To get the firmest lever possible, as a last step I tie the lever back with firm pressure and leave it for hours or overnight. The pressure turns large bubbles into smaller bubbles and they migrate up better. Taping on the lines loosens bubbles stuck to the walls of the brake lines. Think of...
Get the proper DupliColor paint and touch it up yourself. Even a crappy job would be less noticeable than the chip as is. Take your time and get it close.
Your life doesn't end when your kid's life begins. Besides, who wants to have a miserable, boring dad or husband? That's not going to be good for anyone. Wear all the gear, slow it down, pick safer routes, do whatever it takes, but by all means RIDE.
I agree with Vengeance44. Other than adjusting the preload, leave the bike alone and work on you instead. Preload: 5. Take the MSF course. Study countersteering and throttle control for your cornering concerns.
What do you weigh and what's the rear spring pre-load set at? What's your tire pressure? Standard tire pressure is 33F/36R and I would stick with that. Is your gauge ok or crap? If you're around 175 lbs, I'd go with a pre-load of 3 or 4. I wouldn't go to 5 unless you're over 200 lbs...
The clutch was slipping. The aftermarket gear indicator can only compare speed and rpm. Once the rpm went up, it thought you were in a lower gear and gave that indication. It didn't actually change gears. Adjusting free play had a positive effect. Get that to the proper spec and it should...
It must be chain season. I just ordered a DID X-ring chain & sprocket kit from Dennis Kirk for a hair under $150. The original doesn't look that bad, but almost 16,000 miles is a lot for a chain.
My chain & sprockets still look pretty good after almost 16,000 miles, but I want to replace them.
Has anyone seen any recent discounts out there? Is there a best source?
What a PSR! The brand name now seems to coincide with your issue. It looks like PSR built it without an angle to make it flat-footed and shouldn't have.
A marginal battery can show a full charge on a voltmeter, but it could be just a "surface charge." Check the voltage with a load on it. That's the proof of the pudding. There seems to be a point in the death of a battery with these bikes where the battery is enough for it to crank, but not...
No, Matt, noooooooooo! Change the oil and hope you don't need new clutch plates. At first I thought your noise was slap from a loose chain, but you gotta use motorcycle specific oil. As in GOTTA.