Bubba

Never been to NL, but heard lots of comments from friends who race about the bad pavement. But Sweet Mother of Akron...is this that mystical place where old tires go to die? Must be a mosquito haven in the summer!!!

No clue what the knob thing is, but my first guess as to the handlebar pod switch would be to access the menu settings for things like traction control, wheelie control, fuel mapping. Or even more likely, it's a remote control switch for an onboard testosterone injection pump for when speeds reach >180 MPH as they weave thru old stone-walled villages!!!

Welcome to the OR sh-t show. I'm guessing from your post that this wasn't an insurance job. So in that spirit, I'd hazard an uneducated guess that a deer strike, assuming the the bike didn't go down and slide/spin/roll, isn't gonna do much structural damage. Prolly all that's needed is cosmetic/plastic repair that you have already done and move along. That being said, it sounds like the bike will belong to your daughter. It would be a wise father who invests perhaps a bit more money than normal to ensure his daughter's safety while riding. I'd take it to a reputable dealer and have an inspection done. O just trade it in on something newer and undamaged and eat the financial loss....IJS

I don't think there's any disrespect intended, at least not from me. Most motorcyclists ride because 1) it's about the most fun you can have with your clothes on; 2) our bikes are really just big toys for adults and not something viewed as "practical"; 3) the idea of using a motorcycle as transportation BECAUSE IT'S ECONOMICAL just doesn't fly in the face of reality, at least in the midwest, when you consider the cost of tire replacement, maintenance costs, and a 7-9 month riding season. There are many fringe motorcycle followings, the ultra-economy fuel mileage guys being just a bit more left of center than say...the Iron Butt guys who think riding 1000/1500/2500 miles without rest is "fun" and so they piss down their legs into a reservoir from their condom catheter so they don't have to stop. Not saying some don't find this kind of stuff interesting/challenging/aspiring to accomplish, but most of us would just rather ride for the fun...and stop to pee.

OK. Sorry for the confusion. Ride meet-up is in OWENSBORO, KY, not L-ville. There are groups gathering in both Cinti and L-ville and rolling down together. Still getting updates on local meet-ups here. Note that the times posted are CDT (an hour behind us). Here's the latest (last?) word from Mike McFadden: The Motorcycle procession for Nicky Hayden will take place Monday, 5/29/2017. 12:00 pm CDTRiders will need to be at the 501 West 4th. St. 42301, Fisher Auto Parts ( Formally Gipe Automotive ) parking lots at 10:30 AM CDT. We are expecting a lot of riders. So this will give us time to get organized.Dirtbikes, Flat Trackers, and Racebikes will not be allowed to follow the procession. We ask you to still show up and line the streets. We will line you up on West 4th Street. What about the Kids: Parents that wish to take part in the memorial we would love to see the kids decked out in their gear holding their helmets next to their rides or just standing there. We will line them down the side of West 4th.St. Those of you who do not ride we would also love to have your support along West 4th St. And Frederica St. The riders will escort Nicky to his final resting place and once services have completed riders will be released. I have been asked to line Locust St. on both sides of the street. Once we fill that area we will then coral everyone else at the Fisher Auto parts lots. Lets make this one last "Grip it and Rip it" moment for one of the Motorcycling Worlds best Ambassadors. Sincerely, Mike McFadden M&M Customs 270-925-5607 Time: 10:30 meet up 12:00 pull out Where: 501 West 4th St. 42301 at Fishers Auto Parts Questions : Mike McFadden 270-925-5607

Just an FYI. Not my event, but it's posted on Mike McFadden's FB homepage. Ride from Louisville to Owensboro to honor Nicky Hayden. I have no other info at this time. Presume it's for the entire MCing community. Not big on group rides, but I may consider heading downriver to L-ville for the event start and decide whether/not. I have been given the honor to organize local clubs and riders to get together to bring a show of love to Nicky Haydens final ride. Do any of you have contacts to your local clubs to get everyone together? We ask anyone who rides to take part in this special moment. We want this to be a day to remember and the family has asked for this. At this time I cannot disclose the date yet but it will be next week. Thanks ahead of time and lets show Nicky and his Family our appreciation for what he gave to us and for sharing their beloved son with us all these years. Mike McFadden M&M Customs

Speedo, flip-flops, wife-beater, cool shades...

