| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
SkootchNC
* Today * 5:43 AM |
Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline drive. (probably flat lands compared to the rockies, but ya run whatcha brung)
Jamestown VA
Pre- revolutionary sites, like Hillsbrough NC where the Anglo settlers fought British rule in 1771
Revolutionary war sites,
Civil war sites,
Current Military bases
Special ops museum at Ft. Bragg
D-Day memorial in Bedford VA
Cherahola Skyway
Nantahala gorge
New River gorge |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
galileo
* Today * 4:56 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by alblancher
You denizens of Colorado could certainly do better than MickyD's. A Gold Rush breakfast for under 2 bucks sounds like my kind of place.
Sometimes we eat at Burger King.
Prime Rib for 2.99 at Bushwacker's is a good deal, too. That's in Blackhawk.
If we told you where the real good places are, then people would go there and it would be too busy.
Another interesting spot - the Air Force Academy. You will have to have a reflective vest to get in. |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
bachman1961
* Today * 4:28 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by alblancher
You denizens of Colorado could certainly do better than MickyD's. A Gold Rush breakfast for under 2 bucks sounds like my kind of place.
Al;
No doubt but you do have to separate the two...
Room in my wallet for a buck forty nine breakfast is one thing .. room in my belly for two breakfasts in 3 hours is another ... ! 
~brian |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
alblancher
* Today * 4:16 AM |
You denizens of Colorado could certainly do better than MickyD's. A Gold Rush breakfast for under 2 bucks sounds like my kind of place. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Campfire chat |
| Up (Ohio) River Without Paddle
|
Night Train
* Today * 2:18 AM |
Excellent story and very well written. It was as if we were right there with you. One of the great things about motorcycling is that even an account of our bad days provides a sense of adventure. |
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
bachman1961
* Today * 1:08 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by Niebor
Originally posted by alblancher
I was thinking that you would answer the question with the thought:
"What is uniquely ours?" Fair enough... 
The best part of the Continental Divide
Do you have an eclectic restaurant where you take your friends when they come to town?
Well, On ride days we usually eat breakfast at Burger King or McDonalds. Lunch is often one of the mountain gambling towns, Central City/Blackhawk or Cripple Creek for example. Why? LOL, Because we can eat a big steak for $2.95 or large breakfast for $1.00.
It appears food is hijacking this subject matter ... and to think that could happen by a guy who stops at McD's for a 730 breakfast and ends up at a Casino town by 1030 ordering the 'Gold Rush Special $1.49 breakfast' ... who da thunk ?
~brian  |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Nov 11th
|
Daddio
11/06/2009 8:59 PM |
The spirit of thankfulness towards our service men is live and well.
I had the pleasure of taking my youngest daughter to see her boyfriend graduate from Marine Corps basic training on Parris Island a month and a half ago. I had ulterior motives. I wanted to see how current Marines were being trained. The thing that struck me hardest was just how young the Drill Instructors were.
His parents, Grandparents, Aunt and younger brother also attended the ceremony. His grandparents live in a small town outside Vidalia, GA. On our way back to the homestead, we stopped in Charleston, SC for a late lunch/early dinner. We spent a bunch of time strolling around the historical riverfront. This newest Marine PFC was constantly being stopped and thanked for his service to our country. He was actually embarrassed for all the goodwill he received because he had not yet done anything - in his mind.
We spent the night at and near his grandparents. Next day before heading home we go to a local restaurant with the whole family. As we are getting done, the proprietor comes to our table and says, "The marine and his friend (my daughter) have had their meals paid for by the couple that was getting into their car."
People know. They remember their service, good or bad. For the most part I believe the veterans want a quiet salute. No big deal - we did what we thought was right.
I am proud for the attention to that young Marine - even though he has not done anything - yet. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| No gas guage...orange light...sputter...
|
gdickelman
11/06/2009 7:45 PM |
I'm pretty good about resetting my trip odometer at each refueling, and calculating mileage. The Moto Guzzi traverses 48 - 52 miles per gallon. That has been consistent since I bought the beast in 2007. It does not have a gas gauge, but has an orange "idiot" light, which begins to glow at about 135 miles into a tank of gas. While I have never tested it, the five gallon tank should carry me over 200 miles. I've stretched it to 200 once or twice, with no trouble.
A few weeks back I picked the bike up from the dealer near Baltimore (routine service) and proceeded to Gettysburg for a business meeting. I was cresting a hill three miles from my destination and at 176 miles, when the bike sputtered, stalled and coasted to a pathetic stop, in the middle of nowhere.
You guessed it...I ran out of gas! There had been some tinkering with the trip odometer while in service, apparently, and hence I had less gas than indicated.
