Product Review: Rhinowalk 20L Motorcycle Bag

 While obviously a less expensive version of the high dollar bags sold by a brand that rhymes with Briega, the Rhinowalk 20L offers a lot of storage and usable features for a very small price tag. I picked this up from Amazon for under $50. You can even get a model with yellow panels instead of black.

I put the bag through about 3 hours of riding in the rain a few weeks ago, as well as almost 1,300 miles of riding over 5 days. It definitely outperformed it's small price tag.  For me, it held enough clothes and supplies for the trip, including a lightweight sleeping bag, and camp mats.  I did have to lash on an extra bag to carry my shoes since I prefer not to walk around like Frankenstein's Monster while off the bike.  If the weather would have been more consistent, I could have fit everything but when dealing with days that may have a 28 degree temperature swing, you have to be prepared!

I did see some strain on the extra lashing loops, but I had the external bag on there very tight.  Other than that, it performed flawlessly. It took me a bit to figure out the best spots for the loop straps but once I found that, it's easy to remove and mount. I realize my bike isn't the target audience but with the straps, you should be able to mount this on any motorcycle with some creativity. I do think the straps could be a bit longer and I could see where a bike with a thicker seat may pose a challenge.  

During my riding in the rain, I never saw a single leak. My gear all stayed dry, even in the zip pocket.  However, I did notice you need to be careful when you lash it down as you can press the zipper down and make a nice spot for water to pool up and that would probably get you a wet pocket. 

The rubberized mesh panel grips the body work/seat really well and gives you a space to dry any wet gear.  I used it to hold my camp mat and inflatable pillow. I learned you better put what you need to in the mesh panel before loading the bag otherwise the grippy rubber will make it very difficult to load. 

There aren't many changes I would make but here's my suggestion in case someone from Rhinowalk reads this: 

1. Have each G-Hook be the opposite of it's partner.  That way it's less likely to slip loose. 

2. Beef up the buckles, or even better, use a standard buckles for cross compatibility. 

3. If you use the D loops for a strap and the bag is packed to full, the roll top buckles can pop free. 

4. Add some reflective material, like a Velcro strap so it can be moved as needed. 

5. An external long pocket for a water/fuel bottle would be awesome, maybe as an accessory?

Garage Baptism & Being Honest about your Skillz

 Sometimes... you just need to baptize the garage floor. 

This is what being impatient gets you. Plus, these oil pans suck.

Normally, I use a regular old open oil pan, but mine cracked and I can't remember how it happened.  Did I back over it with my car? Did I drop something on it?  Who knows. Any who, I was going to find an old kitchen bowl when I remembered this oil pan under my work bench.  

I was being impatient, the oil was still very very hot, and I thought I could control the flow.  Narrator: "He could not control the flow.".  The plug popped out, the oil burnt my fingies and my garage floor got a healthy coating of VR1 20w50. I am smart enough to not clean up the oil until the whole process is complete. In positive news, the oil plug was free from shavings and the screen displayed no more slivers of aluminum.  

I took the duc out in the lovely hurricane related rain over the past 2 days to test my gear. I purchased a one piece textile suit (not Aerostich) from eBay.  While comfy, within about a half mile, my arms were already soaked and I could feel water leaking in along the outsides of my legs.  I don't want to mess around with waterproofing spray before my trip, so I got out my Gore-Tex gear from my last trip. That gear worked great in 2022, but I wanted to explore a onesie. One day I'll get a Roadcrafter. 

With the KLIM whatever jacket, and my Aerostich Darien pants, I went back out for another hour+ of riding.  This time, I came home dry, except for the ends of my sleeves, which is to be expected.  If my sleeves would reach over my gloves, that wouldn't be a problem. 

One thing I'm strongly reminding myself of is, that regardless of how many bikes I've owned, and how long it's been since I started riding, I am a new rider.  I only state this due to the long stretches of not riding.  So instead of refreshing my skills, I'm learning them again almost as if from the start.  Being a flat-lander, riding into the mountains on a still relatively new to me bike, has me a bit nervous.  But riding smart, riding my own ride, and trusting my tires, are keys to riding safely.  