At least with State Farm, they pro-rate the insurance over about an 8-9 month riding season. Part of the reason MC insurance is relatively cheap in this region compared to auto, which is figured on a full 12 months of coverage. So, even though you've only had a couple months of coverage, they figure you've used 30-40% of your premium because your riding season is 25-30% gone. Still money back in your pocket.

@Howabusa You should most definitely specify that it was "worn once"....as opposed to used once. LOL GLWS. Wish you were closer. I'd be interested in the Axo's.

This will be the ultimate in cute. I'm in it for the dog video...

Hit me up. I'm retired. Every day is Saturday. Could be made to happen, altho hopefully not "in memoriam".... unless you know something we don't?

...you mean, in 2017, up until now.

I stand corrected. Mea culpa...

@NinjaDoc Trust me...I'm WAY MORE "interesting" than my avatar would let on....or so all the women say!

Jan: ...and now, I will have to come to Czeck and hunt you down! So glad we met and you were able to ride around the countryside. Something about motorcycles that make it easy to meet new friends and have a great time. Safe trip home, my friend!!! Great pictures...they capture the spirit of your adventure!

@hiro The hole you have identified is not the tank vent. Most tanks on modern bikes are sealed to at least a bit above atmospheric pressure to meet EPA evap/emission standards and the tank vent goes directly to an activated carbon canister, usually hidden under the seat in the tail section. Fuel vapors from the tank are trapped in the canister and then drawn back thru the motor by manifold vacuum while the engine is running. The hole you show in your pics is actually just a drain for rain/wash water or spilled gas during refueling which dumps thru a hose thru the frame under the bike. Doesn't explain why you're smelling gas.

Ok, based on the sheer number of conspiracy theorists on the site, I figgered I'd post up pics just to confirm that Jan had not, in fact, hijacked my identity, locked me in the basement root cellar, and was currently in the Antilles living off my life savings...as if $372 was gonna get him anywhere. Here's pics, and Jan should be posting his when he gets some free time to connect with wifi. Rabbit Hash General store...just because we had to...way too early in the day for the influx of pirates! The old barn in RH...wanted a pic in front of the new general store but there was a damn delivery truck blocking the view! Anderson Ferry crossing the OH river, with Jan and riding buddy Bryn from SA

You know what they say...no news is good news. Happy to report that no one died during this exchange, and there won't be an international incident between the US and Czeck as a result of financial loss or liability. Jan and I had a great (short, <100 mi) ride into NKY yesterday morning with a riding bud of mine on some of the goat paths I'm known for. I had an afternoon of pit bike racing planned so Jan headed off on a rambling path along the OH river that we had discussed, spent the night in some appropriately seedy motel along the river, dropped the bike off this morning with an additional 280 mi of wandering on the odo and is headed back to C-bus for his last day of training as you read this. I was waiting to post up the pics from yesterday's ride until he posted about his adventures plunking around the small towns of IN and KY. I'm sure he'll chime in soon. All is well, my friends.

Nope. Definitely not me. No way my leg muscles have that kind of definition....big feet tho...maybe.

