Used Tools

Reminder: MMM Tiddler ride on 24 Oct

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Next time you change a tire or fix a flat there are two things you should do. Check that the rim is not bent and balance the wheel with the tire on it. Both of these are easily accomplished with the Harbor Freight Wheel Stand.

I'm usually not a fan of anything from HF that involves ball bearings. The cheap drill press that I bought is just that, cheap. However, this wheel stand has stood the test of time and the bearings are still functioning perfectly.

To balance the wheel you just mount it on the stand with the included adapter and let it spin until one side settles to the bottom. Add weights (5g or 2.5g) to the other side until it settles in random spots when you spin it. I was surprised at how out of balance a new tire is even when I matched the mark on the side with the tire stem. Balancing the tire was quick, painless, and had a noticeable effect.

The stand is great for more than just wheel balancing. Used with a dial guage and a magnetic base it is also perfect for truing spoke wheels or checking alloy wheels for trueness. The dial guage points out exactly which spokes need to be tightened or loosened.

The stand normally retails for $59.99 but as with everything from HF there are deals and sales if you watch the ads or get on their mailing list. Highly recommended.
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Christmas Already?

It's not even Halloween yet and already I got the first Christmas catalog in the mail today. It's really a bit much!

However, here is what is forecast to be the #1 RC action toy, the Air Hogs Moto Frenzy from Spin Master. Buy them now and resell them on eBay for twice the price in December.

I just have one question; if motorcycle toys are so popular why do we riders of the real thing have such a hard time getting an respect? I almost had the answer but some POS cruiser went by with pipes so loud they shattered my thoughts.

If you need other toy suggestions you can see the whole list of what will be hot here. Paper Jamz looks extremely cool.
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NY Times on Procrastination. This is Johnny Kelly's animated short on the evil that besets us all. Believe me, sitting down at the computer every morning is a challenge to get something done rather than just surf the time away.



AFTER you watch Johnny Kelly's video check out Ellen DeGeneres discussing procrastination in a much more amusing way than I ever could. Every sentence is one that I could say, "I can relate to that!"

Procrastinate for a couple of minutes and check them out. Maybe they will focus your day better and give you time to go out for a ride. Don't stop to make a cup of tea!
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Can't Save Them All

I tried to sell all these for a fair price, then a cheap price, then free to anyone who would come get them. In the end I got $66.40 from the scrap metal dealer.

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

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RS125 Sets Land Speed Record

I can't take any credit for this article in Hell For Leather. I just wanted to pass on the story and images of a racer in the same class that we raced in that is only 25cc larger than the limit for our engine. Read the article about how they managed to squeeze 146.77mph out of an RS125 engine. The real trick is their aggressive application of streamlining. Using a center hub steering mechanism allowed them to get a height only a couple of inches greater than the wheel. It's certainly an inspiration for our attempt next year. I intend to borrow several of their concepts!

When you read the article check out the pictures in the strip at the bottom. When I first clicked on the strip it only showed a very small picture. Click on that to get full sized images. They will show how truly tiny this bike is.

Good Job and My Congratulations To Them.

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Easy Rider On Hulu

Dave sent me this link to watch Easy Rider on Hulu.

Check this link to watch the original movie trailer.

The two things people always remember: the first time they had sex, and the first time they saw Easy Rider. Both are timeless.
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Barbie

This is such a great spoof of all those comparisons / shoot-outs / best of the ... articles. As the owner of a 7D (which I absolutely love!) I was very amused. Try it out in HD if your computer can handle it.

Canon 7D vs. Barbie Video Girl from Brandon Bloch on Vimeo.

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How To Read NGK Spark Plug Numbers

It's really quite simple as you can see. Click on the image to get the full size chart, print it out, and pin it to your shop wall for future reference.

Got Norton?

Dave sent this link for an auction of British iron. Check out the slide show. If it weren't so far I'd go to bid on the lot of K-70's which is my all time favorite all-around tire.

How many of the bikes can you identify?
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Destination - New Hampshire

I call it the Giant Tuna. The USS Albacore is a former US Navy test submarine. It is on display in Portsmouth NH just off I-95 at exit 7 or off Rt 1 a few blocks from downtown. It is in dry dock which is interesting because they had to close the highway, dig a canal to the current location, and then float it in from the Piscataqua River.

The Albacore was never a fighting boat, it was used to test experimental designs for the new class of fast attack boats that would be nuclear powered. It has two diesel engines that I'm told were quite troublesome. 

I met Norm Bower while I was taking these pictures. He served aboard the Albacore for 21 years and ended up as Chief of Boat when it was retired. He told me about how the boat was refitted five times with different configurations for the sail and tail. Our modern fleet owes much to Norm and the rest of the crew. It was most interesting to talk to someone who actually had first hand knowledge. A virtuall tour and the whole history can be found at the Albacore web site.


