Christmas Wish List #10

I'm looking out my window at 13" of snow that has fallen since I went to bed last night. Time to sit by the fireplace and curl up with a good book.

The easy choice for a present to a motorcyclist is one of Peter Egan's books, Leanings or Leanings 2. Although I own both of them I have to say that Peter leaves me a little cold. After reading the first dozen stories I felt that I had read them all. He and Barb take a trip, he sits in the garage with a beer and reminisces about old bikes, he wipes up oil spills from Vincents or Triumphs. Like a few bands that come to mind, after hearing the first three chords you know all the rest and wish they'd move on.

Kevin Cameron is quite the oposite, Top Dead Center and TDC2 are books that are fascinating and highly readable. Moreover they, gasp, actually teach you a lot about how motorcycles work. Kevin has such a wonderful way of writing that you feel that he is having a conversation with you. Suddenly the limits of maximum piston acceleration is not such a mystery and a carburetor makes sense (sort of). Check out his new book The Grand Prix Motorcycle and whoever has my copy of Sportbike Performance Handbook would they please bring it back.

This probably won't arrive in time for Christmas but Monkey Butt is a great read. Rick "Super Hunky" Sieman will never be accused of doubting how wonderful he is but the fact remains, he was there and he did most of it. Flogging twin shock MX bikes when they were new and cruising around in his El Camino makes for some very entertaining stories. 640 pages will give you something read all year long.

God's Middle Finger is not about motorcycles but is a tale of traversing Mexico's Sierra Madre which is one of the world's largest drug producing regions. Think of driving through Afghanistan and you get the idea. However, this is not some Gonzo story of yet another drug-fueled Norte Americano but rather a tale of a British writer who wanted to see if all the tales were true and what it was really like. He found out and the tale is captivating. There is a real insight into the culture of the region that I won't spoil by trying to describe it. Just let me say that it was my favorite non-motorcycle book of 2009!

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Christmas Wish List #9

David in AZ suggested that I take the list to #12 to emulate the twelve days of Christmas. Wow! Feedback! So here goes.

I've been a fan of Roadgear equipment for a long time. I have jackets, pants, bags, and accessories from them that have all stood the test of time. There are lots of people who will sell you a jacket but Roadgear does it at a price you can afford. And they stand behind all their products 100%. The reason is that the owner, Mansoor Shafi, is a motorcyclist of the first order. A past Wall Street wizard, he gave it all up to move to Colorado and start a motorcycle business. It shows in the products and customer service.

I think this Hi-Tek Bandanna would make a great stocking stuffer. Mine has a permanent place in my tank bag for times when it gets cold and I want a little extra protection against the wind.

This map holder is perfect for the next Giro or Tiddler ride when you don't want to lug an entire tank bag along.

A tool kit is so much better than a paper bag for keeping your tools organized. You can see in an instant the wrench you need when you're on the side of the road in the dark. It's also obvious which tool you're about to leave in the weeds as you wrap it up to get going again.

All these items are under $36 which is perfect for that last minute, how could I forget, gifts. But wait! There's more! Purchase before December 22nd and take 15% off your entire purchase with coupon code NRCD!

This makes it an even better deal. Ask for Jody and tell her I sent you. That will mess up their whole marketing campaign!

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Christmas Wish List #8

I had meant to end this list yesterday but then I realized I had missed one important category. DVDs.

First on the list is Riding Solo To The Top Of The World from Dirt Track Productions. This is about one man's trek through the Himalayas on a Royal Enfield 350 Bullet. It is truly a wonder to watch his struggle to visit a nomadic tribe at altitudes so high that his bike won't even carry him. Watch the trailer and then order the movie!



Gaurav Jani's second film One Crazy Ride is another movie that will be watched over and over again. There is just too much to see in one viewing. A group of riders decide to cross an uncharted area of India on their motorcycles by going to each village in turn and asking for advice about where to go next. The challenges and adventures are truly inspiring.

Dirt Track Productions is very quick about shipping so your order just might make it in time to slip under the tree. Don't delay, order both of them here.



Mondo Enduro is what the Long Way Round would have been if Ewan and Charley had the balls to leave their latte machine at home. Six guys with little money and no support go around the world on used dirt bikes. I think they set the world's record for number of flat tires and number of patches applied to a single inner tube. No support crew and vehicle to do the work for them while they sipped espresso. Aerostich has it here.

I've heard Ewan and Charley called "girlie riders" - I personally think that's an insult to all the women riders I know!
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Christmas Wish List #7

Today I'm wrapping up the Christmas Lists to tell you what I want. More readers!

If you like this blog tell your friends, link to it on your blog or website, spread the word in yellow snow letters 8' high so that passing airplanes can see it.

I have a lot of fun writing this but sometimes it's like the episode in WKRP where Dr Johnny Fever is sentenced to do the all night show. Somewhere in the hours after midnight he asks the question, "all midnight disk jockeys ask, Is Anybody Out There?"

Leave a comment from time to time so I know you're there. Thanks.

Christmas Wish List #6

This one is a bit big for a stocking stuffer but it's such a deal I couldn't pass it up. Honda seems to have quite a few left over 2007 Interceptors that they are willing to sell at deep discount. Without ABS these were $10,599. Now they are only $7,995 for the special edition retro color scheme. ABS is more if you want it.
Everyone knows about the Interceptor, it's won so many best in class awards that it seemed like nobody was ever going to unseat it. If you want to be reminded of the specs TotalMotorcycle has it all here.


Hey, who should Santa be nice to more than you? Call your dealer now, tell them I sent you for that special reindeer in the headlight look.

Away in the Maine woods

All the motorcycles in Maine are parked for the winter but the tobogganing is great. Back to the Christmas list tomorrow.

