I'm on two wheels

Final report on damage and repair to the Road Star

2008-07-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

As most everyone by now knows, I had a slip and fall on the way back from Monterey as we turned onto the 101 Fwy. Luckily it was at very low to almost no speed so damage was minimal. No paint damaged, and minor scratching on bottom muffler (mark of experience). Total tally on repairs and parts: Repaired passing lamps, only needed a couple new bolts/washers and they reattached the original lamps, small scratch on the chrome ring ($125 dealer).

The following parts were ordered for Do- It-Yourself Installation: Windshield-plastic only-DONE ($137); New chrome cover for the brake reservoir...DONE ($17)they sent me two of them; Engine guard waiting for installation ($137). Ordered from South Seattle Yamaha and was overall very impressed. Parts were discounted about 20-25% and ordered on Monday arrived 100% complete on Friday! Can't beat that.

Thumb took the biggest hit and it's back to about 80-85% operating capability.

LAST AND FINAL ITEM ON THE REPAIR AND UPGRADE

The engine guard is installed, and the final item: the upgrade to the Tall Sissy Bar is installed as well. Turns out all it took was removing 4 bolts and out popped the old one and in slid the new one. There is barely enough room to get at the bolts but a member on Road Star Riders gave me a detailed answer on how to do it. Took less than 45 minutes and everything was back to better than before.

NOW, back to the regular blog

July 3 Big Bear and July 5 Julian-Ch. 230 rides

2008-07-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

July 3rd ride to Big Bear included Wayne from Chapter 230, Stu (Stoorat on BBO forum), and Jim (Nubiker, also on BBO), and me. A relatively short hop up to Big Bear and the Grizzly Manor cafe on Big Bear Blvd for a good hamburger. Stu was on his new-to-him, Honda 919, 4 cylinder sport bike, Wayne on his C90 Suzuki, Me on the Road Star and we met Jim up in Big Bear and he was riding the Kawasaki 900. Wayne and I met Stu just above the 91/215 Freeway and 60 Freeway interchange at about 9:30 am and off we went. When we stopped at the ranger station we let Stu go on ahead as we would not be able to keep up with him. Just a few pictures of the whole day. Coming back we rode under the smoke from a new Yucaipa fire that had started a couple hours before we got there.
STU AND THE HONDA 919
That's all there are, did not even get Jim's picture...oh well next time.

I started to notice a problem with left turns on the mountain roads and it continued to be a problem on the trip to Julian two days later.
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TRIP TO JULIAN

Chapter 230's scheduled trip to Julian Started out at about 8:00 am with a briefing and meeting and then off we went at around 8:40am heading up the 57 Fwy to the 91 and over to the 15 Freeway south to Temecula and Hwy 79. It was going to be warm to very hot so I brought enough water and Gatorade to attempt to keep hydrated and avoid any heat related problems. Took along a spray bottle and a frozen bottle of water to help cool thing down on the stops...well it all worked.The President of Chapter 415, Bill was along for today's ride as well, he's in the photo above.
This is George on his first ride with 230.

Looks like about 28 riders getting ready to head out.

HERE IS THE ROUTE TO JULIAN, I like to see it all mapped out. It would be nice if I could map it out before the trip as well.

Click to see a larger map or slide it around to see the whole trip.

View Larger MapYou might notice we went into the Anza Borrego Desert area and the road continues up to Julian and is Quite a road, lots of curves. Leaving the desert floor it's only 12 miles to Julian but we go up to over 4,000 feet. Temps were pushing 100 deg. before we started to climb.

Arrived at Julian and stopped for lunch. It was a quick stop with little time for sightseeing in the tiny town.
Lunched with Barry and Lynne and we discussed the fact that my left turns were slightly sloppy. I seem to be having a problem holding a line going left. Right Turns, no problem, but left would wander, and be a bit hesitant and weak. Barry wisely offered to hang back a bit on the left turns especially when we were in staggered formation.Waiting in the shade til it's time to go. We scared off some customers to the restaurant, and I was right in there somewhere.

