Bikes & guns (well... not so many guns) Pt III

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun May 05, 2013 8:32 am

(sorry for the lousy pic...)

Dug out the "new" Scoot yesterday... (only been 25yrs since last real Ride...)

'81 Maxim with 5.8K original miles.

Rode it to work (51mi) & back... at sub 50deg temps.

Need advice on windproof gloves etc.

Thanks...

earlmck · Post by **earlmck** » Sun May 05, 2013 11:06 am

What a beautiful classic scoot, OI! That certainly deserves getting a lot more miles on the odometer. I ordered some "polar explorer" style gloves from Cabela's a few years ago for just such endeavors but they don't work any miracles when the ride gets long and the "wind across the bow" gets 70mph + or so. Best thing I do for biking enjoyment is to wait until the temp gets up in the 70's ---.

Real dedicated cool-weather bikers get those plug-in electric heated vests and gloves but us more casual folks just wait for nicer weather.

Post by **Old Savage** » Sun May 05, 2013 11:18 am

Here is an interesting site that RR7 will like.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun May 05, 2013 11:21 am

Nice old scoot!! First thing I'd do is get a windshield, and big brush guards for the grips.....Some extra large latex gloves over a warm pair of fleece gloves can keep the wind and wet out. Frogg Togs are very decent rain and wind protection. Highway bars can be outfitted with leather or vinyl as lowers to keep your legs out of the wind...

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun May 05, 2013 11:31 am

BlaineG wrote:Nice old scoot!! First thing I'd do is get a windshield, and big brush guards for the grips.....Some extra large latex gloves over a warm pair of fleece gloves can keep the wind and wet out. Frogg Togs are very decent rain and wind protection. Highway bars can be outfitted with leather or vinyl as lowers to keep your legs out of the wind...

ditto. windshield will be amazing. though I never cruised with one.

even without a windshield a waterproof lap robe is a life saver on highways. easy to custom make one, and it's a whole new ride that way.

ditto on the brush guards, they will cut down a lot on air penetration.

you can get foam lined vinal work gloves and knitted wool liners that will provide a lot of insulation where it counts.

nice ride, stay safe, you're invisible out there

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Sun May 05, 2013 11:38 am

I used welding gloves, the kind that go halfway up to your elbow. Keep the wind from peeling your coat sleeve up freezing your hands. Also found out they will keep your hands dry for an hour or so in the rain.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun May 05, 2013 11:51 am

I'm not really into "fast", but when I played with the accelerator yesterday I was hitting solid sub-4-sec 0-60's. The odo maxes at 85, but it will bury it in around 6 seconds and keep accelerating...

I believe it when people say it will do a Quarter in under 12...

For not having ridden ANYTHING (for more than a block or two) since 1987 I'm feeling pretty good about scrounging the $1500 they wanted for this one.

Accessories: I agree on the windscreen. I've been looking at a few that are not overly obtrusive. My last bike was a 650 Special and it had a smallish screen that kept the wind off my body. Miss that.

Looking for Inexpensive, but decent quality windproof Chaps & Gloves for my pre-dawn/after dark commute though.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun May 05, 2013 11:52 am

3leggedturtle wrote:I used welding gloves, the kind that go halfway up to your elbow. Keep the wind from peeling your coat sleeve up freezing your hands. Also found out they will keep your hands dry for an hour or so in the rain.

Ooooh... Good call. Easy to get around here too.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun May 05, 2013 11:55 am

Grizz wrote:...
nice ride, stay safe, you're invisible out there

Thus the Blaze Backpack as well as a jacket with 3M Reflective Stripes...

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Sun May 05, 2013 12:23 pm

I used to wear welders gloves also, and mittens when it was too cold for the gloves. Cut off socks help keep your wrists warm when your arms are stretched out to the bars, if you dont have gloves with cuffs.

Keeping your neck warm helps, a bandana, or scarf helps. Rain gear can keep the cold wind off you. A windshield is best for cold weather and rain. Be careful with lower crash guard covers, the motor needs air moving around it to keep from overheating.

I used to switch hands, one the bars, keeping one on the head of the motor to warm it up, then switch back to the other as needed.

Steel toed boots are COLD!!!!!

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun May 05, 2013 1:01 pm

Be careful with lower crash guard covers, the motor needs air moving around it to keep from overheating.

I should have said that....

wecsoger · Post by **wecsoger** » Sun May 05, 2013 1:08 pm

(sorry for the lousy pic...)

Don't apologize. Any picture (and associated story) of an old classic bike (or just an old bike!) is a good one.

