Gotta be more consistent with some posts cause I am riding and wrenching!

Wow, been far too long although I have been riding and wrenching. Summer was up and down, with great family events but also the death from brain cancer of my best friend and main riding buddy.  I'll post more on that later, and on "working on his bike in my garage" instead of working on my bikes with him in my garage, something we used to do a lot.

So to get a new post up, here's a link to BikeBandit's side by side review of the new Milwaukee Eight and the current model Twin Cam.  It was run out of Sweetwater Harley-Davidson, one of our local H-D shops and the successor of South Coast Harley, a cool shop I visited as I first considered motorcycling.  Enjoy the review!

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

It's been over a month....

Wow, just realized I haven't blogged in a month!  But I just got a new HJC helmet, so I'll post a "2 Ride Review" later tonight or tomorrow.  Sorry for the break.

BikeBandit Cyber Monday Deals Continuing until Midnight Tuesday (TODAY!)

Just a quick update to say that Bike Bandit has extended their cyber Monday deals until midnight on Tuesday/today.  They are also offering free shipping for orders of $50 or more instead of $99.

So follow one of the banner ads and get some great goodies with free shipping!

Winter Riding in California and the Start of BikeBandit sales

Yep, it's that time of year again.  Winter riding.  After suffering through the hot dry summers out here that last until late October-it's routinely 85 plus degrees on Halloween, it's "winter".  Or at least the calendar says so.

So your intrepid blogger soldiers on-riding year round and dealing with the brutal hardship of winter riding.  Getting on the bike before sun-up requires layers upon layers of clothing, no exposed skin and extra time to ensure the cold battery starts up the nearly 30 year old 1986 Kawasaki Concours, AKA Connie AKA C10 AKA Miss Swail.  Off I ride into the brightening sunlight, cold air finding every bit of exposed flesh and tearing through my jeans.  Hey, it's probably below 50!  C'mon this is brutal.

Then it gets even worse as the sun gets up and by mid-morning it's warming up through the sixties.  Now what do I do with all these layers?  Fortunately I'm running the sidebags on the Connie so they both fill up with gear and extra clothes.  I'll probably make it home before sunset, so I'll probably ride home in my long sleeve shirt and leave the jacket rolled up in a side bag.  Yep, it's tough riding in the winter!

All sarcasm aside, it is pretty odd reading about folks taking their "last ride for the winter" and elaborate winterizing procedures.  The forums light up with arguments about putting the tires on plywood, cardboard or how often to roll the bike a quarter wheel diameter.  Battery in or out?  Oil change before AND after storage, or just before?  All the while I'm thinking "Just ride it" but then I watch Buffalo get 7 feet of snow (YIKES!) and realize how good I've got it.

So do you need more layers of gear, motorcycling maintenance supplies like I do because you're  riding more due to time off, or winterizing oils and tools?  No matter what, it's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales time, and BikeBandit.com is having all kinds of sales starting today.  So click on a banner, get anywhere from a 36-90% discount, and get what you need delivered to your door!  No need to brave the snow and ice, or crazy commuters-have the parts sent to you.  I wonder if they sell tire stud kits? :-)

The Return of the BikeBandit.com Daily Deal and a chance to win a $5,000 Alpinestars shopping spree

Yeah, while  the Daily Deal might have gotten your attention the chance to win big bucks probably grabbed you!

First, here's today's Daily Deal:  An Arctiva Comp 7 RR Shell Jacket at an up to 52% off!  As a closeout item, limited sizes and colors are available, so hurry on over to BikeBandit.com and check out your favorite and get one while they last.  At the time of this post, only large sizes in black remain at $109.95-a good saving and this qualifies for free shipping.  Lots of sizes remain in blue with red trim and the high-vis orange jacket, and both these colors are priced at over 1/2 off at $79.95.  Throw in an oil filter, some other accessories and get over the threshold for free shipping and you get a great deal!

Ok, now for the details on the Alpinestars contest.  Buy $100 of Alpinestars products before shipping and tax (hmm, I bet most qualifying purchases might also qualify for free shipping!) and you are automatically entered.  So whether you need new boots for desert and dirt season, a new jacket for cool weather riding, replacement sliders and buckles, or just some cool Alpinestars swag, click on any of the BikeBandit.com links or banners on this blog, do some shopping, and you could win a $5,000 shopping spree!  Just imagine how much more cool Alpinestars gear you could have for yourself, your friends, and yes, your faithful blogger!

Ride it like you stole it-unless you stole it, then give it back and buy your own bike!

You might be a motorcyclists if....

