Worst motorcycle movie?

Thanks to Netflix I just watched Girl on a Motorcycle. This is supposed to be a cult classic but I'm not sure why. The movie is just plain bad. Marianne Faithfull could take acting lessons from a bucket balanced on a broom handle. Her main talent seems to be staring at the camera with a stupid grin on her face while sitting on a motorcycle in front of a movie screen with the countryside moving by. I can only hope that she was stoned out of her mind as there is no other excuse I can think of. As a peek into the past it might have a certain interest for the archeologically minded but of cinematic values it is completely devoid.

Even Plan 9 from Outer Space is more interesting. No motorcycles but at least you know you're going in for the campy laughs and goofy fun. Buick hubcaps for flying saucers!?

Honda Reference Materials

David sent this link to Spooky Tom's web site.

Here we see an image of a 12 cylinder '79 Honda CBX that he has posted. Not something you see every day!

The site also has wiring diagrams and brochures of Hondas from the past. Also, lots of pictures of bikes for reference to the paint schemes.

The problem is that it is all very confusing in it's layout and intention. Some of the pages are downloadable, some are not. It says that the image scans are poor to discourage people from stealing them but is unclear on how to get good ones. And it asks for contributions of good scans to expand the collection but, again, it's unclear how to go about it and why you should do it.

This is another example of where the internet is at its best and at its worst. Tom has obviously spent a good amount of time putting this info together and sharing it. For that he deserves credit. On the other hand this is not 1998. The site needs to be tweeked to provide better organization and a clear purpose. High marks for effort, mediorcre marks for execution.

One big criticism. Tom states,

I HAVE FOUND THE BAR STYLE TORQUE WRENCH TO BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE WHEN TIGHTENING THE FASTENERS AND IT COST A LOT LESS THAN THE ADJUSTABLE STYLE WRENCH.

I have to disagree with this. A bar type torque wrench is about as truthful as a 5 year old trying to explain cookie breath before dinner. A click style torque wrench is pretty cheap when you watch for a sale and is dead on for getting head, case, and transmission bolts exactly even.

The Green Taliban

In case you missed Audi's Super Bowl ads here are some links.





Think this is funny? I don't. Green is the new Mean. The Taliban's message is "Agree with us and our sacred ways or we'll kill you!". The Greenie's god is the "environment" and their message is the same. The same myopia, the same distortion of facts. and the same fanaticism.

America has always been a country of inclusion but that seems to be all in the past. Americans have protected minority rights but now you have to be a minority in favor to be afforded any protection. Ride a trail bike and you are branded an eco-criminal. Try to share public land and you are blocked by legions of lawyers.

Chairman Mao had a vision of the perfect society. So did Adolph. Think the Monkey Wrench Gang is any different from the Gang of Four? Don't fool yourself and don't think it can't happen here. It has already begun.

A fanatic is one who won't change their mind and won't change the subject.
- Winston Churchill

Your trash, my treasures

My friends Rich and Flo used to own an antiques store in Mystic, CT. It was always great fun to drop by and play with all the things they had there. They were always finding new troves in attics and basements but I don't think they were too good at the commercial side since they really hated to part with any of the treasures once they had liberated them.

Sunday I went to NJ to do just such a liberation. I took the biggest trailer that U-Haul makes and it wasn't enough. There were bikes and parts galore. It took a great deal of concentration to keep loading and not pause to "remember when".

Inside that trailer is a DT250, CL175, CB175, SL350, and a rolling frame to be identified later. Engines include CB175(2 1/2), CB350(3), CB450(1 1/2), and CB750(5). Plus exhaust pipes, gas tanks, and side panels galore.  Some are treasures, a lot are trash, but all of it is fun. And next week I get to go back and get the rest of it!

In case you are wondering what Rich and Flo are up to check out their web site here. They are making very nice music as TagYerIt. Subway surfing is my favorite!

Honda Sportster is almost here!

As if Harley didn't have enough troubles Honda is releasing the new Shadow RS 750 next month. This is a direct challenge to the Sportster. However, the differences are pronounced and pointed at the heart of H-D's failures. The RS has a more upright seating with the foot pegs under the rider instead of out front in the La-Z-Boy recliner fashion. The RS has the power and handling to have fun on the roads. And, of course, the RS has Honda reliability.

The power and handling bit is not a small item. Polaris and its Victory line of motorcycles has come out of nowhere to capture a significant market share by emphasizing power and handling while maintaining the classic look. Same for Yamaha / Star motorcycles. A lot of riders are bored with the "look" and want to ride in comfort, and have fun doing it.

