Minor upgrades

Recently went to Sheng Fatt (SF) to install the crash bar and angle valve. Crash bar for the Vulcan and the angle valve for both bikes. This was actually the second time and I am overall satisfied with their service. They have an excellent after sales service and they get back to you fast and friendly. The first time was about a month ago when I had to replace the rear tyre of the Vulcan. The tyre patch was not sealing properly so I had it replaced with the Bridgestone Battlax T31. I also recently found out that they are not only the official service center for Ducati and Kawasaki but also for Harley and Moto Guzzi. They have showrooms for Kawasaki and Moto Guzzi on the first floor.

Back to the original post, the original plan was to install the angle valve for both the Vulcan and the Demak. This would make filling up and checking the tyre pressure a lot easier. In order to install the angle valve, both bikes will require their tyres to be removed and the original stem valve will be removed to be replaced with the angle valve.

Set off early on Saturday so there would not be a lot of traffic. Left the bikes there and went on our merry way until I got a text from SF that the angle valve cannot be fitted on the Demak as this process requires a tubeless tyre.

Inner tube found on the Demak

Twisted Throttle Dryspec bags

Carrying space on a motorcycle to me is one of the most important thing. Imagine going to market or a short trip to do some groceries and there is no space to carry all your purchases. You would need to rack your brain and play a puzzle game on the spot to get everything in place and not hinder your controls.

There is a reason as to why the Demak does not go out to malls or market. The bike has no storage space. There is always a shopping bag folded and stored somewhere when taking the Demak out and made sure to not over purchase anything which makes it dangerous to carry on the way back. Since started working at the new job, there are times where I had to buy groceries or dinner after work and the most creative way to carry them back was to use the sternum clip on my backpack. If the plastic bag was big, I can rest the rest of the weight on the tank while protecting it from falling with my legs.

2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S

About 2 years after getting the Demak me and a friend was thinking about getting proper riding pants so on Thaipusam (9 February 2017) we paid a visit to Guan How Superbike which was location in Juru Autocity (not the one at Ipoh). They have a few options and after trying out a few riding pants which did not fit well, we tried the riding jackets since they were on sale and there are a few which we both liked but since the H-D jackets are still in good condition so I had to give it a pass.

Prior to this visit, I saw a 2nd hand Vulcan S in a shop at Ayer Itam but the mileage was too high and the asking price was not that tempting and they would not allow me to test ride the Vulcan. While looking at the all the bikes, the first bike that caught our eye was the new Kawasaki H2R because it was all decked out in chrome. After looking around we spotted a Vulcan S among the sea of 2nd hand bikes for sale. The boss spotted us looking the bike and came to talk to us more about the Vulcan.

DIY motorcycle ramp

A few months ago I somehow had a suspicion that there might be a puncture at the back tyre of the Vulcan S. I initially thought the loss of tyre pressure was due to the bike not moving for some time but after checking the tyre the next day after filling it up, the pressure would be less. I think this was because every time I have to park the bike, I need to ride the bike up to the tiled portion from the garden. The back wheel sometimes need fight for grip (the area is muddy after rain and it feels like I am taking the bikes off road) to go up the side garden and the edge of the tiled area might be putting some unwanted pressure on the tyre.

  

The distance between the ground and the tiled area and the height is about 7cm.

Demak D7 Classic review...

Recently I got a new job nearer to home and was allowed to take the bike to work provided it was not raining in the morning. Wanted to take the Vulcan but with the panniers it was too big to fit into the narrow driveway. The only other option was the Demak. Do bare in mind this is not a review but from my personal experience.

Originally the Demak was called Pegasus (if memory serves me correctly) but I have a new name for it after getting more familiar with it. To me it is known as the Blue Bobber (BB). Reason: My head bobs around a lot like a bobble head doll due to either from the vibrations on the bike or my helmet is loose and I need a new one. The bike's vibration is so great that you can feel it giving you feet 'massages' if the sole of your shoes are thin.

The Blue Bobber waiting for the morning ride to work

First motorcycle: Demak D7 Classic

This post is a throw back to the first day I bought my very first motorcycle:

On 12 May 2015 I got my first motorcycle; ~14 years after getting my license. This was how the first experience on a manual bike went.

In Malaysia there are a few classes of motorcycle license. The most common is B2: limited to 250cc, B1: limited to below 500cc and B or also known as B Full: above 500cc. There was an option when I first took my B2 license to add an additional MYR 100 to go for the B Full license. Saves time and money in the future but a shame that I was not allowed to do it at that time (was only 17 at the time and wasn't paying for the license).

I was introduced to the bike scene when I was very young. I got my bike license in 2001 (if memory serves me correctly) and I just started college at that time and needed a transport. Since I did not have a car license yet, my mum reluctantly agreed to let me ride to class.

Wishlist

*Note* I have created a wishlist page to better monitor and update the items

It is inevitable to anyone who has a hobby that the more time spent on it the more things you will want to add or change to make it more personalized and enjoyable. A little background on me. I have a lot of interest and lots of hobbies. I have a curious mind to try things and to tinker with them (but mostly will end up breaking somehow). Things I was interested in previously I do not have the time for them now.

So this is the only hobby which I can maintain in my busy schedule. In this post I will list future upgrades which I plan to get or do with the bikes. It is a combination of mods  and accessories to the bike. If something is completed I will link it to the post and as time pass by there will be more items added to the list.