Christmas Wish List #5

Is there a motorcyclist with heart so dead that they have not longed to ride in Baja? The mountains of Italy are nice and the sands of Morocco are fun, but Baja beckons as a friendly neighbor with tales of excitement and adventure that are surpassed by none. The legends run deep through the very soul of the American spirit.

As if you needed any persuasion to do Baja the movie Dust To Glory will definitely get you to start making plans. You can watch the trailers here and here. And buy it here.

To make your plans you need a map and this is the best map I've seen yet. It has just been released a couple of months ago and has a very high degree of detail. It's so new that the gas stations might even be where they're supposed to be! (Insider Baja joke)


Click here to see a sample page. The thin red lines are dirt roads, the dashed red lines are 4-wheel drive, and the dotted red lines are where it gets really interesting. Bring your knobbies! At $27.95 delivered it's a steal. Order it here. Tell them I sent you. ¡En español!

Christmas Wish List #4

If you ride a dirt bike you fall down. Some less occasionally than others but everyone falls eventually. And, of course, you fall down in the least convenient, hardest to stand up place around. That's what dirt bikes are all about. Going places you couldn't walk.

Falling down necessitates getting up. For every get off there is an equal and opposite pick up. You would think that motorcycle manufacturers, knowing this, would include an array of handles conveniently placed about the bike to help get the bike upright. Maybe they like to think that if you were smart enough to buy their product you must be a magically awesome rider who never crashes. More likely there is some bean counter in the background mumbling, "Screw them, we got their money."

What they forgot to include is the Tugger. This is a strap that connects to the rear subframe and gives you a handy point to pickup the bike. Obviously it is bi-directional and works equally well for both right and left side inclinations. When your bike's laying on its side in a pond of mud you don't have to feel around underneath it for something to grap, the Tugger is right there waiting to be, well, tugged!

But wait there's more! The front Tugger gives you a place to pull up the front which is handy on a hill. Or your buddy can pull on it to help you out of that mud bog. Two pulls are better than one when you're stuck. Besides, what are you going to grab? The fender?

You can get it monogrammed with your name, bike model, email address so they know where to notify the next of kin, or any other epithet you can think of. Stealth mode (no embroidery) is also available for those who prefer the incognito look.

$24 for the rear Tugger and $14 for the front is cheap money when you're stuck. Plus it will impress all your friends and the groupies will swoon when they see that you're so obviously a pro rider.

Want an even better deal? When Highline makes a mistake with the embroidery they sell them at a big discount. If you don't mind being "NICK #628" you can get your tugger for short money. Best of all, should you be having too much fun Nick will get the blame, not you!

See it all here. Tell them Nick sent you.
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Christmas Wish List #3

This one is for those days when you can't get out on two wheels. It's snowing, the relatives are visiting, you broke your collar bone, .... You want to watch something good but don't want to go to the video store and you don't want to pay late fees. You wish you had ordered something from NetFlix but you're waiting for the next disk to be delivered.

Roku to the rescue! Don't ask me where they got the name but it streams video from NetFlix to your television by way of the internet. FREE! As many as you like, as often as you like, whenever you like. And did I mention that it's FREE!?

Best of all, this is one of those things that actually work as well as they say it will. Set up is 5 minutes or under and is entirely painless. Plug it into the wall, plug it into the tv, plug it into your home theater system if you have one, run the easy setup and you're done! If you have WiFi in the house Roku will find it and attach itself. If you don't have WiFi you'll have to run a network cable to the Roku but maybe this is the time to upgrade to wireless. You also have to make a trip to your computer to copy a code. As I'm writing this I'm thinking that it sounds a lot more complicated than it is.

Once the Roku is set up you add movies, TV shows, documentaries to your Instant queue just as you add disks to the normal NetFlix queue. Then it's just a matter of picking one out from the on screen display with the Roku remote. There are thousands of instant movies but few of them are "just released" features. For that you need to use the Amazon channel instead of the NetFlix channel. Amazon charges about the same as Blockbuster for a rental. Or you can "buy" it and watch it as often as you like. Still, I've never lacked for NetFlix movies to watch. There are plenty of motorcycle movies as well as things like 30 Rock and The Office.

So print this out for Santa. Just make sure you ask for the cable kit when you do. It's cheaper than Radio Shack and you don't have to go out to get them. Don't forget the milk and cookies.

Christmas Wish List #2

Everyone knows about Dennis Kirk and Chaparral for online motorcycle parts but Rocky Mountain seems to be on few people's radar. Too bad as they have a lot of very good stuff under their Tusk and ARC house brands at very good prices.

When I went to Baja last time I carried an entire toolbox full of tools. Way too much. Marty was much smarter and carried a simple T-handle tool with socket ends that provided all the versatility required. I carried 20 pounds that were at the bottom of my hard cases, he carried 6 ounces in his tank bag. Guess which got used?! RM has these for only $8.99. I have used mine for a year and a half with no problems. I enhanced mine by going to Sears and getting additional sockets and screwdriver tips to cover all the possibilities for my particular bike. Now I'm up to 8 ounces.

If you do your own engine work this is a tool you really need at least once a year. We all make do with substitutes but when I damaged the clutch basket on my XR I went right out and bought one. RM has theirs here for only $15.99. $150 for a broken part or $16 for a new tool, you do the math.

One more "Why have I been suffering so long?" tool is this gear jammer. $18.99 might seem to be a lot of money to pay for a tiny bit of aluminum but you will think it cheap the first time you use it. It cleverly has a magnet built into it to hold it in place and the fingers always find their way into the valley between the teeth to prevent damage. No more sticking in a screwdriver or wedging a shop rag when you need to remove a clutch or transmission nut. Worth it's weight in gold!

