The Bags Test Ride (May 27, 2016)

 Finally a nice day here, it has been a wet mess for quite a while. Off this Friday though and finally got to tackle the putting on of the saddlebags. It was a bit difficult but figured it out. Drawings were not real clear. However they are on and I think they look good. Be good to have them, over the last 10 years have to deal with what I bring to the ride, now I have more options. Will also be good for weekend rides. They are Viking Bags, and seem to be good quality. I was also real happy with the price of the bags and they came pretty quick via UPS.

Went out for a bit to see if they would fall off (they didn't which is a good sign. Went down Highway 5 which is one of my favorite roads. Made a stop at Fort Harrison. It was formerly a Confederate fort which was captured by Union forces during the Siege of Richmond. General Grant was there, and also Lee attempted to take it back.
There are a few other forts in the immediate area, and looked at those as well. As always amazed that so much of the history of the place remains so many years later. The earthworks here and at other battlefields have been preserved for a long time.  

This is the Battlefield at Malvern Hill. Happened as part of the Seven Days Battles....the first effort to take Richmond. Union forces to cover the retreat of the Army made a stand here with cannon and troops and held off Lee's forces. It was said to be one of the greatest uses of artillery during the Civil War.
Today's ride covered a hair over 50 miles. It is a very humid day, and I believe the second 90 degree day of 2016. Still, it was dry, the bags didn't fall off, and I had a great time. Stopped in a Legend's before heading back to the house on a ride that was short but very nice. It has been too long since I have gotten a ride in. Planning another tomorrow which is supposed to be another very nice day in Richmond.  

Motorcycle Maintenance and the Test Ride (May 15-16,2016)

Sunday May 15 as you can see, badly needed brakes and did the maintenance work on it. Had done it the first time I needed them (it is not a difficult job). Last time had them done at the now closed Velocity Motorcycles. I decided to take the job on again, and it was not bad. Thankfully I have the Kawasaki Motorcycle Service Manual for my bike, and that is a wonderful thing to have. In fact I get that just as soon as I get a new motorcycle (which thanks to that book, plus Japanese quality, is not very often.
Have a nice area to work in at the house now, before it was mostly parking lot mechanical work at the apartment complex I used to live in. It was actually a fun job and did not cause me any major problems. I got a few tools to make it easier and that included a torque wrench which will come in handy for other tasks.
The Vulcan so far, with the exception of a thermostat last year, has been trouble free though tires, brakes and other things need to be done from time to time.    

Took it for a test ride around Richmond on a beautiful day. About time too...big problem here has been its a very rainy Spring of late. Not much time for riding, but it made up for it on this Monday. I am on vacation this week, of course the forecast is not looking real good.
This was one of my stops during a 59.1 mile ride, which went to a number of places. Did want to make sure the work I did was good, and no problems at all.
It was nice to get out and about and to see some of the different sights with my knees in the breeze rather than the car wipers wiping the rain from my windshield.