MBF Motorcycle Forums - Blogs http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php MyBikeForums.com Motorcycle Forums and Communities en Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:19:22 GMT vBulletin 900 http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg MBF Motorcycle Forums - Blogs http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php DRIVING a Motorcycle is NOT A BAD THING. http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=82 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:06:35 GMT Here it is the middle of July, it's about 93F and partly cloudy. Looks like we might have a bit of a thunderstorm this afternoon. I had the trike out for about 100 miles this morning -- didn't scare myself at all.

A couple of observations:

Lots of people in passing cars do a double take when they realize it isn't JUST A SCOOTER. :thumbup2:

People in parking lots ask questions.

I haven't had this much fun answering them since the Swing was new.

I did discover that, maybe, I still have an alignment problem with the outriggers. The bike has a mild head shake (wobble) at or near 30mph. Of course, this same symptom has been talked about on all of the SilverWing forums ad nauseum -- with no clear reason why, nor how to cure it. Maybe I had never noticed it before. Time will tell.

I have no additional photos, so I won't post any.:ohyea: ]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=82 Arthritis stikes again, the Swing becomes a 4 wheeler http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=78 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:06:49 GMT The years came and went. The ankles and feet got less predictable. The hips told me that as low and stable as the Swing is, I was going to need... The years came and went. The ankles and feet got less predictable. The hips told me that as low and stable as the Swing is, I was going to need some help.

After some research, I found out that the primary dealer for Danson Trikes was a mere 15 miles away. After several chats with them, I bought one of their kits, put it in the back of my Toy pickup and brought it home.

The install was pretty straight forward:

1. Take off every thing that looked like a Swing from the middle back.
2. Add a bunch of stuff that came with the kit.
3. Put all of the stuff that I took off above back on.
4. Go through the process of getting the out-rigger wheels equidistant from the newly shod original rear wheel.
5. Take a bunch of stuff back off because I screwed up with the placement of the outrigger wheels.
6. Repeat steps 3 thru 6 several times.
7. Declare the result correct.
8. Ride it the first time. :gaah:
No, DRIVE it dummy.

Here it is early July (about a month and a half after I decided to buy this thing) and I'm beginning to actually LIKE driving it.nojoke

I realize that I work slowly, much to the chagrin of my family, but all in all, the install probably took about 25 to 30 hours (over 6-7 weeks). I'm happy with it. I rode (er, drove) it out to the dealer's the other day. He checked the install out, gave me several compliments on how well it was done. (made me feel really good).

One word of caution to anyone doing something like this -- those little speed signs below the "curve ahead" diamond signs: Believe them. At least early on.

Well, at least I didn't sell the old one and buy a new one, I changed the old one into a new one. Time will tell if it was a really good idea or not.
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]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=78 1st day of spring http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=75 Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:12:16 GMT 21 days of rain, finally came to an end at about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Poeple came out of the woodwork like zombies squinting at the light. Its supposed to get up to 70 degrees today, good day for a ride. Will have to re-plant cucumbers, they drowned in the garden. This year we go from winter to summer with a definite lack of spring, welcome to the great northwest ]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=75 The project begins http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=73 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:21:18 GMT Haven't gotten very far but I do at least have the motor now. It's out of a 79 XS650. Once I get it on a stand I'll start the cleanup and get it looking nice. I don't think it needs any internal work... yet.



I plan on getting a frame from Ardcore and then start getting the various bits and pieces welded up.

]]> dklassen http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=73 Bye Bye tippiness, or The larger Backrest becomes a Swing http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=72 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:17:07 GMT The local scooter stores didn't have a huge inventory of new maxi scooters, but I did have enough to be able to try the two major candidates -- the 650cc Suzuki Burgman and the 600cc (582 really) Honda Silverwing. The contest was a nobrainer for me -- the Burgie felt too much like the Brick (top heavy and tippy), in addition it was too heavy for me to easily get off the center stand.

After a bit of the normal customer / dealer sparring, a reasonable deal was struck. They would take my BMW and a handful of portraits of dead presidents and I would have a new (one year old, but still new) step thru parallel 600cc twin "scooter" or "motorcycle without a gear box".

As usual, I had no real idea what I was doing, I just did it. I delivered the BMW and the title to them, signed a bunch of papers, had them put a new battery in the scooter (it wouldn't start with the old one), got on the shiftless wonder and promptly pulled in the "clutch" as I got to the street. The Honda has linked brakes, the "clutch" lever stops both wheels and when a normal biker pulls in the "clutch" lever, both wheels STOP RIGHT NOW. :oops_sign: I didn't drop it, the guy with the big broom sweeping the parking lot had a really big grin on his face. "It happens to everyone the first ride" he said. With that knowledge firmly planted in my feeble mind, my left hand became merely a handgrip holder. It took me at least 3 or 4 days to fully learn how to brake, not de-clutch, that silly machine.

