| Author | Message | ||
     Jprovo |
For all you who are wondering what the heck is going on with me here's a not so quick update. I'm staying at IaMike's place, and they are feeding me and treating me like a family member. DaveS has lent me a really nice looking S3 to cruise around on and I've put over 1000 miles on it looking for twisties in Iowa! I have to say that the roads around here are pretty mild compared to home, but there are quite a few fun ones. Life is real tough here  , nice people to stay with, nice places, and a loaner bike with dealer plates to bomb around the countryside on. BTW, The motorcycle Museum in Anamosa is well worth the $5 admission. Hopefully my Blast cylinder head comes in this afternoon and Waterloo HD/Buell Cycle Center gets me on the road by Friday so I can haul ass home to make it to work by Tuesday. Acutually, I'm not too worried about missing another day or so more at work, I'm really concerned about making it back by the third. The third is my wedding anniversary, and my wife will kill me if I'm not home by then. Well, I'll try and keep you all informed of my situation, I'm hoping to be on the road tomorrow. James | ||
| Mikej |
Ya know James, You could just head home for your anniversary on that loaner S3, then just head back in a month or less before the snow flies in the mountains to retrieve the mighty Blast. Just a thought. Or maybe Doug will do a cross country delivery to bring your Blast to you and to retrieve the S3 from you. If he takes Dave along they can stop at all the Buell dealerships along the way and either sell all their existing Buell inventory while they drink a soda or arrange for inventory transfer back to Waterloo. Just another thought or two. | ||
| Bomber |
Just spoke to someone who was going north on the interstate (about 20 miles south of the Illinois/Wisconsin line) . . . . groups of 5 to 10 100th celebrants are lane splitting in traffic moving at 60+ mph . . . . goofy enough in California (at that speed), but downright suicidal with drivers who aren't lane-split (issat a word?) often . . . . just a heads-up . . . . .gonna get goofy round here | ||
| Nevco1 |
Bomber...Am from the "Land of Lane Spitting" and am enjoying the new found freedom. Damn, I am going to hate it when the "Visting Firepersons" go home. Jprovo...Take it easy on the new head and break it in right! No sense in getting broke down again on you way back to "God's Country" (even if the socialist have it in control). If you're lucky by the time you get home "The Terminator" will be Governor and you will have the same freedoms (read: intelligent helmet laws) that we have here in Wisconsin. Ride safe my friend and give your Bride a kiss for me! | ||
| Usroute66 |
Bomber...thank god we got "lane splitting" here in California. I really feel for the riders back in NJ on the turnpike in long lines waiting to pay a toll. Once you get the hang of it, you too would love it. I admit I do not split at 60 mph (oh, maybe once or so if the lanes were wide), but it is amazing how many cagers actually widen out for you as you approach. Splitting on an aircooled bike is a must in the summer in traffic. No doubt about it. Sparky, you care to comment? Scott | ||
| Dynarider |
Bomber, a lot of the out of state riders are downright dangerous. We have a lot of weekend warriors on brand new bikes bombing sround right now & they just plain suck. I saw quite a few cut cars off, I was cut off & forced out of my lane by more than 1 of these assholes. There are not a lot of bikes here...by sturgis standards anyways. Sure the venues are spread out, but when in sturgis you will see wall to wall bikes everywhere you go for a 50 mile radius. Here once you get 2 blocks off the path its just you & your bike. Cant wait to see what the estimates are for attendance. Hell I had no problems at all with parking or crowds anywhere. The only screwed up area is Hals & thats because they just havent figured out the traffic flow deal yet. Still having fun, but I was hoping for more bikes. PS Mike.....will see what the weather looks like in the am. Was hoping to do the Franklin & Capitol plant & then hop up to washington cty for the club Hog deal. Either that or I just hang around here & maybe do summerfest & the art gallery in the early afternoon. No concrete plans as of now. | ||
| Iamike |
I'm trying not to be judgemental about James' head business, I just can't figure out why it is taking so long to get what I would think would be an 'off the shelf' part. I won't mention who at the shop said this but the comment was "if we had known it was going to take so long to get one from Parts we would have called around to find one". Now that is what I would have done for a person that was travelling and was stuck. So is there a communication problem or was it just how the moons happened to line up because of the big celebration, vacations etc? I just feel real bad for this guy and his wife having him stuck here thinking every day that he is going to get back on the road. I guess it could have been worse, he could have been waiting in a hospital. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Iamike...Is just a simple misalignment of the moon and stars. You would not believe what a zoo it is here in Milwaukee. Chances are anyone that can help is either out of town on vacation or on some sort of holding pattern concerning the 100th. I really do not think any business other than catering to the masses is being conducted at all. Say hi to Jprovo for us and wish him well. | ||
| Bomber |
