It Really Does Not Seem all That Long Ago.

My parents are elderly and have recently relocated to Houston, Texas to be closer to the kids and grand kids and holy cow, the GREAT grand kids. How time does move quickly. One one of several trips to my childhood home to clean and box and generally get my parents out of there, I came upon several photo albums. The picture you see below was tucked into the back of some random collection of family memories.
I know where the photo was taken. We were living in Odem, Texas at the time. I was probably in third grade. My brother used to haul ass on his '73 Husky CR 250 right in front of were this photo was taken. The photo did not necessarily bring back a flood of memories. We only lived in Odem for a short time and I have tried to forget most of it. What it did do was get me thinking about the kid in the picture. It is almost as if he is another person. His hands, his smile, his ratty hair cut, his rather questionable t-shirt. It dawned on me that I really like this kid. If I met him now, I would most likely think that he was a cool kid. I would most likely want to hang out with him a little. Maybe ride a few laps with him at the local track or catch a few waves with him.
Of course the picture is of me. That may have something to do with it the nostalgia and the connection to the image. That is obvious. Still there is something else at play. For me, it was the realization that who I was, is also who I am. That kid is still alive in me today. His hands are my hands. His smile is my smile. There is a part of me that is still that cool kid. Don't get hung up there. I am not saying, "Gee, aren't I cool!" I am simply pointing out that we are responsible for the person we are today. We owe it to the kids that we were yesterday.
Hold tight to the dreams of your youth. Don't be afraid to let that inner third grader take over every once and again. As a matter of fact, make sure it happens often. It will keep that kid alive and well and keep your spirit young forever.
I can close my eyes and see my brother Randy on his old Husky. That image of the eternal teenager that he is in many of my memories. I can see that Jonathan that is in third grade, sitting on the porch with his arms folded, legs crossed, watching his older brother ride that mean machine. Then, all at once, I am back there. Seeing it all through the same eyes I saw it through so many years ago.

We all live on. Live it good my friends. Live it young and live it well.

Davida Helmet Hits Home.

As the title says, the much anticipated Davida has hit home. My home! I have waited and waited to finaly own one of these fantastic helmets. Now that I have taken several rides in my Davida Classic, it's time to do the review.
When the box arrived on my doorstep, I was a little underwhelmed. The box was small and I was worried that there might be damage to my helmet because the size of the box did not offer much "crush" room for shipping damage. I was relieved to find my helmet in good shape, nicely tucked into it little Davida scratch bag. The scratch bag was a little cheap looking but I was more interested in the helmet.
I went for the silver color with the British Racing Green stripe down the middle. Fantastic vintage look. From the tape edging to the wonderful canvas webbing on the inside. These helmets ooze cafe cool. The gloss on the helmet was perfect. No scratches and a perfect Davida logo gracing the front.
I ordered a size large and it fits just right for me. The helmet sits far enough down on my head to give me a somewhat secure feeling. While these vintage style skid lids do not offer the protection of a modern helmet, a rider should at least go for a proper fit. Mine came with a sizing strip, but I did not need to apply it.
I sinched the helmet up and headed out. I found the full leather flaps on the sides and back offer some protection from the cool evening temperatures and truly round out the vintage feel. I am used to riding in a half helmet and one of the things I dont like is the wind noise. The leather flaps on the Davida cut that to a minimum. Very nice!
The occasional glance I got from passing motorists confirmed that I was indeed in full vintage form. My Triumph Bonneville and my Davida Classic helmet. I picked all black that day. Black gloves and black Triumph jacket. I loved it.
If you are wanting to perfect your modern classic vibe, go for a Davida Classic. Great fit and function and a perfect vintage styling. High quality workmanship worth the cost. Especially BSA, Triumph, Norton, and Vincent riders should get one of these. It will be right at home on your Brit baby. Davida Classic Line

