I kind of feel a bit bad about last minute maintenance, but getting an appointment for the 52K valve check (at 54K) and replacing a broken gas cap was difficult to wrangle at Desert Valley Powersports in combination with my schedule.

But, I’m at DVP right now typing on a wonderful kiosk they let me use and realizing that I’m leaving for St. Louis in…like….FOUR DAYS!

After the gas cap and valve check (and probably a coin toss whether it will need any adjustment)….the bike is ready to ride in the IBR. I’ve finally gotten my Cobra CB integrated into the system without being annoying, but can’t quite figure out how to use bike power for the CB without muting the GPS. My workaround will be to power the CB with nine D batteries in a pack I’ve built from Rad Shack.

It should last for days…as the internal AA would last about 20 hours and D hold about 9 times as much juice.

I am having trouble getting my cell phone to consistently plug into the system. Sometimes it plugs right in and other times it cogitates and says “Device not recognized” like it doesn’t like the little plug-in. Another nice to have, but I can live without.

Final thing I’m debating is whether to have my buddy Smitty install the cruise control or not. He’s a pro, but usually installs in the battery tray. Since I moved the Starcom there…..I’d have to go external under the side bag like my buddy Skyway did. We’ll see if I can get a bracket built soon enough.

Now, off to read my CB manual and IBR rules a bit more…..while I watch my friend and fellow competitor spin his little beanie off about his bike. ;)

UPDATE: Just checked on bike progress and the valves were in spec…no adjustment necessary.  Gotta love these Yamahas!