| Author | Message | ||
     Tootal |
Springfield is a good town. There's one in every state!  You could make it Springfield Illinois! Then you wouldn't need a hotel for the races! One benefit is there is no state taxes for retirees. But then again the real estate taxes are so high it cost more than paying taxes! How can patience be a virtue when the early bird gets the worm? I'm confused...  | ||
| Tootal |
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| Ourdee |
Crusty, Take a quick look at Indianapolis. From there you have local races and Springfield is a ride to watch and just go home after option. Not too far from East Troy. Roads out of town in every direction. Taxes aren't very high. | ||
| Crusty |
New Year’s Day Every year, I try to go out for a ride on New Year’s Day. I can only think of two years in the past few decades when I didn’t. Last year, when I was in Australia and didn’t have a running motorcycle and 2001. I was about to go out for a ride, but Terri came outside to see me off, and she slipped on the ice and wrenched her back. So I didn’t go out; I stayed home and got her comfortably settled and kept her company. The warmest ride was back in the early 80s. I remember seeing 59º on a bank thermometer. I think it was the following year when it was 15º with really strong winds. I was dating Kathy at the time, and we both agreed that it was too freakin’ cold, and we turned around and went back home. That wasn’t the coldest ride, though. In 2008, it was 8º and I rode to the Emerson Hospital to take a picture of the helipad for a tag-o-rama I was involved in. The camera couldn’t handle the cold and it died and never recovered. By the time I got home, I’d covered over 50 miles in single digit temps at 70 or so MPH and I felt like a walking popsicle. Some years, the ride is short and some times it’s fairly lengthy. It all depends on the temperature and the road conditions and my attitude. Today’s ride wasn’t very noteworthy. Even though the temperatures warmed over the night and never fell below 32º the ground was pretty slick with ice. The main roads had been treated, so they were OK as far as traction was concerned. However, that salt, brine or whatever really covered the bike and made it look like dung. Almost literally. It was a brownish grey in color and the bike was filthy. So I stopped at the quarter car wash on the way home and cleaned the worst of it off. Then I rode by the Supermarket and picked up a few items and came home. It was an uninspired ride on roads covered with crap and my mood matched the quality of the ride. I don’t know why my mood was so crappy, but I really had a bad attitude. The Joy of Living was on vacation today, I was in a place where I could only see the negative side of everything. My speedometer that just quits working for no apparent reason. Idiots who were texting while driving. Morons who were afraid to go faster than 10 MPH under the speed limit, and everybody else who was out on the road just irritated the living piss out of me. So I came home and just holed up. The good news is that I got my ride in. It’s good to keep a tradition going, even when I’m in a bad mood. Hopefully, next year, I’ll be setting out from my home in Cincinnati on a Red Lightning to welcome in 2018. In spite of being in a crappy mood today, I still have positive feelings about 2017. I hope those feelings are correct. | ||
| 86129squids |
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| 86129squids |
...and, | ||
| 86129squids |
(Message edited by 86129squids on January 02, 2017) | ||
| M2owner |
Thanks Crusty for the New Years thoughts. I appreciate your sharing of what you do and think. My bike and I sit and wait for warmer weather. Happy New Year to all. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I also appreciate the update, with or without the doldrums! Happy New Year, John! | ||
| Crusty |
My Speedometer, The Shop and The Weather Yesterday, I went over to the shop. I had a few reasons to go there. I wanted to pay down some of what I owed them. It really bothers me to owe friends money. They let me carry a balance and pay it off as I can, so I make every effort to pay it off as quickly as possible. Of course, I’m always adding to what I owe as things come up, like needing new throttle cables, or the next oil change, so it’s seldom paid down completely for very long. I guess a relationship like this happens when you’ve been a customer of a small business for 45 years and you’ve known the family for nearly as long. We were talking about the old way work got done at the shop back