Rolling Thunder 2014

My son and I made our annual trip to the Washington DC area for Rolling Thunder a few weekends ago. We'd both been looking forward to the trip - our first big trip of the year. My son had been telling everyone for weeks before that we were taking a six hour motorcycle trip to Virginia, making the six hours sound so unappealing. And I'm sure for those that aren't riders, it didn't sound like fun. But we knew otherwise and we couldn't wait to take off!!

Friday, May 23

What good motorcycle trip doesn't start with a stop at Waffle House? And sharing with family before leaving makes it even better!

After getting our fill, it was time to get going. Someone was anxious to get moving...

Our first planned stop was Clarksville to stretch our legs. About ten minutes before we stopped it started to sprinkle. It was so light that as soon as the droplets hit, they dried. At Clarksville we debated putting on the rain suits. The sky was overcast and this was my son's first experience in the rain on a bike. The decision was make to put them on. Which pretty much guaranteed it would stop raining. 

Next stop, halfway point, Sheetz in Farmville. Time for gas and some grub. Or a power pill for my son.

We were having a good time and making good time. Final stop before our destination was Orange. Where we met my father-in-law and uncle for the last leg. It was nice to meet up with them, knowing we weren't far. A nice meal was waiting for us when we made our final stop.

Saturday, May 24

In the morning we head to Patriot Harley Davidson to pick up Rolling Thunder pins and check out what's going on. This year I was a bit disappointed in the number of vendors. It seems they're saving more spaces for bikes to park in the lot, which leaves less for the vendors. But I guess if the choice has to be made between bike parking and vendors, the bikes win.

While we were there, a photographer was working on a project called Why We Roll. In a nutshell, he was capturing images of people participating in Rolling Thunder and what Rolling Thunder meant to them.

Sunday, May 25 - Rolling Thunder

They day always starts with a gathering and breakfast over at Wayne and Theresa's house. It was a beautiful morning. Before the ride, a few words were said in honor of Kelley who passed away. He was a big part of the ride and it just wasn't the same without him.

Then it was time to head out. Nolan would lead the riders out. At the end of the street, he would loop around and hop onto Rick's bike for the rest of the ride into DC.

Hanging out in DC before heading down Constitution to watch the parade.

Checking out the sites at Thunder Alley.

Parade time.

Parade food.

After the parade, it's back to Wayne and Theresa's for the after-parade party.

A future rider?

Monday, May 26

Time to head home. It's been a great trip and we're having fun. But we're looking forward to getting home. So much so, that we skipped our last stop just to get home a little sooner. But not without a stop at Sheetz for some more road-food.

So, until next year...

With Sadness...

Ten years ago I bought my Harley Davidson Road King Classic. I had ridden before but this was the first bike I owed. It opened up a whole new world and passion in me. Since getting the bike, I've been on many adventures, I've met many people, I even became an instructor.

Buying the bike also opened up another world I wasn't expecting. Buying a motorcycle isn't like buying a car, where you go in, haggle over a price, buy the car and leave. Maybe only to return for service if they sold you on that. When I bought the bike at Ray Price Harley Davidson, I met and made friends with the folks at the dealership.

In particular was Brenda in Motorclothes. Our son was just over one year old and Brenda would spoil him every time we walking in the dealership. Through the years, we got to know Brenda and her husband Pete. When we met Pete, he was working in the used parts and clothes shop he had opened for Ray Price. If I would ever walk in the dealership without my son, Brenda would ask where he was. Then she would send me home with Tootsie Rolls for him. We would run into Brenda and Pete at the local Waffle House. We were fortunate enough to celebrate Brenda's birthday with them earlier this year.

About an hour ago I learned that Pete passed away today. I'm really at a loss for what to say. Pete will be missed. Brenda is in our prayers. I'm sad. Our family is sad.

R.I.P. Pete.

Rolling Thunder...

