I need something I can do to stay active in the motorcycle community.
I want to make and sell something, but the problem is that most things I could build and sell requires special tools that I don't have (let alone know how to use properly). One thing I was thinking was doing some LED lighting projects or possibly fiberglass and body work.
The problem with LED lighting is that you can't find just empty light lenses and such, so I'd need to have the lights to work with. Fiberglass I would either need molds to use *or* I would need some plastics to learn on. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, I've got the VFR plastics......hmm......just wish I either had a garage or good weather!
Actually, I'm going to take the tail piece and see if I can bring it back up to snuff. The thing has been repaired poorly too many times, so it's basically worthless unless I can fix it all up and make it a good piece again. Sounds like a challenge to me!
hmm....
anyway...
the motogp race was pretty good. the 250 race was better than the big bikes, but shit happens. I was glad I went and watched. Good times, and a great burger. :)
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
zipper visit, plane rides
So, I took a plane ride.
It was supposed to leave from Pullman, go to Lewiston, and then on to Sea-Tac.
Pullman was too snowy, I got a call to go to Lewiston instead.
WHEEEEE
Meetings all day on Thursday and half of Friday
My new start date at Zipper is May 19
Plane ride back to Lewiston, delayed. Supposed to go to Pullman and then Lewiston.
Pullman is again too snowy, and the wind is too windy.
Down to Lewiston.
Drive on home.
I'm tired.
Goodnight.
It was supposed to leave from Pullman, go to Lewiston, and then on to Sea-Tac.
Pullman was too snowy, I got a call to go to Lewiston instead.
WHEEEEE
Meetings all day on Thursday and half of Friday
My new start date at Zipper is May 19
Plane ride back to Lewiston, delayed. Supposed to go to Pullman and then Lewiston.
Pullman is again too snowy, and the wind is too windy.
Down to Lewiston.
Drive on home.
I'm tired.
Goodnight.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Man's Greatest Tragedy
As we get better at killing, we realize that killing is not the answer.
Suddenly, we understand that by killing certain things, we are destroying a part of the earth that we rely on.
Everything is interconnected, and we cannot rely on the fact that just because we are directly negatively affected by something doesn't mean we don't need something else that relies on that thing.
One minor example: spiders and snakes. Killing them means an increase in insects and rodents.
Wolves, killing wolves means an increase in coyotes.
....philosophy...I wish I was good at it....
Suddenly, we understand that by killing certain things, we are destroying a part of the earth that we rely on.
Everything is interconnected, and we cannot rely on the fact that just because we are directly negatively affected by something doesn't mean we don't need something else that relies on that thing.
One minor example: spiders and snakes. Killing them means an increase in insects and rodents.
Wolves, killing wolves means an increase in coyotes.
....philosophy...I wish I was good at it....
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter doods!
So, it's been a year since my wreck last Easter. I've learned a lot since then, racked up another 7 000 miles, and no other wrecks. But, now I've sold the rebel to another new rider. I bought another motorcycle with the intention of fixing it up, but I've given up on that now, and I've come to terms with the fact that I will have to wait for a while before I can justify buying another bike. I'm fairly melancholy recently about motorcycles, but I have hope. I have made a lot of friends and will continue to make friends in the motorcycle community. Instead of riding on the track, I'll be working corners or hanging out in the pits instead.
I'll be back. You can bet on that. I'll be back on 2 wheels soon enough.
Until then, I've got my bicycle and my pickup, and some fishing that needs done.
Unlike last year, the weather isn't beautiful. It looks like rain, and it's chilly outside.
Sherry, I was looking forward to leading some good spring rides this year too. I was hoping that we'd be able to get out and get going. What does your ninjette need? I've got a brand new battery that I dumped into the viffer, and we could get Johnny and I over to poke at it with sticks for a while! Just give me a call, and we'll find some time to come over at it.
So, my next project:
I don't like my tool box. HHAHHA, yes I do, but I want to make it more useful. Instead of a 3 tier system, I want a 2 tier, separate-able system. I've got a roller table that is the right height for a work surface, but needs a wooden top. The smaller tool box can sit on the work surface when it's put away. The middle tier is just a cheap little thing that once correctly tightened would be sturdy for sitting still, but for rolling around is not that sturdy. So, it's going away, and I'm going to make it 2 separate pieces, and make it a work center and a tool box instead of a big standing tool chest. I think it will be better that way. Now, I just need to get some wood for it!
So, it's been a year since my wreck last Easter. I've learned a lot since then, racked up another 7 000 miles, and no other wrecks. But, now I've sold the rebel to another new rider. I bought another motorcycle with the intention of fixing it up, but I've given up on that now, and I've come to terms with the fact that I will have to wait for a while before I can justify buying another bike. I'm fairly melancholy recently about motorcycles, but I have hope. I have made a lot of friends and will continue to make friends in the motorcycle community. Instead of riding on the track, I'll be working corners or hanging out in the pits instead.
I'll be back. You can bet on that. I'll be back on 2 wheels soon enough.
Until then, I've got my bicycle and my pickup, and some fishing that needs done.
Unlike last year, the weather isn't beautiful. It looks like rain, and it's chilly outside.
Sherry, I was looking forward to leading some good spring rides this year too. I was hoping that we'd be able to get out and get going. What does your ninjette need? I've got a brand new battery that I dumped into the viffer, and we could get Johnny and I over to poke at it with sticks for a while! Just give me a call, and we'll find some time to come over at it.
So, my next project:
I don't like my tool box. HHAHHA, yes I do, but I want to make it more useful. Instead of a 3 tier system, I want a 2 tier, separate-able system. I've got a roller table that is the right height for a work surface, but needs a wooden top. The smaller tool box can sit on the work surface when it's put away. The middle tier is just a cheap little thing that once correctly tightened would be sturdy for sitting still, but for rolling around is not that sturdy. So, it's going away, and I'm going to make it 2 separate pieces, and make it a work center and a tool box instead of a big standing tool chest. I think it will be better that way. Now, I just need to get some wood for it!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
I've had it
I can't keep working on the VFR.
It's not in me to keep throwing money at a toy that I cannot use.
I can't ride it.
First, it was just put levers on, a few small parts, and change the fluids.
Then, the fork seals. Easy enough job, once I figured it out, but that was most of a weekend.
After that, getting levers that worked right was such a pain in the ass, and then making the clutch side fit took much more than it should have.
Then, the starter clutch. After the starter clutch, I found out it had no coolant.
The coolant seems to have gone away because of the leaky head gasket.
I haven't fixed the head gasket. I could do it. It's about $30 for the gasket, and I could do it in a few hours, and I've got friends who might even come and help me. Wouldn't be a big deal.
But, the carbs need to be sync'ed.
The clutch seems to be slipping.
The rear brake isn't working properly.
I need new springs in the front, because when I hit the front brakes, it bottoms out under even moderate braking.
I need new tires soon.
It just isn't worth my time or money anymore.
So, I'm parting it out. I'm going to lose money on it. I think I can lose less if I part it out. But most importantly, if I part it out, I don't have to deal with the moral burden of setting someone else on this project.
Yes, this means I'll be bikeless, as I just sold the rebel as well. It sucks. But, you live, and you learn, and then you don't buy shitty bikes anymore.
It's not all lost money. I have learned a LOT about motorcycles, wrenching, and myself. Thanks to this project, I now feel comfortable tearing into most projects. I learned about suspensions, starters, controls, and I've accumulated a good set of riding gear (boots are supposed to arrive on Monday), tools (some that I've been needing for a while), and confidence in myself.
However, I've also lost some confidence in myself. I've lost some money, not a whole lot, especially considering that the time spent at most other activities would have cost considerable money as well.
The VFR has become an extension of myself, and not being able to fix it seems as though I can't fix myself. I've seperated myself from it over the past few days, and I am finally able to say it was a mistake, and that I'm getting rid of it.
