Topic: 25 Rides in 2025, Frank's New Years resolution that we can all enjoy.

[Kevin D]

Ride #26   89.5 miles   1.827 g  @ $4.39/g       81F

It was too nice of a day, I couldn’t not take a ride. So I skipped home lunch and hit the road in the early afternoon with a fast food lunch in mind. I was enjoying the ride so much I kept on until Pinckney and had a Wendy’s lunch. Instead of turning back I went through Pinckney SB towards Hell, then further WB on the D19 to Glenbrook/Hankerd. Hankerd is the road with the whoopers, maybe a half dozen, all of them blind to what’s beyond. I didn’t launch through any of them, I expect it would take a good bit more speed and a spotter on the other side. Reaching Territorial I made a left and was making good time homeward bound until I caught the light at Dexter-Pinckney and a 10000 gallon tanker turned left ahead of me. The tanker must have been empty as he was also making good time until we caught the new light at Webster Church. Even then, there was a new right turn lane at Webster Church, unoccupied, and nobody objected as I made my way to the front of the line and traveled eastbound unimpeded.
 Traffic was good until I reached the charter school near Ridge and school was letting out. I guess there’s no bus service for the charter school and it’s a ways out of town, too far to walk, so each student is chauffeured to school individually, 793 middle school students….. what a system, and this mess happens twice a day, every schoolday. I gotta make sure and avoid this, otherwise a nice afternoon ride.
Almost forgot, my CB turned 107000 miles today.
And another photo, Frank in the breeze today.

[lash]

I did 4 rides last week over 100 km. each. 2 on the wing and 2 on the gold 750. Been battling the flu all that week  so didnt post them.
Today took the blue cb out for the first time since June and did 110 mi. for what would be #86.

[lash]

Fall is the best time to ride I think. Just the right temps and the colors changing is so worth the ride. #87 was 121 mi.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks guys, "Retarded" is probably apt, because while I'm not going to work every day, I'm still on the payroll, and the monthly salary is still rolling in regardless of the fact that I haven't been doing my job since May. Sadly, I suppose, is that I started my retardment just as winter rolled in, so most of my recent rides have been a little less enjoyable.

We had some really strong winds on Tuesday, so I didn't go for a ride, because last time I rode on a day like that I was fighting to stay in my lane when riding thru crosswinds. As it was, several big branches snapped off the huge tree behind my house. I wandered outside yesterday and was horrified that the wife's "Hills Hoist" (clothesline) was bent at an extreme angle and apparently taking the weight of a ton or so of lumber.

Treefall 17 September 2025 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Treefall 17 September 2025 2 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Treefall 17 September 2025 1 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Now I own several chainsaws, so I selected my newest electric chainsaw (bought intentionally to cut down a tree belonging to the local council that is slowly pushing my back fence over as quietly as possible, so as not to get reported by a neighbour) and was immediately impressed at how it cut through 8" wide branches like butter. I spent a couple of hours cutting off the hanging branches, and of course, couldn't help myself, and cut off a lot more than necessary. No matter, tomorrow when the wife is free, she'll help me stuff the smaller branches into the chipper, and I'll cut the larger sections for my old Ma, for her open fire.

I'll need to climb up the ladder to cut some more, then up on the roof to cut another few branches. My wife suggested that I call in a "professional", but I reminded her that I am a "professional" (bullsh1tter) and don't need no outside help. I guess she'll wait until I fall off the roof and get a real pro in while I'm in hospital...

Anyhoot, the sun was peaking out behind the clouds, so I took a break from playing lumberjack, and jumped on the big black VMax. God I love this thing, it allows for an upright riding posture which helps my back, it's got a pretty low stance, and it pisses off all of the boy racers in their V8's and turbo ricers, as I hit VBoost RPM, and it just goes mental. It was cold and even though I'd rugged up, I could feel the cold that had penetrated through my jacket, vest, long sleeve T shirt and thermal underwear. I stopped on the side of the freeway to get a pic of the pretty sunflowers, but could only park in an area where I couldn't get a decent backdrop of yellow. Oh well.