Hard to believe we're already in May and it's time for Rolling Thunder! I guess it's the way the weeks are falling in the calendar this year, it sure seems a lot earlier.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. It will be a nice ride with my son. I took him for the first time last year and he really enjoyed it. He's been talking about this year's ride ever since! He's been telling anyone that will listen that he's riding this weekend. Of course his statement about being on the motorcycle ride up for six hours doesn't make it sound appealing. I'm sure if I offered for him to stay comfortable at home he'd decline! I know it's not an easy ride for him, but I also know he really enjoys it.

Tomorrow morning we'll start our journey. We'll make it a leisurely trip without wasting too much time. That means tonight I need to run around making sure we have everything we need for the trip. I see my wife has already started gathering stuff for us. She's amazing!

Distracted Driving...

In recognition of Motorcycle Awareness Month, the AMA published an article about distracted driving. I like the message and think it's effective. I just wonder how many non-riders will read it or even thing about it.

Just remember, safety in traffic is *everyone's* responsibility!

Ride for Kids

This past Sunday was the Ride for Kids... We couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather turned out gorgeous and the event was excellent.

The day started out little early and a little chilly. But with the right layers on, it didn't matter and made the rising temps more appealing. One stop for gas on the way out and we were on our way to meet up with the rest of the BBQ Brothers.

We got to Jordan Lake, took care of registration, grabbed some donuts and biscuits to eat and left some time for meeting and greeting. Got to talk to Bob from Bob and the Showgram. He'd been out for a couple weeks so it was good to see him again. I was really impressed when I introduced my son to him and he took the time to talk to my son and told him a story about when he was younger and rode bikes with his dad.

After the blessing, it was off for the ride. A nice 60 mile, police escorted ride through the beautiful North Carolina countryside. The event has been going on long enough that people line parts of the route to watch the motorcycles go by. Especially as we go around the courthouse in Pittsboro. That's an impressive site as a a 3 mile long line of bikes loop around, passing each other and filling the streets.

Some pictures my son took while we were riding.

Once we got back from the ride, it was time to grab some lunch and celebrate with the Stars of the ride. This is the best part of the event because the Stars share their personal stories and we get to talk to them and their families.

In the end, our club raised almost $12,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the event raised almost $88,000. It was quite an honor for our club to take top honor for raising the most money for a motorcycle club.

So with the end of this year's event, it's the beginning of our efforts for next year.

Check out the ride map...

Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month...

Today kicks off Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. Seems like a good time get back to updating this blog and to remind everyone watch out for motorcyclists. As we get past this grueling winter we've had and the weather gets nicer, we're going to start seeing more and more riders out on the road. Well, the hope is that we do *see* the riders.

May is also kind of the kick-off to my riding season. Not that I really ever stop riding for the year, it's just the first few organized events kick-off this month. Especially this year since I couldn't ride in the Cape Fear 1000.

It starts this weekend with the Ride for Kids. Our team, BBQ Brothers, has put a small chunk of change together, with more to come!! I'm thinking the weather will be nice. It will be good to share some time with my son. And, best of all, it's all for a good cause.

Towards the middle of the month, I'll be teaching, so that'll give me a chance to ride to/from class. Although I don't really need a reason to ride. Just need to do it!

The month will wrap up with Rolling Thunder. I'm really looking forward to that weekend. A chance to take a longer ride with my son and spend some time with him. And he really seems to enjoy it as well. I think he likes both the time out on the road riding as well as Rolling Thunder - what it stands for and what it means. This year we're even contemplating riding in it instead of just observing from the side. About the only thing that will change all that is if my wife decides to come along and ride instead. And I can't say I'd be disappointed if that happened. In fact, I think it would be great if she came along. Well just see what happens.

bummer...

meandered over to the smoke chasing site this weekend only to find they're not running the tour this year. seems team strange is focusing their time on special 30th anniversary tours. and why not - 30 years is a long time and certainly deserves celebration!

i'm sure i won't have any problems filling my time with some other adventure this year. i'll look forward to smoke chasing in 2015 and wish team strange best of luck with their tours this year...

new fluids for the bike...