This was in the middle of the summer, so I was overly warm in the leathers -- off to the dealer to get a summer jacket. The Tourmaster Draft Air filled the bill. The next thing was normal for almost all Silverwing riders that are 6' or taller -- an aftermarket windscreen. Givi had one, TwistedThrottle was kind enough to ship one to me. It was easy to install. It was too tall (about an inch) but I delayed cutting it down. As much under seat storage as it has was still not enough to completely stock the home bar (a 12 bottle case of red vermouth and a 6 1.75l case of whiskey), so Givi and TwistedThrottle to the rescue again. A top box was put on. All of the booze can come home at once. I even found out that another 6 1.75l bottles of gin (in plastic bottles) fit. :beer3::beer2:

The first 600 miles came and went. The normal first oil change and getting used to the really PITA of checking the rear tire pressure. (this required another tool addon -- an AccuGage E-Z Air Gauge) This is a tire gauge that really works like advertised.

After a couple of 250 or so mile trips, my mind was made up to ship the saddle off to the DayLong folks for an upgrade. Money (lots of it) well spent -- same as it had been on both of the BMW's. When the DayLong got here and was installed, the too tall Givi windscreen was just right -- seems that the DayLong made me sit about an inch or so higher. All in all, I have been more than satisfied, if not really really happy with the Swing (as it is called by the owner groups).
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]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=72 Just Rambling On! http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=71 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:59:05 GMT Finally I am the owner of a Yamaha Raider, and really like it so far!!! When my friends see it and say to me, "This is the best one so far," or " You've out done yourself with this one," I just (as humble as possible) agree! I do share with them that this is what I had working my way up to.
I purchased this bike just shortly after selling my ZX14, of which I had not ridden much at all. Prior to the ZX14, I had an RF900 that I rode everywhere!!! On the RF is where most of my travels were done, 14 states, several were traveled to over and over!!! By the time I sold it (with a ton of miles on it), I had grown out of the sportbike feel, draggin' knees had lost its appeal. Thinking that the "feel" could be regained, I purchased the (2006) ZX14.
To no avail was the "feel" regained, (and sticking to my motto) it was sold with not even 4000 miles on it !!!
With always having a thing for cruisers, choppers, and the like though I bought sportbikes, it was finally my turn to cruise!!
After waiting to see what each manufacturer would come up with, Yamaha introduced the Raider and that got my attention!! I knew that I had to have one, and BEHOLD!!!!!! I HAVE ONE!!!! :ohyea: ]]> Meydan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=71 The green Brick gets replaced by a larger backrest http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=69 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:10:31 GMT After the restoration of the K100LT, a new BMW dealership opened in Lakewood. It became my source of parts and stuff. I added a driver to passenger... After the restoration of the K100LT, a new BMW dealership opened in Lakewood. It became my source of parts and stuff. I added a driver to passenger intercom, some other stuff and got to know the resident dog, Tucker, pretty well.

In 1997 the K1100LT was available as a maroon and dark grey two tone. The top box was a good bit bigger. My wife had always said that the top box on the K100 was too low to be a good backrest. Added to that was another customer who had seen the green K100 and lusted after it.

Tucker's partner offered me an acceptable sum in trade, so on my wife's 60th birthday, middle of February I rode the green bike to Denver and the two-tone home. I had put about 25000 miles on the K100, it was time to go thru the breakin process again (first new bike since 1974)

First things first, the original saddle went back on the K100, the Day Long went back to California to be recovered in black.

Part of the trade process included an intercom installed by the "expert installer" at the dealership. The way it was installed caused interference with the ABS controller. Over the next few months I completely redid all of the "expert's" work (who, by the way, was no longer working at the dealership
).

I had had the new bike about a month when I dropped it in my dentist's parking lot -- in the process of taking it off the centerstand.:oops_sign: A passing Samaritan helped me pick it up. The only harm was a dinged right side mirror. After a couple of hundred dollars and a week or so, a fresh mirror was installed. I then started to refurbish the old one. That should have been taken as an omen that this bike and me would never have a really good relationship.:banghead:

I guess that, all in all, the bike performed as good as could be expected. I was just getting older and less attentive to it and the process of riding.

The summer of 1997 my wife and I rode the K1100LT to and from Friedricksburg, TX. The BMWMOA National Rally was there that year. We went with my son (K1100RS) and one of his friends and wife (K1100LT). It was a good ride down and most of the way back.

I think that we pushed it a bit too much for me and near Raton I did a really stupid. I tried to pass too many cars and a motorhome all at once without downshifting at least one, maybe two gears. It was really close in the pull back in.:cus:said my wife.

Another time she and I were on our way to Steamboat Spgs over Berthoud Pass when a wayward sharp stone poked a hole in the rear tire. The hole was too big to properly fill with the "as supplied" flat fixit kit from BMW. Once again, a Samaritan to the rescue .. we got it on the center stand with his help. He had a can of Flat Fix or some such. We managed to get back to Empire, spend a few quarters on the air hose at the only "service station" in town. Then back to Idaho Springs to an auto parts store for a proper can of FixAFlat and more air. We got back home, took the luggage off the bike, threw it in the car and set off again. We had reservations at two different hotels and we weren't going to let them go to waste.

