Changing my fork seals. Wish I had a springer front end……….
Jul 312010
Jul 142010
The 3-day MSF rider course teaches new riders the basics of safe riding, but nothing about the motorcycle as a machine that requires maintenance. Not knowing anyone else that rides, I’ve been sorting out the mechanical issues myself. As a Jeep guy, I’m used to wrenching on my Wrangler and when I drive, hearing an entire symphony of bangs, clatters, rattles, crunches and clicks. Most are normal and my experienced ear can pick out the new ones as a sign of something going wrong. But on a bike, as a new rider, it’s a whole new score. Different noises entirely – might be normal or might be a sign of a mechanical disaster waiting to become a medical disaster on the road.
The latest weird noise has been a clapaclapaclapa sound on Chiquita’s right side when braking. It was putting off a “this is a bad noise” vibe. So wrenches ready, I started in. Wheels felt solid, brake calipers, pads and lines all functioning as usual. But then the chain – it had so much extra slack I’m surprised it was staying on!
So, like wrenching on my Jeep, I just started turning screws and seeing what falls off or breaks. Kev the Mechanic Rule: “If you touch it and it breaks, it needed replacing anyway.” Fortunately, nothing broke (which is not usually the case with Rocksanne) and I discovered that these two seemingly pointless screws on the end of the swingarm are what adjust the chain. I had attempted to pull the axle further back – this would move the rear sprocket further away from the front and add tension to the chain. But it was impossible to keep the axle straight and the chain taut. Enter “seemingly pointless screws.” Turns out those Germans know something about engineering that I didn’t, and with a few scheißes and some left-right-forward-back finagling of the rear wheel I was able to get it in exactly the right spot.
No more clapaclapa. No more bike moving at different speeds from the engine. Feels goooood 
Jul 122010
“Get life insurance,” has been on my to-do list for a while. Not because I’m planning for my future family or have piles of assets to protect, but because my parents kindly cosigned on a few student loans way back when. Although the amount I owe is relatively minimal by now, I wanted to make sure they wouldn’t be stuck with a pile of bills and a dead kid.
I’m so grateful to be able to check off “get life insurance” from the list now, having found out that I am uninsurable. Yep. Me. Writing this from my gray walled, gray desk’d cubicle. I’m just too risky. It seems that the occasional cigar, and planning on taking 4 months (at least) out of the U.S. is too dangerous. They didn’t even hear the part about the motorcycle or scuba diving!
I wonder if life insurance salespeople get out of bed. Do they drive cars or is that too risky? I’d love to spend a day with one … While driving: “Statistically you’re 74% more likely to be killed turning left than turning right.” Statistically, if you lay in bed all day you might as well be dead.
If anyone knows Evel Knievel’s life insurance guy, have him give me a call. Thanks.
May 172010
When MotoAmericano was getting our frame for the panniers, I asked Chris about powdercoating the whole rig. He was dropping some other things off for a separate job, so we tossed it all in. MotoAmericano was at the mercy of whatever color and finish his job required, but for $45 for my share, who cares? They turned out great – thanks Chris! He’s open to building frames for other people on ADVRider.com, FYI.
In case anyone is interested in powdercoating, MotoAmericano did some research and discovered that the objects to be powder coated are thoroughly cleaned and possibly acid washed depending on how much they resemble your mother-in-law. They are then electronically grounded before positively charged powder is blasted at the surface. This uses magic to adhere the powder to the metal (or stepchild) at which point it’s heated in an oven to cure. The finish is more durable than paint, and I intend to verify this for all zero of you dear readers in the coming months as Chiquita and I take a few trial runs in the deserts and mountains around Arizona.
Here they be, matey!!
May 172010
Thanks to Ep!c for getting them to me just in the nick of time for the Overland Expo. As it turned out, I wouldn’t be able to attend due to my Grandpa’s funeral, but all that pre-trip prep paid off.
After posting on Facebook that I was looking for a welder in Phoenix, my dear friend Heather recommended her former boss, Chris Kornegay – Kornegay Fabrication. MotoAmericano whipped down to his shop early in the morning and came up with a raw steel “thing” that looked like some sort of giant metal spider.
Chris welding the pannier frame
A day later, the panniers arrived in all their 0.08 gauge 5052 aluminum glory! Drilled and attached and ready to go!
MotoAmericano has no time for flowerbeds.Here they be, attached and ready to go
May 172010
As I mentioned in the last post, lots of changes at MotoAmericano. Most importantly, my maternal grandfather passed away the day before I was supposed to be at the Overland Expo 2010 If you visit their site, and you should if you enjoy terrestrial touring, you can see that this year was a great success and they’re already planning for 2011. Although MotoAmericano will be in Brazil during the 2011 Expo, we wish them the best.
A few notes about my grandfather… As I knew him, he lived with Parkinson’s Disease. Diagnosed with it when I was 9, it was a part of his life for as far back as I have memories of him. Fortunately, it didn’t define him, and he was able to live independently with my Grandmother until the last year of his 91-year-long life.
He and my father worked together in sales, traveling Michigan to various factories and industrial plants that used their steam control products. Growing up, family trips often included a stop along my dad’s sales route as he visited clients in places like Three Rivers and Alpena, Michigan. After visiting all these clients for 50 years, at my Grandfather’s funeral it was their turn to visit him. People came from across the region, some having worked alongside him for the majority of those years, and others only having known him briefly as their careers began while my grandfather was retiring.
Taking time at the funeral to observe, it surprised me how many times I overheard laughter and caught people smiling as they shared stories about him. It seemed like the sort of funeral one would want to have – each of us heading back out into the world to share his optimism and positive outlook now that he was no longer able to do it himself.
I and MotoAmericano are thankful for the opportunity to be able to take him with us to the ends of the Earth.
May 092010
Major changes here at MotoAmericano – will be detailed in the next few posts. Today was spent aimlessly wandering (is there a better way to get someplace?) around N. Phoenix, Carefree, etc… Found Bartlett Lake and some pretty mellow twistys. Not too clogged up with boats either. Gorgeous day for a ride!
Perfect day for a ride
Apr 072010
Cigar Aficionado | Archives | The Padron Family: A Nicaraguan Legacy.
What sort of red-blooded Americano doesn’t like the taste of a delicious see-gar? I don’t know, and I never want to meet him. For me, Padron’s have been a consistent favorite and I’m looking forward to visiting their home factory in the mountains around Esteli, Nicaragua.
Apr 052010
Just received word they should be here this week – maybe even tomorrow!! MotoAmericano is thrilled for this all-but-mandatory addition to Chiquita. Once they arrive, we’ll weld up a frame and finish getting ready for the Overland Expo in Amado, AZ. Two weeks to go! So much to do just for a 4-day desert ADV.
Apr 052010
Makes Chiquita 10x more off-roadable!
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