Just a quick post to acknowledge I haven't been posting or online much other than for work lately. Been riding a lot, but hate to admit it's mainly been commuting/erranding and no great or epic rides to report on.
The goods:
Went over 100,000 miles ridden on a variety of bikes
Back over 12,000 miles a year
Averaging over 20 miles a day and riding most every day
The bads:
Most those miles are my 55 or so mile a day commute
Wearing the center out of tires yet again
Some miles on my best friend's bike as he can't ride and likely won't ever again.
Cancer sucks. I'll just leave that there to keep this update short and reasonably positive.
More later!
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
3-Ride Review: Harley-Davidson Heated Jacket Liner
Good afternoon, loyal reader(s)!
It's time for another one of my very sporadic 3-Ride Reviews. Today I am reviewing a Harley-Davidson heated jacket. I'm not exactly sure of the model as it is an older one given to me by a friend probably a year and a half ago. I didn't immediately put the pigtail on the battery as last winter I wasn't riding as much as I plan on this winter due to a different job.
First, a description of the jacket. It's a black lightly insulated jacket with a windbreaker like exterior and wiring throughout-the front, back and sleeves are all wired. It zips all the way up to a closed neck (good) and has light elastic cuffs and bottom. There are plenty of extra plugs for gloves and probably heated pants liners too. On the inside left is a pocket that holds the lead to the wiring harness on the bike, and it had an on/off rocker switch when my friend gave it to me. The front outside right has a plasticized H-D patch that is tasteful and I could likely get off if I really wanted to (I no longer own a Harley) and the back center has a 1x2 inch or so Harley eagle and "AN AMERICAN LEGEND" patch sewn on. I'm not sure I'll ever run this jacket without some top layer, so these patches are no big deal.
My first ride in this jacket was Sunday morning, and it was 36 in my garage, 39 per the official weather app on the phone. Jacket warmed up quickly and I could feel the welcome heat at in town speeds. About 10 minutes later I was on the freeway and cruising along for about 25 minutes at California early morning freeway speeds-so plenty of cooling wind. I was wearing an Aerostitch suit, but the top zipper is malfunctioning and opened partway through the ride. No big deal, as the liner kept up and I never was chilled. Riding home at 10 AM I plugged in the liner, so test ride 2 was at more moderate temperatures-roughly high 40s/50ish. This time I had to cycle the liner a few times, as I kept the suit sealed and the liner generated more than enough heat.
Ride three was this morning. Again, the temperature was below 40 when I left the house. I kept the suit sealed better this time, and once I got off the freeway for the last ten minutes riding to work I kept the switch off. I was only wearing a light dress shirt under the liner and could really feel the heat after about a minute, and then for the rest of the ride.
This liner is an XL, which might be one size too big for me (I'm 5'10" and 180) but also allows easy layering under and above, which might not be possible if it was a large. Considering it was a gift, I'm quite happy with the size!
Pro's-plenty of heat, easy hook up to battery then one plug, quality construction
Con's-A bit extra wiring in leads (at least the way my bike is laid out), ripstop outer construction requires outer layer
It's time for another one of my very sporadic 3-Ride Reviews. Today I am reviewing a Harley-Davidson heated jacket. I'm not exactly sure of the model as it is an older one given to me by a friend probably a year and a half ago. I didn't immediately put the pigtail on the battery as last winter I wasn't riding as much as I plan on this winter due to a different job.
First, a description of the jacket. It's a black lightly insulated jacket with a windbreaker like exterior and wiring throughout-the front, back and sleeves are all wired. It zips all the way up to a closed neck (good) and has light elastic cuffs and bottom. There are plenty of extra plugs for gloves and probably heated pants liners too. On the inside left is a pocket that holds the lead to the wiring harness on the bike, and it had an on/off rocker switch when my friend gave it to me. The front outside right has a plasticized H-D patch that is tasteful and I could likely get off if I really wanted to (I no longer own a Harley) and the back center has a 1x2 inch or so Harley eagle and "AN AMERICAN LEGEND" patch sewn on. I'm not sure I'll ever run this jacket without some top layer, so these patches are no big deal.