Thankfully, AAA with RV came to the rescue, but I was mortified. I should have realized that the early onset of the "idiot" light was a signal to the idiot driving the Guzzi that it was time to stop for gas. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Scenic Ride an Oxymoron
|
Born1928
11/06/2009 7:25 PM |
I agree with Meromorph. Good Grief! If you can't enjoy the scenery and still ride safely then you should park your bike permanently. On the other hand group rides make no sense to me for the very reason you can't enjoy the scenery and still ride safely. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| 1982 Yamaha Maxim xj750 dies!
|
Multi-Bike
11/06/2009 6:07 PM |
I checked alot of the connections on the bike today and I found that the plug coming from the rectifier at the red wire was burnt pretty bad (melted together). I was able to get them apart. I had another rectifier so I installed it. So far so good but it wasnt happening all the time anyway so only time will tell. I could tap on or around the ignitor and rectifier while it was running and the bike would shut off and now it will not do that or at least I hadnt be able to get it to do it. The "Batt" light is still on in the dash though and now so is the "brk" light. Fix one thing and something else goes wrong. Anybody want to buy a Maxim..haha |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Scenic Ride an Oxymoron
|
The Meromorph
11/06/2009 5:31 PM |
I do prefer to ride 'scenic' roads. And I do get an appreciation of the 'scenery'. It's a 'gestalt' perception of the beauty around me, rather than a detailed observation, and it comes as a necessary part of the automatic scanning process. On occasion, it's strong enough to provoke me to stop and take a better look, but mostly it just heightens the pleasure of the 'Focus - No Focus' state. |
| Nov 11th
|
Texasphotographer
11/06/2009 5:22 PM |
Since we are talking about the sacrifices made by our military and their families, here is a typical response on a very atypical day.
I do not know the author, but the gentleman that sent me the email is a dear friend and a Copperas Cove, TX city councilman.
Here is a first-hand recount of the trajedy yesterday and how our soldiers reacted: I live 12 miles from Fort Hood.
highly of our troops.
I was at Fort Hood yesterday afternoon and got caught up in the events surrounding the shooting. I was in the Howze Theater to play my bagpipes as a processional to bring in the soldiers who were receiving their college diplomas from area colleges and universities. They have one big ceremony each November for all the soldiers who have completed their degree requirements. I play for them every year.
At about 1:30, I was sitting on the front row of the theater on the far left side. A side entrance to the theater was located directly to my left about three feet away. I heard three or four muffled pops and thought it sounded a little odd. Suddenly, the door near me flew open and a man fell into the theater with a gunshot wound in his back. I started for the man to see what was wrong but two NCOs jumped up and grabbed the man and laid him on the edge of the stage. One of them shouted Are there any medical personnel in the building? Two of the graduates ran to the stage, threw off their caps and gowns and began treating the man as best they could. They announced that his wound was not life threatening. As the man was being loaded onto a stretcher, five or six heavily armed civilian security personnel entered the back of the auditorium with their rifles and pistols pointing upwards. One of them shouted that everyone should take a seat immediately, and believe me, that happened very quickly.
They asked that all senior NCOs in the building proceed to one of the eight entry doors in the building, and again, that was done immediately. One the security guys ascertained that the wounded man being removed from the stage would survive, they walked across the front of the stage and slowly opened a door on the opposite side of the auditoriumone which opened out onto a parking lot that separated the Howze Theater from the Soldiers Dome where the rest of the shooting occurred. We could hear rapid gunfire coming across the parking lot. One of the security guys again shouted a request for any doctors and nurses in attendance, and about 15 people immediately moved to the door where the security guys were standing. I heard one of the security folks tell the assembled medical personnel that there were many wounded people in the adjacent building, and that they were needed to help out. The medical people were told to follow the security guys, keep low, and move quickly without stopping. There was no hesitation on their part, they just moved out to do their jobs.
There were three officers in the building, and to their credit they just got out of the way and let the NCOs handle the situation. I was extremely proud of the professionalism that everyone displayed. The only people complaining were the civilians who were there for the graduation ceremony, and soldiers continually moved among them to calm them down.
One interesting thing about all thisabout an hour after the shooting died down, the loud speakers all over the base started playing the old Cavalry bugle call called Recall. I have never heard that on an active duty base before, but apparently the soldiers knew what it meant, that they were to drop what they were doing and return to their units.
At about 7 p.m. they brought several cases of MREs (combat meals) and starting handing them out. I figured we would be there all night when that happened. However, about 30 minutes later, we were allowed to depart in small numbers. I had to pass through four check points before I reached FM116, and even after driving off the post, I had to negotiate two Texas DPS road blocks before being allowed to drive at highway speed to return home.
I hope you will all keep the families of the slain soldiers in your prayers. I know that the Good Lord was looking after methat shooter could just as easily have followed the wounded man into the theater, where he would have enjoyed many more victims. Anyway, that is a brief eyewitness report of what happened at Fort Hood yesterday afternoon.
Bill Herridge, W.M.
Gatesville Lodge #197
|
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
Niebor
11/06/2009 4:53 PM |
Self-perpetuating beyond the point of critical mass?
Wait, That's a different theory. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Campfire chat |
| Up (Ohio) River Without Paddle
|
WSMeders
11/06/2009 4:53 PM |
Good ol' OH!
Great story.
I grew up in a town in central OH with three cruisers, and each and every one of them was at any incident from curfew to theft.
And they were my football coaches... |
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
twc
11/06/2009 3:43 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by Niebor
I marvel at the thought of Sam Bishop and James Davis engaging in political discussion.
