Moriwaki News

As promised yesterday, here's the first pictures of the Moriwaki in action. OK, it's a bit dubious for the moment but it's running and pointed west.

It looks a bit ungainly without the fairing but it has plenty of power (for an 80cc engine) and handles well. The brakes are phenominal. I nearly did a stoppie the first time I clamped on the front brake. I can see why these are so popular for roadracing. The power band is peaky. Nothing below 8000 rpm! Then it begins to build with a solid hit at 9 grand. I'm using 13,500 as a red line for now although I've touched 14 grand with nothing going splat.

I have the trail ride tomorrow and Sunday so I won't get back to the Moriwaki until Monday. Then I'll see if I know anything about 2-stroke tuning. 

I got more good news this afternoon. The KOA in West Wendover called and told me that I was not longer #30 on the waiting list and that they were ready to take my credit card info for a site in the "overflow area". I cringe to think of the visions that evokes but it's a shower and a swimming pool so it's way better than sleeping in the back of my pickup!

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Trail Riding Tips

This will be a quick one so I can run out and work on the Moriwaki. I got it out on the street for some test rides and I must say it runs like a raped ape! I'll have a report with pictures and maybe a video tomorrow.

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In the meantime Jason sent this link to Trail Riding Tips from the Seacoast Trail Riders Club in Maine. As I am going trail riding in RI with the Rhody Riders in W. Greenwich, RI. this weekend now is a good time to review the basics. I admit that I usually do it retroactively while spending time with the EMTs. This time I'll try to be a little smarter.

They are holding a dual sport ride on the 10^th of October that looks interesting. Maine is a great place to ride so I'm looking forward to this. More details as I find them.

Bonneville Calling

David sent me this article from the Jalopy Journal for a little more inspiration. Thanks!

With speed week coming up next month, I thought this might be appropriate. In 1969 my brother and I got a hair up our butts, and decided to see how fast we could make his old Honda Super 90 run. The engine was an OHC 89cc 4 stroke. I had the barrel bored out to 99.8cc, right at the top of the 100cc class. I had our Dad's old buddy, Kenny Harmon grind a "Las Vegas" cam, pulled the stock mag, and converted the ignition to a total loss battery deal. Looking at the AMA record book, the 100cc fuel class records looked ripe for picking. I dug out an old 3/4" Amal carb that Dad had converted to floatless operation for my 1/4 midget (another story). We decided the stock Honda pressed frame wouldn't do, so I welded up a frame out of 3/4" OD .035 chromoly tube. Welded up a short fork, and had Buchanan lace up a pair of 16" Akront alloy "record" wheels. We fitted the highest gear sprokets we could find, and headed for Bonneville. We entered the AA 100, and APSA 100 classes, which are 100cc modified frame, and 100cc partial streamlined. Our first run Jack ran about 7 mph over the AA record. Next morning he made a two way average of just under 85mph for a new AA100 record. That afternoon, we bolted on the little fairing we had cobbeled up, and Jack qualified for the APSA 100 record. Next morning, netted a two way average just under 88mph. He ran down at over 93mph, but a head wind killed it on the return run. Don't ever think Honda motors aren't tough. The nitro load was a killer 88% on almost 15:1 compression! We put the bike in the back of my Ranchero, watched for a couple of days, and headed home with two AMA record certs signed by Earl Flanders, and J. Otto Crocker. The moral: If a couple of 20, and 24 year old kids can have fun on the salt, and grab a couple of records, anyone can!!

More Things To Do

Brit Jam is always a great meet put on by the British Iron Association of Connecticut. Although British bikes are featured, bikes of all nations and types are on display and compete for trophies. There are several Asian and Euro classes as well as a myriad of British classes. The People's Choice Award is always a cliff hanger and has not always been to a Brit bike. This year it is on Sunday, 15 August in Haddam, CT. There are usually a couple of hundred bikes on display and several hundred people in attendance. The parking area is almost as interesting as the show!

You don't need a museum queen to show your bike, most are ridden to the meet. No extra charge to display. There is a vendor area with lot's of odd bits if you're looking for something British. Food and refreshments are available.

The finale of the show is the door prize. A free 1978 Bonneville like the one pictured above. Every year the club restores a bike to give away at the show. Your admission is your drawing ticket and I think you can buy extra tickets at the club booth if this model floats your boat. I was very disappointed that I didn't win the 441 Victor last year! Special thanks goes to Dave Quinn for supplying a new set of Hagon Shocks for the restoration every year.

See you there. I'll be showing my Dream 50 and maybe the Yetman cafe bike. Vote for me! The flyer is here.

