My wife and I were gonna clean out the garage on 12/31. The kids were at gramma's house.
It was 40 degrees and the sun was shining.
We kept eying the bikes in the corner of the garage.
At noon I said, let's get something to eat.
My wife said, if we can get my bike started, let's ride.
I had put sta-bil in both tanks earlier in the month, and had tried to start 'em both. Hers hadn't started. That was a cold day.
Today her bike fired right up on the second try.
Rode to Arby's cause we had a coupon.
As we're eating she says, "I'm thinking let's take the long way home."
"Really?" I asked. "Won't you freeze?" She's more "cold blooded" than me; I figured if I was cold she'd be freezing.
"I'll be okay," she said, "I really wanna do this."
"You'll never catch me saying no..."
She had already plotted a brief tour of some of the more interesting roads near our house. A couple of S-turns along tree-lined roads, some ups and downs. Not much, but better than 96th street's 5 lanes of mega slab.
Piles of sand and road salt in every curve and in the center of the road. Residue from snow removal efforts of prior week.
The numbness of my hands started affecting my clutching ability. This isn't right -- I usually ride down into the mid-30's without much trouble. I guess a few weeks in a cage with the heater on have thinned my blood and made me susceptible to the cold again.
In the summer this ride wouldn't have merited mention. But to get any riding in during the dead of winter -- that's worth noting.
New Year's Day brought snow and cold, the bikes are back on their battery tenders. But at least we rode on New Year's Eve.
The Return
Fellow maggot Carl Parker made a movie about his journey through western china.
Visit his website where you can buy his DVD.
Visit his website where you can buy his DVD.
Riding Death Valley
Fellow maggot Ratfab organized a ride to Death Valley.
Check out his trip report ( + lots more photos) on advrider.com.
I've Been Everywhere
This video inspires me.
Not that I'm really a Johnny Cash fan, but that song just fits the feel of the ride. I love the pictures and the story they tell. Makes me want to get on my bike and ride over the mountains. (Of course, I'd first have to ride quite a ways to even reach the nearest mountain...)
Not that I'm really a Johnny Cash fan, but that song just fits the feel of the ride. I love the pictures and the story they tell. Makes me want to get on my bike and ride over the mountains. (Of course, I'd first have to ride quite a ways to even reach the nearest mountain...)
Biker Dancing Silly
It's that time of year again. I miss my motorcycle so much I put on my biker gear and dance around the living room.
The Uninspiring Honda ST
I'm always up for an eloquent critique of motorcycles, like Dennis's quote in the recent Cycle World about the (coyote ugly...) Victory Vision. (...can't put my hands on his quote right now ... )
This month's Motorcyclist Magazine has an interesting quote about the Honda ST. -
"The big V-4 sport-tourer has been as reliable as continental drift, though superficial types say it's only slightly more engaging to ride."
And then there's Brian's classic "I wouldn't be caught dead on a Honda..."
I'm reminded of the BMW K1200RT ad that I saw a year or two ago that said "finally a touring bike that doesn't handle like an oil barge..."
Which was a quote that I loved but didn't fully understand until I bought a Gold Wing. Shortly after purchasing the bike I nicknamed it "The Exxon Valdeez" -- inspired by the insightful BMW ad.
Katherine Becker, Fellow Maggot
Katherine's web page
http://hamjudo.com/~kbecker/
Katherine's blog
http://elizilla.livejournal.com/profile
Cherry Red Pipes
Cherry red motorcycle pipes. Running Hot.
They say it's from running the bike too hard.
I say it's from running the bike too lean.
They say it's from running the bike too hard.
I say it's from running the bike too lean.
Inside The Engine
Want to look inside a running motor. Actually watch the valves open and close, piston pop up, spark plug fire?
The ATGATT Rat
This little guy oughta be my mascot, since I'm the ATGATT RAT.
On second thought, no, he's not wearing tiny mouse boots, gloves, jacket, or pants.
$99 Ducati
A Motorcycle-inspired USB drive
I'd like to be able to say that this combines my two loves. But, in fact, it merely combines my avocation with my vocation.
And that, only tangentially.
I don't have a passion for Ducatis.
And I don't really work with USB drives.
But still, I thought it was cool, from a marketing standpoint.
I'm surprised there's not a Harley-Davidson authorized SAN Disk USB Drive which has the 1/2 the storage capacity as the Ducati and costs twice as much.
Myths Of Motorcycling
A few of us may remember some guy named Art Friedman. He's working at a rag called "Motorcycle Cruiser" these days, and the latest issue has an article on the myths of motorcycling safety. He listed these. Any more?
Other Drivers Don't Care About Motorcyclists
Loud Pipes Save Lives
Motorcycle Helmets Break Necks
Helmets Block Your Ability to See or Hear Danger
A Helmet Won't Help in Most Crashes
A Helmet Will Leave You Brain Damaged in an Crash When You Would Have Simply Died
A Skilled Rider Should Be Able to Handle Almost Any Situation
If You Are Going to Crash, Lay It Down
One Beer Won't Hurt
It's Better to Stay in Your Lane than Split Lanes
I'm Safer on the Street than on an Interstate
A Skilled Rider Can Stop Better with Conventional Brakes than with Anti-Lock Brakes
Rumored 2008 Hornet
Proposed replacement to the 919.
I like it.
I don't like the headlight or the lightning bolt nonsense framing the radiator.
But overall I like the stance of the bike, and of course I like the name on the tank...
Brown Country Trip
I met 3 fellow riders this morning for a day trip to Brown County, IN. I had posed them the question "How do I break in my new Metzlers?" and they'd responded, "Come with us to Brown County".
I slabbed to our rendezvous point, via Interstate 465 to State Road 67 to Mooresville, IN.
There I joined forces with Bob on his 96 Magna, Brian on his BMW R1150R, and Dennis on his Zooky 650 Thumper dual-sport.
Each of us had familiarity with different segments of the route along the way. Not one of us was familiar with the entire circuit that we'd be taking.
None of has had much idea of where to go. None of us cared if we ever arrived. We had the day, and our bikes.
It was perhaps one of the last good riding weekends of the season. Sun was shining and it was 50 degrees.
Dennis on his dual sport knew the first segment of the route. So he led. I was impressed with his riding ability. He'd been riding in the dirt since childhood and could literally ride circles around me. His bike might have lacked top end capability but it was well suited for some impressive lean angles.
Meanwhile I struggled through the corners. I had a hard time keeping my sight lines while following Dennis through the curves. I was just not smooth.
We left Mooresville, IN on SR 42 West. From there some back roads that rivaled Burr Oak area: Baltimore Road to Wilbur Road to Pumpkinvine Hill Drive, arriving in Martinsville. These roads have you moving in all directions at once, up, down, left, right. Off-camber curves, mostly unbroken pavement and no gravel. No farm animals on the road. No cell phoning drivers taking their half out of the middle. I made a note of these roads so that I can take my wife there next time we ride to Brown County.
The stretch of SR 252 from Martinsville to Morgantown was familiar territory. Wide, perfect pavement, switchbacks, double yellow lines. Great stuff, not as nerve wracking or technically challenging as the "Pumpkinvine Route".
SR 135 is locally famous, for good reason. Very good pavement and lots of switchbacks, dips and curves. A motorcyclists' dream. This time we ducked east out of Beanblossom, IN on "Gatesville Road". As a secondary county road, it too was technically more challenging. No potholes but some rough pavement. Up, down, left and right all at the same time. We stopped for a photograph of the "Welcome to Gatesville" sign. It says, "Now entering and leaving Gatesville, IN". Literally one store in town. Typical southern Indiana.
Bob on his Magna led for the next stretch. He was faster through the turns than Dennis. I played follow the leader. I started improving my techniques and riding faster. I found that I'd been following Dennis too closely through the curves. Close enough that I was not looking through the curve -- because he was still in the curve as I was entering it, I was fixed on him and ended up looking only half-way through the curve. With Bob in the lead I positioned myself so that I was looking all the way through the curve. Much better.
From Gatesville on Salt Creek road to pick up SR 135 again. We had meant to stop in Story, IN for lunch at a locally famous biker bar. We arrived at Story with such huge grins on our faces. Bob looked at me dubiously, "You wanna stop?!" pointing at the biker bar.
"What do you want to do?" I asked.
"Keep riding!" he replied. There were no dissenting votes.
Off we went, south through more delicious roads to Freetown, IN. We pulled over for a roadside conference on our next destination. Bob consulted his Blackberry GPS while Brian consulted his well worn map.
Meanwhile an old fart on a 70's era CB750 pulled up and said, "You guys all right? Need any help?"
I thanked him and said, "No, we're just picking a route."
After I left I chided Brian, the BMW rider, with, "You know, you really do meet the nicest people on a Honda!"
He laughed.
We decided to continue south on 135 to SR 58, 58 west to 446, 446 North back to Bloomington, IN for a meal.
Continuing south on SR135, I saw the sign for SR 58 west, which was our next turn. Bob was in the lead, I was following. Bob gave no indication of recognizing the turn. I turned on my signal and began to slow for the right turn. Suddenly I see Bob's brake lights and a puff of white smoke from his rear tire. He'd recognized the turn at the last second and locked up the rear. He kept control and managed to stop in time to make the turn.
Later Bob described it: "I saw your turn signal, and though you were telling me I'd left my signal on. Then I realized where I was and hit the brakes."
"I saw the puff of smoke from your rear tire!" I told him.
"Really? I smoked the tire?" Bob asked.
"Yep. I thought, 'I'm glad that's not my tire'" I said. "I laughed for 3 miles after that."
I would not have locked the brake in that situation. I'd have slowed less aggressively and done a U-turn 100 feet past the intersection to come back to where I blew the turn. Bob's obviously more confident in his extreme braking ability than I am in mine.
SR58 was boring by comparison to SR135 until we passed Kurtz. West of Kurtz we had a few valleys, twists and turns. The pavement was excellent.
SR 446 is a major highway by comparison. It passes through the Monroe Reservoir area. Though it had nice scenery and occasional sweepers, this was the straightest and fastest section of our trip so far. Also the coldest. All four of us opened up the throttle. On these open stretches the dual sport lagged behind.
SR 446 connects with SR 46 which we took west into Bloomington. Home of Indiana University. We stopped for a late lunch at Chili's. After the chill of the ride, the warmth and the belly full of food started to make us sleepy.
Dennis said, "I'm thinking of taking SR 37 back home." This was taking the highway back instead of taking the twisties.
