Changes At Home

The past 3 weeks have been very eventful around the Wolf's Lair.  It started with my garage door going belly up and trapping my motorcycle inside.  That however, is the worst of it.  The rest has been nothing but good news!



The contractors have just about finished putting a new roof on the house.  It's a beautiful dark oak shingle with a flat black trim to compliment the white trim that goes around the house.  It looks absolutely fantastic and has been long overdue.  Along with the roof, they also replaced two sky lights that had been damaged this year in a hail storm. We've all heard horror stories about contractors, but so far this group has been really great.  Incredibly respectful and open about what they're doing. 

Along with the roof and sky lights, we are also have a couple of walls replaced in the house due to water damage.  The entire wall where the fireplace sits has been gutted and beams have been replaced.  And one of the walls in our bedroom has also been gutted and repaired.  We are hoping to have the new drywall installed next week.  We're taking this opportunity to remove the wallpaper in our bedroom because we hope to start painting our room after the contractors finish.

With all of this construction going on, our bedroom and living room are a mess.  All of the furniture has been moved around, covered with plastic tarp, and everything has a constant coating of dust and debris.  As annoying and inconvenient as this is, we aren't going to rush the process.  So far these guys are doing a good job and are going above and beyond to repair any damage as they find it.  But we hope everything returns to normal soon.  My wife and I have shared ideas on how to rearrange all of our furniture and start everything fresh for the coming new year.  I'm really excited about it and can't wait to get started.

We decided to revamp our bathroom this weekend.  Removing the wallpaper in our bedroom is easy, but our bathroom is a different story.  The guy who installed this stuff did one hell of a job.  The wallpaper steamer is doing a great job thankfully, but it's a slow process.  We had hoped that the bathroom wallpaper would come off in sheets just like out bedroom, but this stuff is like pulling scrap paper out of a spiral notebook.  Tiny strips, and it leaves the residue and glue on the walls, so we have to go over the same spot 3-4 times.  But we're getting there. Slowly but surely.

For now, it's a waiting game.  Once the contractors have finished, the next task will be the living room floor.  We all hope this will be the last major repair that's required for a while.  The future is looking bright, and I hope it continues to get better.

-James

Ready To Ride

I picked up the bike from the shop last Saturday -perfect timing.

The weather has been truly spectactular the past 3 days.  Low's in the upper 40's, reaching 80 degrees at mid day.  Fall seems to be kicking in earlier than usual here in the Sunshine State, and I'm perfectly happy with that!

I had a complete inspection and tune up done on the Versys.  It was due for it's first annual inspection, and it was in the shop for 2 weeks.  The valves weren't too bad, they needed a little adjusting, but barring any unforeseen issues, the bike should be good for another 12-20,000 miles. 

I did an oil change yesterday.  Even though the bike didn't need it, I had to do it.  The last time that oil was changed, my dad and I did it together, and it was the first time I've ever done an oil change.  Yesterday, I changed it to "get over the hump".  I wanted to prove to myself that I can move on after his death and take care of the basic maintenance a motorcycle requires.  I know he was watching me do it, and I hope I made him proud.  The truth is, I broke down in tears after I finished.  There's so much more I wanted to learn from him, I swear he knew everything.  But he gave me the tools (literally) and a good sense of direction to teach myself what I need to know.  I miss him terribly, but he's with me every time I put the helmet on.

The bike is ready to ride.  I look forward to taking it on a long ride some time soon.  The weather looks like it will cooperate this week, so if I'm able to ride to work, I'll be satisfied with that for now.


-James

2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 @ INTERMOT 2014

Good morning, everyone.

This news broke yesterday afternoon, so I apologize for the delay.  My source for the photos is asphaltandrubber.com, with the article link listed here.  They also have information on the new Kawasaki Ninja H2R, BMW R1200R & RS, along with many other models, so be sure to check them out!


That being said, let's get into it.


For those of you who don't know, INTERMOT is the International Motorcycle, Scooter & E-bike Show that takes place in Cologne, Germany every October.  Countries from all over the world come to show off their new models of two-wheeled machines.  For comparison, it's like the Detroit Auto Show, and the E3 Conference for the video gaming community, if not bigger. 