Here is the link to a full page of Rocky Mountain tools. Print it out with circles and arrows and leave it where your significant other can find it. Stocking Stuffers R Us.
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Christmas Wish List #1

Over the next few days I'll present some great stocking stuffers that I've found in my travels around the web. Today I'm off to the airport so I'll start with this (dare I say fabulous?) passport cover. Show your pride in vintage motorcycles and distance yourself from those dreary HD trinkets.

You'll find it at Flight 001 with a lot other fun stuff. Tell them I sent you to really confuse the crap out of them.

Tootle-Loo, I've got to rush off to jump on a Super Connie to Rio.

Motorcycle Electrics - Everything you ever wanted to know about it

Following the success of the Carburetor Manual posting a couple of weeks ago, I've scanned in the Honda Electrical Systems manual. You will find it here:

http://www.cb77.org/HondaManuals/Electrical/ElectricalManual.pdf

It contains everything about motorcycle charging systems, ignition systems, and trouble shooting. Using this you should be able to understand and diagnose any problem with any system.

Warning: This is a HUGE file and may take some time to download if you have a slow system. If everyone hits it immediately it may drag my server down to a snail's pace so be patient. Starting the download before going to bed may be a plan.

Next I'll go look for the Vincent Owners Group discussion of Lucas Electrics, the Prince of Darkness.
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Buell Blast Spy Photos

I told you about the demise of Buell here. You can see the last ad for the Buell Blast here. Rather ironic that Erik ends the ad by saying, ... and my work here is done.

Now, however, we have secret spy photos of Buell Blasts being produced in quantity and being prepared for shipment.

Buell Blast inventory ready for shipment

Loaded for shipment to dealers

Our secret spy cam has even caught a glimpse of the small off-road bike that Buell was preparing for an assault on the MX championship.

Of course it has twice the displacement of other bikes in its class but that's only fair. Right!?

Is Buell and the Blast dead? It certainly seems unlikely since they have been stockpiling supplies for building more. It would appear that the new financing is in place and production has resumed.

Good going Erik, Best of Luck from MondayMotoMadness!

From little acorns to mighty oaks

The first LSR engine has arrived! I figure that we will take 2 and probably 3 engines with us to Utah. I don't want to be standing out on the salt with a blown engine and no spare.

Looking very unpretentious it is the first step in the long journey to Bonneville. First thing is to tear it down and make sure everything is as it should be. Of course, there are a couple of bikes that need to be finished first. Priorities and reality need to be balanced. Dang!

Cheap books

As a web designer and programmer I have a bookshelf that is weighty and a bank account that is inversely light. All books are expensive and technical books are quadruply so. Yesterday I bought a book that listed at $55 and was happy to get it with a discount coupon for $35. I was really just happy  that they had it in stock!
I used to be a big fan of bookpool.com but they seem to have gone belly up for some reason. Their prices were competitive and their service was excellent. That's probably what killed them, they did it all from a base on Cape Cod and didn't outsource to Whackistan.
But now I have a new source.

isbn.nu/

Type in the ISBN and they come back with several sources of both new and used books. Instead of the book I bought yesterday I could have bought a nice used copy for $8! I know that Amazon has a similar service but I've never been comfortable with some of their practices. Give me an independent source every time.
This works for any kind of book, not just technical. Another great feature is that they list discount coupons that you can print out like a 30% off code at Borders Books.
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Carburetors revisited

A few days ago I posted the Honda Carburetor Manual that fully and completely explained everything you wanted to know about carburetors in infinite detail. You can see it here.

If that was just a little too much for you here is the simplified version thanks to the International Norton Owners Association. Leave it to the Brits to demystify the unknowable. Sometime soon I'll feature their excellent treatise "What to do about oil leaks, a connoisseur's guide to Speedi-Dry"

THE SECRET WORLD OF CARBS
by Paul Bryant, Viking Exhaust

The basic secret of carb function is that inside each carb are thousands of tiny gnomes; each with a small bucket. As you open the throttle, more of these gnomes are allowed out of their house and into the float bowl, where they fill the buckets and climb up the carb's passages to the intake, where they empty their buckets into the air stream. But, if you don't ride the bike for a while, bad things can happen.

Tiny bats take up residence in the chambers of the carb, and before long the passages are plugged up with guano. This creates a gnome traffic jam, and so not enough bucketfuls of fuel can get to the engine. If it gets bad enough, the gnomes simply give up and go take a nap. The engine won't run at all at this point. Sometimes you'll have a single dedicated gnome still on the job, which is why the bike will occasionally fire as the gnome tosses his lone bucket load down the intake.

There has been some research into using tiny dwarves in modern carbs. The advantage is that unlike gnomes, dwarves are miners and can often re-open a clogged passage. Unfortunately, dwarves have a natural fear of earthquakes, as any miner should. In recent tests, the engine vibrations caused the dwarves to evacuate the Harley Davidson test vehicle and make a beeline for the nearest BMW dealership. Sadly, BMW's are fuel injected and so the poor dwarves met an unfortunate end in the rollers of a Bosch fuel pump.

Other carb problems can also occur. If the level of fuel in the float bowl rises too high, it will wipe out the poorer gnome housing in the lower parts of the carb. The more affluent gnomes build their homes in the diaphragm chamber, and so are unaffected. This is why the bike is said to be "running rich".

If the fuel bowl level drops, then the gnomes have to walk farther to get a bucketful of fuel. This means less fuel gets to the engine. Because the gnomes get quite a workout from this additional distance, this condition is known as "running lean".