Events To Come

Just rode my bicycle 23 hilly miles in 90° weather. Nobody said I was all that bright!

Next Saturday and Sunday (17th & 18th) I'll be riding the dual-sport ride with the Rhody Riders in W. Greenwich, RI. Info is here.

The Saturday after that (25 July) I'll be riding at the Three Rivers Dual Sport Adventure with the Pathfinders MC. Start is at Best Burger Restaurant on Rt 66 om East Hampton, CT. As I know the area pretty well I'm expecting Class II roads for the most part. Think easy riding for your street legal V-Strom or DRZ. Info from tony@riderdown.org or 860-916-8456.

For something a little different Peter sends news of the First Annual Rocker's Roll event in Pittston, PA on 31 July. A ride is planned to Berwick, PA where contests and prizes will prevail. I am dying to see what shows up for the Drag Bike Queen contest. "(if you have to ask, don't enter - only for those truly secure in their masculinity)" Info at www.farleyandace.com/RockersRoll.html

If you see me at any of these events, don't be shy.

Multi-Media

Generally motorcycles get horrible press. Mostly because they are used to present a badass image of what the presenter wants you to avoid. Think biker guy picking up the "innocent" daughter for the prom.

Here's a promotional clip made by Steve McQueen on a CR250 for Honda of Japan. He always has a very human humility about him that makes you feel like he's talking directly to you as if you were his best friend. If anyone can figure out what the patch on his shoulder says I'd appreciate hearing from you.

This ad from Old Spice has a surprise ending. I won't spoil it for you. Enjoy.

Here's a commercial from Wells Fargo showing a motorcycle in a very positive light. All too rare for a large corporation. I'd switch my accounts if they had branches in CT.

That Norton video leads up to this one about two brothers who restored their father's old Norton for him. It's 16 minutes long so grab something cold and enjoy a really nice story.

The Norton Project from Jamtron on Vimeo.

Inspiration

This guy has a CB160 with a supercharger! The motor is blown and so is my mind just thinking about it. Good Luck Ron - See you on the salt!

Here's the note Ron sent me:

Hello - stumbled across your web site while going through the VJMC e-mails. I see you are going to Speed Week to run the CB160? Glad to hear that I'm not the only one going broke working on a CB160 to run at Bonneville (ha-ha). I've been working on my bike on & off for 2 years and finally got it to the point where I can race it. I took it down to Maxton and raced in June (Really HOT) at the ECTA LSR meet as a trial/break-in. Now I have a new list of things to do/try before I run again. I'll be headed out to the BUB event and run at the end of August.

I'll be running in the M/BG 175cc class. The motor is bored out 2mm over, so I'm at 174cc's. I'm running a small RHB31 turbocharger- blow through set up with air plenum, with an external oiling system, fuel pump and boost adjusted fuel regulator, Accel coil and wires. So far I've been getting 5-6 pounds of boost, hopefully I'll squeeze out a bit more once it's properly tuned. Finally gave up on the stock carbs, too hard to find a range of stock jets and messy to try and tune for my situation. I'm now waiting for a new pair of PE22 Keihin's to arrive, so I can re-start the tuning process with a bunch of jets.

Attached is a picture of me and bike at Maxton, the seats off, so I can swap the battery out. With all the pumps (Oil & Fuel) running I drain the battery after 1-2 runs.

Good Luck to you at Bonneville!

Best Regards
Ron Pavlak
Michigan

Club d'Elf in Brooklyn

Club d'Elf is a very eclectic band but one that always makes me happy when I see them in action. Their home base is in the basement at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge MA. Moroccan jazz blend might begin to describe them but would be much to confining. The details of their Brooklyn visit are below. Check their website for other venues, dates, and music samples. Highly recommended!

Thursday July 15, 2010
Public Assembly (formerly Galapagos)
70 N. 6th Street, Williamsburg, NY (Bedford L)
Show starts at 9 pm. $10. 21+. D'Elf (w/ Brahim Fribgane - oud, perc, voice; Mat
Maneri - elec viola; Danny Blume - guitar; Mike Rivard - bass & sintir; & Eric Kalb
- drums) plays last at 12:30 am. Also on the bill: Copal (www.copalmusic.com),
Puracane & Hordanos.
facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134586473228586&ref=mf
http://www.publicassemblynyc.com

Drag racing

This is racing the way God meant it to be. An old landing strip and a bunch of people who just want to go fast. No trophies, no sponsors, no BS. Just bragging rights until next time.



Ironic that this All-American tradition should find such a great home in Germany.

