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La Mesa Mike

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Posts posted by La Mesa Mike

  1. Posted

    Take a look at CRF230, TTR230   All well within your price range, better for the vertically challenged,  and much lighter than the DRZ/XR

    great bikes, that will require minimum maintenance and a great step up from the TW.  They will take you anywhere you want to go, and beg for more.

    If you are patient, you will even find a plated one in your price range.

     

    Cheers,

    Mike

     

  5. Posted

    23 hours ago, Bagstr said:

    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1D79U7nL4M3OG8s3hpb-x0S8cLGMtUE4r&usp=sharing

    Pine Valley to Indian Protrero Trail.  Park at the Post office in PV, pavement to Pine Creek, turns into jeep road. View in Satellite or Terrain. Starts as single paved lane then at top of first canyon turns to forest road as you turn north off pavement. Hard right at second summit marked by single large Oak. Top of Portrero is beautiful mixed Pine/Conifer forest. I would turn around at the forest as the drop to Sunrise Hwy is loose and rutted in places.

    The pavement has little traffic but occasional truck coming at you!

    If brave enough to drop onto Sunrise, you can travel north up to the gate opposite Lucky 5 Ranch Rd. and travel a somewhat slick DG two track over to a desert view. ( Dead End )

    Have Fun

    I like this run as well, I did part of Pine Creek with Uncle Champ's ride recently, and I think it would be a good road for them.  To get to Indian Indian Potrero Rd from Pine Creek Rd, do you just take Deer Park Rd alongside the Creek?  Or do you need to take Pine Creek Rd to Sunrise, then North to Indian Potrero?

     

    I guess at some point, we just need to "start exploring" and figure it out ourselves.  

     

    Thanks for the route, we will check this one out as well.

     

    Mike

     

  6. Posted

    22 hours ago, Wierdrider said:

    Viegas Grade to Boulder Creek to Cedar Creek tt to Eagle Peak road and then back on Boulder Creek again unless you want slab through Cuyamaca’s. All graded except Cedar Creek tt. 

    This sounds promising, I'm looking at google maps, is Cedar Creek TT the road that heads NW from the Three Sisters Falls Trailhead, and connects to Eagle Peak?  Would it be advisable to take Boulder Creek, to Eagle Peak, then Cedar Creek TT back to Boulder Creek? 

    Also, further down Eagle Peak, it looks like it connects to Tule Springs Rd, and that heads east back to Boulder Creek, Is that doable?  that would be about a 40 mile loop from that start of the Dirt at Boulder Creek.

    Also, I'm wondering where to park, I could skip the Viejas part and paved Boulder road and it looks like there is a graded turnout area just after Boulder Creek turns to a dirt road, is ok to park there?

     

    Once again, I'm trying to keep this to Dirt only, or as little asphalt as possible, and I would need a place to park truck/trailer as well.

     

    Thanks so much for the Ideas thus far, and If anyone wants to join us, We will be doing it this Saturday.  Just be ready to go S L O W, as I will have 3 guys that used to ride (Mostly street from what I can tell) with me.

     

  7. Posted

    Hey folks, I have a few friends that are just getting back into riding, I'd like to take them out this weekend and would like some input on an easy dirt road to ride.  I'd prefer a loop, but out and back is OK.

     

    I'm looking for 30-50 miles, Dirt, mostly graded road, as I'd like them to ease back into riding.  All the bikes are plated, but I'd prefer as little pavement as possible.  I can trailer the bikes as needed.

     

    Thanks for any Ideas.

     

    Mike

     

  14. Posted

    Mounted the rear tire (by hand), Installed new brake pads,  figured out the wiring.  Headlight, stoplight, running lights, turn signals and horn working.  Waiting on the mailman for the front tire and then it should be streetable enough to get to the dirt.

    The turn signal I got were some little LED strips that are not worth it.  Can only see them at night, but hey, they are on there and I hope it's legal enough.  If not, I'll add some others.