The use of the device known only as the 'choke' has finally been banned by PETG (People for the Ethical Treatment of Gnomes) and replaced by a new carb circuit that simply allows more gnomes to carry fuel at once when the engine needs to start or warm up. In the interests of decorum, I prefer not to explain how the 'choke' operated. You would rather not know anyway.

So, that's how a carburetor works. You may wish to join us here next week for basics of electricity or, "How your bike creates cold fusion inside the stator, and why the government doesn't want you to know about it."

-From "Setting Up Amal Carburetors", Norton News (Spring, 2005).
International Norton Owners Association (www.inoanorton.com)

What Do Women Really Want?

Apparently not living in an ivory tower is one of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29YGcEZV8ts
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Shop Equipment Deals

This month's (Jan 2010) Cycle World magazine has a Harbor Freight ad on page 91 with some great deals. You can find an abbreviated version online here.


I run hot and cold on some of their stuff. Anything with ball bearings needs to be inspected carefully. However, the lift table I bought a couple of years ago has been performing marvelously and is now on sale (with coupon) for $279.99. Normally $400 this is a great deal. A lift table is one of those things that you don't appreciate until you have one and then you wonder why you were working on your hands and knees for so long. There are 2 in the shop now and I'm thinking that a 3^rd would be a good idea for long term projects. It's so nice to put a part down on the table and have it there when you need it rather than kicked around on the floor.


The magazine ad also lists safety wire twist pliers for $5.99 and a roll-on/roll-off stand at $39.99. Last but not least is a 20% coupon for anything else in the store and a FREE 9-led flash light just for walking in the front door. These are missing or more expensive ($6.99 & $49.99) in the online ad. I would beware of the Motocross Dirt Bike Stand, I've had bad experiences with single post stands like this for anything heavier than a 125 bike.


BTW, if you mention my name when you check out, they will have absolutely no idea what you're talking about but will smile politely and take your money.


Harbor Freight store finder here.
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Some Days Are Better Than Others

Guys will be guys, regretably

Went out shopping yesterday for all things Christmas. First stop was Cycle Gear in Manchester. They don't sell motorcycles but they do have every accessory under the sun. How many places stock over 200 helmets, 200 jackets, and enough tools to fill dozens of tool boxes?


Best of all, this is the place where everyone knows your name. When I walked in Jennifer asked why I hadn't been by in a while. When I told her that I had put the bikes away for the year she gave me the "weenie" look. And then told me that Battery Tenders were on sale. Good to be amongst friends.


The place was filled with people like me looking for Christmas presents and deals. The one constant is always the guys who are trying to convince their wives and girl friends to fit into skinny tops as if they were still 16 (or 26, 36, or even 46 in some cases). Hey guys, as they get older they're more interested in what's warm than what's cool.


I've heard it said that when married, or otherwise attached, guys think their women won't change and women think their men will. Both are equally doomed. Luckily my rear end sag is confined to my dirt bikes.


The rest of the day was spent at the mall where there were surprisingly few people. Even the chi-chi shops were devoid of anyone spending money. Either everyone was out on Friday or this is going to be a long dismal season for retailers. Maybe Cycle Gear will be the only bright spot in the cloud.

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Vintage Honda Service Manual

While I'm recovering from the usual overdose of large bird and small red berries I'll post this suggestion from Eric in Reno.

http://www.vf750fd.com/vf750f/Honda_Common_Service_Manual.pdf Another nice reference.... Eric Lamberts Reno NV USA

Things I'm Thankful For

• I'm thankful for Battery Tenders. With 30 odd bikes on the premises there is never a time when all the batteries are properly charged.
• I'm thankful for Sta-Bil which fights the good, but ultimately futile, fight against the crappy gas the greenies foist off on us. (Remember how MTBE was going to save the world until we found out that it was giving us cancer?)
• I'm thankful that Honda and other manufacturers still support old bikes with parts. Fewer every year but I can still go to my dealer and get parts for 40 year old bikes.
• I'm thankful that there are sill businesses that put ethics above profit. The two are not mutually exclusive despite the recent events in the world. Burt Ives Honda, Jerry Woods, and B&H Photo come to mind.
• I'm thankful that roads like US50 still exist and haven't been transmogrified into the pablum of freeways with chain restaurants to serve up the Soylent Green.
• I'm thankful for the friends that share my joy of riding. I've never been so cold, wet, and tired that there wasn't still a smile on my face. It only gets better when it's shared with a friend.

Dates for b3 (b-cubed) are set

The dates for the 1st Annual b³ (b-cubed = Brooklyn⇒Boston⇒Brooklyn) event are finalized. It will be 21-22 Aug 2010.


The start will be at Moto Borgotaro on Saturday  morning and the end will be on Sunday at Works Engineering. Overnight camping will be in the Boston area. The finish will coincide with the Brand-X/Detonation/Whatever Erik calls it this year event.


I'll have a website set up soon with details. T-shirts will be available as soon as somebody (and she knows who she is!) finishes the logo. =;^)


Get your motorcycle ready for this one, it's going to be fun!
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Odds and ends

Cold and crummy this morning. Looking out the window I wonder why they don't call them Squirrel Feeders rather than Bird Feeders. Isn't there a truth in advertising law?

Ever wanted a quick way to change the fan belt on your old air cooled VW? Check this out

http://www.cb77.org/VWBelt/how_to_change_a_vw_belt.wmv

I've never drunk the Ducati kool-aid. They may, or may not, be the best thing since sliced bread but I've always been put off by the overblown air of superiority of the Ducatistas (rhymes with Starbucks barista). That and the stratospheric prices. Give me a Honda RC-51 any day (and a cup of Dunkin's finest, thank you very much).

