Wilsons Sandbox

Bogdan Swider wrote:

> Garageless list lurker Rex H. came by to take advantage of my new edifice > yesterday. Rex is the only guy I ride with who would give Verle a run for > his money; like many such types, especially when like him they posses much > mechanical ability and experience, he has a minimalist approach to > maintenance...

Bogban: you do me a disservice by implying I'm fast or whatever. I'm just an old man who didn't ride at all for eighteen years. If I go fast, it's relative to other old men. Sometimes enthusiasm is mistaken for skill. The last thing I want is for young guys to think I'm up for a challenge. The last time that happened was thirty years ago and I couldn't even stop to urinate on an all-day ride without hearing how easy I was to pass. I like to ride, not race. You are right about maintenance, though. One old racer I rode with in southeastern Utah recently (number two-ranked open class motocrosser in Colorado, mid-seventies), was riding a box-stock, twelve year old Yamaha XT600 which apparently gets no maintenance other than: change the oil; clean the air filter (although he does maintain his own vintage motocrosser). I tried to ride the XT and quickly gave it back saying, "You have serious problems with the steering head. I can't ride it." He adjusted the too-tight steering head bearings on the spot (middle of the Lockhart Basin trail) and said later, "Hey! I can't believe how much that helped." What I can't understand is: he went fast before he adjusted the steering head bearings. These old racers don't worry about correct tires or spring rates or anything. They don't care if they are riding a new KTM 640 LC4 (as one was) or a twelve-yr old XT (as the other was); they just ride. Now, if I could just figure out how to shift gears while wearing these new Alpinestars.... Verle Nelson Cedaredge, CO

motormark@... writes:

> I was thinking about putting a strobe light on top of my helmet, and mount > some railroad flairs for the foggy nights. I ought to be seen then...

Mark, I know you jest, but "Risk Management" is a big part of my motorcycling. "Being Seen" is a big plus when on a bike. Ed's resent accident (biker down), is all too familiar. It happened to me more than 20 years ago. Car failed to yield right of way - "she didn't see me". I was an active dirt racer at the time and though my "skills" would allow me to avoid any dim-wit. Not true! The good Lord preserved my life that day. Hi-viz is just one of my risk management techniques to "staying alive". I may get nailed by a car one day, but not because "he/she didn't see me", that is, if I have the discipline to wear the dang jacket in HOT weather along with a full face helmet. Just got Nolan N100 (white for visibility) and find that I like riding with the chin bar in the up position - Dumb Me. Safety gear is worthless if you don't use it. Getting off soapbox now. Ride smart, ride safe, Ernie P. ps: Mark, I enjoyed your TWO trip report.