The following winter I dropped it again (standing still, engine off) as I was putting it on the center stand. Wet foot, wet tang, slip over it went. Same side mirror only damage. The refurbished one saved the couple of hundred dollars this time.

All went well until I retired and starting riding a couple of hundred miles two or three times a week. I was not nearly as vigilant as I should have been with the tire inspections. I picked up an open end wrench (7/16") at about 80mph about 75 miles from home. I was too stupid to roll the bike about 4 feet so I could put the side stand in one of the rumble strip hollows. As it was, with the flat rear tire, the side stand stood the bike too vertical to be safe. No Samaritans this time. I was not strong enough to get the bike on the center stand by myself. Thank my gawd that my cell phone worked there. After what seemed forever my son showed up with a tank of air (in his Bronco). We got the bike up, found the hole, plugged it with some Camel stuff, put in the needed 30psi and watched a huge bulge appear. An hour or so later a really neat dude showed up with a humongous flat bed wrecker, pulled the bike on board, tied it down and delivered it and me home an hour and a half or so later. The road service insurance covered most of his bill.:censoredsmilie:

After that I lost interest in riding for a couple of years. Then, for some stupid reason, I tried it again. All was going well until I pulled a novice stunt. I came up to a stop sign on a one-way street (the one I was on) to turn left. The street was fairly steeply crowned -- I was on the left side of the crown, I stopped, I put my left foot down -- the road surface was about 4 inches below where I expected it to be. Aw ...., I dropped it on the left side this time. Once again, Samaratins to the rescue -- a young man, his wife and her/his mother. The young man was worried about the bike -- it was still running, in first gear. The girl was worried about getting my left leg out from under the downed bike and the mother was worried about everything

We got the engine killed, the young man helped me get the bike back on its wheels and I thanked them a lot. The crash bars did good this time, the mirror was not touched (good, I didn't have a spare for the left side). My leathers kept me from hurting myself too much, just some bruises on my left fore arm and ego.

So much for the pretty maroon and black BMW -- off to the scooter stores the next day. I needed to find something less tippy.
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]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=69 The Gold BMW becomes a GMC Green BMW http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=67 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:14:00 GMT The summer of 1995 brought the BMWMOA national rally to Colorado. It was in Durango, a nice long one day ride from home. My wife and I rode the... The summer of 1995 brought the BMWMOA national rally to Colorado. It was in Durango, a nice long one day ride from home. My wife and I rode the K100, with an overnight in Lake City (the town made infamous by Alferd Packer -- as described by the judge at his trial "you dasterdly SOB, they was only 7 dimmycrats in all of Hinsdale County and you et five of em" or words to that effect. It seems that the prior winter this A. Packer was working as a guide for 5 flatlanders looking for gold south of Gunnison. They got snowed in pretty deep and when spring came, only a well fed A. Packer came out -- the other 5 were a bunch of bones -- some charred according to local legend.

Anyway, we stayed in a pleasant motel with a reasonably good restaurant (not a good as the reviews that I had read, though). We went over Slumgullion Pass (look out for the deer on the right dear) and Spring Creek pass. Down thru Creeede then over Wolf Creek pass into Durango.

We stayed at a motel within walking distance of the rally grounds. The afternoon before we were to come home, some local hooligans tipped the bike over. The only major damage was a shattered wind screen. I tried to buy one at the rally, none to be had, so off to the supermarket across the street to get a couple of spools of clear packing tape. We had found all of the little shards of plastic, recontructed the screen, taped it inside and out with at least two layers of tape. It held remarkably well in the winds across South Park on the way home.

My insurance adjuster thought that the bike had more damage than I did, so I accepted his kind offer, then got the needed replacement parts from Denver BMW and put them on myself. The fairing had suffered a few dings, so I took all of it and the bag and top box lids to a local painter of hot-rods. When I got all of the plastic bits back a couple of weeks later, the Gold K100LT was a one of a kind Dark Green with Gold trim K100LT. Man, it looked so spiffy. :joke:

I'll see if I can find photos of both, before and after. Till later.

Jon
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]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=67 More of the Flying Brick in California http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=66 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:29:16 GMT I'm not sure where I left off, things were pretty hazy that couple of weeks.

We left Clearlake headed toward Quincy. In either Yuba City or Marysville, a dog in the bed of a pickup coming toward me barked directly into my ear. I was about half asleep, the dog woke me RIGHT UP. :yikes: Shortly after that we stopped for gas, the girl running the credit card reader started to ask my son if we were brothers, he was getting a little tired of this question so he growled "He's my DAD". Later we both chuckled about the number of times we were asked that question on this trip.