There are so many great riding skill resources out there.  I'm a big fan of Canyon Chasers and Moto-Jitsu, and many others.  Although, I'd love to see them try and ride a 900SS in the box, or practice tight u-turns; due to the huge turning radius.  It's like turning a garbage truck with very good brakes.

Stay safe out there. 

Project Odd Duc: Busting Ghosts and Gremlins

 Well, I certainly learned a lot about carbs over the last week.  As mentioned previously, the H cylinder was barely running during the idle circuit but operated fine over about 1500rpm.  I swapped the coils, the ignitors, tested the pick-ups, and replaced the plugs.  No change.  Then I balanced the carbs again. Nothing.  Pulled the carbs, cleaned again, and cleared passages with compressed air.  Verified my jets, checked all o-rings, and the diaphragm.  Still wouldn't run on the H cylinder only. 

Once again, using some random part I saved, to plug the crank case breather hose inlet.

I decided to keep the oil separator box, and just add a breather.

I decided to broaden my web searches and start reading about the mixture screws since it was the only thing left to adjust. Eventually found a few posts on Triumph Rat regarding enrichening the carb until the idle starts to drop, then leaning out a bit.  Interesting....

See, all my previous bikes that actually ran, were inline four cylinders and I always set them back to factory mixture settings assuming they need to be the same.  Well, that's just not the case.  I fired up the Duc, enrichened the H cylinder carb and I'll be damned, it worked.  I could pull the plug wire from the V cylinder and it ran!  I threw in some fresh plugs and went out for a ride.  

Afterwards, the plug on the H cylinder looked about perfect, but the V plug was a bit rich, so I leaned it out about a quarter turn.  I also noticed I have leaky valve stem seals.  While that is supposed to be a quick and relatively easy job, it will have to wait until I pull the engine and do all the top end seals. 

The other day, I reached out to my friend in CT, aka Mr. Wizard and asked for his input on what I had learned about mixture screws and if them being at different ratios was indicative of a carb issue. He said, most multi-cylinder bikes actually rarely have them all at the same setting! *MIND BLOWN* I guess my inline fours were just compensating enough that I never noticed.  Crazy. 

Ride to eat, eat to ride.

Never stop learning, and stay safe out there. 

Product Review: VHT Nite Shades Spray on Tint

 I had been rolling around the idea of ordering a tinted windscreen for the Ducati but they're a bit pricey when they pop up on eBay, and typically arrive from overseas adding to the overall cost.  My original DIY idea was to use something like Plasti-Dip, then I found the VHT Nite Shades spray on tint, typically used for tail lights.  A local auto parts store had one can left, $25 later my project had begun.  

Surface prep is the key, and while I know that fact, sometimes my eagerness overrides it.  I did clean the inside of the windscreen prior with window cleaner and let it dry fully.  But a few wipe downs with alcohol would have been a good second step.   

The application isn't much different than using any other rattle can paint.  Thin layers, with time to dry between (approx 10 min).  It looks terrible at first, but it will get better.  To clarify, I only painted the inside of the screen. 

First coat

This blobby texture will go away.

I think I applied 5 coats total.

I let it cure for about 4 hours, then tested. It was dry to the touch and didn't peel or smudge. There are a few spots that are light than the rest, and one weird line that wouldn't coat but you can't see it from the outside. 

I'm very happy with the results, and maybe I will be able to see the dummy/warning lights during the day now. 

There are a few more reviews on the way, in the meantime, stay safe out there. 

Project Odd Duc: Chasing Gremlins and Ghosts

 Recently, someone commented my bike smelled like it is running rich.  So after my ride, I sat and listened to the bike while it idled.  It sounded... off.  I pulled the front plug wire, minimal change.  Pulled the vertical, dead.  Well, that's not good especially since I wanted to take a multi-day trip next month.  Guess that will have to wait until next year.

After some testing, the horizontal cylinder is running at least poorly, but in order to get the bike to run on the vertical only, I have to have the RPMs above idle.  So, my first guess is the carbs are out of sync somehow, or I didn't do it properly.   If the issue persists after the synch, it could be fuel starvation on the idle circuit, or even a spark issue.  The plugs definitely look like it's running rich, or at least burning oil on both cylinders.

