Sitting here in the nerve center of Fort Awesome wondering if the weather is ever going to get warm enough to rip around the country without a jacket.
Today is overcast and much cooler than yesterday was. I managed to get a few things done to my bikes yesterday. I got a makeshift cover done for the seat and started on trimming down signal light stems to replace the missing front ones. That in its self has turned out to be more of a job than I first thought. My tubing cutter doesn't go deep enough so those smooth cuts I had envisioned will just have to end up a little ragged. I have maybe located all the things I need to put the magic push button back into play. If the weather had held I could have run through it and maybe been leading the life of luxury with a shiny hardware store push button. Ahhhh well, the next ride is just a kick or two away.
As soon as the weather gets steady I have a couple of projects bikes to get stared on. One in particular is a special project, an 85 Yamaha Virago 700, as I had waited 15 years to get it. Now that I have another special reason in a daughter to fix it up for. She's even said she wanted to help with it. Can't beat that now can ya?
Today hasn't been a total loss. There are parts to hunt and a few miles to get in here and there. Who knows I may even get lucky and find everything on my list. That would be nice, just put it all together and let her start riding.
catch ya on the road
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
April 5, 2014
My solo seat on my daily beater has started to show it's age badly. After looking around locally for a replacement without any luck I started thinking of a temporary cover till I could come up with one.
Since the seat is always exposed to the weather I don't really put a lot of expense into it. This last one was only $9.99 and shipping from E-bay. Anyway looking around I found an old canvas money bag from a vending company. The seat appeared to be about the same size as the bag. I pulled the bag on the old seat and it made a tight fit. A few zip ties took out the slack and I had a pretty decent looking seat again. Looking around again I found a new can of scotch guard stuff. Three treatments of the stuff made for a nice water repellent solo seat again. The best part of the whole thing is the seat rides like it always did.
Since I already had everything it really didn't cost me anything so the price was right. The down time was about an hour and since I'm riding it full time while Clementine is vacationing in sunny south central Texas, that was pretty alright too. My pups came by and sniffed the whole process and not one of them acted like it was a fire plug (I took that to as a good sign) so I'm happy with the whole thing.
catch ya on the road
Since the seat is always exposed to the weather I don't really put a lot of expense into it. This last one was only $9.99 and shipping from E-bay. Anyway looking around I found an old canvas money bag from a vending company. The seat appeared to be about the same size as the bag. I pulled the bag on the old seat and it made a tight fit. A few zip ties took out the slack and I had a pretty decent looking seat again. Looking around again I found a new can of scotch guard stuff. Three treatments of the stuff made for a nice water repellent solo seat again. The best part of the whole thing is the seat rides like it always did. Since I already had everything it really didn't cost me anything so the price was right. The down time was about an hour and since I'm riding it full time while Clementine is vacationing in sunny south central Texas, that was pretty alright too. My pups came by and sniffed the whole process and not one of them acted like it was a fire plug (I took that to as a good sign) so I'm happy with the whole thing.catch ya on the road
Saturday, April 5, 2014
April 4, 2014
Sitting here with Woodrow listening to Jeff Healey's Roadhouse Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acD6Yy_FeDk) and reflecting on my Texas trip. I had a blast!
I had around 700 miles in the wind, cold and rain at 70 mph. It was one of my better rides. Clementine ran great (even with an oil leak) for a stock 32 year old motorcycle that some misguided folks mistakenly call a rat bike and made it a good trip. 281 through Texas was fun and nothing like I remembered the area from the early eighties. Divided highway, 70-75 mph speed limits, 40 to 60 miles between towns and hardly any traffic. It was good.
The best part was in Blanco, TX. The current girlfriend met me there and I met a beautiful redhead there that I fell in love with on sight. It really worked out. They both took me home with them and that's where I met the gorgeous blond where again I fell in love on sight. As it worked out I spent the weekend with a trio of "hotties" and had a blast (I know, I'm a lucky hound dog)
Since Clem had a pretty good old oil leak going and the parts I needed to fix it was back at my house it was decided that I would leave it with the girls and fly back.
Yep, I had a good trip. No major breakdowns or crashes. Just an overloaded worn out yamahopper, the road and a great time. So good in fact I'm already scheming to head back down (got to go get Clem "snicker...snicker")
catch ya on the road
I had around 700 miles in the wind, cold and rain at 70 mph. It was one of my better rides. Clementine ran great (even with an oil leak) for a stock 32 year old motorcycle that some misguided folks mistakenly call a rat bike and made it a good trip. 281 through Texas was fun and nothing like I remembered the area from the early eighties. Divided highway, 70-75 mph speed limits, 40 to 60 miles between towns and hardly any traffic. It was good.