The Feather River canyon is a really neat ride, the engineering done by the old time railroad builders is still a marvel today. We stayed in an older motel, right in the middle of a stand of sugar pines just across the main road from the rally site. The NorCal BMW club did a really good job on the rally. We were in Quincy three or four nights, then off to Nevada and US 50 again. Eastbound this time.

We got gas in Austin, stopped for a cig about halfway and were checking in the Copper Queen in Ely 3 hours later (186 miles, as I remember -- pretty good average speed).:lecturef_smilie:

The next day took us to Grand Junction, then the last day home.

I was pretty much a full time biker again after this trip. The car got less and less use as a commuter. ]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=66 My introduction to BMW (Brick style) http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=65 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:51:19 GMT The 1987 BMW K100LT was duly delivered (no title, tho -- it was encumbered by a bank in Iowa:261:) a few days after the deal was made. I gave the... The 1987 BMW K100LT was duly delivered (no title, tho -- it was encumbered by a bank in Iowa:261:) a few days after the deal was made. I gave the man a certified check for the asking price, and the bike was wheeled into my garage.

The initial inspection showed only that a resourceful chipmonk had moved into the space between the engine block and the gas tank. It was packed full of the normal sort of stuff that little rodents like to line the nest with. Fortunately, it had not chewed any part of the Beemer and left home by the time the bike got to me. I took several large handsful of the grass, weeds, fur, etc. out. All of this was in the middle of the winter, so a thorough washing had to be scheduled with the Snow Gods.

By the time I got the bike to the point it would be safe to start it, the title arrived and I went off to get the paperwork converted to me. It was now early March as I remember.

While taking inventory of what I had paid for, I found a copy of the BMW Motorcycle Owners News (the magazine published by the BMWMOA). It was relatively new and had an advertisement for the 49er's Rally the next May.

It didn't take much prodding to convince my son to ride to the left coast with me, share a bit of fermented malt beverage and be the envy of many in attendance -- that we were good enough friends to ride 2500 or so miles together. :beer2:

I had a chance to talk to the folks at Russell Day Long saddles while in Quincy. I didn't really realize what a good thing that was. On the way home, the OEM BMW padded 2x4 made itself known, big time.

Within a couple of weeks after getting home, an order, complete with the needed pictures was on its way to Shasta Lake, Calif. Because this was a BMW, they had pans already in house, I didn't have to send mine. As I remember, the cost was very little more. I don't think that I have ever had a better addon for any motorcycle, both since have had DayLongs :ohyea:

This trip was really a great one. We rode out and back on US50 across western Utah and all of Nevada. Going, I was not sure of my stamina, so we limited the days to about 350 miles. Stops were in Green River, Utah (a motel 6, to go beers at the only tavern in town, the Mormon Liquor store was closed on Saturday afternoon).

Ely, Nevada at the Copper Kettle Casino -- the guy at the desk told us that he had no smoking rooms, except for bikers on BMWs or GoldWings -- led us to adjoining rooms, one with a no-smoking sign on the door, but with ashtrays on every surface inside! Of course this was in 1993, in a small town in Nevada, the Kroger supermarket next door had a booze section as well as guns and ammo, along with the normal sort of groceries found in most supermarkets.

S. Lake Tahoe, Ca. was next. We stayed in a neat motel on the California side of the line. As we were checking in, the girl doing the work looked at the two credit cards, same last name, and wondered if we were brothers! Made me feel good. We had dinner that evening in an Irish pub next door. They had Guinness stout on tap. They had a dart board. I think they had food, I don't remember. The next morning, I forgot that I had armed the alarm on the bike. GAWD, that HORN is LOUD at 6:30 am.

North on CAL 49 from Placerville thru Auburn to Grass Valley, then west on Cal 20. I learned more about going around tight turns on that ride than any 60 or so miles I have ever ridden. GREAT RIDE.

The rain started at Williams, found out that I had a pretty good rain suit, the BMW handled pretty good in the wet. We had a good dinner in Ft Bragg. It rained all night, we left on Cal 1, southbound with rain suits on. We stopped for a smoke after a bit, the rain was looking like it was about over. A couple of dudes in wet suits (on the way out to do some abalone fishing) allowed that who was the crazier of the four of us? Them, leaving the rain to get into the water or us for riding in the rain! Before we got done with the smokes, the rain quit. For good. We rode on down to Jenner, turned inland along side the Russian River. Got a little lost. Finally ended up in ClearLake at a really good restaurant attached to a really seedy motel. Parked the bikes in the hall, outside the rooms. Had a wonderful dinner, I drank martinis until way too late. We were up much too early (hadn't armed the alarm, thank my gods), rode across the street to a greasy spoon, drank a lot of coffee and set off for Quincy. :beer3:

That's all for today. More soon.

