Motorcycles.

Going to hold off on the sidecar for a while. Not a long long while, but a while. Going to see how things line up with the mounting kit.

I also have interest on the Norton frame and Forks. I know that a lot of people think I'll regret selling the Norton, and maybe I will, but if the money is right - I need the money more than I need an "eventual" $6000+ project.

For example (before I pass out) it would cover:
the carbs
the stator leak
Jets for XS400
a proper speedo for the XS400
Maybe even registration
Plus paying Ducci back for the sidecar.


OK, I'm gone.

Road trip?

There is a gathering at Nelson's Ledges in Ohio, a motorcycle meet of sorts.

These are photos of my Father at Nelson's Ledges, a place I have always wanted to visit



So I was thinking about it. Mom actually offered to drive me out there for it, but I don't think its quite that sort of thing. So my idea is to head out there on the KZ1000. But I know I'm not in good enough shape to ride the full way by myself, thats where the sidecar comes into play.

If I can build a tub for a passenger, then I can take another person and we can ride in shifts, or if I get to worn out he can take over completely. I'm thinking Liam would be a good canidate for this. So supposing the carbs are mailed off today, then they should be back here by the 12th. If I can have the sidecar built and mounted by the 12th, then I can get the bike registered and inspected by the 13th or 14th. Get a general handling on how to drive it, and make sure she's actually in good enough shape to make the trip - which I think she is.

We'd leave Friday evening. Get to Youngstown by Saturday morning. Grab some food at my Uncle George's house. Head out to Nelson's Ledges in time for the meet in the afternoon. Set up camp, mix with the people, have fun. Get some solid sleep. Leave mid afternoon Sunday. Be back here in time to deposit Liam back at camp Monday morning. I'd get some sleep at his camp place, then bring the bike home Monday evening.


Is this plan totally fucking nuts? Yes.
Is it possible? yes.
Would I do it? Hell Yes.

Why? Because it will make me feel alive again. I have been down too long, I have cabin fever, and I feel like a ghost.


The KZ has new brakes, new electrical bits, oil, carbs will be like new, sidecar will be solid, heads been rebuilt, everything works. I REALLY think that this is possible, and worth a shot. It all depends on if the bike can be done and ready on the 13th or 14th, then it depends on if I can get a second rider.



I have a plan for the sidecar. There is a tub in the basement, its actually a fiberglass sink for a dark room. Its about the right length for a tub. That would be the base. I can use that for the frame work. Its also something that would make a good bottom because nothing will splash through it. So a sheet of plywood inside of that. Build a frame work around it. I think 1/2 plywood walls, and 1/3" frame work, with some 2x4 blocks in proper places. 1/3" cross bracing over the top, with some plywood around that, thin stuff. Seal the seams. Then Fiberglass or paint. I think that would work. Find a seat for it, which I think I actually HAVE compliments of my brother... I'm not 100s though.

Anyways.

3rd time's the charm

I'm sitting here in TC listening to Cash's "God's Gonna Cut You Down" and talking to my friend Floyd. We are discussing how the people you are with, and how the places you choose to go shape you. Its amazing how many people don't realize this. They just mix with people, and they slide into it. Its slow, you can barely tell its happening if you don't pay attention. Its easier to observe from the outside standpoint.

For example you can watch a kid who has never done drugs become friends with people and then slowly develop into a pothead and they have no idea of the change. I remember two friends saying "Drinking is stupid, I'll never do that" and 3 years later they are pro alcohol. I can tie directly who the guys were who changed their minds. But they themselves never remember the changes, for them its just a clean flow.

I can follow the changes in my life, I can remember the big changes. Sometimes something happens and its like flicking a switch and BAM you are a different person. Dad's death changed me.

Going to, and living in, Phoenix also changed me. Riding cross country alone gave me a confidence I've never had before. Living in Phoenix, the people I became friends with were so different than anyone I'd ever known before. And they helped reshape me. I mean the basic personality remains the same, and they really liked me for who I was, but the culture... before Phoenix I'd never have considered Tattoos, now I have 2, and will probably get more. Before dad died I'd never have smoked, now I smoke a pipe and deeply enjoy it.

Would I have loved motorcycles so much if Dad hadn't? If dad had loved Harleys would I? Would I still be an English bike nut?

We are shaped by the people around us.