Hmmmmm, I think not.
You know what control theory says about positive feedback. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Campfire chat |
| Up (Ohio) River Without Paddle
|
Niebor
11/06/2009 3:17 PM |
The statement: "My wife never looked so good -- three and a half hours later." In spite of the ordeal, I'm thinking otherwise. 
Very well said, I enjoyed it immensely!
Between the lesson you teach, and the way you write it, +1! |
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
Niebor
11/06/2009 2:42 PM |
LMAO! I'd never seen that one before. Indeed, put a nickel in that man, you get a dollar back.
I have yet to meet the rider that was not simply in awe of his creation. He is an amazing man.
The legal types among you would be interested to learn he represents himself in virtually all his legal disputes. They are many, and complex, you would be impressed.
For those interested in comparison, I would direct you to: http://www.msgroup.org/msg/jrdpresWatched-1.asp
Windows Media format, 7.5 meg downloaded.
Whew! That thought simply made my day! |
| Motorcycle Safety / Campfire chat |
| Up (Ohio) River Without Paddle
|
jhaake
11/06/2009 2:33 PM |
I thought I'd share this most recent of my adventures with all of you, enjoy (caution: I'm quite unkind to small towns).
Also note this is how I wrote it up for my co-workers (I was taking up way too much work time telling and re-telling the story of my one-day vacation.
_______
This season is only my second season of motorcycling, I took the BRC (beginner rider course) just last summer.
Tuesday two weeks ago I looked at the weather report and saw that the next day was going to be wonderful. I asked ______ (my manager) for time off on short notice and got it (yes!!).
I was going to ride!!! Pulled into the nearest gas station to top-off my Suzuki V-Strom DL650's tank. Put the kickstand down and went to get off the bike ... Oops -- kickstand wasn't down all the way. Thought I could stop the fall but couldn't (just made it slow-motion for all observers). In the process of falling I pulled the nozzle right out of the pump and there I was splayed out on the cement with the gas hose. Only one small piece of damage -- broken front left turn signal light, Ugh, $30 in parts and a lot of labor to get a new one.
I wasn't about to let a little bad omen deter my day of motorcycle bliss -- off I went.
Highway 43, Highway 39, wonderful curves, nice highways, beautiful bliss -- wound up in West Virginia enjoying some unfamiliar roads and working my way down to Wheeling WV -- until, uh oh, my motorcycle isn't responding right -- I'm losing power. Anything above 5000 rpm and the motor just revs to red-line without any power between 5000 and red-line. I'm out in the sticks without cell coverage -- got to get to civilization, but where?? I'm a long way from Wheeling. Pittsburg??? I'm thinking I'm pretty much due east from Steubenville so I head west.
A short time later I'm coming out of the sticks to discover I've landed in a small town just across the river from Steubenville (W--- something) .... looking for a motorcycle place ... looking for a motorcycle place. Ahhh, there's a Chopper Shop, at least they'll know where the nearest motorcycle shops are located -- they first laugh at the idea of turning a DL650 into a chopper and then tell me I'm in luck ... just back up the hill, WV side, is a Suzuki shop. I get there on a short section of freeway (50mph and hazard lights!!!) and thought I was in the wrong place -- there was nothing there. Then, up on the hill, I see a big truck with "Suzuki" on the side. Found the driveway which went straight up the hill at an extreme angle. My poor little DL650 just couldn't make it -- stopped half way up and no place to park it. I did a reverse U-Turn and my downhill foot couldn't even touch the ground. Parked the bike at the bottom of the hill and hoofed it up the hill in my motorcycle boots (like ski boots). Panting I see a chain link fence -- LOCKED!!! and a sign: "Closed on Wednesday"!!!
Driving across the bridge to Steubenville I'm thinking (not clearly) -- hey, I'm going 50mph, I can get home and avoid this small town hassle. Wrong, climbing up to Wintersville (___ ____'s home town) I'm only going 10mph, flashers flashing, and I'm driving the shoulder of the freeway. I exit. Harley Davidson place just 2 miles from the freeway -- but as you can imagine the thought of them working on my bike turned their stomachs -- but they did have pity on me and told me I was in luck, a Suzuki place just a few miles away (across the river in WV). "Sorry", I told them, "closed on Wednesday --- how about if I keep heading west, say, Cadiz?" -- Them: "Cadiz?!?!? are you kidding?!?! -- there ain't nothing west for a LONG way."
"Oh yes," they remember, "there's a Honda place about 15 miles from here -- we'll call'em" -- and they do. I'm driving back down the well of despair (Ohio River Valley) going to a place called "Brilliant", but at least it is all downhill -- in more ways than one ....
Driving through Steubenville, pass through Mingo Junction (see movie: "The Deer Hunter" and add 3 more decades of decline) and I arrive at the small town of Brilliant -- a tad short of living up to its name. I actually drive through this one road town and fail to see anything remotely like a motorcycle shop. Pull up to two fire fighters out working on a car engine in front of the fire station and they direct me to the motorcycle place -- pretty respectable for such a small town (but their area of coverage is, of course, huge). The guy in the shop says: "Well, we are so booked up right now, we have three jobs that need to be done TODAY ..." --- I add: "but, but, but ... we called down from the Harley place and you told them you'd take a look." He finally relents: "Okay, I can see you are in a bad spot. I'm going to have my best guy give you ten minutes and then we'll see." "Sure, anything -- the Suzuki place is closed on Wednesday, what am I going to do?"
