Bonneville Build

Any descriptive phrase you could come up with to signify "no time" would be appropriate to apply to this blog. HOWEVER, Backus and I did find the time a couple of weeks ago to start tearing down the Motorcycle Classics/Dairyland Cycle Insurance Bonneville. Click below to see two crack mechanics in action. Or two cracked mechanics. Whatever...

This is a test. This is only a test.

We started dismantling the Bonneville project bike. And video'd it. Which could be fun. Or not. Anyway, the test is to see if the video link on here really works. So I'm putting up a clip of my R60 before and after I replaced the stock mufflers with Epco Stainless glass packs. Which didn't work. Maybe a youtube imbed?

Now that seems to work nicely. As they come available I'll put them up. In the meantime, you can see all of the Motorcycle Classics videos by going to youtube and searching "Motorcycle Classics." I know, tricky, huh? Until next time...

How time flies...

Good lord, I don't know how people find time to blog every day! Seems like I'm lucky to get two up in a week. Waaaaay too busy at work. So much going on, but all good! Working on bike shows for this season. Looks like I'll be in Wisconsin, Kansas City and Alabama. Maybe Utah. And some farm shows in Iowa. Too much fun. Also getting together the Bonneville sweepstakes. That's right. We're customizing a new Triumph Bonnie and giving it away this fall. I don't think the entry page is ready yet. I'll give you a link when it is. It'll be cool. Some weird combination of a bobber and hot rod. And it will have a spectacular paint job. Cuz we have a spectacular painter. Wait and see.

OK, cool things from Dealer Expo. Next up? This ultra-sweet, combination ramp and bed extender from Extreme Max. Works for ATVs as well as motorcycles. 2,000 pound capacity, universal fit and adds 2 feet to your truck box. This would be perfect for short beds and small trucks (like mine) where you can't fit a decent sized motorcycle (like mine) into the truck and close the tailgate (like mine). Are you listening, Extreme Max? And I like the dual ramp feature that allows you to walk up alongside of the bike instead of stopping halfway, having someone balance it while you crawl up into the bed and grab ahold for the final push. Looks like you can find them from a number of online retailers for around $300 plus shipping.

All right, big weekend. My Kansas State University Wildcats are trying to win the Big 12 Basketball Tournament. I need to do some overseeding in my backyard while it is still raining every day. Bad for riding. Good for grass. I'm going to see Chris Duarte Saturday night. Badass psychedelic blues and rock. Then Sunday we're going to start ripping parts off of the Bonneville in Backus' garage. Too much fun. Again. Story of my life...

One project down, how many to go?

The Race Tech suspension upgrade is finally completed. The shocks look great and ride better. But the real difference is the effect that the emulator conversion has had on the front end. Remarkable! Very smooth and controlled damping as opposed to the nose dive the stock forks exhibited under hard braking. I don't plan on testing these out on the track but I can tell already the improved handling and safety I'll experience on the road. A big thumbs up for an outstanding product!

The Eldorado generator? Not going so well. "Yeah, I know I said I would look at it last Friday but I've been busy. Probably won't get to it until next week." Oh well, it's supposed to rain the rest of the week anyway. Yes, I'm a fair weather rider. At least to work and back. And I still have the BMW if the mood strikes me. On a more positive note, I picked up a really sweet 1969 Schwinn Suburban bicycle at a garage sale on Saturday for $7.50. Lime green, original paint. Still has the original sticker from Grove's Cyclery in Wichita. A new set of tires and brake pads and I'm ready to go! And I got to see a pair of old Honda Dreams. Woman put one together in 3 months from parts. Impressed me!

Motorcycle Classics' next big project is customizing a 2010 Triumph Bonneville which we picked up last Thursday. I'll throw some pics up as it progresses. Did I mention that you can sign up for a chance to win it when it's finished? Many Thanks to Vinnie and Tim at Dairyland Insurance for making it happen. They rock. As does Jason Ricci and New Blood. Saw 'em Friday night. It's totally amazing how they have progressed in the 3 or 4 years since I last attended their show. The dude is the most incredible harmonica player out there these days. Rock, blues, funk, fusion jazz, shit you can't even descibe. You name it, Jason can play it. And Shawn Starsky is one of my favorite guitar players - whether he's ripping it, playing a sizzling slow blues or comping in the background, Shawn always plays exactly the right thing at exactly the right time. Check out their schedule and go see them if they are coming within a hundred miles of you.

Next time I'll get back on my "cool things from Dealer Expo" track. And something else. I don't know what. That's what makes it so much fun for me...

Why do classic motorcyclists own so many bikes?

