Upgrade Surprises!

When we last left our hero, he was expecting his power commander to be at his house when he got home on Friday.  That was the good news.  The bad news was that his pipes apparenlty hadn't even shipped yet.  Let's see what the weekend brought us...

Pulling in to my driveway, I saw a large white box sitting by my door.  Hopping out with excitement, I spun it around and...ta da!  My pipes!!

Sweet!!  I guess the tracking information hadn't been updated on-line, but no matter - they'd arrived!

Next, I went about searching for the power commander.  It wasn't next to the pipes...it wasn't inside my porch door...it wasn't out at the mailbox...it wasn't tucked inside the front storm door...huh.  I guess it didn't come today.  Well that's weird.  The thing that was supposed to show up today, didn't, and the thing I wasn't expecting today, showed up.

And no sooner had that thought run through my head, than a FedEx truck pulled into my driveway.  Ta da!  My power commander!!

Now I just need Jon to call and say that the backing plate and air filter have arrived, and I can get things over to Greg's so that we can get this whole process moving!

The other notable thing from this weekend was that the bikes which have been stored in my basement for the winter, were picked up and brought home.  Yes, another sure sign of Springtime coming.

Here, Nelly and Michael Jr. are warming the bikes up while Storm looks on.

I was half-tempted to follow them home, just to get some miles on, but I opted not to.  I had a bunch of chores around the house that needed my attention, not to mention I'm trying to hold off on riding the bike until I get the upgrades installed and (hopefully) the bike is back to running great again.

So there you have it.  Not a terribly exciting weekend, but not a shabby one, either.

Ride Hard, Take Chances

Performance Delays!

I saw more street sweepers out this morning - a most welcome sight to be sure!  The better weather is on it's way and nobody is getting more antsy that I am!

I've had the bike out almost each night this week and the skipping problem is real bad again.  So bad in fact, that I scrapped my plan to ride in to work today.  Blast!  But all will (hopefully) be right again soon, once the upgrade items I've purchased get here and are installed.

Checking the tracking numbers, the power commander should be delivered today.  Sweet!  The pipes, however, haven't even shipped out from their location yet (the tracking info says a shipping label has been created, but that they haven't been notified by the shipper that the item is ready to be picked up yet).  Lastly; Jon, over at Cook's, has ordered the backing plate and air filter and will let me know when they are in.  So all this means that I won't be doing much riding this weekend.  Meh, it's supposed to rain tomorrow, anyway.

It's a Friday so I guess I can't really complain too loudly.  If anything, I suppose I can point the finger of blame at myself for not ordering these things sooner.  Oh right; I couldn't order them sooner because I didn't have the money.

(That's what credit cards are for, Dave.)

Charge Hard, Cash Advances

Performance Upgrades!

The "ghost in the machine" issue is rearing its ugly head once more.  The hesitation and skipping, while never truly being gone, had been greatly reduced ever since the dealership on the Cape flashed my ECU.  As time has gone on, though, it's been getting a little worse again.  Then, this past Sunday, it really started being noticeable again.  I had the bike out again last night and could even hear the problem as the bike was warming up in the driveway.  *Sigh*  Time to go ahead and pull the trigger.

So, despite not really having the extra money lying around, I went ahead and dropped the necessary cashola and am currently the proud owner of a new power commander, a set of Rinehart pipes, Screamin' Eagle and K&N air flow components.

(When I say that I am the proud owner of these items, what I really mean is that I'm no longer the owner of the money which it cost to purchase these items.  The actual items are currently in transit, so I suppose that technically; the only thing I'm actually the proud owner of at the moment is debt.)

Specifics;
Power Commander V from FuelMotoUSA.com
Rinehart True Duals for 95-08 FLHTC
Screamin' Eagle air cleaner backing plate
K&N air filter

When everything arrives, the "surgery" will happen in Greg's garage which he has been kind enough to offer up.  There'll definitely be a write-up on that process.

I'm excited to get these upgrades on the bike...excited not only for the new beefy, throaty sound I'll have, but also because I honestly hope this will once and for all rectify the ongoing hesitation problem I've been having...

If it doesn't fix the problem, I may yank the upgrades off and sell the bike just to get rid of it.  But let's not think about that possibility right now...

Ok, back to it.  Hope everyone is out getting some miles on.

Ride Hard, Take Chances...and Upgrade!

What the...it's Sunday!

So why am I at work?  Bleah.  Anyway, while I was here I figured I'd throw up a quick entry.  The weather yesterday was awesome - almost 60 and sunny...so of course I was too busy running errands to get out and enjoy two wheels.  Today I'm able to ride, so of course it's overcast, windy and high-30's.  But hey, at least I'm on two!

Now what's this about a major Nor'Easter coming in the middle of the week that has a good chance of whalloping us with a large accumulation of heavy, wet snow?