I'd had my heart set on SR 45 from Bloomington to Beanblossom, which is one of my favorite roads in the area. But the sun would be setting in an hour, it was getting to be "Deer O'Clock". I had an hour further to travel before I was home than Dennis. I had the option of continuing alone up SR 45 for more fun, or staying with the group.
I decided to stay with the group.
As if to torment me for my decision, we all got caught in IU Football traffic on our way up SR 46 to its junction with SR37. Sitting in stop and go traffic for 30 minutes, I kept thinking, "The longer we sit here, the less advantage the highway route has over the twisty route. I should have just gone up SR45."
But I stayed the course. And once more traffic on the slab ground to a halt. This time an accident involving a school bus closed all but one lane, and once again I sat in traffic, cursing my decision to slab it home.
Next time, I'll take the road less traveled.
I slabbed to our rendezvous point, via Interstate 465 to State Road 67 to Mooresville, IN.
There I joined forces with Bob on his 96 Magna, Brian on his BMW R1150R, and Dennis on his Zooky 650 Thumper dual-sport.
Each of us had familiarity with different segments of the route along the way. Not one of us was familiar with the entire circuit that we'd be taking.
None of has had much idea of where to go. None of us cared if we ever arrived. We had the day, and our bikes.
It was perhaps one of the last good riding weekends of the season. Sun was shining and it was 50 degrees.
Dennis on his dual sport knew the first segment of the route. So he led. I was impressed with his riding ability. He'd been riding in the dirt since childhood and could literally ride circles around me. His bike might have lacked top end capability but it was well suited for some impressive lean angles.
Meanwhile I struggled through the corners. I had a hard time keeping my sight lines while following Dennis through the curves. I was just not smooth.
We left Mooresville, IN on SR 42 West. From there some back roads that rivaled Burr Oak area: Baltimore Road to Wilbur Road to Pumpkinvine Hill Drive, arriving in Martinsville. These roads have you moving in all directions at once, up, down, left, right. Off-camber curves, mostly unbroken pavement and no gravel. No farm animals on the road. No cell phoning drivers taking their half out of the middle. I made a note of these roads so that I can take my wife there next time we ride to Brown County.
The stretch of SR 252 from Martinsville to Morgantown was familiar territory. Wide, perfect pavement, switchbacks, double yellow lines. Great stuff, not as nerve wracking or technically challenging as the "Pumpkinvine Route".
SR 135 is locally famous, for good reason. Very good pavement and lots of switchbacks, dips and curves. A motorcyclists' dream. This time we ducked east out of Beanblossom, IN on "Gatesville Road". As a secondary county road, it too was technically more challenging. No potholes but some rough pavement. Up, down, left and right all at the same time. We stopped for a photograph of the "Welcome to Gatesville" sign. It says, "Now entering and leaving Gatesville, IN". Literally one store in town. Typical southern Indiana.
Photobucket Album
Bob on his Magna led for the next stretch. He was faster through the turns than Dennis. I played follow the leader. I started improving my techniques and riding faster. I found that I'd been following Dennis too closely through the curves. Close enough that I was not looking through the curve -- because he was still in the curve as I was entering it, I was fixed on him and ended up looking only half-way through the curve. With Bob in the lead I positioned myself so that I was looking all the way through the curve. Much better.
From Gatesville on Salt Creek road to pick up SR 135 again. We had meant to stop in Story, IN for lunch at a locally famous biker bar. We arrived at Story with such huge grins on our faces. Bob looked at me dubiously, "You wanna stop?!" pointing at the biker bar.
"What do you want to do?" I asked.
"Keep riding!" he replied. There were no dissenting votes.
Off we went, south through more delicious roads to Freetown, IN. We pulled over for a roadside conference on our next destination. Bob consulted his Blackberry GPS while Brian consulted his well worn map.
Meanwhile an old fart on a 70's era CB750 pulled up and said, "You guys all right? Need any help?"
I thanked him and said, "No, we're just picking a route."
After I left I chided Brian, the BMW rider, with, "You know, you really do meet the nicest people on a Honda!"
He laughed.
We decided to continue south on 135 to SR 58, 58 west to 446, 446 North back to Bloomington, IN for a meal.
Continuing south on SR135, I saw the sign for SR 58 west, which was our next turn. Bob was in the lead, I was following. Bob gave no indication of recognizing the turn. I turned on my signal and began to slow for the right turn. Suddenly I see Bob's brake lights and a puff of white smoke from his rear tire. He'd recognized the turn at the last second and locked up the rear. He kept control and managed to stop in time to make the turn.
Later Bob described it: "I saw your turn signal, and though you were telling me I'd left my signal on. Then I realized where I was and hit the brakes."
"I saw the puff of smoke from your rear tire!" I told him.
"Really? I smoked the tire?" Bob asked.
"Yep. I thought, 'I'm glad that's not my tire'" I said. "I laughed for 3 miles after that."
I would not have locked the brake in that situation. I'd have slowed less aggressively and done a U-turn 100 feet past the intersection to come back to where I blew the turn. Bob's obviously more confident in his extreme braking ability than I am in mine.
SR58 was boring by comparison to SR135 until we passed Kurtz. West of Kurtz we had a few valleys, twists and turns. The pavement was excellent.
SR 446 is a major highway by comparison. It passes through the Monroe Reservoir area. Though it had nice scenery and occasional sweepers, this was the straightest and fastest section of our trip so far. Also the coldest. All four of us opened up the throttle. On these open stretches the dual sport lagged behind.
SR 446 connects with SR 46 which we took west into Bloomington. Home of Indiana University. We stopped for a late lunch at Chili's. After the chill of the ride, the warmth and the belly full of food started to make us sleepy.
Dennis said, "I'm thinking of taking SR 37 back home." This was taking the highway back instead of taking the twisties.
I'd had my heart set on SR 45 from Bloomington to Beanblossom, which is one of my favorite roads in the area. But the sun would be setting in an hour, it was getting to be "Deer O'Clock". I had an hour further to travel before I was home than Dennis. I had the option of continuing alone up SR 45 for more fun, or staying with the group.
I decided to stay with the group.
As if to torment me for my decision, we all got caught in IU Football traffic on our way up SR 46 to its junction with SR37. Sitting in stop and go traffic for 30 minutes, I kept thinking, "The longer we sit here, the less advantage the highway route has over the twisty route. I should have just gone up SR45."
But I stayed the course. And once more traffic on the slab ground to a halt. This time an accident involving a school bus closed all but one lane, and once again I sat in traffic, cursing my decision to slab it home.
Next time, I'll take the road less traveled.
Air Bag Suit
This is pretty amazing. I'm a big fan of safety gear but I'm not sure I'd go for this.
What would happen if you forgot and left in hooked to the bike when you dismounted?!?!
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/14328936/detail.html
http://www.motoair.com/
Nice Pants
Alpinestar Air-Flo Mesh Pants
I recommend these because you can put them on over your clothes, and put them on over your boots. No need to remove your boots! Air-Flo Mesh Pants
I recommend these because you can put them on over your clothes, and put them on over your boots. No need to remove your boots! Air-Flo Mesh Pants
Motorcyclists Offers Apology And Restitution To Members Of DUMB
(By Larry Supina, Amarillo, TX)
An apology is in order, so, please, forgive me. It was not until this morning on my ride to work that I fully understood I was in error.
Yes, I've noticed that there are many very busy and important people on the roads. You all are hard to miss with the cell phones, laptops, breakfast bars, coffee, cigarettes and all, but until now, I didn't realize I was causing so much trouble for you busy, multitasking drivers.
I figured it out this morning, thanks to the nice lady working on the laptop who needed the lane I was in.
First, ma'am, let me say that when I honked at you from the shoulder, I didn't mean to startle you. My intent was just to give you a little beep to let you know the lane was all yours. But I was braking so hard, I couldn't lift my thumb off the horn button. My bad.
I surely didn't mean to cause you to nearly hit the guy talking on the cell phone. You know, he was smoking and talking as he moved his SUV right into the space you had just left.
Anyway, the good news is, that's when I realized all of you multitasking drivers must be texting each other about intended lane changes and running traffic lights and stop signs and such. I'm sorry - I'm still using old-fashioned blinkers. I didn't realize you needed some time to e-notify that guy that you needed the lane back. I really messed it up for both of you!
I can only say that the guard rail was a little distracting, and I was only thinking about myself. I'll try harder next time.
Like I said, I didn't know that was how you multitasking drivers were communicating. It must have been in an e-mail, but my laptop fell off my tank and I haven't replaced it.
However, I have a solution.
I know many of you are so busy and important that you have no choice - you have to eat, work, talk, read and do lots of other really important things as you drive. Those of us who use the road only for traveling would be happy to stay out of your way; we just need to know you're coming.
A little visual clue would help - I was thinking of a bumper sticker. That way, everyone could identify you as Drivers Utilizing Multiple Behaviors.
Of course, that's a little long, so we'd cut it down to an acronym - DUMB. If you'd place stickers on the front, back and maybe the sides of your car, the rest of us would know not to interfere with you on the road.
I think it's such a good idea, I'll pay for the bumper stickers and even put them on for you. Deal? Again, I'm sorry I got in your way. I'll try harder to see you coming from now on.
I promise!
An apology is in order, so, please, forgive me. It was not until this morning on my ride to work that I fully understood I was in error.
Yes, I've noticed that there are many very busy and important people on the roads. You all are hard to miss with the cell phones, laptops, breakfast bars, coffee, cigarettes and all, but until now, I didn't realize I was causing so much trouble for you busy, multitasking drivers.
I figured it out this morning, thanks to the nice lady working on the laptop who needed the lane I was in.
First, ma'am, let me say that when I honked at you from the shoulder, I didn't mean to startle you. My intent was just to give you a little beep to let you know the lane was all yours. But I was braking so hard, I couldn't lift my thumb off the horn button. My bad.
I surely didn't mean to cause you to nearly hit the guy talking on the cell phone. You know, he was smoking and talking as he moved his SUV right into the space you had just left.
Anyway, the good news is, that's when I realized all of you multitasking drivers must be texting each other about intended lane changes and running traffic lights and stop signs and such. I'm sorry - I'm still using old-fashioned blinkers. I didn't realize you needed some time to e-notify that guy that you needed the lane back. I really messed it up for both of you!
I can only say that the guard rail was a little distracting, and I was only thinking about myself. I'll try harder next time.
