3 Ride Review: HJC CL-Max II Modular Helmet

I recently bought an HJC CL-Max II Modular Helmet from BikeBandit.  As you may know if you've been a longtime reader, I am an affiliate marketer for BikeBandit.  I like their wide selection, good prices, free shipping for orders over $99, and as a (mostly) local company, fast fulfillment of most orders for my friends and me here in San Diego county.  Why "mostly"?  Well some warehouses aren't in San Diego, and some parts have to be backordered and may be drop shipped from other places/manufacturers.

OK, on to what I'm going to start calling "3 Ride Reviews".  These will be reviews of new parts, modifications and accessories after just a few rides.  Not just one ride-as either excitement over a new toy or unfamiliarity could shape the review, but also not long-term, having lived with it reviews either.  I've found three or so rides are generally enough to highlight whether the purchase was a good one, future modifications needed, and pros and cons of the part.  So my first "3 Ride Review" will be on the HJC CL-Max II helmet.

This was my first modular helmet, so I went and tried a number of models and brands on.  Some shops had lower priced helmets, especially the Cycle Gear house brand Bilt.  Prices went up from there, with the HJC being on the lower end and the usual suspects being the more costly.  I tried on a Shoei helmet that really felt good, but at nearly 4x the price of the HJC and over 5x the price of the Bilt I felt it wasn't time for that expensive a helmet.  Maybe if I was doing the Iron Butt Rally this summer!  I settled on the HJC and while I often support my local shops, I also needed some maintenance parts for the Connie-too old a bike to normally have the parts at dealerships, so they would have to order them too.

The helmet and parts showed up fairly quickly-not as fast as usual for BikeBandit, but still within about a week.  I have ridden in the helmet a few times, both during the day and at night.  Here's the pros and cons.

Pro's
Value for price.  While the Bilt is less expensive and more expensive helmets are definitely made to higher standards the price point of the HJC, especially from BikeBandit or if their price is matched ($134.99 with free shipping) is a good to great price for a modern, well-made helmet.

The modular faceshield allows easy access with a chin bar-so the pluses of a half or three-quarter helmet with full face protection.

Reasonably light-This helmet feels much better on my head than previous full-face helmets (a lower priced 707 and other cheapies) and about like my 3/4 Bilt helmet.

Consistent construction-All the parts seem to be of high-quality and no one part stands out as a place HJC cut corners to knock a few dollars off the price or make a few more bucks.

Con's
Differing wind noise/buffeting-Some of this is an "attack angle" and windshield height issue.  After the first ride with lots of varying wind noise I experimented with both angle of the helmet on my head and my head in the wind and got much less noise.  When I focused on a more upright, chin up position the wind noise is definitely lower.  That said, there is still a moderate amount of wind noise where the face shield and helmet meet.

The cheek pad foam feels comfortable but kind of cheap.  This is the biggest difference other than likely the wind noise I could find between this helmet and the much higher priced Shoei.  Also due to the size of my head (big, square headed freak here) the cheek pads are pretty tight.  BTW what everyone seems to say about HJC helmets being sized .5 to 1 size too small is right-I ordered an XL and it's still kind of tight.  Of course, it will compress to match my big 'ol melon over the next few weeks so it's best to start tight.

I would definitely buy another HJC helmet based on 3 rides and anticipate this being my main helmet.  I may rig a bluetooth system to it-it has a pre-molded mounting area but this wasn't a purchase point for me.  If you have done this and can add a comment I would appreciate it!

Ride there!
Bur

Quick update-1994 Connie Restoration

It's been a while since I updated the progress on the 94 Connie restoration.  I've got the bodywork sorted out on which pieces from all the body panels are going back on the bike but still need to do more sanding and coating light scratches with resin.  I also need to patch one turn signal "cut-out" where most of them on Kawasaki Concours main fairings break.  There are some YouTube videos on how to do this so I'm going to try.  The drive train is solid from the small amount of riding I've done and the front brakes are working if not great.  I'll likely replace the old front brake pads and re-bleed before putting the bike in daily use.

Other than that I'm pretty happy with this bike and look forward to riding it for years to come.

