Bubba

Link:  http://garagebrewed.com/

Doin' it again this year!  Custom and classic bikes 'n' brews from Rhinegeist.

FREE ADMISSION!!!  C'mon down and see what's happening in Cincinnati.

I'm not a racer so have no first hand experience, but I know the general consensus is to stay away from the inexpensive (cheap?) Chinese body panels.  Thin plastic, poor fit and finish, and mis-located attachment points.  I'd suggest trying to talk to Brandon Schweitzer or Eric Monger at the AFJ Race Shop in Cincinnati.  They can certainly steer you in the right direction.  No idea if they have a source for race plastics--probably?--but they can get you good info on what to buy vs what to avoid.

http://www.afjraceshop.com/

Not gonna tell you to NOT buy a house since I've been a homeowner since 1972 and am on my 4th.  However...

Based on your intro to the above "story" and reading between the lines of "never bothered buying house without shame" and "no maint, no lawns to mow, etc" I have to posit the serious question as to why you simply don't move and find a different/better rental?  Or for that matter, have a frank discussion about your concerns with your landlord(s) and point out that reliable stable, long-term renters are a precious commodity for any owner/landlord, and your move would necessitate an energy- and time- and money-consuming process for them to find a suitable replacement tenant.

Even though mortgage rates aren't that bad currently, it is definitely a seller's market and you'll most likely pay top dollar for something nice on the market right now.  A house CAN BE--and certainly has historically been--a decent ROI that keeps pace with or outpaces inflation, but they also require a serious time/energy commitment to maintain as well as the willingness to stay put and ride out market dips, possibly for a period of many years, in order to make a profit on the eventual sale.  I'm not convinced that you'll see home values appreciating as rapidly over the next 10-20 years compared to historical values.  There are MANY GOOD THINGS about home ownership that have value to the owner that aren't necessarily "quantifiable" in your financial net worth statement, but you will be forced to make certain sacrifices to enjoy those.

'Bout the same price as the SW-Motech TraX panniers.  They're an accessory that would maybe be worthwhile if you were traveling for weeks on end.  So far, I've managed fine with cheap used soft bags for trips of a week or so.  Not secure from theft, but my traveling clothes aren't likely to get stolen...

Yup.  That's how it reads.  My Senior Pass only has one signature line and is specific to the holder.

The main needle doesn't meter air.  It meters fuel from the bowl, typically at throttle openings from 1/8-1/4 and up.  Most of the low speed operation is metered by the idle jet.  The main needle meters more fuel as the slide and needle is raised because it's tapered and you're pulling it up out of the main jet orifice, increasing fuel flow into the carb throat.  So, if you RAISE the needle--which means you LOWER the clip one or more positions on the needle--then you're richening the mixture, which sounds like what is needed and what the experts recommended.  If you lower the needle by RAISING the clip, then you've leaned the mixture further.  One other thing that I'm not sure about is that when changing the main jet to a large or smaller size, it may be necessary to match the needle to the new jet size if the taper isn't a proper fit.

5 hours ago, 2talltim said:

I have have heard both, that the pass will work for two bikes and I have also head it will not that it is per vehicle. So really not sure which way to go. Like stated probably differs from each park and different park gate agents.

From the back of my Lifetime Senior Pass:  "Present in person. Valid...for:  pass holder and occupants of a single, private, non-commercial vehicle or motorcycle OR pass holder and three persons (16 and older) where per person fees are charged."

No clue if the standard annual pass has the same language.

Could be damn hot!  The year we were out there, the temps heading west across Kansas on I-70 were between 107 and 109.  Of course, we wimped out and trailered out to Dillon before breaking out the bikes...

Delta, City of Murals

Downtown Ouray

Dillon Reservoir

Curecanti Reservoir on US50 near Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Pics of Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  First 2 are from the south rim.  Last few are from the north rim off SR92.