I'm lusting after a new one (currently a Victory Judge) but a lot of times the ones I stop and walk around parked at the curb on the older and smaller displacement ones. I give not a flying fig for a little rust, dust, scratches or any other "flaws", that's just character and a story begging to be told.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun May 05, 2013 1:58 pm

I was actually looking at a Honda 650 on/off road bike when the Yamaha came up.

More what I wanted in an "iron horse" but hard to justify the extra $3500 (even if I had had it).

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun May 05, 2013 2:52 pm

Here's the little 900cc Cruiser I picked up.....The Big Honker is up for sale....Back to basics is a good thing....

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun May 05, 2013 3:09 pm

you're giving up the rocket ship?

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun May 05, 2013 4:18 pm

Grizz wrote:you're giving up the rocket ship?

I might be getting too old for that sort of thing...One thing, it was just too tall for me....lowering it would spoil the idea of a rocket ship dual sport tourer....

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun May 05, 2013 4:26 pm

That's about the type of windscreen I'm looking at.

More on the recent acquisition...

It came with Owners Manual, Service Manual, OEM under-seat tool-kit, and every piece of paperwork from both of the prior 2 owners... all the way back to and including the original 1981 Bill of Sale from a Bike Shop in Casper WY.

Better pics:

Those are original miles. All 05880.5 of them.

Needs some minor adjustment of the rear brake & try to figure out an intermittent fault in the right rear turn signal but other than that, I don't even thing the carbs need tuning.

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Sun May 05, 2013 4:38 pm

Check out Dennis Kirk, they used to ship free if you bought more than $100 worth of stuff. I aint too far from them so usually pick it up in person. I am assuming its shaft drive, I sure am getting tired of the chain and sprocket thing. All you need now is some driving lights so you can see whats coming from the shoulders.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun May 05, 2013 4:42 pm

Yeah, it's a Shaft. One of the first reliable ones if the Interwebs are semi-accurate talking about it.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun May 05, 2013 7:16 pm

BlaineG wrote:
Grizz wrote:you're giving up the rocket ship?
I might be getting too old for that sort of thing...One thing, it was just too tall for me....lowering it would spoil the idea of a rocket ship dual sport tourer....

http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoG ... -125-4.jpg

this puppy gets 110 mpg and sits pretty low and looks like FUN to me.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun May 05, 2013 7:23 pm

Grizz wrote:
BlaineG wrote:
Grizz wrote:you're giving up the rocket ship?
I might be getting too old for that sort of thing...One thing, it was just too tall for me....lowering it would spoil the idea of a rocket ship dual sport tourer....
http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoG ... -125-4.jpg

this puppy gets 110 mpg and sits pretty low and looks like FUN to me.

That does look like a fun in-town runabout.

Not so good for a 50+mi highway commute twice a day though...

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sun May 05, 2013 7:30 pm

Grizz that does look kewl. Nice bile OI! Any bike shop will have their winter gear on sale this time of year. I have some nice warm long gloves. Chaps and an all weather jacket.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun May 05, 2013 7:59 pm

Grizz wrote:
BlaineG wrote:
Grizz wrote:you're giving up the rocket ship?
I might be getting too old for that sort of thing...One thing, it was just too tall for me....lowering it would spoil the idea of a rocket ship dual sport tourer....
http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoG ... -125-4.jpg

this puppy gets 110 mpg and sits pretty low and looks like FUN to me.

I have the 125cc Yamaha Zuma....53 mph, and 85 mpg.....

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun May 05, 2013 8:22 pm

BlaineG wrote:
Grizz wrote:
BlaineG wrote:
Grizz wrote:you're giving up the rocket ship?
I might be getting too old for that sort of thing...One thing, it was just too tall for me....lowering it would spoil the idea of a rocket ship dual sport tourer....
http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoG ... -125-4.jpg

this puppy gets 110 mpg and sits pretty low and looks like FUN to me.
I have the 125cc Yamaha Zuma....53 mph, and 85 mpg.....

I think the 200 does abt 70 and gets abt 70mpg, or so.

I like the off-road-ability and the gas mileage.

there are some fun videos of the sachs on yourtube

BILLYDIXON · Post by **BILLYDIXON** » Mon May 06, 2013 1:10 am

Howdy that was cool to see your bike. I hadn't ridden in 10 years myself. Didn't ride in the 80's. I bought a 82 Yamaha 750 Maxim. Rode it for 3 years then bought a Honda VFR700 a little faster. I almost rode year round in Maryland and Virginia. I wore Olympia I think it was 4350's with liners. I also wore Held waterproof gloves that never wore out. I used a electric liner for my jacket and gloves. I later bought a 2002 Concours which was really nice. I also wore a full face helmet and used Fog City shields. Never fogged wore um year round. I worked in bike shops for 10 years so I have accumulated about $3000 worth of gear just like reloading and shooting. I had to retire in 2006. My knees need of double knee replacement and even tho I'm just 59 I still want to get back in the saddle of a bike and horse.
BD

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon May 06, 2013 7:26 am

Nice to meet you BillyD.