VMax Wednesday 17 sep 2025 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

I decided to do my quick 80 mile circuit, so took off in an easterly direction, and then I came upon the burned out wreck of a V8 Audi, the stolen car of choice for middle eastern gangs to conduct ram-raids on stores, or drive-by shootings of other middle eastern gang members. While I'm no fan of Euro trash cars, I was impressed with the almost total devastation. There were ingots of melted aluminium under the floorpan, I thought about taking a piece as a souvenir, after I checked to see if there was the remains of any guns that might have been left behind, but then decided that I really wasn't that interested, and rode off.

VMax Wednesday 17 sep 2025 2 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

VMax Wednesday 17 sep 2025 5 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

VMax Wednesday 17 sep 2025 4 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

By the time I got home the tips of my fingers were frozen, so I made a coffee with a good size shot of Jack Daniels therein, and holding the cup and swallowing the contents helped warm my hands up again. I ordered in Mongolian beef with noodles, which was delicious, and by the time the wife got home, I was asleep in my comfy chair.

It's a nicer day again today, so I might have to go for another scoot on the black beast again today. 36 down, hopefully at least another 14 by the end of the year. Please God, don't let my employer find me a job, I've been very brave riding in sh1t weather for the last 4 months or so, so I want to start getting some rides in on some nice days, just for a chance.........    

[BenelliSEI]

Planning meeting for the upcoming Ganaraska 250 so took the Varadero for a nice long afternoon ride (#21) late this afternoon. Rode home in the dark (something I try and avoid) and it sure cooled down. Time to put the mesh jacket away!

Nice Chat with Kevin D this morning and sounds like he and his son may make the Event on Oct. 4th. Really impressed they are game to make the trip! It will be Kevin’s third appearance at the event. Very impressive!

[newday777]

Planning meeting for the upcoming Ganaraska 250 so took the Varadero for a nice long afternoon ride (#21) late this afternoon. Rode home in the dark (something I try and avoid) and it sure cooled down. Time to put the mesh jacket away!

Nice Chat with Kevin D this morning and sounds like he and his son may make the Event on Oct. 4th. Really impressed they are game to make the trip! It will be Kevin’s third appearance at the event. Very impressive!

Ohhhh my! I might have to know the details of going as I am planning on riding through about then John. I'll be on a ride about then, the long way around, to see the grands in Vegas and Florida. Working on getting my passport card now to enter at Johnstown @10/1-10/2 on my wing

[Kevin D]

Planning meeting for the upcoming Ganaraska 250 so took the Varadero for a nice long afternoon ride (#21) late this afternoon. Rode home in the dark (something I try and avoid) and it sure cooled down. Time to put the mesh jacket away!

Nice Chat with Kevin D this morning and sounds like he and his son may make the Event on Oct. 4th. Really impressed they are game to make the trip! It will be Kevin’s third appearance at the event. Very impressive!

Ohhhh my! I might have to know the details of going as I am planning on riding through about then John. I'll be on a ride about then, the long way around, to see the grands in Vegas and Florida. Working on getting my passport card now to enter at Johnstown @10/1-10/2 on my wing

John,
I sent my entries to Phil this morning.
I found my roll chart holder.
Derek has a tank bag with a window.

[BenelliSEI]

Planning meeting for the upcoming Ganaraska 250 so took the Varadero for a nice long afternoon ride (#21) late this afternoon. Rode home in the dark (something I try and avoid) and it sure cooled down. Time to put the mesh jacket away!

Nice Chat with Kevin D this morning and sounds like he and his son may make the Event on Oct. 4th. Really impressed they are game to make the trip! It will be Kevin’s third appearance at the event. Very impressive!

Ohhhh my! I might have to know the details of going as I am planning on riding through about then John. I'll be on a ride about then, the long way around, to see the grands in Vegas and Florida. Working on getting my passport card now to enter at Johnstown @10/1-10/2 on my wing

John,
I sent my entries to Phil this morning.
I found my roll chart holder.
Derek has a tank bag with a window.

Kev….. Mailed ours in too. Not sure if I will ride or stick around the farm. Chris thinks he may be able to make it! He’ll take the black K3. It’s been in everyone of the Gana250’s and finished them all!