1986 Connie back on the road

Just a quick note to update the 86 Connie electrical gremlin saga.  Turns out it was the J-box after all, so now I'm a bit concerned about the one on the 1994.  The guys at Poway Motorcycle put a new pigtail on (the automotive one for an H4 bulb works fine) but still no headlight.  So the J-box got pulled off, put on the bench and closely inspected.  Sure enough the headlight/starter relay was shot so some solder was flowed in there to restore the connection.

Good to go, rode it a bit Saturday and over-all runs great-they also smoothed out the idle and fuel mix a bit.

The light at the end of the tunnel is a fast approaching bike

Just a quick update on the ongoing saga of the electrical gremlins on the 86 Connie Miss Swail:

Headlight "whip" had some bad solders in it.  Don't know if they were originals or previous owner repairs but the best solution is to graft on a new one.  Probably coming off the huge bins of "donor-cycles" Bill and Bud at Poway Motorcycle have in the side storage unit by the shop.

As they troubleshot the bike, they found a huge voltage drop in the ignition circuit.  They knew to look for this as the bike had been starting slowly and they've seen this over the years as the Kawasaki's they work on age.  The fix it putting a relay in and bypassing the failing parts or something along those lines.

All told, the parts and extra labor don't add that much more to the bill, and compared to getting stranded somewhere with a 700 pound bike (tough to push up into a truck-AMHIK) and it will be money well spent, even if I only ride this bike another 4K miles to 100K and then start parting it out on the Connie forum.  I should get it back today or tomorrow, put some miles on it and continue restoring the 1994 as its replacement.

The "joy" of old bikes

Keeping nearly 30 year old bikes on the road takes a mix of ingenuity, patience, spare parts, and sometimes frustration.

I moved parts back over to the 86 Connie last night to get it ready to take to the pros at Poway Motorcycle the local independent shop that works on older bikes.  One of the guys there used to ride the Ninja 1000s Connies were made out of, helped pioneer stick coils and is a flat out wizard.  So I got everything together, turned the key, cracked the throttle and NOTHING.  Grrrr.  Check everything, tighten battery terminals (but idiot lights and running lights were already bright).  Try again.  NOTHING.  Hmm, old battery with fresh distilled water in it, but just in case....get battery out of running C10, switch them out, try three.  NOTHING.  Bike is in neutral, but just in case, let's pull in the clutch lever this time.  Slow turning over sounds, no fuel pickup.  OK, different problem but had it before-carb bowls likely dried out while the bike sat for a month.  Pull everything out of air box, few squirts of starting fluid.  Bangy bangy motorcycle noises.

Well, it wasn't that good.  This morning I come back from some early morning Bible Study and meetings to run the bike to the shop.  Bike barely wants to run, even after more starting fluid.  So I spray in some carb cleaner too and it still wants to cough and die.  Repeat.  Repeat again.  Alternate starting fluid and carb cleaner, finally get bike to respond to throttle.  Still won't start with clutch lever out, so that switch is likely dead and I'll be looking for a scavenged one in my parts pile tonight.

Good thing some mechanical therapy and frustration is a good change of pace from my normal work frustration, or this would drive me nuts!

Upcoming posts

OK, not much to this post, just a preview of some topics I want to cover this week:

Concours C-10 Bodywork project update
Further restoration of the 1994 Concours including tank lock and leak repairs
Troubleshooting of the 1986 Concours electrical problem by the pros at Poway Motorcycle
Hopefully some riding!

So stay in tune if you are looking for Concours info as I'm probably not doing any work on the Honda chopper project until December.

Mechanical fellowship, another front tire change-out and musings

Last weekend, my best friend and his wife (fellow CMA'ers) ordered a new front tire and inner tube from my affiliate BikeBandit store.  Her 2004 Harley-Davidson 1200C Sportster tire was getting pretty worn down.  She's a good rider, pushing the bike through the twisties safely and with skill.  So we needed to get the tire and tube and get them mounted before this weekend.  As usual, BikeBandit rapidly shipped the tire and the tube, both of them getting to my house within a few days even with the "Free shipping with $99 or more purchase" offer.  Gotta love quick delivery for free!


