Back in the Shop (August 22, 2013)

 Bit of a non-riding photo, but did see this Yamaha (Star) V-Max at the South of the James Farmers Market in Forest Hill Park. Nice bike, I remember them back in the day. A very few years ago, they updated this bike, and this is the new version of that classic motorcycle...which was in the day a real hot rod (and I am sure it still is).






This was taken at Dogtown, which is near Legend's where I went to a festival there with Kaye...and saw this Triumph Thunderbird...beautiful take on a cruiser by Triumph. Both that and the V-Rod photos were taken on August 17.

 

Took the Vulcan out on August 22, there had been some leaking which I thought was residual oil, but turned out that it is the return of the leak; this time from the cover gasket. Sucks, and for the third time the bike is back at Ultimate Cycle to attempt the repair. Not sure what will happen with this one, has been a good motorcycle, and all bikes can have problems...but this one is really getting old. I hope that they can fix it this time...will keep you posted. For now, I am back on two feet, hoping to get back on two wheels (and without an oil leak) real damn soon! 

Carytown and Training Camp (August 15, 2013)

NICE day in the RVA....somewhat overcast, but in the 70's, and yes it is mid-August...good day for a short ride. Went to Carytown, where I saw this old BMW - good day to get out and see some sights there. Nice in the weekday late morning, not very crowded, and had a good time in that area. Just took a little walk during the ride, nice to get out and see a few sights, and might be a place where I go this weekend with Kaye, because it is not looking like the weekend will be great riding with a forecast of cooler temps again (good) and a 60% chance of rain (which is not good).   

 Did see this Suzuki Boulevard motorcycle again on Cary Street in Carytown but did like the passenger on the back (and yes that is a real, live dog!). See that from time to time, especially here as this is a real good dog friendly town. Man's best friend loves to ride. Used to have a shirt which said "Only a Biker Knows Why a Dog Sticks His Head Out the Window" and for sure this one does. His owner was inside Can-Can (a Carytown Restaurant) while he waited on the bike. I thought this was very cool Love seeing this sort of thing, and nice day for man and best friend to be out on two wheels. 

 Went by the Redskins Training Camp, my only visit during their stay, but did get to check out this motorcycle they are selling tickets to win. Think the drawing is the last day of camp (which is tomorrow by the way). Good looking Harley and I think the team signed the saddlebags, but being a Chicago Bears/Carolina Panthers fan I did not get a ticket. Was very cool though and glad I got to see it. One lucky Redskins fan will be very, very happy with this bike I am sure.

Got this photo of the crowd at camp. I did not have time to stay for the players - they were going to come out at 1230 and I have to go to work in the mid-afternoon. I did like to see the sights though and the people were really fired up. I thought it was a neat thing, and looking forward to seeing it better next year when they return. Looking forward to some football this year.
As rides go, this was a good one - short but sweet. Nice places to visit, some new sights to see and always good to get out, even when the ride is just around 2 hours and covered a distance of 30 miles . Looking forward to the next one!

Test Ride (August 8, 2013

 Went out for a ride on Thursday August 8 to check the leak repair on the Vulcan, and this time can report it was a success. Again, kudos to Ultimate Cycle for the great service and especially not charging me for the second repair. When its time to get a new bike, this place is a leading contender.
As for the ride rode down Midlothian Turnpike and got on 288 and rode out toward Hull Street. Visited my girlfriend at work, and then stopped at Sunday Park where I took the photo at left of the bike. Nice lake there and a very good (though expensive) seafood restaurant, The Boathouse.   

Beautiful place to hang out for a break, fun to ride in Richmond, and cool to see many interesting things. Was a nice day, and enjoyed the ride a great deal. Got to ride around 40 miles, as it was a work day, but seemed like a good idea - and it was.
Glad to have it up, and even better to see humidity and heat are starting to get less and less. Though both will rise again, signs of Fall getting closer are starting to get in the air...and that is my favorite time of year. To me, Fall is why we ride motorcycles, and looking forward to some great rides this fall. Plus glad to be on the Vulcan again - it continues to be a fantastic motorcycle and a joy to ride!

Ultimate Cycle - the Sequel (August 7, 2013)

 Got the call this morning, the Vulcan is ready and this time they said it is fixed for sure! Went to the dealership about 10:30 and got the bike. Repair (which was for the same leak) was no charge- took the time to thank the General Manager (who is a great guy) and rode the bike down to the storage place (which can be seen in the photo below). Due to work soon did not ride it far at all, and have it sitting on a clean piece of cardboard "just in case" but think it will be fine this time. They replaced the part that was leaking not just the o-ring this time. Hopefully it will do the trick. 

Love the Vulcan, and up to this point (purchased in 2005) no problems with it. Nothing though is trouble free forever, but my motorcycles over the years have been (with a few exceptions) the closest thing to trouble free (certainly better than most of the cars I have owned). Once I got the bike stored away after a too short ride down the Midlothian Turnpike, walked back to the dealership to get the car and go home. Nice day at least for that...under 90 degrees and low humidity. Good to have it back and looking forward to some really great rides again. Fall is not far away, and that is some of the best riding of the year, and this will be the first fall in the RVA on the motorcycle. Looking very, very forward to seeing some new sights, and getting to do it with my girlfriend (who by the way rides a Harley-Davidson). So....here we go again !