The Wrong Way Round - Round 3

Two trucks today - almost ...

I am working remotely from CT which puts me 2 hours ahead of my teammates in Salt Lake City. Even though I start at 7am here in CT I get caught up in their time frame and end up working later than I should.

That was today's problem. I promised to fix a defect for our upcoming release and the next thing I know it's 2pm which is too late to go look at trucks. 

I've found two more trucks, the Beauty and The Beast.

Beauty

Beauty:
A step up from the ones I had been looking at in trim level. Low mileage, clean truck, and a reasonable price. Lots of bells and whistles that the other plain jane trucks didn't have. Especially my favorite, cruise control. 

Not just one salesman but two responded to my inquiry. What a refreshing change. More unbelievable is that the stories I got from each of them matched. Either they read from the same fact sheet or the truck is actually what they say it is.

The Beast

The Beast:
Holy cow! Silverado 2500 with an 8' bed AND a dual cab. I may have to register this with the Coast Guard instead of the DMV. It's also a 1 ton chassis with a V-8 engine. I could tow a freight train with this thing. And to make it even more impressive it's a 4x4!! 

Of course it won't sip gas like a Prius but I'll bet I could fit one of the cute little things into the back for a spare.

The Problem: 
Beauty is about 2 hours north, just outside Boston. The Beast is down south on Long Island and about 2½ hours away. Exactly in the opposite directions from each other.

My plan is to leave tomorrow exactly at noon and grab the ferry from Bridgeport to Long Island. After a 30 minute ocean cruise the dealer for The Beast is about 20 minutes away. If everything looks good I'll get back on the ferry and drive it home. 

If not there will be time to scoot up to Boston and check out Beauty. A lot of driving but I intend to own a truck tomorrow. Come hell or high tide.

If the good lord is willing and the creek don't rise ...

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The Way Round In Circles

The old truck is dead. Terry, at Terry's Transmissions, called and told me the bad news. It runs fine but only in 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th gears. First, second, and overdrive are past tense. If I was handy and had time I could find another transmission and swap it but I don't so the truck is up for sale. Cheap, Very Cheap!

The hunt for another truck has begun but the results, so far, have been ludicrous to bizarre.

This looked like a nice truck but when I went to take it for a test drive the Check Engine light came on in 2 miles. When I got back the Sales Manager assured me (with a straight face) that it was only the oxygen sensor and he already had the part. 

"OK", I said, "I'll come back tomorrow when you get it fixed.

He replied, "I'm very busy, you'll have to leave a deposit if you want me to fix it."

What an incredibly novel sales technique! Show the customer a defective product and then charge them to fix it so they can buy it.

This was the next one I looked at. A 2006 Chevy Silverado. I talked to the salesperson on the phone and he seemed far more genuine that the last guy. He told me that it had new tires and brakes, and that there was room to negotiate on the price.

So off to Rhode Island I go. The truck looks nice but the "new tires" are only on the front. The back ones would have to be replaced immediately. When I made an offer the sales guy said that he had to talk to his father who owned the business. What? You're over 25 years old and Daddy Dearest doesn't trust you to make a deal. No surprise since he wasn't backing his son and wouldn't budge on the price.

Just to put the frosting on the cake, the tailgate wouldn't open. Hello, it's a pickup truck that gets loaded with stuff. Do you expect me to lift my motorcycle over the back when I want to take it somewhere?!?!

I thought maybe a Suburban might be nice so I called up about this one. Maybe it was but the salesman informed me, "That was sold a few days ago." and hung up on me.
Apparently the ability to update their website was right up there with their customer courtesy skills.

This Tahoe was on CraigsList. Since a Tahoe is just a short Suburban I called about it. Sounded like it was worth a look and then a little voice kicked in. "Do you have a clear title on this vehicle" I texted. He texted back that it was lost but assured me that Rhode Island didn't issue titles for 2000 and older. 

A little research confirmed the no-new-title issue but since he claimed to have owned the car since new he would have had gotten one when he bought it. I told him to call me when he found it or could get proof of ownership papers from RI DMV. I'm still waiting ...

