Continuing with my usual theme of two steps forward and one step back, this could be another one of those. However, if it's as I think it is (usually isn't), we should have made a turn.
Although the bike is now in the backyard (I say backyard, but it's really more like a patio), I did some tooling around on her this past weekend. Not a ton, because it was 116 degrees in Phoenix, and even without the direct sunlight it was really just not fun. I can talk myself into hiking in the heat, or kayaking in the heat, or riding a bicycle even sometimes. But this just wasn't enjoyable.
Having said that, all I wanted to really get at was sorting out and setting up the M-Unit to correspond correctly with the OEM handlebar controls I'm using. Or trying to use, since I discovered the left side controls are falling apart in their old age and that concerns me. More on that later...
After some fiddling around and charging up the battery to full goes to 11 power, I think I've now got the M-Unit configured to work with this old controls. Thing is- since I wired everything up originally- exactly the way it was supposed to - and it didn't work, I tried this then I tried that... and so while I think I've not got the M-Unit setup, I can't really tell for sure until I go back and rewire everything- like it's supposed to be, once again.
Follow all that?
Translation: it's that two steps thattaway and one step thattaway. Again.
Progress though.
I hesitate to say I feel good about it or I think I've got it handled, or blah blah. Still, if the setup is indeed correct, I could be back on the road to recovery.
Or at least the fork leading to that road.
I could really use some less heat though...
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Phase 2 of dunno how many
This time last year was all about the giddy up. I had a few months before the Distinguished Gentlemen's Charity Ride - and thank you again to those who donated to the cause. And despite my not making the ride on the bike, I did make an appearance in support of the effort, and the donations were certainly welcomed and appreciated. Yes, last year was all about my wanting to get the bike running in time for this ride. And after the electrical decisions, it became very much an impossible looking task to get done in time.
Or even running in time.
And it was.
[speaking of donations. I was able to raise enough that I was sent a really nice embossed poster for the event; great typography. So I will getting that one framed and hung)
Once I went with the decision to go the M-Unit route (still I think a good one, though it was a good 'long-term' decision, but the short term meant a lot more to figure out and manage. Two things I wasn't as equipped to deal with. Still in many ways am not.)
So, as you can see, the bike is now in my backyard patio area. The garage needs to go goodbye, since I've 'upgraded' to a larger apartment I really need to get rid of the monthly expense of the garage. There's enough room back there to work on it and I think it will be OK. A couple of areas that I've already recognized will be challenging- it's not very wide and I'm already bumping into things a bit. I also think when it's gonna come time to start crawling around on the ground I'm gonna need to do something different for the base/ground. I could just do the gravel, but that's not very comfy. As much as I'd love a bike bench, that's definitely not gonna happen.
I think my original idea from a year ago of just buying a 4x8 sheet of 1" plywood and throwing that down on the ground is still the best option. These stepping stones are nice enough but it's hard to get 30 of them all level and it's just a lot of work. I'm gonna need to be able to get dirty and get around this thing and for that I need it all to be stable and open.
The second thing? I will not have the garage LIGHT any longer. So gotta work during the day or solve that problem.
Maybe in the end these obstacles will just end up helping keep me on task. With a smaller window with which to work on the bike (the garage afforded me 24 hours), that might make me more motivated to take advantage of the fewer hours I will have available.
I know once I get back to it and start seeing results, the bug will return once more. A lot of other personal things happening right now, too. Plus the AZ weather for some reason is kicking my butt right now. Over 100 degrees when I'm walking my dog at 9:pm is never a good thing.
So the best thing right now- get all these organizational things sorted so that when the weather breaks, I can be ready to get some work done.
Or even running in time.
And it was.
[speaking of donations. I was able to raise enough that I was sent a really nice embossed poster for the event; great typography. So I will getting that one framed and hung)
Once I went with the decision to go the M-Unit route (still I think a good one, though it was a good 'long-term' decision, but the short term meant a lot more to figure out and manage. Two things I wasn't as equipped to deal with. Still in many ways am not.)
So, as you can see, the bike is now in my backyard patio area. The garage needs to go goodbye, since I've 'upgraded' to a larger apartment I really need to get rid of the monthly expense of the garage. There's enough room back there to work on it and I think it will be OK. A couple of areas that I've already recognized will be challenging- it's not very wide and I'm already bumping into things a bit. I also think when it's gonna come time to start crawling around on the ground I'm gonna need to do something different for the base/ground. I could just do the gravel, but that's not very comfy. As much as I'd love a bike bench, that's definitely not gonna happen.
I think my original idea from a year ago of just buying a 4x8 sheet of 1" plywood and throwing that down on the ground is still the best option. These stepping stones are nice enough but it's hard to get 30 of them all level and it's just a lot of work. I'm gonna need to be able to get dirty and get around this thing and for that I need it all to be stable and open.
The second thing? I will not have the garage LIGHT any longer. So gotta work during the day or solve that problem.
Maybe in the end these obstacles will just end up helping keep me on task. With a smaller window with which to work on the bike (the garage afforded me 24 hours), that might make me more motivated to take advantage of the fewer hours I will have available.
I know once I get back to it and start seeing results, the bug will return once more. A lot of other personal things happening right now, too. Plus the AZ weather for some reason is kicking my butt right now. Over 100 degrees when I'm walking my dog at 9:pm is never a good thing.
So the best thing right now- get all these organizational things sorted so that when the weather breaks, I can be ready to get some work done.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Flashing before my eyes
I've decided that if reincarnation does indeed exist (it doesn't) then I will really need to come back as an electrical engineer.
Or perhaps that could be some small amount of torture. I dunno. But right now it's a whole lot of torture not knowing which red goes with which brown/yellow/striped yellow/green/striped brown/beige or grey one.
I've mentioned this part before I think, but if I have to suffer through it then so do you- thanks for your support, Dr. Reader, by the way.
It's gigantically ironic that this new piece of modern is having trouble talking with the hand controls from Christmas past. A lot of Christmas's pasts, too. It's a little like a parent trying to understand their teenager; the teenager thinks you're so uncool, and you think they're annoying and stupid and expensive. (or something like that.)
Since I have basically four wires coming from the M-Unit (headlight, right signal, left signal and horn) that go to the left hand control that, er, controls those things, but 12 wires coming out of the hand controls to do so... something has to get figured out. I thought I would instead drop back and punt, and try and get at least one thing actually and positively solved. Figured out. Correctly corrected. So I did, finally.
The horn.
The horn sounds. Press the button, it beeps.
Man I am sooo bad ass. Stand back, people.
Still, while this both gave me a sense of accomplishment and glee (see- so bad ass to use that word), it also eliminated one of the wires that could have been for something else. Now, having fewer choices to choice wrongly from, I figure I not only have a working horn but also have fewer hours and shock therapies to get the headlight and turn signals working right.
Many combinations later, it's still unfortunately not right.
I think it's something about a momentary switch when it's looking for a non-momentary switch. Or maybe the other way around. I finally got it to where the rear signals would flash- yes! - but the cancel part of the controls wouldn't function. Only pressing them on again would turn them off. And so on.
Not ideal, but it worked. Still, it's not 'right' and there's little point in getting rear-ended because I thought the signal was on and it wasn't on. (and I haven't wired the signal indicator on the gauges yet either; another challenge once this part gets it's due.)
I think I'm gonna reach out to Revival Cycles and send them an email white flag a bit. I was hoping to get it figured out on my own without their help, both because there's a challenge in that, and it's a little like calling AT&T and asking why your cell phone bill is so high. They can explain things to you for hours, and you still don't understand.
But I guess in the end, if you wanna be a flasher, you gotta get the outfit sorted.
Or perhaps that could be some small amount of torture. I dunno. But right now it's a whole lot of torture not knowing which red goes with which brown/yellow/striped yellow/green/striped brown/beige or grey one.
I've mentioned this part before I think, but if I have to suffer through it then so do you- thanks for your support, Dr. Reader, by the way.
It's gigantically ironic that this new piece of modern is having trouble talking with the hand controls from Christmas past. A lot of Christmas's pasts, too. It's a little like a parent trying to understand their teenager; the teenager thinks you're so uncool, and you think they're annoying and stupid and expensive. (or something like that.)
