These things are supposed to be simple. An otherwise mechanically sound motorcycle is supposed to run beautifully so long as it’s properly lubricated, correctly timed and has nice clean carbs. This was the wrench philosophy I’d been learning with my mechanic mentor, Jeff, since January. I’ve watched bike after bike come back to life at – Read More –
This “rebuilding year” has involved four machines so far. My wife’s motorcycle got sorted out right at the end of winter and has been running great ever since. Meanwhile, I went from having both a running motorcycle and a running Vespa of my own, to three old motorcycles, none of which were road worthy. Trying – Read More –
Over the years, my blog has evolved into a handful of regular features. Mainly recommendations, significant new experiences, and lots and lots of the Ride Log. This season has been what sports fans would call a rebuilding year. I’ve spent far more time procuring and working on bikes than actually riding them. It’s been fun. – Read More –
Recently I went over to my friend Susan’s house to help her paint. Her house was going up for rent, so there was a myriad of touch-up and repainting to do before her new tenants could move in. Her man Sam was also on hand, and soon one of his work friends came by to – Read More –
July 17, 2011 — It was hot out when I opened up my garage door. Not wimpy, midwestern hot, but genuinely tropical, drop dead hot. The weather app on my iPhone said it was going to be 101ºF with 98% humidity – tying the all-time state heat index record at 116ºF. This kind of weather – Read More –
June 23, 2011 — On a cloudy, unseasonably cold afternoon for late June, I did the seemingly unthinkable. I sold my Vespa. The sky looked like it might rain if it could muster up the motivation, but at that moment it couldn’t be bothered. I stood in the doorway of my open garage, waiting for – Read More –
May 16, 2011 — Over the past couple weeks, I’ve been spending a lot of quality seat time on my wife’s motorcycle. Honestly, I have a lot of trouble not riding her bike. I can’t stay off of that little machine. Last weekend I did 100 miles around town in a single day. When I – Read More –
April 9, 2011 — I posted a few weeks ago about finally getting my wife’s ’81 Honda CM400 Custom sorted out after lots of carburetor frustrations and a blown head gasket. Jeff and I got the bike in good mechanical nick and softly customized, but it was still the tail end of winter, so I – Read More –