Amy & Doug's Tiddler Tour

A Tiddler Tour, for those who may not know, is a rally for old, small bikes. The usual specifications are <= 350cc and <= 1972. However, unless it's the MotoGiro (305cc & 1968), any bike that fits into the spirit of the ride is generally welcomed. This is the case with Amy and Doug which allowed our friends to join in with a pair of NX250's. Right size but only 21 years old. The curious thing is that after coming once or twice the odd rider gets the bug and shows up on a proper vintage bike which means one more bike is saved and ridden.

The weather could not have been more perfect, sunny and warm. The back roads Doug had mapped out were a perfect blend of languid rural roads to troll along mixed with twisty bits to keep it interesting. There were about two dozen riders that broke into smaller groups to ride together. Route sheets were accurate and nobody got lost to my knowledge. A long or a short route for the morning and another 50-miler for the afternoon.

After the ride Amy was the Hostess with the Mostest. Chicken, shrimp, hot dogs, and hamburgers were all on the menu plus salad, chips, cookies, eclairs, and pie. Can you say "Stuffed to the MAX"? 

As it was the 4th of July a variety of very nice, semi-professional fireworks was lit off for all to enjoy. The names of the parties involved will be withheld to protect the guilty. 

If you weren't there you missed a great time. However, there is still hope. The Ropers are planning on making it an annual affair. And the nameless party has promised even more and better fireworks next time!

Cosmic Weirdness (or a theory of how to find Atlantis)

I'll write up the ride report of Amy's Tiddler Ride tomorrow.

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In the mean time check this out. Ignite is a series of everyday people making 5 minute presentations on anything they want to. If you're not familiar with the format, an Ignite talk is 5 minutes long with 20 slides that advance automatically every 15 seconds. No notes. No podium. Just a big stage, a big screen and a mike. Think PowerPoint without the snooze!

Check these two out.

Cosmic Weirdness (or a theory of how to find Atlantis)

Matt Harding will keep you fascinated with his breakneck presentation.

What the @!#%$! Do Those Motorcycle Hand Signals Mean?

Good explanation of hand signals we use when riding.
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Tron Lightcycle For Sale

David sent the link to the eBay auction for these. Five limited edition custom built bikes, one in each neon color, are for sale at US$35,000 each. The pictures show a prototype with wide car tires that would be impossible to turn but I'll assume that round profile tires will be coming on the final motorcycle.

I don't have the cash but I'd seriously consider it if I did. First, I was a big fan of the movie and, second, it's a lot more appealing than most of the chopper/bobber/same-old crap I've seen for the same or more money. Put the VFR1200 engine in it and it would sing to me.

Gizmodo has a good article about the bike here. It also has links to trailers and videos from the original movie.  You had to be a true geek to really appreciate the first Tron. All the references to the computer parts and procedures were a big part of its charm. Looking back at it now it's interesting to see how the world has changed. My Droid has a million times more power and capability than my first computer.

The new Tron movie is scheduled to be released in December. I'll be there. However, I doubt that it will be on a Lightcycle.
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Contest and Sale

Mansoor is having a sale at Roadgear. Use code 'JULY4' to get 15% off everything. Offer ends on 5 July.

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Kymco and Karen Stoffer NHRA Top Fuel Motorcycle Race Team are running a contest. These contests are usually not high in participation numbers. The other contest for the Indy Car Race is not deep in numbers either. You can see that one as you go to Kymco USA website as a popup.

http://kymcousa.com/NHRA/
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TransAlp Rally Report

The picture says it all: John is alive and well! However, he does not recommend the helicopter service as the best way to exit the Pine Barrens.

Saturday was very hot (96F) and muggy and there were endless tree falls across the trails from the tornado the previous week. The going was slow in the soft sand and then John decided to see if he could climb a tree with his Yamaha. The bike's bite was worse than the tree's bark and John was down for the count with a severed vein in his calf. The trails were so bad that the EMTs with a 4x4 and chain saws couldn't make it in. They called the Coast Guard who flew in and hovered while a basket was dropped. Then away to Atlantic City for stitches and a checkup.

Ed and Julie put out a fabulous spread Saturday night but the atmosphere was subdued while we all worried about John. Tracy called with good news that he was stable and in good spirits. That perked us up.

Sunday morning some of the guys went back into the Barrens to retrieve John's bike while the rest of us had a leisurely breakfast and decided to pack up for the trip home. The general concensus was that a fall ride would be a good idea. 

Not our best rally but it could have been a lot worse. Thanks to Milt for organizing it. I'll post details on the fall ride.