I'll end this exciting series with a beauty from eBay. It's rough but sounded reliable. Banged up door, Plexiglas for one of the windows, and no A/C made me think that it would go for a reasonable price.

I put in a bid and waited for the auction to end. I even upped my bid when somebody else outbid me. However, it seems that the owner holds his truck in much higher regard than any of the bidders did. I was high bidder but it never reached the reserve.

And so it goes. I have a rather impressive stack of Benjis sitting in front of me but can't seem to give them away. All I want for them is a fairly priced tow vehicle that will get me to Utah with a trailer attached.

Apparently, that's too much to ask. However, tomorrow is another day and I've started a new list !!

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The Way West

Loading up and getting ready to take more motorcycles to Utah.

Done it dozens of times. Head down to I-80 or I-78 and turn right. Easy-Peasy.

Or not ...

First the overdrive disengaged. Then the transmission temperature light came on. When I stopped for gas at the NJ/PA border I decided that although it seemed to be running well I should stifle my usual keep going regardless attitude and head home. I had 1 Ducati SS, 2 race bikes, and a 1965 Honda Scrambler. All bikes that I would not like to disappear should I be stranded on the side of the road somewhere. 

Limping home on I-287 and I-95 looped me around the CT hills and along the flatter shoreline. I didn't want the transmission to work any harder than it needed to so I kept a steady 55-60 mph and let all the Saturday night party crew pass me by. Not that they hadn't years ago. 

Home without further excitement. 8½ hours and 387 miles round trip.

I'm guessing that the transmission cooler wasn't doing it's job which means a new radiator. While it's in the shop I'll have them check it over for anything else they see. Rick at Tarca's Auto Repair has always taken very good care of my cars and trucks. Hopefully he'll find time to fit me in so I can get back on the road quickly.

An interesting note is that I appear to have a 5.9l engine rather than the 5.2l that it was described as when I bought it. A few extra ponies never hurts I suppose. The last truck I bought had a V-6 instead of the V-8 I was told. I guess I need to pay more attention to these things next time.

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1970 Triumph TR25W For Sale - Sold!

This bike has been sold. Thanks for looking.

I'm selling my 1970 Triumph TR250W. This would make an excellent ride for the Moto Giro or TT (Tiddler Tour) rides. It starts right up and has no issues. It recently went for a 50 mile ride with no hiccups or problems.

I would describe this bike as great at 15' and still pretty darn good at 5'. Closer than that and you'll see a couple of chips and scratches. A bike you can ride with pride and confidence without the worries of a garage queen.

This is classic Brit Iron through and through without a lot of fiddling necessary. Yes it does weep a drop or two of the 20-50. Probably tears from missing Maggie Thatcher.

New Dunlop K-70s and lots of other new parts to make it run right. As a testament to its Limey heritage two boxes full of spare parts are included. Never know when you might need a spare Zener diode or shift shaft and lever. Aye?

Also a skid plate if you fancy a bit of off-road trailing.

The bike is located in Hebron CT and can be seen at any time. Send a note to braunj@cb77.org or text 781-424-1159 if you want to see it. Delivery for $1/mile one-way anywhere on the North or South American continent. Mileage unknown and sale by CT bill of sale.

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Warning - The Green Taliban thinks they have the right to kill or injure you !!

I have heard of a few cases like this (wire strung across singletrack) locally. 

Be careful out there!!!

Article below:
American Motorcyclist Association warns riders of booby traps on public trails

PICKERINGTON, OH – July 12, 2016 – (Motor Sports Newswire) –  Motorcyclists and 

all-terrain-vehicle riders in three states have discovered booby traps along trails 

on public lands that place riders, hikers and others at risk, the American Motorcyclist 

Association reported today.

In Idaho, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, someone or some group is deliberately trying 

to harm off-highway-vehicle riders who use trails on public lands. Booby traps also have 

been reported in recent years along trails in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.

Booby Trap that was found in 2014
Photo courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department

“This type of activity is extremely dangerous,” said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. 