In only 5 minutes the guy comes out and says: "My mechanic found the problem immediately -- you had no play in your clutch." Me: "What???" Him: "Your clutch cable is quite taunt and that means your clutch was never totally disengaged." Now I'm thinking: "Gees, my motorcycle fell this morning on the clutch handle side -- did I screw it up?" -- Okay, so I swallow my pride and admit to the guy I'm a rookie motorcyclist and that I had dumped the bike earlier today in the gas station. The guy has sympathy for me (my other motorcycle is a Honda Nighthawk CB250, and I use that fact as a bargaining chip -- he seemed more amused). "Okay," he says, "I'm going to have my guy give it ten more minutes and see what condition your clutch is in." --- "Great!!! -- I'll just be shopping for my next ride (funny, I think he believed me)."
"Your clutch is gone, I'm sorry." (he made it sound so final). "It doesn't look as though there is any sign of damage from the spill your bike took, but you'll not be getting this bike very much farther than right here under its own power." "Okay," I say, "tell me, you're an exclusive HONDA dealer, tell me the truth, can you guys fix this Suzuki? -- Otherwise I'll have it towed." "Yes, of course we can." (what else was he going to say?) ... in hind sight he turned out to be what I say is a great mechanic (over the phone), he's kept me very aware of how things progressed (1 1/2 weeks to get the clutch parts on a 2009 Suzuki). He offers and I accept a ride to the only cafe in town (you mean they HAVE a cafe?!?!?).
Cafe turns out to be kind of cutesy with little flowers painted on the walls and such, the waitress stated that that appealed to the 95% retired population of the town (wow 95% old folks -- and the rest nearly unemployed). Two hours for lunch and for most of that I'm the only customer, and all I have an iPod Touch for entertainment -- I re-review every music video I have stored on the thing and gorge myself. Call my wife at ________ (AP department) and fill her in on my location and need of rescue -- she gets off work at 5:15pm (no compromise -- sad). I ask (without much hope): "Is there a library in this town?" -- "Yes, just a half block away".
The warehouse converted to a library/community center had a sign on the darkened door: "Closed on Wednesday." Sheesh. Where am I going to go in these motorcycle boots -- not far. That SUN !!!, sheesh its HOT -- why'd I put that liner in my leather jacket anyway!!! I walk precisely 30 yards before I realize this is about as far as I want to walk in my attire, ... Oh look!!! That "Community Center" sign makes a nice patch of shade on a comfy looking piece of grass. I take of my jacket, kick off my boots and I actually catch about an hour's sleep.
Sudden noise. Eyes open to the glare and two retiree faces are looking straight down at me: "Are you alright?" --- humph, grown, embarrassment -- I explain the situation and they leave relieved. I just close my eyes again and just about start in on hour two of my nap when I hear a very slow moving vehicle on the road and a crunch of gravel as it comes to a stop ... oh no, I already know what I'll see when I open my eyes -- yes, a small town cop.
He ain't coming my way so I seize the moment to prove I'm friendly and walk across the grass in my stocking feet, rumpled shirt sans the jacket that I left back on the grass, and a nice scruffy easy maintence half-inch beard. The guy meets me on the sidewalk but "friendly" wasn't his style. This guy looks like he pumps weights whenever a bank isn't being robbed, or a nuclear detonation isn't taking place in his town -- he's pumped. And by the look on his face he'd either had one too few or one too many doughnuts today. I told my sad tale, and I even expressed just how LUCKY I was to have been able to make it to his town to find service. He obviously wasn't buying a word I said. "As the library was closed on Wednesdays, I thought I'd just hang out here until my wife picks me up." He states: "You can't stay here." -- "Okay, is there a park or somewhere that would be less intruding?" (my spot on the grass was about the least conspicuous place in town). "You can't stay here." (wait, didn't he just say that already??). He runs my name through NCIC and fortunately I have no current warrants out for my arrest (I guarantee I would have been down on the sidewalk and wrists cuffed behind my back faster that he could have said: "doughnut" if there had been a hint of a warrant). "You'll have to get in the car." -- "What?!?!? Am I under arrest?" "Oh, no no." he assures me.
Having never really experienced the back of a police car on too many occasions I had (not surprisingly) miscalculated the attire necessary to enter one of these vehicles. A cop car has so many do-dads and extras in the car that storage has been created out of the back of the front seat leaving very very little room for any feet except those of a perp with an extreme case of anorexia. Oh yes, did I mention the cop WOULDN'T allow me to ride in the front seat? My motorcycle boots allowing but the slightest of movements with my ankles kept me from getting my feet in the car (hey, I wear size 11, okay?). Embarrassed as I already was it took only a little more pride swallowing to pull my knees up to my chin and rest my boots on the seat beside me.
