80 degrees in October....ride all day! What else!

Wow!  What a beautiful day yesterday was.  80 degrees and all sunshine, what better day to ride the bike only for all trips that day.  To the store, auto parts, m/c dealer, go look at some flooring for the downstairs apartment, stop-by and visit a buddy of mine, stop-by the barbershop and so on. 

I got on the bike about 7:30 and parked it later that day at dusk.  Put on about 200 miles too! And all just around town.  I went and ordered a decal to put on the windscreen with the year make and model of the bike so I don't have to answer so many questions or have people wait around for me to return to the bike to ask about it.

Today the weather turned COLD and windy so I'll just have to p[ass on riding today.  But there is always Tomorrow!

Decal arrived and I installed it.

Too Cool!

That is what someone said to me today at the Motor Cycle Swap Meet at the Howard County Fairgrounds.  I went to the meet looking for some parts and did find a pair of Second Story motorcycle bags in heavy leather for $30.  I don't think 2nd is in business anymore and I know that the bags they had were of high quality so I'm glad I found a pair in real nice shape and condition too.

There were a lot of people at the meet.  Maybe 50 + motorcycles rode in while I was there and pretty much newer bikes, I think mine was the oldest ride in but there were about 20 or so bikes for sale indoors.  A few old ones (Harleys).

The wind was blowing very hard today, gusts to 40 mph so the ride back home was difficult.  I did some local riding and a grocery run, that sidecar is sure handy.

That's it for this weekends report.

I have a few repairs to do during the week all minor but need to be done before they become major!

I have a busy week ahead with doctor appointments.

So, what would the Russians do?

If you read my blog you will remember I got soaked on my trip.  120 miles in the rain is no fun (well maybe it was).  So yesterday I picked up a 1973 Ural with sidecar.  I mainly wanted the sidecar and rigging but in the pile of spares there was a pair of Ural leg shields and I started thinking that just maybe they would fit the R50 rig.........and yes they do.  I will have to repaint them since they are Shocking Green.  I positioned the left side and I think they will clear the fairing very nicely and it sure beats getting soaked (and cold).  Maybe, just maybe, those Ruskies have a good idea or two (including pickled herring).

What do you think?  (Not about the pickled herring)

Time for post trip repairs and thoughts.

I went over the bike and started servicing it from the ride.  Changed the oil in the engine, trans and rear.  Need to replace the dust boot on the driveshaft to trans area (picking it up today at Bob's).  I want to relube the tach and speedo cables, one of them made a squeal on the way home and not sure which one.  Everything else seems fine.

  I learned a thing or two riding this far on that old bike;

 #1 Keep the sidecar windscreen down if no one is in the sidecar.  I had a lot of wind resistance and it made the engine work harder than needed to maintain good speed.

 #2 Take more riding breaks.

 #3 Change that new handgrip on the throttle, my hand still hurts and two fingers are still not working correctly.  The grip is too thin and did not configure to my hand well.

 #4 Check for fuel and oil leaks at every stop.

 #5 Spend a little more time talking to people that have interest in the bike and trip.  Many of these folks will never experience the time and joy I have riding; some can only dream, some can not afford it, some will never have the time and some are just scared.

 #6 Keep doing what I'm doing and enjoy the time I have, the way I want.

BACK from a great trip to " Wheels Through Time "

WOW, if you ever get a chance go to that museum.  So many great things to say about it and the staff.  I had one of my best museum trips ever. 

Along the way had a little problem or two.  First drove about 120 miles in heavy rain, had a fuel leak where the crossover hose rubbed against the engine and made a hole at the connection and almost at every fuel stop had people out asking about the bike, even had folks videoing me as I drove down the highway and many thumbs up in fact one gal rolled down her window and said " What a cool  ride!", in fact said more than one time by many.

At one stop 3 guys from the BMW plant in NC spent about 30 minutes with me looking over the bike asking questions and telling stories about their rides.  One guy pulled up in VA and said he is going straight home to work on his 1968 Bonneville after seeing my bike,  It inspired him to get his done that has been sitting for 4 years in the garage.

Here are some photos.  Enjoy!  I should add my right hand is cramped from holding the throttle.

RAIN. Go away!

Made it to Winston Salem, NC about 370 miles of riding 100 in the rain.  Got soaked is the easy way of say it.  Bike drove great, a few new sounds but I think it's just coming alive again after sitting for 21 years without any attention.  Stopped for the night at Micro Tel Motel and had a great meal at the Outback Steak House.  It's morning and still raining out so I'll wait a while for it to slow down, I hope.

Ready, Set, Go !

I'm getting ready to drive away on the trip to Wheels through Time museum.  Made some last minute mods to the bike.  I mounted a solar automotive battery charger to the rack on the sidecar and a red flasher light too.  On the windscreen I mounted a white flasher light.  These are battery operated and the battery should last 100 hours in each.  I know it's not much but every little bit helps when it comes to safety.

The roads are still wet from yesterdays rain and many of the leaves have fallen, about mid-day the roads should dry but I will be pulling away in about an hour to keep my (loose) schedule.