Bike Updates and Harvest Classic Review

Well, fall has fallen down here in Austin, Texas. We have had some fantastic riding days with the cooler weather and we have loved it. If you are reading this post from up in the north where its already getting frosty, come see us and we will take you for a beautiful hill country ride. Go see the folks at http://www.airbnb.com/ and they will set you up with a great place to stay. Send us an email at pacemakerman@hotmail.com and let us know when you will be in town. We will see if someone in our club is available to take you out for a ride. We are not guides or running a tour business. We are just a bunch of folks that like to ride and meet new folks. We should have a several more weeks of good riding weather. If you dont want to haul you bikes, we will see if we can find you some bikes to ride. There may be a charge for those as most of the time we have to get you hooked up with a rental servie. Let us know how we can help.
Got a few bike updates for you on this post. Our great friend Chris Cruce just scored a beautiful Triumph Bonneville Black. Looks like he is also finaly getting the CB350 sorted out. They are both great bikes and he certainly is the proud owner of a nice stable of machines. Ran into him at the Harvest Classic Bike show a couple of weeks ago. Wife and two lovely baby girls in tow, he was all smiles to be out there in the sun with the classic machines. Did my heart good to see him. Its good to have good friends.
The 2010 Harvest Classic Bike show was another hit this year. We had a group of five riders heading out from Round Rock, Texas this year. A very nice HD Glide, Triumph Bonneville, Triumph Thunderbird, Triumph TT600, and a newly acquired Honda Repsol Leader. Diverse crew to say the least. My lovely wife Rebecca went two up with me on the TT for the first part of the ride. I knew she was less than comfortable as she is indeed a tall drink of water but it was fantastic to have her on the ride. She chose a nice pair of knee boots, tight black jeans and a lovely blouse that made me proud to be her husband. Enough on that boys. Eat your heart out. At any rate, we headed out for Johnson City about 8am with hot biscuits and coffee on our mind.
A little rainy to start the ride but got to Marble Falls savely and made the jump onto 281 towards Johnson City. Not much site seeing through the hills that morning. The light rain had us all quit focused on the bikes and road conditions.
Once into Johnson City we stopped at Country Inn to get some hot breakfast. It was a perfect and welcomed stop on such a cool and damp morning. The sun was out by then but the memory of the grey morning was still fresh on our minds. As we got off the bikes and breathed our collective sigh of relief to be out of the rain, we noticed a mean looking hooligan machine pulling in to the lot. Oh the object of my desire, a white on black Triumph Speend Triple. Nasty machine indeed! We all gathered around to covet the bike. The rider introduced himself as John and we all eased into the restaurant to order up and chill out.
As John was on his own that morning, we asked him to join us. Turns out he is a Scothish lad currently living in Houston, Texas. He rode in from H town that morning! John kept us all entertained and delighted with his tales of  the Isle of Mann and a frequent joke or good ribbing. Everybody filled their bellies with good food and coffee and filled their hearts with the joy of being off work, on a bike, and meeting new friends.
The ride on to Lukenbach was fun and in the sun. Our little crew rumbled into the lot, all smiles and really feeling the good energy that only comes with the spontenaity that comes with just letting things happen.
We grabbed some cold Lone Stars at the little bar and set out to see the classic machines on display.
Where to start? The 70's era Ossa Stilletos were breath taking. Looking show room clean, a Husky sat just up the line and caught my eye early on. I remember these bikes from my early youth. While I never owned one or even rode one, they covered the magazine covers of those days and filled my boyish dreams at night. So great to see them still on the road or dirt as it happens. From there we moved to the line of classic CB Hondas. An orange 750 Four was at the top of that list for me. Looking a bit bullish and mean. I imagine that bike would still scare the hell out of most of us.
Several classic Bonnies as well and a '70 Daytona that was so alluring that I have been looking at Ebay and Craigslist since. Trying to find one like her is a bit of a fantasy.  I have no room in the garage for her but plenty of room in my imagination. You know the feeling I am sure.
After looking at helmets, tshirts, boots, gloves, and jackets we decided to get on the road to stay ahead of the rain.  A well timed and technicaly impressive group ride back to Round Rock. We waved goodbye to our new friend John as he turned off to go to Comfort, Texas for the night. Nice guy indeed. Keep an eye out for a white Speed Triple around Houston. If you run into an old Scottish dude on one, its likely to be John. Buy him lunch, it will be a time you wont forget.
We rounded out that Saturday night with a fire on the back patio at my place. A few to many (if there is such a thing) Lone Stars, stuffed jalapenos, beef burger sliders, home fried buffalo wings, Opa's brats, and some nice sharp cheddar cheese. There was no shortage of good one liners and good stories from the old days.
It hurt my heart a little on Sunday to see the boys off. Helped them load the bikes on the trailer and gave good strong hugs and hand shakes, put my arm around my Rebecca as I watched the brake lights around the bend on my street. "Good day, good weekend, good life", I thought to myself.
The Harvest Classic comes 'round every year. I hope my little group makes many more of them. If we don't however, this one was a great one and that may be good enough. I suppose there is an art to taking each day as it comes and being thankful for it. I am thankful for today and for that day in particular.
Be safe. Ride safe. Wear a helmet and get home to your loved ones in one piece. Come back and see me soon.

Gone fishing.