"Hey, where are you taking me?!?!?" He was driving more than two blocks (and that's a long ways in this town). I kid you not, his answer was: "You can't stay here." "Are you running me out of town?" "You can't stay here." Oh boy. "Ummm, officer, I had lunch at that cafe not a half-a-block from where you picked me up, what do you say you drop me off there and I'll wait for my wife." He offers: "I am dropping you at a cafe, you have a cell phone, right?" "Umm, the cafe I was at was the only one in town. WAIT!!!, Are you running me out of town?!?!??" "You can't stay here."
Mingo Junction isn't a place I'd ever want to stay for very long -- at least Brilliant had SOME grass. Mingo Junction (as depicted in the movie: "Deer Hunter") is the perfect image of industrial wasteland. Along with that scenic view there is a not so appealing cafe (open 24 hours). I arrived there with a completely satiated stomach with no further need of nourishment thanks to the only cafe in Brilliant -- I ordered coffee.
My wife never looked so good -- three and a half hours later.
-- the end --
Post-script: The bike is repaired. Mechanic's expert opinion: "Clutch was maladjusted for a long time, this didn't happen in one day." -- ____ ____ Motorsports gave it my 4000 mile check up about 1000 miles ago. I'll be picking it up Saturday morning from Brilliant with my wife -- maybe I'll stop and introduce my wife to the cop -- he'll probably ask to see our marriage license.
|
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| Ok, Tell me your favorite local rides!
|
twc
11/06/2009 2:12 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by alblancher
...what MC or scenic route should I ride when I am in your neck of the woods? What makes it unique and worth a special visit?
I've posted trip reports for a number of my favorite rides:
Estes Park
Trail Ridge Road / Rocky Mountain National Park
Cameron Pass / Never Summer Mountains
Peak-to-Peak Highway
Snowy Range Road, Wyoming |
| Motorcycle Safety / Motorcycle Accident Reports - WITH COMMENTS |
| Riding instructor lesson learned
|
AKRefugee
11/06/2009 1:59 PM |
That was no accident. That was a wreck trying to find a place to happen. That is a group I would not be riding with under any conditions. All of them were crossing the yellow line and the two handed wave was sure impressive. |
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| Ok, Tell me your favorite local rides!
|
scottrnelson
11/06/2009 1:45 PM |
The nearby roads that I ride regularly when I only have a couple of hours to ride:
These maps were made for a guy who had just moved to Danville, three towns north of Pleasanton, and wanted to know about local rides. Many of the maps are from the point of view of getting there from Danville.
Redwood Road (out of Castro Valley).
Palomares Road (my own personal favorite)
Calaveras Road (Shown from Palomares, it's worth riding Felter and Sierra on southward if you have the time)
Mt. Diablo (Go out the north entrance and take Marsh Road for a longer ride)
Morgan Territory Road (Get there from Highland or Collier Canyon) - Do Marsh Creek when you get to the north end. Also a good choice when coming back from riding up Mt. Diablo.
Altamont Pass Road and Patterson Pass Road
Telsa Road/Corral Hollow Road followed by Del Puerto Canyon and Mines Road
These are just some of the close by interesting roads. There are dozens of good choices for longer rides, including Highway 1 south to Cambria, Highway 1 north for as far as you want to ride, the Sierras out to Yosemite or other roads going over the passes there.
Last spring I strung together a number of interesting roads to make one lap around San Francisco Bay: http://tinyurl.com/AroundSFBay
I'm sure that I could ride 1000 miles of interesting roads that are all different without going more than 250 miles from home. |
| Ok, Tell me your favorite local rides!
|
WSMeders
11/06/2009 1:22 PM |
The famous Route 16 running North-South through Western WV and Eastern Ohio is about as twisty as you can find.
A good resource is this site:
http://www.openroadjourney.com/ |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
galileo
11/06/2009 12:47 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by Niebor
quote:
Originally posted by galileo
Bishop's Castle is a unique and free attraction.
LOL, I marvel at the thought of Jim Bishop and James Davis engaging in political discussion. One could charge admission. 
As far as routes within Colorado, you can't beat the cruise Galileo describes!
We could sell tickets to that one. I'm not sure which one is more in favor of political correctness. He even sounds a bit like James. And they share the same first name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK89UuytMpk |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
Niebor
11/06/2009 12:29 PM |
Originally posted by alblancher
I was thinking that you would answer the question with the thought:
"What is uniquely ours?" Fair enough...
The best part of the Continental Divide
Do you have an eclectic restaurant where you take your friends when they come to town?
Well, On ride days we usually eat breakfast at Burger King or McDonalds. Lunch is often one of the mountain gambling towns, Central City/Blackhawk or Cripple Creek for example. Why? LOL, Because we can eat a big steak for $2.95 or large breakfast for $1.00.
Colorado is a beautiful place for outdoor enthusiasts and the number of rides, hiking trails and scenic spots is innumerable.
Agreed!
It would be cool for someone to start a thread, if appropriate, where we could post our favorite rides and routes in our respective areas.
