The Motorcycle that Inspired a Butter Keeper?

Sometimes the oddest things will start me thinking of motorcycles, I don't need much inspiration to start daydreaming, but I don't think anyone who has seen a Suzuki RE5 Rotary will deny the resemblance to the butter tray in my refrigerator.

There it is, the butter keeper instrument nacelle, sitting right on top on the headlight.

This bike was produced from 1974 to 1976. People who bought this bike liked it, most everyone else on the planet thought it was strange. I knew a guy who had one of these, he didn't think it was strange at all. I remember he must have painted the tank a half dozen times, but he was fine with the instrument nacelle. I personally don't think the bike is that strange (except for the instrument nacelle), but then I like strange bikes.
The bike sold poorly. Suzuki put standard style instruments on the motorcycle but sales did not improve and the bike was discontinued.

4th Annual Chilly Billy Memorial Run

...The poker run is called the Chilly Billy Memorial Poker Run. It is sponsored by the local chapter of the Rip City Riders, a motorcycle club whose mission to do good deeds. This run was to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
...The weather was a little overcast and cool, but the name of the run has nothing to do with the weather. The ride is in memory of William Walsh also known as "Chilly Billy." Walsh was one of the founders of Rip City Riders.















...The ride started at our local Harley Davidson dealer and went to the town of Windsor. The next leg was a long loop through Callisotga, St. Helena and back through Santa Rosa. The leg ended in the City of Sonoma, on the square at Steiner's Bar.

...The run ended in Penngrove City Park. Where there was a small car and bike show, also food and music. They raffled of a new Dyna, but I had no luck. A lot of people showed up for the run, the Rip City Riders raised a lot of money for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Everybody had a great time, what's better than that?

The Ride Home

When we left Reno on Friday afternoon, we headed south through Carson City. Just south of Carson City and just south of Hwy 50 West, we took Jack's Valley Rd.. Jack's Valley runs right at the edge of the Mountains. It is a great road with the Sierras rising from the roadside.

...The road goes through the little town of Genoa and hits Hwy 207, the Kingsbury Grade at Mottsville. The Kingsbury grade is a great motorcycle road with sweeping curves and beautiful views of the valley. Hwy 207 reconnects with Hwy 50 at Lake Tahoe and we went west on 50 toward Sacramento.

...While we were stopped for a cold beverage and a break, I was checking the map for a way around Sacramento. We were going to be in Sacramento at about 6:00 PM, during the worst of the Friday Commute and Hwy 80 would not only be the usual crappy road, but would be jam packed and hotter that the hinges of hell. A good Samaritan, seeing that I was checking the map, asked if we were lost.

...When I told him that I was looking for a route around Sacramento and Hwy 80, he suggested taking the Prairie City exit and taking Grant Line Rd.. So we skipped Sacramento and Hwy 80 traffic jams and ended up taking Hwy 12 back through Rio Vista.

...We rode into a brilliant red sunset after a great days ride, what could be better.

Street Vibrations

Street Vibrations started September 23 and ran through September 27th. Since I had not been to the event before, I had no idea what to expect. They closed Virginia Street, which is the main street, for about six blocks for vendors, food and music. There is also a convention center on the next block that had more vendors.









Marie has now been riding long enough that she knows where her bike could be improved. We visited the Progressive Suspension booth. A set of shocks and fork springs will probably be in store for her sportster.
...We also visited the Mustang Seat booth. They were very helpful and Marie was able to bring her bike into the booth and try on a solo seat with a back rest.








Unfortunately we had to be back by Saturday, so after checking out of our hotel on Friday we went over to the Reno Harley Dealer. Harley had their test ride program in full swing and there were lots of vendors and food.
...There was a great rat bike parked on the street, and I snapped a photo. The bike had an Illinois plate and we wondered if the guy had really ridden that far, I'll bet he probably did.




On the way out of town we passed hundreds of bikes heading to Reno for Saturday and Sunday. We had a great time and next year we will plan to stay longer.