I rode my 86 Connie to the Starbucks nearest my house this morning to work.  I work at Starbucks some days but not for Starbucks, like many people do.  So when I finished up and was about to ride home to check for some mail, see who needed lunch and just generally take a break I decided to take advantage of another beautiful Southern California fall day.  Yep, nearly perfect weather, so instead of riding the 1.1 miles or so to the house I took my quick loop.  Out of Poway on Scripps-Poway Parkway, up 67 north to Poway Road, down the twisty portion of Poway grade then back around to the house.  Only about a 13 mile detour and especially nice today.  Air was crystal clear, I was the "lead vehicle" down Poway grade (yes!) and got to see the whole family at the house before lunch.

Two quick updates:

It's always going to be something keeping the 1986 on the road to 100K!  Now that the electrical gremlins have been found and chased off, the old petcock seems to be seeping a small amount of fuel.  Gonna fix that tonight-I've got a few extra petcocks sitting around and am low enough on gas that tilting the tank should allow me to fix it without too much mess.

The BikeBandit Daily Deal page seems to not be updating, but numerous sales continue on the site, especially helmets.  Follow a banner ad from this blog and I get a small cut as an affiliate marketer, and a portion of that will go to Movember.  Thanks!

The latest BikeBandit Daily Deal-now with live link!

Yesterday I posted about the BikeBandit.com Daily Deal, but hadn't figured out how to link to the actual deal in the post.  But never fear-I am being drug (dragged?) kicking and screaming into modernity, and think this should work now.  Here's the link to the Daily Deal and today it's also a helmet deal.

It is the Icon Airframe Carbon RR helmet at 28% off, total price with free shipping $280.  Sizes are limited with blue, red and pink helmets (actually trim, the helmet is mainly carbon grey but looks cool) available.

It's going to be a beautiful day-hope you get some riding in!

Today's BikeBandit.com Daily Deal is a scorching good one on an Icon Airmada SB1 Helmet

As I often promote, I'm an affiliate marketer for BikeBandit.com.  Well, here's a daily deal I have to promote!

They are selling Icon Airmada helmets in a variety of colors for $112.50, which also qualifies you for free shipping.  What a bargain!  This is 41% off their already good pricing and much lower than most other internet prices.

If you are needing a new helmet, or are thinking about an early Christmas present (say a red or blue large for the author of the motorcycle blog you are currently reading...hint, hint) you should snap this up.

Offer ends at 11:59PM PST today (11/6/2014).  Click on one of the Bike Bandit links on this blog if you could-I get a small percentage of sales tracked through this site, and you still get the Daily Deal pricing.  We both win.  Thanks, and ride safely.

BikeBandit Daily Deals and Tires and Tubes on SALE!

Just a quick post, as I saw a great Daily Deals e-mail from BikeBandit this morning.  The latest street riding gear is on sale-some up to 43% off.    The specific Daily Deal is a Scorpion EXO 500 helmet for only $139.95 with free shipping, like all BikeBandit orders over $99.

Also they are running great deals on tires and tubes, so if you need some new tires for late fall and winter riding, or new tubes and tires for your dirt and dessert tires now that those seasons are upon us, click on one of my links to visit BikeBandit, check out the deals, and help out my affiliate marketing program with them.  You can also pick up shop tools for your garage and parts needed for that next round of motorcycle maintenance you know you're going to have to do sometime soon.

Have a great weekend with family, friends and riding!  I know I am.

Quick update related to yesterday's post and time to do some BikeBandit shopping

Yesterday I FINALLY got back in the wind and it had probably been over a month since I have ridden.  I sold my Sportster earlier this year, had the 1994 Connie apart for restoration, and then lost the headlight on the 86 Connie.  So I started troubleshooting the 86 but couldn't solve the problem quickly, as I detailed in earlier posts about electrical gremlins.  I was going to scavenge parts from the 94, but that didn't work either.  Short on time and traveling for work, I began using my truck.  One week turned into two, into more work travel and next thing I know I hadn't ridden in far too long.  Monday my truck decided to also not run right (it's old, carbs still aren't quite set-up right, blah blah blah) and I had to get something else on the road.

So I did, and riding yesterday was great!  Sure some of it was riding in evening rush hour traffic, but at least I was on a bike!  Being in California, I also could "filter" or lane-split/share, a huge benefit both time and sanity wise.  Having not ridden I am adding a few extra miles to rides even.

With all that said, I realized I haven't changed the oil in "Belle" the 94 since I bought her in February and have no idea how long the oil was in the bike before that.  I need a filter and some parts for the CB 750 project bike, so I'll be on BikeBandit later today getting some motorcycle maintenance supplies.  I'm looking to do a Concours oil change, re-assemble the Honda CB750 as a rolling chassis at a minimum.  Depending on time and having another strong back to help I may even re-install the engine.  But I also want to ride!