Since I have basically four wires coming from the M-Unit (headlight, right signal, left signal and horn) that go to the left hand control that, er, controls those things, but 12 wires coming out of the hand controls to do so... something has to get figured out. I thought I would instead drop back and punt, and try and get at least one thing actually and positively solved. Figured out. Correctly corrected. So I did, finally.
The horn.
The horn sounds. Press the button, it beeps.
Man I am sooo bad ass. Stand back, people.
Still, while this both gave me a sense of accomplishment and glee (see- so bad ass to use that word), it also eliminated one of the wires that could have been for something else. Now, having fewer choices to choice wrongly from, I figure I not only have a working horn but also have fewer hours and shock therapies to get the headlight and turn signals working right.
Many combinations later, it's still unfortunately not right.
I think it's something about a momentary switch when it's looking for a non-momentary switch. Or maybe the other way around. I finally got it to where the rear signals would flash- yes! - but the cancel part of the controls wouldn't function. Only pressing them on again would turn them off. And so on.
Not ideal, but it worked. Still, it's not 'right' and there's little point in getting rear-ended because I thought the signal was on and it wasn't on. (and I haven't wired the signal indicator on the gauges yet either; another challenge once this part gets it's due.)
I think I'm gonna reach out to Revival Cycles and send them an email white flag a bit. I was hoping to get it figured out on my own without their help, both because there's a challenge in that, and it's a little like calling AT&T and asking why your cell phone bill is so high. They can explain things to you for hours, and you still don't understand.
But I guess in the end, if you wanna be a flasher, you gotta get the outfit sorted.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Back to the beginning, mostly
Another weekend approaches. Boom!
Wiring is still on the agenda, since, well, that's one of the few remaining tasks. I'm calling it a task since it's rapidly moving into that column about must-haves and must-dos instead of that other column that had all the fun stuff, like design choices and what looks cool and that sort of stuff.
I've moved from the good-looking category into the personality one. Which in the end is an important one, to be sure. Still, pretty pictures beats words every time in my book, er, of pictures and no words...
I digress. Please, I insist.
I looked up online and in my giant folder of 'stuff what might come in handy someday on this build' and found the original bike's wiring schematic.
See, once M-Unit showed up in all her glory, there was no other girl for me. I only had eyes for her. Still, it's becoming obvious that meshing this modern technology (oh, we only need 2 wires to do that part now) into the 35'ish year old technology (this will require 6 wires and a lot of praying for this to work properly) is becoming somewhat challenging.
So, I needed to retreat slightly back to that etiquette class and check out (looking at the diagram) just how to hold hands and open doors for her again.
Chicks.
This one is even more challenging, since it's a little like introducing your old girlfriend to your new one, and they are both sharing this look with each other like 'I know all about his shit and now he's your problem' type stuff. I can feel my M-Unit's eyes boring into me and saying 'you better do this right or else'.
And I'm trying, mama. I'm so trying.
OK, enough of the girl analogies for this morning.
So, it's with gigantic amounts of irony that the original wiring schematic is indeed going to help quite a bit. At least I hope so. I can of course replace all the original hand controls with modern ones that have the simple wiring connections and necessary components without the unnecessary ones, but I don't wanna. Partially because it's just more money thrown at this project and I'm done with that part as much as I can be. But also because theres a challenge in making this work out somehow. Others have done it before me, electrical engineer degree not-withstanding, so if they can do it, why not me?
(I keep telling myself that anyway)
In the end, if there's a way to connect and make all this work, I will find it. I shall prevail.
She's a special girl. I want her to be happy.
So Saturday is gonna lots of garage work and hoping for some things lighting up and flashing and doing what they are supposed to do, without all the 'oh I'm on fire' parts.
Sunday is a little bit reserved for some church time and Mom time and maybe who knows time.
Could be a fun weekend...
Wiring is still on the agenda, since, well, that's one of the few remaining tasks. I'm calling it a task since it's rapidly moving into that column about must-haves and must-dos instead of that other column that had all the fun stuff, like design choices and what looks cool and that sort of stuff.
I've moved from the good-looking category into the personality one. Which in the end is an important one, to be sure. Still, pretty pictures beats words every time in my book, er, of pictures and no words...
I digress. Please, I insist.
I looked up online and in my giant folder of 'stuff what might come in handy someday on this build' and found the original bike's wiring schematic.
See, once M-Unit showed up in all her glory, there was no other girl for me. I only had eyes for her. Still, it's becoming obvious that meshing this modern technology (oh, we only need 2 wires to do that part now) into the 35'ish year old technology (this will require 6 wires and a lot of praying for this to work properly) is becoming somewhat challenging.
So, I needed to retreat slightly back to that etiquette class and check out (looking at the diagram) just how to hold hands and open doors for her again.
Chicks.
This one is even more challenging, since it's a little like introducing your old girlfriend to your new one, and they are both sharing this look with each other like 'I know all about his shit and now he's your problem' type stuff. I can feel my M-Unit's eyes boring into me and saying 'you better do this right or else'.
And I'm trying, mama. I'm so trying.
OK, enough of the girl analogies for this morning.
So, it's with gigantic amounts of irony that the original wiring schematic is indeed going to help quite a bit. At least I hope so. I can of course replace all the original hand controls with modern ones that have the simple wiring connections and necessary components without the unnecessary ones, but I don't wanna. Partially because it's just more money thrown at this project and I'm done with that part as much as I can be. But also because theres a challenge in making this work out somehow. Others have done it before me, electrical engineer degree not-withstanding, so if they can do it, why not me?
(I keep telling myself that anyway)
In the end, if there's a way to connect and make all this work, I will find it. I shall prevail.
She's a special girl. I want her to be happy.
So Saturday is gonna lots of garage work and hoping for some things lighting up and flashing and doing what they are supposed to do, without all the 'oh I'm on fire' parts.
Sunday is a little bit reserved for some church time and Mom time and maybe who knows time.
Could be a fun weekend...
Monday, March 27, 2017
Setbacks R US
Another semi-fruitful day in the garage this past weekend.
I say semi, because it's always one of those one step forward, two steps back, then a couple to the side- like a demonic country two-step or something.
(and country music is definitely the devil's work, as is that crazy dance I cannot get a hold of)
So, on one end of the wire we have our newly fanged and highly decorated bit of modern technology, the M-Unit. And on the other end, we have 35+ year old wired hand controls.
So, for instance, we have 2 wires to turn the lights on on one end. The other? We have 6.
Try figuring that out without 1: an electrical degree, 2: some degree of common sense, 3: a lot of patience, 4: no aversion to getting shocked every once in awhile.
(I'm not sure which of those I have any quantities of...)
I'm left with either continuing to seek out the truth and justice and American way that has become this motorcycle build and keep trying to fly. The alternative is purchase newer more modern version of these hand controls. Of which there are plenty.
But it's a money thing once again, and I'm already really pushing the limit of what I wanted to put into this bike as it is.
Probably blown that limit a while ago.
Decisions decisions...
I say semi, because it's always one of those one step forward, two steps back, then a couple to the side- like a demonic country two-step or something.
(and country music is definitely the devil's work, as is that crazy dance I cannot get a hold of)
So, on one end of the wire we have our newly fanged and highly decorated bit of modern technology, the M-Unit. And on the other end, we have 35+ year old wired hand controls.
So, for instance, we have 2 wires to turn the lights on on one end. The other? We have 6.
Try figuring that out without 1: an electrical degree, 2: some degree of common sense, 3: a lot of patience, 4: no aversion to getting shocked every once in awhile.
(I'm not sure which of those I have any quantities of...)
I'm left with either continuing to seek out the truth and justice and American way that has become this motorcycle build and keep trying to fly. The alternative is purchase newer more modern version of these hand controls. Of which there are plenty.
But it's a money thing once again, and I'm already really pushing the limit of what I wanted to put into this bike as it is.
Probably blown that limit a while ago.
Decisions decisions...
Monday, March 20, 2017
Sparking the curiousity
I can always tell this about myself. When I get back in the saddle, back into being interested in a project, it gets infectious. It gets in my thoughts and can't get out. I get fired up about getting back to it, making progress and all that.
Slow going with some things, and per usual with this build I end up going backward to a step once trodden before, or a decision made before that needs to be un-made and re-made. It's OK, as I said there's little reason to not do it thoughtfully and correctly now. If the idea was to just get it on the road (which was the singular objective at once point) that's one thing. But to make it stay on the road, what's another.