Returning to Orange we made a slight but wise course correction to avoid the Del Mar area on the 5 Freeway. Total miles around 275. All arrived safe.

Party at Bob and Ann's

2008-07-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

This is Ron from Tennessee visiting California.
No we did not buy a Harley, but just had to have a picture of Glenn's new Road Glide and Jenny.
We (Mrs. Rider and I) attended a fun party at Bob & Ann's new home in Rialto To say hello to Ron & Jeanine Reeves who are Tennessee and Kentucky state directors with STAR. It was an opportunity to meet with the Reeves who are former Chapter 230 members that have moved on to bigger things in STAR.
As you can see everybody was eating all that tasty food.

The videos are short and I tried to link them together into one video but it just would not work, so you have to click each one to view. In this last video a quick look at making burgers!

BIGGEST/LONGEST trip to Monterey, CA

2008-06-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

This is the longest trip (and the biggest Blog) ever undertaken via motorcycle by me. Packed the bags with everything I could think of including bottles of water, several small Gatorade drinks, some snaks, extra sweater, long sleeve t-shirts and the new Under Armour hot weather shirts and a Nike fleece zip up jacket that was really needed in the cold 52-54 deg. Monterey mornings. Left the Starbucks parking lot in Orange 6/13 at 5:30 AM .

There were 12 riders from Chapter 230 STAR.

Here is map outline of trip...THIS IS DAY ONE, FRIDAY. Ahead a 380 mile trip to Monterey and our lodging for the two day stay.

View Larger Map
Our first stop for gas, naturally we figure at these prices they are almost giving it away.

We made a couple of course corrections along the way and wound up on Hwy 1 heading toward Cambria past the seals beach and on up to Monterey along a very scenic road-famous Hwy 1 the Coast Road. This road has been photographed so many times I was able to find several excellent pictures from the Pashnit web-site and forum to include here just so you can see for your self.
Above Hearst Castle are the Seal Beaches where you can watch the seals lounging around on the beach, here is a video Lots of tight turns going uphill and down, rarely straight.
This is the Bixby bridge (1932) in the background. When you are going over it, it just is another bridge, until you see from the side.
Took a detour to Avila Beach Pier. We actually rode the motorcycles out onto the pier and stopped a took a few pictures. Grey overcast weather was typical all along the coast ride.
Ken and Ken on the left, Tom Joe and Stan with Pedro kneeling, Eric, Me, Ed and Dan on the right. Gary seems to be missing or he took the picture.

Here's Gary on his Honda.
This lady got drafted to help with pictures, that's Pedro helping with the camera.

WE ARRIVED A BIT TIRED FROM THE TRIP UP HWY 1.
Jerry and Patty arrived a day earlier, their mission was crucial as they brought the beer.
It's off to Fishermans Wharf for dinner. Not too impressed with dinner but Ken and I made the best of it.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED NEXT...DAY 2, Saturday our 165 mile ride and tour.
View Larger Map
Several members of the group decided on a trip to San Jose and the Winchester Mystery House, then through the Redwoods and beyond. My roommate Ken and I did not want to go the whole 285 miles so we went on a shorter version I had worked out as an idea earlier. Our trip was to take us on Hwy 1 up to Santa Cruz then turn on Hwy route 17 to San Jose our first destination. Little did I realize what those squiggly lines on the map really mean until we were on hwy 17. Good Grief, fast two lanes in each direction going over the coastal mountains to Los Gatos and San Jose. Intense and fast are the two words that come to mind. We arrived at the Winchester House of Mystery built by Mrs. Winchester with 8 carpenters and a crew that never stopped building until she died. There were closets with a brick wall behind the door, chimneys that did not vent outside and on and on. We found we had caught up to the first group even though they left an hour earlier, paid the $21 to take the tour. The other group was gone when we came out. Lots of pictures.
IT'S AMAZING WHAT A LOT OF MONEY AND A LITTLE INSANITY CAN ACCOMPLISH. Her income from Winchester stock of $1,000 per day allowed her the luxury of having a number of people on her payroll to fulfill her every crazy whim. She paid well for the time in the very early 1900's, but would fire anyone for any number of reasons. Many of the rooms had to have 13 windows or 13 lights as 13 seemed to be her lucky number. The stair way to nowhere.
Tiny staircase with small steps actually used by Mrs. Winchester.