in the 70s. On a Saturday, there was a constant flow of people coming in, and the bull session lasted all day long. Around 4:30 or so in the afternoon, Guy (Guido) would start working on bikes, and would stay until the wee hours or daybreak working. Sometimes, I’d stay and help out. Mostly, I’d make runs to Dunkin’ Donuts every hour or two to get more coffees. Bikes got fixed and we all had fun doing it. I remember one time in particular when Guy decided he needed to have his bike up and ready for Laconia. He pulled a set of cases out of the back and started washing them in the Safety-Kleen washer. He assembled his Sportster overnight from a pile of parts, and when I left to go home at 7:00 AM on Sunday morning, the bike was running. Anyhow, back to yesterday. I’ve been having a problem with my speedometer. It will work fine for a while, then go dead. I thought it was the sensor on the transmission, and I changed that out last week. However, the problem persisted and was getting worse. It didn't want to work at all. So I figured I ask Little Guy what he thought. He pulled the codes from the bike, and they were Voltage Too High and Voltage Too Low. We went through the service manual and did what tests we could without a Breakout Box (He doesn’t have one for the Carbureted Sportsters, just the Injected models) The tests showed nothing wrong. I saw a little bit of corrosion on one connector, so I gave it a blast of contact cleaner, and that was about all I could do. Guy’s going to build a breakout box (H-D wants something like 6 or 8 hundred bucks for one), and if the problem persists, we’ll try the tests we couldn’t do. However, on the way home, the speedometer worked flawlessly. Maybe that little bit of corrosion was the culprit. I don’t want to get my hopes too high, but it sure would be nice if that was the problem. I was thinking that the speedo was dying and I was going to have to buy another one. We’ll see how that goes. Another nice thing about going to the shop is the amount of abuse that gets heaped on me and the amount I get to give back. Mercy is for the weak, and they obviously don’t consider me weak. However, turn about is fair play, and I get a few good shots in as well. The weather yesterday was really nice for the first week of January. It got really close to 50º F (10º C). However, it started to rain just after I left the shop, so I rode straight home in the rain instead of taking a scenic route, or going to visit other friends. Still, I had no complaints about the temperatures. Today, the temps are back to normal, and it’s supposed to get cold as the days progress. I think Sunday’s high is supposed to be close to 20º F (-6º C). Yeah, you guys living up in the Northern Plains can laugh if you want, but it still sucks. Personally, I think that any time the weather falls below 60º F (15º C), it sucks. Well, that’s it for today. I’ve got a few errands to run, so I’d better gitter done before tomorrow’s snow leaves me housebound. (Message edited by Crusty on January 05, 2017) | ||
| Pwnzor |
Thanks Crusty! | ||
| Buellish |
Yea,thanks John! Who can you abuse and get abused by if not good friends? | ||
| 86129squids |
I do miss old greasy wrench shops like that... there's something truly REAL about being in the middle of a place, surrounded by machines in various states of resurrection. My first few MC shops, and certainly my VW mechanic's shop, were quite notable. Crusticle, I'd love to stop by that place if I ever get the chance! | ||
| Crusty |
If You’re Gonna Dream… If you’re gonna dream, you might as well dream Big. I’ve just spent a few hours looking at maps and reading threads on ADV Rider. I’ve figured out what I want to do next summer. Now, this is assuming that I wind up with a house in Cincinnati and get an EBR Black Lightning and get the bike modified for long rides in time. Just doing that will be a monumental feat even if I have a lot more time to get it all done. It’s not impossible, but it will require a lot of work and luck. In reality, it might take a lot longer. But when I first started out thinking about Tramping, it looked every bit as daunting, yet I was on the Road by mid May. The Luck will come into play in finding the right house and getting moved as well as getting a Black Lightning. I know a really good body man who does superb paint, and he’s volunteered to help weld up some brackets for saddlebags (thanks, Vern!), so it could happen. I can only hope and act as if it’s going to be a reality. Remember the Power of Positive Thinking. I want to ride to the Dust to Dawson event (Don’t call