B's Motorcycles

I've discovered that my 250 doesn't like the cold.  It would seem that in temperatures below 35 degrees, it bogs down and has a hard time running with any power over 5k rpm.  This is unfortunate because now that I've got it running well, the temperature rarely gets above 35 an any given day.  I can deal with it - the bike won't run.  Perhaps it is a fuel problem more than a temperature problem - I've got the petcock rebuild kit, and just need a nice clear day and an empty tank to try it on. 

My XL250 has been performing pretty smoothly now for the last few days.  Every time the weather gets conducive (above 20, not snowing or raining or 40-50 mph winds) I go out for a ride and with the exception of a few minor quirks (bogging at ~5500rpm) the bike is running great.  The good 'ol boys at Alternative Welding were able to put the kickstand mount back together, and I ordered a new kickstand because the old one was pretty bashed up.  Add that to the list of new things ordered, now including headlights, turn signals, mirrors, fuel petcock kit, fuel lines, carb floats and a kickstarter and it becomes clear that this bike has required a lot more of me than I expected.  I'm still not sure that the trade was the right thing to do - I really miss the consistent reliability of my CB125, and the classic good looks that bike has really turned heads.  This 250 is...well, it's functional.  When I get it tuned right, it has more than enough power, but it's not pretty.  More incentive to get my 350 finished, right?  I've got all I need to put the engine back together now - a few months ago I accidentally dropped a shim from the cam-chain tensioner into the crankcase and haven't been able to find it.  It was a demoralizing loss, and I lost total interest in continuing the project for months.  I'm really itching to get it under way.  The deadline I set for myself to get it re-assembled and out of the basement has passed, and I'm no closer to finished than I was when I set it.  Time to get crackin!

 

Side note - I harvested my first deer in over 12 years this Saturday.  She was waiting for me by my stand with 6 others.  When they saw me and bolted up the hill into the distance, she was the only one to stop and see if I was following.  Bad idea.  Single shot through the ribcage took care of her lungs - she dropped like a stone.  No running or squirming, no suffering.  Sniper's motto: "one shot, one kill."  I took her with my Yugo SKS, shooting 123 grain Barnaul Hollow Point.  It did massive damage inside, and didn't exit.  I'm convinced that I will find the bullet when I butcher the carcass - I'm curious to see if it held together or not.  I really like that round, and the rifle that shot it, but if it doesn't hold its mass then it is inappropriate for deer hunting. 

I went for another nice ride tonight, around the University campus to the north side of town and then back home.  That's 2 rides in a row with no problems!  Tomorrow I'm taking it in to get the kickstand fixed.  For now, I submit for your viewing pleasure proof positive that God loves motorcycles best.  Not a branch touched it - the tree folded under the weight of the ice and cradled my motorcycle.  Sweet.