It would appear, we already have. |
| Ok, Tell me your favorite local rides!
|
alblancher
11/06/2009 12:24 PM |
As I get closer to retirement and look to travel the country a bit more what MC or scenic route should I ride when I am in your neck of the woods? What makes it unique and worth a special visit? |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
Niebor
11/06/2009 12:10 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by galileo
Bishop's Castle is a unique and free attraction.
LOL, I marvel at the thought of Sam Bishop and James Davis engaging in political discussion. One could charge admission.
As far as routes within Colorado, you can't beat the cruise Galileo describes! |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Issues with my Xj650 Seca
|
Niebor
11/06/2009 11:54 AM |
The reason I was driven toward electrical IS the flooding issue. By virtue of it flooding, we know it's getting gas. Whats left? Air and spark. It seems a safe enough bet it's getting air.
If you can find an old neon pilot lamp, wrap one of the leads around a spark plug wire. Make sure it blinks when the bike is running. Tell me if it blinks when it will not start.
Keep in mind, 7-8 volts will turn the engine over at a decent rate. Weather or not the ignition module is responsive is an entirely different matter. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Safety Gear |
| Tour Master Boots
|
ananga73
11/06/2009 11:50 AM |
I ordered a Tourmaster heated Jacket that just came in this afternoon. I will be breaking it in all weekend and provide a review thereafter. I believe heated gear fall under ATGATT because the cold can impair one's ability to focus 100% on riding. |
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
scottrnelson
11/06/2009 11:38 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by alblancher
It would be cool for someone to start a thread, if appropriate, where we could post our favorite rides and routes in our respective areas.
So what are you waiting for? Start the thread. I have a big list for that. |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
alblancher
11/06/2009 11:36 AM |
I was thinking that you would answer the question with the thought:
"What is uniquely ours?" If you live in Denver what may not be in the normal travel blogs that you as a resident feels a visitor should experience.
Do you have an eclectic restaurant where you take your friends when they come to town?
Colorado is a beautiful place for outdoor enthusiasts and the number of rides, hiking trails and scenic spots is innumerable.
It would be cool for someone to start a thread, if appropriate, where we could post our favorite rides and routes in our respective areas. |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
twc
11/06/2009 11:32 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by Niebor
Really good questions -- it's pretty obvious you live here.
I would further characterize the challenge by difficulty and distance. Some roads have multiple tight switchbacks that might make people think they were back in The BRC Box, but The Box doesn't have a 500 ft. drop-off if you go outside the lines. Roads that come immediately to mind are the west side of Trail Ridge Road, Coal Creek Canyon to the Peak-to-Peak highway and Devil's Gulch.
Also, if you're riding at high altitude in Colorado it's important to remember that the weather can change almost instantly, and snow is a possibility on any day of the year. Watch the weather forecast and be prepared.
|
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Nov 11th
|
SkootchNC
11/06/2009 11:11 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by Niebor
I am not a vet. I missed the draft by one year.
Many fine young people voluntarily enlisted, even during the height of the Viet-Nam war. As well as any other war. |
| Who was at fault?
|
House_of_Dexter
11/06/2009 10:55 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by bachman1961
Good point!
I'll add to that;
In my experience, the vehicle will often slow down making it look certain they will turn and at the last minute, continue travel w/o turning.
They may not be familiar with the area and streets or be able to see to read the street signs well. The more they slow, the more aggravated a following motorist might be and they will often scream by and cut in ... right where you would be if entering that lane !!
~brian
Or...they stop in mid turn for no apparent reason...had someone do that the other day...luckily I was going slow enough and enough distance between us, I did not rear end them. The corner was like concrete you find in buildings, which made a very scary moment as I came to a stop. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Issues with my Xj650 Seca
|
Indiana Randy
11/06/2009 10:53 AM |
Greg,
You can check the carb boots by spraying some carb cleaner around them to see if the idle changes. If there is no change in idle, they are not leaking. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Nov 11th
|
Niebor
11/06/2009 10:12 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by burtsr
OK, I'm sorry I guess I should have been a little more specific.
As a vet myself (Vietnam) I've always been a little uncomfortable when someone thanked me for my service. As I always feel many gave so much more. But, I've always felt that every vet, from every era, should get the recondition they deserve. A simple thank you usually suffices.
Burt
Now we're on the same page. I looked at the 200 views as 200 people that wanted to see what was said regarding our vets.
I am not a vet. I missed the draft by one year. I respect deeply the commitment our troops have and continue to make. In the perfect scenario, without injury or death, service disrupts careers and family life. I am grateful for that sacrifice. When normal risk of war is added, our soldiers come home maimed and in boxes. I add sadness for loved ones, and respect for the fellow soldiers left to deal with the loss of their friends.
For the Vietnam era vet, I am ashamed by the way you were ostracized by society when you came home. On behalf of those of us who think this was wrong, my apologies. As one citizen of a grateful nation, Thank you for your service! |
| Nov 11th
|
Indiana Randy
11/06/2009 9:10 AM |
Burt, also keep in mind that a visitor/guest can view the post, but can not reply until they become a registered member.