     

    Think I'll take it to McCain valley next weekend and start working on slow speed skills: balance, figure 8's etc just to get used to being on a bike again.

     

    Cheers,

    Mike

     

     

  16. Posted

    Hey all, 

    Valve adjustment done, rear fender installed, Ordered & received turn signals, and boots off Amazon.  Getting closer to riding this thing!

    I just read the post about 8 ball tire, Is it worth it to take them my bike and have them mount the tires, or should I go for it myself?  How much trouble is mounting off road tires on a dirt bike with 2 spoons and a trashcan to set the rim on?

    I have the rear tire, front arrives next week, so I'll either be doing it after work at night, or just running them over to 8 ball towards the end of the week.

    This bike has a Baja Designs headlight, and switches, but the turn signals are missing.  I also noticed there is a place for a fuse near the battery that's missing as well as some plugs near the headlight are undone.  So my project tonight/tomorrow is to read up on Baja Design installation and try to figure out what I need to do to mount the turn signals and get it street legal so I can at least get some seat time on it this week.

    Going shooting Sunday, so I better get busy!!

     

    Cheers,

    Mike

     

  17. Posted

    Took the head off today,  Documenting this here in case I lose my spreadsheet.  Intake: Left 1.7, Right 1.8  Exhaust: Left 2.35, Right 2.30

    Now both intakes are .005 and exhaust a slightly tight .011  Good enough!!

     

    Did some more research last night, Buying cutters is super expensive and not worth it for a home mechanic only working on his own stuff.  To purchase the K/W SS valve kit (200.00) + pay someone to cut valve seats (~120)  + shipping and whatever gaskets etc are needed hardly seems worth it when plenty of people are selling complete rebuilt heads for under 500.00  They must have it down to a science!.

    I guess I'll put 20-30 hours and check the valves again. If they tighten up, then I'll debate the new cylinder head.   for now, there is still plenty of adjustment to go.

  18. Posted

    Just checked my valves, intakes are .0035 left and .0025 right.  exhaust were both .008.  

    .005 +/- .001 is spec for intake and .011 is spec for exhaust.

    Need to pull the head off (tomorrow) and see what size shims they were using, hopefully stock.  if so, I can shim it out and get a bit more time on the head.

    I'd still like to know whats down the road ahead though.  Eventually, the valve job is coming.  If I order a the kibblewhite rebuild kit, what else is there to do?  re-cut the seats and...?  The rest I can do at home?

    Anyone have any idea what size and angle the valves are? (I have a cutter kit for my VW heads, and wondering if I can cut them myself).

    Advise is welcomed.

     

    Cheers,

    Mike

  20. Posted

    Hello SDAR,

    My name is Mike, I just turned 51, and for my birthday I went and bought a 2004 CRF250X. (Plated)...

    I grew up riding dirt bikes, Quit when I joined the Navy at 18, (rode street for many years), and sold my last street bike (GSXR 750) just over 10 years ago.  Needless to say, the itch is still there.  

    Talking to a couple of buddies of mine that rode as youngsters, we decided we'd all buy bikes to play with, and I'm the first to jump in.

     Like I said, it's been a while, so I thought I'd start small, then decide about getting a larger bike.  I'm too old to race and do jumps and crazy kid stuff, but still interested in riding trails and maybe even trying some trials type riding (it don't hurt as much when you fall at <5mph).

    I bought a Helmet, ordered some tires, maintenance stuff and a new rear fender for the bike, and even scored a Leatt 4.5 body armor off Amazon dirt cheap!  ($77.44!!)

    I need to check the valves, mount the new tires, get some turn signals, buy boots and knee protection, and then I believe I'll be ready to start riding.

    Hopefully,  I'll get it all done in the next 2 weeks and then I'll venture out on my own some to get the bugs and my kinks worked out.  After that, I'll start trying to join some of the runs you guys host and get to know the active folks.

     

    That's plenty for now.

    Cheers!

    Mike in La Mesa 

     

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