Friday, October 31, 2008

Passin out the candy



I live in a newer construction residential development, thus where with out exaggerating, the kids will get bussed in. They can clean me out of a bag of 300 treats in a matter of an hour and a half. There will be a constant streaming line with little to no breaks, until the little kids are gone. Except for the little kids which we buy good treats for, we buy cheap small stuff for the bigger kids.

I'll be handing out candy till the rotten teenagers that are way too old to trick or treat are still knocking at the door. Eventually, I'll have had enough and I'll turn off the lights.

I may be a prick, but I made my kids stop trick or treating for this exact same reason when they turned thirteen.

I get annoyed when a sixteen year old knocks at my door at 10:30, no costume, no bag, and asks for a free handout. That Ain't what this was supposed to be about was it?

Do you want to know how I really feel? LOL! Just kidding. I LOVE the little ones in their costumes. It's just the big ones causing the problem here.

I'm all about Haloween. I do love it.

I've come a long way

I was rummaging through some photos, and saw a picture of a motorcycle tank and fenders that I painted when I was at Tech school for auto body, and paint way back in 1991.

I did my very first Harley Davidson custom paint job for a guy who was going through the heavy equipment mechanics class next door to the Auto Body Shop class. He had a 1200 Sportster that he got a new tank for, and wanted a color change on tank and fenders to match "with a twist" of something not completely stock looking. This is what I gave him for I think about $300.00, which included materials.



Most of you who follow my blog regularly have already seen pictures of my bike, but for those who have not, for comparison sake, I posted a couple of pics of my most recent custom paint job which is on my bike. What a difference 17 1/2 years can make. I think if I would have stuck with this professionally I'd be better, but I would hate it, or at least my love for doing a custom paint job would be reduced to "it's a job". At least it's a decent paying hobby this way. I got no complaints.







Thursday, October 30, 2008

Motorcycle clock close-outs

I've got just the following close-outs for sale now:

1 - Road King fork lock clock w/horseshoe face. A little glue on the bottom (won't even be visible). Reg $103; now $69.99

2 - Bullet clock w/your CHOICE of NEW face. One small nick (used in trade show booth). Price varies by face style.

3 - Harley Fork stem clock (size SMALL) w/white face. Reg $70; now $41.99

4- Harley Fork stem clock (size LARGE) w/black face. Reg $70; now $41.99

Son's of Anarchy Episode 9 review



I have a few questions; things I was thinking about....

Was Clays decision to Allie with the Myans a good choice?
What's going to happen when the revenge for the hit takes place?

What's gonna happen with this new relationship with Jax and Tara?
To what level will Gemma interfere (more than she already has)?

Will they find the body Jax dumped? Where did he dump it?

What's going to happen with Opie and his family?
Will he ultimately choose the club over his family?

Is Clay going to find out Opie didn't do the hit?
If so will he freak the F' out?

Things that make you go Hmmmmmmm.

Guess we'll have to keep watching to find out.

Darn!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

emmissions, global warming, and our carbon foot print as bikers

I am a believer in global warming. I used to not be one until recently watching a show on it. I went on the theory that I live in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. It did not become the land of 10,000 lakes for no reason. It is from being carved out from glaciers, and the pooling up of water was originally, and some still is glacial. They have been tracking "global warming" since the beginning of the ice age melting. Look at Glacier National Park in Montana. They have been measuring the shrinkage of glaciers for I think decades.

Anyway the fact is global warming HAS been going on for a very long time, BUT it is extremely accelerated now with our usage of fossil fuels, and believe it or not "COWS"! We'll get to the cows in a minute.

Have you ever heard the term "carbon footprint"? Global warming is not caused from the heat from our emissions, but rather from the carbon dioxide left behind after we burn it. When we burn fossil fuels, the emission that is left behind is carbon dioxide. The build up of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere only allows "some, not all" of the heat coming in to the atmosphere to leave, thus causing a gradual buildup of heat. I'm not going to go into all the details of what can and will happen if we continue on the path we are already on. That is another lesson. Google it for more info. (If you don't already know the consequences, I SERIOUSLY HOPE YOU DO GOOGLE IT.)



