Current Events

Sat. another friend & I rode our dual sport bikes 125 miles across the desert on dirt roads up to Cloudcroft. It was more fun with 2 bikes. In the middle of nowhere we came across 4 bikes like ours, one was leaking air from the front tire. I have a electric pump, their manual pump would not work, lucky for them we stopped. We got to Cloudcroft on time and 4 from our group were there on their street bikes. We had lunch together and returned via paved roads but slowly since my bike is only a 400cc. Benny told me Sam's bike would not start.

I had Sam bring it over yesterday and today it took me 5 hours to take the carbs off and clean them. It was popping badly and was hard starting. also the battery ran down too fast. Fixed both.

Painting the house for the fourth time, BORING!

When the new roof was put on the roofers cut my cables to my wind speed and direction indicators even with the roof line. 18 wires (Jerks!). Did not even ask me if I needed them. Linda & I spent 4 hours soldering and rehooking them up.

Helping Howard rebuild a fourth 80's Goldwing.

Picture is of a beautiful Mexican Pacific coastal town, (Zhanteneo? )

Not all about bikes

Linda and I have for 4 weeks been trying to go to the Tuesday events at McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis. The weather was finally not too cold, hot or windy or had some other committment. We left almost an hour later than we should, had to get a coat for Linda at her Mom's & needed gas. At almost 80 mph the entire way we made it in 2 1/2 hours. 200 miles. Was in the high 50's to 60's. Fun fast ride on the BMW. With cruise control and enough room it is a good bike. We got there just in time to get some food and for the first showing (description of the entire facility) and tour of 2 of the 3 large telescopes. They are on Central time so we had to watch our time closely all day.

We waited 1 1/2 hrs. till the next outdoor activity describing the solar system and then back into the auditorium on a demonstration of their new software on the Universe. Was so cool Linda bought it $160. Can't wait to try it and show it to Wes, Tori and the other Geeks.

The last show at 8:30, luckily 7:30 our time, they sat up several telescopes so we could see the Moon, Jupiter, a nebula, and a star cluster. Also had a 10 minute movie on powers of ten showing the Universe and then down to the smallest particle.

Well the trip home at 9:00 our time was a lot different. Was in the low 50's and very dark. I had put on 2 more driving lights re aimed the bright light and a higher wattage low beam. I had enough light but it got down into the low 40's in the mountains. The roads for the first 20 miles are very curvy and slow, not easy 2 up riding, on a bike at night. We were watching for Deer but only almost ran over several jack rabbits.

Linda's coat was not windproof so we switched about 40 miles down the road. Then I was cold too. Never got over 59 and most of the time it was in the high 40's to low 50's, at 70 mph that's a heck of a windchill. Got home a Midnight and was hyperthermic, shivering a lot.

Bike ran good but needs more wind protection. Need to take more warmer clothes next time.

But we had a great time. Took 3 hours to get home. Slept in today. All 4 shows for both of us was only $40. But with gas, food and the software spent $260!

Finished another 2 bikes

This last one was a 2 stroke, had to put in a new piston. They ran it without oil. Then just fixed up a lot of small problems. Previous bike was a 650 Suzuki cruiser, and it needed the carbs cleaned and general service.

This is getting to close to that "W" word. But there's no bosses and I can (work) play when I want. I can make a few bucks and do what I'm good at. So far everyone likes how I go beyond doing what they ask.

Been trying to ride dirt bikes to Cloudcroft for a month on Sat. You would not think the weather would effect us here but every Sat. it threatens rain or wind. On a 300# bike with only 30 hp it's no fun.

No takers on the BMW, it's fall, the second worst time of the year to sell bikes. But I do have everything fixed on it now, so if it doesn't sell I fell better about it. It's just way too top heavy, dropped it 20 miles from home and got it up by myself.

Bike above is a 79 Suzuki 1000 I rebuilt for Linda and sold (she was not using again) to get a Suzuki GSX1100's I like better. Ended up with 4, then sold 2 to buy the BMW.

Sell the BMW and get? No not a car!

Guess what I've been doing?

Your thinking motorcycles and your right. Had a Suzuki cruiser over here last week. Guy could not get it started. I found a bad vacuum line that opens the fuel petcock to let gas into the carb. And the carb was filthy too. Oil was pure black. $150 later it's running great.

Got a 2 stroke Yamaha 80cc dirt bike right now. Kids ran it without oil in the gas. Piston and rings broken. The chain and sprockets are 90+% gone too. Nothing like $300 for a bike worth $200 won't fix.

My oldest Suzuki 1100 (Wes you know the one) has been leaking final drive hypoid fluid for 14 years, maybe 2 ounces every 500 miles but lately is more like 50 miles, so I fixed it today. When it was under warranty 2 Suzuki dealers worked on it trying to stop the leak(s). I took it apart, after going for parts twice, found the seal was in backwards from the service dep'ts.

Been driving 1600 miles a month average this year, spent $1400 on gas, good thing all the bikes get 46-65 mpg. Imagine how much that would be if it was a car at 20 mpg.

Had a guy come by yesterday said he would buy the BMW. Please pray for me!

There's been a rash of motorcycle accidents in EP. Lately it been the bikers fault. Too much speed, drinking, and no helmet. Except Sat. 25 yr old had a helmet on but was going over 100 and T-bone a car running a red light. Yes, he's dead and both vehicles are totalled.

If we speed we do it in the middle of nowhere so no one else get's hurt. But 2 of our group refuses to wear a helmet. One of them is pictured above. I always do except going around the block testing bikes so I can hear for noises.

Some Bike Stats

Been riding since I was 16 or 17. That's 42 years now. My brother Jim got me started when he had a Lambetta scooter. I had my first bike at 17 as a senior in high school.

Owned 22 motorcycles so far. Built up over the years: 120cc, 250, 305, 500, 750 (2), 900 (2), 1000 (2), 1100 (6), 1200. Also had a 400, 550 & 650 Turbo. 2 Dual Sports (Semi-dirt) 200 & 400

I've had mostly Suzuki's, but also had Kawasaki's (4), Honda (2), Yamaha (1) and a BMW.

Worked on over 37 bikes. I have rebuilt about 8 non-working bikes and had them running good in about 2-4 weeks each.

Howard and I totally took a 1985 full dress Honda Goldwing Interstate down to the frame and put it back on another frame in 6 weeks, working 4 hours/day, 4 days a week. Biggest motorcycle project I've done.

I've driven about 300,000 miles. I've invested over $50,000 in motorcycles, but with trade-in and outright sales have really only spent about $32,000. When we traded in the Cadillac we lost $35,000, so $32k really isn't that much. Figure with gas & maintenence spent another $30K

The largest bike I've driven is Honda 1800 Goldwing. Only driven one Harley, a 1960's it was totally different than anything I've driven before.

I would rather ride than work on them, and I'm also the most experienced on all my 20-35 friends, (depending on how you count, who never show up the second time after riding with us)

I don't own a car anymore, but Linda and I do own one new HONDA ACCORD. Please note it is Japanese, not American.

There are always 4 bikes now in the garage, I do not miss my expensive 99 Corvette.

Best bike? No doubt, my current Suzuki GSX1100G. Bought in 93, is a 91 model, now has 95,000 miles, runs great. Is reliable, fast, economical, easy to work on, over 20 reasons actually.

Worst Bike: My current BMW. Heavy, unreliable, expensive, hard to work on, no dealers nearby, about 15 reason altogether. BUT it is very comfortable, smooth riding.

Hope to ride until the day I kick off... might be on a bike.

Picture is when I had 4 Suzuki 1100's like the 1991 I like best. Sold 2 to buy the BMW.