A Pair in the Basement

My basement make-shift shop is looking a little crowded these days, with two early 80s era motorcycles, and a 1954 JC Higgins bicycle. I've now had the 1982 Honda Nighthawk for 8 months, tinkering as I have time and resources. I also have been working on the 1981 Suzuki GS850L for a little over 2 months, in my rare spare time as well. The bicycle we picked up a few years ago at a bona fide barn sale, and I clean and polish on it in the winter months, after Lisa enjoys riding it around in good weather.

With my dad's help, I've been through the carbs a couple of times on both motorbikes, and worked on various other ailments common to old, neglected cycles. Good winter projects both, that I literally paid nothing for one, and next to nothing for the other. Hope to have them both running soon, for someone to enjoy in the Spring.

I'm learning much, every time I take on a new project. I've precious few natural or experiential skills mechanically, but the more I learn, the better I get, and the more confidence I build. The reward comes when they are back on the road, and in an enthusiastic new owner's hands.

Sold One, Bought One

I put the Triumph Trophy for sale, advertising it as an unfinished project bike, and listed all of the issues I had been unable to resolve. Within hours, I received multiple texts, emails, and phone calls on the bike. I was amazed. In the jostling to be the first one to my house with cash, a guy from Lawrenceville, the next town over from us, came by, ready to pay full price to take it home. Turns out, he's dealt with electrical on several motorcycles before, knows automotive and motorcycle wiring diagrams, and even has experience with front fork seal jobs. Not only that, he's about 6'2", perfectly sized for this bike. And he informed me he was a Christian. I told him, "You were meant to own this bike!" So the Triumph has found a new home.

Within a week, a friend had recommended me to his uncle, who needed help selling a couple of bikes in his garage- a 2003 Honda Shadow ACE 750, and a 1981 Suzuki GS850L. I took pictures of both bikes, and gathered info on both to develop ads. About the old Suzuki, he quipped, "I have no idea what it's worth. Heck, I'd take a couple hundred just to get it out of my basement." I replied, "I'd be interested in it for that, to try my hand at it, see what I can do." He responded, "Shoot, I'll sell it to you for $125." I was thrilled, and quickly returned with cash and trailer.

So now I've set to work on this old classic, alongside the '82 Honda Nighthawk long-termer I'm tinkering with as well. He seems to have taken pretty good care of the old Suzuki, so it might not take a lot of work to get it road-ready again.
Kinda cool, having a pair of old 80s era bikes in the "shop" at the same time. Lord willin', we'll get them running and get them sold soon.

Waving the White Flag

Alas, After countless hours, many attempts, and several hundred dollars, I have "waved the white flag" on the Triumph Trophy. Even with my father's capable help, we have been unable to resolve the electrical issues. In fact, not only has the bike reverted to it's original problem of engine kills when a gear is engaged, but now the headlight won't come on, the rear brake won't illuminate, and the left front fork leaks when compressed.

Time to wash my hands, acknowledge defeat.
I put the bike up for sale Friday night, with the intent of just getting my money back out of it, plus a little extra for my (foiled) efforts. The bike immediately got hits, and by Saturday afternoon, was sold, for my asking price. I've never had a motorcycle sell so quickly.
In so many ways, the transaction was "a God thing". The buyer, Robert, was from one town over in Lawrenceville, about 9 miles away. He was a large man, about 6'2", perfect size for such a tall and heavy motorcycle. He has extensive experience with electrical issues in automobiles, so he felt confident eh could chase down the problems. When I told him about the fork seal, he replied, "I'm helping a friend rebuild the front forks on his Harley, so I'm ok with this." To top it all off, he told me he was a Christ-follower, after I told him I helped pastor a small church part-time. So I'm very happy the bike went to someone who will more likely be able to fix the issues, and we share a common faith.
I trailered the bike back to his house for him, and after off-loading it, told him, "When you get her running, give me a call, and we'll take our Triumphs for a ride."
This was my first "fail" at fixing and flipping a motorcycle, but I take consolation in the knowledge that I got my money back, the bike is in very capable hands, and I made a new friend.
A pretty good return.

