Bubba

That link and similar ones have been posted on several forums around here (Cinti) for a week or two. I got no love of squids/jackasses who do sheit like that on a public roadway and piss off the cagers and police. We have enough trouble with public image and high-profile police scrutiny as it is without inviting more. No way would I take part in an event like that. And NOT because of the interaction with the police. That is pretty much the antithesis of how most MCists want to be viewed by the caging public. A ride like that isn't any different than those truly stupid poker runs populated with drunken pirates who can't ride sober! You're way more likely to be taken down by some squid/bozo who's operating his bike barely above the level of drooling mouth-breather than a LEO making a pit manuever. Looks like it's being organized and led by a few complete idiots, with the majority of "regular" riders tagging along and acting the fool because of mob mentality. I'm not a big fan of group rides with more than 4-5 riders, mostly because any group larger than that creates problems of flow and consistency with individual riding style/speed. Here is a great example of why you don't want to be part of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3COiz7qt8Y&feature=player_detailpage

Since #3 is 'locked down', I call dibs on #2, 31, 8, or 5....not picky.

Not a racer here, but could it be part of the whole neck hyper-extension protection system that newer track suits (and helmets?) have....

Might be able to help you. Gotta check with my daughter in C-bus--gave her a small 20,000 BTU gas vent-free for her place but she said she wasn't gonna do the install. Got no pics, but it's a nice one with a heavy cast shell, dark brown deramic finish, and an extra platinum cat converter. Think it was a Vermont Castings stove, but can't remember. NOTE: Set up for natural gas, NOT propane. You'd need to buy a new burner and maybe a gas control valve for propane. Similar to this: http://vermontcastings.com/family/Stoves/Vent-Free/Stardance/

Every siding mfr has their own color palette and dimension specs. You'll have to find out what brand/model/color your installed siding is to get a match. When you remove one of the damaged pieces, check the back of the siding for info stamped in the vinyl. Even so, your replacement pieces won't be a perfect match as your original siding has certainly weathered some from sun exposure. Shouldn't be noticeable tho, in another few years. Also, get yourself a hook tool--looks like a 1" spatula with a hook end--to release the siding channels bottom from top. Use it for the reinstall as well. WAY BETTER than tearing all the pieces off from the top down to get to the damaged area. Can be had at any home improvement box store.

Doubt seriously that you threw a rod. That's usually a catastrophic event that grenades the engine. With the low oil pressure light on at idle (when hot) and the knocking you describe, I'd bet one or more of your main bearings is shot and has spun in the crank web. Whatever it is, it sounds terminal unless you can do the work yourself or have a REALLY good bud who does major repairs cheap! Might be easier to pull and replace the entire engine if you can find a used one on Ebay or CL. If the body/interior isn't super clean/mint and low-mileage-perfect (other than the motor), I'd be tempted to cut my losses and look for a new cage.

Damn, dude! If you've got 6K on a tire on a big heavy sport bike like your Blackbird, it's gotta be toast. I only used to get 3500-4000 out of Metzlers on my GPZ1100. Put a new set of skinz on it and you'll be way happier.

Reiterate what the others have said above: Easiest = front tire pressure, worn front tire, front tire balance Most likely = loose/worn steering head bearings Also, be sure to do an accurate alignment check of the REAR tire. If the rear is out of alignment, it can cause similar handling issues to what you've noted. It also could a combination of all of the above. You didn't mention that you'd dropped the bike recently, so I'm assumiing that's not an issue, but if there's been a drop in the past, also look to checking your fork alignment.

There is a lawyer who claims to specialize in MC accident practice who is a sponsor on ORdotcom. Believe his name is Tony Castelli. Here's a link from this summer: http://www.ohioriders.net/showthread.php?t=95614&highlight=lawyer Also, as has been stated many times here, prolly not the best idea to discuss legal/medical issues on a public forum if there may be a claim forthcoming. Hope you and missus are feeling OK in a few...Good luck!

Man killed while trying to create Bigfoot sighting KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — A man dressed in a military-style "ghillie" suit and apparently trying to provoke reports of a Bigfoot sighting in northwest Montana was struck by two cars and killed, authorities said. The man was standing in the right-hand lane of U.S. Highway 93 south of Kalispell on Sunday night when he was hit by the first car, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. A second car hit the man as he lay in the roadway, authorities said. Flathead County officials identified the man as Randy Lee Tenley, 44, of Kalispell. Trooper Jim Schneider said motives were ascertained during interviews with friends, and alcohol may have been a factor but investigators were awaiting tests. Ya think? http://www.cincinnatibell.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CDA0U2GD00%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011

I assume the Gladius/SV/Vstrom are all related in the motor department. There are many threads on the Vstrom forums about oil usage at higher RPMs, esp at uber-legal Xway speeds. No signs of smoking mentioned there either, and the best guess is that it's being sucked into the crank breather and burned. Less than half a quart in several thousand miles (using your experience) isn't particularly high when you're ringing it's neck, and shouldn't result in sooty exhaust, either. I'd do as suggested and up the viscosity to 10W40 or even 20W50 (as long as the temp is above 40F) and see what happens. I can't imagine that keeping your oil at max fill would do much for consumption, and may even make it worse initially if it creates more oil misting from windage effects in the crankcase.

Sold!