There have been a couple of "leaked" photos of the various 2015 Versys concepts over the past year, with some speculating that Kawasaki is making an 800cc variant, but they've all been identified as fakes.  While I can't say with absolute certainty that Kawasaki won't be making an 800cc Versys some time in the future, fans of the model were able to quickly identify this below image as nothing more than an "I wish" design.

 

The 650cc Versys is incredibly popular around the world, particularly in South East Asia & Western Europe. With such a huge following, it's hard to imagine Kawasaki introducing a model that very few people seem to be screaming for. Between the 650 and 1000cc models, Kawasaki seems to have a strong foothold on the market.  Introducing an 800cc could muddy the water.

 

The 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 looks to be an incredible machine.  The most noticeable difference from previous models is the dual headlight configuration.  This certainly increases the aesthetics of the motorcycle, while improving visibility, so that other vehicles have a better chance of seeing the bike on the road. 



 

The second thing we notice from this picture is the addition of an adjustable windscreen.  I personally am intrigued by this because by adding that feature, it reduces the riders need to by a custom/aftermarket windscreen to fit their needs.  I applaud Kawasaki's desire to make the bike more rider friendly and customizable.  Also notice the angular mirrors that have carried over from the 2010 model.  It's a great look and I'm glad Kawasaki has continued that on the 2015.

Looking at the controls, not much seems different.  Horn, signals, hazards, and high/low beam controls on the left, electric starter and kill switch on the right.  The addition of what could be a fog light switch is on the right just below the mirror.  The display looks much cleaner than previous models, with the tachometer mounted above the digital spedometer and panel lights.  I'm curious to find out more about red circular display on the right of the main panel, and what looks to be an electrical port on the left.  Could it be an optional port for mounting GPS or other hardware?  They've also cleaned up the center point for the handle bars.  It used to be a large box in the middle, now it's a smoother, smaller rectangle.

To my understanding, Kawasaki kept the standard parallel twin 649cc motor from previous models.  They certainly aren't the most quiet motor, but they're popular with riders for their reliability and somewhat ease of maintenance.  Hopefully Kawasaki tweaked the design to reduce the noise.  The under carriage exhaust and the engine cover plastics have also carried over, albeit they've changed them somewhat.  Also, a larger 5.5 gallon tank was added, giving riders that extra distance they want for a good ride.

 Couldn't help but notice Kawasaki has continued to keep the excessively gaudy rear turn signal/plate mount.  In my opinion, there's no reason for that plastic guard to be so long.  Mount the reflector higher if you must.  I gave mine a clean cut just behind the plate and I think it looks great.

 Overall, I'm incredibly excited to see the new 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650.  I think they've done a great job re-imagining the design and bringing together all of the positive aspects of the 2008-2014 models. Dual headlights, adjustable windscreen, cleaner display, smoother lines, a larger fuel tank, and a few updates to the electrics & body.  While I don't see myself owning the new model any time soon, I'll certainly be sure to test drive it once my local dealer gets them in stock.

Let me know what you think! What's your opinion on the new Versys? Did Kawasaki knock one out of the park, or did they strike out? If you liked this post be sure to give it a +1 on Google, and press that follow button so you don't miss out on future postings. 

Also be sure to check me out on Twitter @FloriderRiderFL! and use the hashtag #TheFloridaRider for Twitter & Instagram!

Thanks!

-James

Xbox, Football, & Other Oddities: When A Motorcyclist Can't Motorcycle

You read that title correctly. 

Since I haven't been able to ride the motorcycle (primarily because it's been too hot, today it's raining, & now the bike is in the shop for the valve inspection), I've been trying to find other things to occupy my time.

Thankfully, I work full time and I've been putting in overtime at the office to catch up on work, and to burn a few hours each week.  I use the term "catch up" lightly, because in HR, you're never really caught up.  I applied for a recently opened position in my department and if I can get it, the door for more growth will be opened.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

If the weather decides to cooperate, I should hopefully be able to use the bike as a daily driver in the next few weeks.  I look forward to being back on two wheels again, and if this Fall is anything like last year, it will truly be fantastic. 