Tiffany window made with crystals so the sun will really make it sparkle, only it was built with walls behind it so no sunlight ever touched it.

All Tiffany glass doors never used, worth a fortune today.The ballroom.
Here's Ken in an untouched room damaged by the 1906 earthquake.

After the tour it was on to the redwoods and The Big Basin Redwood Park via Hwy 236. Again those squiggly lines hit us square in the face with the wildest, tightest, twisty and narrowest road ever encountered it was more like a paved path than a road, turns out to be the back entrance to the park and not a main road. The first group being more seasoned and apparently smarter avoided this road totally.Here we are in the middle of the Redwood park. Stopped for a few pictures. It's amazing that as old as these trees are they were able to plant them right by the road so you can just walk up and take a picture.

Dinner at Bubba Gump's in Cannery Row.
x-Pres. Jerry and Patty at Bubba Gumps.

DAY THREE-Sunday and DISASTER STRIKES!
Got up at 4:30 am, put on my jacket with liner, the Blue fleece jacket the Under Armour for when it warms up, the knee and shin guards under my jeans, packed everything back into the bags and got ready to head out and return home in the 51 degree morning.

Temperature went from 51 degrees in Monterey to almost 100 going over the Grapevine.

You have to drag the map and click the "-" sign to get the full route in view.
View Larger Map
Find destination flag B in Salinas as we were about to get on the 101 freeway. As I was turning onto the on-ramp another rider made his turn a little sharper than I had anticipated and I assumed he would turn wider, my mistake not his, had to try avoid hitting him and went down with my beautiful Road Star. Everyone stopped and we had to fix the right side passing lamp and turn signal, Dan the president had duct tape and wire to keep it immobile so that it would not flap around and do more damage or cause a short. There were pictures taken but not by me. The worst part I jammed my thumb and it started to hurt. Since I was wearing complete gear no scrapes or scratches occured but the thumb still took a hit. It was cold and I was having a bit of shock from the impact but we motored on over to the 5 Freeway where it started to warm up, and then up and over the Grapevine with temps now pushing 95+, and after 360 miles made it safely home to pack the hand and shoulder in ice. The thumb after a few X-rays is a moderate sprain but not broken. Damage to the Road Star should be fixable including replace windshield plastic only, replace the broken passing lamps with an upgrade to new tri-bar lamps and a right turn signal, new engine guards they saved the day, and a chrome cover for the scrapped brake fluid housing are most of it, no paint was scratched or damaged that I can see so far. It's a problem that money can solve. Very embarrassing nevertheless. The things we do for a little excitement.

TRIP TO OJAI - CHAPTER 230

2008-06-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

View Larger Map
This was the regular 1st Saturday of the month chapter ride and the route took us to the town of Ojai and beyond. If you look at the map, you will see Ventura and Hwy 33. Follow 33 up to Ojai (FLAG B), it's about 115 miles from our starting point. For my next personal ride I want to continue on Hwy 33 on up to Coalinga from Ojai, but that will be another time. Here's John (left)collecting money for the raffle, Johney in the middle and Ken on the right. This is Ken and Richard, between the two of us over 140 years of experience at something or other.
We assembled the usual cast of characters for our Saturday ride and all went very well. Not too cool along the coast and not terribly hot when we went inland to Ojai and on to Moorpark and the 5 freeway south coming back. There is Lynn, see above on the right, she has her own Blog and it's a winner Here's Tom and Ed from Chino... There were several new additions in the way of motorcycles including Jim McLain's Honda CBR1000RR. This is basically a bullet you can ride. I noticed his tires were worn from one side completely over to the other, there were no "chicken strips" as their called. A video camera to record ride videos, too cool. Here's Glen with a brand new Harley Road Glide. Beautiful pearl red paint job. I think it was spending like this that caused Ed McMahon to finally lose his home. Good Luck Glen!
This is Gregg, rides a Tour Delux 4 cylinder 1300.