Sorry the blog is not updated recently. checking for updates and reviews of the harvest classic bike show. Also,?I will review my soon to arrive Davida skid lid.

How Motocross Saved My Life.

For most of us, we like to think of motorcycle riding as a way of life. Even a lifestyle if you will. For me that is certainly the case. Until recently however, much of that mindset was based on a by gone day. The title of motocross racer was indeed a dusty crown that resided only in my distant past. Although I still wore the occasional MX influenced t-shirt and always sported “lifestyle” sunglasses, I was anything but a motorcycle rider. Hell, I had even done the unthinkable. I had posed. The truth is, I didn’t even own a bike.
The process to this point began years and years ago. Sometime during college I realized that I probably didn’t have the funds necessary to continue riding and racing. So, with the self understanding that I would buy a bike after I graduated, I sold my bikes and gear and took a temporary retirement from the ranks of motorcycle rider. Well, we all know how this goes. You finish school with an obligation to old Sallie Mae and a credit card debt that Ronald Regan would have been proud of. So you put off the bike thing for another year, then another, then another. Slowly, you forget about the thing all together. You don’t even bother to thumb the pages of the latest dirt mag when you pass it a the grocery store.
I suppose it would not be so bad if it was only motocross that slips from ones grasp. Somehow though, for some of us, with the motorcycle goes the motivation that we needed to stay lean and fit. With no race season on the horizon, I stopped thinking that I need to skip the Super Sized menu. I even laughed off the first 10 pounds of weight I put on after college as “getting older” poundage. The fitness gauge I had used for last 20 years was gone. I no longer had early season practice laps to ride. No more pulling off the track after a few laps and realizing that I needed to start running again. I just kept gaining weight and started doing things that guys that don’t race motocross do. Those things that don’t require you to be at “racing weight”. I spent more time at sports bars than I did participating in sports. That is not as much a comment about increasing my bar time as it is about decreasing my athletic endeavors. Golf (riding, not walking) and billiards squeaked onto my activities list….as sports!
I suppose its like someone slowly bringing the water to boil around you. Slowly, so that you don’t notice. For me, the college hiatus, turned into the new job hiatus, then the new kid hiatus, then the “Im getting too old anyway” termination. Im not sure what rattled me. It could have been the realization that money was no longer an excuse as well as the onset of middle age. Perhaps, a sudden awareness that time was getting short and that this may be my last chance to get back in the game.
It is difficult to nail down the thing that triggered the return to motocross and moto culture. I think I just wanted to reach out and claim my heritage. I was the kid who rode wheelies up and down the street on his BMX bike. I was the kid who knew who Roger DeCoster was before it was cool and before Wide World of Sports turned my cult heroes into household names. I was the kid who quit freshman football because I wanted to be under the lights at the speedway on Friday nights. Motocross was who I was. This was the heritage that I could not leave behind, the heritage that finally came back around like and old family member and beckoned me back into the fold.
The purchase of a vintage motocross bike gave me a new spring in my step. That old ratty 1974 Yamaha MX 125 sitting in the garage became a touchstone of vitality and a return to youth. While I worked on that bike, I also began exercising again and trying to loose weight. My rock music got played a little louder and my Chuck Taylors showed the character of oil stains and sweat rings. I even joined a rock band again. That part of me that was still 16 began to emerge from under the layers of lard and from under the burden of being a “business man”. My chronological clock was actually backing up instead of steaming forward. Motocross as a fountain of youth was a reality for me. That old Yamaha is making me younger!
If you have stumbled upon this story by chance or if you are a dyed in the wool veteran, I believe that the message is the same. Hold dear to the things that are dear to you. Be it an old skateboard or surfboard or scooter or Bultaco. It does not matter. Hold them close and fight for all its worth to stay connected to those things. If you have let them go, then go back and find them. They are your heritage. You are responsible for holding on and ultimately passing them on. It will pay dividends beyond calculation. It will make you life better and probably longer. For those of you who will, I say, “Welcome back and welcome home”.

