********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: Bryce Ulrich To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Date: Tue, 4 Oct 94 19:00:15 TZ Subject: New member tells all... Hello! A friend tipped me off to your alias and I've spent most of the day blowing off work and reading the last four months of email. Intersting stuff! Let me introduce myself, my bike, and then I'll comment on a few of the discussion topics that I've come across in my reading. Sorry it's long but y'all seem so curious. [Myself] My name is Bryce. I'm male, 26, 150lbs, 5'10" and living in Kirkland, WA. Yes, I work for big Billg at Microsoft. I'm a product support engineer supporting Microsoft Excel and Office. I've been here awhile (5+ yrs) and spend most of my time handling escalations and issues that haven't been solved (yet). Mostly international. I've been riding for just over 3 years -- 1.5 yr on a Honda Aero 80 scooter, 1 yr on a Honda Elite 250 scooter, and the last couple of months on the PC. I ride year 'round and have had my car parked for 3 years now. I am in love with my machine and sport. [Riding equipment] Aerostich 2-pc, Shoei RF200, Alpinestar Gore-tex riding boots, various gloves depending on weather, Chase Harper 1500 tankbag, and Camelback drinking system. [My bike, "Pearl"] She's an '89 model and had 14.5k miles on it five months ago. I've added 7k since then. The previous owner had custom pinstriping done (light blue) over the pearl-white paint. PO also replaced the tires with Marathon M2's front/rear. She's in excellent shape and I was happy to pay the $3900 for her. I prefer the pearl-white paint to the newer black models. She was avg 45mpg and dropped to about 42mpg with new windshield. Ahe's gone 180 miles on a tank but I've have never pushed her to really empty. I try to fill up erery 150 miles as a rule. I defend her against all negative comments and quickly correct those who call her a scooter. [My modifications] Installed Rifle windshield, 4" taller. Wind noise disappeared and my girlfriend loves it on the back. I was scared at first but it actually looks good. Complaints include reflection of keychain and rain kills your vision. I plan to cover up the keychain/ignition area with velcro'd black cloth to stop the reflection. Recently solved the rain problem with a Cycle Wiper -- yes, it really works! Call Infinity at 206-556-9800 for more info. It's new on the market, $140 and includes a variable speed control. A must for all-weather riders who must look through their windshields instead of over. Cheap plastic Cruise Control. I cut a small, narrow rectanglular hole underneath the right grip with a Dremel tool to fit the tab on the CC. Had to trim the tab a bit so it would mount flush. Much needed option for all-day riding/touring. Modified the left faiing pocket to hold a Sonic Intercom. 2 Volume controls (driver/passenger) where the warning sticker used to be, added walkman jack, and the wiper control. Everything inside the pocket with controls/jacks drilled throught the cover. I have headset connections front and rear for the helmets to plug into. Mounted a metal bracket to the left speaker panel to hold a hand-held Maxon CB. Connecting wires poke through the small hole at the left corner along the seam between the windshield and dash. Push-to-talk swith located by left grip, just underneath and along the edge of the plastic. Also a PPT for the passenger. Fellow who did it for me can build it for you and tell you how to install. Excellent workmanship and does this for his living. M-C Communications. Small, round, stick-on clock over the tachometer. Tells me know I'm late everyday getting to work. [Future Mods/Ideas] Radar Detector, trunk light, cargo rack w/trunk for tours, Corbin saddle, and motorcycle alarm. [How I ride] I ride for the joy of it. As I mentioned earlier, my car has been parked for 3 years and I use the lady friend's when necessary. My girlfriend Leanne and I love to take day trips around town, the mountains, or along Puget Sound. We did a 3-day tour of the Olympic Penisula over Labor Day and I'm planning a solo, 8-day, "Tour De Washington" in another week. I avoid the interstate whenever possible and prefer the "unknown" roads missing on most maps. I've dragged a footpeg twice and enjoy the challenge of the decreasing radius turn. I read everything I can find on safe, skillfull riding. Leanne says I'm a gadget junkie. [Comments for the crowd] Replace those stock windshields -- you'll fall in love with riding all over again. Cruise control a must. Intercom saves a relationship when riding 2-up. In fact, my Leanne prefers Pearl to driving the car because I talk/listen more. Aerostitch suits are excellent in all-weather, all temps (0 - 100). I ride with just a t-shirt > 55 degrees. Shorts too if it's hotter than 80 degrees. When it's cold polarfleece keeps me going. Gore-tex and rain is a well understood relationship. I've used the Saenge Stealth edging on my old scooter and it helped. I may add it to Pearl soon. Their wax/cleaner is the best for cleaning my white bike. Get a Camelback water bottle/bag to keep you and your passenger hydrated. The feeder tube hangs over your shoulder and it's easy to get it behind the helmet when you want it. Keeps you riding instead of stopping. [Questions for you] Tell me more about a mud guard (Hondaline?)/ What suspension parts are people upgrading too? The trunk lites sound great but are th modification visible on the outside of the trunk? Are the holes under the passenger seat? Anyone ridden a New England tour in the fall? I'm planning to do one next year. [What's next] I usually write-up trip reports for others to read on the motorcycle alias here at work (150 riders or so). I'll dig up a few and forward them soon for you all to read. Thanks for staying awake until the end. -bryceu --------------------------------------------------- Bryce Ulrich - bryceu@microsoft.com - 206/704-3205 Product Support Engineer: Microsoft Corp. '89 Honda PC800 "Pearl" AMA 332198 HRCA HM711115 --------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800 Subject: Back from the dead Date: Wed, 05 Oct 1994 12:57:25 -0500 From: Jason L Tibbitts III Well, it's been a while. Quite a while, in fact. In case you don't remember me, I'm the friendly list owner. So where have I been? Well, a long time ago I took a vacation. Then I came back and the semester started. Then I started doing homework and working two jobs. Then I kept doing homework and working.... So now I've decided to pop back in, say howdy, and publicly thank those of you who sent me mail wondering were the hell I was. Well, I'm here, and I hope to not be going away (except to ride, of course) again any time soon. --- Jason L. Tibbitts III - tibbs@tcamc.uh.edu - 713/743-8687 - 221SR1 System Admin: Texas Center for Advanced Molecular Computation 1994 PC800 "Kuroneko" DoD# 1723 GM/CS/S d--- -p+ c++++ l++ u+++ e+ m---(++) n--- s/-- h* f+ g+ w+ t- r- y+** ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Maintenance Schedule Date: Wed, 5 Oct 1994 17:08:48 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com I was thinking about service for my PC. I took it to my nearest Honda dealer for its 600 mile service. I now have 3500 miles on it and was trying to plan ahead for the 4000 mile service as per the owner's manual. I was looking at the maintenance schedule and was surprised that the manual shows oil changes at 8000 mile intervals. The service advisor said that because of the desert environment in Phoenix, they recommend 2000 mile intervals on the oil change. The owner's manual has a note which is applicable to severe environmental conditions requiring more frequent service. They apply this note to the air filter but not to the oil. I don't want to scrimp on something as simple and relatively inexpensive as oil but I also don't want to throw my money away. How often do you folks (hey Jason, are there any ladies on the list? Can I say you *guys* without offending anyone?) change your oil? The local dealership wanted $90 for a 4000 mile service. They said that the would check the plugs, check the coolant, check brake fluid, and check the clutch fluid as per the owner's manual but would also change the oil, change the air filter, balance the carbs and change the shaft fluid (final drive oil). This price seems kinda high for mostly checking stuff. I would like to hear from y'all regarding doing this stuff your self versus paying someone else to have it done. I suspect that you can't pay too much more for service than dealership prices. This is my first brand new bike and I had kind of thought that I would enjoy the luxury of having someone else do the dirty work for me so that I could concentrate on enjoying the ride. A nagging feeling in the back of my mind tells me that I should not abdicate responsibility for such an important aspect of motorcycle ownership. I don't generally trust medical doctors so why should I trust dealership mechanics? I will assume that many of you are purists and believe in doing your own maintenance and will encourage me to do so. I would still like to hear from dissenting opinions though. But having said that, some questions. 