The adventure continues ...

My friend Marty was in town so we decided to go dirt bike riding. Unfortunately the forecast of Sunny 45F turned into rain and sleet. For lack of anything better to do we decided to go buy a motorcycle. A CB900F to match my CB1100F.

After lunch we connected with the seller in NH and arranged a meeting. The bike was close to what I expected and a price was agreed upon. We loaded the bike into the back of my pickup and were back on the road. So far, so good.

I dropped Marty off in Boston and headed back to CT on the Mass Turnpike. It was late and I was tired but the rain had quit so I was looking forward to an easy ride home.

I usually stop in Sturbridge to get gas because it is usually ~20¢ cheaper than in CT. Because I was tired and was listening to the Willie Mays' biography audiobook I drifted past the exit. $6 down the drain I thought. I also noticed the truck pulling slightly to the left. Something to check into in the morning.

At the Rt 32 exit it all came apart. The left front tire went flat and I limped into the Park & Ride lot across from the exit. The spare tire wouldn't release from the hanger but that turned out to be moot because it was flat anyway.

I was stranded. Or was I? I had a motorcycle on the back of the truck and it had turned surprisingly warm (40F). The small matter of no helmet or license plate were only technicalities that probably wouldn't interest anyone at 11:00 at night.

Getting a 530 pound bike off a listing pickup in the semi-darkness was certainly an experiment in terror. Slowly, carefully, itsy bitsy tiny moves and it was down. And just then a State Trooper pulled into the parking lot. Hmmm. Those technicalities were suddenly a little more prominent than I expected. I figured that I would just wait it out until he/she came over to ask what I was up to. Turns out they didn't care. They were "cooping", which is to say sleeping for an hour.

After they took off I zipped up my jacket, put on my work gloves, and took off for home. This was pretty uneventful. I didn't freeze but I was definitely shivering along the way. 22 miles of mostly clear roads that I took at a moderate 45mph for fear of a spot of ice. The hardest part was arriving home and tippy-toeing down the snowy driveway. I parked it and ran in to turn the electric blanket to HIGH.

The next morning I looked out on my new purchase and decided that all was well with the world. I would just go back to the pickup, take off the tire, get a new one mounted, and bring the pickup home.

Of course this was but a dream. First the jack handle broke. A nice man offered the jack from his Prius but that proved to be futile. So off to Harbor freight 12 miles away to buy a jack.

Back with the jack the truck went up into the air with ease but now the wheel wouldn't release from the hub! I tried kicking it. I tried moving the steering wheel back and forth. I tried driving around the parking lot with no lug nuts. Nothing.

So time for a call to AAA. The guy came out with a BIG hammer and he couldn't get it loose. Up on the back of his truck it went and down to the Goodyear dealer who called and told me that it would be $400. WTF!! I was waiting for him to tell me that the headlamps needed a quart of light juice while it was in the shop.

When I balked he said that it was a mistake, "Sorry, I was looking at the wrong screen. It's only $268 for two tires." Much better. I'm supposed to pick it up in an hour. I wonder what the final charge will be.

Epilog:
$142 for the new tire, mounting, and tax. Reasonable. Add in the $6 I lost by not getting my gas in Sturbridge and the $150 savings I negotiated from the CB900's asking price shrinks to only $2. Oh well, that's life!
.

How To Understand Women Now In Paperback

Thanks Dave!

No Words Necessary!

Two ways of looking at things

Some people save money for a "Rainy Day Fund". Waiting for the inevitable disaster to strike they put money aside to be ready to ride out the storm. I prefer to think of it as an "Opportunity Account". When opportunity knocks I'm ready for action.

Case at point: Last summer I met a guy who had a KZ750 in very good condition. It had been sitting for a few years and had the usual sticky brakes and dirty carbs but it was complete down to the tool kit and was cosmetically beautiful. A KZ is a mild mannered street/road bike as opposed to a GPz which is the sportier model of that time. It has plenty of power but the ride and handling are more relaxed.

He was interested in getting it running so he could sell it and by a new Sportster. I tried to tell him that the Kawi was a better bike than the Sportster would ever be but that was what he wanted. I suggested that he bring it over and I'd help him get it running. Nice as it was I wasn't interested in buying it and made a low-ball offer to that end.

Yesterday I'm sitting in my living-room reading a book when the doorbell rings. There he is with his wife. They were out walking and stopped by to see if I was still interested in buying the bike. At the price I had offered I couldn't say no. If I decided to resell it in the spring I could make some money. Or I could make another attempt at riding cross country on the CB1100F and have Beth ride the KZ750. Or some friend will want a bike and I can let them have it for a bargain price.

All this because opportunity had knocked (rung the doorbell actually) and I was prepared to act. Even after all the Christmas presents and expenses I had enough set aside to be able to jump on the deal that came my way.

Now they only question is: Where am I going to put it?
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More Manuals

Eric in Reno sent me the Honda Common Service Manual and the Honda Common Tool Manual here. I have posted them here. A nice compliment to the electrical and fuel manuals I posted earlier.

The service manual has much information relative to many Honda models and other brands. It also has some especially good sections on trouble shooting in each section. For instance, if you've ever wondered how to perform a leak down test you'll find it in section 3-3.

