Route 66 Ridley Motorcycles

09/02/2026

The brake pedal should have 1/8 to 1/4 inch of free travel before it begins pushing the piston in on the master cylinder. This is important on any motorcycle. No free travel equals brakes staying applied when riding. Heat expands everything. Before you know it your rear brakes are locking on. Free travel make sure fluid can return into master cylinder and allow brakes to release.

08/31/2026

Take care of the K&N air filter. Wash and clean it annually or more. These are no longer made and the replacement is a paper filter. Not near as cool looking.

08/28/2026

Our saddlebag maker quit. Here is our first set from new maker. We made a couple miner changes.

08/27/2026

How to we polish and shine up a bike? Clean the bike by hand thoroughly using super soft clothes and a good foam glass cleaner. If chrome is really dirty use the finest steel wool and clean the chrome. Wipe down with super soft clothes. The coat with polish. We like Wizards and Meguires. For the billet aluminum pieces we use Luster Lace polishing products. We use these on the chrome too after the above. We spend a lot of time to get the show quality look. If in doubt, buff and polish again. Change out super soft clothes often. If your hands don’t cramp and your arms don’t fatigue you are doing it wrong!

08/25/2026

Did you know on the LED speedometer?
Push trip button once and the display shows “trp” and your trip mileage. We use this, and gas up every 80 to 100 miles. Easy since we do not have a gas gauge.
Push trip button two times and display shows “bat” and your battery voltage. Easy was to check the charging system.
Push the trip button three times and it displays “odo” and your bikes mileage.
Push your trip button four times and it displays “cal” and a number that is your speedometer calibration number.

08/19/2026

Great view of the adjustment on the Ridley carburetor. The top black pull k**b is fuel enrichment. Pull it out towards the front of the bike for good cold starts. Push in after a minute or two. The white k**b is idle speed. Turn clockwise to raise idle. Counter clockwise to lower idle. Goal is 750 to 800 idle speed. The brass knurled screw is idle mixture. Clockwise is less fuel. Counter clockwise is more fuel. Most bike set 1 and 1/2 to 1 and 3/4 turns out from finger tight.

08/18/2026

A friend of mine that helps with our website and art work made me an action figure! I feel like he went a bit light on price though.

08/06/2026

08/05/2026

The final drive belt is one tough customer as long as alignment and tension is correct. Also be sure it’s not rubbing something it shouldn’t. This set up will last and last. begin watching for dry rot though. The average Ridley final belt age, if original, is 20 years now!

08/04/2026

Remember the ride is supposed to be fun. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the open air, the freedom. The places you go can be around the block, out to eat, or a beautiful destination. But never forget the ride is the event!