Proper Care and Feeding

I was recently blessed with a late model Triumph Bonneville. Its truly a beautiful machine. I am not the original owner, but I am the owner now. That is important to understand. The bike now belongs to me and for the sake of this fantastic bike, my ownership is a very good thing.
Eric down at Lone Star BMW/Triumph called me one day and told me he had this Bonneville coming into his inventory of used bikes. I had been looking to replace my recently departed T-100, so I went to see the bike. It was in good shape but a few things didnt add up in my mind. While the bike had only 1800 miles, there was surface rust on the rims, under the headlight and on the bars. Not too noticeable, but it was there. There was oil build up on the swingarm and some stains on top of the case. I realized I was looking at a nice bike that didnt come from a good home. It had not been abused but it certainly had not been loved. Probably kept in a car port with a cover thrown over it, never ridden, never cherished.
Last night I sat in my garage with that Bonneville. I rubbed and polished, check linkages, tighted spokes, and listened to her stories of her old home. How sunny days passed one after the other and she was never taken out for a run. How her old owner walked past her time after time without a glance. No sparkle in his eye, no excitement, no passion for her at all.
I whispered goodnight to the Bonnie around 11pm. She shines and sparkles now. She in my garage. She is in a good home. It will be a different life for that bike now. Also, a different life for me. A new relationship is just the thing to get your passion for life moving again. Proper care and feeding for us both.
My latest issue of VMX (Vintage Motocross) magazine arrived in the mail this week. My wife had it layed out on the kitchen counter when I came home from work. She winked and smiled at me and pointed at the magazine. The subscription was a gift from her for my birthday. Like that lovely Bonneville, Im in a good home, getting proper care and feeding.
Enjoy your bikes and care for them well. Moreover, cherish the people that are taking care of you and return the effort. We all need each other.
Have a good time with your fall riding season. Take care and come see me soon.

The Beauty of Bikes

I was at my local Triumph shop yesterday to drop of my Bonneville for some tweaking and I noticed the shop cork board. Down in the lower corner, partially hidden by the usual flyers for lawn mowing services, happy hours, dog training, and photography services, was a beautiful depiction of a sexy Ducati. The card with the picture on it virtually jumped of the board at me. Sleek and silver with swept back lines, how could anyone not notice her? I picked up the card and admired her sexy shape. I was smitten.
The card was a notice for the Harvest Classic Bike Show. Held out in Luckenbach, Texas on Oct. 22-24.
While I have never been to the show, it is obvious that they are interested in guys like me showing up. The picture of the Ducati is right up my alley. Whoever picked out the art for the advertisement obviously understands the beauty of bikes. They are often art and should be depicted and handled as such. Like beautiful women, there is a magic to them as well as a mystery. We are drawn to them and can never get them out of our heads.
I have made phone calls and sent emails already. I will be at Harvest this year. I imagine row after row of beautifully appointed classic bikes. I can hardly wait. It is already the stuff of my dreams.
A cooling fall day in the Texas hill country, open asphalt leading to the oasis of  bike beauty. Me and my crew twisting the throttles a little more as we get closer. I can almost taste the first cold beer. I can almost feel the first high five.
Join me at the Harvest Bike Show if you can. We can admire the bikes and tell stories of loves past. I look forward to meeting you there. I will most likely be on a Triumph Bonnevill. All silver. A pudding  bowl helmet with a yellow 9 ball on the side and crossed checkered flags (don't laugh) on the barck with R.R. Tx written below. Smashingly handsome.  Thats me.

I look forward to seeing you there.

The Wonderful Youth

Kids these days. Exactly! Kids these days are really something else. I would also have to say, in retrospect, that they always have been. I get tired of the Bill Gates stuff as I am sure you do, but as an example, he was in his 20's when he founded Microsoft. In motocross terms, Bob Hannah was 19 when Yamaha signed him in 1976. He won three straight AMA Supercross titles. In Moto GP terms, Valentino Rossi was barely legal when he signed to Aprilia in the 125cc class. He has won 9 Grand Prix World Championships! Kids, at the time. All of them kids. Wonderful achievements. Boldness and bravery beyond compare. How about President George Senior? 19 years of age when he flew his first combat mission in WW II. Amazing. When I was 19, I was struggling with making a car payment and trying to to perfect my mullet.
What is my point? Kids are good. Youth is good. It is a time to go and forge new ground and to make daring moves. On the race track, in the boardroom, on the world stage. That's only the half of it though. If youth is a physical condition, you know what I mean, no wrinkles, strong bones, livers that still work, then why cant that boldness continue into later life? Boldness is not a physical condition. Courage is not either. These are mental states. So, if your body is still in good shape, why can't people continue to win races at 30?
Ill tell you why. Because many of us let youth drive us to old age. Yes, we allow youth to be squandered on the pressure to be successful and the pressure to build a life.
Let's take racers for instance. Young riders have nothing at stake and everything to prove. So, the ride like mad men. Pin the throttle and hold on right? Then come some victories. Then some sponsorships and then some endorsements and then some money and that is ALWAYS followed by wife and kids. Now the picture looks very different indeed. Now while sitting in the paddock, our once wreck less, ass hauling, hero is concerned with just finishing the race in one piece. Forget winning. He is worried about making his child an orphan. This isn't a bad thing. Its just life. Youth drives us to a place where we are suddenly much, much older.
So we will not be seeing 40 somethings on the podium any time soon. I say this because riders don't slow down because their bodies are older. They slow down because the cost of going fast is too high for them at some point. This is a reasonable thing. Kids need their dads. I get it. But what of the boldness of Gill Gates? Is he still as bold today? I suppose so. He is so freakin' rich I suppose he does not worry about his next big idea failing. What does that mean to you and me though? Hell, I don't know. I suppose I want to still go fast in some area of my life.  Still hold on to some boldness, some courage.
Maybe there is still a race to be raced. A place in life where we can still "pin it and hold on".
If you are like me, you are hungry to find it. The wonderful youth. Is it still out there for us older boys? Lets hope so.

