Pickle’s Perspective

I was looking through old photos while preparing the last post on Dirt bikes and kids.  I found this old photo Circa 1994 of a youthful GermanPickle deadlifting a dirtbike.

This bonehead move was inspired by Scott Summers, an enduro racer in the early 1990’s.  He appeared in a 1994 issue of Dirt Bike magazine holding up his Honda XR650R in the same fashion that I’m holding this bike.  The Honda XR650R is a much heavier beast than this bike.

Once I found out I could lift bikes in this fashion, I lifted a few other bikes, including Kim Houde’s YZ250 and the CR500, the CR500’s owners name escapes me at this point.

One the weekend a friend of mine sent me a facebook link about a new law in the USA that has now effectively made dirtbikes illegal for children in the USA.

The deal is,  in the metal industry, steel alloys can contain lead.  The addition of lead to steel allows for easier machining as it reduces friction on the cutting surface and improves chip breaking during the cutting.    Once mixed, the steel and lead frame of a motorcycle would essentially need to be eaten to be of any harm to a person.   However, the lead content in this steel does exceed 600 ppm.  The law in question is the  Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

I think back at my childhood and, my dirt bike probably had a more profound impact on my youth, morals, and state of mind than you would think.  Yes, an inanimate object has shaped my life.  Does that make me pathetic? (continue reading…)

First let me say that I’ve been riding dirtbikes since 1987 and street bikes since 1993. My experience ranges from racing motocross, to Ice Racing. I’ve driven street bikes with street tires through soft sand, and I’ve blasted dirt bikes down a snow filled gravel road. I think it’s safe to say that I have sufficient experience to discuss the topic at hand. (continue reading…)

Another riding season is about to start, and with that comes another rate hike from MPI. In fact my 2008 rates are up 17% from 2007. MPI is sending out 10% rebates to auto owners again, and many four wheeled vehicles are seeing reductions again. It’s no secret that the public insurer is trying to kill motorcycling in this province, but there are many reasons to encourage motorcyling. Here’s my personal list in no specific order. (continue reading…)

So I bought this bike back in February. It was the coldest day of the year. I gave the bike a good looking over. It looked clean and wanted to start, but at -35 it wasn’t going anywhere. So… For the first time in my life…. I took a chance and bought a vehicle without hearing it run. Granted, the price was cheap.

A couple weeks ago, I tried to start the bike. It cranked and cranked and cranked. Finally she lit and came to life… for about 10 seconds. The bike sounded like 2 carbs were plugged and only ran on 2 cylinders. I pushed it back into the garage, and parked it for a day with more time.

Tonight, I finally got some time. I spent the approximately 4 hours pulling the carbs, dismantling , cleaning and re-installing them. All the jets came out and got a solvent bath. The orifices got a scrub and the everything was blown out to make sure there was no fluffies from a rag on anything when I finished. I put the tank back on, connected the carbs, wheeled the bike over to the boosting station (no battery yet.) and gave her a crank.

The bike lit up instantly. She started a little rough but within about 15-20 seconds she smoothed out to a slow idle…..then stalled. A slight idle adjustment and she purred away. I let the bike warm up. All four pipes got hot relatively quickly. I smiled . It’s just after midnight, so I figured, no cops out, lets see how it drives. Just once up and down the road to see what it needs for a safety. I walk behind the bike to disconnect my booster cables and look down… I see blue smoke spewing out the left pipe. The right appeared fine.

Looks like my goal of riding by June 1st isn’t materializing. I am not riding a bike that is burning oil that’s a rule. When it comes to vehicles… I’ll drive rusty, I’ll drive old, I’ll drive ugly.. I won’t drive something that belches blue smoke out the pipe. (unless it’s a drive to the shop or scrapyard) Over the next few days I’ll need to weigh the options on selling the bike, buying a different motor, or fixing this one. I’m pretty confident that right now, that if I sell it, all I can lose on this bike is the 5 hours work I put into it. It’s unlikely that I would lose money if I sell it.

I must admit, I am a little deflated. Let’s see what the classifieds have to offer.

The heading may be a little deceptive, but this guy sure sounds like a wanna be!

I know you read my SaddleSore ride report, so you know my motorcycle was kaput. So after mulling it over for a few days, I decided that I wouldn’t have the time to fix it this year. And even if I did get it fixed, I wanted to get rid of the bike for a bigger one. So I thought, since it’s currently high season, and since the bike still had a valid safety certificate, now is the time to sell!

Here’s the ad I ran in the local Bargain Hunter paper.

