WHATCHATHINKIN’

WHATCHATHINKIN’

Shira Kamil

Whittling Away the Wear

In 2004 we attended the Honda Hoot in Knoxville, TN, where I rode a Matte Uranium Honda 919. I decided that would be my next sport bike, having had too many issues with my previously beloved Ducati Monster.

Fast forward, actually not too fast or too forward. Brian brought me to Route 15 Honda, Bob Kurtzweil’s shop, under some pretense or, perhaps, just for a visit. While looking around the floor, he called me into the work area. Sitting pretty was a Matte Uranium, brand-spanking new 919, resplendent with a red ribbon. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped as Brian handed me the key. Bob and Brian had wide grins as they had pulled off the surprise. I was one happy camper.

Eighteen years have passed and that beautiful young bike has developed into a refined ruffian. As I have always had a more touring-oriented ride for our long-distance jaunts, the 919 has fairly low mileage for its age, averaging about 3,000/year. My in-house pit crew (Brian) watches over its maintenance. As I may have said before, he refers to me as a Formula One rider – ‘She justa rida da bike, she no worka on it.’ Sad, but true.

Owning a Honda usually results in very little maintenance other than the basics: oil change, chain replacement, brakes, etc. The 919 once had a full servicing but it was time for another. There was also an annoying squeak coming from the front brakes. We made an appointment with Ridge Powersports, in Jefferson, NJ. Dropping off the bike, I was satisfied and knew it was in good hands.

A day or two later, they gave me a call and said there was some weeping around the fork tubes. When they took a closer look, they found that the tubes were, in fact, bent and sent a picture to show the amount. Indeed, they were not straight. The question was, why were they not straight? This bike had not been in any accidents, had never been hit…… or had it?

Last year, when out for a ride by myself, I was traveling along the pleasant roads of Warren County, NJ, mostly empty and surrounded by open fields and forests. Suddenly, the front wheel shook. I looked around and saw a deer scampering up the embankment to my right. It must have come out of the field to my left and, while jumping past me, hit the front tire with its back legs. Continuing on, I felt nothing different with the bike and thanked the Road Gods that nothing more came of that encounter.

It was determined that the deer hit was enough to bend the front fork tubes. New ones were installed, the service was buttoned up and my 919 was good to go for another 25,000 miles.

Except for that damned squeak of the front brakes, which was still there. The next attempt at a solution, changing the brake pads, did not solve the problem. Doing some research and speaking to other 919 owners, we decided to change the rotors. I was able to find a set of wave rotors – front and rear - that didn’t break the bank and would look very sharp.

While I was out on an errand run, Brian swapped them and when I returned, the Honda was front and center in the garage, showing off its new shiny parts. Brian told me that I had about 25 percent more braking now. I made the mistake of asking if the squeak was gone. He just looked at me and walked outside. (Ya gotta believe! - BR)

So I got on my gear and took it out to hear for myself. The first squeeze of the front brake gave me my answer, in addition to showing me just what Brian had said – I almost did a stoppie. It was bliss, not to have that horrible and embarrassing squeak accompanying my otherwise perfect motorcycle.

Of course, there were other minor maintenance repairs during those 18 years, most recently a cush drive replacement to steady the rear. The Avon Ultra Evo tires that were last shod for my annual VIR trip performed admirably and, judging by the usual wear to my rubber, would last until the next trip to VIR (you hear that Reg – NEXT TRIP?!) Over the last few months, whittling away at the wear to the Honda has put it in excellent shape for a bike entering its late teenage years.

Sitting at the end of this northeast riding season with a practically perfect machine ready to take on its next adventure is a very good feeling. ,