The weekend consisted of getting the front end 'stuff wired' or progress to that end. That headlight with the integrated turn signals I was so hot and bothered about when I first ordered it, only to discover upon it's arrival that it's plastic construction, was the first thing to figure out. Should work fine, but again, that lasting part has me concerned. Better ones cost more though, and I already have this one, and on and on.
You can see my thought processes on this one already.
At one point I was saying screw it I won't need or use the front turn signals, and wired the headlight accordingly. Now with M-Unit in hand and the fact that all original wiring is going in the garbage means I'm starting everything from scratch. So why not take advantage of the turn signals and use them?
No reason I can think of. Plus, I'm back to enjoying working in the garage. Having all the right bits to actually do it right- makes a big difference in the desire department.
And I only shocked myself once all weekend, so that's a win.
Turn signals; welcome back in the fold. Glad you're with us.
And with that aforementioned 'back two steps to correctly dance' part, a lot of this weekend's progress meant not a lot of things working much different or activating and such. In fact in many ways, the bike build looks like it's more a just a few steps backward.
It actually made me laugh when a passer-by stopped for a minute to chat. She was commenting on how it's nice to see me back in the garage and working on the project once more. And then asked how come it looks worse than it did a few months ago. Funny. She meant well.
Gotta fix what's underneath so the outsides can go.
A side note that's struck me as strange lately. There's less of that mental-ness of the previous year. Yeah, I still have my personal struggles about this or that, but it no longer hurts to be in the garage working. Listening to those same playlists that before gave me chills in the brain, no longer do.
So perhaps the heart and mind are getting wired better now, too.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Reminders
I follow a bunch of peeps on Facebook; the usual politics of the 'now normal party', some guitar and/or music production companies, amp manufacturers, and of course lots of cafe racers sites, builders. customizers, etc. Many of whom I get inspiration from, some of whom I get help from.
Occasionally I'll see a before and after shot of some project. But this one today rang true for me, since my build is very much like this sort of transformation.
Mine is not in the same sense as the artistic levels or professional finish levels or that sort of thing of this example. But that transformation from dated disco cat to something a little cafe looking, a little tracker looking, a little bit custom looking. Unique for sure.
That transformation is really fun for me. That change. There's an old fart who works here with me (but I like him and call him that to his face). He's a Harley guy through and through, but he's also a rider. He puts 100,000 miles on his bikes, and fixes them up and maintains them instead of just buying the latest and greatest. And he rides all the time. Far. Still chugging away on his beloved '99 Harley RoadGlide like he just bought it and it's brand new.
Looks very new I can attest.
Anyway, he's struggling to see what exactly it is that I'm doing. Doesn't really get it or get the 'why' part. But is supportive and inquisitive about it, and is hounding me quite a lot recently about riding it here, getting it back on the road. That AZ riding weather is quickly leaving us and the time is now.
And it has been over a year officially, now. Yikes.
In the end, it's doubtful that he'll be over the moon with my creation. Or even understand it fully. but that's not really the point of my building it, nor is it something that he needs to understand. He gets motorcycling, and he gets that passion and that way of thinking. And he also gets different strokes for different folks, and that part may be the best part of all.
With my new-found understanding and mechanical ness improving daily, I'm looking forward to the completion and the transformation becoming a running machine once more.
Not cause it'll be the fastest or the most comfortable or the most artistic or unique out there.
But maybe in the end, it's helped transform me, too.
Occasionally I'll see a before and after shot of some project. But this one today rang true for me, since my build is very much like this sort of transformation.
Mine is not in the same sense as the artistic levels or professional finish levels or that sort of thing of this example. But that transformation from dated disco cat to something a little cafe looking, a little tracker looking, a little bit custom looking. Unique for sure.
That transformation is really fun for me. That change. There's an old fart who works here with me (but I like him and call him that to his face). He's a Harley guy through and through, but he's also a rider. He puts 100,000 miles on his bikes, and fixes them up and maintains them instead of just buying the latest and greatest. And he rides all the time. Far. Still chugging away on his beloved '99 Harley RoadGlide like he just bought it and it's brand new.
Looks very new I can attest.
Anyway, he's struggling to see what exactly it is that I'm doing. Doesn't really get it or get the 'why' part. But is supportive and inquisitive about it, and is hounding me quite a lot recently about riding it here, getting it back on the road. That AZ riding weather is quickly leaving us and the time is now.
And it has been over a year officially, now. Yikes.
In the end, it's doubtful that he'll be over the moon with my creation. Or even understand it fully. but that's not really the point of my building it, nor is it something that he needs to understand. He gets motorcycling, and he gets that passion and that way of thinking. And he also gets different strokes for different folks, and that part may be the best part of all.
With my new-found understanding and mechanical ness improving daily, I'm looking forward to the completion and the transformation becoming a running machine once more.
Not cause it'll be the fastest or the most comfortable or the most artistic or unique out there.
But maybe in the end, it's helped transform me, too.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Lights. Camera. Action'ish.
Well, we have lights anyway. The first ones, the ones that start the rest of them.
The AUX input has been figured out.
(ahh, one small step for this idiot, one giant leap for this bike)
Given that all things electrical come from this one spot and this one scenario, this is of course progress. And it's hardly a permanent connection since I need to visit an automotive store today at lunch and see about finding some connectors and clips and things I can solder into a more permanent state.
Still, turning the key and seeing what's supposed to happen, happen, always a good thing.
And with this comes more understanding (see many before this one mentioned posts regarding this learning curve weirdness I have), so things started to click last night. I wasn't even thinking I would visit the garage last night, since I've been juggling a music project that won't seem to get finished all by itself either (funny, that). Plus my kids are all here in some form or another this week and some of next, so they will take some time off my calendar for sure.
So, once this was lighting up appropriately and wasn't trying to burn itself down or kill me, I just got it. Seemed really clear the concept of all this. So I just started grabbing wires, the headlight, the turn signal, the switchgear, the taillights... and stopped and said- OK this one should go here and this one should go here, and then when I hit the button it will work.
And it did.
Boom.
Understanding is a good thing.
This digging into all this electrical stuff has shown me once more how old this bike is, since many things in this harness I won't need, and the many ways this harness was needed aren't any longer needed.
Though saying she's old really isn't too kind of a description, and she's sensitive and all that. Maybe we can go with elderly. A few miles on. Old goat is an affectionate term of sorts. Sort of. Old fashioned definitely fits, though unsure how sweet a delivery it is.
Antediluvian? I have no idea what to do with that one.
The AUX input has been figured out.
(ahh, one small step for this idiot, one giant leap for this bike)
Given that all things electrical come from this one spot and this one scenario, this is of course progress. And it's hardly a permanent connection since I need to visit an automotive store today at lunch and see about finding some connectors and clips and things I can solder into a more permanent state.
Still, turning the key and seeing what's supposed to happen, happen, always a good thing.
And with this comes more understanding (see many before this one mentioned posts regarding this learning curve weirdness I have), so things started to click last night. I wasn't even thinking I would visit the garage last night, since I've been juggling a music project that won't seem to get finished all by itself either (funny, that). Plus my kids are all here in some form or another this week and some of next, so they will take some time off my calendar for sure.
So, once this was lighting up appropriately and wasn't trying to burn itself down or kill me, I just got it. Seemed really clear the concept of all this. So I just started grabbing wires, the headlight, the turn signal, the switchgear, the taillights... and stopped and said- OK this one should go here and this one should go here, and then when I hit the button it will work.
And it did.
Boom.
Understanding is a good thing.
This digging into all this electrical stuff has shown me once more how old this bike is, since many things in this harness I won't need, and the many ways this harness was needed aren't any longer needed.
Though saying she's old really isn't too kind of a description, and she's sensitive and all that. Maybe we can go with elderly. A few miles on. Old goat is an affectionate term of sorts. Sort of. Old fashioned definitely fits, though unsure how sweet a delivery it is.
Antediluvian? I have no idea what to do with that one.
Monday, March 13, 2017
Been there got the sticker
So it was work on the bike time this past weekend. And to say I made progress would I guess be an honest statement. But to say I got it finished, would not be. Having high hopes for some progress and 'things happen when you press a button or move a lever' type stuff. You know, make it start to feel like a real motorcycle again and not just a pretty pile of rubber and metal.
