Topic: 26 Rides in 2026. Frank's New Years Resolution that we can all enjoy.

[jgger]

Nice rides gents.  Dennis i love those bridges, we don't have any cool ones like that around here. Well maybe one i found on the East Fork in Azusa Canyon. I could stare for hours at the craftsmanship it took to build them with the tools that were available back in the day.

Terry, you are really on a roll, you might have all 26 before the snowbirds can even get out of their igloos. That picnic table in the background is really interesting. It's the old carpenter in me I guess. 

Wind Therapy at its finest guys, keep them comming!

[denward17]

Ride #1=57 miles

Beautiful day today in central NC, ~ 74 degrees and sunny.

Got the 550 out to get it hot and some wind therapy.

Pic of one of the area lakes.....

[Terry in Australia]

Nice rides gents.  Dennis i love those bridges, we don't have any cool ones like that around here. Well maybe one i found on the East Fork in Azusa Canyon. I could stare for hours at the craftsmanship it took to build them with the tools that were available back in the day.

Terry, you are really on a roll, you might have all 26 before the snowbirds can even get out of their igloos. That picnic table in the background is really interesting. It's the old carpenter in me I guess. 

Wind Therapy at its finest guys, keep them comming!

Thanks Stu, it was a great ride. The weather forecast isn’t looking promising for most of this week so I might only get one or two rides in this week, but I’m really enjoying my rides this year, not having to wait for the weekend is fantastic, although I do need to catch up with my chopper build and some household chores. Spotty and I went to a swap meet on Saturday and it was pretty crappy, all I ended up buying was a box of nitrile gloves, but they will be handy when I continue stripping paint, the Coopers paint stripper is great stuff but stings like hell when I get some on my skin. Anyway, I’m happy with my rides so far.

[newday777]

Nice rides gents.  Dennis i love those bridges, we don't have any cool ones like that around here. Well maybe one i found on the East Fork in Azusa Canyon. I could stare for hours at the craftsmanship it took to build them with the tools that were available back in the day.

Terry, you are really on a roll, you might have all 26 before the snowbirds can even get out of their igloos. That picnic table in the background is really interesting. It's the old carpenter in me I guess. 

Wind Therapy at its finest guys, keep them comming!

Thanks Stu, it was a great ride. The weather forecast isn’t looking promising for most of this week so I might only get one or two rides in this week, but I’m really enjoying my rides this year, not having to wait for the weekend is fantastic, although I do need to catch up with my chopper build and some household chores. Spotty and I went to a swap meet on Saturday and it was pretty crappy, all I ended up buying was a box of nitrile gloves, but they will be handy when I continue stripping paint, the Coopers paint stripper is great stuff but stings like hell when I get some on my skin. Anyway, I’m happy with my rides so far.

Thanks Terry but that was Jim. And thank you for your condolences.

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, no worries, my poor old brain is slowly withering away, I suppose that's the flip side of the joys of retirement..

[BallAquatics]

Got the 550 out to get it hot and some wind therapy.

That's one beautiful bike Dennis. Congrats on the ride. What kind of tires are you running on your 550?

[denward17]

Got the 550 out to get it hot and some wind therapy.

That's one beautiful bike Dennis. Congrats on the ride. What kind of tires are you running on your 550?

Thanks Dennis!   Bridgestone Battlax BT46

[willbird]

#1, 78 miles, 45F.....
CB500X starts the year at 16015 miles...



Bill

[Terry in Australia]

The weather here has been wet and humid since Sunday. Monday it rained all day, and yesterday wasn't looking great either. I thought about riding the VMax rather than the K0, but I messed up on Sunday after my ride and brought home the log book for the K0 (which is in my storage unit) and left the logbook for the Yamaha (which is at home) in the storage unit. Poop.

Oh well, no biggie, I drove over to the storage unit with the logbook for the K0. It was cold, overcast and humid, but not raining. I wheeled the K0 out into the gloomy daylight, and kicked it over a few times with the ignition off before switching it on, and hit the button, and it fired right up. I let it warm up while I put on my warm jacket, helmet, and winter gloves. I rode off into the gloom, and stopped to fill it up with 98RON, it's favourite flavour. I took off again, intending to ride it to Yea, (pronounced Yay) but saw a turn off to Strath Creek, where I haven't been in the last year or so, and as I rode along, the sun finally came out, and it had turned into a nice day. I stopped for a smoke, and to take a couple of pics.

K0 Tuesday 3 March 2026 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

K0 Tuesday 3 March 2026 4 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

I continued on, and headed towards Broadford. I rode past a lookout with a nice view of the hills, so stopped for more pics.

K0 Tuesday 3 March 2026 5 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

K0 Tuesday 3 March 2026 6 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

I rode thru Broadford, and ended up in Kilmore, so stopped at the bakery for a delicious Steak, cheese and bacon pie. I couldn't get a flavoured milk to wash it down, so bought a ginger beer (of the non alcoholic variety sadly..) and burped and farted all the way home. I looked around for the crow I fed on Sunday,but didn't see him, or I would have shared my pie with him.

