6,200 miles,$1,200 dollars.
Choke cable is frayed and sticks a little sometimes and turn signals don't shut themselves off properly. Other than that, everything works perfectly.
I have known the seller for almost 25 years. Very reputable fellow.
He is riding it here tomorrow for me to buy.
It will be my first bike I have ever owned. I have ridden twice this year after not riding for about 25 years.
Probably going to buy the bike and sell the car. Sink a little money into the Jeep and hunker down for winter.
Joey and I will be riding together for a while till I get up the chops to get my cycle endorsement. Been doing lots of reading on safe motorcycling. Need to get some time in on the bike on empty Northern Michigan highways and towns till it all gets to be second nature.
I am excited. ;D
Via Con Dios, Amigo.
And please be carefull.
Quote from: KarnUtz on July 14, 2006, 02:56:40 AM
Via Con Dios, Amigo.
And please be careful.
Apparently, not quite careful enough. Took a header over the handlebars this weekend in a cornfield. A really big storm coming in and I was trying to get to cover before it hit. A wind gust took me by surprise as I was taking a left hand curve on a two lane highway. I was riding on the right side of the lane, right near the white line. It blew me over so hard that the front tire got into the gravel on the shoulder of the road. I couldn't bring the bike onto the road at that point and ended up harvesting some corn before it came into season. Once the bike hit a little mound of dirt I became a human projectile. My left leg made solid contact with the bars, but they weren't able to break it. Both the bike and I are bruised and bloodied, but otherwise intact.
It has been a long weekend.
Ouch! Did you get x-ray's, just to be sure everything is A-OK?
It sounds like you should make a full recovery...
Quote from: KarnUtz on July 31, 2006, 01:04:28 PM
Ouch! Did you get x-ray's, just to be sure everything is A-OK?
It sounds like you should make a full recovery...
No X-rays.
I am walking on it with no problem and there is very little soreness. All I have got out of this is a bad bruise and slightly less deep reservoir of luck.
I would like to add, for posterities sake, that this was MY fault.
I truly don't believe I will learn from it if I try to absolve myself of any responsibility.
8)
My leg is black, blue and swollen from my knee to my ankle. When I press on some of the flesh, rather than spring back, it stays indented and over a two to three minute period then slowly returns to it's swollen state.
Creepy feeling indeed.
My leg works fine and walking is not a problem. I merely have a completely bruised left leg from the knee down.
Whew.
:o
I'm not a doctor, but that doesn't sound right. I know x-rays are expensive, but what if you have a clot in there somewhere, or a hairline fracture that'll give out with no warning?
Quote from: KarnUtz on August 03, 2006, 03:44:00 AM
I'm not a doctor, but that doesn't sound right. I know x-rays are expensive, but what if you have a clot in there somewhere, or a hairline fracture that'll give out with no warning?
Talked to my Podiatrist buddy. He says it sounds like a deep tissue bruise with the pre-requisite swelling. I am staying off of it as well as keeping weight off of it when I have to use it. Unless it looks like it is getting worse - it appears to be healing to me - I am going to baby it for another couple days and then we will see.
Thank you for your concern. It is really appreciated. :)
Ouch!
I always liked the look of those Shadows, before the accident, how does it ride?
I had a Yamaha Vision, a 2 cyl, 550cc 4 valve twin, that revved like mad and made pretty good hp for it's size. I had just moved to San Diego, bought a helmet (I never rode with one before) and was tooling around in the back coutry on a nice weekday afternoon. There was a small dip in the road with a small stream thru it, then the road turned left just after that. Just as I got to the other side of the gully a car came around in my lane and forced me onto the gravel shoulder, I couldn't get the bike to turn on the gravel and wasn't smart enough/experienced enough just to put it down. I was only going about 20 mph so it would have hurt far less than where I wound up in the ditch, with rocks the size of VW's! I woke up, on my back, on the shoulder and when I got up I took off my helmet, it was neatly split up the back by the small pointed rock my head had landed on, but I was unhurt other than being shook up a bit. The bike was a mess, all the plastic fairings broken, instuments broken and hanging by their cables, the tank had a pretty good dent in it from the handle bars turning and so on - plus this bike did not have a kickstarter, so if the battery was messed up I was walking home for sure. I managed to wrangle it upright and hit the starter and it fired right up, I had to twist the handlebars straight again and managed to get it back up onto the roadway. Trying to ride home ( I was about 25 miles from my house and knew no one in SD) was almost impossible, there must have been some fine gravel or grit in the head bearings and the bike wanted to just fall over, I had to keep shaking the handlebars back and forth to keep it loosened up so it would stay upright, by now in heavy rush hour traffic. I got it home safely and fixed it up, but I learned to always wear my helmet and pay the fuck attention when I rode from then on! Took me a month to find all the parts and fix it........