These are either sport bike riders or Japanese game show contestants, but it's the last time we saw them-they took off and were gone.
Chapter was presented with a plaque for our donation to the Orange Seniors Center.
Short video of Group 1 leaving the gas station
Arrived in Ojai and ate lunch at a Mexican Restaraunt, there was an Italian restaurant right next door.
This is a BIG burrito even after partly eaten. Ken ate the whole darn thing.
Downtown Ojai, the excitement is too intense for words. View of the restaurant parking lot. Everyone arrived back at the El Torito parking lot about 4:00 pm. No heat problems were encountered that I was aware of, but I was tired. The new Under Armour T-shirt I was wearing really helped keep me cool. Drank plenty of water and GatorAde to keep hydrated.

HIGHWAY 33 TO COALINGA

2008-06-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

This is the trip I want to take, just a matter of finding the two days needed. Up 101 to Ventura then on to Hiway 33 all the way up to Coalinga, over to Lemoore. There is an Indian Casino-Hotel in Lemoore that looks nice, stay there and then back on the road next morning. The side trip through Sequoia National Park is optional and it is very challenging so might think about that when the time comes. Between 580 miles up to 690 miles depending on the side trip. Anybody interested???
The map shows the route jumping to the 5 Freeway from Hwy 33 past stop "C", that is a flaw in the copy procedure, it is not correct.

View Larger MapHwy 33 is a great motorcycle road from what I have read, light traffic during the week and plenty of curves and twists to keep just about anyone entertained.

Neighbor takes a ride

2008-05-29T22:44:00.000-07:00

Sheila our neighbor gets a ride as passenger (pillion) on the Road Star today. Went for a 2-3 mile ride around the neighborhood including Alta Vista Drive and several others. All went well and now I will probably have one or two others interested in a free ride. Only time it gets to be a challenge is coming to a stop at a light or other location. Balance is very important since the extra weight and higher center of gravity make it important to be lined up and wheels straight. This was my first passenger on regular streets in traffic.Notice the helmet is pushed back a bit, due to her pony tail not fitting under the helmet so she had to cover it and move the helmet back.

Memorial Day Ride

2008-05-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

This was a short ride to attend a memorial service to honor veterans past and present who gave their lives in service to our country. A few members from Chapter 230 including Stan-who organized the event, his wife Connie, Lynne who led the group to the location, Joe, John, Richard, Paul and Johnny. We met in Orange at the Best Buy parking lot and headed out to Fullerton just 11 miles away

The service was held at Memorial park in Fullerton with about 1,000 in attendance.

Here's the group as we await arrival of a Captain from the Coast Guard via Sheriff's helicopter.

Police Honor Guard raising the flag to half staff.

Here is a photo of my KNEE/SHIN GUARDS...Bought these at Chaparral in San Bernardino for $16 and I wear these under my Draggin Jeans for impact protection, hope I never need to find out if they really work. They are comfortable enough to wear all day.

Chapter 415 IRONAZZ RIDE to Fillmore

2008-05-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

The IRONAZZ Ride on Saturday 5/17 was in two parts, the first segment was from Pacific MotorSports in Harbor city, the regular meeting place, heading to Victorville, then on the Pearblossom Highway to Palmdale, past Lancaster, jumping on the 14 Freeway north, over to the 5 Fwy at Gorman then south to 126 and on to a park in Fillmore. Number of miles on the first segment was about 254, and the second segment was to be about 200+. I just did the first half so it was a Half Azzed Ride instead of the full IRON AZZ ride, even so my total miles with the return trip added up to nearly 400 miles. 11 Motorcycles left the gate on PCH at 7 am and headed out to the 210 and on to the 15 Freeway towards our first gas stop at Highway 138 and the 15 Fwy.
This is Don from Chapter 230, but he rides with 415 as well.