K0 Tuesday 3 March 2026 8 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

K0 Tuesday 3 March 2026 7 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Anyway, it turned out to be a great ride, and I managed to do 110 miles, which made my target of 5000 trouble free miles (8000 Kilometres) since I built it as a covid project during the lockdowns here. When I got back to the storage unit I saw the poor neglected Kawasaki Z1-B sitting there, so I thought I'd try starting it. It fired right up on 4 cylinders, so I rode it around the storage place, and decided that I better take it for a ride and see how it goes, and if I'm happy with it, I'll take it over for (another) Roadworthy Certificate, and get it legally on the road. I might do that today. Anyway, ride #14 is done, and all going well, I should get my remaining 12 rides in over the next month or so.    

[Alan F.]

That's a great day Terry. Only 12 rides left, that seems a long way off for me.
We received about 4" of new snow here this afternoon, forecast still says, a dusting to one inch...
My girlfriend tucked a fortune cookie in with my lunch today. Pic attached.

[newday777]

That's a great day Terry. Only 12 rides left, that seems a long way off for me.
We received about 4" of new snow here this afternoon, forecast still says, a dusting to one inch...
My girlfriend tucked a fortune cookie in with my lunch today. Pic attached.

Yesterday I did a small repair of a garage corner where my friend from bike night hit it with his tractor plowing a couple weeks ago. After I finished it he said how about we go out on his snowmobiles for a couple hours. I had a blast, the one I was riding had 124 hp, some serious giddyup. Saw the moon coming up as the sun went down. We only did 18-20 miles so I won't count it as a ride here but I was in the wind!

[Kelly E]

18 to 20 miles on a snowmobile has got to be worth the same as a 50 mile bike ride.

[newday777]

18 to 20 miles on a snowmobile has got to be worth the same as a 50 mile bike ride.

😄
It was very a comfortable ride with great suspension, almost as easy as riding my GL1800 Goldwing, totally unlike the last time I rode a snowmobile in 1972. It even has heated grips and seat.

[PeWe]

Fantastic views you have caught with your photos,  Terry!
Look like from a movie where they have added digital effects.

The ride food look tasty too. Not too much wirh side effects.
We do not have such stuff here at restaurants or small shops/cafes.

Ride a stock CB750 is fun. My K2 has also higher compression. But not as your pistons domes in the K0.

[newday777]

Fantastic views you have caught with your photos,  Terry!
Look like from a movie where they have added digital effects.

The ride food look tasty too. Not too much wirh side effects.
We do not have such stuff here at restaurants or small shops/cafes.

Ride a stock CB750 is fun. My K2 has also higher compression. But not as your pistons domes in the K0.

I agree Per, those views are very similar to the hills and mountains just east of San Diego.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks guys, I think the fuel was stale on my first ride a week or so ago, I’d topped it up with fresh 98 and it was ok, but the second ride with more fresh fuel was better, and by Tuesday’s ride it was back to its old self, and went like a little rocket.

I almost had a disaster yesterday with the Z1-B. I decided to take it for a ride to blow out the cobwebs and decide if it was ready to put on the road. It started up fine, and even though it was lightly drizzling rain I rode out into the gloom.

My only real complaint was that the throttle was really stiff, but I figured I’d do 50 miles and call it a day. I got as far as Beveridge (about 15 miles) and the rain was getting worse so I decided to head for home. Just as I was coming into Kalkallo it dropped #4 cylinder. Fcuk. The last thing I wanted to do was stop and check it out, so I limped back to the storage unit, and it conked out in the driveway. I’d been checking the oil pressure and it was good, but #4 pipe was cold. I’m hoping it’s an ignition issue (I’d drained the old fuel out and filled it with fresh 98 and some Proma fuel additive before I started it) as #1 felt cooler than #2 and 3, but I’m going to take my compression gauge over to the storage unit and see if I’ve done some damage.

I don’t think I could have dropped a valve and still been able to ride it home, maybe I blew a head gasket? Whatever, I’m just glad I got back and wasn’t standing on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck in the rain… The good news is that it’s supposed to be sunny and warm today, so I might give the VMax a run.

[PeWe]

Fuel delivery is clogged?
It should run on starter spray.

[Alan F.]

Starter spray in Oz has the most epic brand name, I wish I could find a can here.

[spotty]

Starter spray in Oz has the most epic brand name, I wish I could find a can here.

"start you bastard " , also available as an energy drink

[Alan F.]

 

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks guys, I have a can of "Start you Bastard" here, but I don't think it's a fuel issue. I'll take my compression gauge over to the storage unit today and check #4 just in case something has gone horribly wrong. Oh well, if I've done some damage, I was gonna build a milder engine anyway..