1. Where can I get the special oil filter tool referred to in the owner's manual? With my cages, I just turn the filter some number or fraction of turns after the gasket contacts the blah, blah, blah per the instructions on the box. 2. I guess I will have to break down and buy a torque wrench if I want to do this myself. I have been thinking that my tool box was sadly lacking in this regard. Any thing that I should worry about when selecting a torque wrench? I would probably just go to Sears unless somebody has a reason to go elsewhere. 3. What weight and brand of oil do you recommend for Phoenix conditions? 4. What kind of oil and air filters? 5. There is no section on carburator synchronization in the owner's manual. Is this a difficult task. Do I need to buy the service manuals? Both of them? Do I need special tools for this job? I am not a mechanical wizard but I am not a total numb-nutz either. Partly I am generally lazy and thought that if maintenance were done while I was working at my desk, it would be more likely to be handled in a timely manner. I was generally impressed by the mechanics at the dealership who seemed to know their Hondas very well. At the same time, I read net-horror stories about shop mechanics and the positive Zen of doing your own work. Thanks for your input. Perhaps another FAQ chapter? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu From: Jason L Tibbitts III Subject: Re: Maintenance Schedule Date: Wed, 05 Oct 1994 20:12:43 -0500 >>>>> "NT" == Neill Thompson writes: NT> How often do you folks (hey Jason, are there any ladies on the list? NT> Can I say you *guys* without offending anyone?) change your oil? As far as I can tell, its just us guys, except there is one person ("Ananda") with an ambiguous name. I doubt you'd be offending anyone in any case. As for oil, I still don't have enough miles on my bike to warrant an oil change. I need to change it soon, though, and haven't decided what kind of oil to run yet. NT> The local dealership wanted $90 for a 4000 mile service. They said NT> that the would check the plugs, check the coolant, check brake fluid, NT> and check the clutch fluid as per the owner's manual but would also NT> change the oil, change the air filter, balance the carbs and change the NT> shaft fluid (final drive oil). This price seems kinda high for mostly NT> checking stuff. How much is your time worth? If I had a weekend to spare I'd happily do all of these things to my bike, but I don't. NT> There is no section on carburator synchronization in the owner's NT> manual. Is this a difficult task. Do I need to buy the service NT> manuals? Both of them? Do I need special tools for this job? I have the PC specific owner's manual. Most of the stuff is covered in there, including carb synch. I've never seen the "Common Owner's Manual" so I can't comment on what's in there, but the manual I have is excellent (like all of Honda's vehicle manuals). - J ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk) (from nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson)) (at Wed, 05 Oct 1994 17:08:48 +0000) To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: Maintenance Schedule Date: Wed, 5 Oct 94 23:23:01 CST Hi Neill (Neill Thompson), in on Oct 05 you wrote: > the maintenance schedule and was surprised that the manual shows oil changes > at 8000 mile intervals. The service advisor said that because of the desert Rule #1 of MC engine care: Don't scrimp on the oil and oil filters! > filter but not to the oil. I don't want to scrimp on something as simple and > relatively inexpensive as oil but I also don't want to throw my money away. > How often do you folks I use Mobil 1 and a new filter every 3k-4k miles. > The local dealership wanted $90 for a 4000 mile service. They said that the > would check the plugs, check the coolant, check brake fluid, and check the > clutch fluid as per the owner's manual but would also change the oil, > change the air filter, balance the carbs and change the shaft fluid (final > drive oil). This price seems kinda high for mostly checking stuff. These are all very trivial to do except syncing the carbs. Your owner's manual has the info for checking these (I'm pretty sure :^) On a modern bike, all of the other stuff should last for 20k miles without needing replacing - just check on them. I have to sync my carbs every 6 months (~7k miles). > more for service than dealership prices. This is my first brand new bike and > I had kind of thought that I would enjoy the luxury of having someone else do > the dirty work for me so that I could concentrate on enjoying the ride. A > nagging feeling in the back of my mind tells me that I should not abdicate > responsibility for such an important aspect of motorcycle ownership. I don't > generally trust medical doctors so why should I trust dealership mechanics? :^) > 1. Where can I get the special oil filter tool referred to in the owner's > manual? With my cages, I just turn the filter some number or > fraction of turns after the gasket contacts the blah, blah, blah per the > instructions on the box. No tool needed. Do it like you do a car filter. I use a 440 Channelock to unscrew it. > 2. I guess I will have to break down and buy a torque wrench if I want > to do this myself. I have been thinking that my tool box was sadly lacking in > this regard. Any thing that I should worry about when selecting a torque > wrench? I would probably just go to Sears unless somebody has a reason to go > elsewhere. How about this: borrow a torque wrench the first time you need to tighten things like your front axle clamps and get a good idea of what is needed. There's nothing wrt normal maintence that really has to have a torque wrench. And if you decide to do it anyway, just get a simple 1/2" drive beam wrench and read the instructions carefully on proper use. > 4. What kind of oil and air filters? Honda air filter. I doubt you can find anything else to replace it. About any standard oil filter will do as long as you change it and the oil regularily. Read the rec.moto faq for more info. > 5. There is no section on carburator synchronization in the owner's manual. > Is this a difficult task. Do I need to buy the service manuals? Both of > them? Do I need special tools for this job? Not terribly difficult if you don't count getting *to* the carburetors :^) Yes you need the service manual. Yes you need a manometer. Preferably a mercury one made for this task. > I was generally impressed by the mechanics at the dealership who seemed to > know their Hondas very well. At the same time, I read net-horror stories > about shop mechanics and the positive Zen of doing your own work. Thanks for > your input. Perhaps another FAQ chapter? Maybe let the shop sync your carbs. You do the rest for now and read the manuals carefully. Kent Polk: kent@eaanu.nde.swri.edu ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: Bryce Ulrich To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Date: Thu, 6 Oct 94 09:38:27 TZ Subject: RE: Maintenance Schedule Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com Hi Neill, Riding in rainy Seattle requires regular maintenance of the bike. I bought the PC800 partly because it was soooo easy to keep up. The panels come off easy, there's just a few bolts to get to the air filter, and fluid changes have easy access. I'd recommend giving it a try. The carb sync is the only thing that requires extravagant tools. A few answers for you.... >> The local dealership wanted $90 for a 4000 mile service. I recently did the 4000 mile service myselft minus the carb sync and found that parts/fluids/filters cost me about $70 or so. The most expensive part was the $50 air filter. (If anyone knows where I can get them cheaper, let me know). It's seems to be a special shape/design so the Honda dealer made a buck off me on it. Everything else is a couple of bucks each. >> I don't generally trust medical doctors so why should I trust dealership mechanics? This is hotly debated on the Microsoft cycle alias. For every positive story there's an equally scary story to contradict (there fun to read though!). Consensus is that you should try one, review the work, and keep going back if you like it. Once you build a relationship and they start remembering your name you can probably relax. >>1. Where can I get the special oil filter tool referred to in the owner's manual? I had a hard time getting the thing off. I had to drive all over town to find band-type wrench that was small enough. Finally found one at NAPA. Once you've got the right size it works like a charm. Saves you from all the swearing if you do it manually so I think it's worth $10 bucks. >>2. I guess I will have to break down and buy a torque wrench if I want to do this myself. I don't know if this is going to help you much with the plugs. The only tools I could fit on them were in the bike's toolkit. The toolkit one has a deep socket and a flexible neck to get around all that plastic. Problem is that it won't fit a standard socket wrench.