Topic: 21 Rides in 2021... SOHC 4 bikes .

[Kelly E]

That looks like fun

[Kevin D]

It is fun, and it’s a chance to practice flicking my CB back and forth. Not that a CB750 with a full tank of gas is good for flicking. But if you want to improve flicking on a CB750 or flicking on a more flickable motorcycle this is as good a place as any. This location is about 20 miles out from home, so my gas tank is about 0.4 gallons below full: not the best circumstances for flicking. The CB handles much better with a half tank of gas.

[goodtryer]

#12 - August 7 - 155 miles

Beautiful day. Mid 80's, scattered clouds and a nice breeze.

Took the 550 out today for the first time in a long time. Ran great except for a little stumbling at WOT.

Went out to the Three Sisters and came home the long way just north of Hondo. Stopped for a pic at the Sabinal river crossing a few miles outside of Vanderpool (home of the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum).

Cheers

[Terry in Australia]

Thank God I’ve already done my 21 plus change, we went back into lockdown without warning last Thursday and there’s no relief on the horizon. Luckily I’ve got another bike project to keep me busy. I need some more clear containers but can’t go over to Spotty’s place to pick them up.

Luckily we both need to buy fuel at the same gas station today, at the same time……

[ekpent]

Thank God I’ve already done my 21 plus change, we went back into lockdown without warning last Thursday and there’s no relief on the horizon. Luckily I’ve got another bike project to keep me busy. I need some more clear containers but can’t go over to Spotty’s place to pick them up.

Luckily we both need to buy fuel at the same gas station today, at the same time……

How convenient ! Hopefully a fellow Aussie doesn't read this and try to make a citizens arrest 

[Terry in Australia]

Thank God I’ve already done my 21 plus change, we went back into lockdown without warning last Thursday and there’s no relief on the horizon. Luckily I’ve got another bike project to keep me busy. I need some more clear containers but can’t go over to Spotty’s place to pick them up.

Luckily we both need to buy fuel at the same gas station today, at the same time……

How convenient ! Hopefully a fellow Aussie doesn't read this and try to make a citizens arrest 

Nah, that's be an invitation for a whooping. Not from me, I'm a lover, not a fighter, but Spotty is 7 feet of mean......

[ofreen]

282 miles today.  We've had a respite from the triple digit heat and smoke, so took advantage of it and rode up SH55 to McCall, ID.  A few pics -

[RAFster122s]

Greg, how do you like the bike without the Windjammer on it?

Great pictures

[ofreen]

Greg, how do you like the bike without the Windjammer on it?

Great pictures

Thanks David.  I miss the fairing when it is below 45 degrees or when I am on the freeway at 70+ for any longer distance.  Other than that, I don't miss the weight on the front end.  The fork works better and the bike accelerates better without it.  After having it on there for 40 years, it is like a completely different bike without it.  It doesn't disappear beneath you like riding a Ducati Monster, but handling is lighter.  But I commuted on it year round all those years and it really extended the riding season.  I'd ride to work with temps in the teens as long as the roads were dry and was reasonably comfortable.  And there is no question it saved the bike from worse damage when we got hit by the pickup back in 2018.  The bike hit the road hard but the Windjammer took the brunt.  But no more commuting, just rides like yesterday and stuff like parts runs.  And oh yeah, I miss the storage the fairing provided.

[goodtryer]

#13 - August 15 - 95 miles

Clear skies, no breeze, going to be a hot one today so we got on the road early.

Explored some county roads we hadn't been on before. Lucked out, they were in excellent shape, lots of shade and curves. Ended up in Bandera again for breakfast. Didn't get a picture of the bike today but got one of this beauty.

Cheers.

[Kevin D]

Ride #10 132 miles 49 mpg

Away from here too long, today is my first ride of August, on the 24th. It has been blazing hot and my outdoor thermometer is showing 96f right now. We have been riddled with storms, but we escaped for a week to the Lake Michigan beaches. Lots of sunshine and refreshing swims. Lake Michigan is frozen or too chilly much of the time but at it’s best in mid August. I managed to climb the Sleeping Bear, and without having to carry a child or grandchild. Those days are done, it’s an accomplishment to get my own arse to the top. I counted 90 boats out fishing for salmon at Frankfort near sunset, I quit counting at 90, that’s about half the boats that were out. We have a new state record:
 48 lbs king salmon caught nearby.
 I saw many large uprooted trees today, most of the storm cleanup has been completed, roads and driveways were clear but huge sectioned tree trunks remain.
In Dexter, I found the horseshoe arena, home of the ringers.
The Honda performed admirably after the extended time off.