Hope your leg is ok, take it easy for a while and rest, it'll probably look worse before it gets better...........
Quote from: Jagman on August 05, 2006, 06:58:41 PM
Hope your leg is ok, take it easy for a while and rest, it'll probably look worse before it gets better...........
Thank you very much.
The bike rides great, still does as it only took a couple of miniscule scratches.
Just got back from a trip downstate. This bike gets me over 60 miles to a gallon.
The trip went flawless and safe.
:)
A couple pics of the bike I use to travel the state.
It has saved me mega dollars in gas on my trips around the state. I have already put almost 3,000 miles on it since I got it!
Vrroom!
First gear (honda honda) its alright (faster faster)
Second gear (little honda honda) I lean right (faster faster)
Third gear (honda honda) hang on tight (faster faster)
Faster its alright
Quote from: KarnUtz on August 11, 2006, 04:26:05 AM
Vrroom!
First gear (honda honda) its alright (faster faster)
Second gear (little honda honda) I lean right (faster faster)
Third gear (honda honda) hang on tight (faster faster)
Faster its alright
8)
P.S. This is NOT a fast bike.
;D
I'll bet it a fair bit quicker the the pucka-pucka bike I had in the '70's. (No, that's not me)
(http://vjmc.org/photos/vintage_photos/1970_cl175.jpg)
Bike tops out at about 80 miles an hour, with a tail wind.
It is quite snappy to 30 or 40 miles an hour, very good torque, then it just kind of levels off and above 60 it is a slow steady climb of speed. Good for two lanes or around town, not very confidence inspiring amongst the semi's and merging traffic of the interstate.
Hence, I stick to the two lane highways. Makes for a longer trip when I come down your way, Karn, but it is more scenic, easier to enjoy, and, IMHO, safer for me. I usually take M-15. Keeps me out of all the urban areas except Bay City and Pontiac. If you have never been to Vassar, check it out. Neat downtown with great architecture.
Wait a minute............a 700cc bike that won't do over 80 mph? Somethings wrong.......were you dragging an open parachute behind you? :D
My little 550 2 cyl Yamadog Vision easily went over 115, and my 550ccc Honda 4 from the 70's topped 110 easily, even with a big Vetter windscreen on it.........Are you sure the throttles are opening all the way, air cleaner not blocked or something?
Quote from: Jagman on August 12, 2006, 11:57:30 AM
Wait a minute............a 700cc bike that won't do over 80 mph? Somethings wrong.......were you dragging an open parachute behind you? :D
My little 550 2 cyl Yamadog Vision easily went over 115, and my 550ccc Honda 4 from the 70's topped 110 easily, even with a big Vetter windscreen on it.........Are you sure the throttles are opening all the way, air cleaner not blocked or something?
It is a V-Twin. That means torque, not horsepower. Seriously, according to the guys at the Honda Shadow forum, this bike is performing just as it should.
Leaving Lachine and heading for Alpena I stop at D's Honda and order a new air filter, Then it is south on US 23 along the Lake Huron shore through Ossineke and into Harrisville, where I met up with my sisters boyfriend Scott and he joins me for the ride. We then went south along the shore to Oscoda. Leaving the shore we took River Road, a designated scenic route west through the Huron National Forest. Stopping along River Road at Desi's for some good Mexican Food.
