Q. What is the easiest way to take a Harley apart?
A. Start it
Q. What do Harleys and dogs have in common?
A. They both like to ride in the backs of trucks
Q. How do you know when a Harley needs oil?
A. It isn't leaking
Q. What is the difference between a Harley and a vaccuum?
A. The position of the dirt bag
6:07 am - Awake. I was worried about getting out of bed early enough. I guess that isn't a problem
6:21 am - Out of bed, but my brain is a litte foggy
6:25 am - Feed the best dog in the work, Fish Sauce
6:30 am - Put in contact lense
6:42 am - Get CD's ready for drive to Portland
6:45 am - Sit in hot tub...Hmm...
6:55 am - Exit hot tub...Brrr....
6:57 am - Get dressed
7:05 am - Get truck loaded
7:09 am - Leave house, Fish Sauce and I are Big Tundra Riding Dirty
7:12 am - QFC donut purchase :)
7:18 am - Starbucks non fat double tall latte
7:20 am - Southbound Road Bound
10:30 am - Hillsboro area
10:45 am - Arrive Beta bike house
10:47 am - Leave Beta bike house for auto parts store for receiver hitch pin
11:08 am - Reciever hitch pin purchase. Met Richard @ the auto parts store. He liked my truck.
11:25 am - Return to Beta bike house, meet seller
11:35 am - Chitty chat motorcycles
11:55 am - Quick 20 yard ride on Beta bike. Looks good. No blue engine smoke, starts right up.
12:10 pm - Load trailer into receiver
12:25 pm - Load Beta bike onto trailer
12:30 pm - Chat motorcycles again, and buy Gary's trials boots for 20 bucks
12:40 pm - Have no cash, return from Well Fargo ATM
12:42 pm - Chat motorcycle straps
12:45 pm - Say Goodbye
12:50 pm - Arbys Turkey/Swiss sandwich order
12:55 pm - Northbound road bound
4:00 pm - Kekland
4:15 pm - Unload stuff from truck
4:30 pm - Clean up Gaerne http://www.gaerne.com/ boots. (pronounced gah-earn-ah)
5:20 pm - Power nap
6:00 pm - Animal feeds
6:04 pm - Dinner prep begins
6:25 pm - Eat Dinner
6:45 pm - Watch movie http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Yes_Men/70000103?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=1742694367_0_0
8:30 pm - Watch DVR recorded HBO show, Flight of the Conchords
9:02 pm - Tub time
9:35 pm - Exit tub time
10:10 - Lights out
10:15 - Post movie blog http://suckymovies.blogspot.com/2008/03/yes-men.html
10:23 - Blog about movie blog
So overall, not a bad drive to Portland. Met some really nice people who've decided to get rid of a couple of their motorcycle toys. Mostly hers not his. Fish Sauce always loves a road trip.
The Beta bike is nice. It started right up and is in really good shape. I gave them their asking price as that was more than reasonable. What benefit to I really gain in haggling? None.
Loading the bike was pretty easy, and even with my cheapy straps (not really heavy duty motorcycle straps) the bike sat back on the trailer really well. That trailer is another great Craigslist purchase!
The boots were a total surprise. I didn't really even know what I was buying, as I'd never seen a trials boot. They appear softer and more wearable than an MX or Road boot. Nice rubber platform for your feet. Honestly they looked as if they've only been worn a couple of times, max.
Once I got them home and really inpected them, it was clear they were a little dried out (since they had sat from unuse) but with some light Simple Green scrubbing and a good application of mink oil really cleaned up nice. All leather Italian made trials riding boots? What a huge score! They are the balance oiled model. Very classic.
OK, somebody built an enduro-ish Monster. Very cool
But this is super hawt.So there is a forum site http://www.advrider.com/ (adventure rider) that has all these bozo talking about their adventure motorcycles. Bimmers, Pumpkins, Jap Bikes, and everything in between. Well I've been toying with the idea of a dirt capable motorcycle. There are so many nice logging and forest and fire roads here. Sure would be fun.
I've been trying to decide what kind of motorcycle I want, but there is so much to choose from. I eventually came to the conclusion I want a Mcycle that is trail capable, but that I can ride on public roads to get to where I'm going.