Anyway; focus on the positive things.  I picked up a new set of riding gear (jacket and pants).  They have some new fangled kind of fleece-woven, waterproof layer which can zip out if need be.  (The pants and jacket are also waterproof so even if the inner layer is removed, you won't lose the water protection aspect.)  They were on sale, so I saved a few bucks which is always nice.  The one thing I'm not crazy about is that fleece-type inner layer.  It's not smooth like the quilted stuff my current gear has.  That stuff allows legs and arms to slide easily in and out of the gear.  This fleece stuff tends to grip on and it's harder to ease in and out of the gear.  However, it more than makes up for that shortcoming by how amazingly warm it is.  I was wearing a t-shirt and had the jacket on for about one minute and was already sweating.  I have a feeling  I won't even need the electric gear if I'm wearing this stuff, but again; time will tell.

The brand name of the gear was Bilt, and the store I got it from was Cycle Gear and I believe it's a chain so if you can find a location near you, go check it out.

Ok, time to go hit the road again.

Ride Hard, Keep Warm

Premature...But It's Still A Sign...

Walpole had their street sweepers out this morning when I was on my way in (5am).  It was great to see them cleaning up the sand and debris from the winter season.  We've on the cusp of another frigid blast and the temps are going to plunge again early next week, with snow coming Tuesday and Wednesday next week.  So it seems a bit premature to be cleaning the roads just yet, but still; it's a sign of warmer things to come...eventually...

I may take a chance and get the bike out tomorrow, but we'll see.  Forecast is calling for a mix of sleet and freezing rain.    That never stopped the Olean crew from riding 1,000miles (500 * 2, the poor bastards), why should it stop me from riding around a bit?

The only other thing I've got for you is I'm currently researching exhaust systems so that when I order the power commander, I can have them pre-program it for me.  I was leaning toward V&H but Greg says he loves his Rineharts. I know Zig likes his, too.  So who can say.  I need to make a decision soon, though.  I need to get this project rolling soon.

Ok, that's it for today.  Enjoy the weekend.  Get some riding in - if not out on the roadways, then...

Big Tease

The weather this past Saturday was a bit warmer...a bit.  It got all the way up to 45 at one point and I was able to ride without gloves on for the first time this year.  Woo-Hoo!!  But it was nothing more than a teast, as the temps soon plunged again and it was back on with the 5-fingered leather protectants.

Sunday was bitter, windy and cold again, as was yesterday, and today as well.  It seems like each time we get a glimmer of warm weather, the cold comes rushing back in.  Take the rest of this week for example; Thursday is supposed to get nicer...almost 50, I believe...but rain is coming with it.  Friday looks like it might be decent, but with a chilly start and end (mid twenties to high teens).  Then more snow and sleet on Saturday, as well as next week.  The temps for March are running well below normal and aren't giving any indication of letting up anytime soon.

All I can say is that for the winter we've deat with (and are dealing with); we'd better have one hell of a great summer on tap.  We've earned it.

Ride Hard, Take Chances

The Bridge Of Death

I believe I promised you a write-up of something else from last year which didn't make it to the blog, so here you go.

For years, I've passed over a bridge in Medfield going to and from work.  For many years, there was no sign posted on the bridge to let folks know the name of the river beneath (it's the Charles).  But sometime early last year, Medfield went around and posted nice new 'streetsign' types of signs on the bridges.

I didn't pay the sign any attention - I already knew the name of the river I was crossing.  But then one day, I happened to glance at the sign as I was on my way to work - and did a double-take - What the hell?.  Had that sign actually read what I thought it read???

Going home that night, I looked at the sign as I passed it...and became even more confused.  "Charles River" was clearly posted in black lettering on a white background.  What gives?  That's not at all what I thought I'd seen on the other side, on my way in this morning.

I was going much too fast (as usual) to get a good look at the opposite side of the sign, so that would have to wait until the following morning's commute.

So the next morning, I slowed as I approached the sign...and was vindicated...and a bit thrilled.  For you see, the other side of the sign did indeed read what I had thought I'd seen the day before;

Death Bridge.  Hey now, that's a nice thing to see as you're heading over an expanse of water.  And just how does a bridge earn such a name?  Well, when you have a question, what do you do?  You Google it - and lo and behold; there was a story about the bridge which explained everything.

