Published by Ed October 25th, 2005
in General and Motorcycle.
(originally posted on cycleforums)
I know most of you don’t care, and honestly I’m not even sure why I’m posting this - probably to try and clear some of the demons from my head… so the usual rule applies - nothing nice to say, then piss off…
To say that I was “looking forward” to Sunday wouldn’t sound right - but it was something that part of me needed to do. I have a soul full of guilt because of all the time I’ve spent away from my group of friends in this community - between work and school, I just never seem to make it out to anything and see people. And then we loose Rion, and suddenly I have no more chances to get to know someone better that I really enjoyed the times I spent with.
I wanted to spend Sunday with him.. With you all.. Instead, I spent Sunday curled up with the flu and unable to ride. I fought to get that day off from work, and this is how Murphy treats me… I am not pleased…
Just another missed opportunity of something that was beautiful.. 
Rion - I took the long way to work today, listening to music and thinking about the times I got to hang out with you. I am sorry that I missed Sunday…
Published by Ed October 23rd, 2005
in General and Motorcycle.
Today should have been spent riding on the memorial ride for Rion Monk (see here) - instead, it was spent curled up on the couch taking shots of NyQuil trying to come down from a fever..
I was going to still try and make it out this morning (fever started yesterday) - but either the fever or the congestion inside my ear was giving me short bouts of dizziness, something which I did not need while on the bike…
Guess I’ll make my own little “good-bye” ride in a few weeks to go to the spot everyone went to today.
Published by Ed September 13th, 2005
in General and Motorcycle.
The memorial for Rion (WhiteRabbit) was yesterday. Started out as a tear-jerking ordeal, but by the end of it laughs were being shared about the things that he did and the way he made us feel. It was nice seeing all the people affected by his life. I wish I could have gotten to know him better - the last time we hung out was working on Robin’s race bike.
A memorial ride is in the works - hopefully I’ll know about it soon enough to take the day off of work since I’m sure it’ll be on a weekend.
We’ll miss you, Rion..
Published by Ed March 17th, 2005
in Motorcycle and Travel.
a while back I made a post about some new camping equipment with the idea of going to Alaska using them. Since then, a few things have been brought to attention. First and foremost is the size and compressability of a Down filled bag as opposed to the synthetic bag I purchased. Needless to say, slipping into one of the better-made down bags and then slipping back into my synthetic had me spoiled in every sense of the word… The down bag compressed SO much tighter (saving space), weighed a little less and, although more spendy, will last about 3-5 times as long as the synthetic…
needless to say, the bag I purchased went back yesterday in favor of a 0 degree down bag… 
I just got the confirmation call from a friend of mine that he placed the order at the company - they anticipate I should be receiving it about the second week of April (about 2 weeks to build the bag and 2 weeks to ground-ship it). Can’t wait..
Bag
The other change was a realization of my short-term goals. This season, I want to get out much more than I did last season - and that will require a tent that has tons of mesh and is light to lug around (ideally, I’d really like to get my ass into shape and do some weekend backpacking). After much searching and trying to find a bag that would be able to serve me will here in the Texas summer AND do Alaska’s summer temps of around 20*F, I decided that the best bet would be to serve my current goals here in Texas and then when the time approaches for me to motorcycle up north I’ll get a bag more suited to that particular environment. Frankly, it was getting mind-boggling to keep narrowing tents down only to have to choose something based on “what would suck the least”. I think I’ve made a sound decision for my Texas camping needs…
Tent
Published by Ed February 11th, 2005
in Motorcycle and Travel.
My tax refund came in this morning (wahoo!). Set aside some money for bills, and with the rest I decided to start gathering the things that I need for camping on motorbike. I don’t have a sleeping bag (well, I have what used to resemble a sleeping bag, but it’s not very warm) - found a nice 0 degree bag at REI, on sale even. Has some great features including a pocket under your head to shove clothes in for a pillow so you don’t have to pack one.
http://www.rei.com/product/47692164.htm
Currently I have a few-year old REI Flyte tent. It’s awesome for the summer - the whole top and sides are mesh. I also love the size of the rain-fly vestibule, as it sticks out enough to cook a quick meal in the rain. The tragic flaw in it (something I never thought of when I first purchased it) is that you HAVE to stake it down to pitch. The two poles run parallel to each other to form the body of the tent and you stake out the poles and corners, cinch it, and it’s stable. This is all well and good, but it’s bit me in the arse twice now while trying to camp and I ended up sleeping outside with a blanket. If you remember from up above, I had no sleeping bag…. Everything was fine until sometime around 3am when the dew started developing outside. I woke up shivering and damp. Never again.