Ceremoniously taking the M-Unit out of it's packaging and trying out various spots which to mount it over a Fat Tire brew, coming up with that mental plan of attack that seems to mostly work out.
Mostly.
(I just love my Newt and Ripley, people)
My basic challenges with this build come from things like mechanical and scientific 'whys things are how'. Or put a little bit more eloquently, the science and years and years of people smarter than I have over said years designed and engineered and conquered the inherent challenges in taking an engine and two wheels and making it all work together. You need an engine, right? And the engine needs fuel and oxygen, and a spark, which requires a source (battery) and a way to modulate it effectively (TCI) and will run itself dead over time without a way to recharge itself (stator) and will fry itself without the current being stable (regulator).
So, given the basic principles of all these things, and my lack of knowledge or specifics of such things, there's a lot of trial and error. And as I've mentioned in the past, I tend to learn and figure things out more by doing it wrong the first time.
So, we'll just continue with that theme for today.
The first main question to solve involved where to mount the new starter solenoid. The original bike had it mounted on the side, but I'd prefer to mount it under the new seat. And since the new one doesn't have that large rubber boot covering the whole thing, it would be very susceptible to the weather mounted where the previous one was. Or puddles.
But this is the thing, right, these dilemmas for me. I don't know if there's a reason why the previous one was mounted where it was or not. Don't know. Can't come up with one, but that means little. So, I'm gonna have to reach out to those much smarter than I about this silly question and will probably get a silly answer. But until I hear "no dummy, mount it anywhere you want" from someone who knows, I don't know.
So, once I got to this step, which was actually nearly the first step of the whole weekend's plan, since the solenoid is the first thing to connect and the things which all the other wires come from and go forth from there, given that it's now where the bikes main fuse is located. Since I don't know where I can mount this thing, I can't really do too much more.
Dammmmmmmmmm.
Not to be deterred and not to let the whole weekend go by without learning something, I did in fact learn something.
Apparently, the negative battery terminal is not the same thing as a negative ground.
The whole M-Unit is switched on and off, power-wise, by something. Since this is a custom build thing, it can be any switch thing you want. A lot of builders get creative in this sense and use things like a magnetic key or a starter button or keyless-thing or that or a rabbit foot (yes, seen that one). Me? I just wanted to use the ignition key. Could likely be a missed opportunity here to be creative or inventive, but I really at this point just want it to make some noise already.
So while I couldn't get too far down the road with the wiring in it's entirety, I could figure out a couple of things in the meantime. So I started with the ignition and that gaggle of wires from the previous harness, which has now been decimated beyond recognition.
Nothing like that lesson from Cortez, when he burned his ships upon arriving to the New World in order to motivate his crews.
So I figured through the process of elimination and the power of positive thinking and 'what could go wrong' that I found the wires needed for such a connection. And with regard to this step, I did indeed guess correctly.
I also leaned the negative needs to go to ground (chassis) and not the negative battery terminal.
So, turn the key and the M-Unit does its fancy spinning LED light thing. Awesome! We're in business.
Then 2 seconds later the whole negative wire starts smoking. Badly. Whoops.
And here's my reaction. I start laughing.
Well, I turn the key off first. And then start laughing. Because it's another thing that happens in life, and I've just added this one to that pile.
Things happen and experiences and lessons and these things, right? All the time, since being born. You learned that sidewalks can be slippery because you're 3 and you try and jump over the bush outside Burger King and fall and get stitches. You learn losing love hurts when you take it for granted one too many times and now it's gone. You learn to remember to tighten the oil cap back before adding new oil because you dumped 4 quarts on the driveway when you're 16.
So, I laughed.
And now I learned a little about electrical 101.
Just like the other times, lesson learned, put it in your pocket and keep going.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
What happens when you take it apart
Felt compelled to write a lot of blogs today.... maybe it's the compulsion of that ghost of future past.
Feel free to ascertain what that exactly means, and when you do, please let me know, too. [Sometimes those creative juice things get squeezed out in odd directions. I cannot control such things].
Maybe it's boredom, too. Could be that. Could actually be excitement, too. Travel times coming up soon; got that new carry-on correctly sized for those TSA bastards there to protect us from too much toothpaste on a single airplane flight. Can't have that, now can we. Tickets in hand, so travel here we come.
This Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin is gonna be the Land of Oz, mama. Seriously cool stuff, and I'm not sure I should even be allowed to enter those hallowed halls, given my level of mechanical creativity. Well, I have the creativity, it's the knowledge part that lets me down.
Anyway... with a nod to blogging another, here's some visuals from The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show from years past, and a glimpse into what's in store.
https://vimeo.com/199699792
Cannot wait...
Feel free to ascertain what that exactly means, and when you do, please let me know, too. [Sometimes those creative juice things get squeezed out in odd directions. I cannot control such things].
Maybe it's boredom, too. Could be that. Could actually be excitement, too. Travel times coming up soon; got that new carry-on correctly sized for those TSA bastards there to protect us from too much toothpaste on a single airplane flight. Can't have that, now can we. Tickets in hand, so travel here we come.
This Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin is gonna be the Land of Oz, mama. Seriously cool stuff, and I'm not sure I should even be allowed to enter those hallowed halls, given my level of mechanical creativity. Well, I have the creativity, it's the knowledge part that lets me down.
Anyway... with a nod to blogging another, here's some visuals from The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show from years past, and a glimpse into what's in store.
https://vimeo.com/199699792
Cannot wait...
Drop the flag and start the engine
Responsibility.
Who needs it.
While that's not technically true, or even vaguely true, sometimes ya gotta just put off things. And considering I've been putting off getting back to this build for a while now, even with parts now in hand, I figured the least I could do would be to put off the car's oil change appointment this Saturday and instead, work on the bike.
[And the crowd goes wild!]
Actually, since I've got kids coming into town the next three weeks and I'm never really sure of their schedule or free time or whatever while they are here, I usually try and leave myself available for opportunities for grandkid, daughter one or two, son-in law, etc.
Well, that's all of them. My son generally has a life all his own and lives locally, too. So finding him or getting him to commit to time is harder than you'd think or wish. Still, having a life of their own is what we wanted for them when it all began, so there's that.
I did however spring for some Red Wings tickets since they're in town next Thursday, so bribe successful and off we go for that. Will be fun, though the Wings are in the toilet this year and have been not great for many more than this particular one. Sad, and we need some big changes and get that dynasty thing happening up once more.
Anyway, they're the real reason for moving the car's appointment. But I'll jump on the opportunity nonetheless.
So, M-Unit: check. Wiring kit: check. New crimping tool: check. Free time this weekend: check.
I'm also back to that consideration for a modern set of forks, but that will be likely dependent on how she runs and what she feels like and all the rest. Should the power be sufficient (it won't be) and the comfort level be adequate (it isn't) and the reliability great (hard to know, but thinking not)... so maybe I can talk myself out of this choice.
Probably first stop would be to get her running again.
Still, it seems the forks could use some work, even if it's just some new oil in 'em. Likely a good idea anyway, since who but The Good Lord knows when it was changed last. I've changed out the deferential oil and the motor's oil, too, so why not the forks then? This whole air adding part is stupid and hard to get to, and with only an extra 7 lbs of adding ability anyway, hard to think it will make much difference.
I may be able to talk myself into a visit to a junk yard or two locally and see if I can find a crashed bike without fork damage. Knowing motorcycles though, this isn't likely to happen. Maybe Craigslist would be a better place to start, but I dunno.
The cool thing about these 80's Viragos though is the myriad of custom directions you can go. 1920's style, or 50's, or custom 70's style, 80's Mad Max thing, a modern-ish cafe thing, and onward. Unsure what mine would be called.
I guess my point is, I'm thinking at some point in the next two years I should get a bike. A real bike, one that starts and runs and all the rest. And keep this build, but maybe it becomes something else. I've always said I'd like to have a bike to ride and then one to work on. The one to work on can then be done slowly and methodically and carefully and all that other stuff. So it is cool that, should I feel like it, I can take this bike back apart and make it look like many of those other eras, as a side project and a weekend thing, while still having a bike to ride when I get the urge to ride a bike.