[BenelliSEI]

Stu…. The event is planned for Oct.4th. So far we have about 21-22 riders and it’s running out from our farm. Paved roads, about 250 km, around the Kawartha Lakes. We’re going to be dishing up chili afterward. Let me know if you’re in the area,I’ll pass on the details. We are about 15 miles south-west of Peterborough, Ontario.

[BenelliSEI]

Spectacular weather the past few days. The Fall colours are just starting to peak out and blue sky and sunshine. Some short errands on the cb750K1 ended up being +100 miles in under two hours. Running on non ethanol super left over from our last weekend racing the LEXUS. #22. Life is GOOD!

[lash]

Goldwing day! Started out cool and cloudy but ended up 22c and sunny. Beautiful perfect fall day. 361 km for #87.

[PeWe]

#30 Friday 19 280km 20-15*C 15:30- 19:30
I could not miss the paus of the rain gods. Another doze of STP 5-1 fuel additive to clean engine inside. Carb cleaning has been successful so far. Reducing pilot circuit fuel after each ride.
 Eventually sooty chambers, piston domes, ex valves and ports after a few episodes of too rich jetting. Bad fuel tricked me to jet richer to get engine to run evenly.
Hopefully cleaner now.

The fuel screws will be reduced to next ride. I could not get any popping sound during throttle offs at high revs/speeds.

I'll set the valve lash too. 125-75 cam.Ex has little bit more than cam spec (in/ex 0.005"), 0.006" in has less, 0.004.

I'll test 0.004" and measure compression with my tester.
Test before and after adjustment.
Compression of 220 +/- 5  PSI need higher octane. Light high speed pinging at WOT ca: 7000rpm. Engine has ca 2500rpm left of good power.

If compression will be significantly lower I'll test that. Overlap will increase with less lash.

Megacycle 125-60 has 0.004" lash, 125-70/75  0.005"
When 125-60/65 can so why not 125/70/75 in a street bike.

My ride after work:
Ramnäs- Engelsberg- Fagersta- Söderbärke- Smedjebacken- Säter- Hedemora- Norberg- Fagersta (refuel)- Norberg - Salbohed (kebab pick up)- SätraBrunn - Haraker (sunset photo)- Skultuna- home.

Photos at a few stops. I did not find a good stopping point in Söderbärke. A really nice small village that gives me old memories of how small villages looked like 40 years ago and before.

Ride stop at my favourite ride restaurant in Salbohed, kebab with fries  to eat at home.

Photo stop in Haraker where sunset can look beautiful. This time at 7:15pm. This will be earlier and earlier.
I'll continue to stop for photos here. In October it will be dark around 6pm.

The auxiliary lamps my K6 got to 2023 are useful when dark. Reflexes beside the road will light up like a landing strip.
The stops need 360* photos to get the right feeling.

Kebab before it got the red spicy sauce and the milder  creamy white.

A GT to help it down and relax.
8cl of my favourite Gin, Bombay Sapphire (blue  as my K6).
Unfortunately only 40%, original 47.5% has a better sting. Not available here. Too fun not allowed

My juice need higher ethanol content, bikes and car less.



Edit:
Did the valve adjustment today. (Day after the ride)
Compression tests to start with.
212-220 PSI. Strange, lower than last time.

Checked valves. All in valve lashes were too tight. 0.004" 0.10mn  feeler gauge did not fit!
0.002" 0.05mm had space though.
Ex were all 0.006" 0.15mm

Must have used wrong feeler gauge last time. All were equally set.
I always double check valve lash. Rotate crank a few revs more.

Adjusted all to 0.10mm (0.004")
Compression test again
Back to high numbers despite ex lash were reduced from 0.15 to 0.10mm.

In lash makes the biggest difference!
215-225PSI.

I'll see (hear) at next ride what happens during WOT reaching  and passing 7000rpm, mostly 5th gear.
The little longer ex duration and lift  might help.

Maybe I need to spice up the juice with octane booster for WOT rides.

