Tangled
Saturday, October 14, 2006
I'm giving dirt a try
I decided that I need to give dirt a try. I bought a 1980 Honda XR200.
The previous owner described it as a "not pretty" but a "great beginner" dirt bike that runs well. Since it's old style, the seat height is lower than modern dirt bikes of similar displacement. So the height turns out to be something I can handle.
The kickstart, however, is another matter. Both Scott, the previous owner and Travis, my pseudo-nephew, had no problems kick starting the bike. I couldn't seem to get the hang of it though. It didn't help that the starter was on the right side of the bike since I still have problems with my right foot that I broke last year. I did like the fact that I could lift and maneuver the bike fairly easily though.
I'm looking forward to playing in the dirt. Travis rode the bike up and down the street, over curbs and bumps. I'm going to wait until I'm off-road to give the bike a try. If it's not raining tomorrow, Travis and I may go out and try to find some dirt.
A sobering note: Travis and I went to pick up the bike in Garden Grove. On the way back on the 22 freeway we saw a terrible accident involving two SUVs and a motorcycle. The bike was a twisted crumpled mess. It looked like a newer standard/cruiser type bike. The rider was further up ahead on his back. He wasn't moving but it looked like paramedics were trying to pull open some of his clothing. He still had a half helmet on his head. I hope he makes it and will be alright.
The previous owner described it as a "not pretty" but a "great beginner" dirt bike that runs well. Since it's old style, the seat height is lower than modern dirt bikes of similar displacement. So the height turns out to be something I can handle.
The kickstart, however, is another matter. Both Scott, the previous owner and Travis, my pseudo-nephew, had no problems kick starting the bike. I couldn't seem to get the hang of it though. It didn't help that the starter was on the right side of the bike since I still have problems with my right foot that I broke last year. I did like the fact that I could lift and maneuver the bike fairly easily though.
I'm looking forward to playing in the dirt. Travis rode the bike up and down the street, over curbs and bumps. I'm going to wait until I'm off-road to give the bike a try. If it's not raining tomorrow, Travis and I may go out and try to find some dirt.
A sobering note: Travis and I went to pick up the bike in Garden Grove. On the way back on the 22 freeway we saw a terrible accident involving two SUVs and a motorcycle. The bike was a twisted crumpled mess. It looked like a newer standard/cruiser type bike. The rider was further up ahead on his back. He wasn't moving but it looked like paramedics were trying to pull open some of his clothing. He still had a half helmet on his head. I hope he makes it and will be alright.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
You're never too busy to ride
Work has been very hectic lately.....a lot of projects and traveling. I've given in to the need to work on the weekends rather than ride. I've recently determined that too much of this is just a bad idea.
This past weekend I decided to forget about work. Instead, I got things done around the house, spent time with my friends, went on a ride by myself after cleaning the bike and then got lost on a gloomy Sunday afternoon in our local bookstore. It was bliss.
Work was still crazy on Monday....but I wasn't. :)
This past weekend I decided to forget about work. Instead, I got things done around the house, spent time with my friends, went on a ride by myself after cleaning the bike and then got lost on a gloomy Sunday afternoon in our local bookstore. It was bliss.
Work was still crazy on Monday....but I wasn't. :)
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Beautiful night
I had a long hard day today. It was hectic at work. Then, I had to rush to class. Traffic was bad, it was hot and the 56 Chevy does not have air conditioning. During class, we cut and shaped a piece of metal to replace a rusted patch on the car. At 9:30, I backed up the car from the garage and headed home.
On the way, I debated whether I should take surface streets or just jump on the freeway. I fortuitously decided to remain on surface streets. At Harbor and GG Blvd, I stopped at the light. I was in the #1 lane with a turn lane on my left and the #2 and #3 lanes on the right.