(i.e. a torque wrench). I think the manual mentioned turning an extra x/y turn to seat the washer. I left it at that. >> 4. What kind of oil and air filters? I used Honda oil and filter simply becuase it was easy to find. However, I noticed FRAM had a listing for the filter (while shopping for a filter wrench). Air filter? Could only find one at Honda made by Honda. Expensive $50. >> 5. There is no section on carburator synchronization in the owner's manual. Is this a difficult task. Do I need to buy the service manuals? Both of them? Do I need special tools for this job? I haven't done it but everyone says it kind of easy once you've got the right tool. I plan to be doing it myself sometime in the next year. Good luck! -bryceu --------------------------------------------------- Bryce Ulrich - bryceu@microsoft.com - 206/704-3205 Product Support Engineer: Microsoft Corp. '89 Honda PC800 "Pearl" AMA 332198 HRCA HM711115 --------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: Bryce Ulrich To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Date: Thu, 6 Oct 94 10:04:46 TZ Subject: FW: Maintenance Schedule Whoops, missed the rest of you. ---------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: Bryce Ulrich To: Neill Thompson Cc: Subject: RE: Maintenance Schedule Date: Thursday, October 06, 1994 9:38AM Hi Neill, Riding in rainy Seattle requires regular maintenance of the bike. I bought the PC800 partly because it was soooo easy to keep up. The panels come off easy, there's just a few bolts to get to the air filter, and fluid changes have easy access. I'd recommend giving it a try. The carb sync is the only thing that requires extravagant tools. A few answers for you.... >> The local dealership wanted $90 for a 4000 mile service. I recently did the 4000 mile service myselft minus the carb sync and found that parts/fluids/filters cost me about $70 or so. The most expensive part was the $50 air filter. (If anyone knows where I can get them cheaper, let me know). It's seems to be a special shape/design so the Honda dealer made a buck off me on it. Everything else is a couple of bucks each. >> I don't generally trust medical doctors so why should I trust dealership mechanics? This is hotly debated on the Microsoft cycle alias. For every positive story there's an equally scary story to contradict (there fun to read though!). Consensus is that you should try one, review the work, and keep going back if you like it. Once you build a relationship and they start remembering your name you can probably relax. >>1. Where can I get the special oil filter tool referred to in the owner's manual? I had a hard time getting the thing off. I had to drive all over town to find band-type wrench that was small enough. Finally found one at NAPA. Once you've got the right size it works like a charm. Saves you from all the swearing if you do it manually so I think it's worth $10 bucks. >>2. I guess I will have to break down and buy a torque wrench if I want to do this myself. I don't know if this is going to help you much with the plugs. The only tools I could fit on them were in the bike's toolkit. The toolkit one has a deep socket and a flexible neck to get around all that plastic. Problem is that it won't fit a standard socket wrench.(i.e. a torque wrench). I think the manual mentioned turning an extra x/y turn to seat the washer. I left it at that. >> 4. What kind of oil and air filters? I used Honda oil and filter simply becuase it was easy to find. However, I noticed FRAM had a listing for the filter (while shopping for a filter wrench). Air filter? Could only find one at Honda made by Honda. Expensive $50. >> 5. There is no section on carburator synchronization in the owner's manual. Is this a difficult task. Do I need to buy the service manuals? Both of them? Do I need special tools for this job? I haven't done it but everyone says it kind of easy once you've got the right tool. I plan to be doing it myself sometime in the next year. Good luck! -bryceu --------------------------------------------------- Bryce Ulrich - bryceu@microsoft.com - 206/704-3205 Product Support Engineer: Microsoft Corp. '89 Honda PC800 "Pearl" AMA 332198 HRCA HM711115 --------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** Date: Thu, 6 Oct 1994 16:30:39 -0700 (PDT) From: Ananda S Arasu To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Cc: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: Maintenance Schedule > >>>>> "NT" == Neill Thompson writes: > > NT> How often do you folks (hey Jason, are there any ladies on the list? > NT> Can I say you *guys* without offending anyone?) change your oil? > > As far as I can tell, its just us guys, except there is one person > ("Ananda") with an ambiguous name. I doubt you'd be offending anyone in > any case. > Hi I'm Ananda and I am a guy. Least I was last time I checked, and my wife agreed!:) Later A. ------- Ananda S Arasu | arasua@ece.orst.edu | Corvallis, OR -------- " You're only young once, but you can always be immature." - anonymous ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: Bryce Ulrich To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Date: Thu, 13 Oct 94 10:47:15 -0500 Subject: FW: [rec.motorcycles] stupid parking lot tricks --- Forwarded message follows --- Newsgroups: alt.humor.best-of-usenet ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** Subject: [rec.motorcycles] stupid parking lot tricks Date: 11 Oct 1994 23:09:53 -0400 ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: cash@squirl.oau.org (Gene Cash) Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles Subject: stupid parking lot tricks Since my only transportation is my GS1100GL, I have to get inventive when it comes to getting my groceries home, so I bought this large green army duffel bag. It's actually large enough to hold an entire shopping cart of groceries. So I trundle this full cart out and park it by my bike, and this car pulls up next to my spot and puts his blinker on to pull in my space, like it's not extremely obvious that it's going to take me at least ten minutes to get my bag packed. I unroll the bag and start putting stuff in, and he sits there, and I put more stuff in, and he sits there, and I put more stuff in there, and _finally_ he flips off his blinker and screeches away, to the intense amusement of the blonde in the truck next to me. Another time, I pulled in at the mall next to this nice ZX-11, sharing the space with him. I came back out, and was putting on my helmet when this woman with a "look at that biker scum" expression on her face pulled up and asked if I was leaving. So I said, "Yeah, but I don't think he is.." which seemed to be totally ignored by Ms. BMW. Sure enough, when I pulled out, I didn't have to wait long for a screech of brakes, and I looked back to see the BMW partially in the spot. I got her tag number and went back to check to make sure the ZX was OK, which it was. Then there was the time I was evil on purpose. I was leaving my 2pm class, carrying my helmet and my jacket, and one of the "parking lot vultures" circles around, sticks her head out the window and asks (giggle, hair-flip) if I'm leaving... So I smiled, held my helmet up, and said "sure"... She followed me all the way to the elevated bike pad at the end of the lot, which was pretty bad, but what was even worse is she waited while I bungeed my books on, put on my helmet, and sat on my bike, before she finally managed to catch a clue. Am I specially gifted in this? I think next time this happens I'm going to say "look mom, it followed me home, can I keep it?" ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: American Honda, Motors Corp., Inc.-Customer Service Date: Fri, 14 Oct 1994 11:11:16 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com Yesterday I called American Honda (310-783-2000 in CA) and spoke to customer service. I explained that I owned a '94 PC and that when I purchased it the dealer and all other dealerships that I have been to since did not have brochures on hand. They kindly offered to send me a '94 brochure. (B-># The '95 brochures are not available. I also asked if they had a poster and offered to pay a reasonable cost. They said that they did not make a poster for that particular bike. I also asked what the sales figures were for the Pacific Coast. They said, "for '94 it was alot." That was a specific as they would get other than to say that the color seemed to be responsible for the success of the '94 and that it would be carried over for '95. Apparently Honda does not release sales figures by model even to industry journals or associations. This surprised me. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: American Honda, Motors Corp., Inc.-Customer Service Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 10:21:13 In article nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) writes: >Yesterday I called American Honda (310-783-2000 in CA) and spoke to customer >service. I explained that I owned a '94 PC and that when I purchased it the >dealer and all other dealerships that I have been to since did not have >brochures on hand. They kindly offered to send me a '94 brochure. (B-># The >'95 brochures are not available. I got the brochure yesterday. Pretty quick service. It is a one page (both sides) glossy sheet. Some specs, some fluffy verbage, no good pictures except one really small profile shot. I guess it's better than nothing but I think I got better promotional material on a $200.00 stereo receiver I bought years ago. Oh well, the times they are a-changing. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu From: Jason L Tibbitts III Subject: Re: Re: American Honda, Motors Corp., Inc.-Customer Service Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 12:32:57 -0500 >>>>> "NT" == Neill Thompson writes: NT> It is a one page (both sides) glossy sheet. Some specs, some fluffy NT> verbage, no good pictures except one really small profile shot. Too bad, the ST1100 gets a nice two page foldout with nice pictures. This is a '94 promo sheet, right? I've been dying to know what they changed for '95. Hopefully nothing, so I don't have to feel inferior. ^_^ The SO has dictated that I get no more money for bikes until she gets her Ninja 500. - J ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: Re: American Honda, Motors Corp., Inc.-Customer Service Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 11:04:38 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article Jason L Tibbitts III writes: >>>>>> "NT" == Neill Thompson writes: >NT> It is a one page (both sides) glossy sheet. Some specs, some fluffy >NT> verbage, no good pictures except one really small profile shot. >Too bad, the ST1100 gets a nice two page foldout with nice pictures. >This is a '94 promo sheet, right? I've been dying to know what they >changed for '95. Hopefully nothing, so I don't have to feel inferior. ^_^ >The SO has dictated that I get no more money for bikes until she gets her >Ninja 500. Yes this is the '94, the '95 sheets are not yet available. I didn't ask about the '95 full line brochure though. Perhaps that would give enough specs to determine if anything is different. Obsolecence is a drag. Ninja 500??? I have been dating a young lady (Stephanie) who rides a Yamaha FZR600 and I have been noticing that the difference is significant. When we think of riding together, I tend to think longer distance. She tends to think faster trip. She had the FZR in for service and I was noticing a baby Virago in the showroom. It was about 550 cc. If bike size is an issue, this bike had a low seat and looked pretty manageable but for a small person, it would probably perform very well. I suspect Stephanie would not be lured away from her sportbike by a cruiser but I think it would be much more comfortable for the kind of riding *I* hope we will get to do together. I don't know of any other cruiser in that size range so it got my attention. I am currently considering an overnight weekend run to Bisbee, AZ which will be about 200 miles each way. This will be Stephanie's longest run to date. I am concerned that the extreme riding posture of the FZR will be really uncomfortable after that distance. Bisbee is a colorful turn of the century copper mining town near the Mexican border with lots of Victorian architecture and one of the largest copper mines in the world with a ride through underground tour. No, not ride through on the bikes!!! If it comes together, I will give you a trip report. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk) To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: Re: American Honda, Motors Corp., Inc.-Customer Service (from nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson)) (at Tue, 18 Oct 1994 11:04:38 +0000) Date: Tue, 18 Oct 94 13:27:52 CST Hi Neill (Neill Thompson), in on Oct 18 you wrote: > I am concerned that the extreme riding posture of the FZR will be really > uncomfortable after that distance. Bisbee is a colorful turn of the The only saddles I can't ride for long on are those which provide no way to support myself using my legs (and back). I know it can be difficult to believe, but once you learn how to support yourself with your legs, riding a sportbike can be at least no more taxing than a cruiser, and in several cases, much easier. Personally, I can't ride most cruiser-style bikes for more than about 75 miles since they force me to put too much weight on my tailbone. Your legs can provide a much softer and less stressful ride (built-in shocks) than your tailbone can. I.e. it's not necessarily the type of bike that makes for long-distance riding, it's largely what that bike provides for your style of riding. Kent Polk: Southwest Research Institute Internet : kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: Re: American Honda, Motors Corp., Inc.-Customer Service Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 11:41:11 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk) writes: >Hi Neill (Neill Thompson), in on Oct 18 you wrote: >> I am concerned that the extreme riding posture of the FZR will be really >> uncomfortable after that distance. Bisbee is a colorful turn of the >The only saddles I can't ride for long on are those which provide >no way to support myself using my legs (and back). I know it can >be difficult to believe, but once you learn how to support yourself >with your legs, riding a sportbike can be at least no more taxing >than a cruiser, and in several cases, much easier. Personally, I >can't ride most cruiser-style bikes for more than about 75 miles >since they force me to put too much weight on my tailbone. Your >legs can provide a much softer and less stressful ride (built-in >shocks) than your tailbone can. >I.e. it's not necessarily the type of bike that makes for long-distance >riding, it's largely what that bike provides for your style of riding. >Kent Polk: Southwest Research Institute >Internet : kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu I was also thinking about the hands, wrists and neck. The few times that I have ridden her bike, I noticed that I was putting alot of pressure on my hands and wrists because of the forward lean, and low handlebars. That posture also caused me to tilt my head back quite a bit. We'll see, I made a reservation at a B&B in Bisbee an hour ago. Now all I have to do is see if she'll go! (B-)# Wink-wink, nudge-nudge, know-what-I-mean? Say-no-more!! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk) To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: Re: American Honda, Motors Corp., Inc.-Customer Service (from nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson)) (at Tue, 18 Oct 1994 11:41:11 +0000) Date: Tue, 18 Oct 94 14:14:48 CST Hi Neill (Neill Thompson), in on Oct 18 you wrote: > I was also thinking about the hands, wrists and neck. The few times that I > have ridden her bike, I noticed that I was putting alot of pressure on my > hands and wrists because of the forward lean, and low handlebars. That Two things can help this: 1) wind pressure against your chest (which might be why she likes to ride faster :^) 2) repositioning yourself so that your weight is on your thighs and not on your hands, elbows, tail. Remember those funky stools they cam out with a few years ago that rotated your legs downward so your thighs were the primary support for your body - and it put your lower back into a position that was less stressful? Try to imitate that position somewhat. Note that bikes/bodies can differ substantially, so there's probably not much point in telling you how I do it. > posture also caused me to tilt my head back quite a bit. We'll see, I made a The method of solving the neck strain problems is to simply ride more so the neck muscles can be built up. It really does work :^) Kent Polk: Southwest Research Institute Internet : kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: "Rick Thompson" Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 14:22:47 -0500 To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Subject: message Cc: thompson@boba.mayo.edu (Rick Thompson) Name: Rick L. Thompson Location: Rochester, MN Email: thompson@mayo.edu PC Model year (if you have one): 1990 - "RED" Bought Used/New: New for $4800 (in 