The best part was in Blanco, TX. The current girlfriend met me there and I met a beautiful redhead there that I fell in love with on sight. It really worked out. They both took me home with them and that's where I met the gorgeous blond where again I fell in love on sight. As it worked out I spent the weekend with a trio of "hotties" and had a blast (I know, I'm a lucky hound dog)
 |
| My pit crew |
Yep, I had a good trip. No major breakdowns or crashes. Just an overloaded worn out yamahopper, the road and a great time. So good in fact I'm already scheming to head back down (got to go get Clem "snicker...snicker")
catch ya on the road
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
March 22, 2014
This morning was cool and all sun shiny... the perfect combination for a ride.
I fired up the bike and let it warm up good then headed down to top off the tank. While I was getting gas I made contact with one of my doctors and found that he would be in his office this morning. He had contacted me earlier in the week needing some parts for his bike. Seems that a dog got in his way and caused a crash. After gas and grabbing a big biscuit and thermos full of coffee I got on the road. The ride was good. All the little pesky gremlins must have slept in? That or I finally got them all worked out.
Traffic was light for a Saturday morning and I enjoyed it. I made good time over to Hwy 412 then really made good time over to the Doc's office. This stretch of 412 is almost completed. Divided highway and new (smooth) made for a more comfortable little ride. So, with the sun trying to warm things up and humming JJ Cales 'call me the breeze' I motored along. yeah!!
Doc was with a patient when I got there so I poured a cup of coffee and started on the Bacon biscuit and waited. I was just getting to my second cup when he popped out with a grin on his face. We chatted a bit about the road and bikes and my next appointment then it was time to get back on the road again.
I headed over the mountain toward moms. As I started up the hill out of town I fell in behind a couple on a Road King. They had been in town while I was visiting with Steve and were making all kinds of noise, rapping their pipes and blaring a stereo. When he saw I was behind them he punched it and took off. OK, I need to see if my repairs would hold so I followed suit and for the next seventeen miles I pushed them, Hard! I don't think it was what they were expecting. At about 70 mph through the mountains you could tell that my repairs were good and that the Harley pilot was really having second thoughts about showing his ass. (body language speaks volumes) Since they were two up I backed off of them as we got into the tight curves.
We came to a little intersection and I had a good laugh as they went right and I went left.
The rest of the ride over to moms was just plain old fashioned fun as I was literally hammer down. The bike ran great. No sign of a Gremlin today.
My visit with mom was too short as always but as always was good.
My trip back was a slower pace. The wind was stiff and starting to get cool. I made good time with only one issue. A guy in an SUV turned left in front of me. The bastard saw me. He stopped and turned on his signal light. I had a funny feeling and started slowing down. I guess I started slowing at just the right time as I barely missed him.
Back on 412 I stopped at Marble for some dinner. While I was there I made contact with a friend that was ahead of me on his deuce. He was in the next little town at Wal-Mart. Seems he didn't dress warm enough and had to buy a jacket. We made plans to meet up at a little gas station after my dinner and his shopping trip.
Looking at the dark clouds in the sky after I had eaten, I realized that the weather man missed it again. The rain that was supposed to come in late this evening was going to be here any minute. I didn't have any real desire to do thirty five miles wet and cold. I got back on the road and really let the hammer down. I made a quick trip over to meet my buddy. As I came up on the little gas station we were to meet at he was sitting in the drive. I didn't slow down as I came by. I pointed toward the sky and he pulled in behind me. We roared up the road and actually beat the major part of the rain. Just got a few hard hitting sprinkles. We were lucky. We slid under the awning at the gas station at home just as the heavy stuff started. Just as we were joking about our luck a rider came in behind up. He was soaked. Yes, we were really lucky....this time.
After a quick call to mom to let her know I made it alive and a nice chat with my gal in Texas I slipped out in the rain to the house.
Remember kiddies....GOD loves me! Watch out for SUV's. Weathermen never get it right if your on a bike & I had fun!
catch ya on the road
I fired up the bike and let it warm up good then headed down to top off the tank. While I was getting gas I made contact with one of my doctors and found that he would be in his office this morning. He had contacted me earlier in the week needing some parts for his bike. Seems that a dog got in his way and caused a crash. After gas and grabbing a big biscuit and thermos full of coffee I got on the road. The ride was good. All the little pesky gremlins must have slept in? That or I finally got them all worked out.
