Another Mac attack (April 17, 2010)

Riding buddy Steve in this photo was enjoying some ribs and the Lil Pig at Mac's Speed Shop on April 17. We had not been able to ride for some time, but took off today to Charlotte, NC. Sort of a repeat of my last ride in the Carolinas, but I enjoyed Mac's (have been there a few times) and he has never been. Steve gave it two bbq sauce coated thumbs up today, and I enjoyed it too. The guys (and gal) in the flight suits behind us were a bonus; they were a C-130 flight crew who had dropped in for lunch. Like visiting Mac's and you never know who you will run into there. Only thing that pissed Steve off was the Slaw on the Lil Pig, still not used to that (though I like it that way)
Here he is ready to go, and I am getting the usual photo. Enjoyed the ride into town, was a bit warmer than usual; close to 80 today which is warm for this time of year. Was a good ride though, traffic on the weekends in the Queen City is a lot lighter than week days and there is a lot to see and do in Charlotte. We did not take a long ride (did that last week) but enjoyed running around there. Have to still be careful in Charlotte, as there is a lot to distract you and other drivers, but it was a safe and fun day for us, and a really good ride. I don't get tired of exploring that town which also seems to be constantly changing which is pretty cool.

We got back after some three hours, this is from my bike, looking at the road that goes right into my neighborhood in Concord. With spring, this entire area is green and growing (though if we don't get some rain soon, green will quickly turn to brown and dying) but for now its a remarkable thing to see.
Next ride will be to the Classic Bike Show on May 1, at the NC Transportation Museum and THAT is quite a motorcycle show. Have made it the past few years and have never failed to be amazed at the bikes that show up. See a lot of Japanese classics from the 1970's as well as some great Italian, British, German and even a few American bikes as well.

Richmond Road Riders (April 11, 2010)

Funny thing yesterday: while looking for a Richmond Ducati dealer (thought it would be fun to check out some of the new bikes here, don't think they have a dealer in this area anymore) came across a link for the Richmond Road Riders. Saw in their events they were having a Poker Run, and it was leaving from near (well, around 6 miles) from my apartment. Having to go to the grocery for needed supplies, thought I would drop by. Been on a few Poker Runs in Charlotte; they are fun. You draw a card which is put on a card you carry, and then you draw at the stops along the route. Best hand winds. At left is some of the bikes that went on the ride. Front and center is a Honda 600 Shadow; I rode one of those from 1997-2005 (great small bike).
Saw a couple of motorcycles of interest there. The blue one at left is a Triumph Sprint ST. Triumph like a lot of old manufacturers that had ended production "came back from the dead" under new ownership. Unlike many of them though Triumph has thrived and is making both some designs based on the old classics and some new designs that are in a class all their own. The Sprint ST is a "sport tourer" and uses a 1000-1050cc triple. It will get you across country and will do it at a really good clip too if you so desire. The sound of the Triumph triple engines is something to hear, a really unique and cool sound comes from the three pipes (which run under the seat).
The big bike at left is a Honda Valkyrie. It has been out of production for a few years but is a very good motorcycle. It uses the Honda Gold Wing engine (the famous flat 6) and shaft drive to roll along. Without the body work of the Gold Wing it is a much lighter bike which is said to improve performance. Have a friend that I ride with in NC who has one, raves both about the power and the reliability of the Honda engine. It was a very good motorcycle, but of course the motor lives on (and its now bigger, think the Valkyrie used the 1500cc, but the new Gold Wing's have a 1800cc motor). I have ridden my friends bike, got a good amount of thrust for a big bike. At any case, enjoyed seeing the bikes heading out to their Poker Run, hope all had a good safe ride. Looking forward to some upcoming two wheeled adventures on my Vulcan, and taking advantage of this great Spring weather very soon!

Concord Race Shop Tour (April 5, 2010)

Another remarkable day in Concord, went riding and hit the local race shops in Concord, NC. Photo at left is the Roush-Fenway Racing Shop in Concord. Near the Concord Regional Airport I also visited Hendrick Motorsports and Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing; all three within a stones throw of each other. Roush and Hendrick all have really good museums where you can see many of their classic cars, Earnhardt-Ganassi has the best of the shop views of all the major shops; but it was a fine day for a wonderful ride, and enjoyed the views from the shops. You can see and learn a lot about NASCAR visiting these places, and best of all....its all free to enter.
Like this bike, which is a bike that was built for Jimmy Johnson. By the look of it has not been ridden, but I do know that Jimmy rides (have seen a show on tv where he did so some time back). Like this bike, with the custom work, plus really neat that its NOT a Harley (believe it is a Yamaha cruiser). The seat as I remember is made from snakeskin, but at any case a nice piece of work. "Drivers of the Year" for NASCAR used to be awarded custom bikes, know Jeff Gordon got a Indian a few years ago, and Dale Earnhardt, Sr got a Buell..know that cause I have seen them at their shops in the past.