Jon ]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=65 The bikeless years, or how to loose track of time http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=64 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:18:42 GMT After the addition of the Toy pickup to the stable, I mostly gave up riding. I still had the TX750 and a Montessa Cota 123 trials bike. The itty... After the addition of the Toy pickup to the stable, I mostly gave up riding. I still had the TX750 and a Montessa Cota 123 trials bike. The itty bitty trials bike was much too small for me, the engine was much to peaky to be a factor in real trials, but it provided a means to train another generation of biker -- my wife's step nephew :gaah:had come to spend the summer with us.

He was about 11 years old, spoke not a word of English (he was German) and thought that the little Cota was ZHER GUT! I'm sorry if I mangled the spelling of that, but it was so long ago that I plead ignorance of how to spell anything German now. Now that young boy has a baby son and the last that I heard, a Triumph 900 something or other.

I also still had the Hodaka, but it was getting a bit long in the tooth. I finally decided to simplify my life a lot. I sold both the Cota and the Hodaka, gave the TX750 to my son and devoted my spare time to drinking beer, rolling the odd smoke and playing darts.:confused:

I was successful in training a dozen or so co-workers how to play the game and manage to hold a pint in the other hand while throwing.:beer3: Of course, the major training was NOT drinking!

The years passed. My daughter got married, had a child, got single again. Normal suburban stuff.

In the winter of 1992 - 1993 my son brought me an advert for a 1987 BMW K100LT (the gold one, complete with panniers and top box with matching lids). A man on top of a mountain was selling it. My son and I went up there in his Bronco. We looked at the bike, it looked to be in good shape, the price was right and the owner agreed to deliver it to my place -- there was no way that I could have ridden it down the snow packed dirt road!

More on this soon. :thumbup2: ]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=64 Darts and a Yamaha TX750 http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=63 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:22:23 GMT Well, as we all know, Lust takes many forms. The new (yet again) job took me to Boulder. The BSA threw me down one too many times, in the middle... Well, as we all know, Lust takes many forms.

The new (yet again) job took me to Boulder. The BSA threw me down one too many times, in the middle of a bridge in "rush hour" traffic yet. The recently acquired Rickman Zundapp 125 go really fast off road bike (the most beautiful of all of my bikes :ohyea:) and the BSA became trade bait for a Yamaha TX750. I considered a BMW R69 (as wonderful as that model number was, it still couldn't sway my purchase of the Yamaha.)

I got this new bike just before Memorial Day, 1974. I had it long enough to know that if I was going to use it as a serious tourer, it would need a wind screen of some sort.

Of course, a Vetter frame mount fairing was needed! The first serious ride was shortly after the new fairing. I basically went north west until I got to Utah, then north until I got to Wyoming, then east until it became useful to go south to home. All told, about 700 miles in two days. Not far, I admit, but further and in less time than on any thing before.

But darts were still a major part of my life -- you just can't quit drinking overnight.

In the spring of 1975 my wife and I took the TX750 to Key West and back -- three weeks, 5000 miles and 100 gallons of gas. We camped a bit, stayed in motels a bit and with my half sister a few nights.

While on this trip, the Russell Day Long people benefited (albeit in the future:lol:) a great deal. We both agreed that the Yamaha makers had built a wonderful lightly padded 2x4 and called it a saddle.

One wonderful morning in the winter of '75-'76 some JERK decided that the space I was in was a wonderful space for his cage (all of this at about 50mph). My many years of dirt bike riding took over, I rode in, or near the the barrow pit ( the ditch along side the road) for a bit, came back along side his passenger side door, kicked it to get his attention and really enjoyed the look of horror on his face that HE HAD DONE SUMPIN' WRONG. :yikes:

A week or so later I bought a Toyota pickup.

I still played darts at least twice a week. I was never again the biggest minnow in a really small pond, but I did finish in the top eight of a major tournament, defeated 3-2 in a best of 8, by the eventual winner.:beer2:

Jon
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]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=63 Chapter three, the Trials years http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=59 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:22:26 GMT Once I got the trials bug, the Jawa seemed no longer the best bike for me. It was too heavy (260 or so pounds, wet), the power was in the wrong rev... Once I got the trials bug, the Jawa seemed no longer the best bike for me. It was too heavy (260 or so pounds, wet), the power was in the wrong rev band, etc..
You know, you have all gone through the same thought process -- when all you had to really do was admit to yourself that you had fallen in lust for a new bike.
At that time, there were only about three choices -- Bultaco Sherpa T, Greeves trials and the Montessa Cota. All were 250 cc two stroke, mix the gas and oil. The Sherpa and Cota were within a pound or two, the Greeves a bit heavier.

I didn't know anyone that was a local Greeves dealer -- out.

The local Bultaco dealer and I didn't have the same outlook on life -- he was more into winning Motocross and TT racing -- out.

Fortunately, one of the local Montessa dealers thought that going slow was as important as going fast :ohyea:
So, a Cota it was. I have never had a motorcycle that was so much suited to what I was up to at the time. Of course, once more I proved to myself that the machine made absolutely no difference -- I was not then, nor ever would be, a truly competent rider.

