Philosophy and Motorcycles

Philosophy and motorcycles are two of my favorite things in life. This blog will be bits of wisdom gleaned from a misspent youth and an adventurous dotage. People who like/love wisdom or motorcycles, classic or modern versions of either, are welcome to visit and comment.

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Location: Wisconsin, United States

I have been married to the same lovely woman for decades. We have one son, two cats, and live in rural Wisconsin, USA. I ride and rebuild motorcycles, and I am semi-retired. Favorite bikes are Yamaha XS650, FJ1200 and Ducati 900SS. My wife is a home care nurse. I am a Myers-Briggs INTP. She is ESFJ. Our son works at the Apple store in downtown SF and is teaching English as a second language in San Francisco, no grandchildren.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Quote

"To be at speed is living. Everything else is just waiting." Sterling Moss The DS7 is done except for headlight. I found one but it isn't here yet. I wanted a new one rather than original because I don't want a dead light when the bulb is 6 1/4". I'd never find one on the road. HVCcycle.com sells an original size halogen light. Expensive but better than a breakdown. Also the DS7 has no space for a tool kit. A friend has a little Honda 125 with a small cylindrical metal tube attached near the right rear turn signal. I modified an old road flare tube and fastened it to the fender support rail. It looks ok except for the hose clamps holding it. I don't want to weld any tabs onto a vintage bike so I will live with the ugly hose clamps. At least I have enough space to carry basics. Snow here today. Another good day to be in the shop. Six months of building toys and making love. Ah the joys of living in the north. If I were in a gentle clime I would probably be out riding or some such thing.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Quote of the day from Robert Scheer, "The idea of Newt Gingrich calling anyone else dishonest is an affront to reason." That said, and it should be said often, my thoughts turn back to the latest projects. My chopper project is nearly done. A couple little details to attend to and it will be finished. This is my first, and maybe last, chopper. I wanted to make one just to see what it was like and to see if I can make a buck. So far it has been an ok project on which to try some ideas and my cash investment is small enough I should be able to make about two bucks an hour for the time I have in it. Not a big profit but cheaper than going bowling. The 1972 Yamaha DS7 that has been sitting in a corner of the shop for a decade finally got into the inner sanctum and is nearly done. I found a rust free tank and fixed the dents, painted it the black and gold of the original except the gold I used is a little more gold, deeper, richer than the original. I like the color much better. This means I will need to paint the other parts also to match but I am willing to do that for the nicer color. It's not far from stock but enough the tank won't match. I always thought the gold on the DS7 was a bit anemic. Tires, points, battery and it will be ready for spring. I want something light enough to carry on the back of my pickup that I can load and unload by myself. So far it's either the DS7 or possibly a Honda 125 but the Honda is a bit small. If it had better electrics I would like to take the Ducati Monza Junior 160cc but I don't trust the lighting/charging system. Which ever I take it will be fun to be on the road again this spring. Hello Pacific, here I come. Other than the constant humor of the republicans trying to dance around issues with one foot in their mouth the winter has been quiet. What will we do for humor after the election? Let the mud slinging begin! Books on tape or CD have been a real boon. I have gone through about 20 books this winter while working in the shop. Mostly I listen to suspense stories but I also enjoy some educational items. Learn a little, laugh a little, ponder a bit and the day slides into history with a gentle sound. Be well, do good and keep in touch. LN