O.K. back to the cows.
The emissions, or the carbon dioxide that comes out of cows rear ends is approximately three times the carbon dioxide created by the entire worlds burning of fossil fuels!



That's right you read it correctly. Just by requiring farmers to change the cows diets to make them less gassy, we could hugely reduce our carbon footprint. I heard on the special I watched that garlic introduced
into their diet would help greatly. We can also help by reducing the amount of beef we consume, thus lowering the demand for so much cattle raising.



I often think about global warming. I wonder what will happen when and if we ever convert all of our fossil fuel burning engines into something different. Will motorcycles follow? What will they sound like. There is a mystique to the rubble of a V-twin engine under you. I would certainly miss this. Will it happen in my lifetime? Will I have to resort to putting playing cards in my spokes with a clothespin like I did as a child?

Monday, October 27, 2008

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - ThFireman's Wife and Keithva99

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See ThFireman's Wife with her 1976 Honda CB750F Super Sport. Also see Keithva99 on his 2000 Kawasaki "Indian Drifter." For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

BMW Recalls 2005-2006 HP2 Enduro Motorcycles for Paralever Problem

BMW has issued a recall of certain 2005-2006 HP2 Enduro motorcycles.

The front threaded fastener of the Paralever link may not have been tightened to correct specifications. If the fastener was not tightened according to specifications, it could loosen. Over time, it is possible for the fastener to separate from its housing. If this were to occur, then the final drive of the motorcycle would not be properly supported.

365 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Ducati Recalls 2008 Desmosedici RR Motorcycles for Fuel Tank Drain Hose Defect

Ducati has issued a recall of certain 2008 Desmosedici RR motorcycles.

The fuel tank drain and breather hose clamps may be installed incorrectly. This nonconformity may cause the fuel lines to weaken and break. This can result in damage to the motorcycle and a potential hazard to the rider.

289 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Buell Recalls 2009 1125CR and 2008 1125R Motorcycles for Cam Chain Problem

Buell has issued a recall of certain 2009 1125CR and 2008 1125R motorcycles.

These motorcycles can experience a premature failure of the rear cylinder cam chain tension guide (part number F0020.1AM). This can cause plastic debris to block the oil pump screen, possibly leading to oil starvation and engine seizure.

140 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Yamaha Spark 135 - indonesia modifies

Yamaha Spark 135 - indonesia modifies

Buell Issues Recall for Windshield Problem on XB12XT and XB12XP Motorcycles

Buell has issued a recall of certain 2008-2009 XB12XT and 2009 XB12XP motorcycles.

The windshields may become dislodged and allow the windshield to either strike or distract the rider while the vehicle is being ridden at a high speed. This could result in a crash, which could cause injury or death to the rider.

624 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Son's of Anarchy Episode 8 review

This show keeps rolling along, and packing in the punches.

I love what the prospect did to attempt to earn his top rocker. Way funny. At least it came in handy later on in the show.

Hey did you hear Able got out of the "toaster"!


Jax & Tartar sittin in a tree. What they did was really F'n creepy.
It's like... "sleeping with the enemy" (in the room).
It's like necrophilia, "sleeping with the dead guy" (in the room).



Can you say freaking twisted?
All I could think was "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"



On a lighter note: I can't get that theme song out of my head. I can't wait for it's release.

Below is some information on the theme song, posted from the SOA website.

The Sound
By soaproduction at 2:45 pm

The Sound:

Music for the show plays a crucial part in depicting the world of Samcro as well as the simplicity of life in a town like Charming. It must reflect both the authentic rebelliousness and freedom of the club lifestyle but also have playful Americana undertones.

The man responsible for capturing this is acclaimed producer/songwriter/musician Bob Thiele Jr., whose major task as theme song composer and co-music supervisor is to make the music as authentic as possible. He does this by drawing from a specific musical palette, using a great deal of guitar and accordion, keeping it simple as anything too orchestral or overly computer generated becomes distracting and can hinder instead of adding to the characters and their stories. This very notion is best captured in the show’s theme song “This Life.”