When the light turned green, I drove through the intersection. I was traveling at 35 to 40 mph when traffic began to slow. As we approached the next light, I stepped on the brake but nothing happened. The car did not slow down. I pumped the brakes....still nothing. I layed on the horn swerving from the #1 lane to the #2 lane and then back again narrowly avoiding striking other vehicles. I tried the emergency brake....it didn't work. I ran the red light because I could not stop. When it looked like a crash was inevitable, I swerved into an oncoming traffic turn lane. By now I was conscious that the cars behind me were slowing down and staying back. I don't blame them.
Putting the car in park did not help. I saw a large grass median ahead of me with big lamppost. It was my intention to drive into the lamppost if I had to in order to stop the car. I drove up on the median and turned off the car. It finally came to a stop through inertia about a foot from the lamppost.
Tonight, I feel very blessed and thankful. It really is a beautiful night.
On the way, I debated whether I should take surface streets or just jump on the freeway. I fortuitously decided to remain on surface streets. At Harbor and GG Blvd, I stopped at the light. I was in the #1 lane with a turn lane on my left and the #2 and #3 lanes on the right.
When the light turned green, I drove through the intersection. I was traveling at 35 to 40 mph when traffic began to slow. As we approached the next light, I stepped on the brake but nothing happened. The car did not slow down. I pumped the brakes....still nothing. I layed on the horn swerving from the #1 lane to the #2 lane and then back again narrowly avoiding striking other vehicles. I tried the emergency brake....it didn't work. I ran the red light because I could not stop. When it looked like a crash was inevitable, I swerved into an oncoming traffic turn lane. By now I was conscious that the cars behind me were slowing down and staying back. I don't blame them.
Putting the car in park did not help. I saw a large grass median ahead of me with big lamppost. It was my intention to drive into the lamppost if I had to in order to stop the car. I drove up on the median and turned off the car. It finally came to a stop through inertia about a foot from the lamppost.
Tonight, I feel very blessed and thankful. It really is a beautiful night.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
BMWs
O and I went to look at Beemers last week. I've had my eye on the GS 650. I was concerned about the height of the bike though. Lo and behold, when I sat on the bike, I found the height to be manageable. I really liked the feel of the bike. It had a terrific center of gravity. You could lean the bike at a 45 degreee angle and then straighten out the bike with no problem. It seemed like a fancy dirt or dual bike. The bike I sitting on was already sold. The saleman said he was receiving two more in about a week. One of the two coming in was also sold. OTD price was about $9000....no discount there since they had trouble keeping them in stock.
Just as I started thinking that I would start looking for a good used 650, O pointed out that the 650 had chain drive. I don't know why, but I assumed that all BMWs had shaft drive. I was looking forward to having no chain maintenance.
Next to the 650 was it's big brother, the GS 1200. I looked at both bikes closely. Even though they are part of the same line, they seem to be two almost completely different bikes. The 1200 had shaft drive and a ton of other features. Still, I like the looks and size of the 650. I'll probably put the active BMW search on hold in the hopes that they make a model like the 650 but with shaft drive.
Just as I started thinking that I would start looking for a good used 650, O pointed out that the 650 had chain drive. I don't know why, but I assumed that all BMWs had shaft drive. I was looking forward to having no chain maintenance.
Next to the 650 was it's big brother, the GS 1200. I looked at both bikes closely. Even though they are part of the same line, they seem to be two almost completely different bikes. The 1200 had shaft drive and a ton of other features. Still, I like the looks and size of the 650. I'll probably put the active BMW search on hold in the hopes that they make a model like the 650 but with shaft drive.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Radiator repairs
I removed the damaged radiator Tuesday (Jim talked me through a few of the more difficult aspects) and took it to the motorcycle radiator repair shop in Fontana. I wish I had taken before and after pictures. The radiator off the bike was more tweaked than it appeared on the bike.
I picked up the repaired radiator today. It looked fantastic, almost new. They had to repair a small leak at the base of the radiator and then they tested under pressure before returning it to me. They had great friendly service for a very reasonable price.