The Ride to Street Vibrations

...I have never been to Street Vibrations before. So we made reservations and headed to Reno. We took Hwy 88 over Carson Pass, the same route that we took to Laughlin in the Spring. The photos were taken at the same place, but the middle photo, the one with the snow, was taken in the spring on the run to Laughlin.

...Instead of going south over Monitor Pass, we stayed on Hwy 88 to Minden, Nevada and turned north on Hwy 395. We stopped in Carson City briefly, then arrived in Reno about 6:30 PM on Wednesday.

Garage Culture

...I've been enjoying my garage more lately. I really like how the afternoon sun shines in the door and keeps the place warm. I like to work on a project or after I clean up I might just sit and read. My garage is really small, just a two car. I have to pull one of the cars out have any room to work at all. Still there is room for the two cars, two motorcycles, a bunch of tools and a lot of other stuff, if I keep everything fairly well organized.
..The thing I enjoy the most is when friends come by and sit awhile.

Sherri and Gary Leave for Stugis

My friends Sherri and Gary are off to Sturgis. We rode with them over Ebbits Pass to Carson City where they caught Highway 50. The road over Ebbits Pass is Highway 4. Highway 4 is good road from where they close the road for the winter, near Lake Alpine to the turn off for Monitor Pass, but only about a lane and half wide. This means taking the far outside on blind curves, which is not a problem but still makes you jump when a car comes around the corner.

Marie and I took Highway 395 north to Reno then took Highway 80 home.

Blacked Out Rear Bumper

I was washing the bike when I found that the rear bumper was broken. The piece was probably cracked a couple of years ago when I was hit from behind while sitting a stoplight by a homeless cranker. He had been living in his car and had deferred out the brake maintenance in favor of his favorite recreational substance. No license, no brakes, no insurance, no problem.

After the crash, I replaced the rear fender and a few other parts but not the rear bumper. When I found the bumper had finally broken, I called my local HD dealer and ordered the part. The part was $117 and would arrive in about 5 days.

The next day Marie and I were going for a little ride with our friends, Gary and Sherri, so I decided to weld it up. Here you see the results. I did a little grinding on the welds, primered and painted and voila.

I like the look so well that I canceled the order on the new chrome piece.

How to - Electra Glilde Rear Brake

...I have not replaced the rear brake pads myself before. I hope this helps someone to take on the job and save a little money. It's really easy, so welcome to my garage and lets do a rear brake pad replacement on my '04 Electra Glide Standard.
First take off the right side saddlebag. Then, using a 1/4 in 12 point socket, loosen the two pad pins, but don't take them out.
Also take the cap off the rear master cylinder, which is located near the rear brake pedal. Use a phillips screwdriver.




Using a putty knife push the inner pistons back. Watch out that Master cylinder do does not overflow. (The photo shows the outside pistons being pushed back.)

Pull out the two pad pins until the rear pad falls out and put the new one in. Push the pad pins back in and pump the brake. The reason for doing one side at a time is to keep the anti-rattle spring from falling out.

Use the puddy knife and push the outside pistons back and while making sure the inside pads stay in place, pull the pad pins, drop out the old outside pad and slide in the new pad. Put the pad pins back in and torque them to 190 in lbs.. Put the master cylinder cap back on and you are done.

Famous Road Signs

There are a lot of famous road signs. This particular road sign is just south of Monterey on California's Hwy 1. I've seen this road sign on motorcycle sites all over the Internet, it promises 74 miles of the twisty roads motorcyclists love, but for those of you who are curious, here's a side you may not have seen. I do this as a public service.

Street Fighter

.....While my friend Scott and I were out wandering around, when we met this guy with his old Triumph Street Fighter.
.....We were heading south on Skyline Drive which is a great road along the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains. On Skyline Drive you see hot rods and sports cars but mostly motorcycles, all kinds of motorcycles. Alice's is a good place to stop for a cold drink and a bite to eat, but mostly it is a great place to spot cool motorcycles.
.....This guy says his bike is a lot of work to keep running but it is obvious that he is proud of his vision of what a motorcycle should be.