Have all the Boomer want-ta-bes run for cover now that their voodoo economics have collapsed? Will motorcycles return from vehicles for ego trips to something you take a trip on? Will the RS kill the Sportster? Will Willie-G ever come out and publically say that noise is bad for us all?

I'm certainly not betting on that last on!
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LSR News

It's official! I am now a member and entitled to enter in any BNI sponsored event. Bonneville Speed Week is of course the main event for me. Nothing can stop us now!

The world's worst disco/motorcycle video.

Correction: The seminar with Carl McAllister at MotoConsult in Willimantic CT is NEXT Saturday (13 Feb). Sorry, and all that.

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It's hard to say which is worse; the lyrics, the dance steps, or the simplistic movie shots. At least they are not cruisers! This is why the '60's should be left in the '60's!

So you want to be a (better) racer?

MotoConsult is holding a free seminar on cornering and body positioning next Saturday (13 Feb) at 1pm at the shop in Willimantic CT. Noted road racer, Carl McAllister, will be discussing the fine points of body English on a motorcycle. If you think it's just a matter of sticking your butt over the side you've got it all wrong!

Be There, or Be Slow!

BTW, Carl gives private and private group lessons at Loudon for very reasonable prices!

Harley will now pay you to buy one of their bikes

Is it just me or is this putting lipstick on a pig (or a Hog if you will). Remember when H-D dealers were charging big bucks over list and making you wait 6 months for a bike. Now they're begging you to come in and will pay you to give up your Suzuki or Honda.


Remember when your buddies who bought Harleys were telling you what a good "investment" they were? Take a look at craigslist for the same bikes at giveaway prices. I'll bet they were also buying McMansions because real-estate could only go up!


From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

Harley-Davidson Competitive Bike Exchange Extended To Feb. 28, 2010


$500 Over Trade-In Value Offer Valid at all Participating H-D Dealers


Milwaukee (February 1, 2010) –Harley-Davidson has extended its Competitive Bike Exchange trade-in program launched last December through February 28, 2010. The incentive program offers customers who trade-in an eligible non-Harley-Davidson brand motorcycle a credit of $500 above the dealer-negotiated trade-in value towards the purchase price of a new untitled Harley-Davidson motorcycle.


“If the bike in your garage is not the bike in your head, this offer makes it a little easier to purchase the bike of your dreams,” said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson Advertising and Promotions Director. “It’s just one more way Harley-Davidson and its dealers strive to welcome new riders into the Harley-Davidson family.”


For more details about the competitive trade-in promotion, visit your local Harley-Davidson dealer or log onto h-d.com/trade-in.

 Maybe their new business plan is selling t-shirts and decals. A friend once observed that if everyone who had a Harley t-shirt or sticker actually owned a Harley there would not be any steel left on the planet.
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100 days (and counting)

Unbelievably, this is my 100^th post to this blog. I started it as an extension of the old Boston Monday Moto Madness email list. I thought that it would be a place for posting notices of things to come and reports of places I'd been.

It's been a lot of fun and occasionally a source of panic. Because there is now a regular (and growing) list of readers that find information and amusement here I feel compelled to come up with a new post every day. Some mornings I sit down and draw a complete blank! Suggestions and tips are most welcome and I always try to acknowledge the source.

To celebrate this anniversary I've decided to hold a fun giveaway. I will dig into my collection of vintage motorcycle t-shirts and give some away to the people who leave a comment below. How many will depend on how many comments I get. I'll pick names at random and match them to a t-shirt.

A suggestion on how to make this better would be nice but just your name and size will do. The shirts are mostly medium and large but there is probably a small and XL in there too. Vintage grease stains are included at no extra charge!

 

2-Wheeled MotorBubble

From Dave and the BBC:

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This is much like the 'Gator that Dan Gurney invented some time ago although with a weatherproof bubble.

Which is not at all like the Honda DN-01

The "joke" amongst Honda dealers is that DN-01 stands for Do Not Order One!
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World's Fastest Honda

You're one with your Honda, you feel like you're flying, it's going like a jet. 
OMG, It Is A Jet!

Faster than the lies you tell when you stay out too late. Higher than the high school kid down the street. Mightier than than the you-know-what after that burrito dinner! There really is a Honda Jet.

The official site is here. Yes, the engines are above the wings. What does Boeing know about how to build an airplane? They're so old school.