“A motorcyclist who hits one of these traps can be seriously injured or even killed. 

We want anyone with information about these tactics to contact law enforcement immediately.”

Already this year:

Off-highway riders in Massachusetts found cables strung across trails in four state parks, 

according to the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the state Department of Conservation 

and Recreation. Authorities are asking anyone who notices suspicious activity to call the 

24-hour Environmental Police line at (800) 632-8075 or the DCR Park Watch Hotline at 

(866) 759-2824. 

The New England Trail Riders Association is offering a $500 reward for information leading 

to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

Members of the Mount Moosilauke ATV Club Riders near Warren, N.H., discovered boards with 

nails in several places along the multi-use trail system. Before anyone was injured, club 

members removed the boards, along with scattered nails and broken glass. The ATV club is 

offering a $1,350 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the 

perpetrators.

In Custer County, Idaho, riders found a piece of barbed wire strung across a trail about 

4 feet from the ground, endangering off-highway-vehicle riders and mountain bikers, 

according to Sharetrails.org.

“The AMA is issuing AMA Action Alerts to riders in areas where these incidents have 

occurred,” Dingman said. “But, at the same time, riders everywhere should use due caution 

on the trails, because we know there are people out there who would do us harm.”

In addition to contacting local law enforcement authorities, the AMA asks that you send an email to grassroots@ama-cycle.org about these incidents, so other motorcyclists can be alerted. Sign up for AMA Action Alerts at www.americanmotorcyclist.com > Rights > AMA Action Center.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

What makes these people think that they have the right to do these things? Do they hear little voices in their head or think that "Mother Earth" speaks directly to them? Are they so self-consumed and self-rightous that they think any means justify their twisted ends?

Here is a link to a manual for trailside attack devices with a cover story that the poster is only doing it for instructional purposes. 
http://www.skeptictank.org/ecowar/mbike.htm#section8

Remember, this is all about legal recreation in approved areas. This indescriminantly targets kids, bicyclists, horses, everyone. They are the criminals, NOT US !!

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Taxes - UT vs CT

OK - This is just plain snarky. Every year our taxes in CT went up with little or no increase in the quality or quantity of services. Total bill for this year is ~$6000.

In Tooele, for a bigger house, the total will be ~$1200 !!

In case you think it's just a poor farm town I would put our town's schools and services up against anyone's. It's nice to be in a place that respects their citizens.

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Today is tomorrow's yesterday.
Will it be worth remembering?

The Lion Lights

This is an amazinng story about succeeding with imagination and determination.


Technology can help when it is kept to the bare minimum required to achieve the goal.

And the children shall show us the way ...

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John Cleese on Humor and Political Correctness

Monty Python skewers the brain lazy.




Offended by this? Tough!

Want more? Click Here

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The Superbikes of the '70s

An excellent retrospective of the beginning of the Superbike Era. Unfortunately also the final nail in the coffin containing the British motorcycle industry.

Although the Triumph T160 Trident was every bit as super as the Japanese bikes (IMHO) the perceived lack of reliability and the dismal parts availability meant that it never had a chance. 

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Pony Express

It's amazing that the Pony Express only lasted for a year and a half. The story and legends always made it seem like a much bigger part of American history. 

Luckily the original Pony Express route ran through Salt Lake City on it's way to Sacramento. There is a lot of local history here and monuments are set up at each of the way station locations. Each rider rode 12 hours a day at full gallop, exchanging horses every 10-12 miles which was about an hour an a half. They rested overnight at the end station, then got onto a new horse and headed back where they came from as soon as the rider from the opposite direction came in at the end of their section.

In it's day this was hard core high desert. Some of it in the Salt Lake City area has become total suburbia but a few miles west and it's open ranch and farm land. What's great is that the people here consider it an important part of their heritage and have preserved most of the route in it's original state. 

It's a bit humbling to cover a day's worth of riding in only a couple of hours on my own trusty steed. No Native Americans were out to attack me so I had a pleasant ride along the way.

