Entry for September 29, 2005

 

Beautiful Day for A Ride

Today was one of those Fall days that makes you forget about 110 degrees and 30 mph winds.  A little on the cool side at 49 degrees it gave me a chance to try out the chaps and gen-u-wine Harley-Davidson jacket that I got from Oden.  Oh, and don't forget the Royal Enfield embossed gloves that I got a while back and haven't used yet.  As I rode East on Magnolia past South HS there were kids all every few yards along the street, I guess doing some kind of class project.  I think I really impressed some of them with my full leathers and 50's style bike, on second thought maybe they were just pointing and laughing, I couldn't really tell.

  After about an hour of riding around aimlessly I found myself North of Carlton, KS, straight South of Abilene, and decided it was time to back track home for lunch.  Going West on highway 4 past Southeast of Saline HS I came up over a hill and ahead about a quarter mile was a big black dog in the middle of the road.  He made a few circles like dogs do and plopped down smack in the middle of the road with his feet kicking in the air.  He had settled down and looked all curled up for a long nap when he noticed me, almost stopped by now.  He hopped up and I thought for a minute I was going to have to use my dog evasion skills from the MSF class.  But he just moved aside looking annoyed and let me pass.

  A fine Kansas Fall day and 70 miles of good riding.

Entry for September 28, 2005

Picture:  Just back from a Ride

 

  I had hoped to be putting on some new goodies this afternoon but some things are on back order.  On Monday I ordered a new exhaust pipe and muffler and a K & N air filter.  Suppose to be much less restrictive and give a 20% HP boost.  Don't get too excited, remember it is only rated at 22 HP stock so 20% isn't all that much.

  To make up for not being able to play with my toy I decided to go for a little ride.  Not the most pleasant day, 65 degrees with a 30mph North wind.  It was great going South but the trip North made me glad I hung onto that old leather jacket.  You kids have probably heard the jacket story before but for the benefit of my multitude of other readers.......I bought that jacket from Sears in 1967 when I got my Honda CL-77, it cost $50.  It has been used in racing in the States and Japan and has several scars from my mishaps (I never said I was good).

  So anyway, not the best picture of the old man but the best I could manage with the self timer.  If the new stuff makes it sound really cool I'll make a sound bite to send you.

Entry for September 21, 2005

Picture:  Lunch in Clyde, KS

 

  Twenty bikes and one trike showed up for lunch in Clyde, KS today.  I rode from Lindsborg with Jim, Dale and Paul on scooters and Richard, who normally rides a scooter, on his 1970 something, 750cc water cooled two stroke triple Suzuki.  We had a good ride going North ,with the wind, and after a chicken fried steak lunch for six bucks fought the wind going back South.  Of course we stopped in Longford for dessert.

  I figured out today that this group has a name of sorts.  Several people were wearing T-shirts that said "ROMEO".  This stands for Retired Old Motorcyclists Eating Out.  Another interesting machine was "Judy's Trike"  a Honda Gold Wing trike, beautiful ride.

  Two hundred more miles on the Royal Enfield and time for another oil change.  This thing is getting broken in I think.  I was able to easily pull 55mph going with the wind.  Against the wind was another matter and 50mph was hard to maintain at times. 

Entry for September 18, 2005

Picture:  The black goo on the muffler

For some time now I have been brothered by the kick start lever poking into my right ankle while riding.  Now every once in a while I get a bright idea.  Just take the thing off and store it in the tank bag.  That way I will have it if I need it and it will be out of my way.

  Today I had the chance to test out my new foot position on a ride to Hutchinson, about 72 miles via the back roads.  This is really great, much more comfy than before.  About 40 miles into the trip I was trying to find the buddy peg on the right side to streach my leg a bit when I chanced to look down and noticed a big blog of black stuff on the muffler just aft of the foot peg.  Oh my Gawd! I thought, I'm losing transmission oil.  I pulled over and begin checking for leaks but could find nothing and all the levels were OK.  The black goo extended on the underside of the muffler all the way to the back.  I'm thinking I ran over some oil field spill or road tar.

  I saddled back up and continued to Hutch where I was showing Doug and PJ the mystery stuff.  PJ examined the stuff very carefully and then said.........................

Entry for September 18, 2005

"look at the heel of your boot."  I looked and we all started laughing.  As you can see from the picture my comfy foot position included resting the heel of my brand new boot on the muffler.  The black stuff is melted rubber from the heel.  I'm just glad it wasn't transmission oil.

  Needless to say I put the kick start lever back on before the return ride.

  The ride?  Oh it was great, I got detoured in Marquette and the 72 mile ride turned into 97.  I rode south into a 25mph wind and the temperature was 94 degrees but I had the wind to my back coming home.  The detour caused me to meet another lost rider and the road was nice and twisty for back roads Kansas.  Doug is feeling pretty good with his new pace maker so all in all it was a good day.  Oh, except for that binding throttle cable, but that is another day.

 

Picture:  The melted heel of my brand new Justin boots.

Entry for September 14, 2005

Picture:  My new Justin boots I bought in Harrisonburg, VA.

Got back from Virginia on Sunday September 11th.  Had lunch with Julie in Olathe and was so pooped when I got home about 6pm I didn't even go for a ride.

  Spent most of the day Monday doing little maintenance things on the bullet.  It had leaked some oil while I was gone so tried to figure out where that was coming from.  I think I need new O-rings in the tappet cover and oil filter cap but I don't have any so guess I'll just wipe oil until the next change.

  Rode for a little while today trying to get the timing set but not having much luck.  It doesn't seem to make much difference how I adjust it runs about the same.  Got it up to 60mph a couple of times and that is about as fast as I want to ride the thing.  Kind of windy today so riding wasn't all that enjoyable but the temperature only got up to 79 so that was nice. 

  I bought a leather jacket and chaps from Oden this evening, he is giving up riding because his wife isn't able to ride because of her health.  He sold his Harley sidehack rig, he has been riding Harley's since he got out of the Navy after W.W.II.  The gloves I ordered arrived today, they have "Royal Enfield" embossed on them.  With my new boots, leathers and gloves I should be quite the sight putting along on the Bullet.