I've got nothing against lane-splitting (although the Illinois and Wisconsin constabulary certainly do), but I wonder about the mental accuity of someone who would lane-split 60-70mph traffic in a construction zone, in a state where the drivers aren't used to it . . . . I've seen more foot-draggers this week than ever before (why is it so many outlaw wannabes can't get their feet on the pegs/floorboards until a block or so after starting up), and the number of obviously inexperienced riders is very large I'm really glad for my friends that enjoy this sorta thing that the 100th is here at alast (I'm not much on crowds, myself, and just can't justify a set of fringed lever covers this week ;-} ), but, given the response I've gotten from non-riding friends and co-workers this week (why do all you bike riders act like a$$holes?), motorcycling will definately take somthing of a black eye round here ah well, we can only hope that the intelligence of these riders is constant, and that they do clean up the gene pool in a private, non-motorcycling way oh, yeah . . .. Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back 10. - Afraid it will invalidate warranty. 9. - Leather and studs make it too hard to raise arm. 8. - Refuses to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for. 7. - Afraid to let go of the handlebars because they might vibrate off. 6. - Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos. 5. - Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley. 4. - Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by those rice-burner manufacturers. 3. - Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else. 2. - Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet. 1. - They're jealous that after spending $20,000, they still don't own a Gold Wing. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Bomber...Interesting comments. Really wonder what the lasting effect the 100th will have here. Think it will be more positive due to the economic factor than in the surrounding cities along the "Yellow Brick Road." Loved your Top 10 reasons for not waving. Now, quit busting my stones about the lane splitting. I promise to give it up (reluctantly) next week. Oh yeah, somebody beat you to it last night on Water Street and wrecked the spit shine on my jump boots. Am sanding and polishing them as we speak. LOL Let's plan a bunch of rides for the Fall!!! edited by Nevco1 on August 29, 2003 | ||
| Bomber |
Nevco . . . . .absolutely, rides that is . . .I've pretty much given up trying to get any particular chapter to field more than one or two riders for any ride (as opposed to circuses like Milwaukee <grin>  . . . I'll work on gettin Grounder and Coneyboy and the like together with you n me . . . . I LIKE lane splitting, really . . .. but at 70? I dunno, bro . . . . . | ||
| Glitch |
before the snow flies in the mountains  And I was worried about the rainy season coming up! | ||
| Uwgriz |
That there is my biggest fear of it. edited by uwgriz on August 29, 2003 | ||
| Nevco1 |
Bomber...Am compiling a few new routes that we should enjoy. So plan on as many rides as we can squeeze in before winter hits. Must agree, no need for lane splitting at 70. However, riding each side of the line looks like "white line fever" but is actually simple lane change/passing technique. Never really between two vehicles. | ||
| Dynarider |
I have been lane splitting the last few days, but only at the stoplights. Moorland gets nutz & the traffic will be backed up for 5 blocks. Screw that, I either go right down the middle or swing off to the left. Other bikes see me doing it then decide to follow. Why sit behind 5 semis in 95 deg heat? | ||
| Nevco1 |
Uwgriz...Trust me, the drivers in California aren't used to it either. In fact, am willing to bet a taco that CA's DMV book for cagers still doesn't tell them that it is legal and something they should watch for. Is just a technique that requires a lot of defensive skills. Legally, the key difference is that in CA you are only entitled to the physical space that your vehicle occupies. Whereas in WI, I believe you are entitled to the full width of the lane and perhaps some "cushion" to the front and rear. The best example of this was presented in CA's Traffic School and was a real shocker when I first heard it. In essence, if there are two lanes going in the same direction and three cars can safely ride abreast, it is legal. Is an international driving thing (Space Theory) and there are a few exceptions that can get you cited for it. However, in reality, I would suspect that someone would get a citation in the above example and would have to use the CA Motor Vehicle Code in court to get the citation dismissed. Incidentally, I strongly believe in CA's Traffic School Program. In general, you get to go once every 18 months (in most counties) to get a citation hidden from the insurance company's. You have to pay for the citation and traffic school so the government still gets their cut off your indiscretion. However, you not only prevent having your insurance raised/dropped, the primary benefit is continuing education on the rules of the road and the real life application of them. Wish WI used their program like that. Trust me, a lot of accidents would be prevented if they did. | ||
| Uwgriz |
Kinda makes you wonder why they paint the lines on... I'd love some type of program like that here in WI. For us, the citations aren't deleted from your record for 5 years. And my insurance shows it... | ||
| Nevco1 |
Yep, real waste of paint. Oh well, it keeps CalTrans busy. LMAO Let's start some initiative concerning the traffic school. I sent a letter to Gov Doyle a few months back suggesting it as a way of raising revenue and preventing accidents. Wonder if it ever got read. LOL | ||
| Leeaw |
Quicky. My M2 has 17K miles and has not been back to the dealer since about 9K when they did some transmission work and a 10K service. Funds are tight but I don't want to run into any problems from not servicing it. Is there any particular need for me to bring it in, or can I do most of what is really necessary, and what would really be key? I change the fluids myself, check belt tension, and am going to lube the cables. If I bring them the wheels, they will mount the tires for $20. Engine is fine, maybe a little squeaky noise in the suspension, I changed the pads. Any tips would be appreciated because I am awaiting a new job that requires Lasik, which is not cheap. Thanks. | ||
| Leeaw |