Thing is, I've invested enough dollars into this thing to make it more reliable and more better and more this and that; and these are things I can reuse, should I decide in one particular future or another, that I have the time or the will or the desire or all the above, to do another bike project.
Maybe my next house will have a cool spot along a wall where I can just park it indoors. Make it a cool sort of steam punk industrial decoration maybe. Who knows. The skies the limit, and the spouse to say no isn't around at the moment.
Just gotta keep grease off the couch.
Who needs it.
While that's not technically true, or even vaguely true, sometimes ya gotta just put off things. And considering I've been putting off getting back to this build for a while now, even with parts now in hand, I figured the least I could do would be to put off the car's oil change appointment this Saturday and instead, work on the bike.
[And the crowd goes wild!]
Actually, since I've got kids coming into town the next three weeks and I'm never really sure of their schedule or free time or whatever while they are here, I usually try and leave myself available for opportunities for grandkid, daughter one or two, son-in law, etc.
Well, that's all of them. My son generally has a life all his own and lives locally, too. So finding him or getting him to commit to time is harder than you'd think or wish. Still, having a life of their own is what we wanted for them when it all began, so there's that.
I did however spring for some Red Wings tickets since they're in town next Thursday, so bribe successful and off we go for that. Will be fun, though the Wings are in the toilet this year and have been not great for many more than this particular one. Sad, and we need some big changes and get that dynasty thing happening up once more.
Anyway, they're the real reason for moving the car's appointment. But I'll jump on the opportunity nonetheless.
So, M-Unit: check. Wiring kit: check. New crimping tool: check. Free time this weekend: check.
I'm also back to that consideration for a modern set of forks, but that will be likely dependent on how she runs and what she feels like and all the rest. Should the power be sufficient (it won't be) and the comfort level be adequate (it isn't) and the reliability great (hard to know, but thinking not)... so maybe I can talk myself out of this choice.
Probably first stop would be to get her running again.
Still, it seems the forks could use some work, even if it's just some new oil in 'em. Likely a good idea anyway, since who but The Good Lord knows when it was changed last. I've changed out the deferential oil and the motor's oil, too, so why not the forks then? This whole air adding part is stupid and hard to get to, and with only an extra 7 lbs of adding ability anyway, hard to think it will make much difference.
I may be able to talk myself into a visit to a junk yard or two locally and see if I can find a crashed bike without fork damage. Knowing motorcycles though, this isn't likely to happen. Maybe Craigslist would be a better place to start, but I dunno.
The cool thing about these 80's Viragos though is the myriad of custom directions you can go. 1920's style, or 50's, or custom 70's style, 80's Mad Max thing, a modern-ish cafe thing, and onward. Unsure what mine would be called.
I guess my point is, I'm thinking at some point in the next two years I should get a bike. A real bike, one that starts and runs and all the rest. And keep this build, but maybe it becomes something else. I've always said I'd like to have a bike to ride and then one to work on. The one to work on can then be done slowly and methodically and carefully and all that other stuff. So it is cool that, should I feel like it, I can take this bike back apart and make it look like many of those other eras, as a side project and a weekend thing, while still having a bike to ride when I get the urge to ride a bike.
Thing is, I've invested enough dollars into this thing to make it more reliable and more better and more this and that; and these are things I can reuse, should I decide in one particular future or another, that I have the time or the will or the desire or all the above, to do another bike project.
Maybe my next house will have a cool spot along a wall where I can just park it indoors. Make it a cool sort of steam punk industrial decoration maybe. Who knows. The skies the limit, and the spouse to say no isn't around at the moment.
Just gotta keep grease off the couch.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Temptation
After weeks and, well months, to get ahold of an M-unit and begin the final assault on the electronics that have been bunkered down on this build for a while now, I finally got one!
And actually, I got two.
During some of the backorder-ness and change this-to-this in their ordering processes, I've been sent two of them. And according to some shipping notices I've been emailed, I may actually have a third shipment of the same contents coming as well.
So, when it rains... it sends three of everything.
Considering one, I don't have second bike I'm working on (thankful for that), two, I'm an honest bloke, and three, this shop is awesome and kicks ass, I will be returning the second package post-haste.
Besides, karma and the Good Lord I need on my side so I can get red to red and black to black and make this thing start up once more.
My temptation is of course, to follow my typical mode of operation and get in there and try to make this work or that work or in a general sense just feel like some progress because a light came on or a turn-signal, er, signaled. Just throw it on there and see something happen. But I wanna fight this temptation and slow down and do it slowly and methodically.
And that, for me, requires:
• a new playlist. Or a good one.
• a few beers. Something dark and tasty.
• a day to apply to the affected area
• patience
So, for me, patience can be a result of planning. I'm learning this about myself. A little bit of planning can go a long way to seeing it through, or getting there in a good mood. It's not that spontaneity doesn't exist for me- man, do I have that characteristic in spades. But I have found that a little bit of planning helps the medicine go down. And this is supposed to be a bike build that's enjoyable.
It's a Wednesday today, so if I start thinking that Sunday is gonna be church and bike day, I'm halfway there already.
And those two things sound like a perfect day.
And actually, I got two.
During some of the backorder-ness and change this-to-this in their ordering processes, I've been sent two of them. And according to some shipping notices I've been emailed, I may actually have a third shipment of the same contents coming as well.
So, when it rains... it sends three of everything.
Considering one, I don't have second bike I'm working on (thankful for that), two, I'm an honest bloke, and three, this shop is awesome and kicks ass, I will be returning the second package post-haste.
Besides, karma and the Good Lord I need on my side so I can get red to red and black to black and make this thing start up once more.
My temptation is of course, to follow my typical mode of operation and get in there and try to make this work or that work or in a general sense just feel like some progress because a light came on or a turn-signal, er, signaled. Just throw it on there and see something happen. But I wanna fight this temptation and slow down and do it slowly and methodically.
And that, for me, requires:
• a new playlist. Or a good one.
• a few beers. Something dark and tasty.
• a day to apply to the affected area
• patience
So, for me, patience can be a result of planning. I'm learning this about myself. A little bit of planning can go a long way to seeing it through, or getting there in a good mood. It's not that spontaneity doesn't exist for me- man, do I have that characteristic in spades. But I have found that a little bit of planning helps the medicine go down. And this is supposed to be a bike build that's enjoyable.
It's a Wednesday today, so if I start thinking that Sunday is gonna be church and bike day, I'm halfway there already.
And those two things sound like a perfect day.
Monday, February 27, 2017
On our way now
Shipping confirmation. It's happened.
Really.
So, the big box of goodies is on it's way home. To me and to her; my Japanese mistress that's been sitting there quietly and patiently waiting for some attention. Neglected doesn't even start to cover it. And with the weather getting better all the time around her in AZ, I've missing opportunities to ride for sure.
I did stop in the garage this weekend. No, no work. But mom was over for the day to meet my dog and see my place and buy me lunch (thanks mom). I also dragged her with me to a guitar shop to 'pick up' one of mine that was ready to come home. So, 45 minutes later we made it to lunch. Sorry mom, but that blonde guitar on the wall, she wanted some one-on-one time and really needs to come home with me.
I'm smitten by certain blondes. It's a weakness, people.
Anyway, hopefully really soon I can get back to the garage and get some progress made. This incoming shipment is gonna have many of the things needed for such progress, and there will undoubtedly be some snafus and other "where does this go again" sort of pauses, but I think it's gonna come together. I really do.
It's not really that strange and actually quite logical, but still- sitting on the bike and putting your feet up on the pegs and your hands on the bars and looking around at the bike, it's weird when I push the start button and nothing happens. Or the turn signal. Like- there's a button that says ON, so why doesn't anything happen??
And no, logic isn't a strong suite of mine. I'm more in the wishful thinking camp.
But it's those straddling the bike and getting it off the kickstand moments that really make me wanna get it going again.
And, oh yeah, I gotta figure out what I'm doing with that kickstand next, too.
Really.
So, the big box of goodies is on it's way home. To me and to her; my Japanese mistress that's been sitting there quietly and patiently waiting for some attention. Neglected doesn't even start to cover it. And with the weather getting better all the time around her in AZ, I've missing opportunities to ride for sure.
