Riding Down Under - Tropical Cairns Australia

Best laid plans :(
Geared up, pushed start button, pretty weak kneed response ....no start ....a Honda no start !!!!???Screen Shot 2025-01-17 at Jan, 17 2025 8.36.49 AM.jpg
Pulled off the gear, hauled out the charger and long cables, pulled the seat off....hmmmm...seat bolts not very tight ...owner must have been under there a bit. :unsure: Battery is charging but it should have been fully charged from the long ride.
Hoping it is just an old battery and not a stator problem. 🍿
 
Terminal connections are fine. There are only two leads on the battery terminal. The bike turns over fine but no start, Cannot hear fuel pump.
 
Fixed - failure of security key. Guy came to tow it - asked do you have another key just before he loaded it on.
Said yes. :unsure:
Tried the spare key - fired right up.1737086492476.png
....
Marc in trouble with failing motor $$$$. $40k ride and unrepairable motor after 65k km.
Horrendous road just before China
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first time the fan on the deck has hit 40
Day inside the aircon room. Got a nibble on selling the CB500F :sneaky:
30.0°

FEELS LIKE​

36.2°C at 8 pm. ugh.

so damn hot at midnight

UPDATED 11:20PM AEST
28.1
°
FEELS LIKE
36.0°C

and it sure does. image.png
 
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New helmet arrived very quickly and certainly glad I got size up thanks to some of the reviews.
Bit of wrestle to get my earplug bag into the helmet speaker pockets.
Tight at the cheekpads but thats expected not like the Shark that perished in the scooter accident which turned me into guppy.
I was quite happy to lose that helmet despite marginal damage.
Dents for visor are stiff which is good for longevity. Sliders move easily - to be expected. Ventilation assessment to come....chin and top of head with a couple of settings.
Sun visor comes well down something criticized on the first iteration
Screen Shot 2025-01-21 at Jan, 21 2025 9.58.12 AM.jpgScreen Shot 2025-01-21 at Jan, 21 2025 9.56.35 AM.jpg

Screen Shot 2025-01-21 at Jan, 21 2025 9.58.54 AM.jpgScreen Shot 2025-01-21 at Jan, 21 2025 9.56.48 AM.jpg
Good space for photography and open lid will stay in place.
will be interested in seeing how quiet against the C3. 🍿

Nice marketing touch from SMK - needed a new key chain and it's RED!! :love:
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So hot but had to go out to fetch the Shad adapter plate and stop in at the transport office to switch to single seat registration.
It used to be cheap to ride in Queensland compared to Ontario but now it's getting way up there.
Registration including 3rd party insurance is $484 for the year.......and then $338 for comprehensive. That's getting near Ontario costs. Tough on a pension.
bio.jbtfsplk.jpg
Bike started and ran well today - nice power increase and got the clutch set. Easier for me to handle.

Helmet was not quite as successful. Ears hurt with the IEMs in and the spaces don't seem to line up perfectly for me.
The main visor clarity is excellent to the point of being invisible. Detents were solid and good airflow.
Sunvlsor has a thick bar at the bottom which is distracting. Easy to deploy tho and good clarity.
The main visor is only $40 tax in to replace and happy with the quality. $19 for sun visor replacement.
Now it's interesting that they offer a visor mechanism plate
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motoheaven.com.au

SMK Gullwing Visor Mechanism (Base Plate)

SMK Gullwing Visor Mechanism (Base Plate)
motoheaven.com.au motoheaven.com.au
$14 is cheap but means likely suffers from the same issue as the C3 over time.
I'm not riding as much as I was so may outlast me.
Will try the SMK on the highway tomorrow.
May need to ride without the balaclava as it is still quite tight despite being a size up.
Think I will try with just earplugs first off and add the IEMs later.
The visor clarity is just a treat.

I also might try the visor hacks on the C3 and return the SMK. If they work might cough up for the C3 clear visor replacement.
Job 1 is getting Shad plate sorted - was not obvious but is doable.
 
Here in Southern Ontario, I was in the cellar workshop this morning, cleaning an old bike part and went into the garage to get a bottle of chrome polish. Minus 9 degrees C in the garage and the polish was frozen solid. It was minus 22 degrees C outside. So much for "global warming".
AFJ
 
Actually the Arctic vortex is a consequence of AGW as it is weakening the circumpolar winds at both poles.
That said in the moment....doesn't feel much like warming for you guys 🥶🥶🥶

Windscreen came in a day early. Screen looks very good - hardware without instructionscrumb_head_explode.jpg

Got the throttle lock in today. Looks a good fit for my bike and thing I can make it work.....when it cools down. 33 feels like 38
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Ouch - bad spot for a flat.
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Hiding out in a/c/

Trying to enjoy Pachinko out on the deck but geez - it's past 9pm and still horrid.
29.6
°
FEELS LIKE
35.0°C
 
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Nice sleep - ridiculous at 7 am 27 feels like 33 and insanely humid.
Soaked in sweat just getting the top case on the bike.
Gave up riding to dentist at noon.

