redkow97

Everything I have read says that the helmet itself doesn't accelerate enough in a fall from seat-height to damage it, but I agree it's better to be safe than sorry. I slid, hit the grass, and the rolled during my last crash. I don't know how hard or even IF the lid took a significant blow, but based on the fact that I was (in hindsight) acting a bit loopy afterward, I believe I got my bell rung at least a little. Helmets are way cheaper than brain damage. Turning my last one into a "trophy" was an easy decision. Plus many vendors have killer close out deals on good helmets. No reason not o replace one that's questionable.

Yeah, unless you know and trust the seller, I would never buy a used helmet. I have a Bell vortex sitting in my garage that looks pristine. I was wearing it when I tumbled through the grass at 90mph. The only damage was to the visor, which I could replace for $30 and then sell it as "like new! Only worn 4 or 5 times!" (which is true. I barely sweat in that helmet before crashing it)

Even assuming all the ramming and weed smoking accusations are accurate; what does that have to do with Brandon selling stuff on this site?

You sure the 25% coupon is good for generators? I read the fine print on the email, and I don't think it is.

I believe qualifying is only online, and not free. The pricing is all in euros, so who the hell knows how much it really costs. Last I saw, Lorenzo was out front with stoner a few tents behind. Then crutchlow(!), spies, about 1.3 behind, and the CRT bikes as much as 3 seconds off pace.

I have a couple IRA's (roth and traditional) and life insurance through Ameriprise, and while my first (paid) adviser wasn't the greatest, the guy they assigned us after after we terminated our personal advising relationship with him, is AWESOME. His advice comes at no cost to me, but he does make commission on any sales or transactions I make. But I do trust Peter. I quit my old job, and he advised my wife and I to STOP our contributions to the roth IRA we have through Ameriprise, and max out my wife's 401k instead. Anyway, if anyone is interested in his contact info, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. He's not pushy in the least, and he actually listens to what you say. (our first guy kept ignoring the fact that we didn't want disability income insurance, and wanted to buy a house. Pete tells us, "that's not what I'd advise, but if you've made up your mind..." and then outlines his plan based on your wishes. And it's not like the wife and I have tons of money tied up with them. But based on the treatment we're getting now, Pete will make healthy commissions on us in 10 or 20 years.

I believe I'm familiar with most of the ORDN/AFJ "friction," but I honestly can't remember the last time anything like that happened. At least not here. Maybe on their site. But i've gotta say, I have met the AFJ guys (Monger, Brandon, some guy with a beard and an SV650...) on a couple occasions, and however they come across online, they're plenty friendly to anyone on two wheels. Ben made a decision, and Brandon publicized that decision. Appropriate? that's debatable. Surprising? ...it's a forum. People talk, call each other out, and generally debate the merits of various positions. I haven't re-read the whole thread, but I believe Ben and Brandon hashed things out before the end of page 3. Why things are suddenly controversial again now is beyond me.

not sure how I missed this until today. So sad to hear.

try sneaking into Bluegrass?

this is what i have to talk to Todd about. I have my WERA provisional license, but I never mailed it in to WERA, because I don't plan to ride w/ them this year... So I have done everything to earn a "full" license, I just never mailed it in.

Easter is this weekend? eff that. the law library better be open Sunday...

My garage can be available tomorrow. (saturday) I haven't actually bought any fiberglass resin or mat yet though. how many people are actually planning on showing up? I do have massive quantities of inexpensive light beer at the moment...

Perhaps equally as important, even when they succeed, start-up businesses are rarely profitable in the first year. ...but I don't understand why everyone's shitting on Brandon for starting a business, encountering the kinds of struggles that virtually anyone in his position would, and then appealing to a known customer-base to help correct one of those problems by stimulating sales. People seem to be quite supportive of Shop Dog Cycles. Not to jinx or disparage Ryan's business, but he might only be a few months away from the same situation. Would he be receiving the same response? I get that Brandon and Ryan aren't the same person, but are they really THAT different?

Compared to the throttle cable install, manually bleeding the brakes was cake. It was easy and enjoyable once I figured out what I was doing.

Not to over-sell the HF models, but they do make one that is a step up from the 1100 lbs model a bunch of us have. The load capacity goes up to 1900(?) and it has 13" wheels instead of 12". Build it with a solid 4x8 treated wood deck, and that makes it flex MUCH less. Then add tour own wooden side and front rails for even more strength, and it should be solid so long as you connect the corners of the rails with some 90 degree shelving brackets. Trailer + lumber shouldn't be more than $500 at most.

the pulse might be in my head. I barely got the bike up to 30 mph, and then was HARD on the brakes, because they felt so weak and spongy. Now that the brakes are bled, I'm hopeful that it won't feel weird (or give me reason to image it)

i rode it before bleeding the brakes, so the brake fluid never got hot. brake cleaner it is.

I finally test rode the Honda yesterday, and now I have a few questions/concerns. Any input appreciated. - the brakes felt like shit. super weak. I changed the fluid and bled them after the test ride, and they feel much firmer on the stand, but I have not had the chance to take a test ride. Any reason a bike would lose fluid or get air into the brake lines during a crash? - in the process of bleeding the brakes, I got some brake fluid on the pads and rotors (one side. learned my lesson...). Any reason that wouldn't just burn off after a few stops? Should i replace the pads to be safe? They may also have just been a bit wet. I took a spray bottle and an old tooth-brush to them, so it might just have been some water (that was after the test-ride, so it wouldnt' have been causing the weird feel) - i felt some "pulsing" under braking. Would badly bled brakes contribute to that? could the pistons have been pulsing against the air?

Too bad none of us hit the mega millions. I would have sponsored an ORDN race team or something. Regardless, I am really hoping my second job materializes for the summer. The wife has given me permission to use 100% of my supplemental income for the track. An extra $500-$600 a month should get me to the track every other weekend :-)

This. Then buy a 22 to shoot frequently, and whatever you really wanted to shoot when you can afford throwing quarters down range instead of nickels.

I agree, but I'd get over it. I'd there was a wing delete option, I would pay extra for it.

I'm sure many of us can say the same, but you're not supposed to admit it.

Don't sweat it. Race yourself and no one else. I remember pushing my hardest (granted, on my F2) to turn 1:10's at the beave. Now I do 1:07's on my warmup lap... Seat time and keep having fun.

Well, the fact is I suck at Nelson. I can break 1:05 at beaverun, but haven't broken 1:18 at Nelson. Maybe my move will be a set of Q2's to start the season and get the bike shaken down, and then switch to 211's 14's sound really really fast right now.

Thanks Craig. I'm still a little torn. Bstone pays on so many more classes that there are more chances to win... they also don't require as many decals or patches. But Dunlop pays more for third, which; let's face it, is what I'd be shooting for...