So along with work, I've been playing on my new Xbox One.  My VA Disabled Veteran compensation kicked in, and I picked up the Xbox One as a fun way to kill some time on the weekend.  I've been messing around with the console, personalizing it and such.  It's really quite impressive. I'm an avid gamer and I've spent countless hours with a controller in my hand.  I didn't get the Kinect addition, so I can't give it voice commands, but I'm okay with that.  I'm looking forward to Forza Horizon 2, it truly has the ability to be one of the greatest games I've ever played.  Right now, Red Dead Redemption still holds that title.

Every weekend, I also look forward to football.  I cannot express my satisfaction that football season is finally back.  For college, the Florida Gators are hanging by a thread in terms of being a dangerous team.  Unforunately, that thread is about to break.  The Gators are truly struggling, and since that 2008 BCS Championship team graduated, Florida has truly been disappointing.  We have a history with douche bag, yet legendary coaches.  Steve Spurrier & Urban Meyer have won championships, then lost the support of Gator Nation when they both skipped town under awful circumstances. 

Since I was younger, as my home town Gators struggled, I've always turned to my favorite NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, for solace.  That has backfired in my face for the past 4 seasons, and it looks like that disappointing trend will continue.  Losing Super Bowl 45 to the Packers, losing to my home town hero Tim Tebow & the Denver Broncos in the 2011 Playoffs, then going 8-8 the past two seasons.  It's still too early to tell what will happen this year, but taking into consideration the awful and completely unnecessary loss to Tampa Bay yesterday, it doesn't look good.  Only 1/4 of the way through the season, Pittsburgh can definitely turn things around, but it HAS to happen now.  The defense has way too many holes, Dick LeBeau's 3-4 Zone Blitz scheme doesn't intimidate opponents anymore because it's a one-trick pony that teams have learned to overcome.  For once, the Steelers offense is starting to take a stand, if you don't look into Todd Haley's head scratching play calling, that is.  The Steelers need help.  If they don't make the playoffs this year, the team needs to make some front office changes.  Ben Roethlisberger isn't getting younger, and his window for success is starting to close. 

We're getting a new roof, new tile flooring in the living room, & the fireplace wall is going to be gutted and rebuilt in the next few weeks and it's going to be really nice.  In the mean time, we've begun our decorations for Fall.  Pumpkins and scarecrows are finding themselves scattered around the house and yard.  We're staging the Halloween gear and deciding where to put things.  Just need to decide what I'm wearing for Halloween.  My dogs have already picked their costumes.

 

  -James

Plenty of Down Time Lately

It has been a pretty uneventful few weeks since my last post.

The weather has consistently been hot and rainy, but the mornings are starting out cooler (upper 60s) with slightly lower humidity.  It's still a bit too warm for taking the bike out, but it shouldn't be too long before the motorcycle becomes my daily driver once again!

Speaking of motorcycles, I just dropped mine off at the shop on Saturday to get it's first good tune up and inspection.  It's starting to become "motorcycle season" in Florida again, and I want to make sure the bike is good to go for those long weekend trips I plan on taking.  I also requested a quote for getting my rims powder coated.  I think the bike would look good with black rims instead of the factory silver.

Other than taking the bike to the shop, I haven't been doing much else other than putting in hours at the office.  Mid-late Summer tends to become like Groundhog Day for me as I look foward to Fall.

I should be hearing from my mechanic by the end of the week.  I told him to take as long as he needs, I'm not in a rush.  When I pick up the Versys, I'll have to ask him if he's willing to look at my '76 Triumph.  I look forward to taking that bike out on the road in the future.

I hope for a great riding season this Fall.  I can't wait to be on two wheels again!

-James

The Time Has Come --Inspection Time!

16,271. That's the number of miles on my 2008 Kawasaki Versys 650.  The time has finally come for the valve clearance inspection.  Not only that, I think the bike is due for a good once over.  It's safe to assume the previous owner never gave the bike it's first annual inspection.  Based on the condition of the front tire (bald), and the dead spark plugs when I purchased the bike, it's safe to say the previous owner didn't know what he was doing.  However, since I've owned the bike, it's become quite a wonderful ride.  I can't say that I've been looking forward to this occasion, but with the motor starting to tick and it's mileage building up, the bike needs the investment. 