I did stop in the garage this weekend. No, no work. But mom was over for the day to meet my dog and see my place and buy me lunch (thanks mom). I also dragged her with me to a guitar shop to 'pick up' one of mine that was ready to come home. So, 45 minutes later we made it to lunch. Sorry mom, but that blonde guitar on the wall, she wanted some one-on-one time and really needs to come home with me.
I'm smitten by certain blondes. It's a weakness, people.
Anyway, hopefully really soon I can get back to the garage and get some progress made. This incoming shipment is gonna have many of the things needed for such progress, and there will undoubtedly be some snafus and other "where does this go again" sort of pauses, but I think it's gonna come together. I really do.
It's not really that strange and actually quite logical, but still- sitting on the bike and putting your feet up on the pegs and your hands on the bars and looking around at the bike, it's weird when I push the start button and nothing happens. Or the turn signal. Like- there's a button that says ON, so why doesn't anything happen??
And no, logic isn't a strong suite of mine. I'm more in the wishful thinking camp.
But it's those straddling the bike and getting it off the kickstand moments that really make me wanna get it going again.
And, oh yeah, I gotta figure out what I'm doing with that kickstand next, too.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
That's perfectly clear
Yeah. Looks like the innards of our dear friend Threepio for a minute.
I guess when I am able to slow my heart and decipher all this, it isn't that complicated. So I shouldn't be too alarmed. It's a little for presentation sake in this forum here, but I've no doubt (feeling confident) that all this wiring mumbo jumbo will work out in the end. And then I'll be King of the Hill (not like an actual King and live on a hill, though I do know one) and will play down my masterful achievement, like this and slaying dragons is something I just do everyday, for fun, because I'm that good at it.
(of course I have been curled up crying to myself in the corner about wiring this bike for months now, so maybe that slaying part isn't so accurate after all).
Another awesome shout out to Revival Cycles, since the email correspondence and help continues, and the above diagram rendered personally for me and my little high school project. Super cool of them. I look forward to meeting them in person, since I'm thinking this Austin Texas thing will be fun to do.
I'm all about the adventure now.
Now all I need is a free weekend, some brews and tunes, and a box special delivery with some goodies.
Baby?! (bike) - I'm coming for you! Hang on now!
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Gilligan
So, I got all excited and worked up a few weeks ago about finally being able to purchase this magical little box of electrical wizardry that I need so I can get this bike project running. Or at least, what I need to get this bike project to the next step in it's build process.
One step at a time, is still one step ahead.
So it was with gigantic irony that it's been backordered. For weeks now. Still not shipped out.
That's so funny I forgot to laugh.
I'm this close to really diving in once again and getting bitten by the bug that is this bike build. It's literally been a year since it's made any noise and that's never a good thing to own a motorcycle that's not made noise for that long a time. I was in the garage for a few minutes the other day - for something totally unrelated to the actual motorcycle in there - which is in and of itself it's own tragedy. Seeing her still sitting there where I left her- which is a good thing, that part. 'Cause ya never know when you start unbolting and re-bolting things.
But that's about the only good thing. Hopefully these parts will find their way to their shop, so they can then find their way to mine. And soon.
https://revivalcycles.com/
This shop I'm buying these parts from host or are a part of this now annual event (4th year this one) called the Hand Built Motorcycle Show. So, granted a little ironic that I'm thinking about trying to attend, seeing as how broke I often am. But still, I'm thinking about trying to attend. Would be very cool to see what the pros can do to these things, and that renewed excitement for my own build will be infectious, no doubt. Plus, I've got a grandkid a 3-hour tour from there...
A 3-hour tour.
So, before the weather starts to get rough... (sorry, I'll stop now) I'm looking into it. Maybe a big loop, hitting Chicago for a couple days and a Cubs game with daughter (Thing One) then down to Dallas for daughter (Thing Two) and grandkid and hubby (her's, not mine). Then head down to Austin for the weekend and the show.
Plus, it's the MotoGP weekend in Austin, too.
So now I've got that bug biting me even harder.
One step at a time, is still one step ahead.
So it was with gigantic irony that it's been backordered. For weeks now. Still not shipped out.
That's so funny I forgot to laugh.
I'm this close to really diving in once again and getting bitten by the bug that is this bike build. It's literally been a year since it's made any noise and that's never a good thing to own a motorcycle that's not made noise for that long a time. I was in the garage for a few minutes the other day - for something totally unrelated to the actual motorcycle in there - which is in and of itself it's own tragedy. Seeing her still sitting there where I left her- which is a good thing, that part. 'Cause ya never know when you start unbolting and re-bolting things.
But that's about the only good thing. Hopefully these parts will find their way to their shop, so they can then find their way to mine. And soon.
https://revivalcycles.com/
This shop I'm buying these parts from host or are a part of this now annual event (4th year this one) called the Hand Built Motorcycle Show. So, granted a little ironic that I'm thinking about trying to attend, seeing as how broke I often am. But still, I'm thinking about trying to attend. Would be very cool to see what the pros can do to these things, and that renewed excitement for my own build will be infectious, no doubt. Plus, I've got a grandkid a 3-hour tour from there...
A 3-hour tour.
So, before the weather starts to get rough... (sorry, I'll stop now) I'm looking into it. Maybe a big loop, hitting Chicago for a couple days and a Cubs game with daughter (Thing One) then down to Dallas for daughter (Thing Two) and grandkid and hubby (her's, not mine). Then head down to Austin for the weekend and the show.
Plus, it's the MotoGP weekend in Austin, too.
So now I've got that bug biting me even harder.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
OMG
Wow. Excited is a great word for today Boys and Girls. Spelled doubleyouohhdoubleyou.
The M-Unit is on it's way people. It's a great day for building a bike. Well, not technically on it's way, but ordered. Backordered two weeks- which is so gigantically ironic that I can hardly stand it. But irony sometimes kicks my ass and this is yet another one of those.
It happens.
I went ahead and threw mommy's generous Christmas gift certificate at a wiring kit and a stripping tool that's an improvement over the one I currently own. Not the stripper pole I currently own. That's another blog. So lots of stuff coming that will help me get the bike on the road.
There are some things I can do in the meantime, but honestly, I'm really excited to get this last phase handled and in a way I don't want to go back in the the garage until the magic box arrives. I may though, just to look things over, get that battery back on it's trickle charger and maybe clean up and sweep up and other up type things. So yeah, never mind. I'll probably be in there soon.
Caught some additional wiring videos today and a couple other interesting finds, so that's great and reinforcing what I already know and those things I think I know. It's funny too, how there are so many videos that say things like 'it's really simple' and 'it's just a bunch of wires' and 'it's no big deal', and then other vids talk about 'if you connect this to that it will spark', or 'drain your battery' or 'cause you to break up with your girlfriend'... So choosing whom to believe is a determining factor on how many things can go wrong.
I'm gonna go with- what could possibly go wrong?
That's my usual motto.
The M-Unit is on it's way people. It's a great day for building a bike. Well, not technically on it's way, but ordered. Backordered two weeks- which is so gigantically ironic that I can hardly stand it. But irony sometimes kicks my ass and this is yet another one of those.
It happens.
I went ahead and threw mommy's generous Christmas gift certificate at a wiring kit and a stripping tool that's an improvement over the one I currently own. Not the stripper pole I currently own. That's another blog. So lots of stuff coming that will help me get the bike on the road.
There are some things I can do in the meantime, but honestly, I'm really excited to get this last phase handled and in a way I don't want to go back in the the garage until the magic box arrives. I may though, just to look things over, get that battery back on it's trickle charger and maybe clean up and sweep up and other up type things. So yeah, never mind. I'll probably be in there soon.
Caught some additional wiring videos today and a couple other interesting finds, so that's great and reinforcing what I already know and those things I think I know. It's funny too, how there are so many videos that say things like 'it's really simple' and 'it's just a bunch of wires' and 'it's no big deal', and then other vids talk about 'if you connect this to that it will spark', or 'drain your battery' or 'cause you to break up with your girlfriend'... So choosing whom to believe is a determining factor on how many things can go wrong.
I'm gonna go with- what could possibly go wrong?
That's my usual motto.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Lunch!
Today at lunch in the office- it's watching bike electrical wiring videos!
(and no- not eating that thing above. I believe it's actually called the worst (for you) burger in America).
It's about time to put that Christmas stocking gift certificate money to good use and purchase the long-awaited M-Unit. Close, but not quite yet. Still, it's close enough to start getting re-aquatinted and re-energized about the bike build and start getting also re-aquatinted with electrical theory.