Cult of Personality

This is a song that I always liked when I was younger, and still do, I think the lyrics are pretty good. Remember... the 90s... The song opens with a clip of a Kennedy speech, and I believe it ends with a clip of a Rosavelt speech.

Look into my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
I’ve been everything you want to be
I’m the cult of personality
Like mussolini and kennedy
I’m the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality

Neon lights, a nobel prize
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your t.v.
I’m the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love me

I tell you one and one makes three
I’m the cult of personality
Like joseph stalin and gandi
I’m the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality

Neon lights a nobel prize
A leader speaks, that leader dies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You me power in your god’s name
I’m every person you need to be
I’m the cult of personality
Look into my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
I’ve been everything you want to be
I’m the cult of personality
Like mussolini and kennedy
I’m the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality

Neon lights, a nobel prize
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your t.v.
I’m the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love me

I tell you one and one makes three
I’m the cult of personality
Like joseph stalin and gandi
I’m the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personality

Neon lights a nobel prize
A leader speaks, that leader dies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You me power in your god’s name
I’m every person you need to be
I’m the cult of personality

What you see in the picture is the front frame rail of a 1950s Dnepr Russian motorcycle/sidecar rig. I held it upside down to the rear frame on the KZ, and I do believe that if its cut just right it can be welded into place without issue - which gives me my rear mount - which is the ball.

Up front on the downward frame rail on the KZ I can mount what was the rear mount on the Dnepr. That takes care of the lower mounts! From there I have to clamp stanchions to the upper frame in two places, front and rear. The rear is easy, there are two good places to clamp onto - which will only require some minor mods to the sidecover. Up front will be a bit more tricky because of how the frame is designed. I might have to weld an eye bolt type clamp to the frame for the stanchion to mount to. Happily Dauntless is providing me with those.

I am contemplating building an actual sidecar body for the bike using Fiberglass and wood.


The body would look a bit like that without the windshield. I think that a solid sheet of plywood on the bottom, with 1/2" or 3/4" plywood sides with wood bars going in between. Then wrap it in cloth or plastic to protect the wood inside and out, then do Fiberglass over that. I would have to cost it out, but I don't really think it would cost that much, and that way I could actually in theory cary a passenger.


I still have to mail off the carbs, I'll do that on Monday. 10+ days and I'll get them back totally rebuilt, tuned, adjusted to the bike and ready to go. Mount them and I have a running motorcycle.

So the thought process is... CAN I get the sidecar mounted before then? I may have to pull the engine to get the mounts welded on. Thats the trick.



===

I also have to finish up the XS400 which I believe I am teaching Steve how to ride on, then loaning it to him for... well until he upgrades. The XS is going to be a donor bike for the Ducati at some point, carbs, turn signals, handlebar gear...

But for now it needs the jets which are in Western MA waiting to be collected, it also needs a new front axle with spacers, some brake work, and thats about it. Eventually it needs a speedo, but not right now.


I'm really out of it, so I'm going to go.

Pain.

I don't feel so hot today. I've been catching up on season enders for the shows I care about. I was more impressed with House than Glee. 24 should be ending soon. Been watching a lot of Weeds as of late.

I'm in a fair share of pain right now.


I dislike feeling like this extremely. The doctors, they said that something that goes with PTSD is that your body tenses up in certain situations, its sort of like a coping mechanism. I'm not explaining this very well. There was a lot of shit between 11 and 16 years old. And a fair amount of shit after that. They think that my body doesn't know how to relax. They are treating the Fibro, and the Klinefelters with medications, and they are treating the PTSD the best they can, but its going to be a long time.

The hardest thing is not being in control. I have no control. If my mother decided I needed to be put in a home, she could probably do it. If mom decided to move to South Carolina then I'd have to go. If the Gov cuts my health care. My body..

I can't fucking deal with this. But I have to. No choice. I sometimes wish I did smoke pot. Then I could just zone out, and god knows it would help the pain. But I can't do that. I can't take real pain meds. I can't hang myself. I can't fucking run. It gets harder and harder to remain amused. The show House nailed it tonight. Talking about what being in pain everyday does to you. I'm fighting. But fucking hell.

I don't want to play anymore. I just want to wake up every morning feeling like I should. I'd work some shit job the rest of my life and live in an apartment and fucking walk to work if I had to if I could just not be in pain anymore. I'd trade everything I own not to be in pain anymore.

I wouldn't trade my friends, and I wouldn't trade my memories - not even the horrific ones - because everything we experience shapes us. I like who I am. I just hate the pain.