The Really Big Noise During the Night

Last night about 2:30 AM, I heard an engine at high rev's then within about a second I heard a crash.
















This morning when I went out front there was a really long oil slick, with expensive looking aluminium ground into the pavement.

Then I saw a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R in front of my neighbors house. It was a little ground down on the left side. I talked to the bike's owner, who had just bought the bike, and let an acquaintance ride it. The guy crashed just out of the driveway and slid the bike on its side for the next 94 ft.. The frame was bent and the bike totaled.

Education is always expensive.

BMW R1200C

I love strange and unusual motorcycles. I think this BMW qualifies. These photos are of two R1200C Montana's. BMW built the R1200C's from 1997 to 2000. They built about 40,000 R1200C motorcycles.
BMW called the front suspension Telelever, which is also called Saxon-Motodd.
The bike has some interesting parts like a tubular single sided swing arm that houses the drive shaft. Brembo brakes with anti-lock. All the good stuff wrapped in a very unusual motorcycle designed as a "cruiser" style with forward foot pegs and high handlebars.
I look at this bike over and over and still cant figure it.

Moto Gussi V50 Mk2

I saw this Moto Guzzi in the Town of Sonoma the other day. It's a strange thing but I see a lot of interesting bikes in Sonoma. This bike is a V50 Mk 2, which I think was made between 1979 and 1981.
This bike spoke to me from the first instant that I saw it. What it said is that with some cleaning, polishing and a little paint it would be a very cool motorcycle.

KFOG Kaboom

Saturday, Marie and I headed for Mendocino. The weather was warmer and we hoped the fog would hold off. We stopped in Guerneville for lunch. I checked my cell phone and found that my friend Davc had called and asked if we would like to go on his boat to the KFOG Kaboom.









KFOG is a San Francisco radio station and the event is an outdoor concert on the docks with a great fireworks show afterward. About 350,000 people show up for the concert and fireworks. The event has been going on for about 14 years. We changed plans and headed south.















We met Dave at the marina and were soon aboard Dave's boat and headed along the San Francisco water front. We passed the Bay Bridge and anchored around sunset.
The fireworks were awesome and the company great. I'm sure glad Dave called.

Where the Redbud Grows

I live in Sonoma County, the county just to the north is Lake County. You know that spring has come to Lake County when the Redbud blooms.

My Mom at Sear Point

The motorcycling world is large and convoluted, it turns out that my Mom's good friend is Brian Bartlow's mother. Brian is a sponsored, Kawasaki racer. So while I was in Laughlin, Mom and my Daughter, Lee, went to Sears Point to enjoy the races. By the way, Brian did well in the Sportman Class, he came in first.

Bug Spray

Do you trailer your motorcycle to bike events?
Do people who actually ride their bikes give you a hard time?
Well, no longer, now there’s

BUG SPRAY!

BUG SPRAY is a wax based product that simulates dead bugs on your fairing. Pull into town and hide your trailer, just like you usually do, then apply bug spray to the front of your motorcycle. People will think you actually rode it!

After you have established your street cred, simply buff the wax based bug spray to a never ridden high gloss shine!

Get BUG SPRAY now!
Also available as BUG SPRAY JR. for helmets! And try BUG SPRAY BLACK for white and pastel paint!

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WARNING - BUG SPRAY, BUG SPRAY JR. and BUG SPRAY BLACK do not contain actual insects or insect parts and as such do not convey to the user any actual experiences, skills or stamina. Only actual long distance riding can provide those results.

Heading for a Fall

I don't usually criticise other riders but I think this guy needs a new tire.

Big Butts

Does this bike make my butt look big?

Hacks, Trikes and What?