with all the snow and ice lately, the weather and roads haven't been conducive to riding. so i spent a little time yesterday working on the bike... okay, maybe a little time turned into more time than it should have taken!

i started the day out thinking i would just change the fluids - oil, transmission and primary chain. then i got to thinking while i have the primary case open, i may as well go for a clutch adjustment as well. my father-in-law has helped me through the process before, but this was the first time attempting the feat on my own. and even though i have the service manual, i called him to talk through the process before starting.

to get to the primary cover off on my road king, i have to start by taking the passenger footrest off the bike. how crazy is that? looking at my maintenance records, i see i didn't change the primary oil. probably because i couldn't find the tool to take the footrest off.

foot rest removed

next was putting slack into the clutch line by loosening the adjusting nut.

adjusting nut loosened

once the clutch cable is loose, the lock nut on the adjusting screw needs to be loosened ad the adjusting screw backed out a bit. once that's done, the adjusting screw needs to be screwed in until there's a slight bit of resistance. not quite knowing what a slight bit of resistance is, a call was placed to my all-knowing father-in-law. after some discussion, i felt comfortable with how it should feel. after getting to that point, the screw should be backed out 1/2 to 1 full turn. then, without moving the adjusting screw, the lock nut needs to be tightened again. easier said than done!

adjusting the clutch adjusting screw

time to tighten the clutch cable. the cable needs to be tightened until there is 1/16th to 1/8th inch between the ferrule and clutch bracket. again, a little easier said than done - i mean how much pull on the cable is needed to test the clearance? experience, i guess. once it's adjusted, the clutch lever should be pulled in a few times to seat the ball and ramp and then the clearance checked (again). repeat as necessary. when the cable is adjusted, the jam nut can be tightened and the boot replaced.

clutch cable adjusted

boot replaced

clutch adjusted, victory call made to father-in-law, time to move on to replacing the fluids. at this point, it's simple a matter of removing the primary fluid drain plug under the primary cover.

draining primary fluid

as usual, once the fluid is drained, time to put the plug back in and fill up the primary case. i find that draining the fluid is best when the bike is on the side stand. but putting the fluid into the primary case is much easier when the bike is level. once quart of fluid and time to close up the primary case and reattach the passenger footrest.

clutch adjusted and primary fluid changed

time to move to the other side of the bike to change the oil and transmission fluids. the oil needs to be done at operating temperature. since i couldn't take it out for a ride, i started the bike and let it run while i tinkered around the garage for a bit. satisfied it was warm enough, the oil drain plug was removed. with the oil draining from the pan, i move on to taking the oil filter off.

oil cap and transmission cap removed to assist in draining

i bought this handy little tool to help catch the oil when the filter is removed. i put it in place, run the hose to the catch pan and start removing the filter. one thing i didn't think of/realize, with the tool in place, as you turn the filter, it runs through the draining oil, making the filter slippery and harder to take off. as i'm fighting with this, i notice oil gathering on the tool and none going into the catch pan. this is when 20/20 hind-sight kicks in. i probably should have made sure the line was clear before hooking it up. so now, with good intentions of keeping things clean, i've got a head start on making a mess!

a mess brewing

oil filter removed. oil still in precarious place.

after some careful maneuvering, i manage to get the filter tool away from the engine without making much of a mess. i also checked the tube and it seems a family of critters decided to make it home while i wasn't using it. you can believe it's not a mistake i'll make again!

new filter on

with the new filter in place, it was time to replace the oil plug and drain the transmission fluid. both plugs are on the underside of the bike and not far apart.

transmission fluid draining

once the transmission fluid was done draining, the plug was put in and fluids added to both oil transmission cases. i cracked up the engine again to get it back to operating temperature to make the final check on the oil level.

job accomplished. now i just need some good weather to get the bike out and check the clutch adjustment. maybe lunch one day this week..

sunday ride...

took a ride to thomasville this past sunday to attend the year update for instructors. i was anxious to get back on the bike since i've been busy, it's been cold and i haven't had a chance to do much riding this year. well, it was cold sunday but i didn't let that stop me - at least it was supposed to be sunny.