[Terry in Australia]

Well done Kevin, we’ve been in lockdown so long that I’m gonna have to drain the tanks on my K0 and K2 as the fuel has gone bad, I must remember to buy some fuel stabiliser and some fresh fuel and fire them both up regularly to stop them from locking up.

Supposedly Oz will have 80% of the population to be fully vaccinated by mid November, and by then things will be back to some kind of normal. I’ll just be happy if I can do some 100(+) milers again.

[Kevin D]

Ride 11 126 miles

The heat and humidity have broken here making for ideal riding weather so I got out yesterday after some early chores for a pleasant afternoon of riding. I switched my route a bit and made a counterclockwise loop:
Home-Washtenaw County-Livingston County-Oakland County-Home. I generally avoid the busier places but I managed to have a nice ride and to see all of my grandkids yesterday including my new grandson, not yet a week old.
 I had the traffic circles all to myself and made a nice pass through although there was an oil track from a leaking I dont know what much of the way through. In the distant past, I raced my SL100 at Mustang Acres, just outside of Brighton. Mustang Acres is no more, the Iron Mustangs sold their property to developers and did very well. There is now a Home Depot and other big box business on the site. Independence Village, a senior living site, is directly on what I believe was the track. I went by Challis road looking for any remnants of a motocross track and between the bulldozer action and my forgetfulness I couldn’t find anything. I found a 1970 lo-res aerial photo and think I see the track so I’ll do my best to post a then and now photo.
 Also turned 93000 miles on my quest for 100000.

[Terry in Australia]

Good job Kevin, we're still locked down for another 3 weeks, so the way things are going, I may be riding my 1974 Suzuki T500 (which is in a million bits right now) by the time we come out of lockdown. Oh well, at least our weather is improving while the rest of the world prepares for winter hibernation. Enjoy those rides!

[Kevin D]

Im behind Terry and maybe I’ll not make 20 rides unless we have a mild fall. I’ve not made either trip I had hoped for and didn’t make it to Gilmore this year. All Clubs Day at Stockbridge is coming up but I gotta check my calendar to ensure no conflicts.
 I only have one bike to care for and it is running good. I love when the engine fires and runs instantly, at a touch of the starter button. That says more about the bike than anything I have done to it. But look at the resto work you have done in the meantime. That blue paint looks great.
 The virus is climbing here but we are way behind other places where the hospitals and ER’s are full. As our governor has had her wings clipped, I don’t believe there will be any further shutdowns here. I think you are doing it right, we are going full speed ahead with our school kids on the point.
 This latest ride puts me at 1500 miles for the year so it’s time for a mid season oil change.

[Kevin D]

Ride #12 124 miles 48 mpg
 
It’s a glorious day for a ride so I took full advantage of it. I had the roads almost to myself, very nice.
 Lunch at the Clear Lake Inn. I ate outside and had my choice of 10 picnic tables so I found one in the shade. I must be hungrier than you all because I ate half of my Italian Special Sub before I even considered to take a photo of it.
 The bike picture is back in the woods at the Doyle Lake boat launch. I have been back in there a couple times for photos, it’s very quiet and scenic. I rousted a couple of deer on my entry but nobody else was around.
 The Honda performed admirably.

[RAFster122s]

Great looking bike Kevin, cannot blame you on diving in...
New habits of photographing your food are hard to form.

Rocco's Little Chicago Pizza , Spin City pizza, spinach and cheese with sauce on top...deep dish of course...delicious!

[goodtryer]

#14 - September 4 - 99 miles

Beautiful day, high 80's, slight breeze, partly cloudy.

Helped my neighbor get new tires installed on his 96 750 so, of course, we had to go out for a test ride this fine Saturday morning.

Went on our "northern" route through Grey Forest to Boerne then across 46 to Pipe Creek and Bandera. It's "First Saturday" in Bandera but we had forgotten that until we arrived and saw the line of traffic just to get into town. Turned around and stopped to get breakfast at a small place just outside of town. Finish with a speed run back to Pipe Creek and down 1283 to Mico and then home.

