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Haven't logged in here for a while. But got the ol' Connie out for rip today. After 12year and 80k miles still love this old girl.

I was in Alberta and BC particularly around the Banff/Golden area in July of this year. I could not explain how beautiful it is up there. I also could not imagine what riding a motorcycle like you're about to do would be like. Unimaginably epic.

Loaded up and heading south for the smokies. Took 16 through WV/VA, staying in Abingdon, VA tonight. Staying at the gap store the next three nights.

Did some custom powdercoating on a set of 03 Cobra coil covers a few days ago, came out pretty sick. https://youtube.com/shorts/WZlqvWi52DA?feature=share

Started it! First time since last Dec. when I started the engine swap. Ran it for a few minutes then shut down to check for oil leaks. So far, so good. I'll start and run it a few more times, then put some gas in and go for a ride. I'm anxious to see how much difference I can feel with the new engine.

Last Friday was my last day of employment. After the weekend, I've now spent 2 days as an official retiree and I think I'm going to like it. I bumped the date ahead by 7 weeks from my original plan because my (now former) employer had put me on the road in Holland, MI for 19 weeks since early March with no end in sight. After 80 nights in a hotel, the manager gave me a gift bag and a card signed by all the staff. That's how you can tell you've been on the road too long. I have 2 cars that have been asking for attention - just routine maintenance. And the yard is a mess - I was able to keep it mowed, but nothing else. THEN I can get back to finishing my bike engine swap and hopefully start riding again for the fall season. Hope to meet you guys on the road!

Friday, the Spyder Wife and I set out for a overnight-er down to Augusta, KY from our home in Hocking Hills, Ohio. We take back roads as much a possible to enjoy the sights and enjoy curves with shade. Our first stop was Aberdeen, OH. for a photo of the Maysville Bridge looking south over the Ohio River. Next we crossed over and enjoyed Lunch at Delite's Diner in Maysville, KY. A 50's Style diner with great food and music. After lunch we jumped back over to Ohio and continued to Augusta, KY. Back roads again zig zaging from waterfront up high in the woods. One road (221) just North of the Higginsport Ferry had a stone wall that went for miles. This must have taken a lot of work back in the day. As the 4pm "Check In time at the "Augusta Guest House" had just past so we jumped on the Ferry and crossed over to the great little town of Augusta, KY. where food, music and friendly folks live and enjoy the river life. After check in and showers we walked down to the new "Beehive" restaurant$$$ for happy hour and dinner sitting out side with a river view. We finished and walked around town checking out the "American Queen" cruse ship that was docked for a few night stay. As the sun was closing we enjoyed the sunset by the river. We then walked back to the hotel enjoying the outdoor band playing at the Augusta pub and crashed for the night. In the morning we loaded up had breakfast outside at the General Store, ferried across to Ohio and returned home. Total miles 440

I subjected myself to southpaw lunacy and made the journey to retrieve it.

I completed the new bike today. First startup went well. Time for break in miles Alaska here I come

I have a bag that I am finished with that you can use for fresh water.

Mounted and balanced the new tires. Then took the rear rotor off the stock wheel and mounted it to the new rear wheel from Woodys. Then mounted the 320mm front rotor and mounted the wheels for the first time on the new bike. After that I installed the Safari tank (all new hardware, new petcocks, new fuel line and fittings) and plumbed the fuel lines. Then installed the fairing and re-aimed the headlight and light bar. The last item is the new shock being built for the bike by Cogent Dynamics. For the 82,000 miles on the original Sunny I ran a Cogent Mojave shock. This bike is getting a new Cogent Mojave Pro model (large remote reservoir with adjustable compression damping as well) as well as their hydraulic preload adjuster. It’ll be awesome to be able to soften the preload bit when riding the bike without all the luggage. Once the shock is in, fuel is going in and startup!! It’ll be great to see how it runs. I only rode it 10 miles or so before tearing the bike down. Some minor changes have been made from stock. Better air filter. Carb rejetted and modified with ethanol-proof o-rings and gaskets as well as a remote choke knob and manual air/fuel mixture screw (only needed one tweak on old carb in all those miles. Had to open up the air in Peru when over 16,000 ft). I’m also running a different exhaust can. The bike ripped stock. I’m sure it’ll be sweet. Alaska Ho!