Fuck it.

Sidecar

Well there are no pictures easily uploaded yet (thats a Lie) ok so here we go:


So thats the general look of her when we got her home. I'll be into the whole venture about $625 at the end, except $75 is out of my current pocket, the rest is compliments of a friend who I have to pay back within the next year. To give you a couple ideas about this Russian masterpiece, the spokes on the wheel are welded to the hub and to the rim - which I have never heard of before, but hey... The other is that the tire which has no wear on it was "Made in USSR" which collapsed as you remember in 1991.

I have begun to grind paint and such off the fender and off the frame. I took the fender off last night and also managed to get one of the couplers off and am working on the threads.

I'm not entirely sure yet what I am doing about the fender, but I suspect that I am mounting different lights on it. Possible some lights that are on all the time? Or I'll paint it white or Red - the fender I mean. Red I think is best. I want to be visible.

Anyways, more later. Don't feel well.

Wow another...

Listening to "thrash unreal" because frankly I like the song.

I'm not overly excited right now, 3 bottles of piss on the speaker next to me, and half a can of Pepsi.

I like the people who think thats disgusting. Our society has taken on such an interesting feeling towards being clean, and what is ok, and what isn't. The piss doesn't smell, doesn't effect anything, might as well be a glass of water. But its not clear, so we find it revolting. We jerk off, we piss, some of us suck dicks and swallow what comes out, and yet a bottle of piss is disgusting.

I also sort of get a kick out of people who are so big on being totally clean. I get the wanting to Look Good, I do, I really do. But to be totally fair.. its not actually necessary. We have people who wash before every meal, take 2-3 showers a day, scrub everything, wash clothes, all of that because what? Germs?

I have a dirty little secret for you. I haven't had a shower in months (I do take baths almost every day). My hands tend to be stained with grease doesn't matter if I'm eating. My clothes hang on my frame for days (I would like to say when I have to be somewhere I clean up). But what I'm saying is, besides me already health issues - I almost Never get sick. I don't get flu shots, I don't do any of this preventative stuff that everyone is so big on, I'm a scrub, most clean freaks would expect some sickness to kill me down here, and yet... I'm fine.

I think our society has become WAY too obsessed with being clean. There's nothing wrong with it necessarily, but there's also nothing wrong with being dirty. Not from the getting sick stand point.


All the same though I feel like death. I am improving though, I'm up to 149 pounds. I don't feel well. I don't mean to complain. I ache all over and I have this pain behind my right shoulder blade... my knuckles - I feel like I just walked out of a fist fight. This is the epitome of uncool.

I also tried to befriend a SJ grad who happens to be gay. I don't want anything from him besides another friend. I have 3 local gay friends and two are dating each other and I rarely see them. The other is awesome, and family, but not in my age group. This guy was, and we've had a couple good conversations. But well, it didn't work. He ignored me completely. I guess thats the easiest way to "not hurt someone's feelings" or well, I don't know. Its not like I want to sleep with him. I just don't have very many gay friends, because well, I don't exactly come off that way, and I just, all my friends were stage crew guys. Fuck I don't know. I have this desire to have more gay friends. I don't have any intention of replacing my current friends, and I don't want gay friends who are practically girls... I just... I can't lean over to Ducci and say "wow, look at him" Brent's so easy going I actually could do that with him (and have) but I don't know.

Fuck it, I'm just lonely. I'm tired. I haven't had anything resembling an intimate relationship with another guy in 11 years.

Anyways, I'm done.

One of my favorite songs is called "Teardrop" by Jose Gonzalez. You can hear it in the link below.


I recently discovered that the opening music to the show House is actually Teardrop sung by someone else. It's always pretty awesome when I realize things like this - well awesome to me.


I got one of the greatest compliments ever last night, from a friend. He said:

I just want to say that I think you're an amazing person. Despite your situation, you just keep doing your thing every day, and keep on pushing on.

That meant the absolute world to me, hands down, especially from him. Sometimes I wish the world wasn't so big, I wish he wasn't so far away, I want to introduce him to Liam, I think they'd get along incredibly well.