1992) Modifications made to bike: 1. Honda tall windshield 2. Honda rear upper spoiler 3. Honda (Kenwood) FM radio system 4. Honda trunk light 5. Honda front mud flap 6. Honda passenger backrest 7. Removed warning stickers -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rick L. Thompson Internet: thompson@mayo.edu Mayo Clinic - Gugg. Bldg. RM 1018-A Phone: (507) 284-4428 Rochester, MN 55905 FAX: (507) 284-9171 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: "Rick Thompson" Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 17:27:54 -0500 To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Subject: meassage Cc: thompson@boba.mayo.edu (Rick Thompson) Greetings, I just recently joined this newsgroup and read the last few months worth of postings. Cool Stuff! And very helpful...I have been thinking about adding a cruise control, a Rifle windshield, and a tank bag for long trips; the various postings have definitely given me food for thought, not to mention a couple of possible solutions. Breif History: I am 37 years old, father of two, and am an electronics engineer. The PC is my third bike since I started riding at 19 years old, while stationed in West Germany. That was in 1977, and the bike was a 76 Yamaha RD 250, highly modified into what was then called a "Cafe Racer". After the Air Force, my second bike was a black Suzuki GS 550. Overall PC Experience: Great...I live and ride in Southeastern Minnesota. The summers are very mild (80s) and the spring and fall times are very pleasant, with temps averaging in the 60s to 70s. This part of the country is very rural, with many good roads with low to moderate traffic. Not far is the Mississippi, and a few good river-canyon type roads that are a blast to ride. My one-piece Aerostich suit helps extend my riding season from late March through early December; since the winter local temp can hit -20 F, while my PC sits comfortably in the garage. During the cold months (October, November, March, April) I supplement the Aerostich suit with my ski gear, and can ride quite comfortably for extended periods at temperatures around 20 F. Polypropolene long underwear is the ticket here; it is very good at "wicking" away moisture. It is very light, warm, and comfortable. I wear this stuff skiing, biking, and motorbiking. It can be purchased at any ski (snow) shop for $20-$30 a set, for the good quality stuff. The rest of the winter gear consists of ski socks, gloves, mask, and some type of heavy fleece pullover under the Aerostich. Hondaline Radio: Short windshield..........................Not audible above 55 mph Tall windshield........................... " 65 mph Tall windshield with Saeng Stealth........ " 75 mph Honda could have made the brackets for the radio and amp with a smaller profile, thus not taking up as much trunk space. Hondaline Windshields: Short windshield........For sale, only used one season, $80 or BO. Tall windshield.........Currently on bike, still get some buffeting Saeng Stealth...........Really worked for the wind noise, however, with the tall windshield it was directly in my line of vision. So I have removed it temporarily until I decide what type of windshield to use. Hondaline Front Mud Flap: About $20...extends the front fender down about 3 inches. It is flexible black vinyl, easy to install, and unobtrusive. It does work. I was skeptical at first, but it was recommended to me by another pc800er, and does reduce the amount of spray on the front of the bike. Other 1990 PC800s Around Here: I know of two others in Southeastern Minnesota. One is owned by an engineer at the local IBM plant. He designed and built his own custom rumble seat, that when in the closed position, serves as an additional rider backrest. When closed, the top is finished in fiberglass and looks like it is part of the bike. When opened, it provides much more support for the passenger than the stock backrest. It looks real cool! Other 1989 PC800s Around Here: Again, two that I know of, well make that one. A older gentlemen just traded his in to the dealer for a 94 PC. He is 80 years old, and has been buying a new Honda every year since that dealership was opened in the late 50s. The 89 PC, now sitting at the dealer, is tagged at $4600, and has about 8K miles. Major Gripes: Number One...Not only will the kickstand not keep the bike upright on asphalt, even a moderately warm day, but neither will the centerstand. I have full coverage insurance with a $250 deductible. One summer day, I lost my metal plate (electrical outlet cover) and thought that the centerstand would work. Well, it did not. The left crash bar cover was scratched up and the mirror/turn signal assembly was smashed...no damage anywhere else. The mirror assembly was $180 and the crash bar cover was $40. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rick L. Thompson Internet: thompson@mayo.edu Mayo Clinic - Gugg. Bldg. RM 1018-A Phone: (507) 284-4428 Rochester, MN 55905 FAX: (507) 284-9171 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** Date: Sun, 23 Oct 1994 10:34:22 -0400 From: JFMinyard@aol.com To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: meassage Rick L. Thompson writes: >Number One...Not only will the kickstand not keep the bike upright >on asphalt, even a moderately warm day, but neither will the >centerstand. I live in Tennessee where temperatures are considerably warmer in the summer, mid 90's, and I have never experienced the problem you describe. In only a very few instances has my PC even made a mark on the asphalt, without a plate for the sidestand. I have friends whose bikes weigh almost 200 lbs. less than mine who have more problems. Is it possible that due to the milder summers in Minnesota they use a softer composition of asphalt? Anybody else out there with a similar story to contribute? Jim Minyard '90 PC800(modifications in progress) ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: meassage Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 12:25:44 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article JFMinyard@aol.com writes: >Rick L. Thompson writes: >>Number One...Not only will the kickstand not keep the bike upright >>on asphalt, even a moderately warm day, but neither will the >>centerstand. >I live in Tennessee where temperatures are considerably warmer in the summer, >mid 90's, and I have never experienced the problem you describe. In only a >very few instances has my PC even made a mark on the asphalt, without a plate >for the sidestand. I have friends whose bikes weigh almost 200 lbs. less >than mine who have more problems. Is it possible that due to the milder >summers in Minnesota they use a softer composition of asphalt? Anybody else >out there with a similar story to contribute? >Jim Minyard >'90 PC800(modifications in progress) None of you can beat Phoenix heat! I have been warned about sidestand-sag but have had no disasters to date. I carry a smashed aluminum can for that purpose but have not had too much use for it. My parking at work is covered and is a concrete slab. At the local dealership, they have some ~6' strips of metal (roof flashing, I think) which they place strategically in the parking lot. At first I didn't get it but when I saw a line of bikes in place, it was obvious. I agree with Jim that the mix of the asphalt must vary from climate to climate accounting for your experience. Sorry to hear about the bike damage. The outlet cover is a good solution. I put a string on my smashed can to make it easier to pick up after I straighten the bike up. The outlet cover should have a couple of holes in it that can be used for that purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: "Rich Stucky" Subject: Intro & Tires Question To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Date: Tue, 25 Oct 94 10:43:43 PDT PC800 I writing to introduce myself as a new sub to the group and ask about tires. My PC800 is about to hit 16,000 miles and I'm in need of new ones. Any suggestions? Most of my riding (90%) is freeway, during my 47 mile each way daily commute. Any comments/suggestions appreciated. Here's my vital stats: Name: Rich Stucky Location: Gilroy, Ca. Email: stucky@twg.com PC Model year (if you have one): '89 Bought Used/New: purchased used 10/93 Modifications made to bike: Larger windshield & Corbin saddle ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk) To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: Intro & Tires Question (from Rich Stucky ) (at Tue, 25 Oct 1994 10:43:43 -0700 (PDT)) Date: Tue, 25 Oct 94 13:10:53 CST Hi Rich (Rich Stucky), in <199410251747.RAA13795@eco.twg.com> on Oct 25 you wrote: > I writing to introduce myself as a new sub to the group > and ask about tires. My PC800 is about to hit 16,000 > miles and I'm in need of new ones. Any suggestions? Metzeler ME33 front, ML2 rear. They won't take you 16k miles, but they stick one