Intentions vs. Actions

The road to "-----" is paved with good intentions. Fill in the blank. You could fill it with almost anything. The road to failure, heartbreak, loneliness. Whatever. Don't freak out on me now. Im not in a mood or getting ready to fill up  a page with a bunch of mushy stuff. Im just saying that often times, when you land at a spot in life that you dont particularly like, you can often look back at the road that took you there and see that for most of that journey, you were simply trying to do the right thing.
Ahhh yes. "the right thing", whatever the hell that is. Its a moving target for sure. It is so  hard to manage the moment by moment decision on "the right thing".  Still, most of us do try to find it and let it guide our decisions. What I have found out though, is that everyones idea of what "the right thing" is, is very diverse from person to person. That is to say, you may be doing the right thing in your mind, but in someone elses mind, you are being a complete bastard for that action.
So, we get hung up in the action and completely overlook the intention. Especially when we are judging the actions of others. Particularly when they have hurt us right? We get focused on our hurt and we stop looking at the intention behind the other persons action. We apply a different set of rules to others than we apply to ourselves. We are totally focused on intention when we evaluate our own actions. Boy do we.
Well, so here I am. I am in a bit of a situation with some people. Some dear loved ones that mean the world to me. I wish we could all look past the action and see the intention. I suppose I am being a dreamer on that issue. Its tough to get others to look past the damage and see the good intentions behind everything. Its is tough enough to get ourselves to do it.
This post wasnt about pistons and hand grips. Sorry. My intention is to write something that helps me feel better about my situation today. My intention is to put up something that others can read and get some good from. If the action seems a bit out of place for MotoMania, please forgive me. Yeah, we all have motorcycles but we all have hearts to. I hope yours is in good shape today.
Ride safe all. Come back in one piece and bring a friend.

I Never Had The Stones.

For the love of Christ! I have been watching the Isle of Mann TT for the last couple of nights (DVR baby!) and I have to say that those boys are a breed apart.  Those speeds on a city street?
If you have not tuned into Discovery HD, you must do so tonight. Set to record the episodes. You must see the speeds that these fellows ride at. Truly amazing and truly beautiful. A fantastic combination of athletic prowess and top notch machinery.
I suppose that many of us have fancied ourselves racers. I know I did. I raced a boatload of motocross in my day and I thought a couple of times that I was going pretty fast. On an occasional day, I thought I might even have what it takes to be a pro.  Right.
This Isle of Mann thing has removed all remnants of my school boy fantasy of my relative stone size. That is to say, I never had the stones to do what these pro riders do. True, its not motocross, but its racing at its finest. Watching these boy's helmets cams and realizing that I cant process the information fast enough in my living room, much less my on a race bike, confirms that I am a true race fan. Not a racer. Maybe a nice little senior club racer, but never a possible pro.
Thats O.K. though. Eventhough I never had the stones, I still look back on my younger days as a rider/racer and enjoy remembering the dreams and fantasies of going pro. Now, at 43 years old, I am truly enjoying watching the courageous boys who actually did it.
As I said, tune into Discovery HD and watch the fellows have a go.
Tune in next time for  a quick little book review.