Newtonian Physics

Motorcycling is one of the greatest applications of Classical, or Newtonian, Physics. Yet if you asked the average rider about it I venture to say that a blank stare would be the most common reply. Too bad, because knowing the basics of how your bike interacts with the world around it would definitely make you a better rider.

When I was at UConn I took the Advanced Math course which was 4 semesters with the same group of students who went from basic calculus to complex theories in more than 3 dimensions. On day, at the beginning of class, another student were trying to decide why and how a motorcycle was able to turn. The teacher picked up the discussion and we spent the next 3 days modeling the ability of a motorcycle to turn mathematically. I'm not saying that every time I lean my bike over I calculate E-mc² but I think that knowing how it works makes me more aware of what's going on where the rubber meets the road. A simple force/vector diagram will explain why applying power helps a bike in a corner.

I think most people avoid physics because they assume that it involves a lot of math. American schools are dismal at teaching math and science. They are more interested in assuring Bobby and Suzy that they feel good about themselves and "fit in" than actually challenging them with material that would help them succeed in life (and thus feel good about themselves). 

Greg London has written an excellent article on Classical Physics. It's very readable and easy to understand. He doesn't talk down to you but instead explains the subject with relevant examples from the real world. If you have ever shoot a game of pool or played air hockey you can understand the subject matter. It's only 54 pages long and I split it up over a few days while drinking my morning coffee. Small bites make it a fun subject.

When you squeeze the front brake lever a lot of things start to happen all at once. After reading Greg's article you'll know a lot more about them and be a better rider for it. And you'll be able to impress the members of the opposite sex at the next party.

Ducati Test Rides Coming Up

	The Ducati Revs New Jersey Event (August 16-17) at the beautiful New Jersey Motorsports park is the opportunity of the summer for track riders in the Northeastern USA.  This event is for riders on all brands of motorcycle and is loaded with extra features and bonuses that make it different from any track experience you have had before.  Space is limited, so check out the features below and be sure to sign up early at www.penguinracing.com or your local participating Ducati dealer (list of dealers to follow shortly). Special Features * AMA Superbike star Larry Pegram on hand with his full AMA tractor trailer * Interviews and Q/A with world reknowned tuner Eraldo Ferracci * Appearances by former World Superbike Champion Doug Polen * Ducati Experience Semi truck available for test rides* Free prizes and giveaways each day, with a participant bike show on Monday * Free lunch each day with the opportunity to converse with our celebrity attendees * Top motorcycle vendors displaying the latest parts and accessories for sale * World class photographer John Owens on hand with special photo package deals * Optional video analysis with a take home DVD of your NJMP experience so you can share it with those at home One Day Sign Up Available - Bonuses for two day participants! Riders may sign up for either Monday or Tuesday if your schedule does not allow for attending on both days.  A bonus for all riders attending both days is that they will be entered in a special drawing for valuable prizes like autographed Ducati apparel and a free set of Dunlop tires! Instruction with Champions! Leading the classroom and track instruction will be a quartet of the top riders in the Northeast.  Penguin instruction features current NHMS lap record holder and AMA race winner Eric Wood, 15-time ASRA/CCS national champion Jeff Wood, multi-time CCS Champions and AMA Superbike riders Scott Greenwood and Mike Himmlesbach, plus nearly two dozen other top expert instructors.  Add in appearances from world caliber talent like Pegram, Polen and Feracci .... and you have an opportunity truly like no other.  You will both have a great time and come away a better rider. To register visit HERE or visit your participating New England or Mid Atlantic Ducati dealer. We hope to see you there! Penguin Racing School, Inc. www.penguinracing.com Phone 978-297-1800

A Team Effort

 Went to see the new A-Team movie last night. I have to admit, it was everything I was hoping for. Rotten Tomatoes had this to say, "Consensus: For better and for worse, Joe Carnahan's big-screen version of The A-Team captures the superficial, noisy spirit of the TV series." Couldn't have said it any better myself.

I'm a movie guy, not a film guy. I go to theaters that sell Milk Duds and JuJuBe's, I run screaming if they are selling French pastilles in a metal tin. I'm not looking for a lot of depth, I'm looking for action, I'm looking for adventure, I'm looking for lots of fast cars and faster women!

The new A-Team movie has it all. Sure, there are a lot of incongruities and weird jumps in the story but who cares? Just about the time you're thinking of the absurdity of a tank flying through the air another zinger comes straight at you and gets your mind racing in high gear again. And, come on, Jessica Biel is not to hard to look at. But the main thing is that the A-Team is good, solid summer entertainment. Screw Avatar and all the phony message films that pander to political correctness (and expediency). I just want to have fun, and A-Team was the most fun at a movie I've had this year! Best of all, the ending is a setup for a sequel!

