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Display Mesage #93365


I'm one of you now!
Written by dave_hiett on 5/21/2010 at 06:09 pm

Karen, welcome to this crazy but useful group.

Before continuing: DON"T FORGET TO NAME YOUR BIKE! That way, we'll know you're
gonna keep it. Kinda like a puppy that way.

1. Manual - Others have offered hard copies, but here's the online version
thanks, I believe, to Leland:

http://www.directcon.net/lcshepp/PC800ShopManual.html

2. Helmet Lock - I have a rack and trunk, and placed a couple of simple hooks on
the bottom of the trunk. But you got to have a rack and trunk for the way I did
it.

3. My luggage rack is a Givi, perhaps they still make it. Anyway, check in the
message archives, there has been a lot on this subject.

4. Tank Bag - as several others have mentioned, just JB Weld steel washers to
the underside of that tank.

5. Getting to the engine - not hard; but be careful, take your time, and don't
force the tupperware or lose the hardware. The manual helps but watch this site,
and get with your fellow PC riders who can show you a few tricks.

6. Gas tank / range: Theoretically 4.2 gal, but I filled up with 4.24 once. I
learned to watch the guage. When the needle gets just past the dark space
between white line and start of the red, you have about a gallon left. My best
has been 56 mpg, worst (at sustained 80+mph) has been 38, ave. about 48. But
watch the guage and you'll be all right.

7. Crash bars / highway pegs: you can do the highway pegs OK, they attach to the
frame just in front of the fairing protectors. But crash bars don't work on the
PC, too much plastic in the way. Don't crash.

I think that was it. Good luck, enjoy your PC and ride safe. And remember, all
this advice from me and everyone else is worth every penny you pay for it.

Dave Hiett
'90 PC800 'Happy Dog'
'94 GL1500 'Lucy'


--- In ipcrc@yahoogroups.com, Karen Boehler <karen_boehler@...> wrote:
>
> PCers:
>
> My black, 1995 PC arrived on my doorstep this afternoon (late, but better late
than never), and I've had a chance to make a quick run into town (about 14 miles
round trip.) Tomorrow, I'll head 75 miles west to the AspenCash Motorcycle Rally
in Ruidoso, so I'll have a little better chance to assess what I like and have
questions about.
>
> For now though, a few initial questions.
>
> First, the former owner could NOT find the manual. Is it on line or does
anyone have one they'd like to sell me? (Is the manual one of the things I can
order from the "Order a Shop Manual" link?) Some of my questions are going to
sound stupid, because the answers are probably in the manual, but since I don't
have one, I'll ask. (And in no particular order.)
>
> No helmet lock? Does anyone make an aftermarket one, or do I just have to
attach a carabiner to the grab handles?
>
> It does NOT have a rack. I saw two in the links section, althoiugh I can't
seem to find them now. Are both still made? One better than the other? Others?
>
> Biggest disappointment is that the tank's plastic. :-( I just bought a
beautiful magnetic tank bag. It DOES change over to strap if I can find the
straps, but WHERE do I hook them? I LOVE the plastic, but is there a way to get
the front strap around the front fork? And how the heck do I get the seat off to
attach the bottom straps?
>
> In fact, how do I get to ANYTHING in the engine? (I know my mechanic knows,
and I'll mostly let him do stuff, but I don't like to be totally ignorant.)
>
> LOVE the self-cancelling turn signals. Haven't had those since my BMW. Also
the kickstand switch. That's cool! (Esp. for someone who tends to ride off with
the stand down.)
>
> Do gotta get used to the lean (the Connie sits almost straight up) but I like
that once it's leaned, it doesn't go any further.)
>
> It's missing one of the bar ends. Are those stock or how do I get just one?
>
> Gas mileage and tank size? NO idea what to expect. With all the plastic, I'm
guessing there isn't a reserve, but maybe I'm wrong. If there isn't, is the gas
gauge accurate, and since I live in the land of VERY LONG ROADS with no gas
stations for 60-100 miles, at what point should I say, "OK, STOP and fill up?"
(And remember, I'm used to a Connie with a 7.2 gal tank and 300+ mile range.)
>
> I'm going to think about the windshield. It's definitely taller than that on
my Connie or SilverWing, but I can just peep over and I'm going to have to see
how it does on the road (tomorrow) and at night. (I've got bad night vision, so
need bright lights and a clear view ahead.)
>
> Speaking of which, how bright is the headlight? I saw some chatter about
bulbs, and the Connie had the electrical upgrade for the big bright bulb. (Can't
remember the wattage.)
>
> It was still not as good as the Wing at night, so if it's a Honda vs. Kawasaki
thing, I'm hoping I'll be OK with whatever's in it.
>
> Oh, and crash bars/road pegs. I saw the Mick-O-Pegs in the database, but
$299!!!!!! I'm a poor person. :-( And I want something that will save the
plastic when I do inevitably drop it at low speeds.
>
> Suggestions?
>
> It is smooth, and I love the way it sounds (SO quiet) and rides. Obviously
I'll know more tomorrow, but whoever said it was top heavy hasn't ridden a
Connie. Even the gas rides lower in the PC, and I feel MUCH more comfortable at
slow speeds and going around corners. I'm also sitting a bit lower, which makes
me more comfortable at stops.
>
> Whew!!!
>
> I said just a few questions <g>, so I'll stop now. But I AM going to the MC
rally tomorrow, so if anyone has suggestions for stuff I could get there, let me
know.
>
> Oh, I AM digest impaired, so if you want to e-mail me directly, or copy your
post, that would help.
>
> See what you're getting into with me on your list?
>
> KAB
> Roswell, NM
>
> ?Never underestimate the power of blind faith. It can manifest in ways that
bend the laws of physics or break them entirely.? "True Blood," Aug. 30, 2009
>

Message Thread for message #93365