My first ride in this jacket was Sunday morning, and it was 36 in my garage, 39 per the official weather app on the phone. Jacket warmed up quickly and I could feel the welcome heat at in town speeds. About 10 minutes later I was on the freeway and cruising along for about 25 minutes at California early morning freeway speeds-so plenty of cooling wind. I was wearing an Aerostitch suit, but the top zipper is malfunctioning and opened partway through the ride. No big deal, as the liner kept up and I never was chilled. Riding home at 10 AM I plugged in the liner, so test ride 2 was at more moderate temperatures-roughly high 40s/50ish. This time I had to cycle the liner a few times, as I kept the suit sealed and the liner generated more than enough heat.
Ride three was this morning. Again, the temperature was below 40 when I left the house. I kept the suit sealed better this time, and once I got off the freeway for the last ten minutes riding to work I kept the switch off. I was only wearing a light dress shirt under the liner and could really feel the heat after about a minute, and then for the rest of the ride.
This liner is an XL, which might be one size too big for me (I'm 5'10" and 180) but also allows easy layering under and above, which might not be possible if it was a large. Considering it was a gift, I'm quite happy with the size!
Pro's-plenty of heat, easy hook up to battery then one plug, quality construction
Con's-A bit extra wiring in leads (at least the way my bike is laid out), ripstop outer construction requires outer layer
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Quick Post-Update on Connie Projects
Being TWO (Two Wheels Only) for seven months now and not traveling for work anymore has meant lots of miles but also lots of wear and tear on the Connies. Here's a quick update on projects, maybe I can post more specifics on what I did and why in future posts.
1986 Connie
Rolled it over 100,000 miles
Cracked the Main Fairing Bracket (again)
Stripped main fairing off and removed bracket for neighbor to re-weld (again)
Changed Front Tire
Changed Oil
Had a pinhole radiator hose leak (see 1994 Connie projects...)
Removed and re-installed hard bags and antlers
1994 Connie
Used as transportation bike for almost 1,000 miles/good shakedown
Had a friend repair tank leak
Killed two fuel filters in four days using said tank due to rust inside it/replaced fuel filter three times (lol-but wasn't funny limping a starving for fuel bike home twice in four days, including some roadside networking with a Sheriff Deputy!)
Relocated 1986 tank and bodywork and spare bodywork to make 1994 all red
Moved/removed antlers and hard bags for commuting use, then back to 1986
Re-bleed front brakes but still too soft. Replaced pads but still not gripping right
Drained radiator fluid and scavenged down pipe and hose for use on 1986
Documented brake and fork repairs needed prior to returning to full-time use
So I've been using 2.5 Connies to keep one on the road. Tomorrow I celebrate 7 months of not owning a truck or car for me and only occasionally using a family members or friends!
Keep the knees in the breeze friends!
1986 Connie
Rolled it over 100,000 miles
Cracked the Main Fairing Bracket (again)
Stripped main fairing off and removed bracket for neighbor to re-weld (again)
Changed Front Tire
Changed Oil
Had a pinhole radiator hose leak (see 1994 Connie projects...)
Removed and re-installed hard bags and antlers
1994 Connie
Used as transportation bike for almost 1,000 miles/good shakedown
Had a friend repair tank leak
Killed two fuel filters in four days using said tank due to rust inside it/replaced fuel filter three times (lol-but wasn't funny limping a starving for fuel bike home twice in four days, including some roadside networking with a Sheriff Deputy!)
Relocated 1986 tank and bodywork and spare bodywork to make 1994 all red
Moved/removed antlers and hard bags for commuting use, then back to 1986
Re-bleed front brakes but still too soft. Replaced pads but still not gripping right
Drained radiator fluid and scavenged down pipe and hose for use on 1986
Documented brake and fork repairs needed prior to returning to full-time use
So I've been using 2.5 Connies to keep one on the road. Tomorrow I celebrate 7 months of not owning a truck or car for me and only occasionally using a family members or friends!
Keep the knees in the breeze friends!
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