FWIW, the helmet pictured is a GMax 67S 3/4 with Shield and retractable sun screen.

When it gets warmer I might go with a PingPong/CHP style, but my glasses make a full face a PITA.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Mon May 06, 2013 10:50 am

900 cc is little?

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Mon May 06, 2013 11:06 am

PingPong/CHP style, but my glasses make a full face a PITA

I rode with one like that for years. I used a bubble shield. no fog. no interference with sunglasses, etc.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon May 06, 2013 11:27 am

Mescalero wrote:900 cc is little?

This one feels more like my old 1300 carb VTX. Very snappy...

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Mon May 06, 2013 11:37 am

BlaineG wrote:
Mescalero wrote:900 cc is little?
This one feels more like my old 1300 carb VTX. Very snappy...

Geez Mescy, don't you know you need at least 1500cc's to cruise anywhere!!

Blaine, what is it, I cant tell, Shadow? OH I also see I forgot my ammo can at your place, can you mail it back to me

OI< Those 650 bikes are great, but I'm 6'3"and have trouble swinging leg over, especially when loaded for a trip.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon May 06, 2013 9:10 pm

3leggedturtle wrote:
BlaineG wrote:
Mescalero wrote:900 cc is little?
This one feels more like my old 1300 carb VTX. Very snappy...

Geez Mescy, don't you know you need at least 1500cc's to cruise anywhere!!

Blaine, what is it, I cant tell, Shadow? OH I also see I forgot my ammo can at your place, can you mail it back to me

OI< Those 650 bikes are great, but I'm 6'3"and have trouble swinging leg over, especially when loaded for a trip.

900 Vulcan.....

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Mon May 06, 2013 9:24 pm

Wow,
I have always wanted a 454LTD.

BILLYDIXON · Post by **BILLYDIXON** » Tue May 07, 2013 1:47 am

I wore a Arai Quatam/e in the winter and a RR/4 in the summer. It gets really hot and humid hear. I wore full gear. Either leather or fabric. I wore Alpinstar waterproof boots. I wore rode racing gloves because it seems that when you crash that's the first part of your body that hits the ground first. Why I wore full gear everybody crashes you have to ride to crash. I was running about 45mph when a hub cap flew off a car and it was so fast. My front tire ran up on it and I did a superman off the bike. I ground down my helmet were my mouth was. I could see the bike (VFR700) sliding down the road laid down made me so mad. I sprained my wrist and my knee. I got the bike back up and tried to start it. The carb bowls had to be filled with gas. But it fannally started so I rode it home. The last half mile I couldn't pull in the clutch lever so I had to just speed shift. Got home took my gear off and went to the ER. Don't get me wrong I don't believe in helmet laws. I wore the best helmet I could buy.

BD

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Tue May 07, 2013 7:17 am

The 454td was my first MC. Great little ride. Had it in Florida and it got me through the daily rain showers of the Orlando commute Eventually traded it in for the first of my Harley's.

Molasses · Post by **Molasses** » Tue May 07, 2013 8:13 pm

Got out out for my third ride/gunshop crawl of the season today.
Saw a nice Sig Sauer 1911 bobtail at the first stop (just S. of Zimmerman on the E side of Hwy 169; I've never been there before and don't recall the name of the place) and made a half-hearted effort to bargain them down on it. They weren't willing and I went on my way.
Second was Prince Gun Shop, somewhat North of Milaca: still had the same re-stocked Sako Finnwolf that I'd seen the last time I was there. It's in a multi-tone laminated stock that colorwise looks a lot like what I've seen on a bunch of Rugers, no scope mount or bases, no spare magazines. At $1,395 I'm just not willing to go that far.
Third place was Boone's in Isle, which always has a lot of stuff I'm interested in. Decided to ask if they had much room on a Marlin/Sako collaboration using the little Sako action combined with a micro groove Marlin barrel. .222, natch. If they'd come down just a bit more or if the condition had been a touch better...
Stopped at a scenic overlook a few miles on and got a picture of the Valk in front of the big ice cube.

