Motorcycle Thoughts

Sunday October 21st, 75 degrees here in North East Ohio. What an amazing day, fall is in full swing, the trees are absolutely exploding with Color. Decided late in the week after seeing the forecast for the weekend that Sunday was ride day. Right after Sunday Morning on CBS was over I started hearing the bikes running beautiful State Route 83, which is less than a quarter mile from the house. That served to get the blood boiling… time to go.

Thought it would be great to take my son on a ride. He is a bit scared of the Harley, for two reasons:

1. a) He got yelled at for allowing his shoe to get too close to the hot pipe (was hard to get that stuff off).
2. b) He is used to riding on the Goldwing which is a lot more enclosed

He seemed excited today though, set him up with my grandpa’s leather which was too big, a helmet, sunglasses, and a smile. We had to get the bike out of the basement, the whole process of getting going seemed to take forever. The Harley was a bit low on fuel so I thought it would be a good idea to stop by the gas station first. Originally I intended to do a Medina trip, but all the scoots heading south caused a change of mind. At the fuel station, filled up and stopped to chat for a moment with a few people on scoots fueling up for the day. One was riding a V65 Magna (Honda), having one I want to get rid of, thought I might try to sell it, they didn’t seem interested so I did not push the issue. Wished them a safe ride and headed out.

Heading south on SR83 I explained to my son that if he needed anything from the house or changed his mind about riding, this was his last chance. He seemed set in his decision to ride today. Joy!

The official Harley-Davidson chronometer integrated in the speedo indicated 11:14 when we passed the turn off to our house, we were off. Heading toward Millersburg I could see the kind of day that we were in for, it was warming up with only scattered clouds. The trees were off the hook with color, just insane color. South of Millersburg is where things start getting awesome on SR83. The twisting, the hills, the color, the vistas, creating a brain full of stimulation that added to the excitement of being on the bike. Got into Coshocton, and noticed that the Harley was getting ready to roll 3000 miles, not much further. Continued on SR16 out of Coshocton, toward SR60 heading toward Dresden.

Once in Dresden, I saw a road heading up a hill off to the left, told the Son “time for a detour”. It was first gear all the way to the top, yes it was that steep, turns out the Inn at Dresden is up there, do not know much about the place, but incredible scenery. Note to self, look into the Inn at Dresden. After snapping some shots, we headed back down. It was first gear and pretty hard on the brakes, but we did it. Headed back out to the road toward Zanesville, getting hungry, and 12 miles to 3000.

Just outside of Zanesville the Harley turned 3000 miles, we pulled off into an industrial park access road for a few shots. Hard to believe that since July 17th I have put 2950 miles on this bike, take away 10 miles that were put on by service techs at Century Harley-Davidson. This means I have put 2940 miles on it at that point. On to Zanesville and eat.

In Z-town (Zanesville) we surveyed the lay of the land in the northern part of the city. Originally I had in mind Panera’s, but the son and I agreed that it was time for some Italian. Turned out to be a darn good idea, there is an Italian restaurant called Adornetto’s. Great food and filling if you are there and in the mood for some good Italian grub, check it out. I had the Ravioli and the Son had the Spaghetti and Meatballs.

After lunch was done we headed back. On the way down my Son noticed a tractor show just north of Dresden. So we stopped to check it out, this was a very good (albeit small) local show. They had a lot of cool farm and construction (industrial) equipment working and on display. We enjoyed it thoroughly.

Heading back out, I thought it would be a nice idea to try a different route back. SR60 heads north, and is an amazing ride, I would say better than SR83. You do not want to go too fast because of the scenery and the twisties. This road is hairier than 83.

Just south of a small Ohio town called Warsaw, a large group of motorcyclists appeared in the rear view mirror. In Warsaw they pulled into a parking lot to stop for a break, this sounded like a good idea, besides I like to chat. Imagine my surprise to find out that a couple of the members were the same folks I chatted with at the gas station that morning. I did not think this was that small of a state!

Two motorcycle accidents to report. Sadly a Harley and a cager seemed to collide on 60 then after we turned onto US62 toward Millersburg a crotch rocket was laying on its side on the other side of a guard rail. I hope both incidents ended up without injury, but they both looked kind of bad. One day I think I will need to write a post about my take on motorcycle safety and my take on motorcycles and safety.