Maybe Its an Illness

Like many of you, I cant get enough motorcycle stuff. I don't really mean helmets, gloves, boots, or stuff like that. I mean motorcycle culture. I love looking at bikes and pictures of riders from the old days. As an example, I spent last evening watching the Isle of  Mann TT qualifying laps on Discovery HD. It was fantastic. I simply love bikes and the people who ride them (except for Chris who rode a CR 125 at the night track in the 80's. He always beat me. I just like him, but I dont love him. Just like him)
Often times, this moto obsession results in an occasional purchase of a motorcycle. You know how it goes. The bike is bitchin'. The price is right. The money is available. Next thing you know you have a kick ass piece of iron in the bed of your truck. For me, there is nothing like this feeling. "I just scored a bike!", I think to myself. I dig setting it up in the garage in its own little spot. I love rolling it out on Sundays for a little ride around the hamlet. Nothing compares to the feeling of seeing your neighbors smile and shake their head as I ride by. They never know what bike they are going to see me on next week.
You see, I have a sickness. A fever if you will. The only cure is MORE MOTO! I am addicted to the feelings that come with motorcycle culture. This is a communicable disease too.
I recently spread my illness to a good friend. I offered up my recently purchased CB 350 for him to buy. He was all over it. The pictures of the bike that I showed him got him so jazzed about the bike. He was asking me about it almost every day. Now it sits in his garage and he is happy as a lark, all eatin' up with the moto bug. Check the picture of him. How can you not say that he is truly ill?
I like to surf and skateboard. I also enjoy wakeboarding and a few other things. I usually tell people not to try surfing because it sucks. I like to do what I can to keep the best breaks from getting crowded by telling people that surfing is no fun and very dangerous. Moto, on the other hand, is different. Everyone should have a bike.
Go get a motorcycle lobotomy. A nice bike in your garage can make even the worst day a little better. Somehow, when you are out on that machine, the rest of the world fades away. You, riding happily down the road, sick as you are, not caring a bit about it.

Family Before Bikes

As many of you know , I promised to do a full review of Vintage Bike Night down at The Draught House in Austin, Texas. I waited all weekend for the Monday night event. I was excited to run my own vintage Honda CB 350 down there and sip a pint with the boys. However, it was not to be.
On Sunday I received a call that a family member was not doing well. It changed the schedule for the weekend and ended up running over into Monday. It crossed my mind that I had promised to do the review and get it posted. I quickly and easily decided that I would simply post the truth about my Monday. I had a family member in need, and I tended to that instead.
I know the kind of folks that moto people are. You would have all done the same. We are family people. Whether its our own family or if we have adopted a different kind of family, we are loyal to the folks that support us.
It brought back a memory from my high school days. I was in a terrible auto accident with some buddies. Of course we were out raising Cain but not really anything too serious. Next thing you know, our truck was in a ditch and we were all beat up pretty good. The driver of the truck died that night. I may have been the last person he talked to. I don't know. At any rate, I met his family after the accident and they were motorcycle people. I will always remember all the bikes at his funeral. He was a member of a family and we look out for our own.
If you are out there riding this weekend, remember your family and all the folks that love you. Ease off the throttle a little and get home safe. 
I will be heading out to Vintage Bike Night on Monday if everything goes as planned. I will take pictures and try to do some interviews if I can. Check in on Tuesday and get the report. 

How Many Times Have You Seen This?

I grew up riding and racing dirt bikes. I suppose my parents did'nt dig the thought of me or my brother on a street bike so, dirt bikes were the only possible choice. Now, over the years I have shown many people how to ride. Most recently, my very own son. He too has been asked to start on a dirt bike. Mainly for the many times I have scene the pain of others as they learned the basics of motorcycle operation. The experience got me thinking about asking all of you fellow riders how many times you have experienced the following scenario:
"A little throttle, now let out a little clutch. Ok, now a little more throttle but dont let go of the clutch. Good, now let out a little more....." Bang, the clutch gets dropped and the front end is off the ground, new rider in tow, throttle pinned wide open.
I cant tell you how many times I have scene this happen. Once even on a Honda Trail 70 and that's an automatic for God's sake! I guess its an integral part of the process. Im pretty glad for that too. Why?
Because its funny as hell, thats why. I mean you cant buy that kind of entertainment. I have seen dudes dragged across drainage ditches, seen trail bikes ridden up garage walls, dudes grinded through scrubs and hedges. Its freakin awesome. I wish I would have had the foresight to bring a video camera to all of them. I will in the future for sure. You Tube could make me a millionaire with that kind of stuff.
The upside is that I have never seen anyone get hurt in all of the training days. The beauty of teaching on a dirt bike I guess.
Post your comments when you get time and visit some of our sponsors. Bring a friend with you.
Dont forget to check in next Tuesday for the full report on Vintage Bike Night at Draught House in Austin, Texas.

Vintage Bike Night At Draught House in Austin

Hey everybody. Stay tuned for more details on Vintage Bike Night on Mondays at The Draught House. This is a great with outdoor seating for beer drinking and looking at cool bikes. Here is a sample from last night. Tune in next week for a full write up on the next event.