My plan is to map out routes like this for future rides. First I'll traverse the route to make sure I know where it goes and then go back another day to record the turns and mileage. I'll convert this into roll charts that I'll post for anyone interested

There is the second half of the Pony Express Trail to the Nevada border to check out. After that the California and Mormon pioneer trails across the desert beckon.

When it gets too hot in the summer I'll migrate up into the Wasatch Mountains to check out the mountain passes and mining towns. 

What could be more fun for a dual sport rider?

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Getting Ready To Ride

I woke up on Saturday with a wonderful feeling, No Chores That Must Be Done Today! Lots of things that Should be done but nothing that was Make It or Break It. What a great moment!

So I decided that it was time to pay attention to the motorcycles. It has been getting warmer by the day and that restless feeling was starting to make itself known.

I hopped into the truck with a hand full of Harbor Freight coupons and came home with a new Motorcycle lift ($299), a tiny air compressor ($39), and some miscellaneous odds and ends. When I got home it didn't take long to sweep out the dirt and leaves, move the toolbox, and get the Miata backed out. 

Unloading the 350 lb lift was a minor challenge. I backed the truck into the garage and slid the box containing the lift out until it tilted down to the ground. Then I piled up a couple of boxes under it and drove the truck forward. The collapsing boxes broke the fall of the lift as it dropped off the tailgate. Piece of cake.

This is what it looked like when I was done. The Africa twin is up on the lift as it is going to get a valve job. I've got the Transalp and NX250 to ride until that's done. Such a tough life.

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Why Utah is wonderful - Part 23

Here's a sign you would never see in New England or California.

Keep the gate closed - Play nice - Enjoy the beauty that is all around

People here know how to share, unlike the left and right coast where it's all self-centered and narrow minded exclusion.

This is what they share. Miles and miles, not just a few acres grudgingly allowed by the Green Taliban. I'm so glad I'm here!

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A house becomes a home

People have been asking for pictures of the new house in Utah so here they are. The place is still a work in progress. The carpeting has to be taken out so I can replace it with a 3/4" oak wood floor. Then the furniture can be moved in and set up properly. 

After that a 10x20' workshop will be installed in the back yard for working on the motos. That will have to wait until spring so a concrete pad can be put in.

The street where I live

The road to Home Depot

Kitchen

Living / Dining / Kitchen area

Living / Dining / Kitchen area

Exercise room for now

My messy office

Bedroom looking out window

Bedroom not looking out window

Formal living room with very formal NX250

Future art work room

Garage with toys

Guest Suite Under Construction - Come visit in the spring!

Large room for drying clothes while waiting for the dryer to be delivered

Big storage room

As you can see there is lots of work to be done but I'm working on it every weekend so it will be ready in the spring. Work now while there is snow on the ground and ride when it's warm.

Come Visit!

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On the way to Home Depot

It was up to 46F today and a few brave souls were out on their bikes. I'm not that well acclimated to the cold weather yet so I took the pickup.

I had to go to Home Depot today and took this picture along the way. Utah is so amazing!

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Funny Motorcycle Adverts

The only reason I'm posting this is because I think the first one is so funny! The rest are good but the first one is hilarious!

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New Year -> New Adventure Bike

Yamaha Vino 125

Ran into this at my friend Ben's shop, MotoConsult. It was just too darn cute not to take home. I figure a new set of knobbie tires and it's good to go on the TransAmerica Trail. All the way to Utah!!

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Hungry - not as much as this guy!!

Now this is funny! Not the least because the company had the sense of humor to turn it into an ad for their tacos.

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How was your commute today?

On my way home after a good day at work.

Yes, this is what Salt Lake City I-215 looks like at 5:30 rush hour. Sorry Boston and San Francisco. Eat your hearts out. ;)

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The Future Is Coming

It's coming in the spring. Eddy gets the first one and I get the second.

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Another plus for Salt Lake City

While Boston pulic radio stations are whining about veggies and fat kids. The Salt Lake City station KUER is featuring a motorcycle racer from Japan.

.

Who knows, if this keeps up I might even start donating again. 

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