Just seems that expenses outweigh income.  This is no exception.  The tremendous Florida heat has been a mixed blessing. While I can't take the bike out as often as I'd like, it also allowed the bike to stay in the garage, so I wouldn't have to spend the money earlier (which I didn't have).  In the next couple of weeks, I'll make sure the bike gets the attention it requires.  Hoping the weather begins to cool down soon, so that everything will fall into place, and the bike will be ready to ride as Fall hits the area. 

-James

An Eventful Few Days

This past weekend was a weekend of "musts". With my wife returning to school later this month, and hopefully being hired full time,  I will need an alternative method of transportation when the weather doesn't allow for a motorcycle (which in Florida is 90% of the year).

 

She has a 2004 Mazda RX8 that she used to drive in high school, and we also drove it when we were stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.  It's been sitting in the garage since 2011. It's in excellent condition with incredibly low miles (less than 60K).  I'm hoping to use it as a daily driver.

 

 

I went to Advanced Auto Parts and picked up a new battery and fluids, and with fingers crossed, the car came to life. Pretty rough start, but it'll get better with time.

 

 

 

I'm going to need new tires, complete fluid flush, and brakes, but otherwise it will be ready to go. It's a fabulous little car and I loved driving it around. I hope everything works out.

 

We also ripped up the living room carpet in preparation for new flooring. Not much to report on that other than the tile that's going down will look great. Looks like wood flooring, even has texture that mimics wood grain. 

 

 

Updates to come on this and the car.
 

-James

How To Keep Your Ride Top Notch: My Products of Choice

Your motorcycle endures extreme environmental conditions throughout its life.  Snow, rain, dust, dirt, mud, salt, bugs...we all want our rides to look great and be protected, but with so many products out there, which do you choose?

 

 

The best product that I have found that cleans the body of your motorcycle is Pro Honda Spray Cleaner & Polish.  

 

 

Pro Honda acts as a cleaner and a protector.  You don't have to use it heavily, either.  Just a quick spritz on your bike and buff it with a clean, soft rag.  It is great for removing bugs, water stains, mud, and anything else your environment can throw at you.  Your ride will have a beautiful shine, and will also be protected from UV rays that can fade your paint over time! It's perfect for daily riders who leave their bikes in parking lots during the day.  You can use it to clean your windscreen and mirrors as well! Works perfectly and doesn't leave streaks.

 

Okay, well what about the rest of your bike? How do you clean your engine, chain guard, rims, frame, forks, (or even the chain itself!)? The best thing is WD-40.  Spray WD on a clean rag and wipe down your surfaces.  Your bike will look showroom quality, and will cost next to nothing! It's great at cutting through built up gunk, especially after a long trip, or if you've been slacking on maintenance.  If you take your front sprocket guard off, you'd be amazed at the amount of road debris, dirt, and grease that accumulates inside that guard.  Spray it with WD-40 and wipe it clean.  Your equipment will thank you for it!

 



 

Cleaning your chain is a great way to extend the life of your chain and sprockets.  I put the bike on a lift, and spray WD on a clean rag.  As I spin the rear tire, I run the chain through the rag and clean the face plates on the chain.  For in depth cleaning (especially around the rear sprocket), I use an old toothbrush and WD.  Constantly lubricating your chain without routinely cleaning it will result in heavy build up around your sprockets and engine.

 

 

For chain lubrication, my dad turned me on to a product called Chain Wax.  It lubricates and protects your chain from rain and dirt, and it also bonds to your chain so it doesn't sling everywhere when you start riding.  It is basically a wax, but it's loose enough to provide good lubrication and freedom of movement in your chain.  If you ride daily, it's good to lubricate your chain at least once a week.  Of course if you hit foul weather, go ahead and re-apply to protect your chain.  If you do that, it's also best to clean your chain once every couple of weeks.  I see motorcycles every where and they have dry, rusty chains and sprockets.  It blows my mind that people don't think to do BASIC maintenance.  Didn't we all lube our bicycle chains as kids?  It's the same principle, except your motorcycle chain is everything to your machine.  Don't be stupid, people.  Lubricate your chain, it's incredibly dangerous not to.