@Jan Got you msg. Here's the link to lodging near my house. See you at 8 tomorrow at my place. Holiday Inn Express, 5505 Rybolt Rd, Cincinnati OH 45248, tel# 513-574-6000 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Holiday+Inn+Express+Cincinnati+West/@39.1927353,-84.6651265,16.51z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x13106705f70ad220!8m2!3d39.1942964!4d-84.6626294

@Jan Haven't heard anything from you. Did @Tonik get you drunk, steal your wallet and throw you in an Akron sewer? Lemeno ASAP if/when you plan on picking up the bike. You mentioned 7 tonight but it's gotta be a 2 hour roll from Westerville each way, so you won't even get back until dark o'clock with that timing. I will be home on Sunday morning but must leave the house by 11 AM for an event. After that, no sense in coming down. Hope all is well. Ciao--Bubba

@Jan Just a heads up... If you come into Cincinnati this weekend and want to head back to C-bus, the northbound lanes of I-71 will be closed thru the Lytle tunnel all weekend. Traffic is being detoured north on I-75 where you can then head east across either 562, 126/Ronald Reagan Hwy, or I-275 to north I-71. Expect some extra traffic congestion. http://www.wcpo.com/traffic/parts-of-interstate-71-to-close-friday-through-sunday

Here's a suggestion that you might like, whether you want to do it solo or with me as guide. Takes about 2 hours, from my house through the west side of Hamilton Cty, into Indiana and then northern Kentucky. You get to visit Rabbit Hash--might as well, since you may never make it here again--where you can stop for refreshments and/or food, then back across on the Anderson ferry, a Cincinnati landmark since 1817! Bring $2 for the one-way ride. From the end of the route, you can head east on US50/River Rd into the city to see the downtown skyline, and then head north on I-71 toward Columbus. http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/boone-county/rabbit-hash/see-how-rabbit-hash-general-store-has-changed-and-stayed-the-same http://www.andersonferry.org/ https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.1647514,-84.6731999/39.1795759,-84.7455362/39.1583393,-84.8049139/39.0659559,-84.8218908/38.9420846,-84.8460514/38.9289554,-84.7228761/39.0761361,-84.6414471/39.070853,-84.6265839/@39.0694965,-84.6418089,14.46z/data=!4m50!4m49!1m0!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-84.7513517!2d39.1503432!3s0x8841cdbd3669f601:0x3498e83c9ead30c9!3m4!1m2!1d-84.7784746!2d39.1308797!3s0x8841d208be1d0bd3:0x4e0c0bf65e1e459a!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-84.8149837!2d39.0385531!3s0x8841d07f09427a05:0x165a52091ed4dd3a!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-84.7888424!2d38.9336015!3s0x8841dcc0ac284e21:0x23805f38dd69041d!3m4!1m2!1d-84.7709755!2d38.8940678!3s0x8841dd350f462897:0x4b3560d08ab1fc45!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-84.7225292!2d39.030467!3s0x8841c586753950f9:0xd1370876bbd99df9!3m4!1m2!1d-84.7387374!2d39.075401!3s0x8841cfac6104f907:0xa16c7697ef56d940!3m4!1m2!1d-84.6705886!2d39.0745994!3s0x8841c9274b9833d3:0xef1e1960a23182d6!1m0!1m0!3e0

@Jan If you are free on Sunday and planning to ride, think seriously about coming to pick up the bike early Sunday morning instead of late this evening (totally your choice however). I would be glad to show you around the back roads close to my house for several hours--for fun, google "Rabbit Hash"--and then you could head out to where ever you chose. Either way, I can post up a route on some of the roads in NKY (across the Ohio river) that would be fun rural riding. No matter what you decide (joint ride or solo) or where you go, be aware that as a result of the torrential rains the last 24 hours, many roads will have gravel/sand/debris, washed from hillsides, culverts, and rural farm driveways. One of the unique hazards in this area is the type of road "repair" that the engineers euphemistically call crack sealing--basically hot tar poured into cracks. Motorcyclists refer to these as "tar snakes" because they become insanely slippery when wet with a 0.001 coefficient of friction...LOL. I will post up a route suggestion from Googlemap shortly. You should be able to download it and convert it to either a .gpx or .kml file for you phone.

The way it's raining here, doesn't matter what tires he's got--a boat would be more appropriate. Shit is all heading toward C-bus...better finish that ark.