I talked to the dealer yesterday, and they are going to fix the oil pump issue at no cost to me. They're also going to see about cutting me a deal on an extended warranty to cover any other such mishaps. However, I am going to consider switching to a Japanese bike in the future. Something nice and boring and reliable ( Read more... )

Well, I'm not in Colorado as planned. Phil and I set out on Thursday with a couple of minor mishaps and delays (his story) on the way. Long about the Kansas border on US 50, I started getting an oil pressure warning light. I called in to the dealer and asked for advice, and disconnected/reconnected the sensor wire (as oil pressure sensors are ( Read more... )

I traded in my red Ducati Multistrada 620 for a Metallic Grey Ducati ST4S ABS Sport-Touring bike. Bask in its sinister glory!


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The Honda is HEAVY. We're talking Harley-class mass. The better part of 800 lbs. I note this because, as I was taking it for a spin around the block, it died halfway around and refused to restart. I think it has starter issues. It will be looked into, suffice it to say ( Read more... )

I got the Honda to start and mostly run today. It was a combination of bad gas and the timing not being dead on. I fiddled with the points and timing for an hour or so, and then discovered that the gas in the tank was crap, so I emptied that out (hat tip to Dad for the idea of pressurizing the tank to drive the gas out of the petcock using an old ( Read more... )

The fuel pump on the Honda wasn't the problem. Back to square 0.

Well, the o-rings I ordered aren't going to work. So I just dropped the money on a set of gasket kits. *sigh* Such is life. I estimate those will come either late this week or early next week, so I'll be able to finish the carb rebuilds in the not-too-distant future. Then I just need to worry about putting on an exhaust and a front fender.

I have been puttering about in my garage. Here's a picture of the carburetors off of my project bike.

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Well, as some of you may have heard, as of this morning, I am officially a government employee. That's right, I am The Man. It's doing the same thing as before, in the same place, with the same people, for the same money, but this gives me more options for the future, that is to say, transfers, promotions, temporary assignments, merit raises and ( Read more... )

I finally freed my motorcycle from the nefarious clutches of the Ducati dealer.  It's been repaired, rebuilt, tuned, tested and had a center stand installed.  I managed to miss most of the good riding weather, but not all is lost.  I've got a winter motorcycle jacket and gloves on order, and I am pretty sure I can find my neck gaiter someplace.