Amanda and I took the Goldwing to breakfast and a quickie around Atwood Lake. Stopped in Bolivar for ice cream and then down 212 to 21/224 back home. About 150 miles and the Wing doesn't even know she's back there. This was her first time back in the saddle since the crash more than two years ago. Everything went smoothly and she's glad she decided to give it another whirl. Twenty bucks says there's a new Goldie in the garage by next spring. 😎

After 7yrs and 40,000 miles piled on I sold her for what I paid for her.

Now for all the custom parts... He wants a taller wind screen first.

Fuck all y'all. I am going back in time and telling your dad's to wear a rubber.

Large group rides are overrated, but I definently enjoy rolling with the usual suspects that I know and trust. Crashing is never off the table, but it can be mitigated with competent riders. A failure I see more than anything is a lack of understanding between new riders and veteran riders on what constitutes a ride. While I firmly stake my flag in the soil of "personal accountability", some folks get in over their heads. The difference between riding a bike to work every day and riding a bike in the twisties is massive. It is not the same thing in the slightest to the average rider. I have a friend that has been riding for decades, but he commutes. When we hit the mountains he can't begin to stay on pace with the rest of us. He just doesn't have that skillset because it isn't how he rides. He can pilot a bike, but he has to do it at his own pace. Luckily, he's mature enough to recognize this and doesn't try to keep up. That plays a major role.. personal accountability and leaving ego at the house.

100 miles from home. Stopped in Caldwell for fuel and a stretch. Front tire gave up the ghost on 58 yesterday heading toward Marion/16. One too many front end slides for my comfort level. I had to bail on twisties and slabbed to Princeton for the evening. Left the hotel around 8am and have been rolling 77N since then. The RS does not disappoint in the mountains or on sporty tours. Left the house on Sunday at 8am. Will be home by 2pm today, with almost 2500 miles of mountain fun in my wake. I look forward to another mountain weekend before the season ends.

Rode it about 150 mi to start getting myself in shape for the Sept group ride. Went from Gahanna to Ash Cave and discovered a slight oil leak so I came straight back home. The right side of the bike was pretty shiny with oil film so I washed it in the driveway. Got some copper crush washers ordered so I should be back in business in a few days.

Hello sleeping strangers. Your weekly wake-up call is rapidly approaching.

333 miles. Took 93/83/78/377/550/26/800 and had breakfast at the Triple Nickel Diner. Tires are horrible. The quick shifter isn't as smooth as the GSA, but it functions. The windscreen has two positions... loud and louder. The brakes will get a fluid exchange this week because I think it's running the original fluid. They have two settings.. slightly slowing and endo, but boy do they stop that bike right now. The engine belongs in a sportbike. It's so good. Torque everywhere. Riding position isn't hateful and the seat is decently supportive for a stock pad. The suspension is without flaw, although more harsh than the GSA over bumps. I presume the lack of telelever is the culprit and I am just spoiled. The dash is meh, but easy to use once you figure out which button does what. Cruise control on a sportbike should be mandatory. I like being able to touch the ground with both feet at a stop. 10/10, would purchase again.

Spent 3 hrs on the Goldwing with my wife this evening. Close to 140 miles. Definitely not my normal pace but I think my wife now realizes what she has been missing when I’m gone for hours. Both of us had a blast.

I was in North Carolina riding for the week after memorial day. We were filling up at a podunk gas station near our hotel at the end of the day. Who do I run into? @NinjaDoc of course!

Valve inspection, wheels installed, plates renewed. Quick little shakedown run up to triple digits and all is good. Once again no balancing. I just left the weights that were on the wheels prior to my tire change 🤷‍♂️.

Another short rip today

Took Sunny 2.0 for her first real ride. An easy 100mi wander through Amish farmlands. It felt so good to be on a bike again.

Added turn signals, horn, and brake lights to the TE300, to make it street legal. Sent the new Goldwing seat to Russell Cycle products for the Day Long modification. Hopefully, it will be back in time for a trip to Smokies at the end of March.