Traffic was light for a Saturday morning and I enjoyed it. I made good time over to Hwy 412 then really made good time over to the Doc's office. This stretch of 412 is almost completed. Divided highway and new (smooth) made for a more comfortable little ride. So, with the sun trying to warm things up and humming JJ Cales 'call me the breeze' I motored along. yeah!!
Doc was with a patient when I got there so I poured a cup of coffee and started on the Bacon biscuit and waited. I was just getting to my second cup when he popped out with a grin on his face. We chatted a bit about the road and bikes and my next appointment then it was time to get back on the road again.
I headed over the mountain toward moms. As I started up the hill out of town I fell in behind a couple on a Road King. They had been in town while I was visiting with Steve and were making all kinds of noise, rapping their pipes and blaring a stereo. When he saw I was behind them he punched it and took off. OK, I need to see if my repairs would hold so I followed suit and for the next seventeen miles I pushed them, Hard! I don't think it was what they were expecting. At about 70 mph through the mountains you could tell that my repairs were good and that the Harley pilot was really having second thoughts about showing his ass. (body language speaks volumes) Since they were two up I backed off of them as we got into the tight curves.
We came to a little intersection and I had a good laugh as they went right and I went left.
The rest of the ride over to moms was just plain old fashioned fun as I was literally hammer down. The bike ran great. No sign of a Gremlin today.
My visit with mom was too short as always but as always was good.
My trip back was a slower pace. The wind was stiff and starting to get cool. I made good time with only one issue. A guy in an SUV turned left in front of me. The bastard saw me. He stopped and turned on his signal light. I had a funny feeling and started slowing down. I guess I started slowing at just the right time as I barely missed him.
Back on 412 I stopped at Marble for some dinner. While I was there I made contact with a friend that was ahead of me on his deuce. He was in the next little town at Wal-Mart. Seems he didn't dress warm enough and had to buy a jacket. We made plans to meet up at a little gas station after my dinner and his shopping trip.
Looking at the dark clouds in the sky after I had eaten, I realized that the weather man missed it again. The rain that was supposed to come in late this evening was going to be here any minute. I didn't have any real desire to do thirty five miles wet and cold. I got back on the road and really let the hammer down. I made a quick trip over to meet my buddy. As I came up on the little gas station we were to meet at he was sitting in the drive. I didn't slow down as I came by. I pointed toward the sky and he pulled in behind me. We roared up the road and actually beat the major part of the rain. Just got a few hard hitting sprinkles. We were lucky. We slid under the awning at the gas station at home just as the heavy stuff started. Just as we were joking about our luck a rider came in behind up. He was soaked. Yes, we were really lucky....this time.
After a quick call to mom to let her know I made it alive and a nice chat with my gal in Texas I slipped out in the rain to the house.
Remember kiddies....GOD loves me! Watch out for SUV's. Weathermen never get it right if your on a bike & I had fun!
catch ya on the road
March 21, 2014
Today was one of the best riding days we've had in a while.
I made it out and eventually up to the shop to work on a few little issues before the trip to Texas at the end of the month. My speedometer has been giving me more trouble than I feel I need. With my friend Luther overseeing my effort I think I may have gotten it worked out.
I made it back to the house just in time to feed the pups....anyway that's how they explained it to me. After taking care of all the bosses I decided to give another look at a set of throw over saddle bags that I have been kicking around for years. I normally don't care for bags. I tend to travel lighter than most and bags just always seem to get in my way. Anyway....I spent most of the evening "semi permanently" rigging these things on my ride. I got em on but they just don't do anything for me. I'll probably give them a try, worse case I'll leave them beside the road in Texas.
After spending most of the day working on little issues I figured it was time to get out and run the roads a bit. I pulled out and headed for a short ride to a coffee shop. The air was cool and it was just nice to be tooling around. I made it to the cafe and the rain started. I had a snack and coffee and when I was ready to leave, the rain stopped. (It's all in the timing.) My ride back to the house was as good as the ride out.
Sitting here listening to the Blues & Rockabilly with a good cup of coffee, discussing today with Woodrow my Cockatiel, we've decided that today was a keeper.