Brent and Jon came over tonight and collected the Ducati. So now the garage has just 2 motorcycles in it, the Yamaha XS400 and the KZ1000. I have some work left on the XS400. I was going to let Jon bring that back to Lunenburg too, but my friend Steve wants to learn how to ride motorcycles this summer and I trust him with it, so I'll teach him to ride on the XS, then probably loan it to him for as long as he wants it. In a way as much as its not my style, it fits him, maybe small as a 400, but the style, the seat, the paint, the hard tail. Stevie looks like a Harley guy, and the newer Harleys are set up to look like "Bar Hoppers" which is the American version of the English "Cafe Racers" and my XS is most certainly set up like a Bar Hopper.

I was having some pretty awesome (not awesome at all) reactions to the changes in my medications today. I went up on the nerve pain killer from 2700mg a day to 3600mg a day, then the drug thats supposed to make me happier went from 25mg to 50mg. They are going slow because that drugs family doesn't agree with me. So my jaw has been tight, I shake more, I feel like I'm going to throw up, and my heads pretty fucked up. But those side effects should pass.

This video was taken last night. I didn't know till half way in that Jon was shooting a video. He was trying to capture the facial ticks lol. We were waiting for Pizza, and I was sitting on a tin of cold war rations from 1963. We were listening to CSN&Y's "4 Way Street" Its one of the rare occasions where you see me interacting with friends, probably the only youtube video I have that I didn't make hahaha, so you get the real mccoy.

BRENT WATCH THIS NOW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsyMtYoSkC0

Makes Ducci laugh like crazy, and you've seen the show so you should get a real kick out of it too.


Welll.... The Kawasaki is almost solid. Been working hard on her, today she got new clutch cable, sprockets, chain, chain guard is installed, shocks are solid, new tires - which look fucking excellent. The gas still pours out the bottom of the carbs so I guess I have toooo take those apart =/ though I'll clean the tank out first.





Jon worked on the Harley tank for about 9 hours. See the small new tank we got and cleaned and painted up so nice doesn't fit! It fits, but the fuel tap is on the wrong side and buries the fuel tap in the air box. So that was out. So last night we mounted the old battered tank and man when they say "Sport" well this is the 1200S - ie - Sport. It actually has balls. Its a gas to ride, 50mph in second gear at 4000rpm. She'll go up to 6500rpm and has 5 gears. So Jon's thrilled, and I'm quite pleased with it myself though I feel weird saying that about a Harley.

So anyways the black tank which was beat to shit. Jon (I took pictures) brought over fiberglass he'd got for fixing his boat and we ground the paint off that side, then he began doing the glasswork. Well there was a large dent that couldn't be filled, but we wanted SOMETHING there, and then I remembered I had a 5" Diameter Suzuki badge thats meant to go on the end of a crank case over the alternator on a GS550. So Jon flexed that around a bit and it fit over the dent, then a lot of glass over that and the other dents. Lots of sanding, then several small layers of Bondo with a lot of clean up work, then of course the flat shit brown paint - 4 layers. So the tank should be ready to go in the morning.


It occurred to me as I was working on the KZ (my car no longer handles highways, the transmission is going) that I have wanted a vintage bike with shrouded shocks since I was 16. Well... I'm 26, I have had close to 40 motorcycles, my oldest running bike being a 73 Triumph. I have finally achieved my dream with a 77 Kawasaki. I am pleased.

Jon has agreed to take the 82 Yamaha and put her in his garage while he's gone, and not pass off the 78 Suzuki GS750 for repair till he comes back from Korea in 4 months for 2 weeks (hopefully we'll be moved by then). He is also going to keep the Ducati 900GTS in his garage till after we move.


So there will just be the Kawasaki in the garage, and hopefully my car will be gone soon.

This is the 3 bikes together (my three, or my two and my brother's):


Then just the two Superbikes:
1977 Kawaski KZ1000 and 1977 Ducati 900GTS - first years both.


When I mounted the shrouded shocks on the KZ, I put the KZ's old shocks on the Ducati, and so now she has a suspension. I also mounted the left sidecover which looks superb. They weigh the same, go the same - though the Ducati would handle better.

ANYWAYS I'm done. Cheers.

And We are back with the KZ1000.

Ducci has now given me the Kawasaki outright on the understanding that I'll fix the Suzuki for him. Since I am 99% sure the Suzuki needs a new one of these:


I'm rather happy making that bargain, even if it needs more I'll be able to trace it.