Ride briefing by President Bill.
Notice the t-shirts, I would have been a lot cooler if I wore that.

Even I'm in there somewhere...That's me in the group photo wearing the jacket!
It was starting to warm up as we left and I had taken the liner out of the FirstGear Mesh jacket in anticipation the the hotter ride ahead. Other riders were just wearing a shirt/T-shirt and no gear, I was definitely the geared up rider on this trip and I did get a few looks as in, what the heck is he wearing that heavy jacket for?
This is a wedding photo for this couple, (the chapter Vice president and the lady I don't have names for). They were married by the gas station attendant, so the marriage is good for the duration of the ride only. Well that may not be accurate, but could happen.

The ride itself was just a matter of motoring on as there were no real challenges or winding roads to deal with, just lots of miles at a steady pace and some scenery along the way. The heat did start to build as the minutes ticked by, with the final temps on my little gauge reading 108 deg. as we headed down to Fillmore!

We arrived at the park and were greeted by music and registration and food, all good. Eventually there were over 100 motorcycles and riders plus passengers.
Wayne from Chapter 230 showed up and was there when we arrived, he took a short cut.

After the food and buying a hat and drinking lots of water, the group saddled up and headed back.
That's me holding a donut.
These 4 intrepid riders are heading out to complete the extra 200+ miles

Where was all the excitement on the trip you ask? When I left the group on the 210 Freeway and headed back towards the 57, traffic bogged down as I passed the 605 turn-off and with temps still over 100, I fell in behind another rider splitting the lane in the diamond-lane. CRAZY RIDING, GOING IN-BETWEEN THE CARS. Came on a fender bender in lanes and then it slowed down again as I passed a silver Honda Goldwing laying on it's side off the road on the embankment. CHP was there and it looked like a truck/motorcycle encounter but no rider was visible from the far left lane as I went by. After that it was crank the throttle and head home, great ride.

STAR RANCH FUND RAISER-LUNCH

2008-05-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday ride 5/03/08 for Chapter 230 was to the Star Ranch just off the 91 Freeway at Green River. I took Mrs. Rider and so we went by car instead of motorcycle. This was a Meals-On-Wheels fund raiser for the chapter and turned into an excellent event and lunch. Very surprised when we arrived by shuttle up at the top of a steep gravel road to find a ranch with Bar-B-Que, a little stage town and a place for all sort of activities. From the 91 Fwy you would never suspect this was up here. They are planning to make this into a party ranch and horse riding center.

We arrive just as the group pulled into the parking area in front of us next to the freeway.
This is Ken and Jenny-Mrs. Rider

A shuttle bus takes you up to the ranch and the view is spectacular.

Sort of a miniature town with a church, hotel and jail. There is a fast draw shoot out station along with roping and other activities.

This is the wild West shoot out stand.
I believe that is Gail and Lynn and the other picture is the top of Lynn's head and the mountain in the background.
At last I found religion, later the Pope called and two Rabbi's fainted when they saw this, Jenny just had to have the new hat.
Barry, Lynn and daughter Jackie.

Old fire trucks, I would own one if I had the money and place to keep it.
Lined up for some great food.
This turned into a Rescue Mission meeting, but no one was saved or needed to be.

Some of the folks that helped make this a fun day even if no motorcycle was involved on my part, include Dan Dobler Chapter President, Marsha Dobler, Jerry and Patty Gehrls (she made some fantastic apple pies), Bob Barbano donating the meat, John Ruhland collecting all the money, Scott Hamilton, others that I don't know but would be glad to add if you forward their name to me. No motorcycle miles but a very enriching day for us. I have not been part of anything like this STAR chapter that I find so rewarding. Plus we raised $1,200 for the Senior center in Orange.