Due to some weather (yep, in SOCAL) and their church having Thursday night services, we put off the project until this afternoon.  Having just changed out my Concours front tire as posted here, I was confident we could knock this out pretty easily.  Two other confidence building factors were also part of my thinking.  First, my buddy is the better mechanic of the two of us-often he works on my bikes in my garage while I mainly hand him tools.  Plus, the pros at Poway Motorcycle knew we were coming and said they could mount the new tire and balance the wheel while we waited.


So he rides in, we get to work and before long we have an old, smooth tire and 21 inch spoked Harley wheel off the bike.  Here's the short list of what to do and sort of the order we did it in:


Remove axle and axle bolt trim covers
Loosen fork clamp bolt (need an allen key and I think a 5/8ths box end wrench)
Remove one set of fender bolts (again allen key and 1/2 inch box wrench)  I left one bolt in the fender just slightly pulled out to ensure it didn't move around much)
Remove brake caliper bolts and swing caliper off rotor, pad and secure in place.  10mm 12 spline bolts-yeah, suck it up and buy a special socket set.
Loosen axle nut-3/4 inch nut, put something stout in hole in axle on opposite side


Jack up Sportster and remove axle.  Done.  Of note, this Sportster's pipes run above the frame rails, which is a big improvement from my Sportster.  Makes jacking the bike up much easier!  We took the wheel to the shop, they mounted the new tire with the new tube and we re-installed everything.  With two sets of hands vice trying to do this solo, and only one brake caliper to re-install, it was almost quicker to put it back on as it was to take the wheel off.


Oh, did I mention a customer has a SWEET Kawasaki Concours he wants to get running to sell?  Oh brother.


Have a great weekend riding and wrenching!

One project done but more keep piling up

Yesterday I got the front wheel and new tire back from Poway Motorcycle and mounted them on the Concours.  This motorcycle maintenance project is not that hard, and all of it except the actual mounting of the wheel to the bike/lining up the axle is easily done by one person.  Actually it's probably best done by one person, but lining up the axle and getting it through forks, collar, wheel, speedo drive and other fork took some doing.  But I've got a brand new tire from BikeBandit on the bike.  This one will probably take me through to 100K.


Yesterday and today the new front tire and inner tube for my friend's 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200C arrived, so we're going to pull that front wheel off the bike, run it to Poway Motorcycles to have the new tire put on (with a tube ready to go, just in case) and then remount it.  Should be a straightforward project, but one interesting difference is the star-headed bolts holding the brake caliper on the bike.  Not sure I have a wrench or socket that fits those.


I also still need to bleed the front brakes on the 1994 Connie, then re-mount the front fairing stay, accessories and front fairing to optest the bike.  One at a time....

New motorcycle maintenance videos coming soon

I just found two motorcycle maintenance videos on my tablet.  A few months ago I removed the front forks from my 1999 Harley-Davidson Sportser, took them to an independent shop and had the seals replaced.  I re-installed them, tightened everything up, and front fork is good as new.  I did the work back in October of 2013 and shot two short videos of the removal.  I even blogged a little bit about the fork seal replacement project, but never posted the videos to YouTube.  Since my YouTube channel is taking on a definite motorcycle maintenance theme, with both Sportster maintenance and Kawasaki Concours maintenance videos making up the majority of the uploads, I'll add these two videos as well.  Both are fairly short-one isn't even a minute long.

I don't go step-by-step into how to remove your front forks, but show enough that someone with basic skills and either the shop manual or a Clymer manual should be all over the job.  It was very easy-I was able to do the front fork removal project quickly on my floor lift but left the fork seal replacement to an independent shop I have used in the past.  He's a real pro and between not wanting to hassle with the forks at that time and give him some business it was a no brainer to take the forks and new seals to him.  He was able to squeeze the project in between some major work he had on the lifts.  The fork seals were really boogered up-if not the originals they were pretty close to that age.

In the second video I also disclose the true goal of any motorcycle maintenance project.  How's that for a teaser?  Hopefully my WiFi will speed up today and I can get them uploaded as both are 50MB and a 9MB e-mail attachment is in limbo.

Ride far!

Independent shop review: Liberty Cycles, Hinesville GA

My travels recently took me through Hinesville GA.  Right across the street from my hotel was a small Polaris dealership and custom/service motorcycle shop.  So for the first time in too long, I was able to visit a new-to-me indy shop, and this one fit the bill totally.  Original owner, long-time service tech, and blister-pack parts that have likely been on the walls since shortly after the shop opened.