Adding Some Amazon Stuff to the Page Yall

Hey everybody that visits Amazon has a friend. I would like to be that friend. In other words, if you know you are going to search or buy something on Amazon, come to my page first. I would appreciate  the referrals. It helps build page traffic and adds a little money to the site so we can stuff to give away on raffle and random drawings. We really want to get Moto Mania off the ground, so please help us out.

Also, I know many of you ride CBRs and Vintage Honda bikes. Check out the links below to Honda Parts House. They can get you hooked up with everything you need for that project that has been sitting in your garage for too long.

Also find the link for Argo Cycles. If you are looking for some nice bikes coming off salvage title, these guys have bikes galore. Too many to mention. I have spent hours paging through their inventory. Some really nice bike in the 3-5k range as well. Go buy one and tell em we sent ya!

1972 CB 350 Gets a New Home.

I love the classic Japanese bikes. I mean, who doesnt? You dont have to answer that. I know these small bore classics are not for everyone, but they are for me. Here is a "fresh off the truck" photo for you guys and girls. Gather 'round boys and girls, gather 'round. This is the bike that powered the '70s. Dig it!

Cute Little Stuffed Animals. Buy Em or Die!!!!

Great new site by a great artist.  Buy something cool for your girlfriend you motorcycle obsessed pig. Maybe she won't complain so much about how you smell of gasoline, beer, sweat, and cigars if you send her a little gift from this great website. Sabrina is a very hip artist. BUY SOMETHING.

Link to cool dollsBuy my girl something cool. Click Here

John's Got Bikes for Sale

My good buddy John has a couple of really nice Harleys for sale. John is very meticulous with bike care. You would not find nicer machines on a showroom floor. Email us a pacemakerman@hotmail.com and I can get you in touch with John.

Now Matter How Many You Ride

Are bikes like good beer? No matter how many you have tasted, your always down to try something new. I think that they may be.
I had the opportunity to take a new KTM through its paces. Im not usually a Motard kind of guy, but this bike looks and rides amazing. As I tooled around some local back streets, it dawnned on me that I love all kinds of bikes. Maybe not all of them are my style but all of them are motorcycles, and for me, thats enough.
Get out this weekend to your local shops and check out some new or used bikes. Different bikes than what you have typically been drawn to. Im not saying its time to buy a different bike. Im suggesting that there is a lot of cool iron out there to be admired.
Ride your bike out to a bike night or rally or race and check out variety. You find yourself enjoying a type of beer you have never had with a new friend you just met, admiring a bike that you new nothing about. Sounds like a good way to spend a Saturday to me.

The Joy of Hearing it Run.

Many of you know that I have been getting a vintage MXer ready for the Fall season. Struggling to get it ready is a more accurate description. It is a Yamaha MX125 from 1975. It qualifies for the sportsman class with a petition because it is the same bike that Yamaha made in 1974 with only a graphics change.
Not really a highly prized vintage project but it fell into my lap at the right time at the right price.
I have been working on it on and off, ordering parts and generally dragging my butt to finish it up.
A couple of nights ago I just pushed myself to get a few final parts on and forced myself to stay in the garage until the project was at a point where I could try to start it up.
After a couple of attempts at kick starting it and a few thousand yards trying to push start her, a few trouble shoots, a few swear words, a few busted knuckles, a few bruised shin bones, a couple of sweat soaked t-shirts and a thrown screwdriver, she started! And she sounded good!
There was fuel pouring out of a carb that clearly is not worked out, but it was running. God, the joy of hearing a bike start! It lives!

Ride Em, Don't Hide Em

"Just look at that sustain" Nigel, Spinal Tap.
That scene always comes to mind when I am in my garage admiring one of my bikes. Its fullfilling just to look at bike. How can that be? Well, like Nigel and his guitars, I simply love motorcycles.
However, I don't want to become what Nigel was in that hilarious scene. I do not want to get to the point where my bikes are so precious that I can't take them out to ride. Granted, I do not have any classic, mint bikes. Still, If I do get a 1958 Bonneville or a mint Tiger Cub, I hope that I have the soul and the stones to hit the drag with it.
If motorcycles have spirits (we all know they do), I believe that spirit cries to be on the open rode, or on the sandy loam, or on the steamy asphalt.
The beauty of a bike can never be fullfilled in the garage. I saw a classified ad or maybe it was an article about a 1974 YZ 360 that a guy owned that had never been started! That does not impress me at all. At least not in a positive way. It is a sad story to be sure. Like a quarter horse that was never saddled or a Les Paul that never had strings put on it. It does not make the piece more precious. To me, it makes the piece pathetic in a way.
To bring the spirit of the machines to their fullest potential, we must ride our bikes. There is a dude in my neighborhood that has a sweet Interceptor. Like a real Tom Cruise replica. It oozes Top Gun. Perfect shape. The thing that makes the bike so damn cool though, is the fact that the dude RIDES IT. He goes full tilt. Jeans, black boots, pilot shades, white T-shirt, its awesome.
So go buy a pudding bowl helmet if you have an old BSA and take that beauty out for a spin. Not just today, but as many days as you can.
Nobody will ever lay on their death bed and say, "Gee, I wish I would have ridden less".