Like I said, I didn't know that was how you multitasking drivers were communicating. It must have been in an e-mail, but my laptop fell off my tank and I haven't replaced it.
However, I have a solution.
I know many of you are so busy and important that you have no choice - you have to eat, work, talk, read and do lots of other really important things as you drive. Those of us who use the road only for traveling would be happy to stay out of your way; we just need to know you're coming.
A little visual clue would help - I was thinking of a bumper sticker. That way, everyone could identify you as Drivers Utilizing Multiple Behaviors.
Of course, that's a little long, so we'd cut it down to an acronym - DUMB. If you'd place stickers on the front, back and maybe the sides of your car, the rest of us would know not to interfere with you on the road.
I think it's such a good idea, I'll pay for the bumper stickers and even put them on for you. Deal? Again, I'm sorry I got in your way. I'll try harder to see you coming from now on.
I promise!
ATGATT Shopping
Yesterday was like Christmas for me:
New Metzlers for Jezebel (ME880's)
New face shield for my helmet HJC CL14 (old one was scratched). I had wanted to buy a new helmet this season but chose to extend the life of this one another season and invest in Metzlers instead.
New riding sunglasses: Curves. I can see $12 for sunglasses. I can't see $120.
New gloves -- Tour Master Airflow Gloves. Picked them up on end-of-summer clearance. These have reinforced palms, and abrasion resistant tops and bottoms, and mesh vents on the sides of the fingers and on the back of the hand. Replacing the outgoing Pakistani Leather Gloves which were basically fashion leather, no padding.
Every brand of motorcycle gloves I have ever tried on I have found that XXL fits me best. TourMaster's Airflows that I bought today was no exception. XXXL was too loose, XL was too small.
But on the trip home the right glove felt a little too tight across the ball of the hand. Only on the right side. I am right handed.
Part of this is me not being used to gloves with padded palms.
I'm wondering if there's a tried and true method for stretching gloves. I imagine if I get them wet and dry once or twice, they'll mold to the shape of my hand. That'll happen soon enough I suppose.
New Metzlers for Jezebel (ME880's)
New face shield for my helmet HJC CL14 (old one was scratched). I had wanted to buy a new helmet this season but chose to extend the life of this one another season and invest in Metzlers instead.
New riding sunglasses: Curves. I can see $12 for sunglasses. I can't see $120.
New gloves -- Tour Master Airflow Gloves. Picked them up on end-of-summer clearance. These have reinforced palms, and abrasion resistant tops and bottoms, and mesh vents on the sides of the fingers and on the back of the hand. Replacing the outgoing Pakistani Leather Gloves which were basically fashion leather, no padding.
Every brand of motorcycle gloves I have ever tried on I have found that XXL fits me best. TourMaster's Airflows that I bought today was no exception. XXXL was too loose, XL was too small.
But on the trip home the right glove felt a little too tight across the ball of the hand. Only on the right side. I am right handed.
Part of this is me not being used to gloves with padded palms.
I'm wondering if there's a tried and true method for stretching gloves. I imagine if I get them wet and dry once or twice, they'll mold to the shape of my hand. That'll happen soon enough I suppose.
Great motorcycle quotes
Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.
“200mph, no hands. Damn that’d be cool right before the part where you die.” – A. Duthie
“There are only three sports: mountain climbing, bull fighting, and motor racing. All the rest are merely games.” – Ernest Hemingway
“Calling upon my years of experience, I froze at the controls.” – Stirling Moss
“Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle.”
Seen on a motorcycle’s rearviews:“Warning: objects seen in mirror are disappearing rapidly”
Got a $5 head? Get a $5 helmet.
“There’s the V-4 thing: there’s just something about it that inline 4s don’t have, and V-twins have too much of.” – Murray Duncan
“Life may begin at 30, but it doesn’t get real interesting until about 150.”
If you’re going to lead, then lead. If you’re going to follow, get the hell out of my way!
“Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death...” – Hunter Thompson
“Keep thy eye on the tach, thine ears on the engine, least thy whirlybits seek communion with the sun” – John 4:50
“You start the game with a full pot o’ luck and an empty pot o’ experience... The object is to fill the pot of experience before you empty the pot of luck.”
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!”
“Insisting on perfect safety is for people who don’t have the balls to live in the real world.” – Mary Shafer, NASA Ames Dryden
“I believe in treating everyone with respect, but, first you have to get their attention.”
“Never trade the thrills of living for the security of existence”.
Everyone knows Honda’s attitude in the GP Paddock! “ Who will be behind us this weekend? “
“A zest for living must include a willingness to die.” – R.A. Heinlein
If you think you don’t need a helmet, you probably don’t.
“Racing is living, everything else is just waiting”
“If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.”– Larry McMurty
“Why are motorcycle dealers closed on Sundays? Because Sunday is for worship... Catholics go to church, Motorcyclists go to the track.” – Justin Skalka
I want to leave this world the same way I came into it: Screaming and covered in blood.
Kansas: home of the highway with 318 miles and 11 curves.
What does a Harley and hound dog have in common ? They both spend most of their time in the back of a pickup truck. What differentiates the two ? The hound dog can get in and out of the pickup under his own power.
“98% of all Harleys ever sold are still on the road. The other 2% made it home.”
Midnight bugs taste best.
Saddlebags can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need.
NEVER argue with a woman holding a torque wrench.
Never try to race an old geezer, he may have one more gear than you.
Home is where your bike sits still long enough to leave a few drops of oil on the ground.
Routine maintenance should never be neglected.
It takes more love to share the saddle than it does to share the bed. The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rearview mirror.
Never be afraid to slow down.
Bikes don’t leak oil, they mark their territory.
Don’t ride so late into the night that you sleep through the sunrise.
Pie and coffee are as important as petrol.
Sometimes it takes a whole tankful of fuel before you can think straight.
If you want to get a job, you may have to compromise your principals (you may even have to shave).
Riding faster than everyone else only guarantees you’ll ride alone.
Never hesitate to ride past the last street light at the edge of town.
Never mistake horsepower for staying power.
A good rider has balance, judgment, and good timing. So does a good lover.
A cold hamburger can be reheated quite nicely by strapping it to an exhaust pipe and riding forty miles.
Never do less than forty miles before breakfast.
If you don’t ride in the rain, you don’t ride.
A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.
Respect the person who has seen the dark side of motorcycling and lived.
Young riders pick a destination and go... Old riders pick a direction and go.
A good mechanic will let you watch without charging you for it.
Sometimes the fastest way to get there is to stop for the night.
Always back your bike into the curb, and sit where you can see it.
Work to ride & ride to work.
Whatever it is, it’s better in the wind.
Two-lane blacktop isn’t a highway – it’s an attitude.
When you look down the road, it seems to never end – but you better believe it does.
A biker can smell a party 500 miles away.
Winter is Nature’s way of telling you to polish.
A motorcycle can’t sing on the streets of a city.
Keep your bike in good repair: Motorcycle boots are NOT comfortable for walking.
People are like Motorcycles: each is customized a bit differently.
If the bike isn’t braking properly, you don’t start by rebuilding the engine.
Remember to pay as much attention to your partner as you do your carburetor.
Sometimes the best communication happens when you’re on separate bikes.
Well-trained reflexes are quicker than luck.
Good coffee should be indistinguishable from 50 weight motor oil.
The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome.
Learn to do counter-intuitive things that may someday save your butt.
The twisties – not the superslabs –separate the riders from the squids.
When you’re riding lead, don’t spit.
If you really want to know what’s going on, watch what’s happening at least five cars ahead.
Don’t make a reputation you’ll have to live down or run away from later.
If the person in the next lane at the stoplight rolls up the window and locks the door, support their view of life by snarling at them.
A friend is someone who’ll get out of bed at 2 am to drive his pickup to the middle of nowhere to get you when you’re broken down.
If she changes her oil more than she changes her mind follow her.
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt @ 70 mph can double your vocabulary.
If you want to get somewhere before sundown, you can’t stop at every tavern.
There’s something ugly about a NEW bike on a trailer.
Don’t lead the pack if you don’t know where you’re going.
Sleep with one arm through the spokes and keep your pants on.
Practice wrenching on your own bike.
Everyone crashes. Some get back on. Some don’t. Some can’t.
Beware the rider who says the bike never breaks down.
2 bikes is useful because at least one can be raided for parts at any given time.
Don’t argue with an 18-wheeler.
Never be ashamed to unlearn an old habit.
Maintenance is as much art as it is science.
A good long ride can clear your mind, restore your faith, and use up a lot of fuel.
If you can’t get it going with bungee cords and electrician’s tape, it’s serious.
If you ride like there’s no tomorrow, there won’t be.
Bikes parked out front mean good chicken-fried steak inside.
Gray-haired riders don’t get that way from pure luck.
There are drunk riders. There are old riders. There are NO old, drunk riders.
Thin leather looks good in the bar, but it won’t save your butt from “road rash” if you go down.
The best modifications cannot be seen from the outside.
Always replace the cheapest parts first.
You can forget what you do for a living when your knees are in the breeze.
No matter what marquee you ride, it’s all the same wind.
Patience is the ability to keep your motor idling.
Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.
“200mph, no hands. Damn that’d be cool right before the part where you die.” – A. Duthie
“There are only three sports: mountain climbing, bull fighting, and motor racing. All the rest are merely games.” – Ernest Hemingway
“Calling upon my years of experience, I froze at the controls.” – Stirling Moss
“Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle.”
Seen on a motorcycle’s rearviews:“Warning: objects seen in mirror are disappearing rapidly”
Got a $5 head? Get a $5 helmet.
“There’s the V-4 thing: there’s just something about it that inline 4s don’t have, and V-twins have too much of.” – Murray Duncan
“Life may begin at 30, but it doesn’t get real interesting until about 150.”
If you’re going to lead, then lead. If you’re going to follow, get the hell out of my way!
“Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death...” – Hunter Thompson
“Keep thy eye on the tach, thine ears on the engine, least thy whirlybits seek communion with the sun” – John 4:50
“You start the game with a full pot o’ luck and an empty pot o’ experience... The object is to fill the pot of experience before you empty the pot of luck.”
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!”
“Insisting on perfect safety is for people who don’t have the balls to live in the real world.” – Mary Shafer, NASA Ames Dryden
“I believe in treating everyone with respect, but, first you have to get their attention.”
“Never trade the thrills of living for the security of existence”.