Ken, the owner, was willing to chat, so we discussed a few different topics.  As a Polaris dealer for nearly 20 years, Ken was able to confirm some things I have learned researching Polaris as a company since they have re-introduced Indian Motorcycles.  Since he only sells Polaris quads, not motorcycles or snowmobiles/snowmachines (remember I was in Hinesville GA) he had a different perspective from the dealers I spoke with at the International Motorcycle Show or multi-line dealers in Southern California.  Ken told how he became a Polaris dealer.  Back in Desert Storm when many of the soldiers from the nearby base deployed, his maintenance, repair and customization business nearly collapsed.  A hunter from the nearby area brought his Polaris quad by for repair, and Ken and his service tech at the time noticed the quality of the vehicle and ease of repair compared to other quads.  He contacted Polaris, and over the next few years became a dealer.  Over 20 years, he has built a well-balanced business balancing service and accessory sales with Polaris quad sales.  I didn't get to ride any of the quads, but Liberty Cycles has a good selection of good looking vehicles.  Of not, I want to give them credit for an outstanding deal-if you bring your wheel in and the replacement tire, they will mount and balance the new tire for $20!  If you are anywhere near here, stop by and say "hello".  While I haven't used them, I'd bet you could get some motorcycle maintenance completed in a timely and cost-effective manner.  Hope I can throw some business their way.

Well, that's all for tonight-ride safe!

Another bike for sale: 2006 Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster-almost no miles-$4500

While I was picking up my fork tubes from my independent custom shop, the owner showed me a nearly new 2006 Sportster they are selling.

The Goods:
4000 miles on it (what da?  that's a few months riding out of 7 years!)
Custom mini-apes
Flawless paint
Buying from a certified H-D mechanic, so I'm sure it will get a once over if you ask

The Bads:
Bone stock other than bars 883, so it's got the smaller motor
Unknown if mileage was all at once and it's been sitting (shop may know)
Price at higher end, but again super-low miles.

No pic, but if you google 2006 Sportster and see a black one, that's about what you're looking at for this bike if you add 10" ape hangers.

PM or comment if interested.

Dumb story to tell on myself

I'm about to pull the forks off my Sportster and take them to an indy mechanic to replace the oil seals as I just don't have the time and inclination to replace them.  I probably could do the job and enjoy doing it if I had more time and a bit more organization in Millie's Garage by now but don't so throwing the "Yuppie RUB toolkit" down on the counter (i.e. a charge card) and getting the work done.

Well, the stupid comes into play as I've been concerned on getting the fork legs back on the bike in the right sides.  So I've been thinking I should use a grease pencil and put a small L and R on the backside of the bottom tubes, right?  Or maybe right where they slide out of the clamps.  So I walk out to the bike to check out what will have to be removed (fork brace, brake piston, relocated turn signals) and spot the big base sticker that has always been on the left fork leg.  Always on the left side of every bike I've ever owned.

Yeah, it's good to be tough if your stupid.

Mechanical Fellowship, a good indy shop, and a ride tomorrow

After a few false starts, I was able to link up with a friend to do some motorcycle maintenance on his Kawasaki Vulcan 900.  He recently had replaced his rear brake pads, but noticed his rotor was wearing unevenly and the tire was getting fairly square and worn.  Much like I used to, this friend mainly commutes on his bike, so the profile of his rear tire gets pretty bad-it looked almost like a car tire!

So a few days ago he dropped off the tire and the replacement rotor driving home from work.  This morning he rides the bike down and as it cools we prep a bit.  Turns out the wrenches I've got and the condition of his rear axle meant we weren't going to get anywhere, so we loaded up the parts in the o-fish-ul Millie's Garage Shop Truck, he suited up and headed down to the Miramar Auto Hobby Shop.  Checked in, got tools and put the bike on the lift.

Let me tell you something-impact wrenches are awesome!  One quick pop and the axle was loose.  A few minutes later axle, two spacers and rear brake are out and a short wrestling match with the rear wheel and belt and the rear wheel is off the bike.  Remembering the nightmare getting some Sportster brake rotor  bolts loose, we get the allen drivers and a large socket wrench.....Wow, 4 come out really easily, but of course one....strips out almost immediately.  GREAT......