A Day At The Track

For my birthday, Lisa and the girls purchased me a track day at Road Atlanta, via N2 Track Days. I spent a whole day with a couple of friends, blasting around this world-class race track, at speeds I'd never attained before, on two wheels or four. It truly was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life, and I am writing an article about it for publication. Below is an excerpt from said article-

A friend asked me, regarding my track day at Road Atlanta recently, "What's it like to go that fast?" So I'll try to capture the experience with words-

 "Exiting the top turn 7 from full lean, it's getting the bike upright as quickly as possible, then hard on the throttle, clicking up through the gears, winding to redline in each. 'Breaking the ton' is fun, but the further and faster above 100 mph, the greater the rush. By the left hand kink at turn 8, I'm already passing 125. Chin is on the tank, throttle is pinned wide open, and I'm wrapped around the bike, clinging for dear life. Approaching 135 mph, the windshield is buffeting, the whole bike is shaking, and the roar of the big triple is screaming in my ears, either in protest or for more. The wind sounds like a tornado around my helmet as the scenery flies by in a blur at 202 feet per second. As the downhill run doglegs right at turn 9, a quick speedo glance shows I'm running 138 mph. The noise is deafening, the sensations are coursing through my entire body like an electric current. Suddenly it's off the throttle, beginning to squeeze hard on the front binders, and downshifting as I enter the braking zone. Time to set up for 10A and 10B. The rest of the course is fantastic, but all I want to do is get back around to that long downhill stretch again.
Running at these speeds (and faster I'm sure) on a motorcycle is turbulent, is explosive, is violent. And I want more."

Yes, I do. I can't afford to do more than one or two of these each year, but I'll be pinching pennies in anticipation of the next time I can get to the track.

It's Complicated...

I've had a crazy busy past couple of months, with precious little time to work on these motorbikes I'd hoped to get running before summer's end. Finally, I just prioritized them, cleared some time and space, and got to work.

First order was to trace the source of the big Trophy's issues. After replacing the side stand switch, ruling out the neutral switch and clutch safety switch, I had to try to trace down the side stand relay. I soon discovered my VIN model didn't have one, but rather has the relay incorporated into a module called the igniter-

In tracing the wiring harness, I discovered it was all the way forward in the front fairing, behind the dash, necessitating a complete removal of all forward fairing to access. I trailered the bike down to my mom and dad's place, so I'd have more room to work, and could elicit his help with it. Module is out, and will have it tested by the guys at Hourglass Cycles this week.

I also finally got in the rebuild kits for the carbs on the little Honda Nighthawk. I started on them last night, replacing gaskets, needles and screws in each carb. The ubiquitous kits had more parts than I needed, yet was lacking a few did need. Nonetheless, I think I can complete them with extras I have from previous bikes. We'll see...
Still hoping to have both bikes finished before the end of the month, Lord willing. Could really use the money, and need the space back as well. Nights and weekends, until they are done.

Opportunities

As well as recently returning from 15 days abroad (see my other blog), I've also been afforded several more opportunities that I am greatly looking forward to working across the summer and beyond.
An old friend called me up out of the blue, wanting to get rid of a motorcycle. It needed some work, of course, and he just didn't have the time or space in his garage to tinker with it anymore. A 2002 Triumph Trophy, to go along with the 1982 Honda I'm still working with (see previous post below), and I have a full basement!

I've also been offered the opportunity to write monthly for Born to Ride magazine, a great regional publication in the southeast, as well as ongoing opportunities to contribute to Motorcyclist and Cycle World national magazines. I'm grateful for these doors that have opened, and excited to see where this all may lead.

My friends at Phoenix Roasters are about to experience an explosion in growth, as they pioneer nitrogenated cold-brew coffee, and expand into other markets with some of the best coffee on the planet. As operations expand, I may have opportunity to work more with them, which I would very much enjoy. I love these guys, as friends and brothers in Christ. Phoenix has been my church family since leaving the vocational ministry, and they all mean the world to Lisa and me. As the coffee side grows, I look forward to helping any way God may lead.

Exciting times. Plus, I got another "clean bill of health" with another bladder scoping the other day. Living one day at a time, following Christ, making the most of every opportunity.

New Tinker Toy

I recently picked up a 1982 Honda CB750 Nighthawk, for free. Through a mutual friend, I connected with the owner, a guy who runs an automotive shop, who told me, "If you can haul it, you can have it." I was there that afternoon, trailer in tow.