Keep it dirty side down-or if you run rat bikes or beater-style, dirty side up and down!

First ride in a month and upcoming motorcycle maintenance projects

I have been traveling for work almost every day for the past four weeks, and the one afternoon I was home was one of the rare Southern California rainy days.  So for nearly 30 days I hadn't ridden.  I had visited a Polaris shop, talked bikes with a few of our students and even received some replacement parts for the new-to-me 1994 Kawasaki Concours.  But I hadn't ridden.  Yesterday I pumped up the older Connie's tires, checked the fluids, rolled her out of the garage and tried to fire her up.  True to form she was a little hard to start, but since it's nearly summertime tempuratures here already she fired up on the third try and soon was idling nicely.  I let the Connie warm up a little bit longer than usual and was off.  The improvised bracket my buddy Glen and I made is holding up nicely-I'll probably pull it off when I move the tank to the 94 Connie for test rides and plasti-coat it, but for now that motorcycle repair worked well.  I rode on a few errands and took the long way home to my short twisty road "run" I do just to get some non-highway miles in as well.  I rode about 50 miles which was a good break-in ride after that much time off.

I've got a number of projects-both motorcycle maintenance and motorcycle repair-awaiting me.  The replacement parts I bought off of the Concours forum (a great resource for Connie owners) have been sitting in the garage.  I opened the box tonight and the front brake system looks great at first glance.  The centerstand is in much better shape than the one on the '94 Connie but not a priority.  If you've ever put a full-size sport-tourer on a centerstand you'll know why!  I'll likely do that project as "mechanical fellowship" with Glen.

The next project will be a new front tire for the old Connie.  The parts are on order from BikeBandit and should be here by the time we're ready to do the project.  My local indy shop where I have tires mounted and balanced isn't open tomorrow, so that motorcycle maintenance project is awaiting both the tire and the shop being open.  No rush as the current front probably has 500 miles plus left on it and I won't get to ride that much until this weekend at the earliest.

Other repairs need to be done to the bodywork on the older Connie, but that can wait.  I also need to service the Harley Sportster's K&N air filter, but the bike is out on loan right now for a friend who is rebuilding his bike's clutch.  I am in no rush to get it back what with these projects and also getting some riding in!

I'll post some pics and maybe a video or two to my YouTube channel, where there are a few motorcycle maintenance videos already.  And the Joe Namath/C.C. Ryder sandwich intro scene from C.C. and Company, probably my favorite biker exploitation movie!  Check it out if you get a chance.

BikeBandit "Best of/Worst of the Season" Sale going on NOW!

In what might be a first that I've noticed, BikeBandit is having not on a "Best of" sale, but also having a "Worst of the Season Sale"!  Some of the items are downright scary-the 3-ring binder is pretty expensive-but I haven't bought fancy school supplies in a long time.

So here's the deal:  I'm an affiliate marketer with BikeBandit via Commission Junction, so if you click one of the links on this page, I'll get a commission based on your purchase.  You can take advantage of the BikeBandit sale (and as always, free shipping for orders over $99) whether you want some motorcycle gear, accessories, or motorcycle maintenance tools, parts or supplies.

We both win!  You don't even have to buy me a Ben Spies Bobblehead as a thank you!

Quick post and preview of upcoming attractions

Just a quick note to keep posting.  Had a good "mileage run" ride today to start testing and prepping for an IronButt ride later this year.  Was able to get a 50 mile up and back run on I-15 in just under 50 minutes, including some in-town riding.  So factoring in gas and food stops equating to the in-town legs, this is doable once I get in long-distance riding shape.  I'm guessing core strength, optimally fitted gear, and a few chiropractor visits are in order.

Ok, coming attractions:

Feature articles on riders-both some guys and some female riders pushing the boundaries back.  This is both to give props to these ladies-one a racer, one a group organizer, and one a MSF instructor (hopefully) as they are using their skills and personalities to make riding better for all of us.

Also, I'm going to migrate a devotional I used to send out via e-mail to it's own blog.  Some of you may have received it in the past.  It's called "Thursday Thoughts" and today may be the first post.  If not I'll debut it next Thursday.

Some new maintenance videos on YouTube like this old one:

 

 

 

The Connie needs a new front tire from BikeBandit pretty soon, and the Sportster needs some motorcycle maintenance and repair.

 

OK, got to go, so ride safe, look out for and love one another.



 

BikeBandit CyberMonday sale and free shipping offer

Great deals all over the BikeBandit website, and free shipping if you spend over $49!  That's over half less than the amount normally-I think it's $99 in purchases for free shipping normally.

So click on one of the BikeBandit links (I'm an affiliate marketer with them, as I like their customer service and they're a local company here in San Diego) and get Christmas presents for your family, your friends and your bike!