Everyone knows Honda’s attitude in the GP Paddock! “ Who will be behind us this weekend? “
“A zest for living must include a willingness to die.” – R.A. Heinlein
If you think you don’t need a helmet, you probably don’t.
“Racing is living, everything else is just waiting”
“If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.”– Larry McMurty
“Why are motorcycle dealers closed on Sundays? Because Sunday is for worship... Catholics go to church, Motorcyclists go to the track.” – Justin Skalka
I want to leave this world the same way I came into it: Screaming and covered in blood.
Kansas: home of the highway with 318 miles and 11 curves.
What does a Harley and hound dog have in common ? They both spend most of their time in the back of a pickup truck. What differentiates the two ? The hound dog can get in and out of the pickup under his own power.
“98% of all Harleys ever sold are still on the road. The other 2% made it home.”
Midnight bugs taste best.
Saddlebags can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need.
NEVER argue with a woman holding a torque wrench.
Never try to race an old geezer, he may have one more gear than you.
Home is where your bike sits still long enough to leave a few drops of oil on the ground.
Routine maintenance should never be neglected.
It takes more love to share the saddle than it does to share the bed. The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rearview mirror.
Never be afraid to slow down.
Bikes don’t leak oil, they mark their territory.
Don’t ride so late into the night that you sleep through the sunrise.
Pie and coffee are as important as petrol.
Sometimes it takes a whole tankful of fuel before you can think straight.
If you want to get a job, you may have to compromise your principals (you may even have to shave).
Riding faster than everyone else only guarantees you’ll ride alone.
Never hesitate to ride past the last street light at the edge of town.
Never mistake horsepower for staying power.
A good rider has balance, judgment, and good timing. So does a good lover.
A cold hamburger can be reheated quite nicely by strapping it to an exhaust pipe and riding forty miles.
Never do less than forty miles before breakfast.
If you don’t ride in the rain, you don’t ride.
A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.
Respect the person who has seen the dark side of motorcycling and lived.
Young riders pick a destination and go... Old riders pick a direction and go.
A good mechanic will let you watch without charging you for it.
Sometimes the fastest way to get there is to stop for the night.
Always back your bike into the curb, and sit where you can see it.
Work to ride & ride to work.
Whatever it is, it’s better in the wind.
Two-lane blacktop isn’t a highway – it’s an attitude.
When you look down the road, it seems to never end – but you better believe it does.
A biker can smell a party 500 miles away.
Winter is Nature’s way of telling you to polish.
A motorcycle can’t sing on the streets of a city.
Keep your bike in good repair: Motorcycle boots are NOT comfortable for walking.
People are like Motorcycles: each is customized a bit differently.
If the bike isn’t braking properly, you don’t start by rebuilding the engine.
Remember to pay as much attention to your partner as you do your carburetor.
Sometimes the best communication happens when you’re on separate bikes.
Well-trained reflexes are quicker than luck.
Good coffee should be indistinguishable from 50 weight motor oil.
The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome.
Learn to do counter-intuitive things that may someday save your butt.
The twisties – not the superslabs –separate the riders from the squids.
When you’re riding lead, don’t spit.
If you really want to know what’s going on, watch what’s happening at least five cars ahead.
Don’t make a reputation you’ll have to live down or run away from later.
If the person in the next lane at the stoplight rolls up the window and locks the door, support their view of life by snarling at them.
A friend is someone who’ll get out of bed at 2 am to drive his pickup to the middle of nowhere to get you when you’re broken down.
If she changes her oil more than she changes her mind follow her.
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt @ 70 mph can double your vocabulary.
If you want to get somewhere before sundown, you can’t stop at every tavern.
There’s something ugly about a NEW bike on a trailer.
Don’t lead the pack if you don’t know where you’re going.
Sleep with one arm through the spokes and keep your pants on.
Practice wrenching on your own bike.
Everyone crashes. Some get back on. Some don’t. Some can’t.
Beware the rider who says the bike never breaks down.
2 bikes is useful because at least one can be raided for parts at any given time.
Don’t argue with an 18-wheeler.
Never be ashamed to unlearn an old habit.
Maintenance is as much art as it is science.
A good long ride can clear your mind, restore your faith, and use up a lot of fuel.
If you can’t get it going with bungee cords and electrician’s tape, it’s serious.
If you ride like there’s no tomorrow, there won’t be.
Bikes parked out front mean good chicken-fried steak inside.
Gray-haired riders don’t get that way from pure luck.
There are drunk riders. There are old riders. There are NO old, drunk riders.
Thin leather looks good in the bar, but it won’t save your butt from “road rash” if you go down.
The best modifications cannot be seen from the outside.
Always replace the cheapest parts first.
You can forget what you do for a living when your knees are in the breeze.
No matter what marquee you ride, it’s all the same wind.
Patience is the ability to keep your motor idling.
Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.
Baby's Got A New Pair Of Shoes
Jezebel is now outfitted with a new set of Metzler 880 Marathons.
I sprang for new tires at Cycle Outfitters today.
I added up the cost of my various options, buying online and then paying a premium for installation, versus buying at this place and paying a minimal amount for front and rear mounted and balanced. The two options came surprising close -- close enough that we decided to go ahead and pay a little extra and be done with it.
Cycle Outfitters had em in stock, so I got in and out today.
Comes time to pick up the bike and pay the tab and whoops, I forgot about sales tax. Mail order had free shipping and no sales tax, would've been a bigger savings than I'd estimated.
Duh!
How could I have forgotten about sales tax?!?! Rookie mistake.
Anyway, I've got new tires. Gotta break em in.
Any break-in suggestions?
I sprang for new tires at Cycle Outfitters today.
I added up the cost of my various options, buying online and then paying a premium for installation, versus buying at this place and paying a minimal amount for front and rear mounted and balanced. The two options came surprising close -- close enough that we decided to go ahead and pay a little extra and be done with it.
Cycle Outfitters had em in stock, so I got in and out today.
Comes time to pick up the bike and pay the tab and whoops, I forgot about sales tax. Mail order had free shipping and no sales tax, would've been a bigger savings than I'd estimated.
Duh!
How could I have forgotten about sales tax?!?! Rookie mistake.
Anyway, I've got new tires. Gotta break em in.
Any break-in suggestions?
Slip Sliding Away
Had a slip-sliding experience on the way home from work today, and I'm trying to figure out what happened exactly.
It was about 50 degrees. Within one block of work I entered a roundabout -- some parts of the country call them traffic circles -- and leaned over to the left as I went around the tight circle. Just about time to flick right to exit the roundabout, after about 270 degrees of curvature, my bike suddenly dove toward the pavement. I didn't really have the sense of the rear tire sliding out. Instead it just felt as though the bike was pushed over hard to the left.
I've never experienced anything like it.
I really wish I had a camera or an eye witness who might give me a clue as to what happened.
Those who've experienced a rear wheel losing traction during a hard turn, does this match the description?
Strange, other than the tire being cold, I can't figure what happened. A spot of oil? A patch of sand?
I kept the bike upright. I reflexively pushed the bike up by a firm plant of my left leg and a push. It's not like I meant to do it. It just happened so fast.
It was about 50 degrees. Within one block of work I entered a roundabout -- some parts of the country call them traffic circles -- and leaned over to the left as I went around the tight circle. Just about time to flick right to exit the roundabout, after about 270 degrees of curvature, my bike suddenly dove toward the pavement. I didn't really have the sense of the rear tire sliding out. Instead it just felt as though the bike was pushed over hard to the left.
I've never experienced anything like it.
I really wish I had a camera or an eye witness who might give me a clue as to what happened.
Those who've experienced a rear wheel losing traction during a hard turn, does this match the description?
Strange, other than the tire being cold, I can't figure what happened. A spot of oil? A patch of sand?
I kept the bike upright. I reflexively pushed the bike up by a firm plant of my left leg and a push. It's not like I meant to do it. It just happened so fast.
Tires - Part 2
When last we left our cheap-ass ratbike bastard, he was complaining about the price of tires and wondering whether he needed new ones before the end of the season.
The concensus was not to take any long trips on the current tires, and to avoid riding in the rain, now that the tread was almost gone down to the wear bars, especially on the rear but also on the front.
Some kindly contributed online links for cheap tire sources.
Cheap-ass ratbike bastard rejected links to Chen Shing tires, for he had learned in his first motorcycle accident "Chen Shing" is chinese for "Low Side".
Now the cheap-ass bastard wants to know where his esteemed friends have their tires changed in Indianapolis.
Cycle Outfitters is one good one I've heard.
I won't darken the door of the "96TH STREET HARLEY DAVIDSON HONDA WE HAVE HARLEY HARLEY HARLEY COME SEE OUR HARLEY HARLEY HARLEY BUY OUR HARLEY HARLEY HARLEY WORSHIP OUR HARLEY HARLEY HARLEY DON'T ASK ABOUT HONDA oh yeah well we sort of have them too" dealership again asking for anything to do with a HONDA as I don't like being treated like a leper.
Noblesville Honda gets most of my business.
I've heard Dryer is not bad too.
I wonder if any of these places will install tires I bought on line -- for a fee?
Anyone have any experience with this?
The concensus was not to take any long trips on the current tires, and to avoid riding in the rain, now that the tread was almost gone down to the wear bars, especially on the rear but also on the front.
Some kindly contributed online links for cheap tire sources.
Cheap-ass ratbike bastard rejected links to Chen Shing tires, for he had learned in his first motorcycle accident "Chen Shing" is chinese for "Low Side".
Now the cheap-ass bastard wants to know where his esteemed friends have their tires changed in Indianapolis.
Cycle Outfitters is one good one I've heard.
I won't darken the door of the "96TH STREET HARLEY DAVIDSON HONDA WE HAVE HARLEY HARLEY HARLEY COME SEE OUR HARLEY HARLEY HARLEY BUY OUR HARLEY HARLEY HARLEY WORSHIP OUR HARLEY HARLEY HARLEY DON'T ASK ABOUT HONDA oh yeah well we sort of have them too" dealership again asking for anything to do with a HONDA as I don't like being treated like a leper.
Noblesville Honda gets most of my business.
I've heard Dryer is not bad too.
I wonder if any of these places will install tires I bought on line -- for a fee?
Anyone have any experience with this?
Conversations with Mr. Harley
A consultant at work walks into my office, sees the picture of the CB919 I have as my Windows Desktop.
"Oh," he asks with a smile, "are you a biker?"