1984 Kawasaki GPZ550, Safetied until July 8, 2006 4 to 1 Hi Perf. Exhaust, K&N Intake, Spare parts Incl. Needs motor repair, but does run. Have spare motor for parts. No time to fix. Call after 5pm

My ad is very straight up and fair. The bike needs repair and does run (I was driving it.) I had a spare motor to give along with the bike to re-build the old motor. What was broken.. I didn’t know at the time. (I found out after I sold the bike though)

Anyway.. So that’s my ad. The bike sold on the first day too, I may add. Today I checked my voicemail on my cellphone. I don’t know when this message was left as I had a loaner cellphone while mine was away on warranty repair, and the loaner phone was kind of unreliable.

I listened to my voicemail and was astounded as the message was from such a monotone person, he sounded like Napoleon Dynamite. Then to boot, what he said reaffirmed that and made me laugh hysterically. So for your listening pleasure… Here’s the voicemail from Mr. Dynamite.

Well. You’ve read the hard work I put into the bike the last few weeks. The bike was repaired, the carbs were adjusted and sync’d and other work was done. I even gave the bike 400kms of exercise before leaving on the saddlesore to ensure that all would work a-okay.

On Friday, the bike was running sweet. A little lean on the main jets, but quite well on the pilots and needle jet as both were richened up with the addition of the K&N intakes.

Richard came over after work for dinner, we discussed the next day and around 11pm we went to bed.

Saturday we woke up at 6am and prepared for the ride. A cup of coffee, some breakfast and off to load the bikes and go. My neighbour came outside to greet and witness the start and said, “Tobi, hand me the keys to your truck incase you need a hand,” I listened.

Our route let us out of Oakbank across the the North Perimeter to Hwy 6 where we turned North toward the Lake Manitoba Narrows. I had what felt like a wet arse, so we pulled over to check my backpack. All was good. COntinue on. We travelled a decent pace to the Narrows, where we stopped for a photo opp, and came across some curious, yet naive kids. After a pee break we pushed the earplugs back in and pressed on. Near Rose du Lac we started to face a horrible head wind of about 50km/h. The sky turned gloomy and it started to pelt rain. Did I mention that my saddlebags were stolen, and as a result I forgot to repack rain gear. Within moments I was soaked.

Next Stop was in Yorkton, Saskatchewan where the weather was sunny again. I was dry and lunch at Tim Horton’s was yummy. The day was looking up. A missed call on my cellphone was from the bike shop to tell me some parts I ordered were in. SWEET.

On we pressed to Wynyard. Still with the strong headwind. The bike could barely hold 110km/h with such a strong head wind. Richards bike was blowing so hard that I saw his rear wheel skate across the pavement on more than one occassion.

Fuel Stop in Wynyard I noticed that my house keys, and my entire keyfob had gone missing. The key for the bike was still in the ignition, but everything else was gone. I filled up and paid for my fuel. I noticed that 6/49 was at 16 million, so I played$8.00 on lotto. When I got back on the bike I noticed that my trip odometer was at exactly 666KM, and all of a sudden it started to rain.

We stopped for a photo opp at the kandahar, Sask. sign, simply since, well … If you come to Kandahar, you need a photo… Skies were still dark, and the insane head wind still persisted.

20 KM to Saskatoon, my trusty steed finally decided to pack it in. A loud pop and rattle, and all power was lost. The bike was doomed. At 70Km/h, we crippled the bike into Saskatoon. I was cold, and wet, and on a broken bike. A stop at Zeller’s for warm, dry clothes and oil was necessary. We skipped our scheduled stop for Vern’s Pizza and decided we needed to get home asap, slow and steady and hopefully the bike will hold.

We drove down hwy 11 toward regina, not pushing the bike, I drove the bike a pace it seemed to like. steady but not hard. This strategy proved, for 200 KMs, to be successful, but with just a few kms to Regina, Richard, frantically beeped his horn to tell me that the tailpipe of my bike was now spewing oil en-mass. We pul over and the bike dies instantly.

We discuss contingency plans. We realize for the first time, that the Iron Butt may not be a success. The plan is to get my bike into Regina and double back to Winnipeg. With a running push, my gpz stumbles back to life and I start down the hiway… Richard disappears behind me… Where is he? “Richard, Dammit, where are you. I can’t turn back…. DAMN DAMN DAMN.. I turn around and drive against traffic to find my friend. He’s driving slowly down the highway and hand signals to his clutch. His cable has snapped.

We limp our bikes into Regina, and fll up with fuel (and I with oil). A phonecall home dispatches my neighbor who offered to meet us. We decided to stay in Regina, but my obsession to press on and I convince richard we must keep on as long as the GPz allows it.

BIG Mistake. 40km later, it’s pelting rain again. we’re doing 70km/h down the highway, and there’s next to no wind as the at speed as we’re now getting the free ride from the wind. My oil light flashes and we pull over to add more oil. My pant leg and my bike are covered in oil. We press on.

Indian Head Saskatchewan, approx. 80KM East of Regina, we stop for oil, and Richard says, “Tobi, stop, we’re done.” I can’t take it, I’m in denial, but alas, I conceed that this is getting too dangerous. Heavy rain, two broken bikes, pitch black darkness, and other vehicles not prepared to give us room or slow down a little as they pass…. Richard.. Thank you, you did the right thing by putting me straight.