I want something powerful, but not ridiculous. Plus, like the Ducati, it has to be unique and different. Lastly, it has to be a good deal. Not spending a fortune, certainly not on a motorcycle that is gonna get bounced off a tree or two.
I've been thinking about another motorcycle. This time, I want a dirt bike. Well I guess now they are called a "dual sport." In the olden days, we knew them as enduros.
Let's see what happens....
I went for an M-Cycle ride today. Weather was amazing....Picture perfect. Big puffy clouds, and blue sky....
Anyway, while waiting at a light, at an intersection near the downtown exhibition center, somebody took my picture.
Bizarre.
So in Washington you have to have your motorcycle endorsement. I don't, so I chose to take a class to get it. Basically it was 1 day (8 hours) of instruction, and about 12+ hours of ride on the range time.
This was a novice (beginners) class, but several people already had motorcycles, and only two of 18 had never been on a motorcycle to any great degree. Needless to say, most everybody did alright.
Yours truly got a 98% on the written exam (I missed one question that was worded funky) and a 99% on the riding range exam (missed the standard braking test by one foot. Needed to brake in 13 feet, I did it in 14. However the hardest part of the test was making a "S" in a painted box. I think of the 11 riders, only 2-3 made out with out going over the lines, or putting their foot down. Somehow I was able to squeek through.
So now I can go to the DMV and get my endorsement so I can ride legally. According to this class, only 15% of Washington riders have their endorsement. Hmmmm. Clearly this whole "endorsement process" is a rubber stamp for someone's benefit.
I think I will take a track riding class down @ SIR. That would help my riding, much more than riding in a painted box in a parking lot!
So my vanson showed up...Shit I totally look like BILLY BAD ASS. Pix later. Feels good to ride in more solid gear...Kinda like riding without a helmet. Just feels funny and exposed.
Do you believe I've had the bike 3 weeks and NEVER gone over 70 mph? Neither do I, but it's true! I've not had it in 6th gear yet.
So I'm thinking I want to go out for dinner, but go somewhere cheap and funky! Where do I end up? Pig Kitchen in Bellevue!!! That place is awesome.
So as I'm finishing up my dinner I notice folks had come from across the street @ the Bistro, and were admiring my bike. As I walk up the said "Oh this is yours..It is a very nice bike." Interestingly enough the woman was very well versed in Ducati. I learned her hubby had a 900.
She asked if I would start it up and I happily responded. As I hit the throttle, she let out this gasping screetch, like she's just shot her wad. Wow...
Then, as I ride around the block and back over to 8th street, I notice while @ the light, a guy totally staring at the bike....I finally look over and he says..."Nice bike." I give him a wave, and off I go.
Went to look at boots and gloves @ Eastside Motorsports. Got a decent deal on both and didn't even need to ask for it. Young guy helped me....Nice. Saved me a little more than our damned 8.9% tax rate. Shit everytime I buy something more than a hundred bucks, I get pissed, since almost 10 more goes to the state. Bastards.
So I bought Sidi boots (what else?) and Held gloves.
I seem to have done a US/Italy thing, lately.
I think it's kinda fitting of the nuevo retro thing. Best of breed, but classic.
Today, I took the beast for a little cruise....Wow...What a smile I had on my face! Been a while and I had complete forgotten how damned fun a motorcycle is. Excellent.
So I thought that I killed the motorcycle thing....it came back....can't shake it.....must have motorcycle....
This is a pic of Phil's motorcycle, the same model I desire....The Ducati 1000 Sport Classic, Paul Smart Limited Edition. I think I'm closer to getting one, I may have to Bend OR break....More details later.
Added to the collection:
Leathers - http://www.vansonleathers.com/images/new_products/CSR2.jpg
Brain Cover - http://www.araiamericas.com/helmet_details.asp?model=PROFILE
Booties - http://www.sidi.it/eng/motorcycle/art_d.asp?ATp_ID=M01&Art_ID=MVVERTIGOTE
More You Tubes:
Blastin by
Race Track Wheelies
So I've been vibin' on motorcycles lately. Yes, I know they are dangerous. Yes, I know they are dangerous. Yes Yes Yes. They are also fun.