I think the fan blade will be here tomorrow. In anticipation, I decided to reinstall the radiator. I got as far as two bolts. I couldn't find the third so I'll have to pick one up from Hahm's in the morning. Some of the next few installation steps involve the use of a torque wrench. Since I don't know how to use a torque wrench, I'll need to wait for O. His plane gets in late tomorrow.
Undaunted, I decided to try and change the brake and clutch levers. I got the Pazzo levers today. They really look great. The guys on the SV1000 forum say it takes 5 minutes. After 5 minutes of reading the instructions and not clearly understanding them, I again decided that it would be best to wait for O.
Poor O. I've learned a lot about motorcycle repairs and maintenance in the last couple of years. But, I still don't know a lot about tools. I still have problems cracking bolts and I sometimes over-tighten or under-tighten bolts. I'm getting better bit by bit but I'm often concerned that I'll damage expensive parts by my lack of knowledge in this area. I'll keep trying because it really feels good to successfully perform maintenance on your own bike...kind of like picking and eating veggies that you grew yourself. :)
I picked up the repaired radiator today. It looked fantastic, almost new. They had to repair a small leak at the base of the radiator and then they tested under pressure before returning it to me. They had great friendly service for a very reasonable price.
I think the fan blade will be here tomorrow. In anticipation, I decided to reinstall the radiator. I got as far as two bolts. I couldn't find the third so I'll have to pick one up from Hahm's in the morning. Some of the next few installation steps involve the use of a torque wrench. Since I don't know how to use a torque wrench, I'll need to wait for O. His plane gets in late tomorrow.
Undaunted, I decided to try and change the brake and clutch levers. I got the Pazzo levers today. They really look great. The guys on the SV1000 forum say it takes 5 minutes. After 5 minutes of reading the instructions and not clearly understanding them, I again decided that it would be best to wait for O.
Poor O. I've learned a lot about motorcycle repairs and maintenance in the last couple of years. But, I still don't know a lot about tools. I still have problems cracking bolts and I sometimes over-tighten or under-tighten bolts. I'm getting better bit by bit but I'm often concerned that I'll damage expensive parts by my lack of knowledge in this area. I'll keep trying because it really feels good to successfully perform maintenance on your own bike...kind of like picking and eating veggies that you grew yourself. :)
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Helmet Maintenance Days
I always check the basics on my bike when I head out on a ride. Periodically, I perform maintenance on the bike as recommended by the manufacturer. The easy stuff, I can now do myself. With the harder stuff, I get help from friends and family as well as paid professionals. That being said, I periodically maintain my helmets as well.
I have a Scorpion Exo 700, an Arai Corsair and a Shoei RF 1000. All of the helmets have varying degrees of removable liners. Be careful when you remove the liners so that you don't accidentally detach something that shouldn't be detached. Yesterday, I pulled the liners out of all three helmets. They went into the washer with a mild detergent (like Woolite). I used the hand washable setting. After the liner pieces were washed, I laid them on table to air dry overnight. I would not advise putting them in the dryer.
I removed the shields from each helmet. I also pulled out the extra shields I have for each helmet. I checked each shield for cracks or damage. Then I cleaned each shield on both sides with Plexis and a soft cloth.
I wiped the inside of each helmet using a liquid spot remover and a towel. I paid particular attention to the fabric areas of the helmets that weren't removable. The outside of the helmets were cleaned using a soft cloth and Plexis. I checked the outer shells, helmet straps, cloth areas and foam for signs of wear or deterioration. I checked to make sure all the vents, breath guards, tabs, etc. were in good condition.
Today, I will reassemble everything and then pack each helmet back into their cases or bags. I will then store the helmets in the house or at least in the garage to avoid extreme temperatures. I perform full helmet maintenance every few months or so depending on use. After each ride, I will at least minimally check the helmet, wipe the interior and clean the exterior and shield without removing the liners.
I think some degree of helmet maintenance is important for safety reasons. Beyond safety, I prefer to put on a clean, fresh helmet each time I ride.