But the Cota provided a platform for me to continue toward my goal -- setting the best trials in the area at the time.

Mike Obermeyer wrote about the local trials scene in one of the west coast magazines "Jon could set an interesting section in a parking lot" (or words to that effect) :thumbup2:

In fact, after a heavy snow and subsequent thaw, the local racetrack (where most of the trials were set at the time) turned into an almost impassable morass of clay mud. I set a straight line, 50 or so yards long, taped on both sides, about 5 feet apart. I claimed at least one point from every competitor there that day in that one section. :rainyday_smilie:

After Bill Brokaw, Wiltz Wagner and I put the Rocky Mountain Trials Association together, the monthly trial moved into the mountains, the sections got more technical and I became even less capable as a rider.

I did, though, still enjoy the people and the joy of seeing my work bring enjoyment to so many other folks. The RMTA is still a very viable trials organization.

http://www.rockymountaintrials.org/

will get you to the site.

I changed jobs in early '71, and that was the end of my trials life. I no longer had the free time needed for scouting and setting a monthly trial. The Cota got sold, replaced by a Montessa King Scorpion, a 250 cc "dual purpose" bike. While it was pretty good both on and off road, it was not really very good for either.

In the spring of '72 I met an Englishman from Lancashire who had owned a Vellocette Clubman in his earlier days. It turned out that both of us really enjoyed the odd (and even, as well) pint of bitter. One day, Doug (the Englishman) said "Callihan, any man who enjoys bitter as much as you should really play darts!"
But that's a whole other story.:beer3: ]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=59 XS650 Chopper Project http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=57 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:59:18 GMT Looks like my project is finally under way. I found a motor, frame and a few other bits. I'll start getting the motor cleaned up and polished and then get work started on the frame.

It will have a 4″ stretch, 2″ stretch to the back bone, 36 deg rake. The 21″ front wheel will be mounted on a DNA 2" overstock springer.

D. ]]> dklassen http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=57 The Jawa 250 year or so http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=56 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:58:56 GMT As promised, (or as threatened) here goes more.

My first "full sized" motorcycle was a Jawa 250cc single. It was a kissing cousin of the fine CZ motocrossers of the 60's and 70's.

I bought it from the same store that sold me the Hodaka, so I had no reason to distrust him.:oops_sign: From his shop in Boulder, it was about 12 or so miles to home. I left on the new bike about noon for the normal 15 or so minute ride. I got home about 6 hours later.

It seems that the Jawa (Czechoslovakian) metallurgy of 1968 was not up to the rigors of Colorado open roads (50 or so mph). The silly thing seized three times on the way home. Yes, the gas/oil mixture was correct. The alu piston and the cast iron cylinder were not particularly compatible.

Over the next few weeks I went thru the process of removing the tank, the head, then the cylinder, then the piston, honing out the alu smears from the bore, hand filing the piston scuffs, reassembling the whole mess and riding it once again till the next seize. After going thru this numerous times, it seems that the two bits decided to co-exist.

I never did have to worry about this bike being stolen. The right side shift lever served as the kick start lever.
Find neutral with out a gear indicator, press it in, rotate it up and back --Kick. Fortunately, it seldom needed more than one.
For all its idiosyncrasies, it was a pretty good training tool for the beginning off road rider. It was always better than I was and I didn't throw it away too often.
But it was relatively heavy, underpowered and really messy so it didn't remain in the stable very long.

About the same time I was learning to ride the Jawa, I became interested in Observed Trials.:ohyea: Two other people came into my life then -- Wiltz Wagner (now of NATC) and Bill Brokaw (AMA Hall of fame and still active Trialer). :chat: from this came the Rocky Mountain Trial Assn. (still viable these 41 years later!) :oops_sign: ]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=56 This looks like the place for me to ramble on. http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=55 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:02:22 GMT Since this is a "blog" about nothing in particular, it looks like a pretty good place for me to type about "stuff" in general.

I was a computer programmer for 38+ years, all on mainframes. I used many different languages, the most recent (and prolific) was COBOL.

My introduction to motorcycles was when my sister's boyfriend took me for a ride on his war-time (WW_II) Harley and scared the living heck out of me. (I was about 5 or 6 years old). The next time that I even saw a bike up close and personal was in 1960 or so -- a Honda Dream -- at an Autocross on an abandoned WW-II air base in Arizona.

The third time was a co-worker's recently bought Yamaha 80. I took it for a short ride and promptly dropped it in a parking lot. That started the habit, on the spot. The next day I bought a couple of Honda Trail 55s (step thru) one each for my wife and me. (How thoughtful, Jon). The 55's proved to provide enough power to enable me to hurt myself a few times at the local Motocross/TT track and provide a training bike for my son.

Of course, that's a whole other story.