However, if you have always been dying for one now may be the time to jump. Even Ducati is suffering in this economy and is having a sales promotion. Nothing down, nothing to pay, and no interest until spring. Hmm, sounds like they want to use your garage for their warehouse for bikes they can't move. However, if it floats your boat, here it is.
http://www.ducati.com/od/ducatinorthamerica/news/detail.jhtml?newsId=31221

What next? Half-price Sportsters?

More Land Speed Record News

Yes, we are very serious about this!

This is the engine and parts I've ordered off eBay to get us going. It's from a Honda CR80 MX bike and will let us set frame sizes and mounting plates to get the show on the road.

If anyone knows of an Aprilia RS50 rolling chassis please let me know! I'm looking for forks, brakes, and wheels.

You'll notice the countdown timer on this site. I'm sure that what seems so far away now will soon seem like a looming vision of doom. Hey, if it wasn't for deadlines nothing would ever get done.

Bettencourt Auction Report

Can you say crazy!? Over 1000 registered bidders and every one of them had at least one friend with them. What a mob scene. And one little hot dog stand with two people working in it. They were joking that they almost didn't come because they weren't sure that there would be enough people to make it worthwhile.

This picture was from 8:30 in the morning, 2 1/2 hours before the bidding started. It was the last time I was actually able to see the bikes for all the people standing in the way. I ran into a lot of people I knew there, some I haven't seen in a long time. Several others were there that I never got to see in the whirl and swirl of the crowds.

There were more than 250 bikes on auction, some great, some trash, but mostly good rideable bikes. Jerry Wood did his best to keep things moving along but it was still slow going and he was only 2/3rds through the lis when I bailed and went home. I came close to buying a couple of bikes but was outbid in each case. Some of the bikes were bargains but most were going for at or more than market value. Good deal for Dave Bettencourt. Well, more money left over for the LSR bike!

Not that I came home empty handed. George brought down this tasty Yetman 305 that I had bought from him last summer. Pretty!

Combat Touring Boots On Sale

Aerostich is selling their highly regarded Combat Touring Boots and Combat Lite Boots for ~20% off this week. The offer ends 28 Nov. Everyone I know who owns them, Loves them. I will be ordering a pair as soon as I figure out what size I wear.

Look here for the offer
http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=ee4b1c8a3cb628702757dff67&id=4e75a1fc41&e=494a85f657

I just got back from the Bettencourt auction. I'll report on it tomorrow. All I can say for now is WOW!

Everything you ever wanted to know about carburetors

I came across a Honda manual on carburetors from a factory school I took a few (dozen) years ago. I think the information has held up pretty well over time and scanned it in so others could read it.The manual covers all the basics for all types of carbs used in motorcycles. It has an especially good explanation of constant velocity carbs with floating pistons.

You can find it here (Caution: it is a big file and is slow to load. Patience is a virtue.)
http://www.cb77.org/HondaManuals/Carburetion/Carburetion1975.pdf

One of the biggest problems with carbs, especially here in New England where they sit all winter, is getting gummed up with gas that has sat for too long. The newer "green" gasoline formulations are only making this worse. In my opinion, the best carb cleaner is made by Yamaha and is cleverly labeled "Carburetor Cleaner". Your local dealer has probably never even heard of it much less stocked it but it's in his parts accessories book under part number ACC-CARBC-LE-QT. Price the last time I bought it was $7.95 / qt. You mix it 1:3 with gas and pour it into the fuel line after draining the float bowls and let it sit for 1 hour (or overnight if it's real ugly). Works like magic and doesn't hurt the rubber parts!

One auction down, one to go

Went to the RER auction today and the vultures were circling! There were about 4 times as many people there as I expected. The place was a mob scene and the bidding was fast and furious. Not many bargains that I saw. The Dream 50's that I went to bid on sold for a lot more than I was willing to pay. $3400 for one that had been in the showroom. $4000 for one that was still in the crate unassembled. A true collector's item.

I saw a lot of people I knew there including Guzzi Doug who was up from Alabama. He just got back from a trip across Europe and Asia on a Harley. And not any ElectraGlide either, but a chopperish HOG with a 21" front tire and a sissy bar. This is not the first such trip for him on the bike. He has a great time and makes friends wherever he goes. We should all be so adventurous.

Three days to go to the Bettencourt auction. It should be a total zoo! See you there.
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When is too much enough?

Cleaning out my closet is probably incorrect since very little ever gets thrown out. Maybe re-stacking it is a better way to put it.

Some of it is for specialized riding like dirt helmets for dirt riding. Some of it is for loaning when a friend drops by. And the extra dirt bike helmet is a souvenir of a couple of great trips that have earned it permanent space.

In my defense, I just took several old leather jackets to Goodwill. I had kept them out of respect for the service they had performed but when I was looking at them with fond memories I realized that it was time to make new memories. It's too easy for those memories to just become ballast after a while.

This is the current inventory:
6 helmets - 1 dual-sport, 2 dirt, 2 full face, 1 open face, 0 Nolan style flip-up.1 track suit that is a Miguel Duhamel race replica. With spare knee pucks in case I ever get that far over.
8 jackets - 3 leather, 2 textile, 1 ancient Belstaff that still gets worn a lot.
2 pants - 1 textile, 1 Belstaff to match the jacket
11 gloves - 4 leather, 7 textile of varying degrees of warmth and waterproofness.
4 boots - 1 dirt, 1 street, 1 dual-sport, 1 cowboy (major shifter mark on left toe)
3 tank bags - 2 magnetic, 1 strap for the Transalp
Numberous scarves, neck warmers, and the like.

And then there is the dirt bike equipment bag downstairs with jerseys, pants, armor, and the like.