Tomorrow is going to be a ride to check on mom. Deliver some parts, shake down all the recent repairs and generally burn up the road.....
catch ya on the road
I made it out and eventually up to the shop to work on a few little issues before the trip to Texas at the end of the month. My speedometer has been giving me more trouble than I feel I need. With my friend Luther overseeing my effort I think I may have gotten it worked out.
I made it back to the house just in time to feed the pups....anyway that's how they explained it to me. After taking care of all the bosses I decided to give another look at a set of throw over saddle bags that I have been kicking around for years. I normally don't care for bags. I tend to travel lighter than most and bags just always seem to get in my way. Anyway....I spent most of the evening "semi permanently" rigging these things on my ride. I got em on but they just don't do anything for me. I'll probably give them a try, worse case I'll leave them beside the road in Texas.
After spending most of the day working on little issues I figured it was time to get out and run the roads a bit. I pulled out and headed for a short ride to a coffee shop. The air was cool and it was just nice to be tooling around. I made it to the cafe and the rain started. I had a snack and coffee and when I was ready to leave, the rain stopped. (It's all in the timing.) My ride back to the house was as good as the ride out.
Sitting here listening to the Blues & Rockabilly with a good cup of coffee, discussing today with Woodrow my Cockatiel, we've decided that today was a keeper.
Tomorrow is going to be a ride to check on mom. Deliver some parts, shake down all the recent repairs and generally burn up the road.....
catch ya on the road
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Gremlins and Speed Demons
March 18, 2014
The joys of an older bike are never ending. It's one of life's perks.
This morning I made an earlier appearance than normal at work. I actually got there before daylight. There was reason for this burst of energy on my part. A good clear night and a bike that need to be ridden after dark to make sure all the electrical gremlins had been chased away.
I managed to pull out a quarter to five and made it all the way to the local cafe/coffee shop. (about a half mile) I picked up some breakfast for later then out into the remains of the night. The bike ran good and I managed to turn a thirteen mile commute into a 56 mile ride. All was good going. The lights were working like new from the factory and I was feeling pretty good about everything that had been giving me problems. Funny how great feelings can turn lousy in the blink of an eye...
I cut across from the two lane I was on to a divided highway to make some time to work. I wound the bike up as I normally do and after a couple of miles I noticed that I was running over a hundred and cars and trucks were passing me like I was still at the house. My LSI (lickity split indicator) gremlin had returned. I have been fighting this issue for sometime. The gears in either the clock or the hub have enough wear to cause this little headache. So with a squalling noise coming from the clock and no way of knowing how fast I was actually going I pondered what to do. Limp it back to the house and ride something else to work or head to work? It's on 28 more miles and I always liked running a hundred miles per everywhere I go. The rest of the ride was just capitol. I might need to do this more often.
Well, now I have another little project to attend to. Maybe next time I'll get lucky and catch this little gremlin rascal and strangle it? But for now, it's running like it should. The weather is just about perfect and I'm pretty much happy camper.
catch ya on the road...I'll be the one running over a hundred
The joys of an older bike are never ending. It's one of life's perks.
This morning I made an earlier appearance than normal at work. I actually got there before daylight. There was reason for this burst of energy on my part. A good clear night and a bike that need to be ridden after dark to make sure all the electrical gremlins had been chased away.
I managed to pull out a quarter to five and made it all the way to the local cafe/coffee shop. (about a half mile) I picked up some breakfast for later then out into the remains of the night. The bike ran good and I managed to turn a thirteen mile commute into a 56 mile ride. All was good going. The lights were working like new from the factory and I was feeling pretty good about everything that had been giving me problems. Funny how great feelings can turn lousy in the blink of an eye...
I cut across from the two lane I was on to a divided highway to make some time to work. I wound the bike up as I normally do and after a couple of miles I noticed that I was running over a hundred and cars and trucks were passing me like I was still at the house. My LSI (lickity split indicator) gremlin had returned. I have been fighting this issue for sometime. The gears in either the clock or the hub have enough wear to cause this little headache. So with a squalling noise coming from the clock and no way of knowing how fast I was actually going I pondered what to do. Limp it back to the house and ride something else to work or head to work? It's on 28 more miles and I always liked running a hundred miles per everywhere I go. The rest of the ride was just capitol. I might need to do this more often.
Well, now I have another little project to attend to. Maybe next time I'll get lucky and catch this little gremlin rascal and strangle it? But for now, it's running like it should. The weather is just about perfect and I'm pretty much happy camper.
catch ya on the road...I'll be the one running over a hundred
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