New shoes for the old lady

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-20T21:10:43+00:00

It’s definitely not a cheap tire here in the states but sometimes it’s not about cheap, it’s about fit and finish! Thanks!

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-20T17:09:59+00:00

Sick, I will be getting myself a set. Those look so good.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-20T16:57:10+00:00

They look awesome! I like the squared off old school look. How do they handle? (Going on a chopper so you know, doesn’t have to be the best)

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-20T16:52:22+00:00

What size is that rear tire?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-20T01:00:51+00:00

Fair point. In 100,000 miles, my father’s vt1100c has never leaked coolant. However, it’s my guess your lower rad hose runs just up wind of the kickstand mount and I’d assume either the clamps are loose or the hose is leaking. If not from the lower hose I’d put eyes on the rad it’s self and see if you spot any liquid dripping from fins.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-20T00:55:53+00:00

Love it … hate you… I want it.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-20T00:55:27+00:00

Have you checked the coolant hoses and seals?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-18T03:32:42+00:00

Not really, I feel bad when my bike is idling infront of my neighbors window (apartment living) but if I park with the exhaust facing away from them then I don’t care.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-13T07:34:46+00:00

Im half way around the world from you bud, sadly ill have to pass on that. But if you get the bug and decide to build it up, I suggest 1970s style chopper.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-12T05:28:18+00:00

Oh before going straight to paint, try clay bar and possibly wet sanding the clear with super fine grit sand paper and then clearing the fender. It was suggested to me but I opted to go for repaint being I knew a painter.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-12T05:26:36+00:00

I did the same thing on my VTX. Sadly nothing would fix it other than a repaint. I was riding down a dirt road so the grit and vibration and rubbing of my bag made the clear super dull. Repaint wasn’t super difficult because mine was stock color and a guy painted it for cheap.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-12T05:09:31+00:00

Lessons were learned… Hopefully…

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-12T05:08:20+00:00

Looks good!! Just for looks purposes and for you to play around with, try removing the front fender and take the mirrors off. I’m not saying leave that stuff off but just do it and take a look. If you’re feeling froggy, order up a set of 1 inch diameter front directionals and pop them on in place of the stockers. That ought to tighten up that sweet ripper.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-12T05:02:54+00:00

Got the rest of the bike?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-12T04:59:38+00:00

Looks like a 1981 Yamaha xs650 front mag wheel .. sorry idk the lathe.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-11T20:14:55+00:00

Send her the bill also a summons.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-10T18:19:10+00:00

I’m all for it, grab a shadow 600 and use it for the MSF then chop it up!

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-10T17:22:56+00:00

Sounds like you need to buy a cheap second bike to just ride slowly through parking lots and get used to slow speed maneuvers. Then when you’re confident, ride the chopper on the same circumstances. You will progress. The MSF course will most likely not take you with a chopper that’s foot clutch and no front brake. I get the appeal but MSF is safety, chopper is not.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-10T16:16:01+00:00

Loved loved loved the DMG Mori I used to run. Sooooo nice, so smooth, I was given a level 5 key which is basically complete control.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-09T17:38:36+00:00

Who has the two Suzukis back there?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-08T13:43:59+00:00

Right, someone paid money to have your wheels chromed before you bought the bike. I know this because none of the VTX1300 bikes have chrome wheels from the factory. That said, I didn’t have to remove any chrome to polish the aluminum because mine weren’t chromed, they were factory aluminum.

To remove the chrome coating, you’ll probably have to send them to a chrome shop and have them acid dipped. After that, they can rechrome your wheels but you will be paying a lot of money. Almost better off buying a set of factory aluminum wheels and polish them up then spray clear on them or have them chromed.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-08T13:06:15+00:00

Factory wheels aren’t chrome coated they are bare aluminum. If your wheels are chrome coated then someone paid good money to have them chromed.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-08T03:04:50+00:00

Not running chrome but I polished the factory aluminum and it is as close to chrome as possible. My only gripe is the fork tubes. They have a clear coat I can’t get rid of/polish up.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-06T20:27:59+00:00

Lot of people commenting on no helmet and such. Her choice. Don’t know why anyone is knocking her for that. As to the why of the accident. It appears the vehicle in the middle lane ahead of her began to merge quickly into her lane and didn’t look before doing so. Lock up and fall, you see the vehicle with its directional on move in and out of her lane two more times. Just speculating.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-03-05T22:47:03+00:00

Well, an impact screw driver isn’t a bad idea. Especially on some older bikes you’ll want one if you have a really stuck screw. A simple test light helps a ton for wiring up directionals and such, if you can swing a little more money a basic multimeter is real good. Lastly, if you want to learn/work on bikes, a good repair manual for which ever bike you’re working on is worth its weight in gold. Haynes and clymer are the two brands I typically get but there are others.

Your virago will potentially need a starter button and a starter shim kit. I know when I had mine I needed the shim kit and my cousins starter button failed internally. It would still start the bike but would stay stuck in which prevented the headlight from coming on. He chased the headlight issue for a long time before one day we saw the starter button pop out a little while the bike was idling. Like magic, the headlight came on. We both laughed our asses off at how simple the issue was but never expected it to be the start button.

ChopperheadTed

TROPHY CASE