Yesterday was the complete opposite of Wednesday, sunny and warm. I jumped on the VMax and was having a nice semi-legal cruise, when a d1ck in a Ford Ranger dissed me, and overtook me and sped off. It turned out that the driver was going the same way as me, so I caught up to him, then pushed his buttons a little. The speed limit was 100 KPH (60 MPH) so he sped up to 120, then 140, with me just cruising along behind him. There were some tight twisties ahead, and I took pleasure in watching him almost roll his truck through them, but stayed well back, as I didn't want to run into the carnage. He came out of the twisties and floored it, but a Ford Ranger only has about the same BHP as a VMax in a much heavier vehicle, and of course, don't have VBoost, so I powered past him at around 200, and kept going until I couldn't see him in my mirrors anymore. Naughty I know, but fun, nonetheless..

Anyway, back to sane speeds, another 20 miles up the road I came upon some roadworks and had to stop as one of the two lanes was closed. While I was sitting there a cop car came past, and I thanked my guardian angels that the cops hadn't seen me a few minutes prior. I rode on through Broadford and onto Kilmore. I thought about a pie, but had a late breakfast, so remembered that there was an ice cream parlour next door to the bakery. I can't eat normal ice cream any more as the gut surgery has made me lactose intolerant, but luckily they have a huge choice of Gelato, so I think I had a scoop of every flavour (except Mango, I had an awful experience with Mango's back in the 80's, so can't stand the smell of them anymore) and it was a delicious treat.

VMax Thursday 5 March 2026 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Anyway, ride #15 is done, and today I think I'll pull the K0 out for a more sane ride. I really am starting to enjoy doing nothing for a living...

[PeWe]

Rides with food etc and writing about it is a good job!
For the readers too.

[jgger]

Good on ya Terry, you are really on a roll @15! But I do have to sat that tub of ice cream looks alot like a cup of melted crayons, it probably hit the spot though.

Yes not working for a living sure gives you an abundance of spare time. On the K0 it could be something simple like a piece of junk stuffing the main jet, or even the main falling out. I hope it's an easy fix.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks guys, the gelato was delicious. I drove over to the storage unit yesterday and took my compression gauge. I first tried to start the Z1-B, and it fired a few times but wouldn’t start. I pulled the plug and connected the lead, and drumroll… no spark! Well there you go. I connected the compression gauge and it was putting out 160 psi on a cold engine with the throttle closed, so I called that good enough.

I didn’t check the other cylinders, but I’m pretty sure they’re ok. I’ve got to go into the city this morning for a doctors appointment, but this afternoon I’ll take a car battery over today and try to jump start it, just in case the battery doesn’t have enough power to both crank the engine and provide enough spark, but if that doesn’t work, I’ll have to dig further into the ignition system.

I installed a new Dyna 2000 when I built the bike, and it’s worked fine until now, so it could just be a bad connection somewhere, and hopefully the ignition isn’t buggered. I do have a Dyna S and a Martek ignition in a box somewhere, but the Dyna 2000 is a pretty expensive system, so I’m hoping that it’s fine. We’ll see..

[Terry in Australia]

Anyhoot, after farting around with the Z1-B yesterday, I decided that another ride was in order. The ol' K0 fired up right away and I let it warm up as I put on my jacket, gloves and helmet. I wasn't sure where I wanted to go, I wasn't particularly hungry after scrambled eggs and bacon on toast, so I rode through Wallan and Kilmore and kept heading north/west. I have ridden past Pyalong many times, but never diverted off the Northern Highway (which is just a two lane (one lane each way) backroad, with more potholes than tar, but as it's another long weekend this weekend, it was a lot less busy than the Hume Freeway, which was full of camper vans, boats, cars towing trailers etc. I shouldn't have wasted my time, Pyalong consists of a pub (with "counter lunches", which would be good if I was really hungry) a General Store, a Police Station, and a school. I rode back to the Northern Highway, and continued on to Heathcote, and in particular, their bakery.

K0 Friday 6 March 2026 1 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

I'd gotten there a bit late and the choice of pies was depleted somewhat, so I chose a couple of "Party Pies" and "Party Sausage Rolls" maybe they should be called "Partly" rather than "Party" because they're pretty small, but as it was, they were delicious (particularly with the bakeries home made tomato sauce. (ketchup?) I only managed to down one of each, but they were so nice, I put the other two in my jacket pocket and had them for dinner. (Supper?)

K0 Friday 6 March 2026 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

While I was munching away, a guy a bit younger than me who looked mildly familiar came up and asked me about my bike. He seemed really stoked to see a K0 out on the road, he said that he'd seen plenty at shows, but never saw one "In the wild", and I explained that it's not a show bike, I only build bikes with the intention of riding them, (except, perhaps my turbo 750 chopper, because it'll be so frightening to ride..) to me, show bikes are just statues of motorcycles, and make me sad not to see them being used as they were designed. He was an Indian owner and was on his way to an Indian club gathering somewhere north, so I wished him well, and headed home.

All in all, ride #16 was great, 124 miles of smiles, and a nice warm breeze blowing through my old mesh Triumph jacket, and of course, the K0 is just going better with every ride. I'm going over to the storage unit shortly to try to sort out the ignition issue on my Z1-B, and if I get it running properly I might do a quick ride on it, but if not, I'll adjust the chain on the K0, kick the tyres, and take it for another ride. Should be good, either way.

K0 Friday 6 March 2026 3 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr