It's been quite a while since my last post here. Not many updates, the bike has been sitting for about 3 weeks since mid November - flat tire. I ordered a Stop and Go tire repair kit and it's awesome. It comes with all the needed tools for the job, including a mini air compressor! All in a nice compact pouch.
Today I finally plugged the hole in the tire. It seems to be holding up pretty good - I can't hear a trace of air leaking.
Two weeks ago I cranked the engine and it worked well, as always. Warmed it up and shut down. Today, after about 2 weeks of sitting in the cold weather, with the tire pumped up, I had to take it for a spin! We had below zero temperatures at night, and in the evening when I got to cranking the engine, about +4C. I checked the battery - green light! Holding up like a champ! Turned the key and pressed 'run' - 2 seconds, stop, 2 seconds, then... boom!!!
Just like if it has never been resting.
It took quite longer to warm it up because of the 'lay off' time and low temperatures, but within 10 or so minutes it was back to normal without the choke. I'm very pleased indeed. I let it run until the fan kicked in and turned it off to collect all the tools. Started up again, instantaneously, and took it for a spin - back and forth inside the garage! LOL I think I put maybe 100 meters on the clock and parked it back in the spot. I'm going to check tomorrow on the tire and see how it's holding up. Fingers crossed, all will be good and on a sunny day I will take it around the block.
Since the rains might be coming, and I am not going to buy a new tire now, I might cancel the plates and have it wait the winter out until spring. I can still take it for a spin in the garage and the back lane. I just need to check the logistics with insurance, as I will have to apply again for collector plates and I am not sure if I'd need to register it with regular insurance first. And that's expensive. Then add the cancellation penalty fee. So, depending on what I find out, it actually might not be more expensive to just keep the plates even if not riding. I'm paying about $32 a month for collector plates. My regular insurance is about $140 a month for another bike, that's with 43% discount. But the rates already came up, and they do every year once or even twice, and it would be about $160 now. Who knows how much more next year! SO it might be easier and cheaper just to keep things as they are.
Pumping up the tire before trimming the plug. The puncture is in a bad spot, as the tire is not as thick inside the thread.