm taking in 2 weeks) is actually out of the shipyard I think.