Jon DelVecchio

Tim, Robin and Travis discuss the new V-Strom, bead breaking and Klim riding pants.
Music by Otis McDonald (https://www.otismacmusic.com/)

Dedicated Episode Page: https://tro.bike/podcast/2020e04/

// Blather:

Jeff Alford of Total Rider (Texas) suggested we should come up with a better intro, so Tim, Robin and Travis did just that. Travis talks V-Strom XT, Robin breaks a tire bead and Tim wears vinyl pants. If you get creative, all are universally interchangeable.

Jon DelVecchio is our interview this round and we sure are lucky to have him! Jon is the author of Cornering Confidence: The Formula for 100% Control In Curves. His book is an excellent read, providing motorcycle riders with a simple progression of skills to elevate their riding in a short period of time.

The guys also field questions about Northern Tool trailers, rear sprocket alignment and chain contact points. If you're not into listening, well ... that specific trailer is no more, you could use a laser tool and "yes". Clear as mud, right?

// Guest Interview:

Jon DelVecchio is our interview this round and we sure are lucky to have him! Jon is the author of . His book is an excellent read, providing motorcycle riders with a simple progression of skills to elevate their riding in a short period of time.

Jon's complete, hour-long interview is available here! Listen (https://tro.bike/podcast/2020e04-interview.mp3) or Download: MP3 (https://tro.bike/podcast/2020e04-interview.mp3) | WAV (https://tro.bike/podcast/2020e04-interview.wav)

// Model Focus:

Travis has his geekery pointed at the . It has a reworked Engine, same displacement, throttle by wire, cruise control, traction control and even engine modes. Eventually all of these luxuries get weighed against the Yamaha Tracer 900.

// Site Updates & Features:

// Listener Questions:

William O. Yates really liked the idea of Northern Tool's single rail motorcycle trailer. He asked where he might find one. Unfortunately, they took it off the menu. Said trailer was known to be a bit problematic. The next option, albeit slightly larger, is significantly better (https://tro.bike/?p=10869#northern-tool).

"Rolando" asks a two-fer ...

Q1: I tried centering my sprockets (18358) on the chain. Some teeth ended up to the left when looking underneath. Is this normal?

A1: Underneath the sprocket, the chain becomes loose, so the extra slack will have this effect. It's nothing to worry about, so long as the chain is properly adjusted (see your manual).

Q2: Are your sprocket teeth all centered from the point it makes contact with the chain?

A2: They are for the most part. There's some minor deviation but not much. Basically, make sure your chain is clean and in usable condition first. Is it dirty? Damaged? Are there any kinks? What about the sprocket? Is it marred in any way? Shark toothed? Once I confirm that the chain and sprocket are in proper working order, then and only then do I assume my adjustments will be technically correct. If the post-adjustment setting seems "odd" afterward, it might be worth pulling an engine cover off to look at the FRONT sprocket and be sure it's not shark toothed.

// That's About It:

TRO is a viewer/listener supported labor of love. If you'd like to help us better our content and recording equipment, visit https://donate.tro.bike/