Here's the link - it's actually an interesting read;
http://hometownweekly.net/the-bridge-of-death-p7413-137.htm

(In the event the link doesn't work, or if the link becomes broken, here's the story;

by RICHARD DESORGHER• Thu, Mar 22, 2012

It was exactly 50 years ago in 1962 that the beginning of the end of Death Bridge, also known as Dearth Bridge, had begun. It was to be the death knell to Death Bridge. The bridge connected Route 27 between Medfield and Sherborn as it crossed over the Charles River. Route 27 at the time wound through Medfield Center from Spring Street, meandered down North Street to Harding Street and then onto Hospital Road and over Death Bridge into Sherborn. The Hospital Road section was particularly narrow, especially as you approached Death Bridge. The road itself, near the bridge, was lined by massive maple trees, giving it a Normal Rockwell appearance. The bridge, dating to 1915, was clearly showing its age by 1962. Selectman, pushed by Superintendent of Streets Billy McCarthy, applied for state funds for the relocation of the Hospital Road section of Route 27 near the bridge and the construction of a new modern bridge, a couple of hundred yards to the east of the existing bridge.

Now, to the reason for the bridge’s unusual name -

John and Mary Death came to America during the Great Puritan Migration, presumably landing in Ipswich Harbor, later called Topsfield. From there, the family traveled to Sudbury in 1672, and then to Natick and in 1678 they settled in Sherborn. Death family members settled near the Charles River on the Sherborn side of the bridge connecting Medfield and Sherborn. During the Native-American attack on Medfield in the King Philip War, all three Medfield bridges leading over the Charles River were burnt. On the bridge to Sherborn the Native-American, known as James-the-Printer, left a note on the ruined bridge warning the settlers: the note reads as follows:

“Know by this paper that the Indians that thou hast provoked to wrath and anger will war these twenty-one years, if you will. There are many Indians yet. We come three hundred at this time. You must consider that the Indians loose nothing but their lives; you must loose your fair houses and cattle.”

The bridge was re-built after the war and was kept in repair over the years until 1915. At that time it was substantially rebuilt and a plaque commemorating the historic spot of James the Printer’s Note was made a part of the bridge. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, with the Sherborn homestead near the bridge lived in by Death Family members, the name of the bridge became known as Death’s Bridge. Later, for obvious reasons, some family members changed their name from Death to Dearth. The bridge was sometimes called Death Bridge and sometimes Dearth Bridge, depending upon the spelling of the family living in the family homestead by the bridge. The homestead was later inherited by Ezra Death. Ezra married a Miss R. Howe of Northboro, and their son Charles Austin, to get rid of the “Death” name, legally changed his name from Death to Howe (his mother’s maiden name) and then he inherited the estate by the bridge. The homestead is said to have then been passed down to Howe descendants for two more generations, coming to Sarah E. Howe who, in her will in 1918 being a widow, left the homestead to a Mabel Davis – marking the first time that the homestead passed out of family hands after about 150 years of Death-Howe ownership. By the mid-20th century the bridge was generally known as Dearth’s Bridge, reflecting the newer change in spelling, although old-timers continued to call it Death’s Bridge. With the family no longer living near the bridge, newer generations began to think the name of the bridge reflected fatal accidents that must have taken place at that spot, not realizing the family name history associated with the bridge.

In 1962 the towns of Medfield and Sherborn began the first steps of building a new bridge to the east of the original one. The following year, in 1963, Death/Dearth’s bridge was demolished and the current “new Rt. 27 Bridge” was built. A walk today down the “old” section of Rt. 27 will bring you to a sudden end in the now overgrown road and the missing gap over the Charles River to the other side of Sherborn, where for many generations the bridge named “Death” had stood.

Pretty cool stuff, huh?

Ride Hard, Take Chances

Weekend Reprieve

The weather warmed up a bit this past weekend so I took the bike out on Saturday for a spin.  I had no destination in mind, just headed out.  I brought a Yuengling 2x pounder can along with me that I'd emptied for Matty's wall, in the event that I found myself in his neighborhood.

Cruising down some side streets, I passed Steve & Jan's house and went to hit the horn...oh yeah; my horn is broken...no problem, I just looked over and hollered "BEEP BEEP" as I rode by.  Not sure they heard me or not, but even if they did, they probably didn't want to admit to knowing the idiot riding by.

Anyway, as luck would have it, after getting myself lost a couple of times in Rhode Island, I did indeed come up to Matty's neck of the woods.  Pulling in, I was soon handed a cold frosty to wash the road salt out of my throat.  He got himself ready, warmed his bike up, and off we went in search of adventure...and by that I mean; food for our stomachs.  The rest of the night was whiled away in various establishments, and I was content with the day.

Sunday morning, my phone is blowing up.  I was being hounded and harassed regarding my lack of attendance at "Breakfast Club".  I finished doing my laundry and cleaning, rolled the bike out, and was soon rocketing down 495.  Man, it feels so good to really open her up!  Well into the three-digit speed range and still some throttle still to go.  Just wait until I get the new power commander installed!  Woo-Hoo! (Probably going to need more engine work after I've had that thing installed for a while...)