(maybe I missed this course in shop class at school. Shoulda woulda coulda...
Watching Stefan Hertel at Revival Cycles, this long bearded biker looking dude who's simple and straight forward approach to doing these videos is super rad and helpful. I can imagine, though, what his facial expressions would look like, trying to explain all this to me, and me interrupting with 'OK, tell me that part again, only slower" type stuff... Good thing we have modern technology and YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsdnBN5t7us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m5aUoAK_DM&t=99s
I was psyched when I stumbled onto not only their YouTube videos but also their website and the fact that they sell this unit I'm after for the same price as eBay and Amazon and the rest. Once I discovered, too, that they offer gift certificates meant that every Christmas and birthday gift enquiry now had an automatic answer.
It's a great example for companies on customer service, information provisions, product lineup and offerings, education... good stuff.
So, positive goes to positive, negative goes to... one more time?
https://revivalcycles.com/
Thursday, January 12, 2017
The final nail
There's a local shop here. A small one, and I get the impression it's one that's not a full-time gig for the 'owner'. Still, they do nice looking work and the owner dude has been very helpful in my quest for answers.
Sort of.
He seems very nice, and we've exchanged numbers and he's texted me over the months. It felt funny enough that, at one point, I was gonna have a new friend. Which, at that time especially, I would have welcomed such an occurrence and arrival. Perhaps I was too pushy or wasn't what he was looking for? Maybe someone else, with more personality, or hair.
Anyway, he's resurfaced from time to time on Facebook, so this morning I once again upon seeing my post about sucking at electronics or something of that sort, asked 'what are you doing tonight?' as some sort of passive-aggressive wanting to help but not really wanting to help. I dunno. I'm probably being a little bit of an ass right now, or at least sounding like one. Maybe. I usually just have a small tolerance for people who don't do what they say they will do, or come through on promises made, or just in a general sense be a good human.
Ultimately, if you'd rather not help, that's perfectly fine. Just don't imply or infer that you can/will/want to. I used to hear from my semi-estranged father this kind of thing. "Thinking about visiting next spring", "we should get together", etc. In the end, he doesn't really mean it and I'm well beyond pushing for that sort of thing any longer. Don't mean to get personally out of whack here in this post- I guess my point is - just don't say those things. I don't need you to or am asking for it. So instead of this guy promising he can come by and help, then not showing up, then days later or weeks later either apologizing or forgetting or ignoring altogether, I'd rather you just not have promised it in the first place.
People. Craziness.
Thing is, I ask little of others. I usually will just suffer through trying to figure it out myself. But I will and do ask for help. I asked him for help before, since he's done this before and all that. Even this morning he's saying "that can't be that hard to fix" and things like that. This time, I didn't ask for help, and he didn't offer it. In the past, I even offered to pay him a couple hours worth of shop time to help me solid up some things on this bike. That seemed to legitimize my attempts at fixing this bike as, well, legit and serious. When he fell through with promises made when I created that offer, I was done. Bad way to run a business and a worse way to act towards others.
He did say the bike looks great. So there's that.
Anyway, a sort of angry post today. It'll pass. Probably already has. Was shopping eBay for a couple small things still needed, and visited that site with my M-Unit on sale. She's still waiting for me to call.
Soon, noise we shall hear, once again. I'm feelin it.
Sort of.
He seems very nice, and we've exchanged numbers and he's texted me over the months. It felt funny enough that, at one point, I was gonna have a new friend. Which, at that time especially, I would have welcomed such an occurrence and arrival. Perhaps I was too pushy or wasn't what he was looking for? Maybe someone else, with more personality, or hair.
Anyway, he's resurfaced from time to time on Facebook, so this morning I once again upon seeing my post about sucking at electronics or something of that sort, asked 'what are you doing tonight?' as some sort of passive-aggressive wanting to help but not really wanting to help. I dunno. I'm probably being a little bit of an ass right now, or at least sounding like one. Maybe. I usually just have a small tolerance for people who don't do what they say they will do, or come through on promises made, or just in a general sense be a good human.
Ultimately, if you'd rather not help, that's perfectly fine. Just don't imply or infer that you can/will/want to. I used to hear from my semi-estranged father this kind of thing. "Thinking about visiting next spring", "we should get together", etc. In the end, he doesn't really mean it and I'm well beyond pushing for that sort of thing any longer. Don't mean to get personally out of whack here in this post- I guess my point is - just don't say those things. I don't need you to or am asking for it. So instead of this guy promising he can come by and help, then not showing up, then days later or weeks later either apologizing or forgetting or ignoring altogether, I'd rather you just not have promised it in the first place.
People. Craziness.
Thing is, I ask little of others. I usually will just suffer through trying to figure it out myself. But I will and do ask for help. I asked him for help before, since he's done this before and all that. Even this morning he's saying "that can't be that hard to fix" and things like that. This time, I didn't ask for help, and he didn't offer it. In the past, I even offered to pay him a couple hours worth of shop time to help me solid up some things on this bike. That seemed to legitimize my attempts at fixing this bike as, well, legit and serious. When he fell through with promises made when I created that offer, I was done. Bad way to run a business and a worse way to act towards others.
He did say the bike looks great. So there's that.
Anyway, a sort of angry post today. It'll pass. Probably already has. Was shopping eBay for a couple small things still needed, and visited that site with my M-Unit on sale. She's still waiting for me to call.
Soon, noise we shall hear, once again. I'm feelin it.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
A better mousetrap
There's something really cool and creative about building a motorcycle your way. I mean, the limit is only set by a few short things that are on that list of what makes a motorcycle a motorcycle. And makes it go, too. I've seen many crazy custom bikes over the years, and some are far from practical or comfortable or both. But that's hardly the point.
The beauty is in the details, and in the doing. And because we can, we do. Well, they can and do. I'm just here changing hours and money into a hunk of noiseless metal and rubber. And that exchange rate isn't what it could be, that's for sure. Learning.... I'm learning.
But it's something I've discovered about myself. Well, I think I knew of this pattern long ago actually. I was building my own 'replica' of an R2 unit. When I was 12 or something.
I got that project about 90% finished, too.
Ha! Well, just kidding. A bit. Though I do remember a kitchen project in Chicago that never quite did get that crown moulding up. Hmmm.
So, the aforementioned and admitted lacking in the final yards department notwithstanding, I think too it's that there are other hobbies I enjoy. I jump from one to the next. It goes in stages. Distracted by the latest shiny object perhaps, I dunno. I enjoy music and have been dabbling in that more lately. I like to paint and have been wanting to do another for months now. This build has made me frustrated many times, but it's not because it's hard or costly- it's because I don't know the answer to the questions.
In the end, after all is said and done, I'm glad I did this build. I'm glad I spent this time and these moments. I like motorcycles, always have. The thing is, I like riding them, too. And this one is still far from that part. If I had another one that did run, that did start upon request, that did want to accompany me to that sunset on the horizon... well, this build would be in a completely other part of my brain. It wouldn't so much get it done so I can ride again. It would be more art than conquest.
That part of being counted on- to run, to start, to go when I'm ready to go. That's riding. That's the part I miss. That reliability and eagerness to go forth and conquer some miles.
Setting aside my reality for a moment, I do love that there are a lot of different styles of bikes right now. I love the idea of one day owning two at the same time. A daily or weekender that's causal and easy and comfortable but still with a sense of style. The new Triumph Thruxton or even that Bobber that's coming soon. I'm attending a launch party for that one the weekend after next. Saturday date night with me and a new bike... Hmmmm.
The second one? Well, I miss my MV Agusta F4 Strada for sure. That Italian thing gets me with cars and with the slightly more affordable motorcycles. Always dug the Ducati twin sound, so this beauty would do nicely to get back to some weekends at 5:am carving up the canyons when the tourists and boat trailers haven't shown up yet. I've not so much the type to take this beauty to the local bar hangout and gawk at it from stop light to stop light, though that has it's moments. I'd rather get it out there to those places God intended it to be ridden, in it's element and as it's designed to do.
There's the added bonus of full leathers that gets me closer to Vader cosplay than I will in any other walk of life, that's for sure.