Taking issue with the term "biker", I reply, "I ride a motorcycle, yes."
"Is that a picture of your bike?" he asks, eagerly, pointing at the CB919.
"No, that might be my next bike. Right now I ride a Honda Magna," I reply.
He looks blankly. I point out the window to where it is parked in the parking garage. You can see the handlebars and headlight only.
"Hmmm," he says, unimpressed. "I have a Harley."
"Oh?" I ask. If needed, I can speak at some length about them. My wife, as I've told you before, has a long rich history with Harley, and a deep love for them. I can tell her story when needed to make polite conversation with the Harley crowd.
"Yeah," he said, "It's a '96 Sportster 1200 Custom." He started to tell me about custom chrome and custom air cover, and custom bars, and custom pegs, and my eyes must've glazed over. He realized I had lost interest.
I made an effort to steer back into polite motorcycle conversation. "Do you get much chance to ride it?" I asked.
"No, unfortunately, I'm too busy. I've only put about 4000 miles on it since I got it."
I kept a straight face, but I'm thinking that's a whole lot of money to spend on something you ride 400 miles a year.
"Yeah," I said, "I'm busy too. If it weren't for the daily commute, I wouldn't have much time to ride."
"I deliberately avoid riding to work," he said.
Again, I am dumbstruck. He is from a different universe than me.
"Really," I ask, "Why?"
"Yeah, I feel motorcycle riding should be just for fun."
"My thought there is, if you ride to and from work, you've brought some fun into your day. Doesn't matter how stressful my day is, I know I've got that ride home to look forward to. The highlight of my day. Turns a dull commute into something special."
His turn to give me the blank look. Awkward pause.
"Well it was nice to meet you," I said, blah blah blah, "Why don't you ride in on some sunny Friday?"
Well maybe I'll have to do that, he said politely.
I'll never see that bike.
"Oh," he asks with a smile, "are you a biker?"
Taking issue with the term "biker", I reply, "I ride a motorcycle, yes."
"Is that a picture of your bike?" he asks, eagerly, pointing at the CB919.
"No, that might be my next bike. Right now I ride a Honda Magna," I reply.
He looks blankly. I point out the window to where it is parked in the parking garage. You can see the handlebars and headlight only.
"Hmmm," he says, unimpressed. "I have a Harley."
"Oh?" I ask. If needed, I can speak at some length about them. My wife, as I've told you before, has a long rich history with Harley, and a deep love for them. I can tell her story when needed to make polite conversation with the Harley crowd.
"Yeah," he said, "It's a '96 Sportster 1200 Custom." He started to tell me about custom chrome and custom air cover, and custom bars, and custom pegs, and my eyes must've glazed over. He realized I had lost interest.
I made an effort to steer back into polite motorcycle conversation. "Do you get much chance to ride it?" I asked.
"No, unfortunately, I'm too busy. I've only put about 4000 miles on it since I got it."
I kept a straight face, but I'm thinking that's a whole lot of money to spend on something you ride 400 miles a year.
"Yeah," I said, "I'm busy too. If it weren't for the daily commute, I wouldn't have much time to ride."
"I deliberately avoid riding to work," he said.
Again, I am dumbstruck. He is from a different universe than me.
"Really," I ask, "Why?"
"Yeah, I feel motorcycle riding should be just for fun."
"My thought there is, if you ride to and from work, you've brought some fun into your day. Doesn't matter how stressful my day is, I know I've got that ride home to look forward to. The highlight of my day. Turns a dull commute into something special."
His turn to give me the blank look. Awkward pause.
"Well it was nice to meet you," I said, blah blah blah, "Why don't you ride in on some sunny Friday?"
Well maybe I'll have to do that, he said politely.
I'll never see that bike.
Mr Harley Sees Me In My Super Suit
In the previous chapter, we met Mr. Harley who has spent over 20000 on his bike but who rides it less than 400 miles per year.
He is a nice guy, a fellow IT professional, a fellow two wheel enthusiast. He calls himself a biker. I do not use that moniker for myself.
I am decending the stairwell after work, already suited up in what my coworkers affectionately call the "Super Suit" -- mesh pants and jacket.
"All dressed to go fall offa motorcycle, I see," he said smiling.
I took it as the typical biker slam against the rider. The biker wears no gear -- except leather jacket in cooler weather - and makes snarky comments about riders in their ATGATT.
"I'm not planning on falling of the motorcycle," I replied, flatly.
"Oh, I know," he said, attempting to be conciliatory, "expect the unexpected, I get it."
Telling this tale to my wife later, she added what would have been the perfect comeback. When he says, "All dressed to fall off a motorcycle, I see", the correct response is, "All dressed for a trip to the emergency room, I see..."
I have to hand it to her. She may bleed orange and black, but she has the heart of a rider. In fact, my wife has in her very nature a need to not conform. When she gets her Harley, she'll be among the 1% who wear ATGATT. I said ride your own ride, babe, don't let anyone tell you anything different.
I love that girl.
He is a nice guy, a fellow IT professional, a fellow two wheel enthusiast. He calls himself a biker. I do not use that moniker for myself.
I am decending the stairwell after work, already suited up in what my coworkers affectionately call the "Super Suit" -- mesh pants and jacket.
"All dressed to go fall offa motorcycle, I see," he said smiling.
I took it as the typical biker slam against the rider. The biker wears no gear -- except leather jacket in cooler weather - and makes snarky comments about riders in their ATGATT.
"I'm not planning on falling of the motorcycle," I replied, flatly.
"Oh, I know," he said, attempting to be conciliatory, "expect the unexpected, I get it."
Telling this tale to my wife later, she added what would have been the perfect comeback. When he says, "All dressed to fall off a motorcycle, I see", the correct response is, "All dressed for a trip to the emergency room, I see..."
I have to hand it to her. She may bleed orange and black, but she has the heart of a rider. In fact, my wife has in her very nature a need to not conform. When she gets her Harley, she'll be among the 1% who wear ATGATT. I said ride your own ride, babe, don't let anyone tell you anything different.
I love that girl.
The Love of Motorcycling
Author Unknown
I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community? a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan.
Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassle handlebars and the studded luggage and the half-helmets? God, they drive me crazy.
You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them.
They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two-wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they've got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grampa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you.
Ducati guys? I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.
Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep on going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ass. I never wave at Kawasaki guys.
I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way.
Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two-piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at those guys with the helmets with the loud paintjobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet? Like I'm going to wave back to that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.
To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special?"
I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community? a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan.
Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassle handlebars and the studded luggage and the half-helmets? God, they drive me crazy.
You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them.
They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two-wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they've got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grampa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you.
Ducati guys? I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.
Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep on going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ass. I never wave at Kawasaki guys.
I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way.
Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two-piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at those guys with the helmets with the loud paintjobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet? Like I'm going to wave back to that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.
To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special?"
Cheap Gloves
My summer gloves are cheap. After riding home in a rainstorm last week, my hands were dyed black. They were this dark after washing with soap and water three times.I need better gloves. Thankfully this was on the way home and not the way to work. Or I'd have gotten lots of strange looks during the work day.
Motoguzzi Rally Flooded Out
"Last weekend in Minnesota the National 2007 Moto Guzzi Rally was being held in a campground along a river. Late Saturday night the torrential rains hit the campground and a flash flood came thru the campground with a 15 foot wall of water. These pictures show what was left of the rally and motorcycles after the water receded. Over 600 bikes there. The factory rig was totally submerged and totaled."
http://www.billsneddon.com/motoguzzi/index.html
http://www.billsneddon.com/motoguzzi/index.html
Test Drives
My wife's 40th birthday was yesterday.
I had secretly arranged for child care for the day, and planned a motorcycle outing for the two of us that was tailored to her tastes.
For those who don't know the story, my wife is the original motorcycle enthusiast in the family. She grew up on dirt bikes and Harley Davidsons with her father. We were married 15 years before I bought her a bike for her birthday -- a V30, three years ago. She's viewing the V30 as her introductory bike. She plans to some day "move up" to a HD.
Within a month of buying a bike for her, the bug bike bit me, and I bought another V30 for myself.
Unlike her, I don't view the move to HD as a "move up". A Harley is not in my future. And the more I learn and the more experience I gain, the clearer that becomes in my mind.
So from an MC perspective we have a mixed marriage. A Harley enthusiast and a Honda enthusiast. Under the same roof.
Our first stop was the local Victory dealer. She likes Harleys, but was curious about Victorys and wanted to comparison shop. This was her day, so I'm along for the ride. I want to ride every kind of motorcycle I can, even those I have no plans to own.
The local dealer offers test drives, so we picked out two. My wife picked out the Victory Kingpin Tour and I picked out the Victory Vegas 8-Ball. The Kingpin Tour had the saddlebags and trunk that made it a practical tourer. The Vegas 8-ball had the least chrome of any bike they had -- a totally blacked out engine -- so I figured I'd give it a shot.
We took the bikes unescorted on a dealer-prescribed four mile circuit, through city streets and a twisty parkway, and back to the dealer. Then switched bikes, and rode the circuit again. Too short of a run to really get a feel for the bikes.
The Kingpin reminded me of the GL1100 Wing in terms of comfort and acceleration. When I say it reminded me of the Wing in terms of acceleration, I mean that I asked it to move, and it whined and complained and clammored up to speed. This is why I no longer own the GL1100.
I liked the windshield height, the breeze still hit me in the face but was deflected from my chest. Personal preference.
Both were well balanced with weight down low. Easy off the stand and comfortable to sit on. Ergonomics were comfortable. I had never ridden with foreward controls and found them to be comfortable, more than I expected. The floorboards and heel-toe shifter were a new experience for me.
The 8-Ball was the better of the two, I suppose. It's like choosing between being shot and being stabbed. Neither is an option I would want. But at least the lower weight of the 8-Ball made it ever so slightly better on acceleration.
I asked about the new Victory Vision, having seen the write-up in Rider magazine. The dealer said they expected one in October. I think the Vision is fascinatingly hideous -- like a train wreck I can't look away from.
Back on our Magnas, we set out for Bloomington, IN. South end of Indy we pick up IN-135. Slowly the farm fields start to give way to the rolling tree-lined hills of southern Indiana. Picking up IN-45 from Beanblossom, IN to Bloomington, IN put me in mind of the Burr Oak area of Ohio. The road was almost completely devoid of traffic, had perfect pavement, and lots of tree-lined twisties. There was not a single gravel-strewn corner. Not a single guard rail. I led the way, and I watched in my rear view mirror at my wife leaning her baby magna into the turns, and flicking it back and forth through the S-curves. What a blast.
