PDX GSX1300R

[Bumblebee]

From this sticker in my Bell helmet, my understanding is that she was produced in June of 2021. And that, excepting for collision damage, we typically replace them every five years?


View attachment 1693841

That's the general rule however, sometimes I wonder if it was put in place by helmet manufacturers.....

[LC4CARL]

"Cushioned" front sprocket? Not familiar with this.

[CBXRider]

My ‘18 Kawasaki has one.

[CBXRider]

That's the general rule however, sometimes I wonder if it was put in place by helmet manufacturers.....

It serves to limit their liability if they were sued for example and the helmet was ‘too old’. Same with the Best by dates on foods.

[sixpack577]

"Cushioned" front sprocket? Not familiar with this.

View attachment 1693842

The rubber is supposed to reduce vibration and noise.
I have never noticed a difference swapping to an aftermarket sprocket without the dampner, and have done alot of them on several bikes over the years.
And a quality aftermarket front sprocket, like a Vortex, will weigh about 3/4 of what the oem does.

[sixpack577]

That's the general rule however, sometimes I wonder if it was put in place by helmet manufacturers.....

I have several old helmets, and a couple of friends still do as well.
Some helmets hold up very well, and others don't last nearly as long.
I have a Shoei that is from '99 or 2k, and the foam in it started discintegrating a couple years ago.
I have another Shoei that has to be about 30-35 years old now, and it's foam is perfect, but the clothe on the top center needs reglued.
I have a Bell MX from 1996, and the padding is pretty flat, but the entire helmet seems unchanged.
All of the helmets were always kept indoors, climate controlled, and kept clean.
I also wouldn't want to have to wear any of them anymore, lol
I don't know if the styrofoam in them actually does degrade over time, but I'm sure it's possible.
I base this off of years of research
(watching the same old styrofoam coolers lay in the woods by the 4wheeler and truck trails, for years, unchanged. We picked up other trash but not those, this was the 80's and 90's...we wanted to see if the hype was real, that styrofoam is pretty hard to get rid of...and it is).
I would agree that helmet makers probably came up with the 5 year standard...or that's the best deal that their lobbyists could get them, lol, and that it's probably a bit conservative in most cases, but sometimes you could wear out a helmet sooner, more so in the liner and a good fit, with daily riding in all weather.
I tend to replace my helmets around the 5 year mark anyway, it's a good enough reason/excuse to get a new helmet, why not, lol

[Bumblebee]

I have several old helmets, and a couple of friends still do as well.
Some helmets hold up very well, and others don't last nearly as long.
I have a Shoei that is from '99 or 2k, and the foam in it started discintegrating a couple years ago.
I have another Shoei that has to be about 30-35 years old now, and it's foam is perfect, but the clothe on the top center needs reglued.
I have a Bell MX from 1996, and the padding is pretty flat, but the entire helmet seems unchanged.
All of the helmets were always kept indoors, climate controlled, and kept clean.
I also wouldn't want to have to wear any of them anymore, lol
I don't know if the styrofoam in them actually does degrade over time, but I'm sure it's possible.
I base this off of years of research
(watching the same old styrofoam coolers lay in the woods by the 4wheeler and truck trails, for years, unchanged. We picked up other trash but not those, this was the 80's and 90's...we wanted to see if the hype was real, that styrofoam is pretty hard to get rid of...and it is).
I would agree that helmet makers probably came up with the 5 year standard...or that's the best deal that their lobbyists could get them, lol, and that it's probably a bit conservative in most cases, but sometimes you could wear out a helmet sooner, more so in the liner and a good fit, with daily riding in all weather.
I tend to replace my helmets around the 5 year mark anyway, it's a good enough reason/excuse to get a new helmet, why not, lol

When I was teaching basic riding courses, the Ontario Transportation Board mandated that motorcycle helmets of over 5 yrs couldn't be used on the course and I had to check the manufacturer date on all the student's helmets...if we didn't and something happened to them that could be related to the ate of the helmet, we were responsible and not covered under the training insurance.....

I had a semi-heated discussion with a few students over this when their helmets were outdated....

Then I looked my own helmet and had to buy a new one......

Now it appears I will be in the market again but I'm definitely not buying an HJC RPHA 70ST again.......

[LC4CARL]

When I was working tech for the sports car club part of my task was checking dates on safety gear. Not sure where the standards originated but, like with riding courses, the club did not want to find themselves with a liability claim that our insurer would have any reason to question.

[LC4CARL]

In an effort to maximize floor space in the garage, I keep the scooter on a rear wheel stand. Anyone try a wheel chock?

Puig Front Wheel Chock

The Puig moto front wheel stand support keeps the bike lifted easily and safely. It is the ideal accessory for any rider doing maintenance to his/her motorcycle. Besides keeping the bike safely parked, it also allows to perform regular maintenance as well as cleaning. This solid support allows...

www.motosport.com

I do miss this. With the company car, the BMW rarely gets driven.

[CBXRider]

In an effort to maximize floor space in the garage, I keep the scooter on a rear wheel stand. Anyone try a wheel chock?

Puig Front Wheel Chock

The Puig moto front wheel stand support keeps the bike lifted easily and safely. It is the ideal accessory for any rider doing maintenance to his/her motorcycle. Besides keeping the bike safely parked, it also allows to perform regular maintenance as well as cleaning. This solid support allows...

www.motosport.com

I do miss this. With the company car, the BMW rarely gets driven.

View attachment 1694050

You definitely have room for a project bike. Jus sayin….

[sixpack577]

I have a Baxley wheel chock, and it works great.
I bolt it to my lift table, have it on the floor right now, and it'll also bolt on to a trailer.
They can be really useful.

[sixpack577]

You definitely have room for a project bike. Jus sayin….

Really does
I'm happy with a corner in my basement now, but I miss having a garage and a big work space.
Carl, your garage needs a bike shop makeover, a few specialty tools, stands, and a lift table.
Find an old Gsxr or TL in need of some love.

[LC4CARL]

You definitely have room for a project bike. Jus sayin….

LOL. Sadly, the Ultimate Wrenching Machine eats up valuable realestate now.

[LC4CARL]

Periodic physical time for LC4. Blood work came back with high cholesterol. My history shows 205-226 since 2019. With our lean diet and my consistent excercise, I'm surprised. Sigh.

[sixpack577]

LOL. Sadly, the Ultimate Wrenching Machine eats up valuable realestate now.

View attachment 1694171

Roll it outside, put a cover on it.

[sixpack577]

Periodic physical time for LC4. Blood work came back with high cholesterol. My history shows 205-226 since 2019. With our lean diet and my consistent excercise, I'm surprised. Sigh.

I assume that you want to die healthy...
lmao
Mordern medicine is pretty good too...but I wouldnt put too much faith in it either

[LC4CARL]

Those test results are consistent with the lab my company uses. My wife shifted us to a "plant based" diet a year ago. I add protien to that. I worked out 200+ days last year. 170# / 5'9". Oh well.

[Oz22]

That's the general rule [5 years for a helmet] however, sometimes I wonder if it was put in place by helmet manufacturers.....

I have 3 helmets I use on the different bikes. Does that equate to 15 years for me?

[Oz22]

"Cushioned" front sprocket? Not familiar with this.

Reminds of that German hi-speed train with rubber cushioned wheels. they'll experiment with anything

[Bumblebee]

I have 3 helmets I use on the different bikes. Does that equate to 15 years for me?

Sure sounds like it does.....