We then continued west by Lumberman's Monument, Canoeists Memorial and Iargo Springs until we intersected M-65. The AuSable river is beautiful and we continued to use it as the backbone of our trip as we followed M-65 along the highbanks to Wickert road. Then we took it into South Branch and Sixty Lakes. Then we headed west on Rose City road through Lupton to Rose City. Continuing west down an empty, curvy two lane with no cross roads to speak of, though hill country, we followed that road all the way to Roscommon county. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the temp was about 70. It was perfection.
Then we turned north and stopped for a breather at Kirtland Community College. We walked the campus to help alleviate bikers butt then moved on. We headed North, crossing the South Branch of the AuSable River and hooking up with first M-18 and then M-72 where we turned east and headed toward Luzerne. In Luzerne we turned north on County Road 489 and headed for the Parmalee bridge. There we stopped at a fuel station and got some gas and headed on. Continuing east on Cherry Creek rd all the way to M-33 we turned south on M-33 for a couple of miles and then got on county road F-32 and headed for McKinley. In McKinley we stopped at the Scenic Riverside for a beverage and a break before we continued east on F-32 to Aspen Alley. We took Aspen Alley north to M-65 where Scott and I parted ways and he headed back for Harrisville and I headed north on M-65 to return to Lachine and my home.
Round trip, about 220 miles. Got about 60 miles to the gallon. No traffic to speak of. After Scott, John's and my trip to Cross Village and M-119 two weeks or so ago and my two trips downstate in two weeks, this was a real nice ride a little closer to home.
8)
On the map, the purple arrow points to the start and end of the day:
(http://www.lachinemachine.com/images/Map.jpg)
Sound's awesome.
As I was perusing the cars at this past weekend's local show-n-shine, a couple of big Healeys caught my eye. Both were later 3000's, but each was sans seat belts. And in spite of the name, these were not big cars in any sense, unless being compared with a bugeye, perhaps. Running one of these on the backroads with only the sound of a rorty exhaust and the bugs collecting on the tiny windscreen - that's the ticket for me.
The sparse vehicle population up there might almost entice me back on to a bike, but images of the last time I laid down my Honda always snap me out of it.
Coincidentally enough, around the time Ultra got his Honda, my wife bought me an '07 Softail Deluxe, black pearl, as a "reward" for fine service or some such drivel. Was the first I'd ridden in a while and, after a couple near death experiences (one my fault, one not), I was reminded how much I truly enjoyed this particular mode of travel. Sorry to hear of your close encounter of the cornfield kind, U...hope you're healing and all is well. Am planning on taking a MSF course here in a month to hone my skill a bit more before I engage in a copycat. Until then, am riding very defensively, yet enjoying weekend rambles to Jackson and Yellowstone and Island Park and such, as well as my morning and evening commute.
"If I have to explain....."
r
BTW, Dr. Utz, life did happen in an extremely unfortunate way and thus the explanation for my late August entry...will be submitting same in the next two weeks. Sorry for the unreliability.....
Quote from: Rich on August 15, 2006, 07:30:51 AM
Sorry for the unreliability.....
All that matters is a welcome back.
You were missed.
Congrats on the new bike!!!! 8)
Quote from: Rich on August 15, 2006, 07:30:51 AM
Am planning on taking a MSF course here in a month to hone my skill a bit more before I engage in a copycat.
Thinking about doing the same.
I wanna see pics of your bike, Rich.
I want you to tell me all about it. ???
Still haven't moved into the 21st century U...no digital camera as of yet, but have some pics of it on "film" (remember that stuff?) and will get a CD w/ development and try and upload some pics of it then.
You can see exactly what it looks like by going to the harley website, clicking on the Softail section of the bikes, and switching the color from whatever it is to black pearl.
The story is fairly simple: I have a friend/employee who basically inherited an '02 Indian Chief Roadmaster and knew that I'd been itching for a bike for a while again. He got me over to the local harley shop and I looked around but previous to that I'd been thinking about a Honda CBR1000 - cheaper and seemingly easier to ride. Anyway, found the FLSTN sitting on the showroom floor; the '07's have 96" motors and six speed trannys and those two mods really interested me, however, we've been in the midst of some, uh, fiscal pragmatism w/ downsizing offices and remodeling homes, etc, and I simply determined that now was not the right time.