I parked my bike on the side of the highway for the rescue vehicle to see, and we entered the tavern. A sketched sign said, “Private Party” … We entered.

A staggette was taking place and the girl joked as we removed our jackets that we were the male entertainment. We closed the bar down and waited another 2 hours for our rescue.

When the rescue came, we loaded the bikes into the truck and got the truck stuck in the mud. An hour of persistence got the truck unstuck. Homeward bound.

I left on this ride with a motorcycle and dreams of success… I came home with neither. The bike will not be fixed by me as I just don’t have the time … … The bike will either be parted out on ebay or sold as a mechanics special.

The lottery ticket didn’t pay off…

Well it’s 3 sleeps away. And here’s the latest list of work done.

- New plugs
- Synchronized Carburetors
- Added shims to the slide needle to richen the fuel air mixture
- Built a GPS mount for the bike.
- Had the locksmith fix 2 keys that worked in the ignition, but not
other locks.
- Valve adjustment check

On the way to work today, the bike hesitated like crazy, until it warmed
up. Once it warmed up it ran quite well. The valve ticking that
started a couple days ago has not subsided. I believe that something
has happened there, but I’m not going to pull the motor again, I know
the valve adjustment values, and I know the compression in the
cylinders. I’ll do a head job in fall.

I looked for my saddle bags yesterday, and I can’t find them anywhere.
I’m trying to think where I had them last. Did I leave them someplace?
Did they fly off the bike (Almost impossible) or were they stolen? I
just can’t remember. I think on Saturday I had them on the bike, and on
Monday evening, they were not on the bike when I picked it up from the
shop. I called the shop but they aren’t open on Wednesdays. So after
all my big mouth comments on not wearing a backpack…. watch, I’ll be
wearing a bloody backpack on the ride. $&%@!

There are a couple things I still need to do on the bike before this
ride materializes. First, I want to put another set of shims under the
needle to richen it out a little more. I think it helped enough to
warrant another set. Second, I need to make myself a power cable for
the GPS. I know where to plug it in on the bike, and I have the plug
already, I just need to make the cable and put the connectors on.
Hoping that I’ll get to that tonight.

So aside from the saddlebags, and the 4 extra shims, I think I’m just
about ready. Mentally I’m pumped, but a little worried at the same
time. I think the out ride will be great, but the in ride will be
absolute horror.

Okay another evening of wrenching.  The following progress was made last night. -          Repaired the Instrument illumination so I can see my speedo at night! -          Refitted the carburetors -          Replaced the rear turn signals, and they look sweet.-          Ripped a turn signal apart and fixed the front signal-          Re assembled fairing and connected electrical.-          Mounted fuel tank-          Mounted tail end-          Mounted side panels-          Mounted seat-          Attached kick stand-          Full system electrical test (except ignition)  To Do. -          Mount exhaust pipes-          Fill gas tank-          Start engine to prove it runs-          Have carburetors serviced-          Figure out GPS mount. Probability of being ready for the SaddleSore1000 on June 17^th 95% up from 90% yesterday.   The route has changed slightly.  We’ve decided to drive North through the Narrows and through the city of Dauphin.  The Sites are supposed to be much nicer, and therefore less boring.    I’m getting extremely excited, I can barely contain myself.  I want to RIDE…  I have a hunger for the open roadway.

The SaddleSore 1000 is a day closer. The motorcycle engine is back together (I really hope I didn’t screw that job up!), and made it back into the frame last night, but not before the neighborhood heard me use a collaboration of words that I didn’t even know existed! Engine electrical is all connected. Sprocket and chain are on. Horns are back on, oil cooler’s in place and carbs are on (but need to come off again). Before packing it in, I replaced the rear left turn signal with a short stalk signal, just to make sure it fits. Honest probability of my bike not being ready and adequately tested before the ride 10% and declining. Tonight the bike needs the following work. - Rear right turn signal replacement, and front left turn signal repair. - Trouble shoot instrument lighting and repair (right now I can’t see my speed after dark, not a good thing.)- Reconnect the auspuff. (I’m teaching you German… What’s an Auspuff?)- Reconnect the Kick stand.- Remove the carbs, connect the throttle cable, and mount the carbs again. Dumbass me forgot to connect the vroomie handle to the carburetors. (and yes vroomie handle was a term used in a foreign language section of a dirtbike manual I read once)- Remount front fairing- Mount and connect the fuel tank - Connect computer module- Mount saddle- System Test After all that, I will roll it our of the garage, keep the gas off, and crank it over for a good while to try and get oil back into the heads. After a good cranking, I’ll add some vroomie fluid and give it a go. She should start, but run like crap. If so Success, and off to the shop for a carb synchronization.