For the song, Bob teamed up with guitarist/songwriter/and all around badass Dave Kushner of the band Velvet Revolver, as well as famed musician Curtis Stigers (who sings it.) The three are in works to lay down a full recording of the song to be available soon. Further details to follow…

In many ways SOA is a contemporary western, a cowboy story complete with all the thrills and pangs that comes with it. Our cowboy, Jax, is isolated in his conflict over the club and his family. Thematically, it’s important to capture Jax’s confusion with a classic lonesome cowboy edge, but also show the tradition and excitement of the world…

Ride into this world

All alone

God takes your soul

You’re on your own.

The crow flies straight

A perfect line

On the devil’s back

Until you die.

Gotta look this life in the eye.

The combination of these elements truly reflects our characters lives: The good, the bad and the crow.

Information on the sound from the SOA website.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

An end to a good thing.......

I received an e-mail stating that MBI A.K. A. Motorcycle Bloggers International is to no longer be.

Knowing this, I am sad to say there is an end, and see the end of a good thing.
It appears the failure was mainly due to lack of funding and participation.

MBI was initially started to become an industry award, but even that caused more problems last year than what it was worth. Since MBI costs money to run and maintain, time & effort, it doesn't make sense to continue the lack of participation or funding.

So sad.

We can at least keep the spirit alive fellow motobloggers!

Yamaha Nouvo Elegance to Majesty

Yamaha Nouvo Elegance modifies to Majesty

Monday, October 20, 2008

Scratch-n-dent Roadrunner drink holders

After our busy year at shows and stuff, I've finally gone through our "parts basket." We've got a number of Roadrunner drink kits with very minor scratching on the bracket and/or ring. All cups are NEW and you save $20!! click here for details.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Habitat for Humanity Ride - I Ride for Jane

Since the death of my wife, Jane, just 49 days ago, I've received a "circle the wagons" type of protection that never seems to leave me. I receive telephone calls almost every evening from my three grown children wanting to know how I am, what has happened that day, and if there's anything they can do for me. Well, my family has tried to stay close in the past but this new communication blitz is different. I guess it is expected when a tragedy occurs that affects all members of the family equally. Before, telephone calls from the kids were normally short calls taken after the kids had already talked to their mother and just wanted to ask me for some kind of advice that only a dad can give. Now, the calls are very personal lasting from 20-60 minutes with all subjects fair game. In a way, this is kinda nice.

In addition, the motorcycle community has been providing me with a zone of security when I ride. For example, the members of my Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) chapter often go on dinner runs. They try their best to make sure that I'm getting out of the house on a regular basis and getting a decent meal so I get calls to remind me that an event is coming up. Such was the case when I got called to go to Big Ed's BBQ on October 2, 2008. Mike calls and says that they will be over to pick me up. That means that at least two motorcycle riders will show up in my driveway at an appointed time. I pull my trike out and fall in behind the lead rider while the second rider falls in behind me. I am now in the protected position. All moves in traffic are communicated over the CB radios we have on all the bikes. Lane changes are announced as the rider in back seizes the lane first and then notifies me and the lead rider to move over. We move as a unit with military precision. This is a very neat way to travel.

We had a great time at Big Ed's and on the way back to my house -- again in the protected mode -- Mike says over the CB, "You know, we'd really like to see you come out this weekend for the Habitat for Humanity Ride."

I knew about the ride. It was to be an escorted ride of up to 1000 motorcycles. Each rider had to register and make a donation or get sponsors to pledge money for their participation in the ride. The goal was to raise enough money to buy materials to build a new house for a disabled military veteran in the Freehold, NJ area -- a worthy cause, indeed.

I told Mike, "I'll think about it."

Mike came back with, "Well, listen Walt, this will be a great ride and you won't want to miss it."

The wheels in my head were going round and round as I arrived home and said my farewells and thanks for the escort to Mike and his wife as they headed back to their own home five miles away.