I was really at peace with the decision, thinking that next spring might be the time and was in the midst of all the shit that's going on here (and I mean shit) one day when the missus calls me up to see if I want to grab lunch. She's in kind of a goofy mood when I get into the Titan and she says that she's got a surprise. Given all our shit surprises lately, I roll my eyes and say "Now what?" and she drops the key into my lap. She essentially did it all on her own; I had told her I was fine waiting and that I might not do it at all. I spent the rest of the day kicking myself in the head for only realizing what a wonderful wife I have when she gives me a present....that's another story however.
Went to the dealer the next day for delivery, still highly apprehensive about the whole situation from a fiscal perspective, went through the process and was pretty impressed by same. They certainly have taken some lessons from the Lexus experience re- bike delivery. They roll it out, I get onto it, and immediately almost take out an entire line of hardcore bikers' bikes who were in the lot taking a break on their way to Sturgis. Ego firmly in check, I motored over to the nearby Wal-Mart parking lot in an attempt to get my sea legs under me again and with not a little effort, eventually did so.
A week and a half later (almost two to the date, thinking about it) I've put on over six hundred miles....
It's no crotch rocket, but it's 0-60 time and torquey motor makes anything I've ever driven w/ four wheels feel pretty slow.
that's about it...will post pics here shortly...if it doesn't kill me..........
Quote from: Ultra on August 15, 2006, 07:53:21 AM
All that matters is a welcome back.
You were missed.
Congrats on the new bike!!!! 8)
Couldn't have said it better.
Both of you, get thee (thees?) to a class, ASAP!
Hey Rich, congrats on the new ride!
Every time my BIL comes over on his Yamadog V-max I get the itch again, but around here the season is so limited, between rain, heat and humidity then rain, cold snow sleet hail and other forms of ice, we only get a couple of weeks in the spring and fall to really enjoy a bike. Then there's the fact that no matter where you ride, you're still pretty much in Kansas........
Quote from: KarnUtz on August 16, 2006, 04:27:13 AM
Both of you, get thee (thees?) to a class, ASAP!
Yes Dad. :-[
Rich, great story.
I am getting involved with a woman, two hundred miles away, but it feels right. Knowing how alike we are, I read stuff like that and hope I learn how not to fall into the same behaviors you lament.
If I ever get a comfortable seat for this thing, perhaps I will get to ride w/you someday.
8)
Two hundred miles? That's just a nice ride.......especially with what waits for you at days' end.....
Next year, Sturgis. It's a for sure thing here, and from what I understand Honda riders don't get stomped anymore.... ;)
I am going to do everything I can to be at Sturgis next year.
This link is to an article al labout the new changes made to the motor in your new bike, Rich:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/newsandupdates/2007_harley_davidson_motorcycle_models/
Check it out.
Showers of thanks, U. If we're going to do Sturgis, we might have to start doing some planning now. From what I understand, hotel bookings are made at least a year in advance and Harley reportedly books nearly the whole area and then jacks the prices....
My riding buddy and I are considering several options, including trailering (blush) the bikes to, say, Spearfish or somewhere in there and riding in and out to the festivities, allowing old farts like us to get a decent night's sleep here and there, an impossibility in Sturgis proper. Another option we were considering is riding out, making sure the bikes were covered in the layers of prerequisite bugs reflective of hardcore biker mentality, while our wives followed behind towing one of our camp coaches. We'd always have room for another re- that lodging arrangment and we're actually pretty decent people once you're around us for a while.
Just some thoughts....
EDIT: FWIW, that new CVO Springer is really sweet, but a bit over-the-top for my reputation.....
r
Quote from: Rich on August 28, 2006, 11:14:35 PM
Showers of thanks, U. If we're going to do Sturgis, we might have to start doing some planning now. From what I understand, hotel bookings are made at least a year in advance and Harley reportedly books nearly the whole area and then jacks the prices....
