It snowed just briefly this morning which encouraged me to finish getting the Ural ready for winter. The two-wheeled riding season is about to come to a close, and the three-wheeled winter fun is about to begin.
I put the main fairing and lower leg guards on last weekend. Today, I jacked the Ural up and rotated the back tires. I am still using the K37 Snowtex from last winter.
The pusher (motorcycle rear) tire wears out the tires the fastest, and conversely, the cart (sidecar) wears them out the slowest. Since the K37 are not directional tires, I just swapped the wheels. A very easy procedure requiring about 30 minutes. It could probably be done in 10-15 minutes, but I was taking my time.
The photo below shows the cart (left) vs the pusher (right) over the same mileage. The cart tire is practically new.
I also took the time to put on the hippo hands. The last time they were used was on my SV650 during my Everyday for 7 Weeks trip. Riding to work in the cold recently has reminded me quite strongly of riding through the Canadian Rockies. I find it interesting how the similar weather reminds me of that trip when I am on the SV. No other motorcycle trip has had such strong memories.
I should probably change the oil too, but I am otherwise good to go for winter.
Bring on the snow!
Do you end up running a lighter weight engine oil in the winter or do you have any sort of pan heater?
ReplyDeleteJust trying to think ahead ;-)
I haven't, but have thought about it. I've been using 20w50 for the last three winters, and the temp range in the manual is roughly what i am normally in. starting might be easier with a lighter oil; i do lube the engine with the kickstarter before starting. no pan heater.
DeleteLet the fun begin. I am looking forward to your polar bear dance ;-)
ReplyDeleteyou mean my solar bear dance? lol. i just signed up for the SBC III season yesterday too.
DeleteIt snowed most of the day up here. It's almost snow blower season for me. :(
ReplyDeleteour snow melted already. i wonder if i will get to use mine this year. i didn't get to use the snowblower all last year - not enough snow.
DeleteTime to go back to Alaska, this time with two wheel drive
ReplyDeletealaska or some other adventure, but for now I suppose I'll settle for the adventure of cleaning the house...
DeleteSnow from Saturday is all gone here in the city. :(
ReplyDeleteDoing my 15000 km service interval, the duro 307s I've got on Valencia seem good on snow so far.
Hoping for more snow.....
Dom
our snow is gone too, but i think the ice is still around.
Deletewow you sure do put on the kms. I think my ural is just about 17k.
(also hoping for more snow)
I'm afraid you're right about the "end of two wheel" riding. Getting over the E35 bridge yesterday was slicker than I'm comfortable with, even on the 250X. I may be done for the season, unless the ice clears from the roads.
ReplyDeleteyea, it was getting a bit brisk riding without any wind protection too. not looking forward to the sedate pace of the ural, but the stability and warmth will be nice.
DeleteOooh getting that time of year again isn't it. Sure doesn't seem like it should be almost the middle of November already.
ReplyDeleteGood excuse for riding the Ural though.
yea, this year is flying by.
DeleteI need an excuse for the Ural too. I'm not ready to give up two-wheels yet.
Chris:
ReplyDeleteI must say that 3 wheels has their benefits, it would certainly extend our riding season to nearly year round. Here it is more about the ice, than the snow
Happy Uraling
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
thanks bob
DeleteInteresting about the memories from your trip last summer. I wonder what that's about.
ReplyDelete~k
not sure, but something i think about often
DeleteDo you normally use something on the bare metal to lessen the impact of the chemicals they use on the road for ice?
ReplyDeleteyes, I've used both Boeshield T9 and ACF50. I prefer the T9. You can get it easily on Amazon. ACF50 is like a heavy duty WD40, and is supposedly used by the Navy for anti-rust. The T9 is a thicker, waxier chemical spray. It doesn't rub off as easily.
DeleteI spray it on in the beginning of the winter season, and clean it off at the end. I do not have the ability to wash mid-winter.
DeleteRichard, one thing you can do is spray the stuff that doesn't like the mag chloride with a coat of wd40 before going out.
ReplyDeleteThe grime comes off easy after the ride, rinse and repeat....
Dom
the WD in WD40 stands for water displacement. I've heard it dries out rubber,plastic,other lubricants when it comes in contact with them. For the ultra cheap, just go get some generic cooking oil and spray it on.
DeleteI think we're lucky that they don't normally use any chemicals on the roads in Fairbanks. Just a lot of gravel that embeds itself into the ice for great traction. Anchorage has icy conditions and they need to use chemicals much more often.
ReplyDeleteyes, that would make you lucky. the chemicals destroy all the vehicles on the road. cars/trucks seem to be treated from the factory to deal with it better. motorcycles not so much.
Delete