There were only two more days until the Habitat ride and I hadn't registered or donated anything yet. So I got an application by emailing another chapter member, "Just Bob."

I decided that I would ride my wife's white 1998 Honda Gold Wing Motor Trike with the pegs down in her honor. Jane was going to take this ride with me.

On Sunday, October 5, 2008, I rode Jane's trike -- without any security detail -- two miles to where we were to assemble at 8 a.m. This picture was taken just after I arrived at the chapter staging area. You can see the white trike on the right. Note my red helmet on the seat with special tiger ears and tail affixed. My chapter, known as F-Troop, often rides with these tiger ears and tail to attract attention and be seen better (and to just have fun). Jane always wore these so I wore them also for this ride.



One of the members of F-Troop, known as Blondie, likes to carry the tiger tail and ears to its extreme manifestation and rides with a full-size tiger character in the pillion position. Also, note the tiger ears and tail on her helmet.



After all the F-Troop riders had arrived, we rode over to the main parking lot at the local theater and parked up front so as to be near the beginning of the parade. Seen in front of the two columns of F-Troop bikes is "Just Bob."



There were several people who wanted to ride in the parade but were not motorcyclists. A few sidecar rigs were provided to give these folks a ride to remember. Here is another Bob with his sidecar top up, waiting for a guest passenger.



The parking lot quickly filled up with motorcycles. Riders registered, got coffee and donuts, and chatted waiting for the opening ceremonies.



Here's a closeup showing F-Troop members in red.



Here's a picture up front showing the mass of machines.



There were many beautifully painted motorcycles with military themes. The following two pictures show one such motorcycle.





The color guard formed and a young woman prepared to sing the National Anthem.



A local priest gave the invocation and blessing of the bikes and prayed for a safe ride for all.



Then the ride began. This was an escorted ride. That means that all traffic on the side streets is stopped and the police stand at all traffic lights and stop signs to allow us to pass without stopping.

The problem with parades of this sort is that the riders in front will get way ahead of the riders in back forcing the riders in back to speed up to extremely high speeds to keep up. Therefore, it's necessary for riders in front to go slower to keep the group together.

We proceeded on a route through western Monmouth County that covered approximately 70 miles before turning onto the Route 33 Bypass at Millhurst Mills. From there it would be a straight ride for 5-6 miles before leaving that road and winding around country roads to reach the destination at the Colts Neck Firehouse on Route 537.

But before that, we traveled over scenic, winding country roads past horse farms and protected farm land. F-Troop members had a great time chatting on the CB about various points of interest along the way and making jokes and side comments. It was a great way to spend a fall Sunday afternoon.

At times, we were in open areas with curves both ahead of us and behind us. You could look forward and see 50-100 bikes winding left and right in front of you and you could look in your rear view mirrors to see similar movements behind you. There were no interspersed cars, just motorcycles for as far as the eye could see in front and to the rear. Quite a sight!

When we arrived at Millhurst Mills and turned onto the Route 33 Bypass, there was some confusion and slowness of the motorcycles ahead of me. When I turned onto Route 33 and headed east, it was a straight stretch of highway and since our speed was well under the speed limit, the bikes had bunched together in a mass formation. It was beautiful. A solid mass of machines tightly formed and moving with precision. I thought of Jane whose spirit was riding with me in the pillion seat. She would have loved this ride. She loved formations like this that displayed the beauty of motorcycling to non-riders. I had to wonder what the people in the cars on the other side of the road were thinking seeing a solid mass of motorcycles traveling in the other direction. Would they know that we were out raising $55,000 to build a house for a disabled veteran? Probably not. We were the ones who knew what we were doing and that's all that mattered. Did anyone know that I was riding with Jane's trike and Jane's spirit on the back. Not a chance. But I knew and many of my fellow riders knew. That's all I cared about.

When we arrived at the Firehouse and parked on the grass, we lined up for a great lunch put on by a local restaurant, The Cabin. Here's a few pictures of that scene.