I posted on the Real Classic forum and now have a general understanding of why my carbs are overflowing fuel. I have to pull the carbs off the bike to sort this little issue, but I am confident. So once that is sorted out, I have to buy some parts for the bike, happily a fellow emailed me today offering me $600 for all of my Enfield Stuff, and including cables the Kawasaki needs $600 in parts.

Here's the Tally:
======Tires Unlimited=====
Tires:
Front: 325P-19 K70 $68.81
Rear: 400S-18 K70 $73.09
Tubes:
Front: $10.95
Rear: $10.95
Rim Tape:
Front: $1.07
Rear: $1.07

======Z1====== (I am converting the 630 chain to 530 chain for lighter weight, cheeper, and more HP)
F18 Sprocket $13.80
R42 Sprocket $26.19
530 Chain $97.67
Split Link $4.43

Front Master Cylinder Rebuild: $33.86
Rear Master Cylinder Rebuild: $72.87
Front Caliper Rebuild: $31.27
Rear Caliper Rebuild: $18.98
Front Pads: $25.48
Rear Pads: 23.26

Clutch Cable $14.85
Speedo Cable $13.85
Tach Cable $13.52
Throttle Cable $14.25 (may need 2)

=====Old Bike Barn=======
Brake Lever: $11.95

================Totals=============
Wheels $165.94
Secondary $142.09
Front Brakes $102.56
Rear Brakes $127.40
Cables $70.72

Grand Total $608.71


Then when the Norton basket case is gone, I'll be able to get a sidecar for the KZ and ditch the car. Heres a fellow who mounted what looks to be a Champion Sidecar on a 70s KZ:


I of course can't afford a Champion sidecar no matter how good they look, so I'll be getting a Dnepr:



Jon had tried to talk me out of a Ural by going back over the KZ1000 idea, which was "its yours as long as I can ride it when I get home" and I had to say that that wouldn't work, because the car and the other bikes were all going away, so unless he loaned me the Harley or the Suzuki while he was riding the KZ, it just wouldn't work. At which point he realized what I meant and being Jon told me I could just Have the Kawasaki, but only if I fix the Suzuki. We worked out the details, and it was agreed upon, shaking hands over the telephone as it were.

So well, yeah, it all works, its a bumpy process, but it always works.

Plan

OK so I talked for about 4 hours today on the phone with Matt from Rhode Island who sells vintage Urals that are road legal. He goes through the engines before he sells, updates the carbs (I mean they're still out dated, but they are post 1939). These bikes run 6V electrical systems, have Reverse, are good to about 70mph, don't shake, good parts supply, come with a spare wheel that will bolt on direct to sidecar, front, or rear wheel. Kick start only, are made to track good in the snow, you can get knobby tires for them. They are easy to work on, will need to be kept up with, but I can run it year round. The frame is specifically designed to be run with a sidecar so it won't flex.

They cost between $2500 and 4500, so between selling the Norton basket case and that money coming in in June or July, as well as what ever money I get for the car, as well as the eventual small change I'll get for the Yamaha from Liam... The end result is nothing in the garage except for tools, the Al's Ducati, and my Ural.

The nice thing about this idea is the bike makes the HP I want, will be ready to go when I get her, and is worth what she is worth, which means I don't go over my Disability budget. The vintage means that I am exempt from a ton of laws concerning emissions and turn signals. It also means I'll be riding a motorcycle I really care about, not a 70s or 80s Jap bike, but also not an English bike thats hard to start and hard on the body to ride.

Anyways...

1957 Ural:


1978 Ural:

Well it got kinda tricky for a moment, I was offered an extended loan on the KZ1000 because it has a cradle frame and that would be better suited for a sidecar rig. But I can't afford the cost of getting the KZ running, not tires, chain, sprockets, etc... not all the stuff I just did on the Yamaha, especially since I can't afford a sidecar without help, and the only reason to make the switch from the Yamaha to the Kawasaki.


Relatively speaking the Kawasaki is ten times the bike the Yamaha is. In size, power, style, condition.


But the Yamaha is almost done, its down to the front wheel and brake, as well as carb jets. Thats it, thats what the Yamaha is down to. Some minor tricks... I need to think.

Well fuck, I don't know, I'll be back later.