So what's in your closet?
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Speaking of speed

Following up yesterday's LSR announcement here's enough fast bikes to fill a dreary New England Sunday afternoon. Although there are plenty of race bikes of every size check out the 50 and 80cc bikes. That's where we will be starting. There are some tasty Maico road racers just like the one in a friend's studio. You know who you are!

http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/maps/documents/33.html

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Next stop Utah

There are few times in a life where everything is clear. This morning was one of them for me.

A friend and I have been talking about building custom racing motorcycles like the Rickman Brothers or David Yetman. The idea of taking his frame skills, my engine abilities, and another friend's fiberglass wizardry and putting them together seemed like a lot of fun even if there was probably not a lot (if any) money to be made.

The tipping point may have been the Bettencourt auction coming up next week. I had planned on taking home the XL600L that was in the pictures. It would have been a perfect match for my XL600V Transalp. However, it was not in the sale catalog and Jerry Wood told me that it was not going to be offered after all.

So I suddenly have a few extra dollars to play with and I'm thinking of all the things I could do. New touring bike? New camera? Another trip to Baja? Leave it in the bank? Then it hit me. I could build the prototype roadracer we had been talking about.

And then, this morning it really hit me. I'm going to build a Bonneville Land Speed Record bike! The fastest I've ever been was an indicated 163mph on the freeway so this seems like a logical step.

Hey, Why Not?!

So stay tuned for progress as it progresses. We have until next August to produce the bike and get it to Utah. In the mean time there are the Maxton events to practice and fine tune the equipment. Until then check out these videos.

http://www.landspeedracingvideo.com/videos/MusicVideo6.wmv
http://www.landspeedracingvideo.com/videos/speedingmoto.wmv
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How to assemble a GSX-R

Most of the stuff on YouTube is total crap. But every once in a while I find something that impresses me. Here is a well done time lapse video of a GSX-R being assembled in a garage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlax5L8BVGc

Not to be outdone here's a vintage Norton video in the same vein.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKqpvriKZuA

Enjoy.

The Blue Ribbon Coalition Needs You!

The Blue Ribbon Coalition doesn't care about helmet laws, doesn't stage races, and doesn't hold charity rides. All they do is fight OHV area closures. And they do it quite effectively.

Now they are holding a membership drive to sign up new members and renew old ones. I think this is in large part to put together a list of people who will write their congress (mis)representatives on issues of concern to off-roaders.

Right now they have a promotion where your membership costs $29 and you get a $25 gift card back from 4WheelParts. Don't have a Jeep? They have a lot of other things you could use it for like oils or polish although I never saw a Jeep in the woods that looked like it ever got the shiny treatment.

However, 4WP has a program where they match donations to give high intensity driving lights to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan so they can better spot IED's and bad guys. I'm sending my gift card right back to them to be used for this!

Info is here, Do it NOW!

To learn more, check out this video:

http://www.sharetrails.org/tv/4wp/?src=Alerts

Membership: https://www.sharetrails.org/secure/4wp/

Light Saber program: http://www.4wheelparts.com/info/bravo.aspx
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BMW follows Honda technology 30 years later

30 years ago Honda introduced the CBX 6 cylinder motorcycle. BMW just issued a press release stating that they intend to do the same. It caught my eye that the word "supremacy" was used repeatedly. Is that some sort of German thing? Will they be visiting France and Poland again soon?

Lastly, it looks to me that they are using a single throttle body fuel injector. Just like my Buick Roadmaster!

For an interesting article on previous 6 cylinder bikes check out the current (Dec 09) issue of Cycle World magazine (Three Tenors, p48).


From BMW:

Munich. Six-cylinder power units have always had particular appeal, offering not only supreme smoothness and refinement, but also superior power and performance as well as a truly emotional driving – or, in this case, riding – experience. A further point is that the typical sound of a straight-six almost like a turbine is absolutely incomparable, with straight-six power units at BMW having stood for fascinating engine technology in BMW cars for more than seven decades.

Looking at motorcycles, inventive engineers have also tried time and again to offer the enthusiast the thrilling concept of a straight-six power unit. But while a few engines in straight-six configuration have indeed been fitted in motorcycles both lengthwise and crosswise, the straight-six has never really made a genuine breakthrough neither on production models nor in motorcycle racing.

Depending on the way the engine was fitted, six cylinders in-line inevitably made the engine either very long or very wide, creating disadvantages in terms of the running gear, weight distribution, and the centre of gravity. A further drawback was much higher engine weight usually setting off the benefits of extra engine power.

The BMW Concept 6 now proves that a straight-six, benefiting from the most advanced construction and production technology, may offer not only unique prestige, but also a supreme standard of riding dynamics.

The new BMW straight-six will further expand the K-Series in the foreseeable future. The first model to be introduced will be an innovative and luxurious BMW touring machine. Reflecting the tradition of the BMW K-Series, this will of course be a genuine top-of-the-line product.

Highly compact and dynamic six-cylinder.

The starting point for this dynamic introduction of the straight-six in the new Concept 6 from BMW Motorrad is of course the extremely compact form and configuration of the engine. The power unit is approximately 100 mm or 4" slimmer than all former straight-six production engines and only a bit wider than a large-capacity straight-four with conventional technology.

The reduction in width is achieved in particular by the slightly over-square bore: stroke ratio with relatively long stroke and very small gaps between cylinders. To achieve this very compact configuration with minimum width, the electrical ancillaries and their drive components are positioned behind the crankshaft in the open space above the transmission.