Germany and Greece have 100 octane RON at the pumps. Maybe 102 too.
Another reason to move

[newday777]

#20 9/20/25 147 miles.
The morning started off at 52° F at 8am, headed to Hudson to look at a textile jacket and a 350/500/550four Clymer book, just bought the Clymer, back home to empty the dryer then headed over to Mom's for the afternoon. My sis was processing her chickens, slaughtered 34, cleaned, cut up and frozen in sealed,  portioned packages. She had 4 friends over to help so I stayed with mom. We had rabbit chilly for lunch with corn bread and then beef stew for dinner (sorry forgot to take pics of the food.... again)
And of course mom made another apple pie which I brought some home with me.
The high temp was 72°F for the day. Some leaves are starting to turn color but not many yet.
The trip home was cooler as the fall season is settling in on us. 52° on the ride home. I stopped and put on my rain suit to keep me warm as I didn't bring my jacket liner with me but the goldwing fends off the wind. The rain suit works well to break all wind from sucking body heat from your body very well.
This morning as I write this, outside it is 41°F, and promising another beautiful day of 71° but I need to focus on getting my new Aspen camper ready to pull behind the wing for my cross country trip after the 1st of October, and service the wing too so I probably won't get a ride in today. (Still have lots to finish up on the stairs I'm working on during the week.) Next Sunday is mom's party so I might get one more ride in here locally to mom's before the rideabout next month.

[PeWe]

Only 5 more rides Stu
If we are lucky 1 month left of riding days now end then.
Hopefully not much rain.

[Alan F.]

#12 for me today 376.4 miles.
I hit the road at 06:30, gassed up and took 495 south to 2 west then hopped on 91 north into Vermont where I picked up 9 west to Pownal, Vermont for another Royal Enfield dealership open house and group ride. There were 70 something bikes and about half were Enfields. However I did spot 3 CB750s, a K4, K7 and an F3!
I got home after dark my newly installed Koito headlight is a wonderful upgrade, even on this 5 year old bike.

[BenelliSEI]

Glorious weekend so I rode the K3 more than a few times (#22). The clutch judder I’ve been ignoring for ages is really annoying so when I got back I dumped the oil and got it up on a table. This cb750 has finished every Ganaraska 250 since inception, over 15 years ago. The 2025 event is in two weeks and we are racing the car for three days next weekend. Headed to the shop today!

[willbird]

#67, 9-19-2025, 59 miles, worked day shift and then got a ride during the afternoon after work, I never seek this landmark out, it just kind of finds me, I roughly know where it is. Friday I had decided not to ride down that road which is a state route but twisty roads kept bringing me back to that road so I did follow it a bit and the landmark appeared.



#68, 9-20-2025 81 miles, forgot to start the track recorder on my Garmin Zumo XT. Rode east on US20 to state route 108, South to near Napoleon, then West back towards home.

#69, 9-21-2025, 63 miles. rained in the morning but mostly clear afternoon and evening.

[newday777]

Ohhhh my! I might have to know the details of going as I am planning on riding through about then John. I'll be on a ride about then, the long way around, to see the grands in Vegas and Florida. Working on getting my passport card now to enter at Johnstown @10/1-10/2 on my wing

Well time is flying fast here not finished yet on the stairs I'm building so I'm going to have to forego the side trip through Canada...... this trip.

[Alan F.]

#13 today, 145.3 miles.
Sunny with a breeze, about 75°F
I rode down to Franklin, Mass with my laptop on my back to do a survey for work. I'm not supposed to take the bike what what are they gonna do?
And they paid for the gas.

[ofreen]

#6.  A cooler day today after yesterday's rain. The faithful 750F and I crossed over into Oregon and rode for a time along the Owyhee River.




This corn field is being burned off after the corn stalks were cut and ground up.  I saw the smoke plume over 10 miles away and thought at first it was a wildfire.


A nice old farmhouse -


The flat surfaces of the F's tank make a useful picnic table -

[PeWe]

#31  Yesterday 124km
An after  work ride.
Skultuna-  Ransta- Engelsberg - Salbohed- Haraker-Skultuna

Fall is really here! Brrrrr. 14*C when left 3pm, 12*C  2 hours later.

Fine tune ignition at WOT from higher speeds/rpm without sacrificing the good  torque from low to high 
I could retard just a little.

Easy with Dyna-S and 2 sizes of allen tools, for cover and ign plate.

Used the good safe straight  parts of the remote roads with minimum of traffic. A little windy though.

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