Trips and Rides so far

2008-04-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

Trying to keep track of some of the more memorable trips and rides I have taken on a motorcycle beginning with the lastest and working backward (mostly). Most are listed in the BLOG below anyway.

Poppy fields in Lancaster (see below)
San Diego overnight
Barstow via Lucerne Valley back on Hwy 66
Yucca Valley
Idyllwild from Banning back down to Hemet
Mt. Wilson (cold!)
Ventura
Tehachapi via Angeles Crest and Little Tujunga Cyn
San Diego/Coronado Isle
Santa Ysabel to El Cajon (Back Country)via 79
Warner Springs via the 79 from Temecula (3 different times)
Palm Desert via Palms to Pines Hwy.
Ortega Highway to Lake Elsinore and back (on the V-Star 650)
Santiago Canyon, many times, a favorite
Oak Glen -three times, Not impressed with the apple pies
Big Bear -Twice, Great Hamburger place up there
Wrightwood -once
Acton off the 14 freeway (why I have no idea)
That's most of it. Not in order by date.

Poppy Fields Ablaze - STAR RIDE

2008-04-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

Another ST&R (Star Touring & Riding) chapter 230 ride, this time out to the Poppy Fields near Lancaster, CA with the hope of seeing some blooming poppies. I learned that it was going to be up the 210 to Angeles Crest Hiway to the 14 and then up to the poppy fields. The "ACH" is a favorite mountain road for many sport bikers and for good reason with all the twists and sharp turns going up and down the mountain range. This will be my 2nd trip all the way to the 14 plus a ride to Mt. Wilson road about 1/2 way on Angeles Crest.
About 30 riders met up at the Best Buy lot in Orange on the first Saturday of the month as usual and after the regular greetings and check-in plus safety review off we went.

We were in luck the flowers were in bloom and as we got closer to the poppy fields area you could start seeing the flowers from several miles away. The flowers in Orange and yellow are spread out over hundreds and maybe thousands of acres in an amazing display of color. I am impressed with the pictues I took and hope you like them as well.
The close-up of the poppies turned out better than expected and I printed an 8x10 for framing.
Some of my hair was found in Lancaster, every one of those strands has a serial number.

The wind was blowing like mad and it really make it difficult to walk but on the Road Star was not too bad.
Those are people way up at the top of the ridge.

From the poppy fields we rode over to the Rock Inn in Lake Elizabeth area, and enjoyed a decent lunch and had a drawing for prizes out in the parking lot before heading back. Went back via Bouquet Canyon Road and Sand Canyon both a bit challenging but all went well, and again either the group was going slower or I'm getting better as I managed to stay up with the rider in front of me.

Back at the beginning at El Torito at the end of the ride and voting in a couple new members, Johnny and another rider I do not know. they needed a little help from a couple Ladies of Star and it seems every new member needs some help from a lady or two in the group Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed this one.

ST&R BBQ in San Diego

2008-04-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

The ST&R (Star Touring & Riding) BBQ event in San Diego over 2 nights March 28-30, 2008 was a first for me on several levels. My first ever overnight adventure on a motorcycle, so I had to pack carefully as space is limited with just 2 saddle bags and a "sissy bar" bag on the back, compared to loading up the trunk of the Lexus with everything we own. I took more than enough of everything as it turned out anyway. There were going to be about 300 motorcycles and riders from a number of STAR chapters around the western USA, including ours from Orange County chapter 230, staying at the Sheraton 4 Points hotel off the 805 Fwy in San Diego.
My new STAR vest!

Early Friday morning, I headed for the Best Buy lot in Orange to meet Ken, a member from 230 and my room-mate for the weekend. When I arrived there were two other riders from 230 waiting as well, Tom and Ed, and so we all headed out for Paul's Kitchen cafe in Mission Viejo. Luckily I knew where it was so I took the lead.