Answer: So they always have one to ride. Case in point. It's finally warming up enough to ride. The problem is that one of my bikes is torn apart with the generator down at the local repair shop. Who hasn't called me even though he said he would look at it last Friday. The other one is in Backus' garage with the front forks torn apart awaiting completion of the Race Tech suspension upgrade. So, as I feared, I'll be having a Blast this week. A Buell Blast that is. Makes me shudder. But still better than a car.

OK, so I occasionally make fun of editors. It's only fair. After all, they occasionally make fun of sales managers. But I have to admit, it's pretty damn nice that with absolutely no effort from me my R60 now has new G3-S shocks installed and everything is calculated, cut and laid out ready to assemble to complete the emulator conversion on the forks. All that is missing is a pair of bushings that are on their way from Bob's BMW to replace the ones that my forks chewed up over the last 35 years. And that is all because Backus is such a good egg. Even though I offered to assist. And I even went there one night last week to help with disassembly. Something I'm far better at than assembly. At any rate, I'll soon be riding in modern suspension style and comfort. And you'll soon be able to read all about it in Motorcycle Classics. Thanks Richard.

Coming soon: Suspension completion. Hopefully a rebuilt generator for not too much money. Otherwise I'll be looking for a used one. Maybe something about Jason Ricci, one of my favorite harmonica players who is coming to T-town this weekend. Bikes and blues. And beer...

Forks, generators and Flash2Pass

Well, I made it through the weekend. Big snowstorm, so I didn't get down to Backus' house for the suspension project. Matt Wiley at Race Tech is the bomb when it comes to motorcycle suspension. Anyway, the bike is there. Richard started tearing the forks down on his own and I'll join him one night this week to install the emulators and shocks. It will be pretty damn sweet when it's done. So instead I started the process of removing the generator on my 73 Guzzi Eldorado. Oh, here's an article about it. Won't charge and makes a horrible sound. My guess is brushes and bearings. I got the seat and the tank off. I'll pull the generator this week and take it to the local repair shop. Can't work too fast, that ruins all the fun. Old bikes were made for piddling. And spending time in the garage. Nice...

I told you I would mention some of the things that I saw at the 2010 Dealer Expo. So here's the first. The Flash2Pass Garage Door Opener System. I guess because I'm older now and I like the niceties of life. Put the transmitter in your headlight bucket. It's small, about 2 inches square. Wire it to any hot wire controlled by a switch. They recommend the high beam. Replace your button inside the garage with the Flash2Pass receiver. Voila! Pull into the drive, flash your high beam twice, door opens. No more fumbling for the remote in your pocket. Or getting off the bike, going inside, opening the door and rolling the bike in. Easy. You can buy extra transmitters for multiple bikes. Or your car. Or extra transmitters for multiple homes. If you have that. It has all kinds of encryption and other cool stuff to make it secure. $79.95 for the transmitter, receiver and installation hardware. $34.95 for an extra transmitter. Up to six for a single receiver. If you need that extra receiver for that extra house? You probably don't care about the cost. Check out all their stuff at http://www.f2ptechnologies.com/. Whew! I gotta get me one of these.

Next time, more on the suspension project. Maybe a picture if I'm lucky. Hoping for warmer weather soon. of course, if it's too soon neither of these projects will be done. Then I'll be forced to ride my girlfriend's Buell Blast. Oh yeah, it's a real blast...

So, how do I begin...

My friend Jason Fullington convinced me I should start a blog. But what do I write about? Obviously, anything to do with classic motorcycles. Or motorcycle products, which is where I spend most of my time. Or motorcycling in general. Maybe blues music now and then. Or my incredibly smart but equally independent dog Vida. But mostly the world of owning and riding classic motorcycles.

So, for the inaugural post, I must pay homage to Jason and his absolutely astounding Kawazuki. This hybrid meshing of a '79 KZ1000 frame and motor, a 2001 Suzuki V1000 front end and a '92 GSXR750 swingarm and monoshock rear looks like it came straight from the factory. No doubt due to Jason's considerable time, effort and talents that went into the build. And while it may not be a true classic in some people's eyes, there's no denying it's one damn cool motorcycle! You can read the article in the March/April issue of Motorcycle Classics. While you're there, you may want to check out the Honda CB450 Black Bomber or Erik Buell's futuristic RR1000 Battle Twin. Or subscribe. Classic eye candy delivered right to your door. Way cool.

What's next? I'll try to post something every 2-3 days. As time permits, of course. Damn day job! Upcoming posts will cover some of the niftier stuff I ran across at the Dealer Expo last weekend. We're doing a Race Tech suspension upgrade to my old R60 this weekend. I'll let you know how that goes. And I'm sure one of these days it will warm up and they'll get the sand off the streets and fix the potholes and we can think about doing some real riding. One of these days...