Took this photo also at Hendrick Motorsports; among the racing community motorcycles seem to be very popular in the parking lots. I know I sure enjoyed the tour and have a number of photos from todays visit on my Flickr photo page. Rode this week on Saturday and today, some 120+ miles in remarkable weather in a very remarkable place. More like early summer than spring, it has been a fun and welcome change from the crappy winter weather of a few weeks ago. Could not knock the smile off my face these past few days with a 2X4 ! Ride Safe everyone, and enjoy the ride!

Easter Weekend (Part 1)

Liked this photo; saw this motorcycle while making a stop on my way to North Carolina on April 2, 2010 in Petersburg, Va. Never have ridden a bike with Ape Hanger handlebars, but have seen quite a few of them of late (in fact saw a rider going down I-85 with a set of them on his bike) but liked this motorcycle. Bikers are certainly a fun and different sort (and I am proud to be a part of them) and got a feeling the owner of this bike is one. The basic bike is a Harley-Davidson with a bit of special customization and a lot of thought. Ride safe my brother, and enjoyed seeing your motorcycle.

As for my motorcycle, rode to "Uptown" Charlotte on a remarkable April 3 Spring day. That is my Vulcan in the foreground, sitting near the Time Warner Cable Arena but in front of a new building under construction. Had a good time exploring Charlotte; saw the (outsides at least) of the new Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum, and quite a few familiar sites. I will be putting many of those photos on my photo page, which there is a link to on this page. Charlotte is a fun town to explore, and I enjoyed the ride today a great deal. The weather was more like early summer...sunny, warm and fantastic.
I made a stop of Mac's Speed Shop in Charlotte, NC (on South Blvd). There I saw this Indian, which I believe (but am not 100% sure) is one of the brand new ones being built at the new Indian factory at Kings Mountain, NC. Very pricy motorcycles, and a limited line, but a very nice looking bike with a lot of fine features. Not sure how they are doing with the recession, but last I heard they were still in business and still in production. This attempt is either the third or fourth attempt to bring back the classic brand which ended production in the late 50's as I remember, and was the next to last US made motorcycle brand (Harley survived).

As for Mac's Speed Shop, it is a popular motorcycle mecca, but also serves a very good bbq which is made NC style. That is without sauce (which you add from a number available) and topped with slaw. That is a Carolina thing the slaw, but it is actually pretty good that way. They also have a fine and extensive "beverage" selection and have always found it to be a friendly place. The music in there (tends to be blues, though also feature country and rock) is also a plus. Has a very good bike night and often features live music. Not much of a food critic, but I like going there, and have missed it.
Enjoyed exploring Charlotte today and a truly great ride, and have plans for another one coming up soon.

Back in the Saddle Again (March 27, 2010)

Can not believe that it has been something like two months (January 18, or there abouts) since I last rode...does not seem possible it was that long. However, thanks to cold, snow, rain, forced overtime weekends in Richmond..and of course a dead battery; the bike sat waiting. Got the battery and put it in on March 26; also put in a short 10 mile ride. On the 27th (today as I write this) got a much longer ride. This is the start in Downtown Concord, NC. Rode on out to DEI in Mooresville, NC (which was closed on a Saturday) but enjoyed the ride there on a beautiful (if somewhat chilly Saturday in North Carolina. After so long without riding though...did not care!

Went into Downtown Mooresville, wandered around there on foot for a while. There was an easter egg hunt going on downtown, and of course lots of old buildings to see. It is a very nice town and fun to explore. Went down NC 115 which is a fun road to ride, and which also rolls into Davidson, NC. I like that college town a great deal too, but did not stop this trip, but kept going on. Got back into Concord, NC and met with a former riding buddy (he sold his motorcycle) before rolling into the driveway of my house after a 3.5 hour ride. Enjoyed it a great deal after being off for so long. Nothing like a motorcycle ride in the Carolinas.

As for this Ninja it is a customers bike at RideNow, took the photo when I ordered the battery for the bike. Did some checking of the motorcycle, everything is in good shape on my Vulcan. Did add a bit of SeaFoam to the gas, had read about that on the Vulcan Riders Forum; they call it "tune up in a can"...I just call it magic. Looking forward to some great rides in the upcoming weeks and months. Last battery lasted just short of five years (would be five in June) but can not complain. Back with power now, and good to be an "active" part of motorcycling again!

Kentuckiana Visit in March

I visited the Louisville, Kentucky/ Southern Indiana area in March (from the 22th to the 26th) but made some time while visiting family and friends to check out some motorcycles. One of the great things about bike shops is that they often have some fine classic motorcycles on display. One such shop is S+S Powersports in Clarksville, IN. It was there that I saw this very fine (and rideable...has tags on it) Honda 350. I am very fond of these bikes, like the condition of this one (saw one a few weeks ago in Richmond, also in very good shape. Back in the day, you saw Honda 350's all over the place, a very popular bike.
Another great motorcycle is the Honda V-65 Sabre seen here. Believe that bike features the V-4 engine which the founder of Honda called 'the perfect motorcycle engine". Again, though a few years old, looks like it is ready for sale, and just came off the assembly line. Honda still uses that engine in the Interceptor which for this year has been punched out from a 750 to a 1200 and is said to be one fantastic motorcycle judging from the reviews I have so far read on it. The V-4 makes remarkable power (and yes, I have ridden them back in the day) with a remarkable sound when you get on the throttle.

Quite a few interesting bikes there, including this Honda CL-450. It was a "scrambler" type of bike, designed to roll down dirt roads (which was the reason for the upswept pipes) though certainly not a "trail bike" due to the fenders tight on the wheels. Still a lot of fun to ride, and again really old school with the round speedo and tach, the long seat, and the classic 70's styling. This 450 used a vertical twin engine, which many Honda's did. Another bike which was on display at S+S was a very fine CB-750 and a original Gold Wing. I purchased by Honda Shadow from S+S many years ago, before moving to the Carolinas.

I saw this custom motorcycle at Harley-Davidson of Louisville. In Louisville they have two locations; this shop is the one off of I-65 near U of L. Nice Harley shop (as they all tend to be) had gotten a shirt from there many years ago and wanted to see the shop this trip home. I liked this bike, often for some reason don't see green on custom motorcycles (though you do on Kawasaki Sport bikes) and liked the look of this bike. It was a very nice looking bike in person, low long and lean. By the way, that is my Nissan Versa in the window at far left....did not ride to Louisville on the Vulcan this trip, but hope to do that in the near future.
Last photo if the sales floor of Harley-Davidson of Louisville. Driving around Louisville was a lot of fun, felt like spring most of the trip (first day was pretty cold with highs in the 40s) but did get warmer. Helmets are optional in both states (Indiana and Kentucky) though did see many with them on, also many with them off. From my many motorcycle days there, always considered it a good place to ride, and a fun place to explore. Lots of good fun riding in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. There is also some good riding in the Carolinas, and hopefully will get some in here in the next few days!

2010 Kawasaki Motorcycles at Ultimate Cycle

Beautiful day in the RVA, and missing my bike in North Carolina, wandered during a walk in the sunshine to see the new bikes at Ultimate Cycle at 8321 Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, Va. I like this shop and have been there before. Even cooler the General Manager Pete Daniel remembered me from my first visit there a few months ago which was cool. Bike at right is the Kawasaki Voyager, the big touring bike. I believe that has a 1700cc engine, and is a really nice ride! Bike is along the Harley-Gold Wing sort of touring bike, comes with a lot of features and would be just the thing for a cross country tour. A very good looking motorcycle!
Last post I had (in this same position in that post) a Kawasaki ZX-14. Well, this is the Concours 14, which uses the same in-line four 1400cc engine which is in that very fast motorcycle. If you want to tour but don't want to cruise getting there, but have to "make time"...this is the bike to do it. The ZX-14 engine is very powerful though have read this one is slightly detuned from the sport bike ZX-14 Bike has a lot of cool features and is a very roomy bike. For those who want to tour, but don't want the weight and size of bikes such as the Voyager this is the ride to look at. It would also be a lot of fun on a twisty road. Some of the larger bikes do not handle like these do.
Finally, saw this Vulcan...kind of partial to Vulcan Motorcycles, in fact I ride a 1500 Vulcan. Liked this all black treatment of the bike (believe it is a 900 but would not swear to that). Thought it was well worth a photo though.
Anyhow, will be back on my bike soon; got to get the battery this weekend ordered (you would think they would have them in a bike shop, but it does not work that way) and will be riding a few short days later. Been some great weather, Spring officially starts on March 20, but have been enjoying a great preview the last few days. Get out and ride, and enjoy it!