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Post by pitrage on Jul 24, 2013 22:27:16 GMT -6
So I have an issue. I'm in an MSF course right now. Well the people in registration allowed more people to register then there are bikes available. So to ensure that noone needs to be dropped those of us with bikes are allowed to bring ours to the ride days and use our own bikes. Issue is that my solenoid is bad. I can't find one on ebay that is local. I'm wondering what other bikes use the same solenoid.
Also if someone on here lives within 1-2 hours maybe a touch more of Baltimore MD and has one that they would be willing to sell I would be very happy to take it off of there hands but would have to pick it up on Friday. Please any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by zekkfett on Jul 25, 2013 0:04:28 GMT -6
Try taking the solenoid to an auto parts store, and see if they can't match it up with a solenoid they have in stock. Almost all Fords use an external solenoid, (which is about the only thing Ford has ever done that was smart) and one can probably be matched up. Might require a little alteration of the factory wiring though... As the parts for these bikes are getting more and more scarce, we're eventually going to have to do this anyway. I WOULD NOT use your own bike for the course, unless you are already VERY comfortable with riding it. MSF will make you sign a waiver that will release them from liability of damage to your bike if you drop it. If you have very little motorcycle experience, DO NOT take your own bike, as you very well could lay it down, or drop it; that would be BAD news for you brother, and your bike... The 454 is a lot taller than most bikes, and it takes a bit of getting used to doing some of the maneuvers that will be required in the course. It is not as easy to ride our bikes as most people would think. I myself grew up riding dirt bikes, and to me, the 454 handles much like one; so I'm VERY comfortable on mine. It would be better to use their bikes, that way you can learn comfortably, and not constantly have the thought in the back of your mind of dropping YOUR bike. You are there to learn, not to be concerned with your own bike. You can't absorb all the info that you're going to need with other thoughts in the back of your mind. Also, part of the money you pay for the MSF course is for "rental" of their bikes, do you really think you are going to get any money back from them, if you have to use your own bike?? I don't think so. Just my two cents...
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Post by eaglerider on Jul 25, 2013 6:32:00 GMT -6
The ones for the Vulcan 500 are the same, and most likely the Ninja 500, as they are basically the same engine.
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Post by pitrage on Jul 25, 2013 6:37:37 GMT -6
Thank you both. I will see what I can come up with. When I was looking last night I kept finding Vulcan solenoids with a 4 prong wiring spot instead of the 2 prong that we have.
Eagle I just pm'd you
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Post by BenInPA on Jul 26, 2013 17:57:15 GMT -6
Just thought I would comment. When I took my MSF course it was free. I didn't have to pay anything to get into it. I paid the money to get my permit and that was it. I agree with Zekk though and would not use your own bike. The one move they have you do I would not even try on my bike. They call it the "8 in a box" and it is tight. You have to do 2 figure 8's in a marked out rectangle aprox. 10ft x 16ft in size without going outside the lines or putting your feet down. You do this at almost a crawl with the bike. Not fun in my opinion and will never use that in real life. My course used the Buell Blast 500. It is a lot smaller bike than ours. I am pretty sure it is lighter and I am positive that it is shorter in length. The bikes you use for the MSF course are stripped down. They have no turn signals, no mirrors and no fancy anything that you can rip off. They expect a few to drop the bikes. If at all possible take the advice, DO NOT use your bike for the course!
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Post by pitrage on Jul 26, 2013 18:49:46 GMT -6
Yeah. I couldn't get the parts in in time anyway. Plus Zekk and a few close friends of mine talked me out of it anyway.
But the Basic Rider Course is expensive now. I got it cheap at 305. Most places near me are 350-370. But besides the money spent and the life saving lessons people are still not paying attention in class. Personally I cant afford to not pay attention at about 19/hour. But Its a blast. Tomorrow is the first ride day. Im stoked.
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Post by BenInPA on Jul 27, 2013 14:25:25 GMT -6
Ouch that is expensive. At least there is one perk to living in PA! Everyone knows the roads aren't worth a crap to ride on. I live 5 minutes from the NY state border and do most of my riding in NY.
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Post by pitrage on Jul 27, 2013 15:11:41 GMT -6
But Im glad I was talked out of taking my bike. I wiped out on theres. Learning alot though.
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