January is in the history books

January is gone and February is starting out very "spring like".  We reached a temp of 58F yesterday and it was very tempting to get the bike out and go for a ride.  But, sanity clicked in and having that much snow and ice still on the roads helped me make the decision to just leave it hooked up to "shore power" and dream of things to come. 

If our very unseasonable weather continues I hope to be riding in March.  In the meantime I think I'll map out the "scenic route" to Sturgis and plan to do some sightseeing on my way out there.  I was thinking of linking up with some guys for the ride out there, and still might, but there is a certain appeal to making the trip solo and stopping frequently to enjoy the sights.

We're down to six months until we "single up the lines and make all preparations for getting underway" or in the parlance of riding; "butts in the saddle and kickstands up".

More as the mood strikes me.

197 Days until departure to Sturgis

Seems like a long ways off but when the temps are hitting 50+F here in Michigan it is easy to dream about the open road.  I finished the installation of the radio today by replacing the broken speaker brace.  Probably the only part on the bike that costs under $200.00 which seems to be the new standard for Harley parts.  I even got a "mechanics lift" out of the deal.  The brother of the guy who helped me install it (the guy who actually did all the work) sold me an extra lift for $50.00.  Works great and the bike is now up off the concrete which should have some benefits for the tires.  If not, it looks cool and gives me a little more room in the garage. 

I learned you have to start the bike up to recycle some of the gauges in order to reactivate them after disconnecting the battery.  I was tempted to go for a short spin in this warm weather but it's raining fairly steady so I didn't go.  If I lived in Seattle a little rain wouldn't have mattered but us "Mitten Dwellers" shy away from that stuff in the winter.

Sound System is installed, tested and ready to roll

I installed, or rather my riding buddy, (Art Simmons did), a Biketronics sound system today.  Took us about 3 hours and virtually no problems except for a broken bracket in the speaker mount.  That was a "Harley" part and explains a rattle that developed while on the trip to Seattle two years ago.  The dealer has the part and the fairing will be put back together by Tuesday. 

Check the photo section for all the photos of the installation process.

System sounds great and allows me to play the radio, CD's, or plug in my MP3 Player and listen to the music of my choice.  It has an internal antennae so I don't have to have one on my "TourPak".  I'll be testing that out but the initial reception in my garage was fine.  It's easy to add a different antennae if that turns out to be necessary.

We getting our first significant snowfall today and the temps are really dropping.  After a rather warm and pleasant December and first week of January our winter has returned.  But, there is less than 3 months until riding season and it's under 7 months until we meet up in Sturgis.

"Get Your Motor Runnin'"

Adding a Sound System to the bike

After three years of resisting the temptation I've decided to add a sound system to my bike.  It will consist of a radio, CD player and a slot to plug in an MP3 Player.  Most of the guys I ride with here in Michigan have them and the new ones seem to have better audio quality so that you can even hear them.  It is a plug in system that should go into the fairing of my bike fairly easily.  That's what the brochure says, anyway.  We'll see how many guys I have to ply with beer and food to actually get it in and working. 

Should make for a good winter project.

I'll post photos of the before and after

Update on progress:

Looks like it will be this Friday before the installation of the sound system commences; a buddy of mine is coming over to give me a hand and supervise my skills.  As Don knows, Corpsmen are very adept with reassembling the human body but somewhat challenged when it comes to mechanical things.  Stand by for news!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Actually, Christmas in now in the rear view mirror and the New Year is in sight.  Only 219 days left before departing for Sturgis and another summer of adventure.  I didn't get the helmet camera I was expecting so I'll take a look at what is being offered at the International Motorcycle Show that will be in Detroit in early January.  That's where I bought the bike and they usually have some pretty good deals on "stuff" there.  Right now I'm considering the "DriftHD" and the ContourROAM.  They are comparable in price with the ContourROAM geting nice reviews. 

The temperature here in Michigan is still in the 40's and I'm tempted to go for a ride but there is still too much salt on the roads from the previous snow so I think I'll continue to work on things around the house and dream about riding in the spring.  I'm sure winter will return.

Happy New Year to you West Coast guys; looking forward to linking up in Sturgis.

Winter has us in its firm grip

Snow on the ground, bike on the battery tender and nothing to do but dream about next riding season and my first official visit to Sturgis.  Is there anything sadder than your bike on "shore power?"

I'll be very surprised if I can sneak in a ride before sometime in March, or even April.  Even if the temps rise and the snow melts Michigan puts so much salt on the ground that I don't like to get that junk on my bike.  So, I'll have to devise some other activities to keep me occupied while waiting for the trip to commence.  Did I mention that it starts in 241 days? 

Maybe I'll make out my Christmas List from the Harley Store and leave it where my wife is sure to find it.  I wonder if she will get me an MP3 player?  Ya think?  

Enough foolishness for today;

when the sun shines....

You need to take advantage. So the day after Thanksgiving, we here in Seattle had a very nice, though cold day. The lure of the sun could not be overlooked. Besides, you need to run that oil, right? Not a long ride, but along the waterfront, through the city, and a couple of outside roads.

So far i have been fortuate to get the bike out ever two to three weeks. IT is good for the soul, and the crisp air is not so bad either.

But looking forward to the warm rides of spring, and of course, the trek out east to Sturgis next summer.

But until then, as long as we get a break in the day, the bike will be calling, and i will answer.