Trikes and ... other more than two wheel thingies, seem to be very popular this year. I saw a number of these three wheel Can Am things. They sort of resemble a snow mobile and I suspect they may have a snow mobile in their Can Am heritage.
I saw a lot of Sportsters with four wheels in a training wheel type configuration. Several had trailer hitches, and several appeared to be removable. I guess if you are feeling tippy you bolt on the other two wheels for security. While I like a nice side hack and would have one if I had the room, I think trikes and these other three and four wheelers are just weird, but to each his own.

Oatman

I really enjoyed our side trip to Oatman. This year there were fewer people in Oatman, but still plenty of nice bikes and great people watching. Wild burros roam the streets, ignoring the noise and looking for handouts of carrots.

Laughlin River Run 2009

...This year we enjoyed Laughlin with a more relaxed attitude. It helped that attendance appeared to be down. It was easy to find a parking space. We spent more time eating and drinking with friends. We shopped less and spent more time walking along the river.
...No 400 mile side trips this year. We took one side trip to the Hualapai Mountain Resort in the mountains above Kingman, for a great steak dinner. Hualapai Mountain Resort is high enough in the mountains that it is much cooler than Laughlin.
...We also took the short jaunt to Oatman and on to Kingman via old Route 66. I'll have photos of Oatman later.

...The Police seemed frustrated by the decreased attendance and accompanying lack of stuff to do. They were decidedly unfriendly. I noticed that if one Officer made a stop, at least five or more other Officers arrived, a sure sign of nothing happening.

We were noticing a shortage of shovel heads, so we started looking, this was the only one I saw.

...I bought a Windvest windshield while doing my shopping. I had it shipped home because I'm still not sure if I want a 4" or 6" windshield. The Windvest people were very nice and said that I could return it as long as it was in "as new" condition.

...I go to the Laughlin River Run every year because it is at just the right time of year. Winter is just about over but the weather is still iffy. By the time Laughlin arrives, I have been cooped up all winter and am ready for a road trip. Laughlin is the perfect start for the riding season.

Bishop to Laughlin, Via Death Valley

We are at Lone Pine, Ca, where we leave Hwy 395 and head into Death Valley. That's Mt. Whitney in the background, it's the highest point in the lower 49 states at 14,96f t. above sea level. It just shows how rugged this country is, that the highest parts of the United States and the lowest are within a few miles of each other.

This is the Panamit Valley, its the valley just before Death Valley. I love how the road just seems to go on forever.











This is Death Valley, taken from Artists Palette Road. The mountain in the background is Telescope Peak 11,049 ft., in the Panamit Mountains.

There were still a few cactus blooming.

This photo is on the road out of Death Valley on the way to Shoshone, Ca.. From there we headed south to Baker, Ca. on Hwy 15 then on to Searchlight, Nevada and on to Laughlin.

We Leave for Laughlin

We left for the Laughlin River Run on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. Marie decided to ride her Sportster. We got held up on the draw bridge over the Sacramento River on Hwy 12, so it was a good opportunity to snap a few photos.

We took Hwy 88 over Carson Pass, Hwy 88, like Hwy 80 and 50 is plowed and kept open all winter. We went through Minden, Ca., then over Monitor Pass, which was open. Sonora Pass and Tioga Pass were still closed due to snow.

The last photo is on Hwy 395, which I think is the most beautiful highway in America. The photo is above Mono Lake. Hwy 395 travels along the eastern side of the High Sierras. The mountains are 10 to 14 thousand feet and the area has many volcanic features.

We stayed the night in Bishop, Ca, a ride of about 400 miles.

Little Things Mean a Lot

....Marie made a couple of small changes to her Sportster. She added a lay down license plate and lay down tail light. Not huge changes, but I think these particular items affect the character of the motorcycle more than any other simple change. They make the bike look longer and sleeker.

....Neither the tail light lens or the license plate bracket are Harley Davidson products. HD does not make a lay down tail light and their license plate bracket is about three times heavier and three times more expensive.