A Toast.. To New Adventures....

This is what my normal is.

So, opportunity recently arose that found me applying for and interviewing for a new position at work.  Moving from a technician to a much more administrative position.  This is kind of a BIG change from what I know and do daily.  Logistically, its not going to fly right now.  I mostly did it just for the experience, as I have been fortunate not to have needed to apply for a job in 13 years.  Some of those key job landing skills end up like stale fuel in a carb. that's sat all winter.  It went well and good, but I am still unsure if administration is in my bag of tricks..

However, that is not near what I am most proud about.

 Recently, my wife decided to enroll in the Team Oregon Basic Rider Training Program.  I was very nervous for her, as this is Way..... outside of her normal comfort zone.  I know she can do it, but her head gets in the way...  I tried to teach her how to drive a manual trans. long ago.  It ended in tears and the realization that a lot of mechanical things come easy to me.  She has no motorcycle or ATV riding experience, except pillion with me;  which makes her a hell of a lot braver than me to start with.. I wouldn't do it.  Off to the training class for instruction on Thursday.. Came home with some questions and trepidation.  I answered as best I could and tried to just get her to relax and enjoy the experience. Saturday on the range left her feeling even less confident and stressed to the max.... I helped to quiz her on the written aspect, and tried to pass on Basic riding tips to help.  I told her to trust in the training. 

You know....  Use the force Luke... Trust your feelings.... 


So, Sunday, she came home and showed me this....
 

 Bam... Just like beggars canyon back home...

She was so proud of herself.  I am really proud of her too.
(yes, I said those words to her...)




Now she can shop for expensive Italian boots and ride something that looks better than me...

The only problem I foresee in the immediate future is,  while riding two-up, her bonking me on the head while riding to tell me I am doing it wrong.  Thank goodness we don't have intercoms.......

  So a toast to you and to new adventures on down the road. May the sun and wind be at your back and your corners forever clean.

 

Spring Is Coming.......2 Sunny Days at a time

U.S.O.(unidentified shiny object)

Duck in Beaver Country

flooded fields from record rainfall in

OR

Spring is coming.... Yeah... We are starting to see the trees and flowers bloom.  There is a large USO (unidentified shiny object) outside my window. and the smell of BBQ in the air.

Tangent Dr...Tigers don't swim..

I purchased a STOK Quattro from Home Depot  Last year. I really enjoy cooking on it.  We cook more than 50% of the time on it.  A variety of meats, vegetables, and fruits,(yes fruits..grilled papaya is like candy)..  So, it get used year round.. I burned out all four burners.. Contacted STOK..10 year burner warranty...Sweet...send me 4 new  burners...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh... new burners transformed it back into the awesome grilling machine I remember.. I usually have a difficult time grilling chicken legs, ( the fire is to cold and they end up taking to long and end up dry, too hot and the catch fire and end up as cinders).  Of course cooking in the dark, wind, rain, snow, whatever mother nature has on tap that day doesn't help.

  But today I got it right.... 

Oxymoron?

Futuristic Harley-Davidson

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32719051@N06/3783068391/

So, in response to Fuzzy Galore's post about "What Is It About Harley-Davidson That Makes Them So Polarizing?"
 I ran across this photo... And I chuckled and thought to myself...hmmm.. Girder front fork, belt driven transmission, a fuel tank that holds 2-3 liters of fuel. no pad on the seat.. no apparent rear suspension.(although the single sided swing arm looking assembly is cool). and you have to be able to fold yourself in half to ride it...




Futuristic indeed......

Buddy's Home for Wayward Motorcycles

102....That is the address of what I now call Buddy's Home for Wayward Motorcycles.  Coincidentally also the average temp of my last fever.  I can't seem to resist a bargain.  I also can't seem to resist impossible projects. I mean the Tiger is so reliable I don't know what to do with myself.  Idle hands are the Devils playthings.. or some such nonsense.

First there was the 1974 Honda Elsinore MT125..CL ad says it runs, has title, needs work..$300..
   $300 runs and somebody still has the title..Sign me up..

 Okay maybe more work than I thought..   Still, its coming along.. cleaned up a bit and straightened out this and that... It runs and its a street legal 2-stroke.. and super light...

Check out the Gorilla Tape racing inspired custom seat

 Then I thought it would be a good idea to share motorcycling with my 7 yr old son..  The search was on.. happened upon this Craigslist find... 1996 Suzuki Jr50..runs has running problems and bent forks..

 ATGATT...Start em young..

He proceeded to run it wide open into a tree and bent the forks I just replaced first time out. Lesson of the day "You go where you look"  I hate teaching moments like that.


Then we have this latest offering....1983 Honda CR60R...Awesome machine when they were new.. Prolink Suspension..talked it down to $100.. No spark may need stator..

Ordered used replacement stator.. replaced. now starts but clutch won't disengage..disassemble, clean and reassemble clutch.. now it has no idle...Intake is cracked and obsolete...not just unavailable.. basically use your imagination to fabricate a replacement part. 

So, If you have a deal on a motorcycle that probably ought to be in a wrecking yard...I might be interested in trying to rebuild it... I sound like a teenage girl trying to save the BAD BOYS..( don't ask me how I know this.. that is another story).   Buddy's Home for Wayward Motorcycles.. It just might be my own personal Hell.. or the downward spiral into madness..

Reminds me of the C.W. McCall song...Classified.

"I was thumbin' through the want ads of the Shelby County Tribune, when this Classified advertisement caught my eye. 1955 Chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup truck.  Will sell or swap for a Hide-A-Bed and 35 bucks."

I think maybe I should stay away from Craigslist...