High-tech lightweight construction in all areas serves to make the power unit relatively light from the outset, important components in this context being the two hollow-drilled camshafts and the very light connecting rods. The perfect compensation of masses ensured by the configuration and layout of the engine avoids the need for a balance shaft and its drive elements on the new straight-six, which again means lower weight and enhanced running smoothness.

In its layout, the straight-six featured in the Concept 6 follows the well-known straight-four in the K 1300 model series, again coming with cylinders tilted to the front by 55o. This ensures not only a low centre of gravity, but also very good weight balance as an element essential above all under sporting conditions for precise feeling and clear feedback from the front. A further advantage is that the tilted engine provides extra space for the aerodynamically positioned intake manifold directly above the engine and allows ideal configuration of the frame profiles following the flow of power.

The straight-six featured in the BMW Motorrad Concept 6 comes with dry sump lubrication. Apart from greater reliability even under extreme conditions, dry sump technology serves to keep the crankcase particularly low and flat, with the engine being fitted lower down and masses concentrated around the centre of gravity. Doing without an oil sump, the engine may be positioned far lower than on a conventional layout.

The oil reservoir is provided by an oil tank integrated at the rear of the engine block. This avoids the need for a separate tank, again helping to make the entire power unit more compact and reduce weight to a minimum.

Maximum supremacy in running refinement and performance.

Designed and laid out as a straight-six, the engine also opens up new dimensions in motorcycling in terms of supremacy, power reserves, performance and running refinement.

Output of the new six-cylinder will be in approximately the same range as on BMW’s 1.3-litre straight-four power units. Torque, on the other hand, will be right at the top of the range, even in comparison with the largest motorcycle engines, such superior power and muscle coming inter alia from engine capacity of no less than 1.6 litres.

The engine’s power and performance characteristics are equally impressive, offering 130 Nm or 96 lb-ft of torque from just 2,000 rpm and at the same time revving up almost to 9,000 rpm – a dynamic potential quite unparalleled in the tourer segment. This alone qualifies the engine of the Concept 6 as the ideal power unit for a wide range of different motorcycles.

Environmental compatibility and all-round economy re-defined.

The Concept 6 shows the absolute supremacy of its six-cylinder drive system also in ecological and economic terms. Fuel consumption of this six-cylinder naturally equipped with a fully controlled catalytic converter is lower than on a comparable four-cylinder under normal touring conditions. The use of E-gas technology (ride-by-wire) then offers further potentials for enhanced fuel economy and riding dynamics throughout a wide range of different riding modes and conditions. And last but not least in this context, the straight-six power unit featured in the Concept 6 offers long inspection intervals through the use of cup tappets controlling the engine valves.

Dynamic and powerful design in Café Racer style.

Supremacy and dynamism are also borne out clearly by the thrilling design of the Concept 6 and, as usual, this project from BMW Motorrad is more than “just” the attempt to develop a motorcycle of a kind never seen before.

Working on Concept 6, the designers at BMW Motorrad have therefore focused yet again on technical function and quality and, in particular, the emotional element bringing together man and machine. Their rule, quite simply, is that a motorcycle must not only follow the laws of functionality, but also arouse emotion in all its facets. In a nutshell, therefore, the machine must be simply thrilling.

Precisely this is why the design of the Concept 6 focuses in particular on the powerful straight-six engine as the heart of the machine. Conceived as a mixture of classic and modern styling elements in motorcycle construction, the Concept 6, with its long front end and short rear, takes up the design language of the legendary Café Racer. Powerful and muscular, the body elements extend around the power unit finished in a special platinum colour, presenting the engine almost adoringly from every angle.

Smooth and soft lines ensure fully organic integration of the power unit within the machine, while at the same time they create a powerful, exciting and dynamic contrast to the sharply contoured front and rear ends.

The so-called Split Face, a well-known design element of the latest models from BMW Motorrad, extends smoothly from the front of the fairing all along the top of the fuel tank made of carbon-fibre, again confirming the high technological standard of the Concept 6 and forming an exciting contrast to the outer shell in aluminium with its white layers. The division into three sections created by the Split Face is further accentuated at the front by the LED headlight integrated longitudinally in the machine in its rod shape and by the slender LED rear light extending far up into the seat hump.

The powerful and supreme character of the Concept 6 is also underscored by the six-chamber exhaust system complete with sidepipes and the strong presence of the intake ducts again finished in platinum look. Aerodynamic components such as the twin-tipped engine spoiler and the air guide elements derived from the design of the new S 1000 RR Supersports, on the other hand, bridge the gap between functional and clearly visible technology, on the one hand, and the soft and smooth design of other body elements, on the other.

Innovative suspension technology and equipment

The suspension of the BMW Motorrad Concept 6 is built around a light-alloy bridge frame as well as Duolever and lightweight Paralever arms holding and guiding the wheels front and rear. Seventeen-inch HP forged wheels as well as the extra-large brake system with its six-piston fixed callipers emphasise the sporting look of the new machine and its high level of technology.

The outstanding supremacy of the Concept 6 and its drivetrain is also reflected by details such as the instrument panel intentionally kept in minimalist design but nevertheless completely equipped with all the instruments and gauges required. While a digital display performs its usual function of clearly presenting road speed, there is intentionally no rev counter on account of the supreme flow of power at all speeds. So instead of a conventional rev counter, a LED display shows the rider at all times how much torque is readily available whenever required.

Understanding the Harley thing

Joe posted this on another list and I must say they pretty well nail it. No single issue hurts us more than noise. There is supposed to be a "brotherhood" of riders but I don't feel any kinship for the Loud & Look At Me crowd.

I never could understand the Harley rider thing, but this SouthPark episode sums it up, take a look.

http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/251889

Searching on CraigsList

CraigsList is a great place to find bargains of all kinds. Mostly motorcycles in my case. However, searching on one list after another is really tedious and kills a lot of time.