In short order, a Honda CL160 (broke both footpegs off at once after a pretty good attempt at a jump, the local dealer replaced them under warranty, suggested I get a different brand of bike for that sort of activity), a Honda Trail 90 (switchable 4 high/ 4 low speed) for the wife. Then I took the Honda dealer's advice, sold the CL160 and bought a Hodaka Ace 100 (that I kept for 7 or 8 years!:lol:)

The next bikes were in order -
a Jawa 250,
a Montessa 250 Cota (observed trials bike, a very good bike for me),
a Montessa 250 King Scorpion (a total waste of money for me),
a BSA B50 500cc single (one of my favorite bikes),
a Rickman Zundapp 125cc "trail" bike (scary fast, a lot better bike than I was rider),

(a Bultaco 250cc Sherpa T (trials bike),
a Montessa 125cc Mini Cota (I was much to big for it, my nephew liked it tho)
shared the garage with the BSA and Rickman for a while.

They were both sold to buy a Yamaha TX750 (spring of 1974).

As this blog grows, I intend to say a little (or a lot) about each of these bikes.

:beer2: Jon ]]> JonCallihan http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=55 happy new year!!! http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=53 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:27:25 GMT I hope for the best for all, lots of sun and warm weather to get out and ride,.
I know some people who've had a rough go of it this year, lets hope next year is a bit easier and more prosperous---- peace ]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=53 no rain for a day http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=51 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:22:34 GMT The forecast called for it on this veterans day holiday, but as the day went on the weather stayed good, so I got the bike out about 2 and went for a... The forecast called for it on this veterans day holiday, but as the day went on the weather stayed good, so I got the bike out about 2 and went for a short ride. Cool but dry, side streets covered in slippery leaf mulch makes going slow a must, but it was good to be on the bike after a month solid of wet weather.
Say a prayer for our boys overseas, and remember everyone that went before-t.r. ]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=51 raider headlight options? http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=45 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:29:01 GMT love my Raider but never been a fan of the headlight/headlamp. can anyone give me any ideas/websites on where to find some compatable (bullet style)... love my Raider but never been a fan of the headlight/headlamp. can anyone give me any ideas/websites on where to find some compatable (bullet style) options? ]]> randymac http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=45 im no mechanic http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=44 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:57:58 GMT been riding for over 20 yrs but have always been more comfortable taking my cars apart than messing w my bikes. Ive got an 08 raider and i love it. i... been riding for over 20 yrs but have always been more comfortable taking my cars apart than messing w my bikes. Ive got an 08 raider and i love it. i want to customize it like everybody else. i want to start by changing the exhaust. i like the cobra swepts, can anyone tell me if this as easy as it seems it should be? or are there lots of emission/computer issues to worry about? i/e-can you tell me if an amateur can do this type of job? ]]> randymac http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=44 its my birthday http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=41 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:55:28 GMT As I get older it seems like I just don't have as much energy to focus on me.
When I was young I'd party for my birthday month, as I got older it would last about a week, quit drinkin and using in '86 and all that changed. {maybe thats why I'm still so purdy at 52)
Today I'll go for a ride on the raider, enjoy some time with the wife around the house,
take life a bit slower than usual,which will be tough to do, I don't do much anyway!
When I was younger I wanted it all, now on my birthday I'm happy if I get breakfast and a b.j., have a great day everyone ]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=41 summer in the city http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=40 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:44:06 GMT Portland is a great place to be in summer, great weather, 92 today, just about ready to turn 6000 on the odometer of the raider.
She's averaging about 35 mpg with the 10 percent ethanol crap we have to run here, plus the fact that i can't keep it under 75 on the freeway, 50 mile commute a day.
That bike is still the most fun I've had on 2 wheels, and I've had a few.
Sorry about all the fish pics, got a little carried away,,,,, so heres of a flower.... thanks-new camera-canon sx10is with 20x optical zoom
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]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=40 alaskan vacation http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=39 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:43:09 GMT just got back from a week on the kenai peninsula, the weather was great and lots of bikes were out. There is no helmet law , but alot of guys use... just got back from a week on the kenai peninsula, the weather was great and lots of bikes were out.
There is no helmet law , but alot of guys use them anyway.
Fishing was good on the kenai, and on cook inlet for halibut, but its hard to get used to the sun setting at 11:30 pm.
I talked to a guy that did a three week, extreme mc trip accross the state, north to south, 300 mi beetween gas stations-he was lovin it, sounded tough to me. have a great summer! trClick image for larger version Name: 048.jpg Views: 9 Size: 36.5 KB ID: 9