We were en route to Bloomington Harley Davidson Buell. This is my wife's birthday, so her choice in bikes rule.
For my part, I had hoped to ride a Ulysses. I had read the press, and wanted to try it out. It looked plausibly interesting.
Turns out they had no Ulysses on the showroom floor, so the dealer hooked me up with a XB12STT, which is more sporty in configuration.
My wife wanted to try a FXDWG - Dyna Wide Glide. They had none on the showroom floor, so we picked something similar, an FXDB -- Dyna Street Bob. This one has the narrow wheel up front, the 96 cubic inch motor, after market pipes, and ape hangers.
I had expected a dealer-escort along a four mile course. Instead, the kid handed us the keys, and told us not to be out too much past 4. It was 2:45. He pointed us toward a twisty road and said have fun.
Keep in mind this is my first experience with a sport riding position. Firing up the Buell, the mirrors start to shake. Plenty of power right down low on the tach. There was a brief moment that Ryder describes as "where the f*** are the footpegs", after which I found the pegs and had no problems in that department. The bike has the tiniest shifter peg and brake pedal I have ever seen, I spent the next half-hour hunting for the shifter lever.
The horrible shaking is really only noticeable at idle, and the bike has plenty of torque, of course. Plenty of power on tap, I couldn't lug it low enough for it to complain, and it surged happily forward like a quarter horse at about 5 grand on the tach. I could almost do this, I thought.
But I could not abide the riding position. I really felt like I was going to pitch over the handlebars. In an aggressive stop I really felt that the rear wheel would loft. I imagine my impressions would be different if I'd ever ridden a sport bike of any stripe before. But this was my first sort-of sport bike.
We rode for about 45 minutes out of town up an old twisty road. Found a place to pull over. Traded bikes for the 45 minute return trip.
"How did that feel?" I asked my wife of her Street Bob riding experience.
"All right," she said, unenthusiastically. "My ears are ringing."
I said, "You'll hate this one!" pointing at the Buell.
We switched. I rode the Hog. The vibration was not as bad as I had heard or imagined. Rubber mounted engine, I guess. I could feel the vibration in the hand grips.
The power and throttle response was worse than I imagined. Lackluster performance. Some maggot described the Harley engine as "Turning gasoline into noise and vibration with the least amount of power imaginable." I respectfully kept this opinion to myself, not wanting to offend my wife. To her, Harley's are not motorcycles, they are objects of worship. But I love her just the same.
Backfiring on deceleration, for a moment it reminded me of the Magna this spring before I cleaned the carbs. Then I thought, no, they did this to the Harley on purpose, put after market pipes on it to make it louder. Obviously had not adjusted the fuel injection to accomodate the new pipes.
My wife pulled up beside me at a stop. She was grinning, unlike I had seen earlier.
"This thing has plenty of power to spare, just twist the grip and it goes." She had that devlish gleem in her eye. I was so surprised. I figured my dear cruiser girl would never go for anything like that.
That was true, certainly compared to the cruisers we had ridden, the Buell was sporty and fun.
"What about the seating position?" I asked. That was what bothered me the most.
"It's okay, I got used to it." she replied.
I was totally surprised.
Back to the dealer, they debriefed us on our ride, and tried to urge us toward a purchase. They knew we were in the "early planning stages" of my wife's next bike, and that there would be no bike-buying today. They had my wife pick out her favorite color, talked about finance options, yada yada yada. Very low key, not hard sell tactics.
"What did you think of the Street Bob?" they asked her.
"Too loud," she said.
"What about you?" they asked me.
"Not enough power, too sluggish." I replied.
"So you liked the Buell, then," he asked.
"Not particularly..." I shrugged.
Back on the Magnas, press the starter button, hear the thrumming of the V4's in their comparatively quiet muffled way, and head out of the parking lot.
"I'm glad I finally got to ride a Harley," my wife said. Gesturing toward her Magna, she said, "But it's good to be home."
I did say, "You know, that V30 makes more power than that Harley you just rode." Certainly from a power-to-weight ratio, if not outright horsepower.
She said, "Yeah."
I smiled, revved up in relative silence, and left the chrome-laden parking lot behind.
At the first stop light, she leans over to ask me, "Can we go home the same road we came in on? That was fun!"
"Of course!" I reply.
I smile. I will let nature take its course. If she must have a Harley, she will have a Harley some day. But I know there's more to that girl than chrome cruisers. I saw that gleem in her eye on the sport bike, and I've seen how she carves up the twisties. There's hope yet.
I had secretly arranged for child care for the day, and planned a motorcycle outing for the two of us that was tailored to her tastes.
For those who don't know the story, my wife is the original motorcycle enthusiast in the family. She grew up on dirt bikes and Harley Davidsons with her father. We were married 15 years before I bought her a bike for her birthday -- a V30, three years ago. She's viewing the V30 as her introductory bike. She plans to some day "move up" to a HD.
Within a month of buying a bike for her, the bug bike bit me, and I bought another V30 for myself.
Unlike her, I don't view the move to HD as a "move up". A Harley is not in my future. And the more I learn and the more experience I gain, the clearer that becomes in my mind.
So from an MC perspective we have a mixed marriage. A Harley enthusiast and a Honda enthusiast. Under the same roof.
Our first stop was the local Victory dealer. She likes Harleys, but was curious about Victorys and wanted to comparison shop. This was her day, so I'm along for the ride. I want to ride every kind of motorcycle I can, even those I have no plans to own.
The local dealer offers test drives, so we picked out two. My wife picked out the Victory Kingpin Tour and I picked out the Victory Vegas 8-Ball. The Kingpin Tour had the saddlebags and trunk that made it a practical tourer. The Vegas 8-ball had the least chrome of any bike they had -- a totally blacked out engine -- so I figured I'd give it a shot.
We took the bikes unescorted on a dealer-prescribed four mile circuit, through city streets and a twisty parkway, and back to the dealer. Then switched bikes, and rode the circuit again. Too short of a run to really get a feel for the bikes.
The Kingpin reminded me of the GL1100 Wing in terms of comfort and acceleration. When I say it reminded me of the Wing in terms of acceleration, I mean that I asked it to move, and it whined and complained and clammored up to speed. This is why I no longer own the GL1100.
I liked the windshield height, the breeze still hit me in the face but was deflected from my chest. Personal preference.
Both were well balanced with weight down low. Easy off the stand and comfortable to sit on. Ergonomics were comfortable. I had never ridden with foreward controls and found them to be comfortable, more than I expected. The floorboards and heel-toe shifter were a new experience for me.
The 8-Ball was the better of the two, I suppose. It's like choosing between being shot and being stabbed. Neither is an option I would want. But at least the lower weight of the 8-Ball made it ever so slightly better on acceleration.
I asked about the new Victory Vision, having seen the write-up in Rider magazine. The dealer said they expected one in October. I think the Vision is fascinatingly hideous -- like a train wreck I can't look away from.
Back on our Magnas, we set out for Bloomington, IN. South end of Indy we pick up IN-135. Slowly the farm fields start to give way to the rolling tree-lined hills of southern Indiana. Picking up IN-45 from Beanblossom, IN to Bloomington, IN put me in mind of the Burr Oak area of Ohio. The road was almost completely devoid of traffic, had perfect pavement, and lots of tree-lined twisties. There was not a single gravel-strewn corner. Not a single guard rail. I led the way, and I watched in my rear view mirror at my wife leaning her baby magna into the turns, and flicking it back and forth through the S-curves. What a blast.
We were en route to Bloomington Harley Davidson Buell. This is my wife's birthday, so her choice in bikes rule.
For my part, I had hoped to ride a Ulysses. I had read the press, and wanted to try it out. It looked plausibly interesting.
Turns out they had no Ulysses on the showroom floor, so the dealer hooked me up with a XB12STT, which is more sporty in configuration.
My wife wanted to try a FXDWG - Dyna Wide Glide. They had none on the showroom floor, so we picked something similar, an FXDB -- Dyna Street Bob. This one has the narrow wheel up front, the 96 cubic inch motor, after market pipes, and ape hangers.
I had expected a dealer-escort along a four mile course. Instead, the kid handed us the keys, and told us not to be out too much past 4. It was 2:45. He pointed us toward a twisty road and said have fun.
Keep in mind this is my first experience with a sport riding position. Firing up the Buell, the mirrors start to shake. Plenty of power right down low on the tach. There was a brief moment that Ryder describes as "where the f*** are the footpegs", after which I found the pegs and had no problems in that department. The bike has the tiniest shifter peg and brake pedal I have ever seen, I spent the next half-hour hunting for the shifter lever.
The horrible shaking is really only noticeable at idle, and the bike has plenty of torque, of course. Plenty of power on tap, I couldn't lug it low enough for it to complain, and it surged happily forward like a quarter horse at about 5 grand on the tach. I could almost do this, I thought.
But I could not abide the riding position. I really felt like I was going to pitch over the handlebars. In an aggressive stop I really felt that the rear wheel would loft. I imagine my impressions would be different if I'd ever ridden a sport bike of any stripe before. But this was my first sort-of sport bike.
We rode for about 45 minutes out of town up an old twisty road. Found a place to pull over. Traded bikes for the 45 minute return trip.
"How did that feel?" I asked my wife of her Street Bob riding experience.
"All right," she said, unenthusiastically. "My ears are ringing."
I said, "You'll hate this one!" pointing at the Buell.
We switched. I rode the Hog. The vibration was not as bad as I had heard or imagined. Rubber mounted engine, I guess. I could feel the vibration in the hand grips.
The power and throttle response was worse than I imagined. Lackluster performance. Some maggot described the Harley engine as "Turning gasoline into noise and vibration with the least amount of power imaginable." I respectfully kept this opinion to myself, not wanting to offend my wife. To her, Harley's are not motorcycles, they are objects of worship. But I love her just the same.
Backfiring on deceleration, for a moment it reminded me of the Magna this spring before I cleaned the carbs. Then I thought, no, they did this to the Harley on purpose, put after market pipes on it to make it louder. Obviously had not adjusted the fuel injection to accomodate the new pipes.
My wife pulled up beside me at a stop. She was grinning, unlike I had seen earlier.
"This thing has plenty of power to spare, just twist the grip and it goes." She had that devlish gleem in her eye. I was so surprised. I figured my dear cruiser girl would never go for anything like that.