2TT:  On Day 10, unless you're specifically targeting a trip to Delta--cool little town nicknamed "City of Murals" for good reason--the SR92 loop around the north side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a worthwhile road with awesome views.  BCG is also worthy of a stop just for a photo-op if you have the time.  You can access it from the south side off US50 to stay on pavement, or off SR92 from the north side if you don't mind some smooth, graded gravel to get to the rim overlooks.  Looks like a great trip!

Doug:  Guess I didn't realize you were a westside guy.  I frequently ride SE Indiana and NKY backroads.  Shoot me a msg if you want company or a partner-in-crime.

Scanned thru it.  Nice vid!!!

32 minutes ago, redkow97 said:

....and how badly does that effect fuel economy, if you’re staying out of boost while cursing at 70 mph?

Cursing at 70 MPH will make your f*#ki@g gas mileage go into the gd mf$^! crapper faster than a $10 whore goes down on Michael Jordan, @$$h01e....

Pit Bull stand is worth....$125-150?  So...say $2650.  Nice clean bike, tho.  How much "upkeep and maintenance" is required over 4K miles?

2 hours ago, CBBaron said:

The tread pattern looks like a cross of the Pilot Power RS and PR4. 

Looks a whole lot like the Pirelli Angel GTs, too, with a bit more siping.

Jeez.  If this crew is as screwed up and sarcastic on the annual Gap trip as they are on the forum, I've gotta make it a point to go one year just to get some new material to abuse my friends....er, acquaintances with.  No salty pirate, tho....

1 hour ago, JustinNck1 said:

I use WD40 on every set of tires I change. If you get it on the tread, it's slick for a few miles.

Justin:  Prolly not a huge issue, but I've always had a slight concern that the petroleum based WD-40 would react with the rubber at the bead.  I always sneak into the wife's pantry and "borrow" her vegetable cooking spray to use as a lubricant for mounting.  Works better than soapy water with no chance of leaving any moisture inside the carcass to cause rim corrosion and degrades quickly.  Try it--you'll like it!

Apply Tire Shine as a final coat to help maintain that new glossy appearance!

Hmmm.  Dunno what happened to the link.  Since when couldn't we embed Googlemap links in OR?

Not sure what your timing is for the rest of the day, but the reprise of the old Alley Meet the morning of the Oregonia Hillclimb event is at Fuel Coffee on Riverside Dr from 8-12.  There's always a bunch of bikes and riders, some of whom will head to the Oregonia event and some of whom will find each other for a ride of some sort, likely into NKY.  I'll be there about 9ish, but not sure yet if I can break away for a longer ride after coffee.  Even if you just stop in for a minute to say "Hi", check it out.

Big thanks to Mike at RidersDiscount for setting me up with these gloves.  Nicest pair of "paws" I've ever had.  The fit was exactly as spec'd on the Scorpion website and they are seriously heavy-duty, at least for street.  Not sure I'd pay the MSRP of $250, but at the out-the-door price of $95, I can't see finding anything as nice for half again as much.  Check 'em out if you're looking for new gloves!!!

Most of you know I'm one of the old guys here.  Less than a month away from 67and riding since I was 14.  Have been away from riding several times thru the years.  Couldn't tell you 'zactly when or for how long, but it prolly doesn't matter.  At least once was due to finances.  At least once was due to fatal accidents by riding friends.  At least once was due to lack of energy for the whole riding scene.  Bottom line, I'd say if it feels right for you, go ride.  Stop when it no longer feels right.  Sell your stuff when you're not using it #becausedepreciableasset.  Buy new, better stuff if you decide to throw a leg over again.  Yer welcome.

Gotta say I'm not on-board with the FTP movement....and yeah, the guy was a felon with an open warrant, but I don't understand how a stop initiated because he was riding a bike without lights after dark and then running away when the Popo tried to cuff him leads to "fearing for their lives" and justifies use of deadly force and being shot in the back.  Let's face it.  They knew exactly who he was (had already identified him during the stop) and wouldn't have had too much trouble running him down later.