heck of a lot better than those factory- supplied Dunlops or even the 'real' Dunlops. Ask Joe Senner about watching my new rear Dunlop wallow all over the place last weekend during the tx.moto DaleFest. :^( I'm going back to an ML2... and I'm keeping my ME33 radial. Kent Polk: Southwest Research Institute Internet : kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: Intro & Tires Question Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 12:43:20 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk) writes: >Hi Rich (Rich Stucky), in <199410251747.RAA13795@eco.twg.com> on Oct 25 you wrote: >> I writing to introduce myself as a new sub to the group >> and ask about tires. My PC800 is about to hit 16,000 >> miles and I'm in need of new ones. Any suggestions? >Metzeler ME33 front, ML2 rear. They won't take you 16k miles, >but they stick one heck of a lot better than those factory- >supplied Dunlops or even the 'real' Dunlops. >Ask Joe Senner about watching my new rear Dunlop wallow all >over the place last weekend during the tx.moto DaleFest. :^( >I'm going back to an ML2... and I'm keeping my ME33 radial. >Kent Polk: Southwest Research Institute >Internet : kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu Welcome Rich. Proving that PC800 is the place to go for great advice. Hey Rich, how did you find out about us? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu From: Jason L Tibbitts III Subject: Re: Intro & Tires Question Date: Tue, 25 Oct 1994 14:57:41 -0500 >>>>> "NT" == Neill Thompson , >>>>> "KP" == kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk): KP> Metzeler ME33 front, ML2 rear. They won't take you 16k miles, but they KP> stick one heck of a lot better than those factory- supplied Dunlops or KP> even the 'real' Dunlops. Kent, how much did you have to pay for this combination? Does the ML2 sit well with the stock front (since it looks like I'll consume a front every 1.5 rears). NT> Welcome Rich. Proving that PC800 is the place to go for great advice. At least on PC800s. No flaming like on wreck.moto. NT> Hey Rich, how did you find out about us? I'm curious, too. I made sure that the list is in all the lists-of-lists, but I haven't been able to evangelize on wreck.moto lately. --- Jason L. Tibbitts III - tibbs@tcamc.uh.edu - 713/743-8687 - 221SR1 System Admin: Texas Center for Advanced Molecular Computation 1994 PC800 "Kuroneko" DoD# 1723 GM/CS/S d--- -p+ c++++ l++ u+++ e+ m---(++) n--- s/-- h* f+ g+ w+ t- r- y+** ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk) To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: Intro & Tires Question (from Jason L Tibbitts III ) (at Tue, 25 Oct 1994 14:57:41 -0500) Date: Tue, 25 Oct 94 15:33:39 CST Hi Jason (Jason L Tibbitts III), in <9410251957.AA29620@tcamc.uh.edu> on Oct 25 you wrote: > KP> Metzeler ME33 front, ML2 rear. They won't take you 16k miles, but they > KP> stick one heck of a lot better than those factory- supplied Dunlops or > KP> even the 'real' Dunlops. > > Kent, how much did you have to pay for this combination? Does the ML2 sit > well with the stock front (since it looks like I'll consume a front every > 1.5 rears). You can get one of three ME33's. The regular, which I don't really recommend unless you are strictly slabbing long miles, maybe... not sticky enough for me but may be for others. The 33 CompK, which is what I ran on my last 4 bikes (last 15 or so years) has plenty of stick and I get around 9k-10k miles out of them on the PC. The 33 Radial, which is very similar to the CompK until you get the thing leaned waaay over, whereupon it becomes quite fun to drag the front crashbar protector covers and fold the pegs all the way up. Note that this requires some suspension mods to be able to retain some semblance of control... The 33's typically run around $130 or so with the std a bit cheaper. The ML2 rear just comes in one flavor unfortunately :^( It isn't as sticky as I'd like, but probably great for most other PC riders (no insult intended). About $140 also. I get about the same mileage out of this on the rear as the ME33 on the front, so I've managed to replace both tires 3 times now in 36k miles (the factory tires weren't burned up when I junked them). I think I have about 2k miles on the current set. Please understand that this included two ~5k trips with a tire-melting run down I10/I8 in 100+ deg. temps (125+ in the shade on I8 one time), which most certainly accellerated tread loss :^( coupled with the fact that I ride these things pretty hard... The ML2 grips right to the edge and breaks loose, which might be a problem with less experienced riders, but I honestly don't think they would be putting a PC in that type of environment. As compared to the Dunlop I'm still running which slides loose under almost any conditions with a simple wrist twist under high torque conditions. I.e. the Dunlop is more predictable, but much less sticky, and most certainly doesn't like to be set loose on the side of the tire (I thought I had put the original cheezy factory shocks back on last weekend - that Dunlop was so squirrely). For upright riding only, IMHO. Save yourself a few bucks and pull the wheels yourself. The front end is a more work than the rear... Just remove two screws at the back of the trunk, pop the taillight panel off and roll the rear wheel out after yanking the axle/brake. Be sure and grease the rear axle to keep it from rusting in place if you ride in the rain a lot like I do (I thought I wasn't gonna get it out of there two tire changes ago). And don't perform this feat in the dark so's you forget to fully tighten the front brake caliper bolts as I did a couple of years ago :^( There's a lot of plastic hiding things that I wish I could keep an eye on easier... :^( > At least on PC800s. No flaming like on wreck.moto. I could fix that if you really want. :^) Kent Polk: Southwest Research Institute Internet : kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 12:40:03 -0400 From: Seekr99999@aol.com To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Cc: Seekr99999@aol.com Subject: New Subscriber A courtesy hello to this mail list. I'm a Pacific Coast prospect who just recently discovered this list. My background. I'm 46, recently divorced, not ridden cycles in 23 years. My mount back then was a Honda CB-360 which I rode all over Utah and Montanna while in the Air Force. Just bought a "re-starter" bike, an '81 Honda CX-500, and I've just taken several hours of private safe rider training from Larry Grodsky. He writes the "Stayn' Safe" column for "RIDER" magazine and lives in Pittsburgh during the warm months. Riding with him was a great experience, btw, and well worth the $35/hour for private lessons. I've found one left over 1994 PC for full list of $6,995 and have leads on two "might be traded in soon" ones from local dealers. Decided that I can't afford an ST-1100 (though I found a lovely used '91 with 5,000 miles for $6,600 and another for $7,000) and the in-line Beemers, 3 or 4 cylinder versions, are also not in the budget. So I'm on a used PC quest and will sit back and learn from you all. Jeff Dunkle [Pittsburgh] ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: Bryce Ulrich To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Date: Thu, 27 Oct 94 11:29:22 TZ Subject: RE: New Subscriber Welcome! I'll do a little selling on the PC for you. It's an AWESOME commuter bike and excellent for day or weekend trips. I find it rides better with two people. The bike seems heavy when you first get on it but once it's in motion you won't realize the weight. Very manuverable and I have little trouble keeping up with my buddies on the curves. If you want all out speed, it's not for you. If you want some great utility for year-round use then the PC is a great buy. If you want to go fast or be real flashy it won't work well for you. My background: I ride year-round here in the Seattle area (15k miles/yr). My car has been parked for over two years so I really need/like the utility of the PC. I can carry groceries, clothes, and just about anything elsesmall enough to wrap your arms around. Most of us on the alias have done a variety of modifications to make the bike more comfortable. I've had a custom intercom/CB setup added as well as a much larger windshield (Rifle) for more weather protection (much quieter too). A Corbin saddle is coming soon. I stay dry in my Aerostitch Gore-Tex suit. I do get a few sneers from my other bike friends about the 'wide-body' of the bike. However I can usually shut them up once I open the large trunk or mention it's as easy to clean as a small car. Best of luck to you and your decision making. The PC is a very unique bike that always turn heads. -bryceu ---------- | From: | To: | Cc: | Subject: New Subscriber | Date: Thursday, October 27, 1994 12:40PM | (5.65/25-eef) | by Post-Office.UH.EDU (PMDF V4.3-8 #8380) | 27 Oct 1994 11:40:44 -0500 (CDT) | 27 Oct 1994 11:39:30 +0600 | 27 Oct 1994 12:40:03 -0400 | | A courtesy hello to this mail list. I'm a Pacific Coast prospect who just | recently discovered this list. My background. I'm 46, recently divorced, | not ridden cycles in 23 years. My mount back then was a Honda CB-360 which I | rode all over Utah and Montanna while in the Air Force. | | Just bought a "re-starter" bike, an '81 Honda CX-500, and I've just taken | several hours of private safe rider training from Larry Grodsky. He writes | the "Stayn' Safe" column for "RIDER" magazine and lives in Pittsburgh during | the warm months. Riding with him was a great experience, btw, and well worth | the $35/hour for private lessons. | | I've found one left over 1994 PC for full list of $6,995 and have leads on | two "might be traded in soon" ones from local dealers. Decided that I can't | afford an ST-1100 (though I found a lovely used '91 with 5,000 miles for | $6,600 and another for $7,000) and the in-line Beemers, 3 or 4 cylinder | versions, are also not in the budget. | | So I'm on a used PC quest and will sit back and learn from you all. | | Jeff Dunkle | | [Pittsburgh] | | ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: RE: New Subscriber Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 11:53:36 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article Bryce Ulrich writes: [snip of owner rave (which I agree with totally)] >Best of luck to you and your decision making. The PC is a very unique >bike that always turn heads. >-bryceu Here, I am afraid I have to part ways with you. Sometimes, I am sitting at a light and the dweeb in the car next to me is paying no attention to my bike at all. I expect them to be gaping, pointing, and drooling. "Hey dear, get an eyefull of that wild looking bike there. I've never seen a bike quite like that." It often fails to happen! I just can't understand it but it seems as though a portion of the population just doesn't care that much about motorcycles. Sometimes, you can even see it in the way they drive. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: New Subscriber Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 14:13:33 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article Seekr99999@aol.com writes: >I've found one left over 1994 PC for full list of $6,995 and have leads on >two "might be traded in soon" ones from local dealers. Decided that I can't >afford an ST-1100 (though I found a lovely used '91 with 5,000 miles for >$6,600 and another for $7,000) and the in-line Beemers, 3 or 4 cylinder >versions, are also not in the budget. I did some digging and found the October '93 cycle World which reviews the Pacific Coast for '94. It shows the list price as $6499.00 (page 37). I saw my PC advertised for $5895 in July of this year. We ended up at $5688.78 (plus freight, tax and license). A call to American Honda (310) 783-2000 verified the '94 price and told me that the '95 price is $7499.00. A sales person at my local dealership said that the '95 was exactly like the '94. American Honda said that there were minor differences to improve the fit and finish of the body. That may be marketing slime talk aimed at partial justification of the $1000.00 price increase. I predict that this price increase will pull the price on the used market up slightly. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk) To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: New Subscriber (from nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson)) (at Thu, 27 Oct 1994 14:13:33 +0000) Date: Thu, 27 Oct 94 16:40:08 CST Hi Neill (Neill Thompson), in on Oct 27 you wrote: [...] > verified the '94 price and told me that the '95 price is $7499.00. A > sales person at my local dealership said that the '95 was exactly like the > '94. American Honda said that there were minor differences to improve the fit > and finish of the body. That may be marketing slime talk aimed at partial > justification of the $1000.00 price increase. > > I predict that this price increase will pull the price on the used market up > slightly. And kill the new PC800 market. All that talk about black selling better than red or white, etc.. ha. The reason the PC was orginally a sales flop was that Honda was asking too much for the bike. I've had four different dealers tell me the same story. (Ready?) When the PC was introduced at somewhere around $7800 (forgot what it was) it didn't sell well. Honda went to the dealers. "What can we do to help move this thing?" Dealers: "Drop the price". Honda - no response. This went on repeatedly for the first two years. Honda, for whatever reason (and they very well may have had one) refused to listen and kept trying to discuss programs, etc. Dealers told Honda there simply wasn't enough bike there for the price they were asking and that consumers (most of them) knew it. In '92, Honda started moving all those unsold crated PC800's to specific dealerships around the country and dropped the price to get rid of them. Guess what? As word got around that they were selling out of the crate for ~$5k, dealers couldn't keep them around. Dealers said 'See? We told you so." Honda appeared to have learned a lesson for '94 by looking at the list price, but if it's going back up to over $7k, I think that means Honda had a little memory loss. Face it, what bike is there is basically pretty sound, but it ain't worth over $6k IMHO... Another $1k and you find yourself in the realm of real sport-tourers... I came pretty darned close to picking up a brand new K75 for $6800 when I found my PC for $5k. If they had been the same price, I wouldn't be driving a PC800 right now. Kent Polk: Southwest Research Institute Internet : kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: New Subscriber Date: Fri, 28 Oct 1994 08:53:49 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article Seekr99999@aol.com writes: >I've found one left over 1994 PC for full list of $6,995 and have leads on >two "might be traded in soon" ones from local dealers. Decided that I can't >afford an ST-1100 (though I found a lovely used '91 with 5,000 miles for >$6,600 and another for $7,000) and the in-line Beemers, 3 or 4 cylinder >versions, are also not in the budget. >So I'm on a used PC quest and will sit back and learn from you all. HSTA newsletter 'STAReview' Classified Ad: FOR SALE: 1990 PC 800, nice condition, 15k+ miles, $3950.00 Michael Rybikowsky, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622, 301/934-9695 (3/3) I believe that the (3/3) indicates that this is the third issue (of three) that the ad has run in. I am guessing by the ZIP that Charlotte Hall is in eastern Maryland which would put it in the 6 hour drive from P'burgh. That may be a bit far but if nothing else, perhaps it is a market insight. Perhaps you may arrange to meet mid-way. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: "Rich Stucky" Subject: Re: Intro & Tires Question To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Date: Fri, 28 Oct 94 10:38:04 PDT >>>>>> "RS" == stucky@twg.com (Rich Stucky) >>>>>> "NT" == Neill Thompson , >>>>>> "KP" == kent@eaenki.nde.swri.edu (Kent Polk): > >KP> Metzeler ME33 front, ML2 rear. They won't take you 16k miles, but they >KP> stick one heck of a lot better than those factory- supplied Dunlops or >KP> even the 'real' Dunlops. > >Kent, how much did you have to pay for this combination? Does the ML2 sit >well with the stock front (since it looks like I'll consume a front every >1.5 rears). >RS>Another question. The local cycle shop says the ME33 aren't >RS>available in the size I currently have on my PC800. >RS> >RS>On my 89 PC800 - 120/80/17 Front >RS> 140/80/15 Rear >RS> >RS>They have the radial ME33 in a 120/70/17. Will that work? Do I >RS>need to change my rear to compensate? Thanks for the help. > >NT> Welcome Rich. Proving that PC800 is the place to go for great advice. > >At least on PC800s. No flaming like on wreck.moto. > >NT> Hey Rich, how did you find out about us? > >I'm curious, too. I made sure that the list is in all the lists-of-lists, >but I haven't been able to evangelize on wreck.moto lately. >RS>One of the guys in my office found you on one of the moto lists >RS>and brought the group to my attention. >RS>Rich ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Re: Honda SOHC/4 Owners Group Date: Fri, 28 Oct 1994 15:13:34 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article <38olph$r8@delphinium.cig.mot.com> soliday_john@macmail1.cig.mot.com (John Soliday) writes: > Honda SOHC/4 Owners Group > General Information 5/2/94 >Benefits: Membership i.d. number. E-mail/snail mail list of members. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Oooooh!!! Numbers, what a great idea!!! Why didn't we think of that? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" ------------------------------------------------------------------- ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 14:42:21 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Ledet Subject: voltage regulator To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Can anyone out there tell me where to find the voltage regulator on my '89 pc800? My lights keep flaring up and I think it may be partly attributable to a faulty regulator. I'd like to hear back from someone as soon as possible please. Thank you, Paul ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: voltage regulator Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 16:45:27 -0500 From: Jason L Tibbitts III >>>>> "PL" == Paul Ledet writes: PL> Can anyone out there tell me where to find the voltage regulator on my PL> '89 pc800? Let's see. Regulator is on page 15-5 of the service manual. It's under the left front panel, just forward of the front fuse block. Both a four pin and a six pin connector plug into it. If you want specs I can type them in for you. If you would like, I could fax you the pages from the manual on Monday. Heck, I might scan them and put them up for FTP (though that might run afoul of certain lawyers). --- Jason L. Tibbitts III - tibbs@tcamc.uh.edu - 713/743-8687 - 221SR1 System Admin: Texas Center for Advanced Molecular Computation 1994 PC800 "Kuroneko" DoD# 1723 GM/CS/S d--- -p+ c++++ l++ u+++ e+ m---(++) n--- s/-- h* f+ g+ w+ t- r- y+** ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 16:04:35 -0700 (PDT) From: Paul Ledet Subject: Re: voltage regulator To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Cc: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Thanks for the directions Jason. I would appreciate the fax at 604 652 4401 BTW where did you get the service manual. The local cycle shop says they aren't available. Paul On Sat, 29 Oct 1994, Jason L Tibbitts III wrote: > >>>>> "PL" == Paul Ledet writes: > > PL> Can anyone out there tell me where to find the voltage regulator on my > PL> '89 pc800? > > Let's see. Regulator is on page 15-5 of the service manual. > > It's under the left front panel, just forward of the front fuse block. > Both a four pin and a six pin connector plug into it. > > If you want specs I can type them in for you. If you would like, I could > fax you the pages from the manual on Monday. Heck, I might scan them and > put them up for FTP (though that might run afoul of certain lawyers). > --- > Jason L. Tibbitts III - tibbs@tcamc.uh.edu - 713/743-8687 - 221SR1 > System Admin: Texas Center for Advanced Molecular Computation > 1994 PC800 "Kuroneko" DoD# 1723 GM/CS/S > d--- -p+ c++++ l++ u+++ e+ m---(++) n--- s/-- h* f+ g+ w+ t- r- y+** > > > ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: voltage regulator Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 18:09:21 -0500 From: Jason L Tibbitts III [Still of general interest.] >>>>> "PL" == Paul Ledet writes: PL> Thanks for the directions Jason. Sure. PL> I would appreciate the fax at 604 652 4401 OK, I'll send it Monday. PL> BTW where did you get the service manual. The local cycle shop says PL> they aren't available. I bought it from the dealer when I bought my bike. It cost about $55. I think the part number is 61MR502. Is it true that it's not available? If so, then perhaps judicious scanning of pages would be called for. --- Jason L. Tibbitts III - tibbs@tcamc.uh.edu - 713/743-8687 - 221SR1 System Admin: Texas Center for Advanced Molecular Computation 1994 PC800 "Kuroneko" DoD# 1723 GM/CS/S d--- -p+ c++++ l++ u+++ e+ m---(++) n--- s/-- h* f+ g+ w+ t- r- y+** ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** Date: Sun, 30 Oct 1994 01:18:40 -0500 From: JFMinyard@aol.com To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: voltage regulator Jason Tibbitts writes: >PL> BTW where did you get the service manual. The local cycle shop says >PL> they aren't available. >I bought it from the dealer when I bought my bike. It cost about $55. Jason, you had better be careful what you buy at that dealer. I picked up my manual for about $30, however it was already in stock and just sitting there in the display case tempting me. I resisted paying what I considered a slightly inflated price for three visits but finally couldn't take the chance that someone else might snap it up. I suppose that the extended period it was on the shelf might have something to do with the price being lower. OBPC800 prices: I noticed that there were several messages concerning new bike prices. The local dealer where I got my '90 has a '94 "on sale" for $6999 and an '89 with 5500 miles for $4400. Jim Minyard '90 PC800 ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Cc: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu Subject: Re: voltage regulator Date: Sun, 30 Oct 1994 09:48:51 -0600 From: Jason L Tibbitts III >>>>> "JM" == JFMinyard writes: JM> Jason, you had better be careful what you buy at that dealer. Yeah, I know $55 is a bunch to pay for that manual. Unfortunately, that's Honda's list price. This dealer has always given me good, personal service and continually has parties and rides and such for local riders. Sometimes it's worth it to pay more. I could have paid $6499 for my '94 from a dealer across town, but when I went in to buy that treated me like a kid who came to gawk. I was not impressed, so I went to another dealer and paid $6850 from a dealer who actually wanted to sell me something. Honda's list was $6999 at the time. JM> OBPC800 prices: I noticed that there were several messages concerning JM> new bike prices. The local dealer where I got my '90 has a '94 "on JM> sale" for $6999 and an '89 with 5500 miles for $4400. So the speculation of the increase in used market prices seems to be true. Ugh. At least I already have one... --- Jason L. Tibbitts III - tibbs@tcamc.uh.edu - 713/743-8687 - 221SR1 System Admin: Texas Center for Advanced Molecular Computation 1994 PC800 "Kuroneko" DoD# 1723 GM/CS/S d--- -p+ c++++ l++ u+++ e+ m---(++) n--- s/-- h* f+ g+ w+ t- r- y+** ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** From: "Rich Stucky" Subject: Re: Help with Tires To: pc800@tcamc.uh.edu Date: Mon, 31 Oct 94 9:01:09 PDT The local cycle shop says the ME33 radial isn't available in the size I currently have on my PC800. On my 89 PC800 - 120/80/17 Front 140/80/15 Rear They have the radial ME33 in a 120/70/17. Will that work? Do I need to change my rear tire to compensate? P.S. I sent this e-mail to the group Friday & rec'd no replies....is my e-mail not getting through? Does no one have an answer for me? Help!!!! Rich ********** MESSAGE SEPARATOR ********** To: pc800@sina.tcamc.uh.edu From: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com (Neill Thompson) Subject: Price points and hidden agenda Date: Mon, 31 Oct 1994 10:56:33 Cc: nthompso@az15eh09.iac.honeywell.com In article Jason L Tibbitts III writes: >I could have paid $6499 for my '94 from a dealer across town, but when I >went in to buy that treated me like a kid who came to gawk. I was not >impressed, so I went to another dealer and paid $6850 from a dealer who >actually wanted to sell me something. Honda's list was $6999 at the time. I called Honda America and they told me that the list for '94 was $6499 and for '95 it is $7499. They never allowed for list price being $6999 at any time. I don't know where this price comes from but this is the second time it has come up. The only thing that I can figure is that they had a mid-year price change and the customer service rep that I was talking to did not have that in his records. I think I posted the Honda America phone number previously and it is in the FAQ. Oh damn, now I've let it slip to the populace. As some of you already know, there is a FAQ. It's very rough, but it's a start. I know from personal experience that it is much easier to be critical of something that exists than it is to create something new. So I would anticipate/welcome alot of feedback, but I am wondering how many times, I can get general review. I want the FAQ to be as representative of our concensus as possible or have editorializations clearly identified. I think this document should be our representative, expressing what we as a group are all about. What is the net-pleasure on the FAQ. Would anybody like a copy of it in it's primitive form? If the response is high enough, I can send it out to the entire list. At present it is about 10 pages long. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neill Thompson 'The Prince of Dorkness' |'82 Honda CM200T Honeywell Inc. 'Helping you control your world' |"Wee Bad" nthompso@csa-dev.iac.honeywell.com (work) |'94 Honda PC800 nthompso@aol.com (home) |"Little Wing" -------------------------------------------------|'94 Ford Ranger DOD 1133 AMA 371208 HRCA HM295612 HSTA 5477|"Kimosabbe" -------------------------------------------------------------------