Enter SearchTempest ( http://www.searchtempest.com/ ). With ST you can specify a zip code and a radius and it will search all of the CL lists within that area. 250 miles from me takes in everything from Maine to New Jersey.

Better still you can specify wild cards so that xr6* will include both the XR600 and XR650. Maybe you could do it with CL but I never figured out how.

ST will also search EBay for you and return a list of matches.

A great time saver if you are a CL junkie!

Images of the SouthWest

I don't get the WOW feeling from photography the way I used to. Been there, done that, had a salad. However, having traveled extensively throughout the west and southwest on a dual sport bike I was instantly amazed at these images. The time lapse photography really captures the feeling of being camped out in the middle of nowhere far better than any static photo. "Learning To Fly" is obviously one of the best but they are all good and worth watching.

http://vimeo.com/4038064

http://timescapes.org/

This has really inspired me to take my camera and tripod along with me the next time I go off into the wild. Must be time to go back to Baja!

Why it's not a good idea to mess around with Japanese cops

These guys seem to be on Honda 750 Interceptors. Some darn good bike handling!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWaq0zOaAVU

Tool tip

The Gotcha is a simple tool that you only use once in a while. It holds nuts for you when you have to reach into a space and thread them onto a stud or bolt. You don't need it very often but when you do it's invaluable. A couple of days ago I was trying to assemble some parts and it was a thing of joy.

However, you can't buy one. I called to get the details so that I could post it here and found that the maker, H C Crawford, had passed away three years ago. The woman who answered the phone said that the remaining stock had all been sold and didn't know when (if ever) they would be available again.

When I bought my first Gotcha I talked to H C Crawford at length and formed an image of a simple man who had an idea and made it work. I don't remember exactly but I think he made them as well as running his farm.

When I called back to order a dozen more for friends he told me that he didn't know what the shipping charge would be. He told me that he would send the tools to me and that I should check the postage on the package and send him a check for the total amount. He didn't take credit cards and he said that it was rare that anyone didn't pay for their shipment. Certainly a welcome relief from the present environment of greed and corruption.

So you can't buy one but I wanted to share what might have been. It's also a reminder that all things pass. Plan for tomorrow but live for today.

I've posted a detailed image here - be patient, it's a very large file.
http://www.cb77.org/images/Gotcha/gotchaLg.png
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Want to be my friend? - Part II

This time it's Popular Photography magazine trying to pump up their dead tree circulation. They included an offer for new subscriptions for my "friends" at only $5 each. This would normally cost $12/year so it's not a bad deal if you're into cameras and stuff. They are mostly into digital and have a lot of Photoshop tutorials and tips.

Since I would consider anyone reading this blog to be a friend I'll happily sign you up if you send me the cash. To make it real easy just send me $5.80 (80 cents to cover the PayPal fee) by PayPal and I'll add your name to the list. Use the email address braunj@cb77.org and make sure you include the address you want it sent to.

As Mr. Rodgers used to say, "Wouldn't you like to be my friend?" Again?

P.S. If you missed the first offer for Dirt Rider, sorry but it's gone.
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First TransAmerican Motorcycle Ride

Herman sent me this link about the first person to ride a "motor bicycle" across the US. It's quite a fascinating story, all the more so because there were almost no roads and when there was one it was often impassible. Along the way he has to rebuild the engine with parts from sent to him by Railway Express and repair the frame with the help of a blacksmith. Highly Recommended!

http://ridetwisties.com/Across%20America%20on%20a%20Motor%20Bicycle.html

It amazes me that people still think that transcontinental travel is a big adventure. When I rode from Atlantic to Pacific on the old US50 a couple of years ago people were amazed at my "courage" and "daring". While I did it solo I was on a Honda Transalp and had a pocket full of credit cards. What could go wrong? It wasn't like the first time I rode cross-country on a 305 Honda SuperHawk with nothing but an old army jacket, a Boy Scout sleeping bag, and maybe $100 in my pocket!

The adventure came when I went off roading in the Moab, UT area for a couple of days but other than that it was sit back, enjoy the scenery, and make new friends at every stop. Images and movies from that trip are here.

http://www.cb77.org/CC2007/image_index.html
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B-Cubed pre-announcement (sort of ...)

My friend Eddy Fastguy sent along this info:

B-Cubed, the Brooklyn->Boston->Brooklyn rally is definitely going to happen in 2010. Although the date is still "sometime in August" the rest of the plans are coming along nicely.

What is known so far:
Saturday morning start from Motoborgotaro on Union St.
Two day event with overnight stay in Boston area (camping or motel)
Iron(wo)man challenge for anyone wanting to do it non-stop. Special Mouse award for this one.

Classes (up to 1973):
175cc
250cc
350cc

Tourist (any year any size)

This is a rally, not a race! There will be a set route to follow through the back roads of NY, MA, RI, and CT. Total mileage will be between 600-700 miles. The concept is small, vintage bikes and fun.

Start getting your bikes ready now!
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Dirt-Deth party review

This follow-up from Larry about the party:

I went with my wife, she thought it was great fun so that's how much fun it was. Alison is usually bored to tears by anything moto. They had a little oval set up in a 40 x 100 lot with one jump that was really too big especially for the skill and intoxication level of the riders, so no one got any actual air. I really wanted to do a few practice runs, if I got there earlier they would have let me. In one race they had a gal handing beer out to the racers (one per lap). Her chest was so hugely
developed that she could put about 4 cans of beer in her bra and still have room left over, very impressive! Alison really got into throwing pumpkin pieces at the racers.

Looking forward to this next year!