I'm enough of a stuffy designer know it all type (not really) to have an opinion on design choices of bikes throughout the years, and some of them I really don't appreciate. My (previously owned sadly) 2000 MV Agusta still looks like it's brand new. The above pictured Ducati is a 2007 model. See? I'm a stickler for what looks good in my own head. Plus the new Panigale's exhaust is just so much weird and poorly designed drivel.
See, told ya.
I've also not the rider that needs 100% of a bikes capability and so therefore needs the latest and greatest of braking or engine technologies to succeed. I've done track days are they are marvelous fun and will do more in the future. On those canyon roads it's a lot more like 85% limit and it's a lot more fun that way. Plus it's a lot more fun still being around for my family, too.
Then there's the other project, someday. A really beautiful one... A Moto Guzzi. An MV Agusta perhaps. Something exotic, something beautiful in it's simplicity. This one? This one will go in the living room. This one is art.
Maybe I will need three bikes then.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Blue light is on. Someone must be home.
Good times in the garage on Saturday. Music was appropriately cranked, as much as the little bluetooth speaker that could, did. Not a ton of it was accomplished, that to-do list to conquer all to-do lists, since, well it never seems to get any shorter. Well, it does get shorter, only for a moment before one thing gets crossed off and replaced with another.
Maybe that's the way all these kind of builds go... dunno. This is my first. Perhaps my last, perhaps not. It has had value and interest to me beyond the occupy the mind agenda or keep busy types of idle mind activities, so who knows. Actually, I think once it's a rideable machine I will find much more value in it. Go figure. I know, sometimes the lunacy just spills out of my pores and I cannot stop making sense.
So the original harness came back off, along with all my "good try! good try! we'll get 'em next time, Tiger" banter and well wishing and supportive praise. I'm still a little bit in the dark (very dark) about why it actually wouldn't work, all these wires and such. It started to feel a little bit like trying to win at chess without actually knowing the rules. Looks simple enough, what could go wrong? I'll never know just how close I did come to it actually getting connected correctly. I may have indeed been a single wire away from completion... However most occasions and scenarios involved other critical elements, such as patience, or understanding, or running out of beer... who knows. Any of them will do. Excuses- I have boxes full of 'em, it would seem.
I will be excited to start fresh with this M-Unit I have in mind, once that's able to find it's way into a shopping cart. One part at a time, one connection at a time, check, recheck, working? Move on to the next. Not working? Call someone, read a manual, go walk to get another beer or sangria, ask Murphy the Wonder Dog, then try again. Funny how success brings excitement... maybe it's a little like a participant medal or something, but I remember a few weeks ago when I flipped the headlight switch and - alas, lights came on. That was it's own special moment of smiles that only winning brings.
Perhaps it the removal of the old and the tarnished and the faded that needs to be had here, and perhaps in my own personal deal, too. Take off what's holding you back and keeping you from making those connections solid and light up. OK, sorry, enough of that mushy stuff. This is a motorcycle build dammit. I'm gonna go get another tattoo for that one. Punishment.
So, back into garage D we go, and hopefully will have some spark happening soon. Most of the mechanicals are solid and ready to go. Sure, there are things to dial-in and firm up, like brakes and linkages and such, so until I'm able to tackle the electrical in the manner it should, I can revisit those things. I still have to figure out the center stand thing, but I think that's gonna go soon. It's far easier working on the bike whilst level and not feeling like it's gonna fall over at any moment, but the stand is gonna be in the way of the shifter lever and probably other things, too. So it's gonna have to go as soon as I get to that part. Which then I gotta solve the front forks thing; the rebound isn't right and will not only make for a crappy ride, but might even be slightly dangerous. Maybe. I'd love to do a front end swap with some R6 materials, but that's an entirely new box of worms to open up, so I'm gonna make what I've got here work. Probably just need to shorten the kickstand an inch or so and that will solve many other problems.
And I do have a grinder....
Friday, January 6, 2017
So here's a weird thing
Music, for me, always takes me to a certain, particular place or moment in time. I suppose that, in the general sense of the entire world this, in and of itself, isn't a unique effect. Lots of people have this same effect. So, I guess I really don't know if this is stronger or whatever to me than other people experience. Regardless, it's my blog, so there ya go.
I'm looking forward to working on the bike some this weekend. Unsure how much I can actually do, but I have some thoughts on that and some lists I can look at and cross off before I need to stop for this reason or that one. I spent many months, and if truth be told, I bought this bike for the sole purpose (or a major one) of escaping some personal things going on that made it hard to sleep, or be calm, or breathe. Learning to get to another day or make it past this thought or that thought was challenging from time to time, and having something like this bike to work on, freak out, change up, whatever- well, it helped.
So, now, well... the personal stuff has taken a few left turns and some unexpected arrivals in these past few months. Some of them I didn't see coming, didn't plan for, didn't seek out as places I wanted to visit or move in to, but alas, there they are anyway. I guess, to (finally) get to the point here, I was a creature of habit during those nights in the garage and quite often listened to the same playlists or the same band. Each night, same band.
So now, there's less anguish over personal things. Those things have not been solved or resolved or redacted, but they are far less of a drain on the resources that are my brain and soul. And that's a really good thing- can I get an AMEN!
So I want to, this weekend, on purpose- listen to those same playlists. It's been several months that I've spent any actual time in that garage space, so it's been a little bit of time since I've heard that music. I'll be very curious when those tunes come up, the specific ones with those specific lines and those specific beats, that conjured up pictures of this girl or that sunset or them memories that seemed to haunt the brainwaves for all those many months. Now- they should be cleansing and healing.
We shall see...
Now, pass the 12mm spanner and let's get to work, people.
I'm looking forward to working on the bike some this weekend. Unsure how much I can actually do, but I have some thoughts on that and some lists I can look at and cross off before I need to stop for this reason or that one. I spent many months, and if truth be told, I bought this bike for the sole purpose (or a major one) of escaping some personal things going on that made it hard to sleep, or be calm, or breathe. Learning to get to another day or make it past this thought or that thought was challenging from time to time, and having something like this bike to work on, freak out, change up, whatever- well, it helped.
So, now, well... the personal stuff has taken a few left turns and some unexpected arrivals in these past few months. Some of them I didn't see coming, didn't plan for, didn't seek out as places I wanted to visit or move in to, but alas, there they are anyway. I guess, to (finally) get to the point here, I was a creature of habit during those nights in the garage and quite often listened to the same playlists or the same band. Each night, same band.
So now, there's less anguish over personal things. Those things have not been solved or resolved or redacted, but they are far less of a drain on the resources that are my brain and soul. And that's a really good thing- can I get an AMEN!
So I want to, this weekend, on purpose- listen to those same playlists. It's been several months that I've spent any actual time in that garage space, so it's been a little bit of time since I've heard that music. I'll be very curious when those tunes come up, the specific ones with those specific lines and those specific beats, that conjured up pictures of this girl or that sunset or them memories that seemed to haunt the brainwaves for all those many months. Now- they should be cleansing and healing.
We shall see...
Now, pass the 12mm spanner and let's get to work, people.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Looks like 'on' to me
I bought this bike almost a year ago.
A year ago. Can't believe it. And, to make matters worse, it ran fine when I bought it, so was gonna be a handful of easy to change out parts, accessories, paint this and scrub that... then we'd be back on the road.
I hope this isn't a testament to my mechanical ability, but I hope even more that it's not a brilliant reflection of my inherently troubled mindset of distraction and incompleteness.
Yes, I'm sure that's more likely the case here.
Damn.
And to compound things even further, I've likely typed on these pages the desire and the gumption to start working on it again soon and waiting on some money and blah blah. See, you know it's bad now when I'm even putting myself down and calling out my own bad self for it's lack of discipline. For shame, for shame.
Anyway, the holidays are over, the parties are, too. The self-reflective solo drive to Past Land has happened, so really I have little left in the excuses department to throw at this bike. So instead, I shall throw some elbow grease and actual grease, too, and re-visit the aforementioned project with some renewed sense of 'get 'er done already would ya'.
It's what Jesus would do. Though He would more than likely just wave a hand or use the force or some semblance of Heavenly "I can fix this" influence and suddenly that thing would roar to life better than ever before. So, as any self-respecting Christian man would do, I will endeavor to become more Christ-like... and get her done already.
Heaven's waiting, for Pete's sake.
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