Finally - 1 mile run this evening

That's right, a ONE MILE run. What makes this such a special ride was my daughter was on the back of the bike, her very first time. For years, she has been afraid of riding on the bike. But this spring, she decided to try it. She donned the helmet and the leather jacket, climbed aboard behind me, and off we went. We ran around the neighborhood. more than mile, but not by a whole lot. She became a little nervous when we started to go fast (30 mph) and felt the rumble of the big twin.

Next ride is to one of her friends to show off. This is a cool thing because the guy on the bike with her is Dad. But woe to the first boy who tries it!!!!

What was the factor that changed her mind to get on the bike? She wants to buy a girlie leather jacket...sigh....

Finally - 100 mile run this evening

I took a couple of hours today, and a friend of mine and I headed out for a ride. "Where should we ride?" This time, I had the answer - Springfield Ohio to see an entry from "Weird Ohio". It is only about 50 miles (one way) from home, and takes you across country roads as well as highway - a great mixture of riding condition. Temps were in upper 70's but just did not seem that warm.

The rock garden in actually in a rougher part of town, a residential area a couple of blocks away from some retail/industrial area. If you did not know it was there, you could drive by it without knowing all that was there.

Remember - click on pics to see larger version...

HARTMAN'S HISTORICAL ROCK GARDEN,
SPRINGFIELD OHIO

From Weird Ohio

When the Great Depression struck and H.G. Hartman found himself unemployed, he turned to stone. No, not like Medusa! From 1932 to 1939, H.G. Hartman built a 35-foot by 140-foot rock garden that contains approximately 250,000 individual stones and which can be seen today at the corner of McCain and Russell Streets in Springfield, Ohio.

Hartman started with a fishpond and then filled his yard with statues, miniature stone castles with moats and drawbridges, cathedrals complete with statues of saints, and other historic buildings. There are models of the White House, Independence Hall, Noah's Ark, Lincoln's log cabin birthplace, Mount Vernon (including its slave cabins), as well as tributes to boxer Joe Louis and the Dionne Quintuplets (the only identical quintuplets known to have survived infancy at the time). Religious scenes and 1930s cultural references coexist side by side in Hartman's folk art world. Even included is a scene from the Oregon Trail. The whole surreal environment is surrounded by a concrete picket fence and gate that so much resembles an actual wooden fence that you'd swear it was the real thing, if it were not for the exposed steel rebar, which is visible where the cement has chipped away.

Although now somewhat deteriorated, the Harman Rock Garden still stands, its impressive displays adorned with flowery paintings. Since H.G.'s death in 1944, the property has been maintained by Ben Hartman, his youngest son. However, Ben would like to sell the artwork and have someone else take care of it. Though there are no organized tours, anyone looking to apply for the job of caretaker or just looking to look around is welcome to visit during daylight hours–no appointments are necessary!

It figures...when it rain, it pours

Wanted to go for a ride in the worse way, but having a little health issue (dizzy, headache, pale) so figured taking a long ride was too dangerous. Went to the store for hardware for some house repairs, just to get the heck out and on the bike. It felt great, but reinforced that I should not be on the road.

So finally a great day for a ride (70's, sunny), but I still cannot get out. Just a glimpse of what could be, but taken away from me. Guess it just matches some other things in my life right now.

I did go get the tent out from storage. It will fit perfectly on the bike, along with a sleeping bag, air mattress, and some minimal camping gear. I think I will try some bike camping this year if I can get out of the office and home responsibilities. The pic here is not me. But it does give you an idea of what I envision - possibly even with the laptop.

Another weekend ride?

Weather in Ohio cannot be predicted. No matter what the plans, they tend to fall through if you rely on the weather report. Compare weather in earlier post to what they are currently calling for. In addition, we have had several inches of rain flooding some of our roads.

But I am hoping that the rain drains Saturday, the thunderstorms are few and far between, and Sunday is clear enough for a good ride. But because I just cannot stand this inability to sit at home, I mounted a "Flip-a-Lever." Best way to describe it is a cruise control. But you only use it for short bursts so you can use your right hand or stretch it after hours of riding. All it does is hold the throttle at the same position.

Cabin fever is driving me nuts

The weather has remained cold. Not REAL cold, but too cold to ride comfortably. The sun has been out, teasing me, taunting me with the promise of nice weather. And then the weatherman cannot make up their mind. Friday nice/Saturday medium/Sunday rain. Now Friday rain, Sat and Sunday nice.

ARGH....gotta get on the road...Cabin Feaver-Catch It!

WHAT THE HECK!

Temperature yesterday - 72 degrees. Planning different bike trips, doing a trial fit for camping gear on the bike, checking out campsites.

Today, below freezing, sleet, snow, ice, school delays in nearby communities... Ya just gotta love Ohio.

First ride of the season

It was supposed to hit 50's today - they lied. But I took a half day off anyway and forged off onto the road, cloudy skys and brisk temps in the mid 40's (I think). Too cold for a long ride (200 or more miles) as night would be setting and temps dropping way too fast. So instead, I opted for a ride on some roads that I have never been on before.