Since I've been trying to give equal time to women lately, let me tell you about a great girl caper movie I just saw via Netflix. St Trinian's is a movie about a girl's school about to go bankrupt. The girls turn to crime to save their school in a madcap series of misadventures that steals from so many other movies that you have to see it twice to get all the references. Crazy, laugh-a-minute with a plot that has so many zigs and zags that I doubt that the director ever really figured it out. Gemma Arterton who plays the princess in Prince of Persia is the "Head Girl". Non stop fun, absolutely no intellectual depth, enjoy the Milk Duds.

Used Tools

We all need tools and we also need to save money. Not every tool needs to be a Snap-On or Motion Pro tool. MikesXS has a very large selection of tools for Yamaha XS and for motorcycles in general. I've bought several of them and have always been pleased. My experience is that they are the same as Motion Pro without the MP label and at half the price. Please don't get me wrong, MP has a lot of great stuff, it's just that MikesXS often has exactly the same thing for a lot less money.

This right angle snap-ring tool is perfect for working on brake master cylinders and other hard to reach places. I've had mine for a few years and it's still going strong.

This fork oil level tool is exactly the same as the Motion Pro tool I bought for twice Mike's price.

Same for this clutch tool. If you don't have one of these you will wish you did one day. Very costly when you use the wrong tool for what this does. Ask me how I know.

This is the one I'm ordering today. I won't use it often but it will be the difference between an easy job and a lot of bad words and possible bent rod.

MikesXS Tools and Parts also has a lot of general purpose parts like the pinch rings around the fuel lines and proper electrical connectors. It's worth a few minutes to search around the site to find the odd part that you need.

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Women on the loose

OK, women can race against men, and win. I can deal with that. Now the manly art of dual-sport adventure riding is being invaded.

First, there was Melissa and The Perfect Vehicle. Admittedly a great read and a wonderful introduction to motorcycles for anyone that was interested in starting with bikes.

Then there was Lois and her trip from Alaska to South America. More guts than most men and certainly a lot better looking than most. I loved her way of dealing with the women and the "damaged" rear view mirror.

Now this just in from NYC. Emma goes wild!? Check out the blog of her trip.

From: emma fry <fry.emma@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jun 19, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Random bike stuff/sales
To: bikes@worksengineering.com


Hi,

I recently came across somebody whilst doing the touristy thing in
Manhattan that told me about the workshop and bar matchless so here I
am!! To make a really long story shorter, I am from the U.K and have
just come to the end of a long bike trip, I rode my motorbike from
Guatemala to New York, wicked trip but I'll be returning to Europe
soon. I am now looking to sell my bike and any serious offer would be
considered, the bike is a Honda 200cc CTX Bushlander, 2006, just under
10,000miles on the clock, good condition, its a duel purpose machine,
will take you around the city or up the side of a mountain and no, you
won't have seen them in the U.S, I don't think they ever got up here,
the nearest bike I would compare this to would be the Kawasaki KLR
250cc, very similar. I'm looking to be pointed in the right direction
on bike sales. I love the racing bike pictures on the website, I have
already forwarded the site to my friends back in the U.K!!

If you do have any information, it would be gratefully received and
pictures of the bike can be found on my blog
http://www.mytripjournal.com/motoita, there are loads of photos should
anybody be interested!!

Cheers

Emma

I think I need to re-read my copy of Jupiter's Travels and Mondo Enduro to re-assure myself that guys can still keep up with the women. What next? Will I have to start washing my sox when I camp out for the night instead of just riding through a river to get cleaned up?

 

Father's Day

Today is Father's Day. My dad has a perfectly restored, museum quality Indian stored away in some garage. He never rides it, or even goes to look at it. He is content to know that it's there. Seems a shame to me.

He tells me that he used to ride around with me sitting on the tank of the bobber he used to have. I don't remember it, too young at the time. When I wanted to get my first motorcycle he fought me all the way. The little Honda C110 that I finally got took me far and wide. I once rode it from San Francisco to Los Angeles and then up to Yosemite. About 800 miles in a week. My dad told me I was crazy. I wasn't crazy, just young.

He was a product of the Depression. He tried to teach me fear, fear of everything. Luckily it didn't work too well. I think the best thing a father could give his children is confidence in themselves. If you have that everything else is possible. Without it you are doomed to a life of shadows.

I'll call my dad today and wish him well. We are far from best friends but after all these years we've learned to co-exist. When I visited last month I looked at the C110 that is now my brother's and smiled. I had no urge to go back but it all had to start somewhere.
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