The bike has been purring along since I got it. This morning, on the way in to work, it all the sudden started a bad rattle. At idle, in neutral, there is no rattle. In gear, when rolling, it rattles. Bad. WTF?
I really don’t need this right now. I mean, COME ON!
Category Archives: Automotive
Magna Impressions
The VF750C Magna is a great machine. I’ve missed that V-4 engine since I sold my last Magna. The other bikes I had after it just didn’t quite have the same mojo. And by mojo, I mean power band. It’s wide power band lets the bike pull in every gear without working it. It’s not anxious, there’s nothing frantic about it. It’s comfortable cruising in town, and blasting down the highway. I do wish it had one more gear on the tall end, but it’s no big deal because the RPM’s go quite high.
Filled up the tank, 9 bucks. Vehicle Inspection, 9 bucks. Insurance, 17 bucks.
This kind a cheap to live with cost is awesome. Tax on the bike to get the new plates was 150 bucks, but I expected that. I’m completely and utter broke now, but everything’s golden and I have a full tank that’s going to get me to work for a week. My truck, to fill up the gas tank for a week, almost a hundred bucks.
To ride… through the twists, along the straights… relaxed… chillin in the saddle… Guys… Guys… Guys… Why the hell did I wait so long to get another bike?
I still need to get some decent leathers, a brain bucket, and good gloves before I do any long range riding. I am going to be eating PBJ’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next two weeks. Worth it. And with reports of gas going up to 6 bucks a gallon – I am very glad I got this bike now. The news reports recently mentioned that with gas prices going up, more and more people are getting motorcycles and scooters. So if you guys want a good used bike – get one now before they are all gone.
Okay, this is the last post about me gushing about bikes for awhile. This isn’t a bike blog… It’s a gun blog. Gun Content will resume shortly.
I took a bike home with me.
I snagged a bike that I saw. The other bike had carb tuning issues I decided I didn’t want to get into, so I brought home a different one… One that runs FLAWLESSLY. Purrs like a kitten at idle, screams like a beast when I open the throttle.
Total Pipe Dream
One of the things I did when I was young was design stuff. I aircraft, cars, boats, and bikes. I remember designing sport bikes a lot… and a few choppers. All my dreaming about a bike had me doodling a little, and then that lead to me running though images of motorcycles… and then I found it. The bike that is just like I would have designed myself. My dream bike.
Welcher
So I put some guns up on KSL for trade for a Motorcycle. I get some responses for parts bikes… nothing that runs. Then I get an offer that’s just crazy good for a 2004 HD Softail. Dude sends pictures and everything. Oh hell yes. The guy wants it out of his garage. I say “Yup, I’ll take that trade offer.”
But then the guy gets cold feet and welches. Feh. I mean, come on… You put up a bike that’s worth twice what I offered to trade, that’s not my problem. Oh well. Still no bike for the Ogre.
My last long ride
Many years ago I had a sport bike. I rode it from southern Utah up to SLC, and then east into the Uintah Basin. Normally, this would have been a great cruise save for two small problems. Continue reading My last long ride
Motorcycles
For the last few years, the itch to get another motorcycle has been uncontrollable. Well, Saturday that itch came to a head and I actually went out looking for a bike.
I found one. The question is do I pull the trigger on it or do I let it go. It’s an older bike, in great condition… the style I like, the size I want… Even if it is a V-Twin. It’s getting about 50 miles to the gallon, which is much better than my truck which I think gets about 3… or at least it feels like it.
If I want to “Run out to Salt Lake”, that trip costs me about 140 bucks. On this bike, it would cost about as much as a good Sandwich. Which means getting out there to take care of business actually makes some business sense. And with Crusader’s growth, I’m going have to get out there more often. Not for Training Days, because I’d still have to bring the truck, but for other things… like helping Joe get orders processed, Slipstream made, all that. And, hey… Get some 5 Guys Burgers because I just freaking feel like it. Can’t do that in my truck.
If something happens like I want it to happen tomorrow or the next day – I’ll get it.
The Police Car
The Police Car subset of the Auto Industry is a fairly boring segment for a narrow nitch market. Yet the money is well worth a car company to pursue that nitch. I drove a Chevy Caprice cruiser. It was a great car. Smooth, roomy. Very comfortable. Fast flat out, but not quick. It handled like a barge. It was stable when parked, or just going straight. Taking a curve caused a massive weight shift that if one didn’t expect it or were otherwise ready for it, could cause one to visit the ditch. However, if you learned to handle it, a good driver to really work the Caprice’s strengths. In it’s day, the Chevy Caprice was the Cop Car of choice all across the country. This became even more matter of fact when Chevy revamped the Caprice into what was affectionately called the “Turtleback”. The police turtlebacks were powered with a detuned LT-1 engine, giving the large and heavy car some good performance.