It was enjoyable, but a little too cold. I stopped at Hurricane Fudge, and picked up a pound of peanut butter as well as a bag of rock candy.

It was the first of many rides this summer, and a great joy.

A good day for a Sunday

Not to bad for a Sunday. Built a computer and then went over to a friend's to help him do some wiring on a Light Bar. He was swapping out highway lights for fog lights on his lightbar, and the wiring did not quite fit. Then we put on some highway pegs - he has a beautiful set of pegs, skull ornimentation, and matches the shifters, brakes, heel rests. I hate working on Harleys, but hey, it was still a good time with a friend, and his bike is just a little better. Oh - and on my way out, I let him know what he missed yesterday with the Hooter's girls. He was still kicking himself when I left!

Took the boy and a couple of his friends to shoot the spud gun again. They loved it, shooting off half taters into the field using a cheap hairspray!

Then I took a short ride on the bike, to see how it felt to get in the saddle again. God it was good. she ran strong and clear, and the repositioned shifter felt better than before as well. The gadgetry that I added looks good, workes great, and improves the overall ride. I put on the AirHawk seat cushion. I am so looking forward to a nice, comfy ride tomorrow on that cushion - no more "biker butt" for ME (I hope!!!).

I have schedule a 1/2 day off work tomorrow, but there might be some tumult at work. So I wont know if I can really take it off or not. If I can, look forward to a bigger post and some pics tomorrow!

Cute girls and grimy oil

Got a late start before heading to Iron Pony to get the oil, filter, and face shield (long story). My boy and his friend (both in early teens), as well as my daughter decided they wanted to go too. When I got there, we were greated by two lovely Hooters girls! They had some sort of event (not sure if it was hooters, iron pony, or a local radio station), but frankly did not care! They had free chicken wings, sausage sandwiches, salads, pop, etc.

I went off to get my Bike supplies and see what they had on sale. About an hour later, both boys were STILL sitting at a table enjoying the sights! So the girl and I had a little to eat too, and then forced the boys to leave. Ah, the dreams they will have tonight....

Got home and changed the oil. Always a little problem here and there, but got her changed and now Kermit has some brand new Mobile 1 Synthetic Oil and new K&N filter. Should maker her feel good. And the clutch uses the same oil, so I have heard the shifting can improve a little as well.

Also adjusted the heel-toe shifter again, bringing them up a little higher. If the weather holds tomorrow, I will take a ride and see how it feels...

Guess they dont want me to buy their product

Based on some research and comments by various members of the yahoo groups, I decided that I would be moving to synthetic oil for Kermit as I change the oil this weekend. Amsoil was the target product, having heard a lot of positive about it. But I could not find the stuff! I could order over the internet directly from them, but shipping charges for oil is horrendous. Locally, I found the Columbus distributor - who also had a retail business. Called, but no answer on retain line, and the distributor line was disconnected. He called back (I left no voice mail however, so he used caller id), and it was fairly obvious that he had gone out of business but would order and have it drop-shipped.

I went to the Amsoil home page, and found that they had a NEW Columbus distributor. Called them several times before someone picked up the phone. They had some of the oil in stock, but could not find the filters - after giving them the Amsoil product numbers! When asked for price, they told me i had to place an order, and then the price would come up on the invoice.

So with that kind of distribution channel and service, they can KEEP their products! I am going with Mobil 1 - the most popular synthetic on the yahoo list. Also picking up a K&N filter. It is a medium grade filter based on what I have read. But with an expectation of only 3,000 - 5,000 miles per year, it will more than make the service levels.

So off to Iron Pony tomorrow morning. They have plenty of both in stock (or so they told me over the phone) and at discount price. Hoping to change the oil in the afternoon, and take a ride on Monday! If I do ride Sunday or Monday, we should finally get some RIDING REPORTS back on the blog!

Luggage rack and chrome knob

Spent about half an hour Sunday night and installed the Cobra luggage rack I got from CruiserCustomizing. Slipped in, replacing the Kawasaki Luggage rack I had installed when I bought the bike. I dont like the Cobra rack's looks, but it mounts a lot lower giving room for the leather truck.

To get to the free shipping, I had to order another few dollars. So I opted to order Chrome choke knob cover. It slips over the black plastic choke knob andPro One hides with bright the ugly thing shiny chrome! OK, kinda childish, but it did not cost much more than the shipping would have!


Here is the pic of the install

Finished the cig lighter wiring

Did the final wiring for the cigarette lighter, running wires into the headlight can. Was surprised that the accessory pigtails were hot whether the bike was on or off. So there will always be power to the cig lighter - I think that will be ok.

Here is a couple of pics. They are kinda crappy, taken at night and in the garage. But it does give an idea of what it looks like. Probably will add an inline fuse, basically to protect the 10amp fuse at the battery side.

ITS HERE

Its Here...Its Here...Its Here...Its Here...Its Here...Its Here...Its Here...Its Here...Its Here...Its Here...Its HereGoodness....I am just like a kid. I gotta go get the luggage rack, but I can mount it this weekend. I will also stop by an automotive store and get the connectors to finish the cigerate lighter mod too. Looks like a fun weekend....