Buddy of mine was planning on going with us to camp, drink and watch the races. He ended up having wifey things to do and isn't going. Any interest? Can meet you somewhere in town or meet up there Friday eve. 5one3-five9eight-8ninenine2 Note the sig--Cinti westside

Nice newer 250 Ninja with Yosh pipes plus a new front tire and OEM parts included. Posted on LocalRiders forum. Price has been reduced to $2100. Sounds like a killer deal. FYI--NOT mine. "2007 Kawasaki 250 Ninja. Silver in color. Excellent condition. 7,500 miles. Smooth running, comfortable, quick, and great MPG. My teenage son has lost interest and this bike is sitting in my garage gathering dust. Bike has not been abused...old dad was tagging along on all of his rides. Bike is stock with the exception of a nice pair of Yoshimura mufflers. I have the stock mufflers and they will be included with the sale. Have an extra OEM new front tire that goes along as well." http://www.localriders.com/forums/showthread.php?p=154731#post154731

Dedicated MC stands are nice to have for the long run in terms of on-going maintenance chores, but you can get by for free in a pinch. Place the bike on the center stand (I'm assuming your bike has one). Simply raise the front of the bike either using a jack or a prop of some kind under the motor, or alternatively, run a rope/strap to an overhead support point (like a ceiling hook or joist) and lift the front by the bars. Without a center stand, it becomes a little more problematic, but not impossible. Cheapest place to find stands is Harbor Freight (new) or keep an eye out on CL.

Sorry, but I can't turn ya on to any shops that mount for free. Two places I know of that are prolly your best bet for decent price/service is either SportTour [www.sporttour.com] 11386 Reading Rd 45241, or the AFJ Race Shop [www.afjraceshop.com] on 3926 Eastern Ave 45226. Last time I bought tires was from ST and they charged $25/wheel for mount&balance.

If any of you are interested in a weekday ride, here is a post from Local Riders for a NKY ride tomorrow. Leaves @ 9:30 from Exit 181 near Florence Mall and heads west to Carrollton and Madison, IN. There will be mix of sport tourers, cruisers and DS bikes, and the pace will spirited (10-20 over) but not gonzo insane. I've ridden with the group before and these are experienced riders. http://www.localriders.com/forums/showthread.php?p=154552#post154552 Hope to see ya there.

Lots of great roads on both the east and west side of the 75 corridor. NNick's route is a classic that the AFJ boys run several times a week. Hard to go wrong with the combo of 10/22 when combined with the other small county and state routes. Agree with him about 1504--one of the better rural roads that's often overlooked. Another classic ride on the west side is 227 south from Owenton to Stamping Grounds. Lunch at the IGA deli, then back north to 368 to 127 to 607 to 330. You can superslab it back from there or stay on the local routes and take any of 22/36/467 back toward Cinti. If you want to wander down this way and take a ride, gimme a heads up and I'll work up a route of 150 to 200 miles and ride with you. Lemeno. [FYI--I'm underemployed so riding mid-week isn't an issue.]

Technically and legally, the notary is putting his official stamp on a "completed" document, specifically, the top section of the back of the title. He is attesting to the fact that the signer of the title is indeed, the person who owns the vehicle. Your notarized signature on the title is a sworn statement saying that you are the legal owner and that all the information, including the sales price, the vehicle mileage, and the name and address of the new owner are accurate. That being said, most notaries will simply ask for a picture ID and verify your signature and stamp the incomplete title. If the state DID dispute the accuracy of the information entered on the title, they could presumably try to collect the unpaid sales tax from the buyer and you could be subject to fines. The way revenues are short these days, don't count on the state NOT going after more money if they think they are owed. The bottom half of the title is completed by the buyer and can be done later at the time of transfer at the registrar office.

That is a righteous deal!! Props to you. I just paid $100 for a similar set of Joe Rocket on CL.

You prolly need to assign Power of Attorney to someone you trust, either family or a GOOD friend. They can sign the title for you and take care of the sale arrangements. Doesn't matter if there's a lien on it. The lien holder won't release the title/cancel the lien without secure funds in hand. It'll be a bit more complicated and a bit of a PIA, but it's doable with some pre-planning.

Cool (literally!) idea. Unfortunately, SW OH is a big place and I'd be riding some serious mileage just to get to the meet-up in the pitch black during the hours all them purty deer are out looking for vehicles to destroy. If I was a little more local to the start, I'd be in. Hope you find some riders to join you for breakfast. Be safe!

Mmmmm...OK...I think you've made your point. Well said. Rebuttal noted. I'm done here.

Here's a quick message to say "Thanks!" to all of the past and current service members, including the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, for their dedication to preserve our freedoms and our way of life. My heartfelt wish is that, one day, we will have the reason and the wisdom and the moral courage to find a better way.... And a gentle reminder that this is the first REAL travel holiday of the summer and the idiots, the mouth breathers, the walking dead, and the Popo will be be out in equal measure. Best advice: stay home and drink a cold one in the safety of your home. If you gotta be out and moving about, keep your head on a swivel and drive like the Devil is after you soul. Ciao--Bubba

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, dude, but you're either totally clueless and naive, or you've been out of touch with reality and what normally happens in most of these cases. Reality is that both you and I and every medical card-carrying member of the working class pays for their blatant stupidity! Every time you get charged an outrageous sum for a hospital visit or X-ray or MRI, you're paying not only your bill but the bills of these mouth breathers who decided it was their God-given perogative to ride without a helmet and gear and who didn't have insurance. Pretty sure your 'Thank You' letter from them isn't in the mail, BTW. I don't doubt this'll bring on the flames, but if you really believe what you just wrote and weren't simply playing the Devil's advocate, you have absolutely no idea of how the world works.