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Tipsymcstagger
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 03:51 pm: |
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Ever see that completely way too verbose segment on "Ask This Old House" called "What Is It?" In the segment, three of the show's four hosts attempt to decipher the purpose of some Rube Goldbergish looking tool. Well, I was just out for a walk here in lovely Anchorage , AK (where it's barely gotten above 60 degrees this summer and I've yet to see the sun while on the ground) and I came across a Uly parked in front of a motel room. This is what I saw on the back. No owner to be found, soooooooo....What Is It? Okay, I know it's a length of PVC pipe...so I guess the more pertinent question is, "What's it For?" Tipsy
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Seanp
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 04:13 pm: |
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I don't know what it's for, but it bothers the OCD in me because it's off center... |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 04:31 pm: |
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if it was capped, I would say maybe a fishing pole . |
Treadmarks
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 04:44 pm: |
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IF it was capped. I would say a map tube. Set up for solo rides, zg extended shield with a compass and taller bars with heated grips. |
Metalstorm
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 04:44 pm: |
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Maybe it's a piece he needs for work? He could be a pipe guy who's very happy that he doesn't need the truck for this job |
Rocketsprink
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 05:29 pm: |
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a snorkel? |
Rocketsprink
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 05:30 pm: |
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Or something you're going to use to wash that pig of a bike?(joking!) |
Tipsymcstagger
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 05:39 pm: |
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Or something you're going to use to wash that pig of a bike?(joking!) Considering the bike is in Anchorage, AK and the guy's got California plates, I'd say he likely earned that dirt! Tipsy |
Hooper
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 05:52 pm: |
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It looks like that pipe won't come out unless you take the elbows off, so I'm thinking you thread a rope with some waterski handles on the ends through there, then drag your buddy on his rollerblades behind you. Or, in this rider's case, along some muddy road with the draggee using some sort of boogieboard. |
Ft_bstrd
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 06:09 pm: |
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Looks to me like some sort of custom gear strap down mechanism. |
Tipsymcstagger
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 06:30 pm: |
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Looks to me like some sort of custom gear strap down mechanism. Could be. I definitely like his solution for carrying an extra gallon of fuel. I've been trying to figure out where to mount a couple of MSR bottles for fuel and oil. This gives me an idea for a possible solution. I rarely ride two-up and wouldn't miss the rear pegs. Was thinking I could fabricate some kind oh bracket to fit in the footpeg boss in place of the peg and attach the MSR bottle there. Tipsy
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Seanp
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 06:58 pm: |
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If you haven't already, post this on ADVrider. The rider may be on there, or someone else might recognize the bike or the pipe. |
Rah7777777
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 07:09 pm: |
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Its so when some stupid lady tries pulling in his lane he can whack her windshield with it!...........gosh, too easy!
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Ft_bstrd
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 07:12 pm: |
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You ever tried to recover anything from the rear tail section on a Uly? There isn't a human alive with arms long enough. It's a long way back there. |
Werewulf
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 07:17 pm: |
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i would say, that it is to thread a rope or strap thru, so that when a large bag is strapped on, it doesnt list from side to side and stays level.. |
Miamiuly
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 08:14 pm: |
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It looks like that pipe won't come out unless you take the elbows off, so I'm thinking you thread a rope with some waterski handles on the ends through there, then drag your buddy on his rollerblades behind you. I was thinking the same thing, only maybe for towing or pulling someone out of the mud? A 'tow uly," or maybe for the luggage straps but it made me think ski rope first. (Message edited by miamiuly on July 27, 2008) |
Ulyessesman
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 10:08 pm: |
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it may be a piece for a travel shower, with a few extra pieces of pipe and a shower head , a gallon or so of water and a lil sunshine on that black pvc pipe you could make a nice warm shower but thats just a long shot, but a possibillity none the less |
Unibear12r
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 10:37 pm: |
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The elbows are glued on so it's not coming out of that rack. From the look of the mud and lack of marks up in the open ends of the elbows he hasn't put ropes, wires, pipes etc. up inside there in a while either. Curious! |
Xbimmer
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 11:36 pm: |
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Looks like he's using his top case too, since there's mud where the latch normally fits maybe the attaching latch broke like another B'Webber's did recently and that's his makeshift securing device. I dunno about the extra can down there... looks like swingarm friction deluxe. Looks like he made a stop at a Pep Boys to prep for a long trip leg, he's got my bungees. Hope his wheel bearings are ok, there's some weird looking flecks above the axle on the swingarm. In any case I'm envious, CA bike in AK... |
Greenamp
| Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 11:49 pm: |
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Being that he has traveled a long way, we can deduce that he is carrying more stuff than would fit inside the uly cases, and that it is probably with him inside his motel room. And since this piece of pipe is positioned underneath the back case mount, I think it's safe to assume that it has something to do with securing cargo on top of the rear case. I don't see sufficient evidence from the photos that both elbows are glued on. Looks to me like the left is glued, but not the right. He probably has a large duffle bag or something similar that he secures above the rear case (notice the pipe is about the width of the rear case) by routing a bungee through this pipe. Pretty clever solution. Only other thing I could envision is perhaps using a smaller bungee and attaching one hook to the handles of a bag of some sort, stretching it through the pipe, and attaching the other hook to another bag, with the tension keeping them both good and secure. |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 01:21 am: |
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Beer carrier, I think he could get 4 bottles, or maybe 5 cans in there, the elbows keep the prying tourists out of the stash I am sure he is drinking a beer, laughing about this entire thread. |
Dnveloman
| Posted on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 09:39 am: |
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I want to know what the air conditioner is for in the back ground. Up to 60 in the summer? |
Ikeman
| Posted on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 11:52 am: |
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Hey FB You mean to tell me Chad can't reach the rear rack of the Uly from the pilot's perch. I don't believe you |
Curly
| Posted on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 02:56 pm: |
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or... maybe he was hiding and watching while thinking this will make for an interesting thread on badweb. he he he. |
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