To all people serving in our armed forces and all veterans and families of veterans; Thank you for your sacrifice and your service. |
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
galileo
11/06/2009 8:44 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by Niebor
I've thought this one over, and decided that to ask this question of a Coloradan requires some clarification.
How much time will you spend in Colorado?
How many miles can you allocate to Colorado?
How challenging a ride do you prefer?
Is it OK if the pavement ends at various points along rides?
Any altitude restrictions?
How many miles between fuel stops?
What sort of cultural attractions are you interested in?
Great questions, Niebor. I think the old authentic towns are the best. Places that have had the same owners for 50 years. Two things that shouldn't be missed in Colorado. The Million Dollar Highway between Durango and Ouray. And riding up Pike's Peak.
I have a great route that rides over 10 passes in 500 miles starting near Denver. Bishop's Castle is a unique and free attraction.
I also have a route that is about 1,300 miles that hits many of the highlights west of the front range.
Gosh, there is so much here. I'm glad I live here. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Issues with my Xj650 Seca
|
Gs82Seca650
11/06/2009 8:10 AM |
Hi Neibor,
In fact I did replace the batter positive with a larger cable a few years back. Something tells me this issue is carburator related though.
I say that because during summer months, I can choke it cold, (first start of the morning), then ride to work. After work, I CANNOT choke it, if I do, it will just flood and never fire. I have to just crack the throttle a hair and then crank and it will fire. I then just hold her around 2K or so for a few minutes and then it will idle well enough that I can head home.
That being said, even this time of year, the engine is spinning fast enough that it's not a CRANKING problem, it just won't fire for me. Cold, first time starting in the morning, even with temperatures in the 30's it will fire and I can ride to work, but NOMATTER what I do when I leave to ride home it is VERY VERY finicky and has nearly left me stranded twice now. Those two times I spend A LOT OF time playing with the choke and throttle and eventually it sputtered enough that it idled for me and I was able to get home.
With temps in the 40's or 50's.....if I crack the throttle, choke it, etc, it will not fire and floods.
With the bike nearly 28yrs old it could be a number of issues, I am aware of that. The boots fore and aft of the carbs have cracks in them, could that be a cause? Possibly.
Could the carbs just need a general overhaul, cleaning, rebuilding, new needles and seats, ETC? Again, possibly.
I suppose this could somehow be electrical in nature, but I just don't see how, considering that when I crank the bike to leave after work it spins fairly quickly, with no real difference from when I leave first thing in the morning (and it's colder at that time too).
If I keep this bike, I suppose I should pull the carbs off and have them rebuilt (there is a GOOD bike shop up in Reading that I have had do rebuilds for me before and they do great work.) and replace the boots and clamps fore and aft of the carbs and then see where I'm at.
We'll see......any other suggestions? Has anyone come across this issue before?
-Greg |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Nov 11th
|
burtsr
11/06/2009 8:04 AM |
OK, I'm sorry I guess I should have been a little more specific.
As a vet myself (Vietnam) I've always been a little uncomfortable when someone thanked me for my service. As I always feel many gave so much more. But, I've always felt that every vet, from every era, should get the recondition they deserve. A simple thank you usually suffices.
Burt |
| Motorcycle Safety / Motorcycle Accident Reports - WITH COMMENTS |
| Riding instructor lesson learned
|
MattInFla
11/06/2009 7:24 AM |
No accident here - criminally negligent conduct leading to an inevitable consequence.
Even before he fails to negotiate the curve during his unlawful passing over the double yellow, we see the rider failing to maintain control of is vehicle and crossing into the oncoming lanes.
I'm glad his injuries were not too severe, but I can't call this an accident - it was a direct, avoidable consequence of reckless, unlawful riding.
It is truly frightening that this fellow is an "instructor", teaching others how to ride in an unlawful and irresponsible manner.
Matt |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Nov 11th
|
Night Train
11/06/2009 7:17 AM |
In times of peace, we sometimes need a gentle reminder to observe Nov 11 and all that it means. To recall the sacrifices that have been made by those who have gone before and sacrificed so much so that we can enjoy our freedoms of today.
In todays world, I for one don't need a gentle reminder of Nov 11. It seems every day brings news that prompts me to give thought and thanks to so many that are sacrificing so much, as I go through my peaceful sheltered life.
The "Poppy Lady", Moina Michael, wrote a poem in November 1918 in response to Lt.Col. John MacRae's "In Flanders Fields". I think it is worthy of posting in this thread.
We Shall Keep the Faith
Oh! You who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.
We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.
And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.
|
| Nov 11th
|
SkootchNC
11/06/2009 7:02 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by burtsr
I know is not motorcycle or safety related.
Lets not forget the meaning of Nov 11.
Thank a vet.
Burt
quote:
Originally posted by burtsr
Very disappointing. Over 200 people have looked at this and only two thought to say thanks.
burt
Perhaps many are waiting for next Wednesday?
Perhaps many of us ARE vets, and it's unseemly to thank ourselves?
As TWC pointed out, you didn't say "everyone post their thanks to our vets" you reminded everyone to NOT forget the meaning of November 11th.
