Another Bike Gone

Sold the Speedmaster today. Can't argue with it, I sold it for what I paid for it and I got over 3k miles out of it. It got better gas mileage than my 636 and I was able to do that nice long haul to Idaho. So good memories, no loss of assets, and the opportunity for buying what I want. I put the money away for now. The wife wants to pay down the car and buy another bike later, I want to just sit on the cash until I find a good Scrambler or Royal Enfield. I fear the money will never go back there if I let it go. Old habits die hard I guess. The 500 is on the chopping block as well. My buddy from the shop wants to buy it and work on it, so we'll see in a week or so if that goes through. It'll be good to see if he builds it and I can see it come to the shop regularly. Win for both of us. I still have the DRZ, so that'll be my fix until I find the next love. I feel good right now. I'm glad to get the Speedmaster off of my chest even though it was a great bike. It just wasn't the bike for me and the guy that picked it up seemed really excited about it. I think he was getting into riding so it'll be good to see someone get into the scene. Now, the hunt....

Scramblin Blues

I'm bumming about not having a bike I'm in love with. I dig my DRZ but its not a good long haul bike, and I'm falling less and less enchanted with the Speedmaster. I like the way it runs, hate the long rake and forward foot controls. Its not even riding season and I'm bummed about the bike. I realized today that motorcycles are the only true hobby I'm actively involved in. I love guns but rarely shoot, I like diving but don't see much at that besides a few times a year (or once this past year, hurrah) , I don't play guitar nearly as much as I should, and I'm not into video games really anymore. I don't even have stupid projects like I once did. A good ride is about the only thing that really gets me going anymore, and not having a good solid ride hurts. I'm selling my cb500, its time for it to go. A guy from the shop hopefully will bring it to life better than I could. That'll free up some space in the garage and give a little money towards hopefully getting a Scrambler or something else that'll fit my wants an needs.

I'm just being whiny now, but nothing is really what I want anymore. My car, my bike, my guitars (with the exception of my beloved SG), games, diving, nothing. Its all just expensive stuff that is "suppose" to be responsible and reasonable. Really its all lifeless and unfulfilling. I kinda feel like selling everything, buying a bike and running to Baja forever. At least there I can fish and sit on the beach and rot away in mellow harmony with the sand and sun.

What I really want

So I've ridden the Speedmaster for a few months now. I had a good ride to Idaho and I've been trompin to work both at the shop and the hospital, however I've gotten over the cruiser feel. I don't like having my feet out in front of me, I don't like the stretched out, unresponsive front end, and I don't like the overall look of the cruiser. I love the engine, its great for the city and running the highway, but the rest of it leaves me wanting. I've found out I can only sell it for $3,500 if I want to keep my job at the shop, so that kinda blows. I hope we get a Scrambler or Bonneville at the shop soon that I can trade for. I need to do the valves on the DRZ before too long, but its running well so I can't complain. I want get something the I enjoy again. I want a bike I can get excited about. Hopefully in the next few months something will come along that will suite me a little better. We'll see.

Everyday I'm shufflin

Its been a while since I've made a post. I can't really make excuses, I've just been busy and nothing has really been exciting enough to post. I've spent a lot less time on the internet which is awesome in reality, but I haven't been doing much either besides work. I'm going to the shop tomorrow for the first time in a few weeks and I'm hoping to grab some scrap parts like a set of rims that the shop will s-can here shortly if they already haven't. I'm excited to get back in the shop as the weather has turned to rain and bitter coldness for the fall and I haven't been riding at all, and therefore uninterested in the current moto scene. I'll have to poke around and see whats new when I get in there. I hope some of next years Triumph gear will be slowly leaking out.

Also, its not October, my favorite month of all. Claire has already decorated the house with some Halloween stuff and the local stores and such are getting in the mood. I'd like to do something cool this year, go to a good party or a wicked haunted house. Something to fullfill my Halloween needs. I think I'm also going to try and catch a Dia De Los Muertos thing too if I can.

Good long ride

Last week I went on a long ride to Idaho, and took an even longer ride back. It was a beautiful ride both there and back. The weather was great, the scenery was better, and the bike performed flawlessly. I have come to realize that I don't do well with my feet in front of me and that I need my Scrambler, but I had a blast none-the-less. There is something about riding through the middle of no where that is about as liberating as it gets. I'm looking forward to the next long trip.

The route there (notice the straight line, forgot to "un-pause" the tracker from a break.)

The route back. A little longer of a way and a LOT more remote and solitary.

Batman

I've been watching the old Batman: The Animated Series cartoons and I've been loving every second of it. I remember as a kid watching this show religiously, it was easily the best cartoon I watched back then. It has such a dark tone to it that none of the other Batman cartoons (or a lot of the movies) kept. I take that back, there was a cartoon with Bruce Wayne as an old man and he was mentor to a young new Batman. That show was kinda dark as well. However, the tone of this show is how I remember Batman: dark, gritty, and gothic. This cartoon even has wonderful art deco styling to it that only the Tim Burton movies kept, and even that was pretty minimal. I'm gonna keep watching this, and I'm reading Arkham Asylum as well. I'm excited for the new movie to come out with Catwoman, and I wonder who will pick up the next line of Batman movies. I like how it's dark again, I hope it keeps up.

Even Joker was funnier, weirder, and crazier in this series!

Been a month

So its been a month since I posted since Backfire Moto was last night and I FRIGGIN FORGOT to go! Man, that ruined my day when I realized that. However, I've had the opportunity to trade my Speedmaster for a more used Scrambler but I haven't been able to bring myself to do it. The scrambler has some crazy corrosion in strange spots and I worry about the the long term effects. Beside, my beautiful wife has told me I can buy one in a year or so, no need to trade bikes. So, that is the new plan. Wait for a nicer one to come along. I'm looking forward to working on the Speedmaster, however it has currently sprung a leak that needs a little TLC. Ah, the beauty of motorcycles.

I got a new jacket today that I'm overly excited about. I really shouldn't be this excited, but I am. Triumph is releasing a special edition jacket for Spring/Summer every year, and this year is the James Dean jacket inspired by jackets he commonly wore. I really dig a nice brown leather jacket and the bomber style fuzzy collar. I'm eager to ride this thing, as soon as I fix the SM. Next year, a brown leather Steve McQueen jacket from his ride in The Great Escape...

Backfire Moto 26

7/20/11

I'm not totally sure why, but the picture loader is putting some of my photos sideways, despite being correct on my computer. Sorry about that.