Sidecar

Well I thought (and still might) I was going to buy this Velorex sidecar for $1000 which looks like this:


But I haven't heard back from the guy, so I have been re-exploring other options. There seems to be a great chance that I can get a Ural frame, wheel, brake, attachments, the whole deal for about $500, then I talked to the folks at Dauntless sidecar and they said that they thought that would be a good idea, and what I would need from there was two of these (from them):


Mind you this is a company that sells a ton of really expensive stuff, so the fact that they told me not to buy a frame from them, and all I would need for a sidecar if I got the frame (and that my subframe idea looked good) was two of those for $15 each.... They could have told me I needed a kit for $350 and I'd not have known better, because I don't... this isn't my thing... yet.

So the Ural frame together looks like this:


But with a wheel.


The last step after mounting, I believe would be to get a metal plate of some quality and bolt it to the top of that and somehow work out a way of mounting some ballast, which once I find out where to put it will just be more metal plate hahaha.

The key difference between the two is about $400.

The guy I'd be getting the Ural frame from sells these:



Which lets just say... is the dream.

Heavier

I guess that the reason I talk about motorcycles all the time, I think about them all the time, is because it is a way to fill a void, a void which grows a bit each and every day that moves forward.

See I have some of the greatest friends in the world, I really have been lucky that way the last few years. But Jon is spending more and more time in Korea, I mean he's about to come home for 3 weeks, then he'll be back in Korea for 16 months? His career is moving forward and taking him with it. Brent is home on the weekends which is great, I give Brent a lot of shit, but really I don't know what I'd do without him. I mean he's a helicopter pilot and a fireman, but we stay leveled in pretty much all aspects. Kyle, when I see him its like nothing has changed, its glorious, but I see him very rarely - I know he like the others is a friend for life, but he's going somewhere, and I don't know at what point ... See, my friends are moving past me, each day a little further away, Paul is looking for a place to live on the North Shore. Guys who were freshman in high school when I was a senior, or Liam who is only 18 is now starting to pass me by. I think that Liam like Brent, and Like Kyle, I will always be able to interact with him, he and I are very much alike.

But.. See, I'm here, right now in bed under 4 blankets with a wool sweater and a wool hat. I haven't slept more than three hours in I don't know how long, and those three hours are getting to be a while ago.

I don't... There are a couple years I can't remember, there is a lot of time that is so jumbled up in my head... like when was I in Ohio? When was I in Vermont? What years were those? I can't even remember what classes I took at Worcester State or Quinsig, let alone the content of them, I am hard pressed to remember what I learned at MMI. It's like was it all a waste? A waste of time? Energy? Money? But who would I be if I hadn't done it? I mean I can honestly say I would get knocked down, pick myself up and go back for more, over and over, its like being a boxer in a loosing streak, because god do I feel like I lost a fight most of the time. I am having serious trouble picking myself up from this last bout. I have been home for over a year.

Another void is more intimate, or just flat out intimate if you want to think of it that way. I dated Amy for a few weeks in my early 20s, but that never really took off. I have done other stuff which doesn't count for anything, basically for me I could have been flipping hamburgers at Wendy's for the amount of pleasure I got out of it.

But there is a deeper need than THAT. I have not been with a guy in any capacity for 11 years. I miss cuddling. I miss being close to someone. I miss just being able to touch and hold someone else. I miss trusting like that. I miss not being afraid all the time. I miss feeling safe. People say I should go back out and try.. and I make feeble attempts here and there, but really... most of the time physical contact causes me pain, then there's the skeletons I carry around with me, those fears, that animal instinct to pull away from an embrace, and even sometimes still.. a handshake. Oh yes, I am a catch, I am 50 pounds underweight, my teeth look like 1812 English teeth, I can only be touched gently, I am afraid of being close to someone, and oh yes, I'm on disability... yes! I bet the line to date me goes around the corner.

I realize self doubt is considered unattractive, but so is self deception. I know exactly what I look like and how much comes to the table. If I weren't me, I wouldn't date me.


Then deeper down the reason I talk about bikes absolutely non stop is when I stop to think, if I can avoid everything above, I begin to think about the things I have done, experienced, been through. My friends have heard some of the stories, but I only tell the ones that can bring a smile to your face. There is plenty that I could tell, or just add certain left out details to the other stories. Like the confession booth story... Its the details that raise the hairs on the back of my neck.

Or worse I think of who I used to be.. A little boy who was trusting, driven, played baseball with his friends, dreamed of being an actor or an engineer. The 8 year old who collected pocket watches, the 10 year old who wore a 1940s tank watch on his wrist every day to school. Hopes and dreams. No nightmares. No sadness, no hate... I wouldn't even know where to find that boy anymore, he has been gone for so long.

