Earache

But he didn't bitch much about it and we soldiered on. Laughed at him at every stop, wringing the sweat from his shirt...

A hot day in Ireland is about 65F and zero humidity. Mark wasn't so much diggin' his first experience with heat and humidity.... Looked like a well steamed lobster at this point.

I've passed the Arch thousands of times and never really checked it out much. So it was good for me to see it as well. Some odd characters there though, like the Crusader for Christ dude... Guy just stood there for hours on end, not moving at all in the 100+F heat and 85% humidity. The black dancing dude was far more entertaining though...

We hop on the scooters and aim them west on I-70. First stop is in St. Louis so Mark can see the Arch...

A friend of mine from Ireland, Mark, and I had long discussed his first trip to the USA. Where we'd go, what we'd see and do. In September, we finally made it happen. Mark flew into Indy and we headed west. He was going to ride my trusty old 2002 ST1100. I had to freshen it up a bit prior to the ride with new tires, brakes, fork oil change, etc... Had it looking as new as an 11 year old bike can... I'll be aboard the less than trusty but never failing BMW GS...

Hit a turkey at about 70 mph - little bastage flew up out of a ditch and hit me in the shoulder. Spun me around in the saddle and I damned near fell off. Hurt like Hell, but I came out of it better than the turkey did...

Cool - always good to have a back up plan. I'll let both of you guys know what's happening as it develops. Eric

Sweet. If ya don't mind me taking a look at it sometime for about 1/2 an hour, I'd appreciate it greatly. I need to order one of the bungee hook but thingies first so I can make a part to replace them. Once I get that done, I'll give ya a holla to set up some time for me to stop by and look at it - if that's cool with you.

I'd say that was an excellent way to start your day! Good save and heads up driving. Now, go buy a lottery ticket.

I need to find someone with a 2000 ZX-12 or a bike that has the same tail section so I can take some measurements off it. A friend in Ireland wants a custom tail rack made for his ZX-12 and I need to have a look at one locally so I can make it. In return, you'll get a tail rack as well - if ya want one. Or a cold beer or two if you don't want a rack. A couple of pics are attached showing what we're trying to do. I assume that several years of ZX-12 have the same tail secgtion - although I'm not a Kawasaki guy and don't really know. So if you or a friend have one and wanna help, please email me at EaracheMS at Gmail.com or PM here. I'll send you some pictures of what we're trying to make. Thanks!!!!

And the Elk was faster.

This video was shot last month using the RAM mount - super smooth;

I used the U clamp RAM mount (pictured on left below) on a rental bike in England last year. Clamped around the bars and left no marks at all. They have shitloads of different types of mounts - most won't mess up your paint or chrome parts at all. I made my own mount plates and them powdercoated them black - looks factory. The RAM brake or clutch reservoir mount (pictured on right below) attaches with the bolts that hold your fluid reservoirs on. I made one like these before they came out from RAM and it worked very well also.

Ram mounts are the way to go - fully adjustable, can be put damned near anywhere, isolates vibration and cheap. Hard to beat that. You can mount the little rubber ball parts at several locations on your bike (they cost about $10 each) and then just move the arm, swivel and camera around for different viewing angles.

The Black edition had the most problems - I've had zero issues with my Silver. Heat build up was another issue that the Black had. GoPro4 will be out shortly and most if the issues supposedly have been resolved.

I'd say that the first thing it needs is a billet license plate holder - get ride of all that crap plastic hanging off of the back end. Add some nice LED turn signals to the tail while you're at it.

I made boatloads of frame and clutch sliders back in the day when you couldn't buy them anywhere. Also made rearsets for awhile (Ducati and R1 only). I did it as a fun thing but it turned into a part time job and took all of my free time. Had to deal with asshat customers as well. I've backed way off and only make one off parts now. Alwya fun to make one part but turns into a real job making 100 of the same part. But CNC will take some of that tedium out of the process. I always have some projects that folks want me to do, if you're into it, I'll contact you when they want lots of parts made - been turning them away lately. R1 rearsets: [/uR On the R1, I made the pegs, shift rod and rearsets to work with the OEM levers as a cost savings idea. Also made some to work with CFM levers and a few others as well. MAde a few with my own levers, too. L] Ducati sets I made the Duc sets based on the OEM part - just thicker and added an extra set of bolt holes for height adjustment. Hard to see in this pic, but they really are thick as shit. It was an easy piece to make and I sold a shit load of them. Subsequent Ducs to the 196 came out with adjustable ones from the factory and kinda killed the market a bit. Bastids.

I'm in if there's no camping or bonfires involved. Sometime in October would be best for me.

Looks like a shemale to me, but still miles better than that blonde. Woof! Chad is gay an unaffected by females in the shop.

Since we learned our lesson at the Lafayette's bar, we now eat at the brewhouse just up the street. Same side of the street, but north about a block and a half. Marietta Brewing Co - http://www.mbcpub.com/ Damned good food - not reheated Sysco shit like everywhere else in town. Beers are average brewpub stuff - nothing great but nothing bad either.

Ate at the Lafayette in Marietta - place is kinda sketchy and not all that clean or up to date,. I'd not stay there... Bar area... Crap food at lunch...

We stayed in Stockport once, here: http://www.stockportmill.com/ Not much in town aside from the Inn, but they have a nice restaurant and bar in the Inn. Good riding all around.

Hey Freebird - I'm in Indy and get over to SEO a lot as well. In Laws in Zanesville, Graduated OU and ride down there often enough. Holla next time you're headed that way on a bike and maybe I'll tag along for a bit.

Eeeks! Those wimmin have no business being in bikini's in public.

It was fun - not too hot, no rain. But I'm sore as shit today. Not as much as the peddlers, but close. The ride home after Pelotonia was not fun.