I found the bike had been left outside behind his shop, not cranked for well over a year. Amazingly, aside from a broken mirror mount and missing a chain, the bike was intact, and in fairly good shape. I towed it home, got it in our basement, and soon set to work on it.

We've since removed the seat, tank, carbs, and starter, all of which were in great condition. The bike even had a good battery and plugs. Something wasn't right down deep in the crankcase, and I think we found the culprit- might be a bad starter clutch. I have it off, and am searching the web for a replacement or a rebuild kit. We'll see if this solves at least one of the bike's issues.

More to come,

Little Streets with Big Punch

I've had the opportunity recently, via the great folks at Hourglass Cycles of Buford Georgia, to sample two of Triumph's 2016 motorcycles, the all-new Bonneville Street Twin 900, and the Street Triple 675. These are two of Triumph's smallest bikes in the lineup, but both certainly "punch above their weight class" so to speak.

The first bike I rode was the Street Twin. This bike is a completely new, never before seen bike in Triumph's Bonneville line. Kyle, the owner of Hourglass, let me take it out for a spin, and it was a thrill to ride. Lightweight, quick, nimble, flickable were all words running through my head as I put the small-feeling steed through the paces. It reminded me of the old Triumphs, the late 60s-early 70s bikes many of us learned to ride on. In fact, it felt like the 1969 T100 500cc I worked on for a guy recently- a rowdy little "hooligan" bike that made me howl in my helmet when I got it running for him. This Street Twin brought back that feeling again. The new "hooligan" Bonney?

At an open house and demo day Hourglass hosted this weekend, I got to ride the 2016 Street Triple, little sibling to the Speed Triple 1050. I first intended to demo the 1050, but Kyle said, "Just try the 675 first. Trust me, you'll enjoy it." Prophetic. I did enjoy it, immensely. Compact, tight, super smooth, yet it almost screamed at me to rev higher through the gears before shifting, and dive into corners deeper. It may be the "kid brother" to the Speed T, but the Street T arguably has more attitude. Pugnacious little "Street" fighter.
Man, I love Triumphs! Would own one of...well, everything, if dinero were no option. Sadly it is, but maybe in the not-too-distant future, I might have the means to make some space for at least one of these in the family. One can dream, can't he?

Close Calls & Keeping Calm

After a busy weekend out of town, Monday was full of meetings with the Phoenix pastors, 127 Legacy work, interviews for upcoming motorcycle articles, correspondence with potential buyers of bikes I'm marketing on the web, then lesson prep for my history classes. Spent, I took off on a little ride (of course). It was relaxing, cranium-clearing, but also kind of hairy a few times.
First, on a main road, a guy in an SUV suddenly jumped out from a side street in front of me. I had been watching his inching forward, before he made his move. I was prepared, squeezing some brake without lockup, and gave him room to speed off.
At a road crossing, I nearly did the same thing myself, almost pulling out across the path of a small white sports car. I hadn't seen him, coming out of the shadow of a tree line, and nearly became his hood ornament. A second glance in his direction brought him in sight, and I didn't jump. Thankfully.
Down a previously unexplored road, I was enjoying it's sweeps and curves, when all of a sudden, in a wooded right-turner, the pavement gave way to gravel. Surprised, I consciously refused to grab or stomp brakes, kept some throttle pressure on, and the bike bobbled but easily rode through the curve. The road stayed gravel and dirt, so I found a place to turn around, and carefully rode back the way I came, until gravel returned to asphalt again. The above photo was taken when I got back on solid street.
I paused to stop and reflect, at this beautiful overlook across rolling fields drenched in the glow of the setting sun. I was thankful for training, experience, practiced skills, and trust (in the Lord, in my preparation, and in the bike), that kept me safe in each circumstance. Further proofs that riding a motorcycle is something we must get proficient at, then keep practiced at, to stay upright and alive.

In Dry Dock

With the weather being as delightful as it's been (read: either unseasonably warm and unreasonably rainy, or dry and bone cold), I decided to pull both bikes under cover and perform some much-needed maintenance on them. The Triumph "Mathilda" is in the basement shop, which is too cluttered to accommodate the Royal Star "Bertha", so it's parked over my friend Jeff's house.
Both girls were in mucho need of oil/filter changes, tranny, coolant, brake and clutch fluid replacement, and brake pads. Good time to get them both ready for spring. Can't wait to get back out on the road with them soon. Getting riding "ants in my pants."