I'd like to rule out as many things as I can before tearing into the carbs.  However someone did mention you can clear the idle circuit by removing the mixture screw and blasting cleaner through there.  If I have to tear into the carbs again, I need to double check the float setting. 

So... the plan of action: 

1. Synch Carbs again

2. Swap Coils

3. Swap Ignitor

4. Remove mixture screw and blast idle circuit

5. Pull carbs

No real work pictures to show, so here are some from my last ride. Heated grips are working great! My new to me tank bag is working much better. However dropping the triple has messed with my posture and that will take some getting used to.   I also tinted the windscreen, but those details are to come in a specific post about that process.  Plus, there is another review on the way for a new action camera mount.  

Stay safe out there. 

Installation: Oxford Vintage Style Heated Grips

 I've had heated grips on every bike, besides my vintage Hondas. Typically, I install the cheap Kimpex set and do all my own wiring with a relay (XJ600 and the Hurricane). But this time, I dropped the coin for a set of the Oxford Vintage Style Heated Grips.  I didn't feel like running all the spaghetti to a relay and distribution blocks.  Plus, these include a sensor that turns off the grips if the voltage drops too low, or if the bike is shut off (after a few minutes).   Installation was simple, remove old grips, run your power feed, install new grips, route wires, test, and zip tie it all. 

Still so easy to work on! 

I'm not a fan of this, but it's better than nothing.

Still plenty of clearance if I have to brake while at WFO (don't do that).

Even after a few seconds on high, they were getting toasty!

I skipped the supplied super glue, and went with a light amount of JB Weld.

I love the retro style! 

I'm hoping to get some commutes in this week, and the morning temps have been nice and low so we'll get to see how they do.  


Stay safe out there.

Project Odd Duc: Make it work

 I think I like "Project Odd Duc", we'll see.  

So...the factory mirrors, in all their rubber accordion glory, are getting pretty impotent in their old age. This is a common problem, often remedied with hose clamps, loctite, and other mods.  Others pull the factory mirrors and opt for bar-end style.  I've never had anything but factory, mounted on the levers style mirrors, until now.  I picked these up from Kemimoto via the AtoZ store, the price was good and they have some good reviews.   Initial inspection looks good, the build quality looks to be beyond their small price point, and the install should have been super easy.  Should have been. 

But there is something about these clip-ons (Woodcraft  I think) that kept spitting out the expansion nut. Had I been using any other type of handlebar or clip-on, this wouldn't have been an issue. No fault of Kemimoto, their supplied hardware was not the problem.

So, with the stock option out of the picture, I tried to come up with other solutions. Flying by the seat of my pants and creative problem solving has become a garage honed skill.  My first plan was to use the hardware from an old set of bar ends, but that didn't work.  As frustration mounted and thoughts of returning them started to sprout, I thought about printing a new rubber expansion piece.  Then my friends, then I remembered that I try to never throwaway a piece or part that may be useful in the future.  Yes, this is a reoccurring theme.

By mixing both the factory bar end, hardware from the old bar-ends, and a 3D printed flexible riser, I was able to make a working solution.  Add a little hairspray in the tube for slip-n-grip, and we were all set.  I may end up printing a wider version of this riser for added security.

This is one of the pieces from the neon pink windscreen install on the Hurricane!

Small but looking good.

Whenever my wheel spacer gets here, I can get the 900SS back on the road.  We're going to replace the front tire this weekend, and that should be the last real work for this season, the rest is riding. 

Ok...well, that's not true.  Somewhere between here and Bravaria, is a set of Hepco Becker luggage racks for my bike.  On those racks, I thinking about mounting my yellow Pelican cases. This requires a swap to LED turn signals. That requires replacing the warning lights on the dash with LEDs (all except the low fuel light), and wiring in resistors. Hell, while I'm in there, I might as well replace the dash lights with LEDs, and the brake light (add a flasher module as well). It just keeps snowballing but garage time is awesome.

Or, you know, I could keep it simple and pick up some soft luggage for the rack, to pack up for my planned trip this autumn. We'll see.  Soft luggage has it's benefits, but you can't put stickers on it. =\   Heated grips will get installed at some point too, can't live without those. 

Looking forward to looking rearward with these mirrors.  I'll report back but so far, I'm impressed with their build quality.  

- stay safe out there