it a Rally!) for the Summer Solstice, Then I want to ride up the Dempster Highway to Inuvik. There’s a road being built to Tuktoyaktuk which is on the Beaufort Sea (Arctic Ocean). I will be able to ride all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Right now, you can’t ride to Prudhoe Bay. You can only ride as far as Deadhorse, then take a bus to Prudhoe. The road to Tuktoyaktuk will be the first road to allow me or any other “Civilian” to go all the way to the Ocean on a bike. This is Adventure, Bucko! I would dearly love to be the first rider on an EBR to do it. I’m probably ill prepared for this, but boy, will it be a ride to remember! I don’t think there’ll be WiFi along the route, so what I’ll have to do is date my Snippets as I write them, then send them out in bunches when I do find a Hot Spot. I will, of course post them on the various forums, as well. I don’t know if my riding skills are up to the task, but if they aren’t, I bet I can develop what I need as I go along. I won’t be trying to set any time records. If I can only ride at 20 MPH while people on real dirt bikes can travel at 50, I don’t care. I just want to get there and back. After I make it back to Dawson City, I’ll have to ride over to Alaska; if for no other reason than to pick up state # 49. I’ll have picked up both the Yukon and Northwest Territories by riding to Tuktoyaktuk. I may pick up a few other Canadian Provinces along the way; I haven planned that out yet. That’s what’s in my mind right now. It sure would be sweet if I could pull it off. I’m going to do my best to try. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I just spent 5 minutes trying to say "Tuktoyaktuk"... I'll be watching this situation develop with great interest. | ||
| Crusty |
I was wide awake last night at 2:00 and I posted on ADVRider, then put that post in a Snippet that I sent to my e-mail circle. This morning, I figured, "What the Hell", so I'll put it here: 2:00 AM What do you do when you wake up in the middle of the night and are wide awake? I usually go online and play games, but tonight, I’m not in the mood. So I went over to the ADVRider Alaska forum and posted the following in the D2D thread: OK, here's the deal. For decades, I've wanted to ride to Alaska, but never could for a number of reasons. I got bit by the itch again this past year when I rode to Jasper, AB. I realized that I really could ride all the way to the Arctic Circle. I started thinking about riding to the D2D, then going over to Fairbanks and up to the Arctic Circle sign on the Dalton Highway. I read this thread and when I read that the road to Tuktoyaktuk was going to be open I was struck by the Pure White Light of Stupidity. I want to ride a motorcycle from either Boston, Massachusetts or (hopefully) Cincinnati, Ohio to Tuktoyaktuk. I’m not an “Adventure Rider”. I’m a 66 year old, fat tramp who rides street bikes. I’m planning to buy an EBR 1190 Black Lightning, and putting bags on it, and I want to make the trip. It would be the Crowning Event to a life that hasn’t been boring. I’m hoping that somebody here can understand what I’m trying to say. There must be at least one of you who does. I’m probably nuts for wanting to do this. It’s going to be a major Adventure just going to Dawson City. It’s 4,000 miles one way, just to Dawson. To ride up to Inuvik, then to Tuktoyaktuk is probably way beyond my skill level, especially since I want to do it on a Black Lightning. But if it’s at all possible, I’m going to do it. I just looked online and the current temperature in Tuktoyaktuk is -12. I’m glad that I’m not going there at this time of year. There’s so much that I don’t know about doing a trip like this. I’ve done a fair bit of traveling, but never anything on this scale. It’s scary and exciting. It’ll be interesting, without a doubt. This morning, I got this response from my friend, Dondi: Sounds to me like the dream is taking shape. I'll bet good money you'll go. Cause you imagine things first, then you visualize, then you start to research on how to get her done, and before I know it, you're on your way to a new adventure. Cool. This year is shaping up to be an incredibly busy and rewarding one, and it's only a week old! (Message edited by Crusty on January 07, 2017) | ||
| 86129squids |
After skating home last night in my '92 Nissan hardbody pickup, I was re-acquainted with known traction levels, even with brand-new tires... A new EBR compared to your touring Sportster is like a Learjet to a Cessna. Both fly quite well... Not to dissuade you from buying a new bike, but- you've already got the title to your current ride, and are actively looking to find/buy a house. Why not do a killer paint and farkle job on the bike you have, and get set to buy a "new" Crusty man-cave? Just sayin'. My $.02 won't get ya far, but mebbe it's worth something.  | ||
