Kawasaki Concours Forum

Introductions - Tell us a bit about yourself => Introductions => Topic started by: Rubber_Snake on February 01, 2017, 12:32:33 PM

Title: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: Rubber_Snake on February 01, 2017, 12:32:33 PM
Hi all.  I'm newly retired from the CHP, rode motors (Old school Kawi and BMW's) for the department for almost 14 years.  Just picked up a well maintained '09 Connie from my motor sergeant.  Loving this bike so far.  Been lurking here a bit, trying to learn as much as I can about the bike and decided to introduce myself. 

Cheers,

Ray
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: Rubber_Snake on February 01, 2017, 12:56:09 PM
As far as changes, I've ordered a set of Helibars and some Symtec Heated exterior grips, as I'm old and spoiled.  Other than that, the front TPMS battery is low.  I may be spoiled, but I'm not in the habit was wasting money.  I plan on removing the sensor and replacing the battery rather than spending $200 for a new one plus labor to register...
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: gPink on February 01, 2017, 01:11:35 PM
Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 01, 2017, 01:52:44 PM
Welcome!   Where did you get the Symtec grips?
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: pacman1 on February 01, 2017, 03:19:36 PM
Welcome from another newb.
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: tweeter55 on February 01, 2017, 06:02:39 PM
Welcome   :chugbeer:  to the forum, Rubber_Snake!!!
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: Rubber_Snake on February 01, 2017, 09:49:09 PM
@Virginia Jim.  I found the grips at Revzilla.  $104 I think.  Sounds like the reviews are pretty good on them. 

Took her out for a little ride today.  Man, I LOVE the power.  Handling is excellent.  I really wish our department could've kept the contract for these.  Luckily, I was able to keep the last BMW and stay off those Harley's...
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: Hooligan on February 01, 2017, 09:53:15 PM
Welcome to the forum, and enjoy the read. There is a great amount of information readily available here, along with lots of experts, should you find yourself in a pinch..... :D
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: SofaKingFast on February 02, 2017, 05:57:56 PM
Welcome, Rubber_Snake!   8)
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: O.C. on February 03, 2017, 02:39:13 AM
Welcome along Ray  :) 
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: kwakrider on February 03, 2017, 03:34:37 AM
Welcome! :)
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: Rubber_Snake on February 10, 2017, 03:25:47 PM
So I installed the Helibars.  Pretty straightforward. Adding the hydraulic line extenders and bleeding the brakes was the worst part, but now it is so much more comfortable.  I installed the Symtec exterior heated grips last night.  I thought the reason for using the heat shrink tubing on the clutch side was for adhesion, not heat dissipation and I left it off.  When I turned them on, the left grip would just barely heat up.  I realized that the heat must be dissipating into the bars...  So this morning, I added the tube and now both grips heat very nicely. 
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: Rubber_Snake on February 10, 2017, 03:29:49 PM
Here's a pic:

(Pay no attention to the dirty garage). It's on my "to do" list...
Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: Rubber_Snake on February 10, 2017, 03:48:18 PM
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I was able to get to both the front and rear TPMS sensors using the "clamp method" to break the beads and gain access.  I bought some 2032 batteries with tabs for soldering from digikey (cheap price, expensive shipping) and soldered them in place.  Both now register pressures in about 300 feet of riding. 

Thanks to B.D.F.'s posting in April of 2014...

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16850.15 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16850.15)

Title: Re: Hi everyone. I'm Ray...aka Rubber_Snake
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 10, 2017, 06:12:52 PM
@Virginia Jim.  I found the grips at Revzilla.  $104 I think.  Sounds like the reviews are pretty good on them. 

Took her out for a little ride today.  Man, I LOVE the power.  Handling is excellent.  I really wish our department could've kept the contract for these.  Luckily, I was able to keep the last BMW and stay off those Harley's...

Thanks, I think I found the issue with my right glove.  Bad connector coming from the Gerbing liner.  Darn right glove wasn't heating up.