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Gretjen Does Cuba

You might remember that I featured Gretjen's photos of Burning Man last October. The girl just won't sit still!

She is just back from a trip to Cuba and has posted some mighty fine pictures she took on her trip. I can only say WOW! The photos are on display at the Joan Weill Adirondack Library in Paul Smith's College, Paul Smiths, NY (up near Lake Placid) from Feb. 3 to May 5

A couple of years ago she rode a Honda CB550 from Boston to Anchorage to San Francisco. The bike was a year older than she was! I'll have to get her to dig out those pictures for me to post. Check out her web  site for more pictures.

Riding Posture

From Kevin and oliepeil.nl:

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U kunt vanaf nu ook thuis de verschillende soorten motoren uitproberen qua zithouding. Dit is vanaf nu mogelijk door onderstaand standjespatroon. En Mike wat hebben we nog meer...

(You can now also home to try out different types of engines in terms of seating. It is now possible rebuke by the following pattern. And Mike what we have more ... )

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Maxi Snow Blower

My buddy Steven sent me this. Good stuff as the snow falls outside my window and I consider the puny 9hp snow blower in my basement.

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Just in case you’re having any trouble removing snow from your driveway this baby will blow snow back to where it came from!

454 cubic inch big block Chevrolet V8 produces 412 horsepower

If you're tired of anemic, one-lung snowblowers with their slipping drive belts, you might consider Kai Grundt's V8 snow blower which raises the bar on the traditional snow blower in every respect. With electric start, electric block heater, antifreeze heater and eight cylinders, it has no drive belts to freeze up and you'll never get bored with the job as the 454 cubic inch big block Chevrolet V8 produces 412 horsepower, 430 foot pounds of torque and can throw snow 50 feet at just 3500 rpm.

Nor will you get cold as the machine has been ingeniously designed to route the engine coolant through the handle bars, with the rear mounted, enclosed radiator keeping the operator nice and cozy.

Maneuvering the massive beast (it has a total wet weight of 912 lbs) is a breeze thanks to the hydraulic-drive 4WD skid steer on independent walking beams which offers a zero turning radius. It's also as fast as you like, with an infinitely adjustable speed range on the drive wheels via dash mounted flow control. At the opposite end of the scale, it has more than enough torque to pull your car out of the ditch before the hydraulic motors stall!

Adding to the well-balanced feel of the unit, just 15 pounds of down force on the handlebars will lift the auger blade off the ground in order to climb stairs/walkways for ease of snow removal. Safety has and continues to be paramount with spring return to centre "fail safe" type directional controls with emergency stop and tether cords.

Safety is one of the key theme, with a flashing blue light (as required by law in many areas) being the least of the safety features. No one will fail to hear you with those twin throaty exhausts, which come standard with 92 decibels at the controls, though if the rumble of a V8 exhaust is music to your ears, you can obviously go much louder. Even at the standard baffling, hearing protection is strongly suggested.

The powerful yard machine lights and a dashboard with backlit gauges complete the package to ease the burden of this normally reviled task. The custom 42 inch, two stage auger has a Chevrolet 10 bolt truck differential with spool and a centrifugal auger clutch with shear pin protection, further adding to the image of this "automotive theme blower."  As each unit is custom-built, optional extras for the snow blower are both diverse and outrageous as the base unit - there is unlimited auger choices from single to multi stage designs and various motor combinations to suit the religious preferences of the customer (Chevy, Dodge Hemi, Ford) and such exotica as a V-10 or a diesel engine or remote starting can be accommodated. And if, after a while, you feel you've outgrown the 400 horses, this particular engine is well catered for in the performance modification area, with Lunati camshaft, Milodon Gear drive, Holley and Edelbrock components to name a few, and there's always the fuel injection option too, if you feel you need to throw the snow out of the county or ensure your seat in the "neighborhood blower blingster hall of fame."

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York Report

I had to skip the NYC motorcycle show at the last moment. NYCVinMoto had a great booth that had a lot of visitors and generated over 200 new subscribers to the email list. Good Job!

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I did make it to the York Swap Meet held by the Potomac Vintage Riders. What a great event! This is going on my Must Attend list from now on. It was about 40% vintage, 40% dirt bike, and the rest miscellaneous bikes and parts.