AKA Armistice Day, aka Veteran's Day
While I remember the parades of my youth, on this day.... I also remember that it was a solemn day of reflection. |
| Off Theme / The Get Your Motor Running Chat Forum |
| When I come to your town what should I visit?
|
Niebor
11/06/2009 6:58 AM |
I've thought this one over, and decided that to ask this question of a Coloradan requires some clarification.
How much time will you spend in Colorado?
How many miles can you allocate to Colorado?
How challenging a ride do you prefer?
Is it OK if the pavement ends at various points along rides?
Any altitude restrictions?
How many miles between fuel stops?
What sort of cultural attractions are you interested in?
|
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Nov 11th
|
galileo
11/06/2009 6:49 AM |
These are probably the most difficult wars in American history. Repeated long tours with somewhat indefinite return dates. And between tours, there are probably deployments in a support role. For every one in country, there are probably several elsewhere.
We can never thank those who are serving enough.
For something concrete to do, if you see a solder in a restaurant, pay their bill and don't say who did it.
|
| Who was at fault?
|
SkootchNC
11/06/2009 6:14 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by Born1928
Seemingly from out of nowhere an SUV, which had turned onto the frontage road about a quarter mile back, swept accross the three lanes, dodging the pickup truck and plowed into the motorcycle, not from behind but glancing off the right door.
My question is how many of us have used the same tactic as my friend, that is using a right turning vehicle as a cover to enter traffic from a side street. I know I have numerous times.
So who is at fault?
the police would no doubt ticket the motorcycle rider for failure to yield right of way.
"the other vehicle came out of nowhere".... commonly heard at any two vehicle wreck. this sounds so much better than the more likely "I didn't see the other vehicle" The former implying, the other vehicle was speeding, while the latter implies careless operation, by the reporter.
Here in the Raleigh NC area, turn signals seem to be considered an option, and there is no way to tell if a vehicle will turn ot not. It's fairly common for a car to turn left from the far right lane with no warning, and vice versa.
In the states I've been licensed to drive in, it is the responsibility of the merging driver to enter safely into traffic.
Right of way violations often have deadly consequences for motorcycles (the dreaded left-turner).
Even the best trained, and highly skilled people, screw up. I'm glad to hear your friend will mend, and is going to remain a rider.
regards
Frank |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| 1982 Yamaha Maxim xj750 dies!
|
Multi-Bike
11/06/2009 5:35 AM |
I will have my hands back on the Maxim this afternoon and I will be going through all of the wiring and connections. I hope it does turn out to be a connections somewhere. Thanks again for all the ideas and possible problems to check. I will keep yall posted on what I find and any more questions I may have. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Who was at fault?
|
bachman1961
11/06/2009 4:19 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by BadMom
Another problem with using any vehicle as "cover" is that you can't depend on that driver to actually follow through and make the turn.
My experience has been that just because they have their turn signal on, doesn't mean they intend to turn.
Good point!
I'll add to that;
In my experience, the vehicle will often slow down making it look certain they will turn and at the last minute, continue travel w/o turning.
They may not be familiar with the area and streets or be able to see to read the street signs well. The more they slow, the more aggravated a following motorist might be and they will often scream by and cut in ... right where you would be if entering that lane !!
~brian |
| Who was at fault?
|
WSMeders
11/05/2009 8:48 PM |
A thought that comes to my mind often in this forum is this: There are those that ride a motorcycle as an "extracurricular" sport, choosing very specific parameters in which to ride, e.g. weather, traffic, etc. And there are those here that see motorcycling as a means of transport, independent of those above stated conditions. This is not to say that the two are hermetically sealed, nor that one is "better" than the other.
In reading the responses to Born1928's question, I see these two perspectives butting heads. Some recommended to wait for all traffic to clear the desired path, but as haithabu points out, in some urban/high-traffic situations, that is not an option.
In short, I ride on my days off. I dislike traffic and avoid it like the plague, I change my plans if the weather changes it's, and I am always willing to postpone a ride if something isn't right. But I know plenty of folks who depend upon a bike for their daily commute/transport. (I would probably be part of this latter group if I didn't live two miles from my office, and prefer riding a bicycle through downtown DC, rather than drive.)
Those "daily" riders know the risks they are taking as much as they know their limits.
So, as James was first to point out, "who was at fault" is something of a faulty question.
One of my dad's old racing buddies always warned me, whatever the situation, the rider is always partly at fault.
It's a personal choice, but one we all must be conscious of. |
| Nov 11th
|
gymnast
11/05/2009 8:44 PM |
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month will always symbolize the sacrifice of life most precious of both our own and our allies, always remembered, forever young.
In grade school we learned a poem-
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row......
Google "lt Col John McRae, Flanders Fields" |
| Nov 11th
|
twc
11/05/2009 8:20 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by burtsr
Very disappointing. Over 200 people have looked at this and only two thought to say thanks.
Perhaps your message was misconstrued. When I read it, I immediately thought of friends and family who have served and deserved that thanks face-to-face. Delivering that message personally (and I didn't need to wait for your prompting to do that) means a lot more than an impersonal post on an Internet forum, wouldn't you agree? |
|
Most Recent Posts
|
Activity History
|
Safety Tips