While you're in the area, you should go across the river to Chauncey Creek for lobster. It's one of my favorites. Casual elegance with moderate prices. Many people even bring their own tablecloth, silverware, and bottles of wine to highlight the experience. Make sure you visit but hurry before they close for the winter.
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More From THe Berkshires

It's hard to ride and take pictures but here are a few from the weekend ride. Don, Russ, Ben and I had a great time!

Waking up to a beautiful day

View from lookout point

Always nice to have people like you

It says there's a trail around here someplace

Ben and Russ make it over the hill

Sunset as we eat dinner on the terrace

Balancing rock

I know we're here. But where is here?

Live From The Berkshires

Two days of dirt bike riding with friends is a great way to spend a weekend. The XR400 is running perfectly with new valves and piston. And I only fell twice!

Found On The Road

Rt 123 in Norton MA. Excellent hot dogs cooked just right. "Cash Only Please"!

Bear Hug?

This is just so manipulative that it's a slap in the face to everyone who has hasn't drank the green Kool-ade. And what is the bear going to do next? Kill everyone who bought a Nissan Armada and Titan? Those vehicles put the Chevy Suburban to shame and rival the Ford F-150.

Nissan wins the hypocrisy award of the year!
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The Isetta For 2025

This is a really interesting concept from Nissan for an urban vehicle. I'm thinking of a fleet of these for ZipCars. The robot is pretty cool and the rotating wheels are amazing. I'm disappointed that it didn't show the vehicle pivoting 360 degrees to turn a tight corner or park sideways. Maybe the robot will drive while the driver texts and talks on the cel phone. We'd all be safer for that!



This is another Nissan commercial that will assuradly never be shown in the US. We're still a nation of prudes and reactionaries.

Granite State Race Pictures

I finally got all the pictures from the USCRA Granite State Races at Loudon posted. All 1100 of them! They are here and here. I had to break them into two parts to get them all uploaded.

The first group are mostly in the pits and are the work of Jennifer Ditacchio of NYC fame and fortune. Check out her website for more of her work. The rest are point and shoot with a long lens and a fast motor drive. I didn't try to edit out any but the worst ones because I think there are many that are not great photos but which show lines, positions, and lean angles that may be of interest to riders who would like to analyze and improve their skills. There are several videos at the end of the second group.

As usual you are free to download any pictures that you want to pin up on your wall. The high resolution images are available for about the price of a shot of Irish whiskey.
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Vintage Honda Parts For Sale

Steve sent me this item about his new vintage parts web site. A quick look showed parts I haven't been able to find anywhere else. The prices seem reasonable, especially since he's willing to listen to offers. An interesting concept.

Don't forget to check out his Vintage Honda Restoration site also.

Introducing VJswap.com

Make Me an Offer I Can't Refuse I've had pictures taken of three hundred of my vintage Honda parts that were headed for Ebay, but I decided to give you a shot at them first. I was trying to figure out the best way to display the parts and wound up building a new website. VJswap.com Just like at a swap meet, the most important feature on VJswap.com is *"Make an Offer". *Click on a part. When the detail photos show up, click the "Make an offer on this item" link. You're not committed to anything until you send the money so make an offer and see how low I'll go. But items could easily be sold out from under you so don't dilly-dally. If the price is $500, that means I don't have a clue. Tell me what you think it's worth.

The Other Side Of Racing

Yesterday I talked about how racing that was up close and personal was the best thing you could do with your clothes on. There is also a dark side of racing. The video above shows what can happen when it gets too up close and personal. The camera was on my friend Rich's motorcycle as he center punched a rider who went down in front of him and then was catapulted high side.

The race was at Mosport Raceway in Ontario. Rich is well and was racing at Loudon last Monday. I'm not sure of the rider he hit but I don't remember it being serious. There is a reason for the leather suits with armor and the helmets. Racing is lots of fun but occasionally you get your ticket punched.

Racing For 7th Place

One of the greatest races of my life was at Shannonville Race Track. Another racer and I were fighting it out for 7th place. Back and forth, the effort was heroic. I was pressing it so hard through every turn that I was sure it would be my last. Two gladiators never fought so hard!

I think I pulled it out at the last moment but it was the close racing I remember, not who won or lost. When we were back in the pits the other racer rushed over and gave me a big bear hug. "That was the best racing of my life!", he exclaimed. I was in total agreement.

Racing is about a lot more than just winning. Nothing is more boring than being in first (or any) place by half a lap. Round and round you go, unchallenged and uninspired. That's just going fast. Racing is when it's up close and personal.

So it was with Beth and Jack in the last race yesterday. It was fast, it was close, and it was personal. Back and forth they battled, passing and repassing, pushing harder than they knew they could. In the end Beth prevailed but you wouldn't know it by the smiles on their faces as they pulled into the pits. They just sat on their bikes, reluctant to let the moment end, and savored the moment.

Racing just doesn't get any better than this.
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Racing At Loudon Today

The real thrill is seeing the original Honda CR110 and CR93 race bikes that George brought from his collection. I'd be jealous if George wasn't such a great Guy!

Beth is doing well today. I'm helping by adjusting the carbs on her competitor's bike.