Dad Fun Rides and Stuff: Ruby

Pics are from top to bottom, text for a pic is under it, click on a pic for a larger view.

Well, I've looked for a while for a new scoot, and I've come to the momentous conclusion that, it's me and Ruby to the end!!!! Love the Ol' Gal!!!! As I'm apt to say, "love the one you're with"!!!!    GBG

First on the agenda was new cam chain extenders, my chains had stretched to the limit and I heard the buzzing in Tyler, Tx, yeah, furthest possible from home!!! But they are known to Vuican Riders, and I had an old set I got years ago from Snake (RIP), he made 'um. They save an engine tear down and give the motor many more miles!!! The buzzing Ya hear is the chain trying to eat spark plug tubes.. If they go long enough you start getting oil on your plugs..... Link: Cam Chain Extender Fix

Gotta tell Ya, on a stock scoot, they are a real PITA!! Luckily I have a great bike shop and I got it done at their place. Sporttech Cycles 408 225 9800 Tell 'um Cranky with the red Nomad sent Ya!!! Good folks!!! Ya might have to say Bill Snodgrass, don't think they know my 'nic...

Next, is time to spend a few bucks, I've always hated the trunk as it's a cheap POS off ebay and way flimsy and rattles when empty.....

Ran across a large HC2900 Saddlemen Link: ( Saddlemen Trunk ) on Craigslist for $60 and a nice ride over to Santa Cruz.    Went and got the new trunk on Ruby and the guy wanted to know how I was gonna get 'er home... Sat it on the bottom and strapped 'er to Ruby's passenger seat and off we went!!! GBG

Ordered a Wompus Link: (    Wompus Racks )        , one of the finest in the business and the owner is a friend and VROC (Vulcan Riders and Owners Club - I ride one) member, all pluses!!!

Well, we DO have to have a "before", eh? GBG Notice the Ugly (that's U as in long U) rack and trunk!!! Always hated 'um!

Had to clean the Ol' Gal up a tad, just got back from 4K miles to Texas in 12 days, yeah, lota freeway running! Not much out in that area road wize..... Link: Texas Hill Country Ride
.... well.. LOTSA bugs!!! Especially KalEfornYa central valley!

New (cheap) 'ting 'a beauty!!!! GBG The latch had a tad of play so I put some heat shrink on the latch peg to tighten it up and make sure no rattles!!

I put a piece of thin rubber to line the bottom.....

That screw holds it to the base plate, some blue loctite is in order!!!

..... and a tab on the other end. It had a tad of play so I wrapped the end with an old bike inner tube piece!!! Gee, I just happened to have one laying around!!! GBG

Step, ok - not 1, but had to get the old trunk off!!! Good Riddance!!! Of course, the seats and bags were gone by then...

Wompus is gonna #$%)*!#$%* when he sees 4 holes!!! I drilled the second one in on the right, I thought I had to have it next to the fender, not outside the frame... sigh...

Ok, haven't used this BBQ brush for years, found a good reason! Got that 4th screw out and lined up the side of the rack. The other side was sticking out in space!!! The stinkin' thing was supposed to be on the outside of the frame!!! $%^)$#*!#$)%!^* Put the back screw in.... badly, but in, and put the rack where it belonged! $)*%^$%)*^!$#