OK, so you have a new bike (or used, doesn't really matter). Everything on it is straight from the factory. You know you want to make it your own, so now what? Why, add some accessories, of course!
Where you go is up to you; I have a few favorites that I often go to but there are many places out there. (You can see where I like to shop by checking out my links). The first thing that I went for was a new seat and new exhaust. OK, who am I kidding? I bought the bike with them already on! They are nice though - anyone that is looking for a new seat, I would highly recommend a Mustang seat. I took a 2 hour ride today with no stops and had no complaints whatsoever. The pipes are Vance and Hines pipes and they are flippin' loud. Always make sure to jet the carbs when messing with the intake or exhaust. Running the bike too rich or too lean can cause you problems down the road.
The first customization that I did myself was to replace the pegs, front and rear, and to throw on some nice chrome covers over the brake and shift peg. I also replaced the bezels on all my signals. I love Kuryakyn parts and have pretty much replaced everything on my bike with something from Kuryakyn. The next things I changed were my grips and mirrors. I got rid of the old style round mirrors in place of some streamlined ellipses and I replaced the crappy stock grips with some very comfy ISO grips from, you guessed.
I have some more to do, but I need to take a break for fear of having to move into the garage when my wife finds out how much I spent.
So that's what's on my bike at the moment, what have you done to make your bike your own?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Laying It Down
Have you ever laid down your bike?
When I started riding (only a year ago) I was told that there are two kinds of riders; Those that have dropped their bike and those that will drop their bike.
I kind of dropped it a few months ago, although it really shouldn't count. I stopped by my driveway to do something (I think it was put my gloves on) and the bike started leaning one way. It kept going and going, and by sheer force of will and brute strength I was able to muscle it back upright, so it really didn't drop. Close, but no drop.
I write this because a little while ago my friend called me and told me he laid his bike down this afternoon. He was just going for a quick ride on lunch - almost didn't wear his helmet or jacket (good thing he did) and was taking a left after stopping at a stop sign. Some stupid cager decided he didn't need to stop at the other approach and almost nailed my buddy. I guess my buddy panicked because he told me he grabbed a handful of front brake and forgot about the rear. Fortunately, he was only going around 10 MPH and was able to kind of jump off instead of laying it down and possibly get trapped under the bike. Amazingly enough there was no damage to the bike (or him), cosmetic or otherwise. he was able to get the bike upright, and after he did I guess he went up one side of the driver and down the other.
I was on my way home today and was taking a left turn at a light, in a lane that was straight or left. I was behind a big van that had also stopped, both of us with signals on. The car behind me (which was following too close to begin with) decided that she wanted to go straight so instead of moving over to the dedicated straight lane, she thought it would be a good idea to suddenly swerve over after I had stopped, narrowly missing me. I should mention that the van was stopped ahead of me way before I even got there, so it shouldn't have been a surprise that I was stopping.
No accident for me, but it got me thinking, especially after hearing my friend's phone call this afternoon. I hope I don't ever have to experience one, a simple drop or otherwise, but sharing people's stories can help prepare for them, somewhat. Kind of like a "things you should be aware of" thing.
So, ever laid your bike down? Why and how bad was it?
When I started riding (only a year ago) I was told that there are two kinds of riders; Those that have dropped their bike and those that will drop their bike.
I kind of dropped it a few months ago, although it really shouldn't count. I stopped by my driveway to do something (I think it was put my gloves on) and the bike started leaning one way. It kept going and going, and by sheer force of will and brute strength I was able to muscle it back upright, so it really didn't drop. Close, but no drop.
I write this because a little while ago my friend called me and told me he laid his bike down this afternoon. He was just going for a quick ride on lunch - almost didn't wear his helmet or jacket (good thing he did) and was taking a left after stopping at a stop sign. Some stupid cager decided he didn't need to stop at the other approach and almost nailed my buddy. I guess my buddy panicked because he told me he grabbed a handful of front brake and forgot about the rear. Fortunately, he was only going around 10 MPH and was able to kind of jump off instead of laying it down and possibly get trapped under the bike. Amazingly enough there was no damage to the bike (or him), cosmetic or otherwise. he was able to get the bike upright, and after he did I guess he went up one side of the driver and down the other.
I was on my way home today and was taking a left turn at a light, in a lane that was straight or left. I was behind a big van that had also stopped, both of us with signals on. The car behind me (which was following too close to begin with) decided that she wanted to go straight so instead of moving over to the dedicated straight lane, she thought it would be a good idea to suddenly swerve over after I had stopped, narrowly missing me. I should mention that the van was stopped ahead of me way before I even got there, so it shouldn't have been a surprise that I was stopping.
No accident for me, but it got me thinking, especially after hearing my friend's phone call this afternoon. I hope I don't ever have to experience one, a simple drop or otherwise, but sharing people's stories can help prepare for them, somewhat. Kind of like a "things you should be aware of" thing.
So, ever laid your bike down? Why and how bad was it?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The "New" Choppers...
The more I research and read as well as just ride around, the more I see or read about the latest trend of motorcycles that seems to be taking hold. Choppers are appearing more now than ever, from my research. Shows like American Chopper have really made a splash (too bad I think it's in its final season). This is evident by the newest release from several manufacturers, not to mention OCC going into their own production models. Honda, Star, Harley Davidson and the newest, Victory have all brought their choppers to the sales floor. Motorcyclecruiser.com has a complete article on the four bike makers. To be honest, the Fury is growing on me....