This is Ken

We arrived, met up with some other 230 members, including John, Joe, Stan, Wayne, who waited until we finished breakfast, then off toward San Diego we went.

Upon arriving we found the hotel to be in a remodeling condition, but the rooms were OK even if the hallways were stacked with mattresses and furniture. Got checked in and met up with chapter members from 230 and other local chapters as well.

First thing to do was go over to the Yamaha factory truck and set up a demo ride. This is a real benefit to someone like me as I have only ridden the ones I have owned or at these demo rides. This time it was a V-Star 1300, the same model as Ken's new motorcycle. The guy leading the group took off and just expected everyone to follow and luckily I was right behind him and managed to keep up for the most part. A little fast but we all arrived back safely. I have to say that the 1300 V-Star is a very nice package and feels lighter and very manageable compared to the Road Star. Would not trade but it would be a replacement if something ever happened to the Road Star.
This is Wayne (from Mt. Wilson trip, and Stan, both 230 members.

The rest of the day was mostly meet and greet other members with a formal get-together at 6 pm that night.

unloading a special motorcycle:
Part of the Meet and greet including Karaoke

Next morning, Saturday...Poker-Run. We are given maps to two different routes and being the non-risk taker that I am, went for the coastal route over the Coronado bridge and down the coast then inland. What amazed me was a comment by a fellow rider that they did not want to go over the Coronado bridge due to the height or something. Since Ken and I had done that bridge a few weeks ago and knew it was simple, my only comment was just be careful and don't fall off the bridge as you go over it.

Ken and I discussed going it on our own but we decided to stick with a motley crew of others that didn't know the way either. We pick up two cards when we leave, then 3 other cards when we arrive back and that makes up your poker hand, highest hand wins. The trip itself was fun even though we did get lost several times including a trip down a long dead-end road around Otay lake. Turned into a great opportunity to practice U-Turns, and let me tell you some of these riders need some U-turn practice. I am not perfect but can make a "U" without putting my foot down in most cases now.

Arrived back and had a lot of time during the day to visit vendor booths, watch a dunk tank, and see some motorcycles on display. There were so many motorcycles I just got tired of looking at them if you can imagine that.

Saturday evening, there was a banquet with everyone attending including Alan Cease the president/founder of Star. Good food, but where in the heck was the BBQ? Roast beef, veggies, potatoes, no Bar-B-Cue in sight.
We waited in line before going in.

Noticed it was getting misty out so went and covered the motorcycle as best I could. In the morning everything was WET, damp, cold and we were heading home in it. About a mile or two from the hotel the rain stopped, and it all dried up.

This is not going to be my last trip like this for sure. Meeting with a lot of the members, getting to know many of them better and sharing all kinds of war stories made this a really awesome trip that I will treasure as a unique part of the motorcycle experience and lifestyle.

If you read this far, thank you for taking the time. I wish I could do these things twice, once for the experience and then again to remember to take all the pictures.

New LOUD Stebel horn

2008-03-05T18:34:00.000-08:00

Finally got the new Stebel horn installed. Bought a bracket from Road Star Riders forum and it was supposed to easily replace the existing front horn using the same two stock bolts. I had the dealer install it and from what he tells me the bracket needed some modification. The horn is supposed to be kept as vertical as possible for it to work well, but it is at a 40 deg. angle and it still works great, so hopefully there will be no issue. Looks like the bracket for the horn was made with a different year Road Star in mind so it may need to be replaced.

It's definitely LOUD and even used it already on the freeway as a car started to move into my lane just in front of me. Blasted the horn and at least got her attention, I still had to back off a bit but no harm anyway.
It's small enough to fit right in where the stock horn was.

Ride invitations

2008-02-27T23:35:00.001-08:00

Going on a ride or planning a ride, give me a call or send e-Mail. rich403b@hotmail.com