On the way to the Heavy Rebel Weekender in Winston-Salem yesterday I stopped for gas around Jordan Lake. As I was hanging out in the shade drinking a Red Bull I heard another bike pull into the gas station, that oddly enough sounded like a Buell.
I told the owner Lucas, who recently relocated from San Diego to Raleigh, about BadWeB and C3. He said he'd check it out, so if he makes it here he'll see his bike.
Over 450 miles in the heat yesterday was a little too much... Thank goodness for the ice water at the Mellow Mushroom in Greenville as it returned me to normal after a few glasses.
Brankin, you're the man. All three bikes have stayed in the barn the past week. I rather ride in 35°F temps than anything north of 95°F. I don't like to wear my gear in this heat and then I feel guilty for not wearing it.
Whatever - I am thinking about joining you in September. Let me looking things over and see if I can pull it off.
You should've called!!! I assumed that by the lack of response to my Email ~ 2 weeks prior to the event that you either had plans or weren't inclined for a beer-guzzling visitor that weekend. My bad.
You came by Jordan Lake and didn't call me... I stopped for gas by Jordan Lake en route to Winston-Salem. I had a destination and it just happened that the low fuel light came on around that area. You wouldn't want my 'patented 30 minute smoke break gas stop' to turn into a 3 hour stop, now would you? FWIW, In all actuality it only took 20 minutes to refill the tank, drain the vein, drink a Red Bull, smoke a cigarette, and share some mutual admiration for fine motorcycles with another Buell rider. Just goes to show for accurate information go directly to the source rather than rely on gossip.
Riding in the heat wasn't all that terrible - at times... On the way back, at each re-hydration stop I made I never took my mesh jacket off - I just let the sweat soak into the jacket. It was short-lived, but the sensation when back on the road from the (HOT) air blowing through the mesh was pretty darn refreshing. I probably should've doused it with water at each stop, however...
Next year's HRW will be the 13th HRW so you definitely know I'll be there! Even though I passed on going to the 13th Smoke Out last month... 1313
I checked one out for a weekend from the fleet of 'competitive bikes' at Buell. My experiences as a young squidly type were: - BORING at legal road speeds, because... - FUN as all get out when exceeding posted speed limits. - If I'd had one I'd have lost my license - QUICKLY. Either that or they wouldn't be able to catch me... - I believe it was on the R1 that I attained my highest speed on 2 wheels. I was paying so much attention to the road, but I seem to remember seeing 172 displayed on the gauges when I glanced down once - rather quickly I might add.
I think my favorite from the fleet was the RC51. But I'd always take a twin over an IL4. I was working a part time job, nights at a machine shop that did quite a bit of work for Harley. Mainly grinding and machining cam covers and grinding primary covers that ended up on Sportster's and Buell's. Well, one night that I had the RC51 checked out I left the machine shop in a less than delighted mood. I took the street that went to Hwy. 164 which was longer and the least populated road in the little industrial park. Rolled on the throttle a little more aggressively than I previously had and at about 40 mph or so the front wheel became extremely light. More throttle and the front wheel kept coming up higher. AWESOME POWER WHEELIES!
And, YES, we were responsible for any tickets that we received...of which I received my fair share... 1313
The R1 was a bust. It needed far more work than I was willing to put into it. The fairings were cracked and scratched, the upper fairing mount was bent, one mirror was broken off, the steering head bearings were seeping, the tires were worn out, it was missing various bolts, and it really need a carb clean/tune. On top of that it kept slipping out of 2nd gear under load. Google says that rebuilding that transmission requires removing the engine and splitting the cases.
I'm bummed because it seemed like a pretty cool bike. It handled well despite all the mechanical issues and the motor was brutish and flexible. I'm tempted to buy it anyway and have a fun project, but I think you could easily spend more than it's worth just to make it mechanically sound. The Craigslist ad is here if anyone else wants to check it out: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/3116924200.html
A former colleague of mine bought on online motorcycle accessory business and has started a storefront in James City (New Bern). He's having an open house and asked me to spread the word. Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?
Anyone interested in showing up?
I was told to spread the word and have done just that, 1313 BTW, he sold me my last Pirelli Angel ST at a fantastic price...and I told him he should hook up my fellow Buell riding brethren as well...
If anyone wants the original pdf of the flyer, please PM/Email me!
A 2001 FZ1 with only 8k miles. Has some cosmetic blemishes, but it seems mechanically sound. I've only ridden it briefly so far. Looking forward to spending some quality time with it.
Very nice Spike. I have been looking at those too. Very good package for the money with tons of power. I've started looking for a Uly replacement. It will probably be next year before I get it and have moved to bigger bikes for two up capability.
Have fun with the new toy. We will have to go out for a ride soon. Not this weekend though, heading to West Virginia in a couple days. I'm ready! First road trip since May 2011. Uly has only been ridden 2000 miles since then. I hope to put almost that amount this weekend.
What can I say Carlos, im getting old! Lol Nah im just ready for something different. The Z is a bucket load of fun, after 6grand of rpm's, just not to many places to enjoy that AND keep my license. 3rdly I really want a VFR