This weekend's BikeBandit sale: Casual Clothing Clearance with free shipping

I'll post more on my latest motorcycle maintenance projects and upcoming rides shortly, but wanted to get the word out there that BikeBandit is having a big sale on casual clothing this weekend.  Its a clearance sale, so its only good until the items are gone, but discounts of up to 75% off on hoodies, shorts, shoes and t-shirts/shop wear.

As always, orders over $99 get free shipping too!

If you follow the links on this page, I get a small commission as an affiliate marketer.  It's not much, but for the sake of full disclosure wanted to ensure you know.

Have a great weekend, ride plans/reports to follow.

Today only-Dirt Deals at BikeBandit

I've got some motorcycle maintenance updates to post, but wanted to do a quick post regarding the e-mail I just got from BikeBandit.  Today they are having a blow-out on dirt gear-up to 47% off, and the usual free shipping on orders over $99!

Just in time for your pre-season purchases.

Please remember I am an affiliate marketer, and if you click through my site I get a small cut of each sale.  Some of those funds go to support Run for the Son, a CMA fundraiser that is important to me.  So you get a good deal, and we do good together!

Motorcycle Maintenance Foibles

Update:  Well, Foible #3 isn't true.  While sitting in a different chair in my garage/man cave this morning on a conference call I saw where I had stashed the lay-down license plate bracket.  Whew.  Hopefully tonight I will have some time to mask off the fender and get ready to paint.

Yes, foibles, because the other "f-word" wouldn't do as a post title.  But if you are wondering, it's not "follies" (although that would work) and normally ends in "-up".

Felt like listing a few motorcycle maintenace foibles for you, my one or two readers, so I don't start coming across like I've got this all figured out and am some kind of top-knotch mechanic.  I'm probably not much better than a low average mechanic-I usually have to read the shop manual twice, google or youtube videos, ask friends and still mess stuff up.  Here's three recent examples:

1)  As chronicled in this blog post, while working on a friend's bike I was prepared to wrestle loose his brake rotor bolts.  So I inserted allen driver, started applying pressure, and immediately stripped the bolt.  Quite how it happened we couldn't figure out, but it looked like some road grit was in the bottom of the bolt hole and caused the "key" not to seat fully.  Should have checked them all.

2) While trying to remove the radiator cover and oil cooler cover on my Connie to clean them up and re-paint them black, I try all kinds of phillips screw drivers working around the fairing and forks.  Instead of finding the right one to both fit the size of the screw head and reach in, I angle a screwdriver that sort of fits the pattern.  Yep, another stripped fastener since it's likely been on there since 1986.  So an easy maintenace action will now take over an hour when I get to it.  On a better note, oil cooler cover came off and is now freshly painted black!

3) As my prep work on the Sportster fenders continues (update 2 here) I added two more parts I have taken off the rear fender to the bag of parts.  Looking at the parts I notice the lay-down license plate mount isn't in the main bag.  So I look for the bag it is in.  I recently repositioned my work bench about 18 inches and didn't completely unload it before moving, but did move some items.  Of course, guess which parts may have been lost?  Replacement is $29.99 at the Harley dealership, gonna check Bike Bandit but also request some of my Chrome Cash just in case....

Yep, my bikes would be fine except for the nut that works on them in the garage!

Need parts or tools for motorcycle maintenance?

Just a quick post to share an e-mail I just got from BikeBandit.

This weekend through Monday, 8/17-19, they are having a sale on parts and tools for those maintenance items you've been putting off on your motorcycle.  It doesn't matter if its a custom Harley, a sportbike or a dirt bike, brands include BikeMaster (25% off), K&N and MotionPro (20% off) and Rick's (15% off)

Plus free shipping on orders over $99.  I've found their shipping to be exceptionally fast-but with the caveat they are a San Diego company only about 15 miles from my house.  That said, they get it boxed up and on it's way fast to wherever you are, so you'll be back riding quickly.

Fair disclosure-if you click the BikeBandit link on this page, I do get compensated as I am an affiliate marketer with BikeBandit besides getting lots of my parts from them.

How to: Key motorcycle maintenance item-clean or rebuild motorcycle carburetors

While I got personal instruction from a friend when we had to do this to get my Kawasaki Concours back on the road, this is a good basic article on cleaning out or rebuilding motorcycle carburetors. Don't be too intimidated by this essential motorcycle maintenance item, it's really not that bad if you assemble all the parts and tools you need beforehand, go slow, and check everything before re-assembly and wrestling those carbs bank into place!

How to Clean Out or Rebuild your Motorcycle's Carburetor - BikeBandit.com

When you need those parts or tools, do you mind clicking the BikeBandit links you see on the page? I'm an affiliate marketer and appreciate the support!