MilleLacs5.7.13.jpg

It's not quite completely frozen over, especially in the inlets and around some of the islands, but the main body of the lake is still one big sheet. The fishing opener is just about here and unless something big happens it's looking like there won't be much opportunity to get boats out there that day.
Headed East to Northern Pawn. I'd stopped off there a week and a half ago on my way to Duluth (needed a new bike battery and it was sufficient excuse to run up to Aerostich) and I'd been biding my time in the hopes that either someone had bought what I was interested in or that they were willing to bargain after some time had passed. An older BLR with the camelhump magazine in .358. Took another look at it and finally asked what they'd be willing to go down to, OTD for cash. Ended up parting with $520 for the rifle and a box of 200gr Silvertips. I'll have to get to the range tomorrow and get a pic or two of this new one.

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Tue May 07, 2013 8:29 pm

Aint that Marlin/sako 222 nice! I fondled it about 2 weeks ago and even worked the action.

Molasses · Post by **Molasses** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:32 pm

3leggedturtle wrote:Aint that Marlin/sako 222 nice! I fondled it about 2 weeks ago and even worked the action.

I expect that the darned thing is going to keep eating at me until I give in. Even picked up 100rds of .222 seconds from work last week (if someone else buys that gun first, that's another caliber Contender barrel I can look for).
____________________________________
Made the mistake of thinking today. Decided that I didn't want to shoot up my one box of good .358 hunting ammo just trying out the BLR at the range. The weather forecast said the scattered rain or thunderstorms wouldn't be until later in the day, so hopped on the Valk and headed down to GunStop. John didn't have any used .358 dies, but new RCBS weren't all that spendy. Over on the gun side of the store was nothing I couldn't live without, although I did handle a semi-auto AM-180 .22 that looks kinda like a Tommy gun only with a 177rd drum set on top like a Lewis gun for a minute of serious consideration.
Diverted over to the East on the way home to stop off at Frontiersman. Big mistake for my bank account! First halfway affordable Model 88 Winchester I've seen in ages (.308; had it been a .284 at that price I'd REALLY be crowing). Wearing an old Redfield 2&1/2X. Got it home and into the gunroom, ran a few patches down the bore, loosened the scope rings and got the crosshairs oriented square before setting it aside and starting to run .308 brass through the new dies, stopping every couple of minutes to inventory .35 bullets and look up load data. Got a horrible suspicion (probably could smell it) and headed back upstairs and looked out at...heavy rain. So much for a range trip this afternoon.
For anyone wondering, here's how I transport long guns on the bike:

biketransport.jpg

I try to keep a fabric gun sock (for padding) and a black vinyl one to put over the cloth one (for camoflage on the bike and for a bit of "just in case" waterproofing) in the saddlebags. There're 4 bungee cords strapping it in place in the picture. I've transported a number of 'em that way without ill effect so far.

Without any range trip, I took pictures of the two new ones here at home.

Rsidenewlevers.JPG

Lsidenewleverguns.JPG

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri May 10, 2013 4:32 pm

Well... got a little handlebar mount windshield. Huge difference in ride comfort.

Looks like I'm getting right at 50 mpg too.

Another week of 100 mi/day commuting and I will have put more miles on this bike than my last 2 put together...

Molasses · Post by **Molasses** » Mon May 13, 2013 10:12 am

Old Ironsights wrote:Well... got a little handlebar mount windshield. Huge difference in ride comfort.

Looks like I'm getting right at 50 mpg too.

Another week of 100 mi/day commuting and I will have put more miles on this bike than my last 2 put together...

A windshield can be a real benefit if you're racking up miles. Getting buffeted and beat on by the wind generated at highway speeds for hours at a time, days in a row...not to mention that some of those bugs and stuff HURT when they hit ya. Having something to block that stuff is nice.

50 MPG? I'm jealous. My one unhappiness about the Valk has to do with its poor fuel economy. 6 cylinders, each fed by its own carburator. It's smooth, it's fast and you start imagining there's a sucking sound coming from the gas tank whenever you roll on the throttle. I'll average 32-36MPG for riding typical mixed road types, but that number goes down fast at higher than 65 speeds or other "spirited riding".

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon May 13, 2013 1:00 pm

Those LeatherLyke hard bags are great, aren't they? I had a pair on a VTX cruiser 10 years ago. Waterproof, lockable, and very strong. I dropped the bike and the bags took the whole thing on the back without damage to the bag. I've got another set ordered for the new Kawasucki 900....