I have a Scorpion Exo 700, an Arai Corsair and a Shoei RF 1000. All of the helmets have varying degrees of removable liners. Be careful when you remove the liners so that you don't accidentally detach something that shouldn't be detached. Yesterday, I pulled the liners out of all three helmets. They went into the washer with a mild detergent (like Woolite). I used the hand washable setting. After the liner pieces were washed, I laid them on table to air dry overnight. I would not advise putting them in the dryer.
I removed the shields from each helmet. I also pulled out the extra shields I have for each helmet. I checked each shield for cracks or damage. Then I cleaned each shield on both sides with Plexis and a soft cloth.
I wiped the inside of each helmet using a liquid spot remover and a towel. I paid particular attention to the fabric areas of the helmets that weren't removable. The outside of the helmets were cleaned using a soft cloth and Plexis. I checked the outer shells, helmet straps, cloth areas and foam for signs of wear or deterioration. I checked to make sure all the vents, breath guards, tabs, etc. were in good condition.
Today, I will reassemble everything and then pack each helmet back into their cases or bags. I will then store the helmets in the house or at least in the garage to avoid extreme temperatures. I perform full helmet maintenance every few months or so depending on use. After each ride, I will at least minimally check the helmet, wipe the interior and clean the exterior and shield without removing the liners.
I think some degree of helmet maintenance is important for safety reasons. Beyond safety, I prefer to put on a clean, fresh helmet each time I ride.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Jacket Reviews
Since I purchased two new jackets lately, I thought I'd post a review. The first jacket is the Tour Master Cortech LRX Sport Women's Jacket in black:
I bought this jacket from a seller on eBay for a really reasonable price. This is the jacket I wore on last weekend's 400 mile Ojai trip. It comes with a liner that I foolishly forgot to bring since it was a bit cold at the beginning of the ride. In terms of fit, I'd give this jacket 8 out of 10 points. It fits better than most of the jackets I own and really does seem to be tailored for a woman in most respects. The sleeves were still too long but there were enough adjustments on them to compensate. The LRX jacket was very comfortable to wear on the ride.
Even with the liner, I think this jacket would not be warm enough for the winter though. But, it's great for the spring and fall. I will complain about the zipper though. The zipper frequently got caught in the too thin placket. Both the zipper and the plackets on the jacket could be improved
The other jacket is the Tour Master Cortech Breeze Women's Jacket:
I really don't have a lot to say about this jacket since I have not ridden in the jacket. I will note that the construction appears to be decent. Newenough has these on closeout for $61.50. The sleeves are even longer that those on the LRX jacket except the Breeze doesn't have sleeve adjustments. If I didn't know better, I would guess they just slapped a ladies label on the next smaller size mens jacket. The ladies Breeze does not seem to be tailored for a woman. I'll use this jacket this weekend and comment further later.
I bought this jacket from a seller on eBay for a really reasonable price. This is the jacket I wore on last weekend's 400 mile Ojai trip. It comes with a liner that I foolishly forgot to bring since it was a bit cold at the beginning of the ride. In terms of fit, I'd give this jacket 8 out of 10 points. It fits better than most of the jackets I own and really does seem to be tailored for a woman in most respects. The sleeves were still too long but there were enough adjustments on them to compensate. The LRX jacket was very comfortable to wear on the ride.
Even with the liner, I think this jacket would not be warm enough for the winter though. But, it's great for the spring and fall. I will complain about the zipper though. The zipper frequently got caught in the too thin placket. Both the zipper and the plackets on the jacket could be improved
The other jacket is the Tour Master Cortech Breeze Women's Jacket:
I really don't have a lot to say about this jacket since I have not ridden in the jacket. I will note that the construction appears to be decent. Newenough has these on closeout for $61.50. The sleeves are even longer that those on the LRX jacket except the Breeze doesn't have sleeve adjustments. If I didn't know better, I would guess they just slapped a ladies label on the next smaller size mens jacket. The ladies Breeze does not seem to be tailored for a woman. I'll use this jacket this weekend and comment further later.
