New USA user

Hello, all.

I got my almost new B-King last fall to replace an aging '93 VMax, and I have been thrilled with it.

Although I'm not at all the social media type, this looks like a great place to learn about the bike and get some of my own questions answered.

There is a lot here; I've got some reading to do!

Welcome aboard!!

Enjoy the King - and the chat! As you say plenty to occupy you!!

Keep riding!

Welcome!
What state are you in, if you don't mind my asking? nj here.

cantwait2bking wrote:

Welcome!
What state are you in, if you don't mind my asking? nj here.

slightly drunk......

Michigan...(& not yet, but 5 o'clock's coming.)

@jaime - its 5 o'clock somewhere... Heyyy its almost 5 here

and congrats on the new to you B-King.

Hi "badchemistry" and welcome.

Lots of good info on here,
and the SEARCH option at the top of the page works well.

Tony.J.

Welcome!

Ok, where in Michigan? I'm in Grand Rapids. Welcome aboard! Everything you ever wanted to know about the B-King is in this forum. I've heard the meaning of life is also enclosed within these treasured pages. Let me save you the time looking.

RIDE A B-KING!

Welcome to the Mad House M8

Welcome !

Welcome
There is much to be learned here!

To "applewins": I'm in Muskegon (he said as he watched his brief anonymity crumbling). I was riding out on Fruit Ridge Rd. a couple days ago; you probably know that stretch.

Here's a question: Pipe golding. My pipes have rapidly turned gold all the way back to the can. They are even getting purple/gray up by the motor. Is this normal? I see from "Mad Mick"'s icon above that he's got gold pipes, too. I have a 19 year old VMax that the chrome still looks new on. What's the deal?

From what I understand, high heat exposure causes the metal to oxidize when simultaneously exposed to air. This is what makes the pipes turn colors. My pipes are gold all the way up as well. Pretty standard unless you get your pipes coated or double walled. I imagine that our pipes are not thick at all, so its no surprise that they discolor.

Your vmax pipes might be double walled or coated to shield them from heat. Aftermarket pipes are sometimes made to either protect against discoloring or hide it.

I've read in some places that pipe discoloration is a sign of improper tuning (too lean or too rich of an AFR), but I've never seen an i4 bike with stock pipes that didnt blue. My r6 blued. Kawi zx6r blued. My father's old VFR 750 blued. Unless somebody suggests otherwise, I wouldnt worry.

Thanks for the info. Since I see you're a sportbike rider, let me ask you about chains. I was a little reluctant to go back to a chain after years of riding a shaft drive. I didn't miss the lubing, tightening, replacing, and the mess it makes on the bike from throw-off. I bought some of the Suzuki lube, figuring they must know what the bike needs, but I don't like the stuff (messy). What all should I be doing, and how much longer life will I get out of a chain if I lube it regularly vs. just leaving it be?

I don't profess to know much of chains:

But I do know there are some recommendations here on this site for a teflon lube that does not make a mess or fly off the chain onto the rest of the bike. Havent used it yet. I have Yamalube with no issues as long as spray is applied evenly and gently.

I lube if its been a while (hehe), like more than a month since last ride, if i've gotten caught in even a little bit of rain or a puddle, and once a month regardless if nothing else.
Lubing is pretty necessary or else the chain is subject to premature wear from metal parts grinding together and potential corrosion.

Im only 24 and haven't had a single sportbike Long enough to need a chain replacement. My first two were stolen.

Hopefully someone else can chime in here on chain care and life.