That was true, certainly compared to the cruisers we had ridden, the Buell was sporty and fun.
"What about the seating position?" I asked. That was what bothered me the most.
"It's okay, I got used to it." she replied.
I was totally surprised.
Back to the dealer, they debriefed us on our ride, and tried to urge us toward a purchase. They knew we were in the "early planning stages" of my wife's next bike, and that there would be no bike-buying today. They had my wife pick out her favorite color, talked about finance options, yada yada yada. Very low key, not hard sell tactics.
"What did you think of the Street Bob?" they asked her.
"Too loud," she said.
"What about you?" they asked me.
"Not enough power, too sluggish." I replied.
"So you liked the Buell, then," he asked.
"Not particularly..." I shrugged.
Back on the Magnas, press the starter button, hear the thrumming of the V4's in their comparatively quiet muffled way, and head out of the parking lot.
"I'm glad I finally got to ride a Harley," my wife said. Gesturing toward her Magna, she said, "But it's good to be home."
I did say, "You know, that V30 makes more power than that Harley you just rode." Certainly from a power-to-weight ratio, if not outright horsepower.
She said, "Yeah."
I smiled, revved up in relative silence, and left the chrome-laden parking lot behind.
At the first stop light, she leans over to ask me, "Can we go home the same road we came in on? That was fun!"
"Of course!" I reply.
I smile. I will let nature take its course. If she must have a Harley, she will have a Harley some day. But I know there's more to that girl than chrome cruisers. I saw that gleem in her eye on the sport bike, and I've seen how she carves up the twisties. There's hope yet.
Headlight Modulator
This site also has the copy of the US Department Of Transportation regulations that authorize their use in all 50 states
www.comagination.com
www.comagination.com
New favorite motorcycle show
Feasting on Asphalt.
On the food network. Season 2 begins this weekend. Season 1 is in reruns. It's a great show.
Feasting On Asphalt
My next project?
I guess I haven't satisfied my "naked bike" lust. This is what drove me to buy a GL1100, with a goal (finally unrealized) of making a naked gold wing.
http://www.nakedgoldwings.com/
Riding the Wing for 6000 miles was enough to show me that the Wing is not the platform I want for my naked standard.
But then this article looks interesting to me: http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=444 And again I'm thinking of naked bikes.
Larry tried his hand at this earlier this year... but I think he ended on put all the plastic back on his VFR.
Fellow-maggot Tom from Florida has done it with his VT1000F.
Ride on!
http://www.nakedgoldwings.com/
Riding the Wing for 6000 miles was enough to show me that the Wing is not the platform I want for my naked standard.
But then this article looks interesting to me: http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=444 And again I'm thinking of naked bikes.
Larry tried his hand at this earlier this year... but I think he ended on put all the plastic back on his VFR.
Fellow-maggot Tom from Florida has done it with his VT1000F.
Ride on!
The Ride Of Your Life
A story on the future of motorcycle safety...
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=42205&IsPgd=0
The Tim Cameron quoted in this article is a fellow maggot, and creator of the V-Rex
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=42205&IsPgd=0
The Tim Cameron quoted in this article is a fellow maggot, and creator of the V-Rex
Ralph "Sonny" Barger, Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club, On Motorcycles
"Hell's Angels started riding Harley-Davidsons mostly because, unlike today,they didn't have much choice. In 1957, it was either ride a Harley or settle for a Triumph or BSA. They'd already stopped building Indians. It's always been important for Hell's Angels to ride American made machines. In terms of pure workmanship, personally I don't like Harleys. I ride them because I'm in the club, and that's the image, but if I could I would seriously consider riding a Honda ST1100 or a BMW. We really missed the boat not switching over tot he Japanese models when they began building bigger bikes. I'll usually say,'Fuck Harley-Davidson.' You can buy an ST1100 and the motherfucker will do 110 miles per hour right from the factory all day long. The newest 'ricerockets' can carry 140 horsepower to the rear wheel, and can easily do 180 miles per hour right out of the box. While it's probably too late to switch over now,it would have been a nice move, because Japanese bikes today are so much cheaper and better built. However, Japanese motorcycles don't have as much personality."
--From "Hell's Angel: The Life & Times of Sonny Barger & the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club", Morrow/Avon, © June 2000--
--From "Hell's Angel: The Life & Times of Sonny Barger & the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club", Morrow/Avon, © June 2000--
Motorcycle TV
I have a thirst for motorcycles. I have tried watching motorcycle TV and have had varying degrees of success. There are some truly awful shows with girls who have blonde hair, 40DD measurements and about a 40 IQ who can barely read a cue card.
There is of course the famous fighting Teutel family on "American Chopper" which is a great show but has more to do with family conflict resolution than motorcycles. This is what makes the show successful.
I watched that polished infomercial of a show called "Corbin's Ride On". I had no idea it went for 99 episodes. It wasn't too bad. I enjoyed it. But it's not on the air anymore.
I watch Super Bikes, which is dedicated to sport bikes and stunts, which I'm not really interested in but it is still entertaining. My son likes the stunts. I will say that the new season without empty-headed hunkster Rossi Morreali as host is better. Jason Britton at least has some credibility...
But now I've found "Epic Ride" on speed channel and think it's pretty good. 6 people go on an "Epic Ride" each week. There are three professional racers and three average joes from the viewing audience. They all show up and draw a destination from a hat, so to speak.
I'd love to do that.
http://www.speedtv.com/programs/483/
There is of course the famous fighting Teutel family on "American Chopper" which is a great show but has more to do with family conflict resolution than motorcycles. This is what makes the show successful.
I watched that polished infomercial of a show called "Corbin's Ride On". I had no idea it went for 99 episodes. It wasn't too bad. I enjoyed it. But it's not on the air anymore.
I watch Super Bikes, which is dedicated to sport bikes and stunts, which I'm not really interested in but it is still entertaining. My son likes the stunts. I will say that the new season without empty-headed hunkster Rossi Morreali as host is better. Jason Britton at least has some credibility...
But now I've found "Epic Ride" on speed channel and think it's pretty good. 6 people go on an "Epic Ride" each week. There are three professional racers and three average joes from the viewing audience. They all show up and draw a destination from a hat, so to speak.
I'd love to do that.
http://www.speedtv.com/programs/483/
My Bike-Slut Ways
I went to the Dealer this afternoon, hoping to throw a leg over that red 919 they've had sitting there since spring, and damned if they hadn't sold it this past week.
"Do you expect to get any more in?" I asked the 20 year old saleskid.
"We'll get the 08 model in a few months", he replied. "Now, if you want one I can order it for you."
"Well, I wanted to sit on one first! I like what I see and I like what I've read, but I wanted to sit on one." I replied.
"Ergonomics are almost exactly like that VFR over there", he said.
Really? I asked
Almost. he said.
Jim had pointed me toward the VFR when we were discussing "my next bike" around the campfire at Burr Oak. I am certainly more comfortable on the VFR than the CBR. No way I can ride a fireblade. But if I were to buy a VFR it would have to be a fuel-injected pre-VTec one. Although I think the captain america paint job on the 25th anniversary edition VFR is cool.
I'd still like to ride a 919.
My wife laughed at me as we left the dealer. Though she didn't put it in these terms, she was laughing at my "bike slut" ways. I'm always looking for the next bike. I'm not ready to settle down with just one.
Chain Packed In White Lithium Grease
The parts unlimited 530 chain I put on my wife's V30 was packed in what looked to me like white lithium grease.
I thought it odd. I did not clean the chain prior to installation.
Should I have? I am noticing this white gunk is attracting all sorts of foreign matter, dirt, dust, etc. Makes me think I should've cleaned it off.
If so, how? WD40 is what my friend Bob told me. Someone else told me my wheels would fall off if I used WD40 on my chain...
I thought it odd. I did not clean the chain prior to installation.
Should I have? I am noticing this white gunk is attracting all sorts of foreign matter, dirt, dust, etc. Makes me think I should've cleaned it off.
If so, how? WD40 is what my friend Bob told me. Someone else told me my wheels would fall off if I used WD40 on my chain...
12 Myths Of Motorcycling
12 Myths. An interesting read.
Some of them are right on the money.
"loud pipes save lives" = myth. I wholeheartedly agree. "Loud pipes annoy your neighbors" is more apt. "Loud pipes prove you want attention more than anything". Something like that.
All the helmet myths, I remember hearing those as a teenager. I agree - those are myths.
http://www.speedfreakinc.com/content/articles/technical/myths.html
Some of them are right on the money.
"loud pipes save lives" = myth. I wholeheartedly agree. "Loud pipes annoy your neighbors" is more apt. "Loud pipes prove you want attention more than anything". Something like that.
All the helmet myths, I remember hearing those as a teenager. I agree - those are myths.
http://www.speedfreakinc.com/content/articles/technical/myths.html
Jezebel, Wide Open
Bob and I went for a lunch ride. I opened it up on a quiet stretch of 35 mph road and punched up to 80 mph like a rocket. Bob was following. I have a '94, he has a '96.
I arrive at the burrito place, grinning.
Bob said, "Hey, my acceleration is a lot better and a lot smoother since I put the baffles back in (the stock pipes). When you hit wide open, I could really tell it was much smoother."
I looked at him, puzzled.
"You didn't hit wide open?" he asked, incredulously.
"No," I replied, "I didn't hit wide open. Not even close."
"Damn it!" said Bob. "There's still something wrong with my bike."
He has been struggling to get his performance to match mine. He has the california model, with a lot more emissions equipment. He has been fixing vacuum leaks and so forth and has improved performance quite a bit.
He gets 48 mpg, I get about 40. But I can beat him off the line and in the quarter mile.
I arrive at the burrito place, grinning.
Bob said, "Hey, my acceleration is a lot better and a lot smoother since I put the baffles back in (the stock pipes). When you hit wide open, I could really tell it was much smoother."
I looked at him, puzzled.
"You didn't hit wide open?" he asked, incredulously.
"No," I replied, "I didn't hit wide open. Not even close."
"Damn it!" said Bob. "There's still something wrong with my bike."
He has been struggling to get his performance to match mine. He has the california model, with a lot more emissions equipment. He has been fixing vacuum leaks and so forth and has improved performance quite a bit.
He gets 48 mpg, I get about 40. But I can beat him off the line and in the quarter mile.
Changed!