The tool manual shows the factory tools for special jobs. Although some of these tools are rare and hard to find, seeing a picture of the tool and how it is used can help in making your own tool to get the job done. I'm certainly a testament to how using a wrong tool can mess things up. Usually at great expense!

Warning - The service manual is HUGE and will take a while to download. I suggest starting it and then going off to set the valves you've been putting off.

Thanks to Eric for this.

Couldn't have said it better

 

Gift cards are the ultimate in lazy shopping. Either put some effort into it or skip it altogether!

Except for Victoria's Secret of course.

What Dreams Are Made Of

This why the Italians have Sophia Loren and we have Sarah Jessica Parker. What would you rather have, a Ferrari or a Ford Taurus?

Honda Carburetion and Ignition Manuals

I've scanned in the 1975 and 1986 Honda Carburetion and Ignition Manuals. You will find them here. This is one of the best ways to get acquainted with the basics for all motorcycles. Just in time for Christmas presents.

Warning: These are BIG files and may take a couple of minutes to download depending on your internet speed.

'Tis The Season

No comment necessary! This guy is my hero!

Dorks-R-Us

It's not hard to be amused by this one. And I think we'd all agree that the world is a better place with these two morons locked in a steel cage. Look closely and you'll notice that the second rider is already heading for the lake even before the "map" hits him square in the face. Photoshop and an over eager stunt rider?

Still, points to South African VW for having a sense of humor (or is that humour?).

World's Smallest V-12 Engine

From Herman, himself a Master Machinist:

Facinating to watch this engine transpire from raw material to working engine.



I am in total awe at the skill and craftsmanship, not to mention the patience. To know that people capable of such things still exist in our world of instant crap truly inspires me.

I'd like to have dinner with him to discuss the project and some of his design choices. How marvelous that would be.
.

Dog

Interesting video from Amy.



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Name This Car - NY Times Edition

Back in April I found a sad little car, posted a couple of pictures, and asked what it was. Peter commented that it was a Subaru 360.

Now the NY Times has an article on the little machine that disparages it from every angle. Perhaps the best comment is the quote from the Consumers Reports article, “It was a pleasure to squirm out of the Subaru, slam the door and walk away.”

Here's some of the original TV ads for the car where they extol it's virtues as "cheap and ugly." At least the girl is cute if the car isn't.



However, Subaru may have the last laugh. 66 mpg is better than any Prius and gas isn't getting any cheaper.

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True Love

Ledermann Racing Team - "It takes two" from True Biker Spirit on Vimeo.

If you love someone, set her free; if she comes backs she's yours, if not, it was never meant to be.

However, if you're on a sidehack rig, go back and get her!

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Bring Back The Transalp - Again ...

Another attempt to petition Honda to bring the Transalp back to the U.S. is here.

I like my TA and intend to keep it. However, I don't see myself ever buying another one. Or anything like it. I think movements to bring the TA back are dead on arrival. Possibly 1 out of every 20 people who sign the petition will actually buy one. Probably more like 1:100.

The new ones are even more street oriented than the '89 and hence less interesting. Suzuki sells a few V-Stroms, Triumph and BMW are doing well with the Tiger and GS 800, but not on any scale that would interest Honda. I think they are smart enough to realize that the market is too limited for another entry. Considering the costs of EPA and DOT certification, plus parts and training, I don't see it ever happening.

Call me a cynic but doesn't the website seem a little too glossy for a grassroots effort? Is it all about the Transalp? Or just about the advertising?

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Size Matters

Owning a pickup means that everything you own is either wet or stolen. I loved my Buick Roadmaster Custom Cruiser station wagon but the price for good ones is going up by leaps and bounds.

So now a 1976 Chevy Suburban will soon be in the driveway for towing duty. With a 454 big block engine it will tow anything on wheels. Stopping at the gas station should be a thrilling experience.

The RED plaid upholstery is a real bonus. And the faux wood-grain dash is pure Detroit.

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Bike Show Sunday

In case you happen to be in Brazil on Sunday this looks like a great show in Sao Paulo.

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Gas Can

The new gas cans you buy at Auto Zone or WalMart all have the new safety cutoff valve that is impossible to use by anyone with only two hands. In a word, they suck. Another hit from the Nanny State who wants to make sure we don't hurt ourselves. How long before we find only Play School plastic hammers at Home Depot?

However, there is help from VP Racing Fuels. Their racing fuel jugs are even easier to use than the old red containers. The big hose can bend into the tank for no-spill fills. And the separate breather port allows air intake so you're not standing around waiting for the gas to gurgle out.

But wait, there's more! Street Side Auto is selling them for only $20.99 plus $7.99 for the Deluxe Tube. That's about $15 cheaper (jug+hose) than I've seen them for sale locally. I ordered two of each and got FREE FedEx shipping that arrived two days after my order. Too bad these guys don't sell motorcycle parts, the service is great.

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Touring Europe in 1953

Here is a great remembrance of a motorcycle tour of Europe in 1953. I won't even try to comment as the story is much better than my poor words.

Read all the way to the end. The bit about the father in his '70's and the red bike doing the ton is priceless!

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When too much is just right

Visiting the barber museum is an exercise in futility. No way can you see at all or appreciate it all. Certainly not in the limited time we had to enjoy it. We'll be back!!

It should be on everybody's list of things to do.