Source: Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine
"The Corporate Chopper Challenge
Shoot Out!
"Corporate rock still sucks" was an iconic bumper sticker in the 1980s, went on to become a punk anthem in the 1990s, and can now be roughly translated to bikes by changing the word "rock" for "chopper." Without a doubt, Honda has broken some seriously new ground with their release of the Fury, but there is ground that will never be broken by a major manufacturer, and that's a good thing. The leaders in the custom bike world should be guys who are actually customizing bikes, while the guys who sit down to three meetings a day and conduct focus groups lie floundering in their wake...."
Click link for the full article
Source: Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine
"The Corporate Chopper Challenge
Shoot Out!
"Corporate rock still sucks" was an iconic bumper sticker in the 1980s, went on to become a punk anthem in the 1990s, and can now be roughly translated to bikes by changing the word "rock" for "chopper." Without a doubt, Honda has broken some seriously new ground with their release of the Fury, but there is ground that will never be broken by a major manufacturer, and that's a good thing. The leaders in the custom bike world should be guys who are actually customizing bikes, while the guys who sit down to three meetings a day and conduct focus groups lie floundering in their wake...."
Click link for the full article
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
To Helmet or Not To Helmet
Short and sweet today. The question is to wear a helmet or not? Keep in mind that there is no helmet law in Connecticut so it is not a no brainer answer as far as legality goes.
I personally wear a helmet. Full face modular most of the time but I do have a three quarter with a face shield that I will opt for once in a while. I took a short ride today on my break - only went about a half mile away - and I left my helmet at my desk. I had glasses on but they were the wrong kind so I was all teary eyed by the time I arrived at the coffee shop. It was OK but I think I prefer a helmet. I feel more secure with a brain bucket on than I did on that short ride.
The other thing to consider is the things that like to fly up and aim right for your face. This would include bugs, rocks and other debris that might get kicked up. Ironically, when I went out for coffee nothing hit me. On my ride home, I had my face shield up (I tend to do that when running on the busier stop and go slow speed roads) and I got pegged in the check by something. Go figure that I got hit when I had my helmet on but not when I didn't. Must be a magnet or something. Since I ride in the rural areas a lot, I tend to have to wash the shield nightly, so I can't imagine not wearing one around here.
However I do not judge. To each his (or her) own in this matter as it isn't mandatory here. I do believe that all riders should wear their gear, but if you don't then that is your choice. More power to you for it.
I personally wear a helmet. Full face modular most of the time but I do have a three quarter with a face shield that I will opt for once in a while. I took a short ride today on my break - only went about a half mile away - and I left my helmet at my desk. I had glasses on but they were the wrong kind so I was all teary eyed by the time I arrived at the coffee shop. It was OK but I think I prefer a helmet. I feel more secure with a brain bucket on than I did on that short ride.
The other thing to consider is the things that like to fly up and aim right for your face. This would include bugs, rocks and other debris that might get kicked up. Ironically, when I went out for coffee nothing hit me. On my ride home, I had my face shield up (I tend to do that when running on the busier stop and go slow speed roads) and I got pegged in the check by something. Go figure that I got hit when I had my helmet on but not when I didn't. Must be a magnet or something. Since I ride in the rural areas a lot, I tend to have to wash the shield nightly, so I can't imagine not wearing one around here.
However I do not judge. To each his (or her) own in this matter as it isn't mandatory here. I do believe that all riders should wear their gear, but if you don't then that is your choice. More power to you for it.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday's Adventure
OK, I know yesterday's post was an effort at reaching a little. Why do we care about waves that we get? I kind of do but maybe it's a newbie thing, I don't know.
Took a ride to the shore today, following some nice secondary roads through Essex and into Old Saybrook. Stopped at a place called Dine and Dock at Old Saybrook Point and saw a couple of sights worth mentioning. The ride itself was great, but uneventful. The roads we took were full of turns and were not over crowded at all, so it was a relaxing ride. Went through the town of Chester as we headed to south, although I wish we had stopped. As we rode through Chester Center I found it to be a quaint town that had some nice storefronts. Next time I go down I think I will take my wife for a ride and we can walk around and enjoy the town.
We passed through Chester and wound our way down to Essex and finally found ourselves in Old Saybrook. The only potential life changing event that happened on this ride was my friend got cut off by some cager who didn't bother to even check before changing lanes. Fortunately my friend saw it coming and there was no incident.
We wound our way around Route 154 and wound up going around Fort Saybrook Monument Park before heading across the causeway. This was a beautiful sight if I say so myself. Water all around and it was a gorgeous day out. Terrific.
We got to the Dine and Dock at Old Saybrook Point and stopped to take a break. I had the opportunity to snap a few pictures. There is a lot of money out there, let me tell you. Case in point:
As we were leaving I noticed the bike parked in front of me had something on the back of the sissy bar. It was engraved with a memorial:
Reading this and talking to the rider for a few minutes (he was a nice older gentleman that was obviously proud of his son) it was touching to see how he carried on the memory of his son. It also reminded me of the great sacrifice that the men and women who serve our country are making.
I leave you with this thought: The next time you are out and see a veteran or a member of our armed services, please remember to thank them not only for their service, but for those that have sacrificed before them. Without their service, we may not have the ability to enjoy the freedom that they provide. A freedom that we so very often take for granted.
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