Fuck it, I'm done with this for a while, I want to go back to thinking about sidecars.

Hit a Snag with the Yamaha...

So I got the tire changed on the rear wheel and mounted the wheel, fixed up the brake, the bits you see below connecting the brake lever to the brake rod are all new. Thats really quite the spring, which is good, keeps me from locking up the rear wheel.


OK so first I want you to look at the sidecover, see? Thats the power of cardboard and gorilla tape!

NOW you can look at the front wheel, I will use an email I sent to a friend to explain, its easier:

Hey ====,

I'm going to need a bit of === Shop Time help =p When you have time, It's really quite simple just need some time in a lathe.

I went to change the front brake pads on the Yamaha tonight because they looked pretty worn, and when I got the caliper off I found rust on the piston which is more or less stuck, the bolt that holds the pads in place, even with Liquid Wrench broke an allen wrench trying to get it free, impact driver didn't work either... basically the caliper needs a new piston and totally rebuilt - which I can't afford. The caliper in the basement off the GS550 forks isn't much better.

So I snagged the Norton front wheel for grins, I had hoped to fit it someday, but wasn't planning on doing it anytime soon. It works well enough and won't need rebuilding.

I can't afford the parts to fix the calipers or the master cylinder (which also needs rebuilt). I can afford a new brake cable for the Norton brake, and the wheel actually fits.

The Axle ALMOST fits, thats where the lathe comes into play. I need to take a little bit off the thicker end that slides through the left fork leg, and a very little off the smaller end that slides through the right fork leg.

I won't have a speedo for a while, but I am good at guessing speeds because the Triumph and BMW and Enfield I had in Phoenix all had busted cables - and the inspection place doesn't check if your speedo works. I will have a tach which is good, and I can at a later date fit an electronic Speedo.

So to recap my 82 Yamaha has Flat slide carbs designed for Triumph's and Norton's, a Norton headlight, a Harley seat, and now a Norton front wheel... it also has a Suzuki rear fender.... and its a hardtail... oh yes and it has Honda turn signals with Kawasaki stems, and Ducati handlebars with a Norton throttle... Something is seriously wrong with me - though most can be passed off to my lack of budget.

I also technically need to make spacers, I have some bar stock in the basement we can measure where the wheel should be and do it that way.

I have the Norton and Yamaha axle in a box so measurements won't be an issue.

On the bright side the rear wheel is now fitted (needs air), the chain is on, and the rear brake is set up correctly at last! The bike is now down to the Jets and the front axle - and then it will be road worthy. I'm going to get a sidecar platform for it, and it will be my year round bike.

Anyways, thats the bit,
Best,

This is the actual brake plate, its zip tied in. I need a cable and a spring. I will need to make an arm that keeps the brake from spinning, but thats sheet metal and 3 holes.

I am being STUPID

OK... we all know I have a deep seated weakness for wanting another bike, it doesn't matter what bike I have now, I always want another bike...

I don't NEED another bike. I have two options for sidecars that will work with the Yamaha XS400.

The Velorex 562:


Or the Cozy


OR....

I could just get a frame for $500 from a guy in Conn.

So I need to make a subframe - which means Paul or Chris needs to make a subframe which I have to design.


They tend to look like that, they provide something for the sidecar to clamp onto - on bikes where the engine makes up much of the frame.

SO in end, I'm going to put a sidecar on the XS400 and ride it till it dont run anymore, then I'll put the sidecar on a Royal Enfield.

Motorcycles - SURPRISE I changed my Mind!

Alright, so as you probably know (obviously) I was all set up in my head to buy a Dnepr Sidecar rig for about $4000 - or rather mom was going to buy it because it would replace my car for year round riding and the whole deal.



What occurred to me there is I have never had a Dnepr or a Ural, only that one BMW, and they are WONDERFUL bikes, but the more I look into it the more I find peoples signatures in Forums that say "Ural miles should be looked at in dog years" and the parts supply for these bikes - its there, but the sources seem to be switching around a lot.

I found...

See Mom has been thinking about going back to motorcycles so I was investigating bikes for her, I thought of Royal Enfield instantly because of how perfect they are in every way except upkeep for a beginner and someone who is unsure, but she'd want new, and new is $6000 and no longer the engine I know. Where as there is a retro Suzuki 250 that is BEAUTIFUL for $3700, Fuel Injection, 82mpg, 330 pounds curb weight, the whole deal.

