Suzuki 1500LC/C90 Forum F.A.Q.



FAQ Created & Maintained by:

Forum member since 12/01

 


 


Miscellaneous

What are some general tips for new LC owners?

Here are some tips to help make the LC Experience even more enjoyable . . .
Courtesy of Forum member "Thunder"

  • Always park your bike in 1st gear.  It works like a parking brake and will stop your bike from rolling off the side stand.
  • Never use anything other than the ignition key when you are riding.  It CAN, and usually does get ugly on your side cover.
  • Never trust your local dealer’s wrench.  Collectively, we know more than the Suzuki engineers do about this bike --- it’s all thanks to the good folks right here.
  • Never buy anything from anyone for your bike before you check here first.  Collectively, we have purchased everything available for the "LC" from every vendor out there.  Some dealers are good; some you need to avoid like AIDS.
  • Get familiar with Mocc's site, (http://www.moccsplace.com/ ).  It contains just about anything you ever wanted to know about the "LC", to become a DIY’er.
  • Get to know Bob at Metric Thunder, (www.metricthunder.com ).  They can get you ANYTHING you want from just about any supplier, and do it at a discount.
  • Looking for suppliers?  Try here: www.crowitis.com  
  • Any questions?  Check Mamba’s site at; www.mambaville.com/forumfaq/ Chances are someone else has asked the same question and the answer will be there.  If it isn’t there, (he is still building the data base), just ask --- all advice is free for the asking.
  • When you decide to re-jet, you can get the correct jet kits for our bikes from Ramster at www.chopperhouse.com Don’t try any aftermarket kits because they will ruin the carbs and cost you $$$ to replace them.  You can also get some real cool Forum Tee Shirts there --- super design and great quality.  If you don’t live in the US, contact Dave at davidnelson@kpcoop.com and he’ll take care of you.
  • For carb tuning and set-ups, contact “HC” at http://home.comcast.net/~jjhurley/HCCW.html. He will set them up right, the first time, (via mail), and have you getting the most out of the big girl.
  • Contact Crow and order a forum patch or two.  You’ll love the design he came-up with.  The most vibrant patches I’ve seen.
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What should happen at the 600 mile first service?

Mocc's First Service info

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Where is a list of general motorcycle info and accessories?

Motorcycle Info and Accessories

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Where can I find a manual and/or parts info for the LC?

Service Manual Online

Online parts microfiche

Note: to download various manuals, videos and help sheets, check out this link off the Forum Start Page!

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What are some other specialty items available? 

See the General Store section at Mocc's place

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Where can I find a registry of LC owners?

See Fritz's Owners database at  the Crowitis site

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Where can I see some LC photos and paint schemes?

Check out the Intruder Alert Cafe slideshow at Mocc's place

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Where can I find a list of motorcycle tour & accessory links ?

See this page

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What is "Crowitis"?

See this page

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What is the "Legend of the Bell"?

See this page and this page

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Where can I find a motorcycle trailer forum?

See this Delphi forum, hosted by Forum member "Orc"

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How do I go about trailering my LC?

Courtesy of Forum member "MJC4"
Go to Sam's Club..they got some nice wide ratcheting tie-downs...get a couple packs of 4.

Then, go to an HD dealer...Ask him for some Hog-Ties...They are soft nylon straps that go around whatever you are tying down so the hook never gets close to your bike...

Drive the bike on the trailer...watch it when your wheel is on the street and the ramp...you'll get a canyon...seen a guy dump his bike because of not being able to touch...put the kickstand down...use 4 ties up front two per each side of the handlebars...put your Hog-ties on and hook the ratchets up...then ratchet them until the bike goes upright...then go to the other side and tighten that side down a bit...keep doing this until your forks are nice and compressed...I use 2 on each side for insurance...if one lets go, you still have an insurance ratchet...else...your bike just goes over to the tight side...

Then use one or two to secure the rear of the bike...off the luggage racks...you just don't want it banging around...it doesn't take much pressure for the back...

It should be rock-solid you shouldn't be able to push it around...Once you do it a few times, it takes 15 minutes. Also, always tie down the kickstand side first and untie it last. If you do it the other way it is possible to pull the bike over on you.

Also, here is a link to a good general list of useful information.

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Where can I find listings of national motorcycle events & rallies?

Promotions site

MotorcycleEvents site

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How do I go about polishing my wheels, switches, etc?

Check out these links:
Intruder Alert link

English Custom Polish

Caswell Plating


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What are some travel prep tips for long rides?

Courtesy of Forum member "OneFromOz"
Done the really long trips now & again on the LC..... Longest was just over 7,000 miles in two weeks. As I run synthetic, the distance wasn't a problem, just changed it before I left and when I got home.
Change oil, filter, final drive etc before leaving. Schedule calls for oil change every 4,000 so you should be good for that trip. It is advisable to carry an oil bottle in case you need top up etc.
If you still have the stock clutch & brake fluids, it'd be a good time to change them over to Valvoline DOT4 before you go. This is important for summer riding as your clutch fluid may get hot in slow traffic and then you'll have no clutch until she cools down again.
This is a personal choice but I added tire sealant (www.sparty.com) which is available from WalMart and it's bright yellow and re-branded as Ez-Seal. Basically you can run over a nail etc and the tire automatically seals so no loss or air pressure and most importantly, no loss of control. For long trips or around town, it's good insurance and goes in any new tire I get fitted on the bike. Again this is a personal choice.
Always carry spare fuses, flashlight, spare key, spare cash. By the end of the trip, you'll have realized you could have halved your clothes but doubled your cash you started out with!! ;-)

Basic tools other than the OEM tool kit.
Basic first aid kit.
Sunscreen.
A couple pairs of glasses in case one or more gets broken/lost.
Wet weather gear.

ANY maintenance or mods you do, do them one week before leaving. This gives you plenty of time to test and ensure all is fine well before you're on the road for your trip.

Courtesy of Forum member "JScharbrough"
If you do not normally ride at night make sure your ready to on this trip. Even if all your plans are for only daylight ridding things happen and you can get caught in the dark. Two things to check: 1.) verify the aim of your headlight and light-bar, if you haven't been driving at night they may not be aimed as well as they need to. 2.) Make sure you have a set of clear safety/driving glasses for night driving. It is hard to see when its 11 pm and you're wearing dark glasses and your headlight is bouncing off of low flying planes.

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What is a popular & dependable GPS unit to buy?

Courtesy of Forum member "OneFromOz"
I've had the Garmin 2610 for a lot of miles so far and it's great so far. Came in real handy moving from CA to AZ as I didn't know any streets/places here. And I swap it between the bike & car.
Got mine from eBay but www.gpsdiscount.com have good prices on new and refurbished models. Mine was a refurbished model and they come with the same warranty etc as a new one but you save a bunch of money.
For mounting, www.cyclegadget.com sells a RAM mount kit which includes a Garmin power cable.
If you start a Route before riding, it requires no button pushing unless you want to change screens, find a gas station or whatever. A Route will automatically continue running if you turn the bike off (gas/lunch) so no more buttons to push when you re-start.
But, I'll change screens while riding just for something different. Sometimes I'll get it to the GPS Info screen which has basic info (speed etc) but has Altitude, connected satellites etc.
I've never really had an issue with sun glare but if you needs one, a visor is available from Cycle Gadgets: http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/gps/detail.asp?prod=SP2610 for $19.95 + shipping.

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Where can I find touch-up paint for my LC/C90/whatever?

Go to the Colorrite site and choose your paint scheme from their selector.

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