So I set out in search of a tent that offered a few features I wanted. First, it must be small and reasonably light - I’m going to use this on the bike, after all. Second, it must have good ventilation for the summer (it gets bloody hot here) but it must be able to close up good enough for winter camping. Third, it must have a vestibule big enough to cook a quick meal in when it’s raining. Looking around, I found this :
http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/fusion2.asp
I tad more than I wanted to spend (was hoping to stay around $250 with the ground cover), but with the features offered I couldn’t pass it up. This is a 3-4 season convertible tent, meaning it can open up to mesh on top/front/back or close it up to protect from wind and cold. On top of that you can put the rain fly over it which will help a little more at the zipper openings (and the added benefit of stopping rain :))
With the money I have left over I can afford to buy a cheap set of saddle bags for the bike, and it’ll be time to go camping..
EDIT 02/22/05 - MSR link changed
Published by Ed January 1st, 2005
in Motorcycle.
Was doing a pre-ride inspection yesterday before taking the EX back out to keep testing it out, and I saw a BUNCH of big, long cracks in the front tire along the sidewall… If it was the rear, I wouldn’t care as much, but a front blowout would be major suckage..
damnit
So, I need to save up some cash for a new front tire…
In the meantime, I’ll still use it for around-town stuff, but nothing in the Hill Country until new tire(s)…
Published by Ed December 30th, 2004
in Motorcycle.
Got the EX500 inspected, plated and titled! The title process is going to take a few more weeks to finalize (involving a two-step process, a power of attorney, etc) — but … technically, the bike is finally mine and finally legal!! woohoo!!!
On the downside, I threw out my lower back something fierce two days ago wrestling the bike out of my truck post-inspection… But, I can finally walk again and it only hurts a little.. so… motorcycle ride planned for tomorrow morning! Don’t know yet if it will be on my bike or Robin’s bike - I might have a passenger… if I do, then Robin’s bike is the only choice - if I don’t end up taking someone else with, then….. well, we’ll see if I can try to do a shakedown run tonight on the EX and see if I think it’ll make it out to BFE, Texas for lunch…
Published by Ed December 17th, 2004
in Motorcycle.
I’m only waiting on a few other things to finish the project bike up. Gas tank showed up yesterday and looks absolutely wonderful. Just waiting on some o-rings, a tail light lens, and the front axle should ship in a few days.
With any luck, I’ll have a ridable bike for new-years!
Published by Ed December 12th, 2004
in Motorcycle.
For the first time tonight, I got to enjoy (albeit while standing in a garage next to the motorcycle) the wonders of heated electric clothing. Robin and I went to BA’s house to try and steal some parts from his SV to try on Robin’s to help diagnose the problem. While there, I eyed his new Gerbing’s heated jacket. After some initial poking and prodding, it was time to try it on. A few seconds later his bike was running and the thermostat was turned on.
All I can say is that I wish I had this two winters ago when I just had the bike! I would have made the cold SO much more tolerable. Hell, almost enjoyable!
This… is on my list…. It’s a damned good thing I didn’t try it out before I purchased needed bike-parts….
The jacket liner uses 77 watts
The pants liner uses 44 watts
If gloves and/or SOCKS are desired, they each use 22 watts
Not too bad at all….
I’m guessing that some point before this cold spell is over I will find a way to own the jacket liner and gloves - I think the bike can spare around 100 watts from the charging system….. after I trim some incandesent bulbs away in favor of LEDs.. 
Published by Ed December 9th, 2004
in Motorcycle.
Took apart the fuel petcock to see what all I need to replace. The diaphram looks like it might still be good, so I’m going to not order that (and save a modest 10 dollars). Ended up needing three o-rings and a gasket. Sucks that my 407-piece o-ring assortment set doesn’t have anything that I can make work either.. Anyway, ordered those goodes and a rear brake lens (finally found one on ebay, but his starting bid was 5 bucks MORE than I can order it new for!)
Here are some pictures of the petcock being taken apart for evaluation and cleaning.
Still trying to source an inexpensive, straight front axle….
