The Adventures of FriarJohn on Two (and Sometimes Four) Wheels

Seven years ago today I signed the papers and took possession of my first bike, my 2002 Triumph Bonneville America. My trials and tribulations are well documented on this site, as well as my plans for the future, so unless I come up with some kind of brainstorm to commemorate this occasion, this will just have to do.

Okay, semi off-topic. There’s definitely a link of sorts between strippers and motorcycles.

Triumph England © Grail

A few weeks back Ken asked about doing a Triumph show and asked if I could help find some guests. Episode 71 is the Triumph show. I helped point him to Jeff York (thanks to Dwight Argo on BonnevilleAmerica.com for pointing me in his direction), Kevin Cook (Midget11 on BonnevilleAmerica.com) and Big Al of Bitter End Choppers (Ken already knew Big Al but didn’t know he builds Triumph choppers). Links mentioned during the show:

• MotoMyth
• Triumph Performance USA
• Bitter End Choppers

Episode Description

The Triumph Bonneville is a name that we have long been aware of as bikers and the Triumph chop has been coveted by many. If you can find an engine that hasn’t been mashed to bits over time you too can build a very cool looking ride or you could choose a newer model and take the engine from that. This route has it’s benefits. This week, Ian Huntly who gives us Isle of Man coverage and info tells us how new pictures will help us get the feel for this year’s IOM-TT, Jeff York who works on and builds Triumph bikes, Kevin Cook with a great looking chop and ‘ Big ‘ Al Wilkerson of Bitter End Choppers with insight on this build and how to deal with a shop when you need parts made. This is Edition 71.

Thanks for the nod (just before the Jeff York interview), Ken. Looking forward to my interview when my bike’s makeover is done.

After recently detailing my belt drive problems, I decided to put my original chain and sprockets back on my bike and I’ve ordered a Scottoiler Automatic Chain Lubrication System with the add-on dual injector kit. I will still send pictures of the rear pulley (I need to remove one pulley side plate) to Phil at Supermax.com for an estimate on repairing the pulley. If it’s expensive as I fear I’ll probably just put the pulleys away for now and sell my spare (new) Panther belt.

This is a great collection of vintage photos from Dark Roasted Blend.

Since there was no “Harry Potter” in IMAX 3-D in the 1930s, where would you go to see an ultimate spectacle? You'd go to the amusement park to see motorcycles roaring up, down, and around a huge wooden barrel, filling the air with atrocious noise, fumes and a tremendous sense of danger – with spectators standing just yards away from the action!

Walls of Death in Amusement Parks: A Brief History.

[note: I will have to go through my records and receipts to figure out exact dates and mileage, but I did save everything.]

Back in about mid-2003 I purchased a belt drive conversion kit, manufactured by Quiet Power Drives and sold by NewSpeedmaster.com. If I recall correctly, I had approximately 8000-8500 miles on my bike at the time. The only thing I ever hated about my bike was the chain. I hated lubing it, I hated cleaning it, I hated adjusting it and I hated the mess it left. Even at $850 the belt drive kit, though a bitter monetary pill to swallow, was manna from heaven. Everything I heard lead me to believe that, unlike a chain, I could get 50-60,000 miles out of the belt. Ostensibly if I had the belt on my bike from day 1 I would still have a couple years left on the belt today. I never gave a thought to the life of the pulleys.

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I’ve driven mostly itty bitty cars since I was a teenager, mostly Volkswagens. When I started riding in ’02 I realized that the skills I acquired, driving those little cars in the land of pickups and SUVs (especially in Denver!), translated very well to riding a motorcycle and vice versa, mostly from an awareness perspective. Seems I was right…

TOKYO (AFP) – Riding motorcycles helps keep drivers young by invigorating their brains, the scientist behind popular “Brain Training” computer software said Wednesday, citing a new scientific study.

“The driver's brain gets activated by riding motorbikes” in part because it requires heightened alertness, Ryuta Kawashima said after his research team and Yamaha Motor conducted a string of experiments involving middle-aged men.

“In a convenient and easy environment, the human mind and body get used to setting the hurdle low,” he warned. “Our final conclusion is that riding motorcycles can lead to smart ageing.”

via Motorcycles help keep you young: software expert (via The Beach Cruiser).

From the archives, decoding the VIN on my Mustang (published Apr 28, 2007):

It only took me two-and-a-half years but I finally got around to crawling behind the Mustang and writing down the door plate info so I could decode it using the Mustang Plus Mustang Data Plate Decoder web site. Taking it from the top:

First row:

• Body code: 63A – 2+2 fastback, standard interior, bucket seats
• Color code: K – Silver Smoke Grey Metallic (why-oh-why couldn’t the engine code be K!)
• Trim code: D6 – White Crinkle Vinyl with Black Appointments
• Date: 05A – This is not decoded on the Mustangs Plus site. According to this site, it’s January 05, 1965, a Tuesday apparently.
• DSO (District Code): Either I forgot to write it down or it’s missing, which could mean it was ordered from Phoenix, Milwaukee or something called “Body Company.” More than likely it’s Phoenix, since my grandmother bought it used in Las Vegas in 1969.
• Axle code: 6 – 2.80:1 ratio, Conventional
• Trans code: 6 – C-4 Automatic

Second row, VIN number: 5R09CXXXXXX

• Date: 5 – 1965
• Build location: R – San Jose
• Model: 09 – 2+2 Fastback
• Engine code: C – 289-2V
• Serial number: XXXXXX – let’s just say there were many more than 170,000 made before mine

So, really, there’s nothing special about my Mustang. Still, the price was right. It’s a garden-variety fastback with a 289 V8 and 2 barrel carb. The AC must’ve been installed by the dealer and is probably the most unique thing about it. I don’t see any reference to it anywhere else. So since it’s not especially collectible I can do anything I want to it!

The color was changed, but it was well done–the trunk, engine compartment and interior are all white. I know Gramma Jo had it resprayed white because she lived in the desert. I plan on reshooting with with a white and silver two-tone, so maybe I’ll see if I like the original color and do a two-tone with that and white.

The interior color was changed to blue, probably because the car was caught in a Vegas flash flood more than once. Who knows why she picked blue. Back then there weren’t interior kits so I’m sure it was redone by a local upholstery shop in Vegas. The interior looks great still and will be one of the last things I modify. I’ll probably update all the AC components but make it work with the original under-dash console.

This is so good it deserves more than a link on Delicious or a mention on Twitter.

After my favorite radio station in LA changed formats and my two favorite radio shows evaporated, I was casting about for something else to listen to. I found Biker Radio Magazine, and despite what you might think from the title, it’s really really good. Sure there’s plenty of stuff about Harleys, mostly customs, but there’s a lot about motorcycles in general. It’s pretty much just one guy interviewing different people in all facets of the industry, from high-end custom builders like Kendall Johnson and Russell Mitchell to a bike tour operator in British Columbia (who rents Triumphs, BMWs, Guzzis and Aprilias) to a guy in Chicago who fabricates parts from carbon fiber. A lot of good stuff here and I’m only on episode 19 of 68. Despite the one-guy-and-a-mic/phone nature of the show, it has pretty good production values, too.

Give it a listen: Biker Radio Magazine.