May try for the throttle lock next.

Windscreen looks excellent, clarity and strong ...fitment ? BillCat-1.jpg
Bag of way too many parts and no instructions.

Got the Shad top case on with 3 bolts, dropped the aircraft nut on the fourth then found it later. 3 is lots for now.
Instructions on the windscreen were a bit sparse tho the visuals were clear enough once I laid all the bits out on the table. Needed three hands to get the clamp around the bars, the bolt through and the nut inside the shaped holder ....of course I dropped it, of course it could not be found on the pebbled drive.
Got one support on and was resigned to wait for a replacement nut when noticed one in the top of the toolbox that looked okay.
Damn if the threading wasn't exactly correct and it was aircraft type so would stay put..
Lucky that.....better fastener than the one supplied.
33 feels like 38 so likely wait a bit to complete windscreen.
.....

Next is the knockoff Atlas Throttlelock. Atlas wants $268 Aus for this ....way over priced.
Image

https://atlasmoto.com
China knocked it off and has flooded the market. Picked up mine for $8 and it's out there for even less
AU$2.46AU$22.5589% off
Tax excluded, add at checkout if applicable. Extra 1% off with coins
Motorcycle Cruise Control Throttle Assist Motorbike Handlebar Lock Top Bottom KIT For Fantic Caballero BMW Suzuki Yamaha Honda
Click to expand...
There is a good youtube on how to improve the knock off device.

Only better foot pegs to order.
 
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Braved the hot morning and sorted windscreen Did not need to remove the cross bar tho I will I think
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Fits the line of the bike curve
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Put lock tite blue on all fasteners, smudged a bit on the windscreen from residue on my hand. Not on a critical area but would be nice to remove of buff out. Ideas??

Was 30 in bedroom when I finished..a/c AND evaporative cooling from my muslin shirt. I adore these shirts this time of year
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Went out for a few hours to Mossman - 160 km out and back - just right for a shake down
Excellent steak sandwich and mango banana smoothie at Mossman
Too much money but brought half home.
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...buddy carried on across the Daintree.
He's gonna get wet
If he gets home before 7 pm should not be too bad
I did not get wet on the way home.

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More to come til weekend
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Missed having my waterbottle at hand but then realized it fit in the larger tank bag I adopted tho will re-rig the water bottle.
Back was getting a bit tight then on the way home` it relaxed a bit even tho should have had drugs with me.
Still need to do fatter grip on the left and sort the throttle lock which would have been nice today.
Throttle hand was going to sleep...need that lock. Things to do on rainy day.

Did not wear the new helmet - did not want it to get soaked as may be returning....still tight at the temples.
Other than that okay ride after a layoff.
Extra power on the bike enjoyable - goes to 120 indicated without effort.
Love the cABS brakes. Smoooth stops just using footbrake...forgot how nice that is.
Clutch smooth but downshifts clunky - I'm told it's the bike.
Easy to get in neutral.
Over all more bonded with the bike than ever was with the BMW.
Back worries me a bit but that fact it relaxed when about 1/2 hour from home was encouraging.
Might try and just rotate the bars back a bit.
 
You may be correct and the Ai description incorrect.
A "Honda CB500F 2014 cABS" refers to a 2014 model year Honda CB500F motorcycle equipped with Combined Anti-lock Braking System (cABS), meaning the front and rear brakes are linked together for improved braking stability; essentially, it's a Honda CB500F with ABS functionality on both front and rear wheels.

Key points about the 2014 Honda CB500F cABS:
  • Engine: 471cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine
  • Features: Combined ABS braking system
  • Category: Mid-sized naked bike
  • Notable aspects: Considered a good choice for new riders due to its manageable power delivery and smooth handling.
Click to expand...
I was surprised when it showed up. I always use both brakes anyways - 60 years of ingrained habit 40ish without ABS.
Not likely to kill myself and you just confirmed why you are on ignore, useful info accompanied by the usual attitude .
 
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Jayell said:
I'm quite certain the CB500F is not equipped with linked brakes.

@MacDoc doesn't like me and has me on ignore. Someone pass this info on to him, before he kills himself.
Click to expand...
If he ever figures out how to use the +quote button, it well make his posts more relevant. It's not really very technical.
 
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