| Njloco |
Though I haven't ridden a bike nearly as many miles or as many years as you have, I know exactly what you mean, especially since I am a little bit older than you. What I don't understand is why you want to do it on a new Black Lightning? If I were doing it, I'd be riding my Ulysses or possibly my Triumph explorer. I know pretty much any bike could be ridden up there, I would just want to take something better designed to handle the various weather and road conditions, but your dream, is your dream so go for it ! I hope to also make that trip someday. | ||
| Crusty |
Zero I just looked at Intellicast and the “Official” temperature is 4º F. The local weather stations scattered around the area have it from 0.0º to 12.6º. I looked out the window at the cheap thermometer, and it says 6º. I know that when I go out to the garage, the Roadster’s going to require a boost from the battery charger. The battery that’s in it doesn’t have quite enough muscle to start the bike when the temps fall below 20º F. At the temps we’re at, I won’t even waste time trying until after I get the charger hooked up. I have to go out, today. I’ve only got coffee for one more pot. I also need to pick up a ‘Script and I want to put the Christmas decorations away in my storage garage. Also, with the exception of Saturday morning for about an hour and a half, I’ve been housebound since I got home from the Shop last Wednesday evening. I've got cabin fever. I’ll wait a little while, though. Not just because the temps will rise, but because there’s still a bit of snow on the streets. I think the main streets will be pretty much clear, but waiting ‘till it warms up a bit seems to be the most prudent course. You folks in Northern areas can laugh if you want to, but I bet you aren’t going to be going out on your bikes in this weather. For that matter, there aren’t many who ride in this weather around here. The good part is that if I see another rider out there, he’ll wave back unless he waves first. Everybody waves when the temperatures drop below freezing. I signed up for the Dust 2 Dawson thing (Don’t call it a Rally!) last night. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but if I keep a Positive Attitude and act as if it’s going to happen, it has a much better chance of happening. I really want to go, so I’m doing the next thing to help that happen. Well, I just looked at Intellicast again. The Official Temp is up to 9º F, and the local stations show most temps above 12º. I’m going to go take a shower, then I’ll go out to the garage and see if I can get the Roadster to light off. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Careful starting up your bike with 20-50. That stuff is like wax at these temps. I have a co-worker that had a new 1974 sportster as his only transport after viet-fun. He said it did actually start on a horrible morning but that it sheared the oil pump drive key. Bear in mind, that was most likely straight 50 weight back then but The same stresses would be present in our motors. The only thing worse that riding in this garbage is trying to fix it outside somewhere! | ||
| Ourdee |
I run 20-50 AmsOil Synthetic year round. I put a tarp over the bike with an electric heater underneath the night before riding. If I ride to work, I throw a pair of hand warmers on the engine at the base of the jugs and go to work. | ||
| Ourdee |
John, I really want to see you make AK. It leave a little hope that I may make it. | ||
| Crusty |
When You Take Big Bites… …Sometimes you bite off more than you can chew. The more I investigate this ride to Tuktoyaktuk, the more daunting it looks. However, it can be done and I am determined. First off, I’m going to have to prep the bike for the trip. I’m going to have to come up with a headlight protector, an expanded metal (or something similar) radiator protector and a skid plate. While I’m in love with the Black Lightning, the suspension on a regular SX would make more sense. For the headlight, I’m hoping that a couple of sheets of that heavy clear adhesive plastic should do the job. The radiator guards and skid plate will have to be fabricated. I doubt that anybody’s making such things yet. Another thing is that I should probably come up with some crash bars. While I think they look silly, they might save me a ton of