But I'd remembered this 1995 Enfield 500 Bullet that was for sale in Ohio at one of my favorite parts suppliers. It is complete with 1500 miles on it, and they vouch for its goodness. So it occurred to me because they want $3500 for plus say $400 shipping to here unless I took 3 days and rode it home on B highways but that might kill me. So THIS is the bike:



Here is the OEM picture for that year:


And one from the other side of the same year bike:




So then I'd just get a Cozy Euro Sidecar for the Enfield:



See... I know these bikes. You can get cheep parts for them from the USA, England, and India. You can get knobby tires for them because people use them for scramblers, so thats winter taking care of. They get better gas than the Dnepr, the rig would be just over 100 pounds lighter than the Dnepr rig.

I HAVE an alloy barrel and an expensive European made Piston down here in the basement for THAT engine.

So instead of getting a BIG heavy Dnepr, why not get a light Enfield. With the one in Phoenix I fixed all the engine parts and left the body pretty much alone this time. So I know that I can run an Enfield year round, and I know that I can keep it up, and I know that this time I wont be dumb because I get progressively better about them.

So yeah.. thats the new plan. And I vow not to randomly paint or alter anything to make it look "older" or any of that shit. Just turn it into a sidecar rig, maybe over time get the proper shocks and springs, and just ride the thing year round as my primary.

If the Norton sells for what I hope it will then in 2 months I should have enough money (after the Norton sells) to just buy the Enfield outright, then I can change the fluids, sell the car, sell the XS400 - give that money to mom, and then save up for a sidecar, that would be about 6 months which would give me a month or two to learn the sidecar before the snow starts to fly.

HOUSE, XS400, and Dnepr

XS400 Album on FB


Mom and I went and looked at a GREAT house today, its in Paxton which I more than sort of hate, but you know its not about me, and Mom's work is RIGHT down the street (literally), so there's that. Its also a lovely neighborhood.

Mom really likes the layout, and I have to agree, its pretty spiffy, and pretty much all of her furniture will fit in the house with no issue that I can see. I'd down in the basement which has 2 separate entrances, full bathroom, full kitchen, living room with fire place, a nice room that I could put dad's desk and lots of book cases in, and then a solid sized bedroom. She also said I could have the garage - its an over sized single car, and it would be Fantastic!

I know its impossible to say "This is the house!" but god, it would be absolutely perfect for what we want and need. So cross your fingers that this place sells sooner than later.

What's amazing is its the kind of house that mom wanted, I was edging for a 2 family, and well, in this case this house is a hell of a lot better. There are only a couple slight issues I can see with the place. One is that the bathroom in the basement is going to need a wall taken down and the tub ripped out as its far to shallow to actually take a bath in, and I haven't been able to take showers in months. So there's that - but its a relatively easy fix.

Second is because it is a ranch with a finished basement there is a main stair case in here foyer sort of area that leads straight down into my living area. The slight downside of that is that anything going on downstairs - the sound would carry straight up, so I'm brain storming how we could work around that. I'm not sure there is a work around, I just got to get back and stare at it for about 10 minutes, I'll think of something. There is a simple work around if I could remember how high the ceilings are on the main floor. Just build a box around the stairs with a door.

But I mean this is absolutely fantastic.



Thats the plan for the tub, a nice deep soaking tub. Also with the claw feet it saves from the problem I have now, which is the concrete below the tub acts like a cold sink, combine that with cast iron and the water you put in the tub cools down with great speed. With a modern tub that is Not cast iron plus those legs and what ever I put in the tub should remain a good temp for a while.

ANYWAYS... I'm done for now, I'm just excited. Prospects!


OH And,

First off mom expressed an interest in taking back up with motorcycles, she was actually quite good, I thought about it and decided that if she was serious about it the bike for her would be a 2010 Suzuki TU250. They weigh 330 pounds with fuel and oil, have bottom end torque, glorious reviews for a beginner/commuter bike, are easier to handle than an Enfield (which is hard to say), and cost less that $4000 brand new with a 1 year unlimited mile warranty.



Mom also suggested that when the disability money comes through that I go ahead and buy a Dnepr. That would be a full sidecar rig, not expensive, at all, and a bike that can be ridden year round in any conditions on and off road.

As you can see there is absolutely no fear of me sinking money into one trying to make it look battered or retro or anything...