My riding buddy and I are considering several options, including trailering (blush) the bikes to, say, Spearfish or somewhere in there and riding in and out to the festivities, allowing old farts like us to get a decent night's sleep here and there, an impossibility in Sturgis proper. Another option we were considering is riding out, making sure the bikes were covered in the layers of prerequisite bugs reflective of hardcore biker mentality, while our wives followed behind towing one of our camp coaches. We'd always have room for another re- that lodging arrangment and we're actually pretty decent people once you're around us for a while.
Just some thoughts....
EDIT: FWIW, that new CVO Springer is really sweet, but a bit over-the-top for my reputation.....
r
I planned on camping the whole way there and back. I wouldn't want to stay in Sturgis. Too many people for my taste. I would rather stay in a campground removed a bit from the epicenter anyway. I will have to MapQuest Spearfish but you can count me in right now. If any funds are needed to reserve sites or whatever, just let me know.
I've gotta check out Deadwood. ;D
Just over 1,200 miles to Spearfish.
Wondering if I can ride that in two days? ???
Definitely considering that Corbin seat and highway bars now. :-\
hmmmm....dunno....1200 miles, for me anyway, would be quite a trek in two days via me motorsickle. I recently put on 300 in one day, w/ several stops along the way, and was surprised at how that hit me....
r
Quote from: Rich on August 29, 2006, 06:07:43 PM
hmmmm....dunno....1200 miles, for me anyway, would be quite a trek in two days via me motorsickle. I recently put on 300 in one day, w/ several stops along the way, and was surprised at how that hit me....
r
I hear you.
To do 600 miles a day will be very tiring.
Time will tell if I am up to that or not.
My MSF course is this Friday, Sat and Sun. Only $25 bucks and they provide the bikes. Cheap at twice the price. It is held at the old Wurtsmith Air Force base in Oscoda. My mother lives about a mile from there and I am planning on staying with her for the weekend.
I will share all the details about the course after I take it.
Quote from: Ultra on September 07, 2006, 12:21:27 PM
My MSF course is this Friday, Sat and Sun. Only $25 bucks and they provide the bikes. Cheap at twice the price. It is held at the old Wurtsmith Air Force base in Oscoda. My mother lives about a mile from there and I am planning on staying with her for the weekend.
I will share all the details about the course after I take it.
If anyone is interested, I passed the course with flying colors.
Friday night we spent about four hours going over the material in the MSF handook with corresponding videos in sections. Saturday and Sunday we rode their motorcycles and learned the basics of motorcycling. I rode a brand new Suzuki 250. Cute little bike. The metallic powder blue color was really nice. Overall, I didn't really feel like the class taught me new things. It did, however, give me the chance to practice lots of techniques and, overall, for $25 dollars it was a real bargain. I would recommend it to all motorcyclists. Plus, too and also, the certificate for graduating the class will get you a discount on your insurance! 8)
The rest of the study questions:
You're not gonna believe this but, swear to God, my bike for my course was also a pale blue Suzuki 250. Balky shifter, but other than that, pretty fun and nimble...at least compared to my H-D.
r
Quote from: Rich on September 13, 2006, 11:24:08 PM
pretty fun and nimble
No doubt! Makes me think a little, good handling bike could be a real blast to own.
Yeah, me too. Was originally looking seriously at a CBR 1000, if only for the purebred speed and agility it offered. It also felt "right" under me when I sat on it, but then the missus pulled my 45th b-day surprise w/ the H-D and that was that. Still am aware that different bikes, like cars, exist for different purposes. Accidentally ended up on some crushed shale gravel w/ the Deluxe for about seven miles recently...longest hour of my life.... :o
Quote from: Rich on September 13, 2006, 11:32:59 PM
Accidentally ended up on some crushed shale gravel w/ the Deluxe for about seven miles recently...longest hour of my life.... :o
I hear that!
I can deal with poor surfaces. I prefer to do it slowly.
My leg is still a little hard and bruised where it made contact with the bar.
Somebody explain the allure of Sturgis to me - at least in the context of today's event. I can understand say, 20 or even 15 years ago, but now? Now it's so commercial, so crowded and sooooo hot!