Since my friend didn't buy a new inner tube, I recommend seeing what condition the old tube is in before we go bolt shopping.  Turns out the tube is in good shape, but the stem is corroding and starting to delaminate a bit.  So we now have a shopping list.

We head out, and the first shop, Fun Bike Center, has an inner tube but no rotor bolts for sale.  Halfway there.  Off to Cycle Gear, but they would have to order a kit.  Strike two and time to let our fingers do the walking as the old ads used to say.  My buddy calls a couple of shops, and Lee's Cycle Service says they likely have a bolt that will work.  So we head over there, and not only do they have the bolt, they pre-coat it in red loctite and send us on our way.  Back to the Auto Hobby Shop, Mike helps us get the tire mounted (after we fought with the new inner tube), mount the new rotor with 4 old and one new (Thanks again, Lee's) rotor bolts.  Having done a few rear tire changes now, I use a few tricks I've learned, Ed uses one he knows and boom, we have an operating motorcycle again.  Check off another successful weekend of motorcycle maintenance!

OK, so about the ride:  At Lee's Cycle Service the service rep mentioned a ride tomorrow starting at the shop that ends at Dave and Buster's to watch the Laguna Seca Moto GP race.  Registration/Continental Breakfast at 1000, KSU 1100, raffle tickets instead of cards at stops, then to D&Bs to watch the race.  I won't make the start of the ride due to church, but may try to get down to watch the race.  I think it's sponsored by DOWNAZ RIDAZ, a sportbike club I've seen at some bike nights and would like to support a sportbike event.

How to buy your first motorcycle, part three

So now the fun part (well, the first fun part) begins!

It's time to go shopping for your first motorcycle.  I have to admit, shopping for motorcycles, gear and parts/accessories is one of the few kinds of shopping I like to do!  Hopefully you've talked to some friends about their bikes, looked at a few (or alot) of bikes, and decided what general type of bike you want for your first motorcycle.  So now it's time to find that motorcycle that speaks to you.

I recommend two ways to shop for your bike.  Both of them work, and have satisfactory results depending on your personality and other purchasing habits.

First, you can go to dealerships and shop for models that you like.  Most larger towns have a multi-make dealership that sells a variety of imported makes, aka "metric bikes" and other dealerships that specialize in one make.  A Harley-Davidson dealership is likely nearby if you are considering a Harley as your first cruiser.  Most dealerships will allow you to look around, sit on bikes and talk with them to find out features, costs and pro's and con's of the bike you are considering.  They will likely have a variety of sizes in most styles, and probably have a few used bikes or bikes on consignment.  Because their reputation among motorcyclists depends on the product and service they sell, you should find well-maintained, clean bikes on the showroom floor, a trained service staff, and quality accessories (if maybe a little pricey) at the dealership as you shop for your first motorcycle.  You also will find a financing office (more on that in another post).  Some dealerships offer deals on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation New Riders course, which I highly recommend taking, or offer their own new rider school.  Buying from a dealer is one good option for buying your first motorcycle.

The second option is buying your first bike from a private party, either a friend or via want ads or the nearly ubiquitous Craigslist.  You can even buy a motorcycle off of eBay, but I wouldn't recommend doing so for your first bike.  If you go this route the bike may not be as clean and well-maintained as at a dealership, but could also be in outstanding condition.  If you don't know much about motorcycles or other mechanical things, if you go this route having a friend who has a motorcycle go with you to look at the bike is a good idea.  The advantage of buying from a private party is that you will likely pay less, and depending on why they are selling, possibly make another riding friend.  Many used bikes are sold because the previous owner is moving "up", has too many bikes (NEVER, lol!) or just wants a different bike.  Some sellers won't be interested in teaching you much about motorcycling, and their attitude may tip you off that the bike isn't that great.  Buying a friend's starter bike can be a good deal, especially if they are a safe rider and have an interest in you becoming a safe motorcyclist on their/your first motorcycle.

Have fun, and remember, don't give in to peer pressure and get the bike that speaks to you.  While you most likely won't own it more than a year or two, it will always have special memories as your first motorcycle!