Made it Back home pa & ny are great 2lane high speed low traffic roads like 83 and 78 in Ohio except 4times bigger area you could probably drive 300 miles of woods and not hit a city can’t say there’s a Pacific route to take, but the better roads are the ones by putting a point somewhere in the middle of nowhere judging by aerial views, and how twisty they are, the further north, you go, the bigger the mountains are i rode 1480miles of two lanes 40miles of four-lane s only reason to get on four-lane is because of a gravel roads otherwise you actually make better time on the 2lanes Overall northern roads are not as twisty as oh,wv,nc,tn,ky. But road conditions are much better not a lot of cops or patrol perfect to ride 2 up or for cruising or get away from traffic and commercialized motorcycle roads New York food sucks pa food is great

Shitty pic but here she is. now who wants a clean well sorted Vstrom 1000?

Home. It was Epic.

I haven’t posted in a while, life’s been busy. I sold my 2022 KLR650. Two short hours later I bought another bike. Those who know me, I like my big heavy sport touring bikes. The KLR was enough for me to realize ADV doesn’t scratch that itch for me, so I’m heading back to my old home. I’m going back to the trusty FJR! I got a low mileage 2006 with a nice taste of farkles. I pick it up Friday. Probably hit some twisties on the way home. I can’t wait to get wrenching on this thing and making it my own. Got a gap trip planned in July. I don’t have any photos of my own yet but here’s one from the listing.

443 miles chasing Tony's BMW through Ohio and WV. My new handlebar upgrade has turned the RS into a very capable barn stormer. This bike is zoomier than ever and now flicks effortlessly through switchbacks... which settles the debate once and for all... Clipons are for nerds.

Two new tires, new upgraded cam chain tensioner, re-torqued steering bearings (after finding out the previous owner already upgraded to tapered roller bearings), new tail light bulbs, dif oil change, removed and plugged the secondary air system, and still gotta put the led headlights in. Dad helped me a bunch and got started on it while I was at work. Almost all back together now. Bar risers on the way too…

Been awhile but we made it through Thanksgiving, family vacay, Christmas and New Years, and a week of my brother being in the hosp, but my FiL helped dad weld the engine mounts and this evening dad and I test fitted the engine and trans. Now dad can drill the holes for the trans mount tomorrow and we can start making more progress hopefully. Still gonna be awhile before it's done but it's getting there.

Passenger pegs deleted and rear hugger added. Yeah, they're vanity mods. So what?

Spyder Wife and I road over to Marv's Place in Sardis for lunch. Logged 6hrs of move time with 45min off time. 255,26,260,537,565,145,564 all in good shape. 537 is closed mid btw 26&260. 52deg's starting out from Hocking Hills at 10am. also hit some very lite rain. Great Day.

Ok, it is ready for tours. Got the floor in today. Done until spring when I may drywall it except for adding a plate for the centerstand.

I was kind of looking at these and the price was too good to pass up, so I picked up this 2020 Z900 ABS. The motor is an absolute gem, and it seems to love the corners.

Ceiling insulation is in. It dropped the afternoon interior temp by a solid 15 degrees. Next, a dime patterned heavy vinyl floor.

Chased scooter trash around rural Kentucky last weekend and SEO with the fishin shack bubbys this weekend. 1100 miles for my week of freedom.

It's officially a sport tourer now

Removed the pannier rack and wiped down the shiny parts. The tires appear to be original, as this only has 5200 miles on it. Ordered new Pirelli Angels for it today. Going to give it a very mild shakedown ride tomorrow due to questionable rubber and holiday police presence.

Probably not quite the Goldwing Pauly and Jim were thinking of, but they are correct. Sold the Concours at 2:30. Picked up the Goldwing in North Royalton at 8 tonight. Officially old

I know it isn't driving a shiny car at 20mph in a parade, but I work with what I have.

Quick ride to hocking and back today.

Some asshole thinks his GSA is a sportbike. Fun begins at 2:30. https://gopro.com/v/wEPk36glgZbnz