Mods and adjustments today.

[West Isles]

I played around with the new bike today.
I adjusted the throttle cable free play, and moved the kick start lever back two splines on the shaft. Both easy fixes that make the bike much more comfortable to operate.
Then I adjusted the chain, and cranked the rear spring preload up to max, from the factory set next to softest setting.
Next I temporarily mounted a collapsible crate on the rear rack using some heavy zip ties. When I mount it permanently, bolting it down, I’m going to move it rearward enough to accommodate a pad on the rack rail behind the seat. That should stop the crate from touching my back, when opened up.
I also painted the exhaust heat shield with high temp engine block gloss black. I came out ok, but I think I’ll have it done properly by the Powder Coating shop in the city. I like the chrome shield on my ‘77CT, but the black looks much more suited to the new bike, imo.
After all of that, I took the bike on its first grocery run!

 

[oldskool]

If you didn't put something between the bottom of the crate and the rack you may want to, it doesn't take long to scar the paint. Left that way long enough you will have exposed metal, hello rust. Many have used and have good results with tool chest liner, cheap tuff and readily available. Try Harbor Freight if you have one near by. Enjoy the little bike.

 

[West Isles]

If you didn't put something between the bottom of the crate and the rack you may want to, it doesn't take long to scar the paint. Left that way long enough you will have exposed metal, hello rust. Many have used and have good results with tool chest liner, cheap tuff and readily available. Try Harbor Freight if you have one near by. Enjoy the little bike.

Thanks for the tip! I need to make a trip to the Canadian equivalent of HF, Princess Auto, in the near future. I'll add that to the list.

 

[Happy Campa]

I will admit that the black on red scheme is growing on me.