Picking out your first motorcycle

Today I'd like to talk about how to pick out your first motorcycle.  I've often felt that shopping for a motorcycle is also a lot of fun.  Not quite as fun as riding, but learning about motorcycles, visiting shops and looking at all the different bikes, and even sitting on a few is enjoyable.

It can also be very intimidating to buy your first motorcycle!  Many different models, expense, peer pressure, confidence in your ability to ride a motorcycle safely-all come into play.  So let me share a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for that first motorcycle.

First, understand while you will remember this bike forever, you won't own it forever!  Sure you can expect to spend anywhere from $1000 up to way more than you should for a first motorcycle (many bikes are over $10,000 now-a-days, with some approaching $25,000 or more), but that doesn't mean you have to own it for years and years unless you really like it.  You need to buy a bike you like and will be proud to ride, but don't think it has to be "the perfect bike" or even the dream bike. 

Second, watch out for peer pressure.  Your friends might all ride Kawahayazukida-Vicson's with tricked out chrome unobtanium after-market parts, and you may soon too, but right now you need a serviceable, safe motorcycle to get riding.  Later you can build the best bike in your ride group/club and win the Bike Night parking lot show, but that isn't what you are going after if you buy your first motorcycle right.  A "old school" Harley dealer once told me, "You want to learn how to wrench, buy this classic Ironhead Sportster.  You want to learn how to ride, buy a basic cruiser and ride it as much as possible for a year or two".  Great advice-even when it cost him a few thousand dollars when I walked away from buying a bike that needed lots of work.  Stylish and cool?  Oh yeah, but I wouldn't have ridden for months getting that "cool" ride back on the road.

However, the corrollary is also true-ask as many riding friends about their bike and why they have that style as you can.  First, they will like talking about motorcycles with you.  Also, that old-timer on the Gold Wing, Harley full dresser, or BMW super-sport tourer once started out just like you.  I just recently met a rider with 70,000 miles on a Hayabusa!  He knows exactly what that bike is capable of, but likely rode many a smaller sportbike before accomplishing a rare high mileage feat, and was easy to talk bikes with.  Some of us own multiple bikes of different styles, or have owned them, and can help you figure out if a standard, a cruiser, or a sport bike is best for you.

So what are those differences?  A "standard" bike, while not as common as they were, is your basic motorycle meant for transportation and general riding.  Once known as the "ubiquitous Japanese motorcycle" or UJM, these bikes had basic styling and parts, generally 750cc engines or smaller, and few accessories from the factory.  Many were customized for utility-the style for many years was to "acquire" a milk crate and strap it to the passenger seat or rack!  Kind of a reverse cool factor and quite functional.  Cruiser bikes are one of the two prevalent styles now and have generally replaced standards as the basic bike.  The seat is normally lower to the ground than other bikes, the feet are forward or just under the rider's knees, and the handlebars are higher than most other styles.  There is little bodywork, usually just fenders, a gas tank and maybe small side covers.  Windscreens can be added as can saddlebags, which can be handy and look better than a milk crate!  Sport bikes are the third general category to consider when buying your first motorycle.  These are the faired, "racing" bikes.  Handlebars are generally low (directly attached to the fork tubes in most cases), there is a small windscreen, and the rider is crouched over the bike as much as sitting on it.

All of these styles come in many sizes, and leads to the last piece of advice for today:  Don't buy too big a bike for your first motorcycle!  Re-read the paragraph above where I say you won't own this bike forever.  Even a 300cc sportbike (the smallest Ninja for example) and the basic cruisers (like the V-Star 250) are capable motorcycles and can do all legal speeds where a novice rider should be riding, including the freeway.   OK, if you weigh 225 pounds, and are going to put camping gear all over the bike, maybe not, but you probably figured that out already!  That also brings up safe loading and gross vehicle weight ratings, which really isn't the topic today anyway.

So think that through, and later we'll discuss shopping for this much-desired first motorcycle. 