If you go Ultra, may I suggest you stop your second day's ride about 100 miles short, then get a good night's rest before tackling the traffic and heat you're sure to run into 25 miles from town. I can't imagine fighting slow moving traffic after a 600 mile ride on a steaming hot day.
I think Rich has the right idea, tow the bikes to within about 50 - 100 miles, then ride the rest, and have the motor home to go back to when you get tired, hot and ready for some peace and quiet -- cause you won't find any in town. Wonder if the ride in would be any easier if coming from the north instead of due east and west - where everyone else is riding?
Quote from: Ultra on September 13, 2006, 11:06:28 PM
The rest of the study questions:
#28: the
left goggle lens, and the
right goggle lens.
Quote from: Ultra on September 19, 2006, 04:55:25 AM
Quote from: KarnUtz on September 19, 2006, 04:51:39 AM
Quote from: Ultra on September 13, 2006, 11:06:28 PM
The rest of the study questions:
#28: the left goggle lens, and the right goggle lens.
:D ;D
Some of the last rides of the 2006 year are occuring right about now for the Shadow.
:'(
Winter sucks. :P
My riding buddy and I went on a pretty large loop last Friday through SE Idaho...colors changing, saw some deer, twisty roads, crisp air, beautiful blue skies, speeds ranging from a crawl (through Pocatello traffic, BION) to...uhhh...above the limit.
The remainder of last week?....rainy, cold. This week we're supposed to get some mid-fifties days so might get some commuting in yet...
Winter sucks...until the Cats start to prowl....
r
Quote from: Rich on October 21, 2006, 12:17:02 PM
Winter sucks...until the Cats start to prowl....
r
If I get swomeone to ride with, the old, faithful RXL is a battery away from being ready to go.
If you guys make the trek to Sturgis next summer, feel free to swing up into Montana and take a riding tour of Glacier. We were packed with bikers this summer in the week before and after the rally. There's nothing better than taking a cruise on Going to the Sun Road on two wheels.
How's about Glacier instead, Boxer?
I recently acquired a copy of a King Biscuit Flower Hour broadcast of a Robert Plant show from early 1984. The broadcast was sponsored by Honda and Honda was trying to sell the Shadow. Every commercial break had the same commercial contained within.
Here is a copy of it:
www.autopuzzles.com/mp3s/HondaShadow.mp3
I get a kick out of it everytime I hear. To Honda's credit, I think the sound of the bike in the commercial is an actual Shadow.
Rode the bike 15 miles into Alpena today to get it a tune up, oil change and new tires. It felt great to be back on it again.
Looking forward to heading out west this summer, I am.
Well, the carb cleaning and tuning of the bike is turning it into a whole new machine. All the top speed issues are fixed. Now the bike is quicker than my car! :o Just the sound at idle is amazingly different.. Much more low end rumble now. Kevin, my mechanic, says the front cylinder is still running a little fat and he is rejetting it. The Kuryakyn highway pegs and Avon Venom tires look great. I am itching to have him finish it so I can take it for a ride. I may yet get a Memphis Shades Hellcat Shield for it with the Teal coloring. I haven't decided yet.
All the top speed issues are fixed. Now the bike is quicker than my car!
I didn't think it sounded right when you posted the performance earlier in this thread. Glad you got it smokin again!
Quote from: Jagman on April 11, 2007, 12:37:18 PM
All the top speed issues are fixed. Now the bike is quicker than my car!
I didn't think it sounded right when you posted the performance earlier in this thread. Glad you got it smokin again!
You were right. It is like somone transplanted the motor when riding it now compared to then.
Extremely good news, C...
BTW, get the screen; I got a full shield for Pighead and it has made a world of difference...
r
Quote from: Rich on April 11, 2007, 06:02:40 PM
BTW, get the screen; I got a full shield for Pighead and it has made a world of difference...
r
The Hellcat looks to be ordered soon.
Riding around today was really nice. Sun, warm air, bike running good, just nice.
8)
Still going to Sturgis this summer?
Quote from: Jagman on May 07, 2007, 05:36:35 PM
Still going to Sturgis this summer?
Might go to Sturgis and Deadwood, but not for the big rally.
Well, Rich, you about ready for the trip to Montana?