 I saw a beautiful TZ250, an unrestored flathead Harley that had gathered quite a crowd, and uncountable Bultacos, Maicos, and DT-era Yamahas, There was a vendor who had nothing but Ossa NOS parts and reproductions. Another one specialized in NOS Penton parts. Lots of British bikes to drool over. And on, and on ...

It was like a mini-VMD! Just like VMD some of the best action (and deals) were in the parking lot. In spite of the bone chilling rain it was worth the walk to see bevel-drive Ducati twins going for very reasonable money. I bought lots of parts but next year I'll have to bring more money.
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Goodbye to a good friend

Keeping to my New Year's Resolution I sold my '65 BMW /2. I first bought it in Calif and rode it up the coast before shipping it back to New England. Then I rode it quite a bit before switching to other bikes, most usually my Transalp.
This bike was a mongrel. It had an R50 frame, an R60 bottom end, and an R69S top end and carbs. It had quite a few special parts like a deep oil pan and factory tachometer. There have been many friends on modern sport bikes who were surprised that they couldn't lose me on this bike. On the straights they could pull away but in the curves I would reel them in and paste myself on their rear view mirrors. It was all a matter of knowing what the bike was capable of and planning ahead.
The odd thing about this bike is that I have never owned another bike that was nearly as good as a chick magnet. Something about the classic looks and stately manner seemed to appeal to women of all types. They would just come over and start talking to me. I know it was the bike and not me!
I always meant to do a full restoration on it but I never got around to it. When my friend Guzzi Doug saw a picture of it he said, "I've got to have that bike!" Last Sunday we made the transfer. It will soon be on it's way around the world on yet another one of Doug's adventures. He has already made two circa-terra trips; one on a '42 Indian and another on a '48 Harley. The bike is going to where it belongs.

Water Drop Bounce

In case you missed me, I've been away to the York PA motorcycle swap meet. More on that tomorrow.



This is an amazing video of a water drop bouncing on the surface of still water. Best of all, a really smart guy explains how it works.

Mr Softy - who would have guessed?

From Progressive Insurance:

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — March 18, 2009 — Women: just picture a confident, artistic man who's charitable and embraces the romantic side of relationships. Hard to imagine? He's closer than you might think: just check out your local biker hangout.

A recent survey explored the "softer side" of male bikers and non-bikers and looked at their online habits, what they like to read, charities they may be involved with, what brings them to tears, and more. The result? The stereotype of the "tough, burly, hard-core biker" is just that.

For example, bikers are more likely to say "I'm a hopeless romantic" (40 percent versus 34 percent) when asked to describe their romantic side. And when it comes to what moves them to tears, most riders say it's having their heart broken, while non-riders say it's watching a dramatic scene play out on TV or in a movie.

But, the hearts of riders and non-riders alike are filled with the need to give.

Guys who ride motorcycles are only slightly more likely than non-bikers to be involved in a charity or cause (43 percent versus 39 percent). How they like to help, though, does differ: non-bikers prefer charities involving community and social services, while bikers are most passionate about those involving children.

"We know riders are passionate about their bikes, after all we've been providing motorcycle insurance for more than 40 years and many of our own employees are riders too," said Marcy Gray, Progressive's motorcycle product manager and a long-time rider herself. "But what's interesting about this survey is that it dispels some stereotypes about bikers, and shows they're more than willing to get in touch with their 'softer side.'"

There is one stereotype that did bear out: tattoos. Riders are nearly three times more likely than non-riders to have a tattoo (32 percent versus 12 percent).

But the types of tattoos they have might surprise you. Bikers are nearly twice as likely as those who don't ride to have a tattoo of their significant other's name (18 percent versus 10 percent). They're also more likely to have slightly "softer" tattoos such as hearts and flowers and some motorcyclists even admit to having unicorn and cookie monster tattoos!

NYC Motorcycle Show

Tomorrow is the start of the NYC motorcycle show. Big news (for me) is the North American debut of the 2010 Honda VFR1200F with dual clutch transmission

I'm thinking that it's going to be too big to have fun with but that it should be a nice sport touring bike. For once Honda is coming out with bags on from the beginning rather than waiting for years like they did with the VFR800. 


If the NYC show is anything like the Washington DC show it will be a very small and quiet event. One report from DC said that a couple of the manufacturers didn't even have an exhibit and just let their dealers represent them. Harley only had 5 bikes to show.


However, VinMotoNYC will be there larger than ever. They have their own booth this year and are going all out to make a good showing of it.