 

You can find Pro Honda at any motorcycle shop, WD-40 pretty much anywhere, but Chain Wax I'm starting to have difficulty tracking down.  You can order it online through Amazon, or if you find a local store that carries it, go ahead and stock up.  I did, so hopefully I won't have to worry about it for a while. 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you liked it or have your own tips & tricks that you'd like to share, leave a comment and let me know!

 

-J

Custom Versys?

Over the past few months, I have been playing around with my Versys' bodywork.  I had removed the windscreen in an attempt to clean up the lines.  I really liked it, but the red cowlings stopped where the windscreen sits, and it was obvious that something was missing from the bike.  I debated going to a fabrication shop to get a piece made that will fill that gap, but nothing really came of it.  I'm still undecided.

Along with the windscreen, I also considered smaller mirrors, I'm still looking for a nice pair, but most of them have really distasteful designs, or are too small to be useful.  I'm still in the market for a rear fender eliminator.  I know which one I need, but it's not a priority purchase right now.  It's a luxury that one day I will indulge myself in. 

The Versys also has mounts for a rear storage box.  Normally, there are small handles that mount to the bike whenever you don't have the box installed.  My dad tried to convince me last year that the rear looks better without the box or handles.  I didn't agree, but I decided to give it a try, and he was right afterall. Dad is always right! haha.

For now, I'll keep the windscreen on the bike.  I didn't notice a difference a difference in milage, but it does help to have the windscreen during the summer months as bugs are ridiculous. Removing the windscreen certainly gives the Versys a more sporty look, and I fee that it also makes the bike seem more "aggressive".  What do you think? 

-J

Motorcycles & Cooler Temperatures: What You Need To Know

As Fall kicks into high gear, and the weather gets cooler, a number of concerns arise this time of year.  Be sure to properly use the choke on your carburetor as the temperature dictates when starting your bike.  Also, it is imperative that riders maintain as full of a tank of gas as possible. With the fluctuating temperatures between the outside air and inside the tank, condensation can easily form inside the tank and that is a real problem.  The engine will spit and sputter, and die frequently. Water in the fuel is a simple fix, but inexperienced and uneducated riders will think something is terribly wrong and will let a motorcycle waste away because they don't want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars that they think it will cost to repair their ride. 

Drain the carburetor. Takes 5-10 minutes to do and you can do it yourself.  You should not have to remove your carburetor from your motorcycle.  Find a clear cup or Tupperware container that is the proper size to fit under your carburetor.  If your motorcycle has an accessible pepcock (valve that can turn on/off your fuel), turn it to the "off" position.  Place the clear container underneath your carburetor where the drainage port is located. Directly above that port, is a small screw.  Ensure that you carefully loosen the screw (my carb doesn't require the complete removal of the screw) and the fuel should begin to drain into your container.  If you have water in your fuel, it will be obvious to see.  The water will settle to the bottom of the container and collect in a bubble.  Do not add the contaminated fuel from your carburetor back into your tank, dispose of it properly.  Re-tighten the screw on the carburetor, return your pepcock to the "on" position.  Top off your tank with fresh gasoline, and ride.  Your motorcycle will return to normal with time, the best thing you can do is ride frequently to run clean fuel through your engine.

Another very important aspect of motorcycle maintenance involves your tires.  Cooler temperatures causes air to compress, so keeping an eye on your tire pressure becomes increasingly vital during Fall/Winter.  It is a normal safety practice to check your tires before every ride, but this becomes a true necessity this time of year.  Riding a motorcycle with low air pressure can be deadly.  A simple 30-second pressure check before you ride could mean the difference between life and death.  Use a tire gauge.  Do not use the "kick the tire" technique, as it does not give you an accurate reading on tire pressure, and it can also be misleading as rubber tires tend to stiffen in cold weather.

These simple (and basic) checks are very simple, and very vital.  Keep an eye out for a future post regarding Winter riding and proper long term motorcycle storage!

-J