I met up with the crew and we had some laughs.  Before long, it was the noon deadline, so we all split to our own directions.  I took my time getting back to the homestead, and even pulled over to snap a pic of a humorous sign I had passed;

Looks like someone had too much free time on their hands.  But the idea of a cowboy riding a deer is pretty amusing.

The temps weren't as warm as they had been on Saturday and were hovering around the freezing point.  I didn't wind up staying out too long before backing her back into the garage and going inside to warm up.

Not an exciting weekend, but it was the first weekend in some time that I'd been able to get the bike out on both days - I'll take it!

I've seen/heard that others are getting their bikes out, firing them up, giving them their Spring-preparedness services, and even rolling a few miles up.  Mint!  It won't be long now...

Ride Hard, Take Chances

Lies, Deceit...and being paid handsomely for it.

Do I sound like a broken record?  The weathercasters continue to spew forth lies and misinformation, and continue to pull in huge salaries.  (I looked up the avg salary for the Boston-market; $120k.  That's the AVERAGE.  Sickening).

They were saying this week would see a progressive warming trend, leavingt the cold single digit nighttime temps behind.  Bullshit.  Each morning, the temps have been single digits again.  8 yesterday morning, 7 this morning.  Hell, I could be just as good at giving the weather...

"And now let's go do Dave for the forecast.  What've you got for us, Dave?"

"Well Marty, let me put down my bong and see if I can come up with some right-proper sounding nonsense for the masses.  How about; 'the days ahead are going to bring us a real reprieve from the cold'.  That sounds pretty good, right?  But will they?  Ha ha ha, who knows?  That's the fun part!  But seriously folks, let's toss these darts at this nice chart I have set up and see what we have, shall we?  Oh very nice, they say we'll have sunshine, clear skies, and flying pigs for the next 5 days.  And now back to you, Marty."

Stupid buggers.

Anyway, on to better things.  As those of you on Facebook may be aware; I have booked a 2-week trip to Europe, for the middle-to-end of August.  It'll be an awesome adventure, and; I've timed my return to coincide with Labor Day.  I probably won't be riding out to Olean for the start of the run, but will probably be able to meet up with the Olean crew in VT or NH and then continue on to Maine with them.

The August weather in Europe should be nice, the roads look fantastic, and I cannot wait to get over there and do some shredding.  It won't all be riding, though.  I'm staying with my friend Erin (sister of Kerry, who we stay with when in DC for Rolling Thunder), and her husband Jack.  We're in the process of laying out a monstere itinerary!  In just two week's time, we're going to be hitting Switzerland (where they live), Germany, Italy, France, and maybe even the Czech Republic.  That sounds veyr impressive and all, but it would be like saying "I'm going to hit Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island."  Certainly very doable in two week's time, it's just a matter of figuring out the worthwhile spots to check out while in each country.

The warmer weather will work its way here...eventually.  I mean, it can't avoid us forever, right?  There are a couple of mini projects coming up on the bike (power commander install with new pipes, radio yanked and replacement installed with new bracket mounts), trips laid out, and I believe I've got another item from last year that didn't make it to the blog which I will get posted sometime early next week.

Stay tuned - things are going to get more interesting...

Ride Hard, Take Chances

Winter's Last Gasp?

We dodged the big snowball today; we were in line for 5 - 6 inches of snow today, but a cold front moved down further from Canada and kept the storm off of our backs.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that the cold front is dropping our temps tonight and tomorrow into the low single-digits.  Looking out a while on the forecast horizon, it appears we're in for a stretch of low-30 degree days.  Now that, I can live with...for a short time, anyway.

Yesterday, the temps went all the way up to 37 so of course I rolled the bike out of the garage and fired it up to get her juices flowing.  I'm still fighting off the headcold that's going around, so I planned on being smart and just letting it warm up in the driveway, I wasn't going to take it out into the chilly temps...

But then I nicked her down into first and rolled out to the end of the driveway, then coasted backward toward the garage...

...and promptly set the kickstand, ran inside for my jacket, gloves, facemask and lid, and I was off like a rocket!

I shot down the road to the nearest intersection, then hung a right, bringing me out to Rte 1.  I banged a quick right and had nothing but open highway in front of me.  Woo-Hoo!  I opened her all the way up...I mean ALL THE WAY UP!  Doing over 100 in no time, slapping through the gears, the engine was humming beautifully, the wind was soaring by me...and through me!  I hadn't bothered to grab my winter riding pants, so before too long, I eased her back down to a respectable speed and banged another right-hand turn at an approaching intersection, completed the loop back to my house and backed her into the garage.

Shutting her off, I was rewarded with the tinking sound of the heads and pipes cooling off.  Man, that had been so needed!  It wasn't long at all, but it was enough to get my adrenaline pumping a little, and given my hampered state of health, I didn't want to push things too much.

We're getting closer...just gotta hang on a little bit more...

Ride Hard, Take Chances