Buell Factory Liquidation News

Buell Motorcycle Factory Liquidation

This is from the Canadian Motorcycle Guide:

They've had to shut down their motorcycle production line, but the Buell factory will be abuzz with people and money come Jan. 28.
An auction firm will start selling everything inside the factory at 2815 Buell Drive in East Troy, Wisconsin, and will continue for a month, according to a press release by Liquid Asset Partners.
"This factory was a state of the art, small scale factory. It's the type of facility that many tools and items will be of great interest to the home mechanic and motorcycle fanatic," says Bill Melvin Jr., CEO of Liquid Asset Partners, in the press release. "To make the sale successful we are prepared to deeply discount the inventory and sell everything in one month! It's stacked high and we're selling it cheap. The public won't want to miss these deals."
Included in the sale are the '99 BMW1100RT pictured here, a '98 Dakar KTM, a 2008 KTM SuperDuke, and a 2007 Triumph Speed Triple. Tools, trucks, lifts, trailers, tool boxes, a VIN stamper, paint guns, cabinets, welding equipment, a shovel, and a whole sh*tload of other things used to make and move Buell motorcycles will be sold.

Here are the details of the sale with pictures and inventory list.

I still have to wonder about the wisdom of not selling the Buell brand to a 3rd party. Polaris was rumored to be interested in buying the company and there must have been others. I'd have to bet that the H-D board of directors turned them down because they didn't want to look stupid when another company made a success out of Buell! Considering the immense cost of shutting down the company and laying off the employees it would show just how stupid they really are.

"Hey those are only loyal employees whose lives we're throwing into the Dumpster. Screw them, let's go collect our bonuses."

Hi-res screen magnifier

If you have a Droid (or an iPhone or iTouch) you know that it can be a pain in the eyes to watch a video for more than a few minutes. The Droid has really high resolution so a magnifier doesn't totally pixelate the image. This video will show you how to make an easy to use magnifier out of common materials. Under $10 and 10 minutes.

The best part just might be his comments about open source eggs!

LSR Perspective

I was talking to Kevin Cameron last night at the USCRA banquet about our LSR plans. He gave me a lot of insight into what to expect when we get there. For instance:

• They call it the Salt Flats for a reason. It's all salt. Salt, of course, hates all things electrical. Therefore I should expect gremlins of every sort to creep into the wiring of our racer. His suggestions:
  
• Use individual wires instead of a wiring harness.
• Do not use plug type connectors, use screw type junction blocks.
• Label everything.
• The altitude is 4000 feet, plan on raising the compression to compensate. Jetting will also need to be adjusted to conditions.
• The cars leave ruts that can trap a motorcycle's tires, stay out of them.
• Have a person designated as "Den Mother" to keep an eye out for people getting dehydrated, overheated, sunburned, etc.
• Wear big hats.

And the list went on. I asked if he would mind if I called or emailed with more questions. "Sure, here's my number." was his reply.

Here is a generous person freely sharing his experience. Our team will much better for it. Thanks!

Officially a Geezer!

Turned 65 this morning. Didn't seem much different from yesterday. I won't bore you with memories of days gone by, looking at life in the rear view mirror has never been my style. 


I have no bucket list. The very idea seems absurd. If you did what you wanted to do every day then you don't need a list to tell you what to do tomorrow.


This evening I'm getting together with the rest of the LSR group to make plans for our effort next August. Can't think of a better way to celebrate.


As Herb Caen said, "Too old for adolescence, too young for maturity."

The A-Team has returned

This is probably going to end up as yet another horrible, rip-off, warmed over, retro stinker. But I don't care, I'm going to go see it! When was it ever better than the A-Team? (At least before they got family values and nobody ever got wounded?)

Don't you love it when a plan comes together!?

What engineers do when they retire

This just in from Geoff:


This video is proof positive that some people have WAY too much time on their hands. On the other hand, how much time did you spend watching it more than once?


I thought the Slinky was a nice touch. Dr Seuss and Rube Goldberg would be proud!

Time Machine

Vintage Ad Browser is a time machine showing (and selling) ads from as far back as 1850 up to the present. It has everything from Airlines to Xmas. Transportation is obviously my favorite. The site has a very good search engine to help find specific categories. Check out the Gender category from the '20's It is absolutely hysterical!

There are all types of ads for all of the makes.

More Gals Per Mile!? Betty Friedan must be spinning in her grave! Not that Suzuki didn't know exactly what they were talking about.

Curiously they only have two of the Norton Girl ads. I guess the rest sold quickly.
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