I've posted it in a few places for parting out, and I'll sell what I can, and then dump the rest on someone for parts or something.
...strangely....I want to pull the tail section and learn to do fiberglass and body work...is that strange?
Anyway, I'm also selling my boat. It's been fun, but I won't have room for it in Redmond, so it goes away. Luckily, selling the boat won't be a loss, as I got it for much less than it was worth :).
So, I'm kinda feeling down today...kinda sad. Oh well. In the end, I will be happier.
Oh, and my pickup is now paid off, and I got the title. I sold the rebel for what I owe, and I put the money in the bank, and setup the auto-payer so it will pay itself off this month! The payments I'm getting rid of (together) are less than a bike payment would be, so I *could* afford a new bike, but I'm not ready to take on another payment yet. I've got a goal that I've been meaning to meet, and at that point, I'll be able to buy a bike. Hopefully either this fall or next spring (maybe sooner if I'm good).
It's not in me to keep throwing money at a toy that I cannot use.
I can't ride it.
First, it was just put levers on, a few small parts, and change the fluids.
Then, the fork seals. Easy enough job, once I figured it out, but that was most of a weekend.
After that, getting levers that worked right was such a pain in the ass, and then making the clutch side fit took much more than it should have.
Then, the starter clutch. After the starter clutch, I found out it had no coolant.
The coolant seems to have gone away because of the leaky head gasket.
I haven't fixed the head gasket. I could do it. It's about $30 for the gasket, and I could do it in a few hours, and I've got friends who might even come and help me. Wouldn't be a big deal.
But, the carbs need to be sync'ed.
The clutch seems to be slipping.
The rear brake isn't working properly.
I need new springs in the front, because when I hit the front brakes, it bottoms out under even moderate braking.
I need new tires soon.
It just isn't worth my time or money anymore.
So, I'm parting it out. I'm going to lose money on it. I think I can lose less if I part it out. But most importantly, if I part it out, I don't have to deal with the moral burden of setting someone else on this project.
Yes, this means I'll be bikeless, as I just sold the rebel as well. It sucks. But, you live, and you learn, and then you don't buy shitty bikes anymore.
It's not all lost money. I have learned a LOT about motorcycles, wrenching, and myself. Thanks to this project, I now feel comfortable tearing into most projects. I learned about suspensions, starters, controls, and I've accumulated a good set of riding gear (boots are supposed to arrive on Monday), tools (some that I've been needing for a while), and confidence in myself.
However, I've also lost some confidence in myself. I've lost some money, not a whole lot, especially considering that the time spent at most other activities would have cost considerable money as well.
The VFR has become an extension of myself, and not being able to fix it seems as though I can't fix myself. I've seperated myself from it over the past few days, and I am finally able to say it was a mistake, and that I'm getting rid of it.
I've posted it in a few places for parting out, and I'll sell what I can, and then dump the rest on someone for parts or something.
...strangely....I want to pull the tail section and learn to do fiberglass and body work...is that strange?
Anyway, I'm also selling my boat. It's been fun, but I won't have room for it in Redmond, so it goes away. Luckily, selling the boat won't be a loss, as I got it for much less than it was worth :).
So, I'm kinda feeling down today...kinda sad. Oh well. In the end, I will be happier.
Oh, and my pickup is now paid off, and I got the title. I sold the rebel for what I owe, and I put the money in the bank, and setup the auto-payer so it will pay itself off this month! The payments I'm getting rid of (together) are less than a bike payment would be, so I *could* afford a new bike, but I'm not ready to take on another payment yet. I've got a goal that I've been meaning to meet, and at that point, I'll be able to buy a bike. Hopefully either this fall or next spring (maybe sooner if I'm good).
Thursday, March 20, 2008
haven't blogged in a looooong time
spring has come and gone.
there's a lot that i have to say, but the only thing I'm going to say right now is this:
there's a lot that i have to say, but the only thing I'm going to say right now is this:
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