Independent shop: Classic Iron Motorcycles Fredericksburg VA

Last week I visited Classic Iron in F'burg VA.  While the shop has been around for 25 years, they have been on Route 1 for about 1 year.  The shop is located in an old autu auction building, and one of the lanes is still in place, which is a neat extra when visiting Classic Iron. They specialize in used bikes, service and accessories.  When i visited all the salesmen had stepped out briefly, but I was met by the sevce manager and a young tech, both of whom were friendly and helpful.  The variety of mtorcycles on the floor was amazing.  Both metric cruisers and Harley-Davidsons were plentiful, but the younger tech said it was even more packed before the riding season!  Everything from small commuter cruisers to a handful of Honda 1300 VTXs, Sportsters to baggers and three FLHP police bikes and one lonely V-Rod were available.  Prices seem pretty good, but I don't know exactly what this market is like.

My impression based on my conversations with the service manager is he won't try to talk you into unnecessary work and he's a straight shooter.  He gave me some insights into Sportster suspension mods knowing he won't see any profit from my bike.

Over-all I enjoyed my trip to Classic Iron Motorcycles and look forward to visiting them my next trip to Fredericksburg.

Free Cycle Gear Gift card

Today's e-mail offer came to me from Cycle Gear.  Until March 18th, if you spend $150 or more online and use the code "GearGift" you can get a free gift card.

Spend $150 and get a $20 gear card
Spend $300 and get a $40 gear card

I don't need any accessories, tires or maintenance parts right now (need some repair ones...) but this is a pretty good offer-basically 10% or more "rebate" on top of the usually good prices and discounts at Cycle Gear.  Here's a link to the website: Cycle Gear and the offer applies to online purchase only.

If you try this and it works for you, please post a comment to let us know!

BikeBandit.com e-mail for today

I know I don't post these every day, but here are some pretty good offers from BikeBandit.com, a local San Diego online parts place.  I like them-usually a pretty good selection, fast service, and fair pricing to allow us to get parts but also for them to stay in business.

Matter of fact, one time I used the online chat and called them, as I needed a part quickly and knew they were in San Diego.  Despite riding by their location on my daily commute back then, they said they can't sell to "walk-ups" but not to worry.  Sure enough, the part arrived the next day at the standard shipping and handling rate.  Top customer service in my book.

Better stop, or they might think I am buttering them up for when I apply to be an affiliate marketing site!  :-P

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Info on Cycle Gear San Diego Bike Night (BN#1) for tonight

Here's the flyer I was emailed for tonight's Cycle Gear event, and you could win a set of Dunlop motorycle tires!  I saw a time at last: 6-9 PM, so it does start earlier than Mira Mesa Bike Night.  Now if the rain will go away like Kim King, Chrissy Russo, Abrams and Bettes on The Weather Channel and everyone else keeps saying it will.....

EDIT 3/2/12:  Didn't make it, was under the weather (figuritively-it finally cleared up weather wise).  Anyone go and care to comment?

Trip to Norfolk VA without stopping by Diva's Customs

A couple of years ago while in Norfolk/Little Creek VA for work, I was driving along and saw one of my favorite sites: an independent bike shop!  Quick check of my available time, an even quicker check of traffic, a probably less than perfectly legal u-turn, and I was soon walking in to Diva's Customs. (link here).

I saw three or four cool custom bikes and looked around.  Who I believe was Jason was working on a bike, so after a short greeting, he went back to work.  Soon, Tami, aka Diva, showed up and we had a nice chat.  I bought a few things and was given a couple of stickers, and was on my way.

Fast forward two years, and a few months ago I was back in Norfolk and realized I was pretty near Diva's Customs, so decided to stop back in.  Sure enough, I walk in, recognize Tami, but this time her bike was on the floor (plus a sweet Shovel I wish I could afford and have ridden back to San Diego) so we talked Sportsters for a little while.  Note: her's is likely faster than mine, and has lots more chrome.  NICE BIKE!  As we talked, she mentioned that she was shutting Diva Custom's down, and moving to Charleston SC where Jason will likely re-open Jason's Garage but she doesn't know if she'll sell accessories on-line, or a small amount through his shop.  I bought a few things at her clearance prices, and got new stickers for my garage.  One t-shirt was a cool "Support your local Independent Shop" with Jason's small logo on the back.

Since they are in the middle of moving, I didn't stop by this week, and will miss catching up on future visits to Norfolk with Tami/Diva and Jason.  As they likely heard often in Norfolk: "Fair Winds and Following Seas" and keep the shiny side up!