Molasses · Post by **Molasses** » Mon May 13, 2013 9:14 pm

Yep, Leatherlyke bags are very nice. With one caveat: Shortly after I got the bags there was someone over on the VRCC (Valkyrie Rider Cruiser Club) site that had a bunch of sheet metal reinforcing pieces made for them and was selling the extras at cost. The idea is to add strength to the area around the mounting holes so they don't tear out if you're overloading them or anything.
Considering that I managed to tear out all three mounting holes for one of the little Leatherlyke sissy bar bags by carrying the bike's tool kit in it and going on an extremely rough road, I consider the reinforcement idea to be a good one.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Tue May 14, 2013 7:39 pm

Molasses wrote:Yep, Leatherlyke bags are very nice. With one caveat: Shortly after I got the bags there was someone over on the VRCC (Valkyrie Rider Cruiser Club) site that had a bunch of sheet metal reinforcing pieces made for them and was selling the extras at cost. The idea is to add strength to the area around the mounting holes so they don't tear out if you're overloading them or anything.
Considering that I managed to tear out all three mounting holes for one of the little Leatherlyke sissy bar bags by carrying the bike's tool kit in it and going on an extremely rough road, I consider the reinforcement idea to be a good one.

I'm not sure how old your bags were, but, I asked about that when I bought mine, and they said they addressed that problem. I loaded the heck out of them, and had no problem...

Molasses · Post by **Molasses** » Wed May 15, 2013 9:54 am

I'm not sure how old your bags were, but, I asked about that when I bought mine, and they said they addressed that problem.

I bought mine about 5-6 years ago...used. Didn't seem all that long until you asked.

It's kinda like with our microwave. Stupid thing has been acting up lately where the safety interlock on the door is working the exact OPPOSITE of how it should. Open the door, even when it's off, and the fool thing fires up. We've taken to unplugging it except when it's actually cooking.
Started to get all worked up; "Why that thing shouldn't be acting up like that, it's practically brand new, we've only had it...lemmee see, uh, 12 years"

41 Redhawk · Post by **41 Redhawk** » Thu May 16, 2013 9:58 am

BlaineG wrote: I might be getting too old for that sort of thing...One thing, it was just too tall for me....lowering it would spoil the idea of a rocket ship dual sport tourer....

I was talking to my dad last night. He is very soon to be 81. His 2001 Goldwing now has 250000 miles on it! He manages to get on and off it pretty well and still pushes the sport bike riders hard on the VA mountain roads. Of course he was a trombone player so maybe that's the difference!

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Thu May 16, 2013 11:38 am

41 Redhawk wrote:
BlaineG wrote: I might be getting too old for that sort of thing...One thing, it was just too tall for me....lowering it would spoil the idea of a rocket ship dual sport tourer....
I was talking to my dad last night. He is very soon to be 81. His 2001 Goldwing now has 250000 miles on it! He manages to get on and off it pretty well and still pushes the sport bike riders hard on the VA mountain roads. Of course he was a trombone player so maybe that's the difference!

Tell him he's my Hero....I love to ride, but, with a 28" inseam, and bad back, I need to be low to the ground these days....I always tell riders not to get anything they can't pick up, so, I thought it was time I followed my own rules...

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Thu May 16, 2013 12:26 pm

My new "streetbike" is a dirt bike with just enough added on to make it legal --- had to jump through a couple of hoops to get an off-road vehicle tagged, but kinda a fun around town ride for short hops

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Thu May 16, 2013 1:22 pm

Streetstar wrote:My new "streetbike" is a dirt bike with just enough added on to make it legal --- had to jump through a couple of hoops to get an off-road vehicle tagged, but kinda a fun around town ride for short hops

I like that

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Thu May 16, 2013 1:39 pm

casastahle wrote:
Streetstar wrote:My new "streetbike" is a dirt bike with just enough added on to make it legal --- had to jump through a couple of hoops to get an off-road vehicle tagged, but kinda a fun around town ride for short hops

I like that

+1

ohio hunter · Post by **ohio hunter** » Fri May 17, 2013 4:33 pm

I have been riding since I was 15. Couple years back I swerved to miss a deer in the highway. I didn't see the second deer until i T-Boned it! Killed the deer. Messed up my 86 Goldwing a bunch. I slid 250 feet down the highway including a couple flips. Not a scratch on me! Me leathers took the brunt of it. I put bike right but don't ride now. I will again but something feels not quite right with it for now.

I like a full fairing and windshield. Lowers in the cold days. When engine warms up I get lots of heat from it with the lowers on but not in summer with them off. Too old for bugs in my teeth!
J

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sat May 18, 2013 1:50 am

Now I remember one of my riding irritations...

How do you keep your glasses from creeping up your forehead inside a helmet?

It's particularly annoying in that it doesn't take too long and I'm trying to see road signs with my bifocals and look at my gauges with no lenses at all...