money should I fall down while riding on a dirt road hundreds of miles away from a shop. I once saw a guy on a Moto Guzzi Eldorado go down on wet adobe clay and he slid for a distance. The bike, the rider and the passenger were all unhurt. A front crash bar might be a really good thing to have if it rains on me. The suspension. Like I said, I’m in love with the Black Lightning. I wonder if EBR would be willing to build a “Special” Black Lightning; one with full travel SX suspension? That would be the best of both worlds for me. I’ll still have to get bags, or at least mounting brackets made up. I’ve got Hepco & Becker Junior bags, so all I need to do is get mounts fabricated. Vern has offered to help with that. I’ll probably want to make a flat plate to replace the passenger seat so I can carry my tent, sleeping bag and pad. Aluminum sheet about .100” thick should be stout enough for that. I’ll just mount some eye bolts for bungee anchors, or maybe find a set of Bungee Buddies. Now, if the weather is dry, the trip should be fairly easy. People on Gold Wings have ridden to Inuvik without problems in the dry. But if it rains, it’s supposedly a greasy version of hell to try and ride. My luck being what it usually is, I’d better be prepared for the worst. As for other modifications to the bike; I’ll have to remove the secondary muffler and put the exhaust tips on the main muffler. That means I’ll have to get a different ECM. I’ve read that the stock ECM has the exhaust running super hot at low RPM. I want the bike to run right no matter what the RPM is. If I have to putt along at idle or just above engine speeds, I don’t want my headers glowing red. Since I haven’t got a clue about how to program an ECM, I bet either the Factory or IDS can help me out there. I also will put the Corbin Comfort Seat on and a Throttlemeister cruise control. Ooh! hand guards! I just thought of that. I’ll need to get some. And that cool looking little windscreen that was on that yellow SX that was on display up in the air. I wonder if I could get folks at the Factory to help me out? I know they’re swamped with work trying to design things for both the existing models and new models, and they’re trying to get their current models sold, but this could be good publicity for them. To be honest, I’d give them all the good publicity I could for free, and will even if they can’t help me. Well, if I can’t get it all done in time for this year, I know I can have it all done for 2018. I WILL ride to Tuktoyaktuk. That much I know. | ||
| Ourdee |
John, I am behind you 100%. I do question the choice of bike in that we know there are machines better suited for the adventure. Don't get me wrong. I get it. If you are going to fab a plate to replace the passenger seat, consider the multi use doctrine of Buell and have holes drilled through it to be used as tie down points in lieu of eye bolts for the bungee buddies. I would touch base with the factory to see about the possibility of using the yellow SX that was on display up in the air. They could drop the final drive ratio. | ||
| Froggy |
John, just an FYI there are 3rd party radiator guards available should your budget permit http://www.twistedthrottle.com/r-g-radiator-guards -for-ebr-1190rx-sx-14-black http://www.twistedthrottle.com/r-g-oil-cooler-guar d-for-ebr-1190rx-1190sx-14-15-black-or-titanium | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
If it were me, I would choose a more disposable bike. Like a lightweight dual-purpose. | ||
| 46champ |
I have a friend who traveled up the Al-Can on his XB12XT the only trouble he had was not enough gas. Is the SX tank bigger? | ||
| Crusty |
Nate; there are many options in a lot of areas. The bike is not one. I want to do it on a Black Lightning. I could do it on a KLR or a DR650 or a BMW GS or even a Dew Catty Scrambler.. However, I'm going to do it on an EBR. Froggy; Thanks! I didn't know they were available yet. 46 champ; I don't remember the size of my Uly's gas capacity. The SX holds 4 1/2 gallons. I'll also be carrying a one gallon gas can. I think 5 1/2 gallons should be enough to get me to the next gas station. I know that one rule to riding up in the Northwest Territory is to never pass a gas station without topping up. That's one rule I'll follow. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Understood. The Quest is the Quest.  | ||
| Froggy |
While the SX has .1 more gallons of capacity in the frame than a Uly, it isn't as good on gas. 150 miles per tank is on the upper end in my experience, gas light is normally coming on in the 120s/130s. |