I ordered and received in 2 days from Dennis Kirk the Motion Pro chain riveting tool. $90. At $14 for rental, plus the 90 minute round trip to the place that rents the tool, I figure owning the tool would pay for itself in convenience and dollars, eventually. I am resigned to having chains in my life for the foreseeable future. There are those that would tell me I should've used a ball peen hammer and a landscaping brick to peen the rivets, but I decided for a more civilized approach.
http://denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=YOIUD1WFPFWCPLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=Main&skuId=28350&productId=p28350
I used it to press the plate of the master link onto the pins, and to rivet the pins. It worked fine.
The instructions clearly say that if used on 520 and above chains, grind off the head of the pin with a grinding wheel before using the tool to push the pin out.
I didn't use the tool for pin removal because I had already removed the old chain using a grinding wheel and a nail punch.
Took Katie for a ride afterwards and was amazed at how smooth and quiet she was. The old chain had gone a few too many miles before being replaced. (I did replace sprockets and chain for good measure...)
I had to have my wife take Katie for a test drive too because I thought the bike was sluggish.
My wife took off for a test loop, came back smiling saying, "No, Katie is running just fine. You're just used to the V45"
http://denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=YOIUD1WFPFWCPLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=Main&skuId=28350&productId=p28350
I used it to press the plate of the master link onto the pins, and to rivet the pins. It worked fine.
The instructions clearly say that if used on 520 and above chains, grind off the head of the pin with a grinding wheel before using the tool to push the pin out.
I didn't use the tool for pin removal because I had already removed the old chain using a grinding wheel and a nail punch.
Took Katie for a ride afterwards and was amazed at how smooth and quiet she was. The old chain had gone a few too many miles before being replaced. (I did replace sprockets and chain for good measure...)
I had to have my wife take Katie for a test drive too because I thought the bike was sluggish.
My wife took off for a test loop, came back smiling saying, "No, Katie is running just fine. You're just used to the V45"
Motorcycle Touring Nowhere, Nevada
Rides and Destinations
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/rideanddest/motorcycle_tour_nevada/
A quick motorcycle ride to grab a cup of coffee turns into a four-day jaunt into the distant reaches of Nevada. From the June 2005 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine. Story & photos By Tad L. Hetu
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/rideanddest/motorcycle_tour_nevada/
A quick motorcycle ride to grab a cup of coffee turns into a four-day jaunt into the distant reaches of Nevada. From the June 2005 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine. Story & photos By Tad L. Hetu
Ch-ch-ch Changes (Changing the chain)
My wife's V30 needs a new chain. I bought a new chain and sprockets and am now in the process of becoming overwhelmed with all the how-to information on the subject.
http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/chain-rplc.php
http://www.dansmc.com/rearchain.htm
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/basicschanging_shpj.htm
http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/chain-rplc.php
http://www.dansmc.com/rearchain.htm
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/basicschanging_shpj.htm
Interesting Magna Site
http://www.hilliard.ws/oldhonda.htm
He lists all his accessories and where he got them.
Mostly stuff you wouldn't want.
But I'm considering the backrest...
He lists all his accessories and where he got them.
Mostly stuff you wouldn't want.
But I'm considering the backrest...
VF750C Magna Article
This is a good article. It's good to read one that's favorable ... I've spent a lot of time focusing on the bad points lately.
Thinking I ought to take video of the surging just to document it -- a video trained on the tachometer. Post it on youtube.
Motorcycle Review
Thinking I ought to take video of the surging just to document it -- a video trained on the tachometer. Post it on youtube.
Motorcycle Review
Jezebel
I think my red V45 told me her name today. As she backfired on start up. This is a new behavior and indicates she's feeling worse than last week. She did get me to SME and back without incident, and some days she obviously feels better than others. but today she told me her name.
Jezebel. Red-haired bitch. Either this weekend on on the 4th I'm gonna tear into the carbs for a fourth attempt, plus install the DRP shims. Probably install an inline fuel filter while I'm at it.
If that doesn't fix her, I may cut my losses and dump her in the river. (Or, in biblical terms, feed her to wild dogs...)
Jezebel. Red-haired bitch. Either this weekend on on the 4th I'm gonna tear into the carbs for a fourth attempt, plus install the DRP shims. Probably install an inline fuel filter while I'm at it.
If that doesn't fix her, I may cut my losses and dump her in the river. (Or, in biblical terms, feed her to wild dogs...)
First Ever SME
I attended my first ever SME (Sab-Mag Event) at Burr Oak State Park in Glouster, OH on 6/22 through 6/24. This is the same annual event I attempted to attend last year and ended up cooking my V30 on the way. (See Ravens Last Flight)
I managed to take a few pictures with my camera phone. I saw others snapping photos with far better cameras than mine, so I'm looking forward to those pictures.
Such as I have, I'll share with the group.
SME Photos
I managed to take a few pictures with my camera phone. I saw others snapping photos with far better cameras than mine, so I'm looking forward to those pictures.
Such as I have, I'll share with the group.
SME Photos
Wingless
Sold my GoldWing on eBay 1 year and 6000 miles later for exactly what I paid for it.
Cash in hand.
Nothing but an oil filter, oil, spark plugs and gasoline for a year's use.
Not a bad thing.
We're a V4-only family again.
Cash in hand.
Nothing but an oil filter, oil, spark plugs and gasoline for a year's use.
Not a bad thing.
We're a V4-only family again.
Carberation
I think based on this review the problem I'm seeing with mine is a known problem with Magna carberation.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mchonda/magna.html
I think I'll be rejetting my bike, whether or not I put custom exhaust on it.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mchonda/magna.html
I think I'll be rejetting my bike, whether or not I put custom exhaust on it.
Magnas, Hornets and Yamahas
Thanks to input from this group, and research I've done elsewhere, I've decided what I'm experiencing must be a particularly nasty variety of the "known" carberation issue with New Magnas... that is, lean surging at 4 to 5k on the tach.
Why some are cursed with it and others don't seem to notice is a puzzlement to me. I wonder if it's partly bike specific, and partly due to different riding styles. In the canyons you'd never notice surge because you'd be rolling on and off. You notice it on the highway. My buddy with his 96 first claimed his didn't do that. Then later, after a specific description of it, he reported, yes it does, but it was hardly noticeable.
Tampering with the pilot air screws won't do diddly poo, if I'm not mistaken. That would only affect the mix at idle.
On the other side of this discussion, I floated the "I need a fuel injected bike" by my wife and she didn't flinch. Been ogling the CB900F. I sat on a YZF1 and YZF6 at the Yamaha dealer on Thursday. I can't have just *one* bike. Gonna have room in the garage shortly when the Wing sells on eBay.
(grin)
Cycle Recycle
I broke the clutch lever on Black Betty on her "last hurrah", the trip to Hunstville. Knocked her over in the driveway before I even left.
I bought an aftermarket part on eBay that did not fit.
I pulled Black Betty out, rode her to Cycle Recycle. For me it's a 10 mile trip.
Took the broken lever off, walked into the store.
Guy sees me and sizes me up. What year Goldwing do you have, 1981 or 82. I don't think he saw me pull up but maybe he did. I parked across the street and out of sight.
Pulls the part off the shelf and hands it to me.
$7.80.
You gotta love it. Yeah, cheaper maybe at some online place, but I'd already tried once and got the wrong part, even though it was supposed to fit a 1982 GL1100I.
This place has thousands of parts for old bikes. I saw Maggie May's side cover there, I think.
http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/
Worth a stop if you're passing through Indiana.
I bought an aftermarket part on eBay that did not fit.
I pulled Black Betty out, rode her to Cycle Recycle. For me it's a 10 mile trip.
Took the broken lever off, walked into the store.
Guy sees me and sizes me up. What year Goldwing do you have, 1981 or 82. I don't think he saw me pull up but maybe he did. I parked across the street and out of sight.
Pulls the part off the shelf and hands it to me.
$7.80.
You gotta love it. Yeah, cheaper maybe at some online place, but I'd already tried once and got the wrong part, even though it was supposed to fit a 1982 GL1100I.
This place has thousands of parts for old bikes. I saw Maggie May's side cover there, I think.
http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/
Worth a stop if you're passing through Indiana.
Runs better on a cool morning
This has to be a clue.
My bike (94 Magna) surges more in 80 degree weather than in 50 degree weather.
Warmer air means ... leaner mix? Or what?
My bike (94 Magna) surges more in 80 degree weather than in 50 degree weather.
Warmer air means ... leaner mix? Or what?
First Road Trip on the New Magna
100 miles each way from Indianapolis, IN to Eaton, OH and back probably doesn't qualify as a trip report in Maggotdom, but it is significant to me since it is the first ride out of state for the New Magna.
To sum up the trip: My back hurts!
I know this will be a blinding flash of the obvious to so many on the list. But the ergos on this bike are not suited for even a 100 mile trip, at least for *my* frame.
Feet are forward just enough to arc the back just enough to put pressure at the base of the spine. Not the tailbone, like I expected, but really the small of my back. For this reason, I think a better seat won't really help. It's not my butt that's sore, it's the small of my back.
I noticed the footpegs on the New Magna are forward even compared to the pegs on the V30. The V30 was more of a true standard seating position, and this same trip in 2006 on a V30 was not a source of back pain.
I slabbed I-70 from Indianapolis to exit 1 inside Ohio. US-35 south to Eaton.
For 20 minutes at a time, I hooked my heels on the passenger pegs and laid down on the tank, looking like a frog.
Carberators aside, I may be looking for another bike for better ergonomics.
To sum up the trip: My back hurts!
I know this will be a blinding flash of the obvious to so many on the list. But the ergos on this bike are not suited for even a 100 mile trip, at least for *my* frame.
Feet are forward just enough to arc the back just enough to put pressure at the base of the spine. Not the tailbone, like I expected, but really the small of my back. For this reason, I think a better seat won't really help. It's not my butt that's sore, it's the small of my back.
I noticed the footpegs on the New Magna are forward even compared to the pegs on the V30. The V30 was more of a true standard seating position, and this same trip in 2006 on a V30 was not a source of back pain.
I slabbed I-70 from Indianapolis to exit 1 inside Ohio. US-35 south to Eaton.
For 20 minutes at a time, I hooked my heels on the passenger pegs and laid down on the tank, looking like a frog.
Carberators aside, I may be looking for another bike for better ergonomics.
Three is a crowd
I'm gonna get rid of the Wing now that I have the Magna up and running, more or less.
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