I bought this bike in late 2013, it had been dropped and the cam cover was holed. That was the only significant mechanical issue, but I decided to go through it for the sake of reliability. Then life got busy and what should have been a few months turned into about a year and half. I replaced all the fuel lines, all the intake boots, the crankcase vent hose, the brake soft lines, installed a new fan motor, and likely other things I'm forgetting. I added some LED "see me!" lights, swapped the stock single pintle injectors for some newer style 4 hole ones specced for Audi service, and installed the high output alternator. I finally got the bike back of a piece in July. First week was just short jaunts around the 'hood to deal with the teething issues -- things like bolts I forgot to tighten, a couple loose hose clamps, etc.
I've ridden 2-3 days a week on average and at least one day most weekends. I've ridden a bit more than 4,000 miles to date. Much of that is commuting, but my commute is about 20 miles each way on 2 lane or I84.
I find the bike to be very comfortable. It has a seat from Rich's in WA and RS bars (it was an LT originally). The seat looks stock but I'm guessing has firmer foam. I wasn't having any luck finding RS fairing parts for a reasonable price (OK, I'm a cheap bastard, so really I couldn't get anyone to give them to me) so I cut down the LT fairing and picked up a cracked windscreen that I also trimmed down. The fairing is just a shell, so it doesn't weigh much, but it splits the wind well and keeps the bugs out ma teef. I need to put some time into reinforcing it a little to cut down on the buzzing and rattling it gets up to.
The bike has a sweet cruising spot at about 5-5,500 RPM, which according to my GPS is in the 80 mph region. It's averaging about 40 mpg in mixed riding, which might not sound great, but my 4 wheel transpo is a 1984 Toyota Landcruiser, and it struggles to get into double digit mpg, so I'm thrilled.
I'm surprised at the wear on the rear tire. Both tires were brand new in July, and the rear is showing pretty good wear in the middle. I'm not sure I'll get through next summer without a new one. I run it at ~40psi, which I arrived at from searching this forum. Maybe I should try it a few pounds lower. The other looming mechanical issue is the clutch. I think the rear main/rear o-ring seal is leaking, so the clutch is getting wet. This winter I plan to pull all that apart, do the clutch, seals, spline lube, etc. The other thing I want to do this winter is "new" brake rotors. All of them are at the wear limit. I'm researching options, because brake rotors are flippin' expensive!
All in, I've got maybe $1,200 in the bike. All my riding friends are on new machines, some of them even making payments. Meh. The ol' Brick soldiers on, reliable as a stone and every bit as sexy... :eek:
