Motorcycles of Concord, NC (Sept 28-29)

Made a long weekend (Sept 28-29) to Concord, had to move the last of the items from my move to Richmond. One of the first things I did was to visit the Memphis Belle (the plane that flew in the movie, not the actual aircraft) and have some photos of that and others on my Richmond and Me blog page. While there there did see this classic motorcycle (and yes, as are so many, its a Honda) which was ridden in. Love these old bikes and like old cars do to some bring back some memories. Never had this bike, but remember seeing a number of them, and had a friend who had one-back in the day.   

 Noted I had breakfast with a friend, the Victory below is his new bike, though he has had it for a while. Nice motorcycle, and I like the Victory line which has some very interesting motorcycles. Think they are making some series machines which have been giving Harley-Davidson some serious competition. I think that is a good thing for all the motorcycles out there.
Victory is now the owner of Indian Motorcycle and has redesigned the old engine (of the new company, the history frankly gets complex) and its a cool looking motorcycle. I plan to see one at the first opportunity.   

Finally, also at breakfast at Punchy's were these Trikes (and also one standard cruiser motorcycle next to the white one). Interesting bikes and certainly would be a good alternative to not riding at all. I like the wheels in the front design, and am told by many that it makes for a more responsive ride than the two wheels in the real setup many use. These bikes also are said to have some serious get up and go.
It was fun to see the bikes, I have many happy memories of riding in North Carolina and sure enjoyed the rides there. It is a fantastic place to own and ride a motorcycle...and I miss it.

Ridiing in the RVA (September 14, 2013)

Very cool day on the 14th of September, for one took a ride to Hanover County Airport just south of Ashland, VA to see the Boeing B-17 "Memphis Belle" (well, not the real deal as that is in Washington, DC, but same type of aircraft...much more than a replica for sure) and very cool to see it fly. In fact we saw it a few times during the ride, including once on the way when it was over the skies of Richmond. A very unique piece of history and a remarkable thing...very few of these still exist and fewer still are capable of flight...so it was a real treat to see this bird in the air.     

 This is a older era BSA motorcycle, a military version and a very cool bike. The speedometer on it ran backwards (counterclockwise) which I am told is typical of British bikes of the period. Very cool to see this, one because it is a military bike, and two because BSA's are no longer made. Funny on the way to Ashland...I did pass a Triumph Rocket III, a modern bike built in tribute to BSA which also had a Rocket III motorcycle. At any case Kaye and I enjoyed checking out this motorcycle and some of the other items on the site there along with the Memphis Belle.   

 Finally, we also saw this Navy trainer take off (was not part of the Memphis Belle visit, but was just flying while we were there. Biplanes are very unique and a cool thing to see fly as well. I do enjoy aircraft.
After the ride to see the planes, we did ride the motorcycles to Ashland, and after a visit there,  took some backroads back to Richmond. Saw a grandson (of Kay's) little league game which was a lot of fun, plus it has been a whole lot of years since I parked a motorcycle in a school parking lot (did though when I first got into motorcycles-all the way back in High School days). Good fun!  

After the game, rode back to where I store the bike via Hull Street. Turning up Midlothian Turnpike saw this Carnival near where I used to live in Richmond (and went to this in years past) and was good to see it again.
It was a good ride, just a bit over 100 miles, and have a bit over 100 miles (actually 125) till I am due to have the oil changed on the bike. I will be doing that, along with the spark plugs. Very happy to report that the Vulcan is not leaking, this time for sure the repair held and the bike is fixed. Looking forward to some remarkable Fall rides as summer is officially over very shortly this month! 

Back in the Saddle...Again (September 7, 2013)

 Got the Vulcan back from the shop on September 3, and looks like the third time is the charm. THIS time the oil leak appears to be fixed, it sat all week on a clean piece of cardboard and on Saturday September 7 it was dry and we headed out. I rode Kaye to get her motorcycle, took this shot at a red light on Midlothian Turnpike. First time to ride her, was really nice and enjoyed that a great deal. We had a nice ride on the Vulcan to get her Harley and both bikes on the road. Nice rolling with her back down Hull Street to Steel Horse Harley Davidson to see what was going on there.    

Had a sort of motorcycle event at Steel Horse-and I have a couple of photos of that on my Richmond and Me blog, but wanted to get a photo of this new High Output 103 Harley engine. Gets more air via a redesigned air intake (seen with 103 on it) and I am told there is a partially water cooled version of this engine also coming out (but they did not have that motor there....yet). Harley's "Revolution" engine from a few years ago is all water cooled - they are heading more in that direction. My Kawasaki Vulcan is a water cooled V-twin, the Japanese have used those type of engines for a long time. BMW is partially water cooling the Boxer engine this year as well.   

This was at the Steel Horse event, these sort of things are fun to meet some bikers, see some cool bikes, check out a band, eat some good food, even go on some good group rides. It was a nice event though we were not there very long...had some other destinations in mind.
Following some time here, got back on Hull Street and onto 288 and took that highway out to Short Pump. Big retail area (with some of the largest malls in Richmond) and a lot of good places to eat as well...and we certainly had one in mind.   

Stopped for lunch at Buz and Ned's Real BBQ which is one of my favorite places to eat. Have been to the one downtown many times (famous for beating Bobby Flay in a showdown cookoff ) but never to this much larger version. Had a very good lunch there, and had a good time in the place. Had some of the football games on, and got to catch up on some of the scores. Love football but like to ride even more, and had a great time being out on the bike.
After lunch we headed out again and rode past Quaker Steak and Lube, where we saw a car show.  

Stopped at Quaker Steak and Lube where the car show was going on..as seen at left also some remarkable motorcycles such as this 2004 Harley Davidson Deuce and of course a sportbike in the background. I put a few photos from the event on my Richmond and Me page plus some on Flickr. It was a very good show with some cool cars, trucks and motorcycles and certainly enjoyed walking around with Kaye checking them out. Used to enjoy the Quaker Steak and Lube in Concord, NC for the shows and the Bike Nights there, and good to have this one to visit in Richmond. 

They also had a motorcycle stunt show at Quaker Steak and Lube in Richmond (a staple of Bike Nights in Concord, NC) and enjoyed that for a while. All in all it was a very good day of riding. We headed back on the motorcycles and by the time I put mine away 102 miles had shown up on the trip meter.
It was a wonderful day of riding, and as I have gleefully noted.....no drops fell from the left side cover of the engine. Looking forward to some really good rides this Fall, which is not too far away as Summer is winding down for 2013!

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 !