[goodtryer]

#15 - September 5 - 91 miles

Hot today, 99F, no breeze, clear skies.

Solo ride today; it was mid-afternoon when I decided to go and it didn't take long to remember why we usually ride in the morning. Had to keep moving and even then it just felt hot. Anyway, the ride was nice, bike is running like a top. The conversion to the 530 chain has been a non-event other than the bike being somewhat quieter, a nice side-effect. I did the second round of sautéing my chain on the grill in a blend of oil & petroleum jelly and what started as a test ride turned into this trip today.

Stopped at the Rio Medina General Store for a drink.

Cheers!

[Kevin D]

Goodtryer you are gonna make it to 21 and many more. What’s the best months for riding where you are? Do you have a winter layup? If I have my way I will get some seat time sometime in the hill country. The weather here is still plenty nice  but it’s a countdown to frost and then much worse. I gotta try harder or I won’t make it to 21.

[RAFster122s]

After you pass 95 riding won't cool you off and it actually feels like you are riding in 5F hotter temps to a point.
I rode to church last Sunday and helped out in one of the outreach areas for a couple services and left around 12:45pm (got there around 9. Ride there was warm (85) but fone, return trip was in 105 heat. It was very unpleasant and I was zapped by time I got home. Hour's ride home...due to city traffic  and short freeway hop taking 1/2 the trip. I stopped for a Mexican Hot Dog on way home...about 15 minutes. I rehydrated after stripping off my riding pants, boots and jacket in front of a fan.
Riding in 95 and warmer weather is no fun and can be dangerous due to the heat. I usually try to avoid riding in temps above 95f.
Soon,late next month, we will have much nicer riding temps. Then I will ride more and take longer trips.

[goodtryer]

Goodtryer you are gonna make it to 21 and many more. What’s the best months for riding where you are? Do you have a winter layup? If I have my way I will get some seat time sometime in the hill country. The weather here is still plenty nice  but it’s a countdown to frost and then much worse. I gotta try harder or I won’t make it to 21.

We usually have 8-9 months of riding weather or maybe it's "weather I'm willing to ride in". 60F is my lower limit; I don't have the gear for temps lower than that. Although it's not the same as the desert SW, we still get high enough temps around here that it's not fun but Sunday was fine. I've found there's a position I can hold my head/helmet that creates a great draft down my jacket collar. The best riding months here are March, April, August & September. The summer months are fine, too, but you have to pick your spots. We usually ride in the mornings. You have to realize you're going to be sweaty and keep hydrated. This year was unusual; we had quite mild temps most of June and July which is why it's been so easy to rack up the rides.

As for winter layup, I don't do anything particular. My hobby is working on these bikes and the daily driver cars around the house. Most evenings I'm in the garage, winter months included. So despite not going for extended rides in lower temps, I ride each of them once or twice a month for a few miles around the neighborhood to keep the carbs clear and all the rubber bits flexible.

If you find yourself in the San Antonio area, let me know. We'll find you a bike and hit some back roads.

Cheers!

[ofreen]

After you pass 95 riding won't cool you off ...

One of the many things I like about my Roadcrafter jacket are the armpit vents.  Unzipping the armpits flows a lot more air than the typical slits in the front of some jackets.  I also have a mesh jacket.  Both work very well with a wet t-shirt when you are moving.  It's better than air conditioning.  That water lasts about 30 minutes at 100+ with the roadcrafter, not quite as long with the mesh jacket.

[754]

 Well it looks like its going to be zero rides for me this year..
 Been a full year now since I rode a bike..
Next year should be real good, its starting to look like, things are starting to fall in place.. my plan may be working.

[Kevin D]

Ride #13 133 miles 48.5 mpg

 I made a figure 8 on my ride today. It’s odd how many different things you see riding the same road but in the opposite direction. Here is what’s left of a huge oak tree, the trunk was presumably broken in last months storms. I’m on Mount Hope road traveling south to north, I missed it, I dunno why, when traveling north to south.
 As I was approaching one of the Mount Hope sweepers today I witnessed a cager lose control of his car. The back end of the car went into the gravel on the outside of the curve and started to slide. The car got about 90 degrees off and I thought he would be coming all the way across my lane. But it snapped back to center and as he approached me I saw his right hand and phone at his ear. At no time did he lose control of his call, but I think he’s got his priorities out of order.