The trip wound up as we continued on US62 to SR83 just south of Millersburg and north to the house. U2 created the song It’s a beautiful day for a day like this, just spectacular.

Rode with a fellow last weekend out to Youngstown Ohio (more on that later). He was riding a Dyna of ‘05 vintage I believe, nice bike, no windshield. He did complain about the wind when we got to Y-town.

This got me thinking about windshields, My Goldwing has a windshield of course and is incredibly easy to ride.  My Shadow-Aero does not have a windshield,  I have not rode it in some time but I do remember when riding that at less than the double nickels no real problems. Anything better than 60 MPH and things start getting a bit more difficult. This fact was compounded by the handlebars on that machine, big wide beach bars, all you are is a sail, with your arms holding you against the wind.

When I bought the Softail I rode it home and the first few days without a windshield. Interestingly enough it was the first ride to Medina with the wife that prompted the windshield purchase. She could not believe how much wind you get with nothing in front of you (duh!).  I told her a windshield would make things much better. We got to Medina and purchased a windshield, with the help of Ron our salesman and the handy set of tools from his bike we installed it in the parking lot. It was easy to install the docking hardware, installing  the shield itself is a little more trouble, this has since been remedied by using a silicone spray on the rubber docking hardware and wearing in the pieces. The trip to Akron after installing the shield was much more pleasant for her.  I really do not feel I need a windshield… or so I thought.

When the bike is getting washed the windshield generally comes off.  One of the technicians at Century Harley-Davidson told us the best way to get the bugs off of the windshield is to put a towel over it and soak the towel. This moistens the bodies and other carnage, makes them easier to remove. I took the bike for a ride to see if I can diagnose a pulling problem, make sure it wasn’t caused by the windshield. I could not believe what a wimp that I have become.  I really like having the windshield, I believe that it has made the first 2750 miles much more pleasant. I believe if I was just running into town and the windshield was not on the bike for some reason, I would not bother putting it on. However anything above the double nickels for extended periods of time, I am going with the windshield.

Here we are in the middle of September in North East Ohio, the days are getting shorter, the weather is getting cooler. Today is supposed to only get to 59°, a might nippy but it is supposed to warm up. Football season has begun and the Browns are looking awful. I have been on the Goldwing a lot lately driving her back and forth to work. I pick up my 9 year old son from school, and he seems to have a problem with the Harley-Davidson. It does not have a sissy bar and he does not want to ride on it. Seems that when I pick him up from school, he has a full bag of books and the Goldwing has no problem with it. It does seem that he is much more proud when Dad picks him up on the motorcycle than when I pick him up with cloe (my car).

I do love that bike for exactly what it is. An excellent and very luxurious touring motorcycle, perfectly suited to eat the miles and get there in comfort and feeling good. I cannot even imagine riding the Shadow-Aero to North Carolina with no place to store anything, a motor that is really shakey (no balancing or other such smoothing technology, nor a windshield. The Softail has managed to strike a nice balance between the two, offering the windshield (yes I know I could put one on the Shadow, and did - it was aweful) relatively smooth ride, but mostly for me, the motorcycle element. I was looking at the Goldwing yesterday thinking how much like a two wheeled car the thing looked.
Morning Rides
Most mornings, because of my son, I have ridden the Goldwing to work, the experience outside the bike, is essentially the same. I ride East in the morning along US 30, some of the most amazing sun rises in this area, are seen as you ride up the hill toward the Apple Creek Rd. overpass. Just as the sun is starting to peak over the horizon. The weather is cool and crisp, this really helps to cut down on the amount of coffee needed in the morning. The colors, however, are rich and vibrant as the sun paints the sky and clouds in a way that man has yet to come close to duplicating.
As I continue to travel past the Apple Creek Rd. overpass, the highway turns south around a field on the right. Most mornings the field is covered with a layer of fog that is very unique from morning to morning. Sometimes smooth and creamy sometimes more rough edged like a cloud, sometimes completely obscuring the field, othertime in patches. Tried to get some photos yesterday of a particularly beautiful moment of the sunrise but could not do it safely.

Restless and ready for adventure, four suburban bikers (Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy and John Travolta) leave the safety of their subdivision and embark on the open road. But complications ensue when they cross paths with an intimidating band of New Mexico bikers known as the Del Fuegos. Jill Hennessy, Marisa Tomei and Ray Liotta also star in this leather-clad comedy from screenwriter Brad Copeland.
thanks Netflix

This is a movie that just about everybody can enjoy.