i bundled up with a few layers and my electric gear. even though it was below freezing when i took off, it wasn't as bad as i expected. i started out on back roads, in the dark, scanning for patches of ice. i was a bit surprised at how clean the roads were.

on my way, i was surprised at how much colder it was once i got off the back roads and hit the interstate. i would have figured once i got onto the highway and away from what little shade there was that early in the morning, the temps would have been warmed. i guess the concrete kept it cold.

first stop was waffle house to catch up with a fellow instructor and head out to thomasville. after a quick breakfast and some hot coffee, we bundled up and headed out.

before leaving, i had forgotten to put the location into my gps - not that i didn't know where i was going, i just like to keep tabs on my travel. earlier in the year i deleted all the way points make navigating the cape fear 1000 a bit easier. now i'm cruising down the road, trying to fat finger my gps with heavy gloves.

now i love my gps. it's rugged and it serves me well. but... it leaves a lot to be desired in the search category. as i'm fumbling with finding the college, moving the alphabet slider, punching the wrong letters, trying to nail the backspace icon in the upper right corner, i keep thinking about the +Skully Helmets ar-1.

how cool would it be to just be able to speak and find your location without removing your hands from the grips? no more looking down as you're fumbling with the location. it's all there, right in front of you, just an eyes-shift away. not only that, but with the rear-facing camera and being on the highway, it'd be a heck of a lot easier to keep track of traffic. i'm in the habit of always using my mirrors and scanning all around. but it's inevitable that you lose a vehicle somewhere and end up wrenching your head around trying to find it again. that one-eighty degree field of view would certainly help in those situations.

we made it to the update, caught up with many friends and got the usual comments about being crazy for riding in the cold. everyone was talking about driving in their cages and being able to turn on the heat. i'd just pick up the cord for my heated gear and say 'me too.'

i will admit it was cold on on the way there. but not as cold as some days i've ridden. and the ride home definitely made it all worth it. what am i saying? it could have been just as cold on the way home and it would have been worth it!!! but the ride home was absolutely beautiful. great temps, sunny, just cutting a trail home.

we did have to make one stop to pick up some foam for my friend's wife. the girl at the fabric outlet thought we were crazy. but it's just another day motorcycling!!

check out the route on the 2014 ride map...

skully ar-1 beta tester...

a few weeks ago i applied to be a beta tester for skully's ar-1 helmet. the helmet features a heads-up display and rear-facing camera. the rear-facing camera has a 180 degree viewing angle, which means not only do you see what's behind you, you can also see to the sides. with a viewing angle like that, your blind spot is greatly reduced. in addition to seeing the the rear-facing camera in the heads-up display, a gps map is displayed. there are two versions of the map - a simplified version and a detailed version for driving directions.

today i received an email saying they've received my application and am being considered as a tester. skully will begin notifying candidates of their selection in february. it might be a bit early to start holding my breath, but i can always hope.

black box legislation...

Lately, we've had a lot to be concerned about when it comes to protecting our privacy. Our Government unwittingly gaining access to our information. Stores not protecting our information as we would trust them to. So much of our personal information is out there and so many entities are trying to get access to it. Some of that probably pieces of information you didn't even know were being collected.
If you watch any news, you know that when there's a plane crash one of the first things they do is get the Black Box - the flight data recorder. Did you know your car most likely has a Black Box - an event data recorder? And did you know there's indecision about who owns the data collected by the Black Box? You think you do. The insurance company thinks they do. The auto manufacturer thinks they do.
Recently Senators John Hoeven and Amy Klobuchar introduced S.1926 Driver Privacy Act, which would make the property owner or lessee of the motor vehicle the owner of information collected by the Black Box.
The +American Motorcyclist Association is working to ensure motorcycles are included in this legislation. Granted, right now, it's not common for motorcycles to have event recorders. But you never know when it will become common-place. And why wait until then?
Head on over to the AMA web site and let your senator know you want motorcycles included in the legislation.