It was announced that $55,000 had been raised by the ride and that was enough to buy the materials to build a house for a disabled veteran. Also, there had been 767 bikes in the ride -- a new record.

Here's a picture of that great F-Troop group that accompanied me on the Habitat Ride. That's me, second from the left. Jane wasn't riding with me this year but her spirit surrounded us for the whole trip and made her trike run the smoothest it's ever run.



Thanks Jane for 47 years of wedded bliss. It was quite a ride. Godspeed.

All pictures ©2008 Walter F. Kern

Yamaha X1R Black Bird

Yamaha X1R Black Bird racing

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Laurie and Terry

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Laurie on her 2008 Yamaha V-Star Silverado 650. Also see Terry on his 1998 Suzuki RM250. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Piaggio Recalls Aprilia Scarabeo 500 for Fuel Hose Problem

Piaggio has issued a recall of certain 2006-2008 Aprilia Scarabeo 500 motorcycles equipped with Bitron Spa fuel pump/fuel filters. The fuel hose connecting the fuel filter to the fuel pump/fuel filter mounting flange may come loose. If this connection is loose, or has become completely disconnected, there will be a drop, or loss of, fuel pressure to the engine.

850 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

I took my son riding!

He's 5, so it's kind of a big deal. I finally found a good child harness that wraps around BOTH of us and that I feel entirely comfortable with my little passenger. The first ride he was nervous and didn't want to go too fast, but the second ride we'd only gone a few blocks when he said, "mommy, you can go faster!" As a bonus, my dad was able to join us on my son's second ride (which was this past weekend). That was neat because it was my dad that got ME into riding. I'll get a photo up on the site soon...

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Son's of Anarchy Episode 7 review

Where does all my time go. I posted 6's review, then another regular post, and here we are at review #7 already. I guess I was really busy last week.



Well let's get to it....

I guess the Wackadoo A.T.F. agent Coehen got his Huh?
I love how the FBI agent wasn't able to pin anything on Jax.
Justice (vigilante justice) was served on a silver platter, or wait was that through a plate glass window?

I have a new liking for the prospect, and a new respect for his character. That scrawny little dude can kick some ass in the boxing ring. Funny how the fight ended after the prospect got a little angry seeing Clay and his girl. I loved it when clay thumped his own forehead like duh, I coulda had a V8, then he says "My Bad".

"The rest stays buried."
I wonder what the rest is?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

last week, float building, painting, fishing, and riding

This past week was a busy one for me. I took a weeks vacation just to have some me time, and burn some vacation hours before I lost them. I wanted the time off while still warm enough to ride.

I typically do this once a year. 'Bout the same time each year.
I usually end up working on some kind of project such as landscaping around the yard, painting a room inside the house, remodeling, doing a custom paint job or such. All are things which I rarely find time to do unless I do take vacation time to make them happen.

This time was really no different and left me very little time to ride my motorcycle as I had wished. Oh well, such is life.

I worked on painting a parade float for the figure skating club which my kids belong to. A few men on the figure skating clubs board and I built it the weekend prior to my vacation. With my painting skills, I allowed myself to get sucked into painting the float. (Did you know it takes up an entire week painting and custom painting graphics and lettering on O.S.B. chip board?" (neither did I). Lesson learned. Note to self...Remember this is ever asked to paint another float. I'll post pictures of the float when it is re-assembled.

While spending almost the entire week in my garage working on said float, I did manage to get out here and there for breaks. I took a few photos of the fall colors turning.






I might have gotten out Friday afternoon for about an hour and a half on my birthday to wet a line.
On the way, I was in such a hurry to finally hit the lake and fish, that I got pulled over for speeding. The very nice officer gave me a warning for my birthday! (Thanks officer!)

Saturday was a beautiful day. I hooked up with one of my best friends, and went for a ride on the "Frost Your Nuts Run". Great turn out, great weather. It did rain that day, but only upon returning homeward, two miles away from my house. Just enough to get the bike dirty before pulling it into the garage for the day.

So the lack of being there in the blog world last week is due to my being busy doing the things I do when not blogging, or working. Hope your week was good.