Quicky. My M2 has 17K miles and has not been back to the dealer since about 9K when they did some transmission work and a 10K service. Funds are tight but I don't want to run into any problems from not servicing it. Is there any particular need for me to bring it in, or can I do most of what is really necessary, and what would really be key? I change the fluids myself, check belt tension, and am going to lube the cables. If I bring them the wheels, they will mount the tires for $20. Engine is fine, maybe a little squeaky noise in the suspension, I changed the pads. Any tips would be appreciated because I am awaiting a new job that requires Lasik, which is not cheap. Thanks. | ||
| Hootowl |
In California, if it isn't expressly illegal, it is legal. There is no law that states that two vehicles may not occupy the same lane at the same time. Learned that at a California traffic school | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Lee, You do have the service manual right? If you kow one end of a wrench from the other you can do most if not all of the general service interval work. The schedules and proceedures ae well documented in the service manual. With 17K, you are coming up on a fairly big one. Head bearings, swingarm lube, etc. Get the service manual. Good excuse to save lots of $$$ and spend some quality milk crate time with your ride. Brad | ||
| Leeaw |
Bluz, I do have a service manual and am not afraid to try most stuff. Rocker box gasket was easier than I thought. My biggest concern is the lubing bearings, like the swing arm, etc. What is really involved with that? Are there grease nipples? I have access via a good friend to almost any tool you could think of. I was going to take it to a shop he knows, but they ended up charging him over $300 for a new tire on his low rider installed! | ||
| Hootowl |
Leeaw, There are no grease nipples for the swingarm bearings. You're looking at removing the swingarm, which on your M2, is a real PITA. This is where following the manual will create more milk crate time for you. If you search the KV, you'll find info on removing the swingarm mounting block instead of lifting the frame off the chassis. Much easier, less invasive, and faster. Only caveat is you have to buy four new bolts/nuts to put the mount back on. Reusing them is not recommended. This is also a great time to upgrade to the 2001 rear isolators, since you'll have your old ones in your hands anyway. By the way, the steering head and the swingarm use the same bearings. | ||
| Sparky |
In traffic school it was said the CHP considers lane splitting more than 15 over the traffic flow borders on reckless driving. So lane splitting at 60 when traffic is going 45 could be OK, but if traffic is stopped, well, that's suicidal IMO. I'll lane split at low speeds on the freeway when traffic grinds to a halt but once it gets around 30 I'll blend in again. It's kinda stressfull to lane split in stop and go fwy rush hour traffic with narrow lanes & such especially after work when I'm tired. BTW, the only relatively safe passing zone between lanes is when cars/trucks are side by side. When they become staggered & there might be random darting-lane-changers, I'll put the high beams on & go into 110% full adrenaline mode -- not fun. Sparky | ||
| Sparky |
In traffic school it was said the CHP considers lane splitting more than 15 over the traffic flow borders on reckless driving. So lane splitting at 60 when traffic is going 45 could be OK, but if traffic is stopped, well, that's suicidal IMO. I'll lane split at low speeds on the freeway when traffic grinds to a halt but once it gets around 30 I'll blend in again. It's kinda stressfull to lane split in stop and go fwy rush hour traffic with narrow lanes & such especially after work when I'm tired. BTW, the only relatively safe passing zone between lanes is when cars/trucks are side by side. When they become staggered & there might be random darting-lane-changers, I'll put the high beams on & go into 110% full adrenaline mode -- not fun. Sparky | ||
| Hootowl |
Another tidbit from traffic school. If traffic is going less than half the speed limit AND under 25 MPH, cops consider it OK to split, otherwise, you're asking for a reckless ticket. | ||
| Hootowl |
For once I agree with Nader... http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/29/janklow.charged/index.html | ||
| Court |
Lane splitting, like unprotected sex, offers the opportunity for a euphoric and reqarding experience that holds the potential to yield great grief. I have 3 rules of lane spolitting, which I'll share later after work. Notes: 1) I always said I never would. 2) Broke rule #1 one hot day running late from Reg Pridmore's house north of LA, headed back to Long Beach. 3) Buell S1's and Ford Aerostar vans are natural enemies due to mirror height. 4) The Honda CB-1, with a 14,000 redline, offers even the budget conscious the chance to emulate a swarm of African Bees on the 405. 5) Land splitting in New York is an invitation to die. 6) NOT lane splitting (techinically called "filtering" in parts of Europe will result in a ticket for clogging the roadways. Life's kinda funny..eh? NOTE: Shifting the CB-1 at 3,000 adds an entirely new "off power band" dimension that would make Joey Chitwood foul his Fruit of the Looms. | ||
| Bomber |
fair's fair, I'm thinkin Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back 10. - Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture. 9. - Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip. 8. - Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm. 7. - Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him. 6. - The expresso machine just finished. 5. - Was actually asleep when other rider waved. 4. - Was in a three-way conference call with stock broker and accessories dealer. 3. - Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen. 2. - Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation system. 1. - Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on the dashboard. |