Without a doubt one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time.

Four life long friends, who take up motorcycling, decide to go on a road trip to the west coast. They start off in Cincinnatti, and head west. Along the way they run into many of the worst catastrophes that one could run into on the road. Through it all they manage to get through the problems and maintain their friendship. The worst of their problems is the Del Fuegos, headed by Jack (Ray Liota), who is a one percenter. When the Del Fuegos mess with the Wild Hogs and scare them out of one of the groups bikes, he finds himself at war, 50 bikers against 4 RUBS (Rich Urban Bikers).

Some Cameo’s from the Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr. of OCC (Orange County Chopper fame), who are a bit out of sorts for their typical personalities. This only serves to make their appearance that much funnier. Peter Fonda shows up as well to save the day.

This movie will appeal to bikers and non-bikers alike. It will appeal to those of us that like stupid comedy and those that do not. Highly Recommended

It isn’t that often that I have a weekend full of riding, but this was one of them. I am talking about Saturday and Sunday the 23^rd and 24^th of June.

Saturday’s event happened to be in Loudonville, Ohio the Thunder in Paradise. The event spanned the entire day from 8:00 am till Dusk, Motorcycles were celebrated in Loudonville.

Loudonville is a small town in Holmes County Ohio, where a lot of folks go to relax in the middle of Mohican country. Beautiful rolling hills give motorcyclists some perfect roads and fabulous vistas. The area has plenty to do with some of the best river related activities (Canoes, Kayaks and Tubes to start with) as well as plenty of camping throughout the area. We discovered the area soon after moving to Ohio, we quickly put our camper in a seasonal campsite in nearby Long Lake Campground. Having the camper at long lake turns out to be a very convenient thing, only minutes from home and Loudonville.

I did not arrive until around 10:00 am as I left the camper right after breakfast. Taking my Shadow-Aero into town I arrived about 15 minutes later. The event staff block off the main streets during events like this. The staff directed bikes onto the main street, overall the event was pretty well organized for a first year. Lots of bikes had already arrived and parked in the streets of the town by the time I arrived. Vendors were set up in the park, the food wagons ready to roll, and most importantly the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall for Ohio was being assembled in the center of town.

By the time noon rolled around the streets were really filling up with motorcycles most of the makes were represented including a Moto Guzi trike. As always every conceivable Harley was there including some very nice Pan heads and a few Knuckles. There were some particularly nice BMW’s (old and new) as well as some Indians present at the event.

There was even a group of Aero riders that came in (one from as far away as Indiana), I had talked with one of the members some time ago in Wooster. He flagged me over and we talked about the bike.

Had lunch at the broken rocks cafe, I am not a fan of the food that comes out of those wagons. Most of the time I walked around, admiring the bikes of all makes and years. Occasionally stop to chat with some of the onlookers or owners.

The Bike has been stuck in stasis for a couple of years. When I lived in Michigan I put it away for the winter one year according to the instructions. This included fuel stabilizer and draining the carbs.

Since then the bike has not run right. I believe strongly that the idle jet is plugged up because it is popping at closed or slightly cracked throttle when coasting, or going down hill.

I bought a can of sea-foam mixed it into the fuel tank. I started out conservatively at 1.6oz per Gallon. I shook the bike vigorously and ran it idling the best I could get it to idle for about 10 to 15 minutes. I then shut it off for the night. The next day fired it up and it seemed to be running better, but it is difficult to tell. I rode it for a while around the neighborhood. Again, seems to be getting better. Now it is good and warmed up, sure is good to ride it again. Rode it on and off for the next few days, short mostly. In the mean time emailed the sea-foam people to get some descent advice about their product. Didn’t necessarily like the tone of the email rather condescending, either way, they assured me that the product could be mixed at 2oz to 1 gallon very safely. Finally, went camping took it down to the camper despite the threat of rain, still nice to ride. Emptied the tank the best I dared, poured the rest of the can in and topped her off with the premium petrol from the local station. Seemed to be popping less, perhaps it is getting better. Got it home after the weekend (just beat the rain). Right now I am in California, so the Shadow-Aero is sitting at home in the basement hopefully getting better.