Click image for larger version Name: 034.jpg Views: 7 Size: 71.3 KB ID: 10 ]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=39 what is cool? http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=37 Sat, 16 May 2009 04:56:49 GMT The suns out today and alltho the morning was cold it was a great day to ride to work.
But this isn't about that......
Last august, when I got the raider, one of the other guys at work bought an 08 heritage softail and, throughout the winter he went about putting another 7000 in doodads on it. He's now up to around 29,000 and some change. I wish I could talk to him about his style choices--studs on everything including his helmet straps! And tassles hangin where they should'nt be, but hey-to each his own.
My bike on the other hand-pipes,fuel mod, sissy bar for when the old lady wants to ride-
So... He's leavin work today and I say "race ya for titles" and he replies" I'd have to get a v-rod 1st, and I think to myself yea,and learn to ride it,,, when the other harley guy there kicks in and say's " just because your bikes fast doesnt make it cool"
And not alway's quik on the retort I think... yea its about the money and the name.
If he'd of raced for titles I'd have a fast bike and one to sell to someone else who needs that kind of cool
the raider is not only cool, it is way f--n fast .........peace out t.r ]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=37 clamfest 09 http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=33 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:45:24 GMT [ATTACH]Click image for larger version Name: 009.jpg Views: 6 Size: 51.0 KB ID: 8[/ATTACH]We got home today from seaside or, after digging razor clams for 4 days. The weather was good and the rain stayed away for the whole trip.
Just getting thru the last of the rainy season in oregon, which can go on thru july 4th in some years, hopefully not this year.
ride safe, be happy! tr
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]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=33 livin on the river http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=27 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:20:01 GMT Portland is a good place to live if you like to fish. Reports from sundays paper say 12 spring chinook were caught downtown at the end of last week,... Portland is a good place to live if you like to fish. Reports from sundays paper say 12 spring chinook were caught downtown at the end of last week, with the biggest being 27 and 37 pounders. It looks like it will be a good year.
Here is a pic of a keeper sturgeon I caught a week ago saturday of the east side esplanade.
Happy ridin and good fishin......tr
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]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=27 lucky to be alive http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=24 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:43:58 GMT Winter in oregon has been, to say the least, a bit rough this year. You get rides in when you can, I rode to work a couple weeks ago in 27 degree... Winter in oregon has been, to say the least, a bit rough this year. You get rides in when you can, I rode to work a couple weeks ago in 27 degree weather during the a.m., but hey, it was dry.
Which brings me to last sundays jaunt, just a shorty around town before the big game, good weather,cool and clear, roads still a bit damp, but no big.
On the way out I decided to stop by our local bicycle shop, haven't been riding one since I got the raider in august, so I shot out to Powell blvd, hung a left and headed down the hill the 5 blocks to 21st ave. Gave her some gas and broke loose the tire a bit,got that warm fuzzy feelin I've had since I bought this beast, regained my sanity and the speed limit and prepared to turn right onto 21st.
As I hit the blinker, and began to decellerate, I hear this God awful screeching behind and with just enough time to look in the mirror, see a small, high rise pickup smokin his tires, coming around me on the right side, direction of my turn and without moving watched him come up along side me and stop. The driver, some young kid, had this stupid fu**$!g look on his face like sorry man!... At which point with a face mask on I launched into a tirade of choice descriptives while he made my right and took off down 21st ave.
I pulled upto the bike shop and two sweet older women asked if I was o.k at which point I said I was, but probably should check my shorts!
Its good to be alive,..Happy trails...tr ]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=24 Boss Hoss Help.com http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=22 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:08:54 GMT Image: http://bosshosshelp.com/support tire shreader.jpg Need info about BOSS HOSS Check out... BossHossHelp.com (http://BossHossHelp.com)
Need info about BOSS HOSS
Check out...
BossHossHelp.com ]]> Wag http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=22 thawing out after the big chill http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=21 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:20:36 GMT Today it finally began to rain here after about two weeks of bone chilling cold and record snowfall ,(at least for this area). The snow is turning... Today it finally began to rain here after about two weeks of bone chilling cold and record snowfall ,(at least for this area).
The snow is turning to slush, about 7 inches worth, and aside for main roads getting clear, all the side streets are still a mess. I guess we're getting a taste of what all you boys in the midwest and northeast get every winter. But it was a laugh to see someone with a sign that said,"so this is global warming?"
Got the new custom plate on the bike, haven't had it out since the abate toy run december 6th tho, 6000 bikes on a clear cold day takin toys up to OHSU for kids in the hospital, a great ride for a good cause.
Ready to ride again, cant wait for groundhog day ]]> tomb raider http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=21 waiting for the storm of the year http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=20 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:42:32 GMT Well,it's almost midnite and they say we are going to get 6-10 inches of snow. Suppose to start about 3am. The darn thing about it is I'll be up watching for it.:roll: Have to work tomorrow afternoon. Saturday getting up early to deliver food baskets to veterans. Our bike club gets involved in things and I do enoy that. A doctor I work with lived in Oregon for a while. His wife was finishing up some school out there and he would come back every 2 weeks and do his doctor duty at our hospital, now he is back for good. Let's hope we make it thru winter. Can't wait to ride my new trike. ]]> Rockstar and BoomBoom http://www.mybikeforums.com/forums/blog.php?b=20