Thoughts from The Saddle

Ok, I get it. I understand why you like the bike that you ride. Maybe you are way into the saddle bags and the tassels. Perhaps you are stuck on the stupid amount of horse power your stretched drag bike generates. Maybe you can't get over the fact that you ride a restored beater that cost you what three modern sport bikes cost. Yeah, you are so into all of this that you think anybody that rides anything else is completely lost and missing it. That's fine. I would be the last person in the world to try to win you over to one style of bike or another. All I am asking is that you not hate.
Last weekend I rode a total of about 10 hours. Over that time period, I can't remember how many riders I saw not chunkin' a deuce to another rider that wasn't riding the same style bike.
Really guys? That is so stupid. It makes you look like a total ass. If someone shouts out to you, shout back please. This isn't about what bike you ride or how cool you think you look in your black vest with your pit hair hanging out. This about being a community of motorcycle riders that respect each other and look out for one another on the road.
I'm not saying I want to get an invitation to your backyard BBQ and wet t-shirt contest (I would totally be there though if you did). I'm just saying that when the helmets are on (or not,in your case) and the engines are revving, lets show some mutual respect.
Let's show the dudes locked in their mini-vans that we have something special. We have our bikes and THAT, somehow, makes us a family.

what do i do?

I want to step it up...buuuuttt im not sure what bike or size. right now im leaning towards a cbr 1000rr. I read last night that those bikes have a nice electric steering dampener. i like the overall look and style of the cbr's. i havent completly ruled out the yamaha. which way should i go ..which way should i go?

todd

Friday All You Good People! Time to Ride?

I like to think that the weekend is the time to ride. Just like every other day of the week. Every day is the day to ride. Like I have been trying to tell others, motorcycles can be a hobby, but for most of us, its a way of life. Not that we dont drive our cars or trucks to work. Its that we are almost always thinking of our bikes and when we might get a chance to ride.
So for all you boys and girls that save your riding for the weekend, I'm glad your time has come again. Go enjoy that open road. Oh, and...always...always...always watch out for the other guy.

Late Night Blood Shot Eyes Stupid Addictive Moto Game

The boys over at helmethairblog got me hooked on this crazy game. It MiniMoto GP and you can race for hours. Some of the tracks are sick! Cool S turn sections with oil slicks! I love it! Log on and race! Try this link. Come back and see us soon.

http://www.flashracingonline.com/online-game/moto/mini-moto.html

2002 Triumph TT 600 Review

I bought an older Triumph from a dude up near Killeen, Texas. Nice guy that also owned a CBR 600. I did a little homework before I made him an offer and learned some things about this little know line of Triumph sport bikes. Some good, some bad. I bought the bike because it had been well cared for and also because I just love Triumphs. Here is my post purchase review.
The real interesting thing about this line of bikes is that it was the first attempt of ANY manufacture to put fuel injection on a 600cc bike. These bikes are in-line fours by the way. The idea is a great one but this attempt by Triumph falls a little short. As other reviews have noted, there is a big flat spot from 3500-4500rpms. However, after that, the bike really rolls on nicely and if you are kicking the bike in the ass, you don't really notice at all. The problem is a bit more obvious coming out of slow turns, but still not a big issue to me. The truth is, unless you are in the top 5% of club racers in the world, you will never see the max performance of any 600cc or larger sport bike. So, this little Triumph delivers just fine when it comes to power.
The TT 600 has not disappointed me in the turn either. She does not have inverted forks and the front end seems a little stiff to me. I must concede that I am a heavier rider and I have not had the suspension set up yet. That may make all the difference. The shock feels very nice indeed. Nice damping when the power comes on and the spring compresses nicely powering out of turns. Good grip and steady power to the ground.
The ergonomics are fantastic for a smaller displacement sport unit. I have ridden CBR 600s, ZX10, Ducati 999, 955i Daytonas and a ZX14. The TT falls more towards the bigger bike feel. Not near as forward as a Ducati 999 but not as stretched as a 14. Nice upright position for a sport bike which allows for long rides with relative comfort.
One thing I have noticed is a little bit of vibration fatigue on my hands after about an hour or so. Mainly on the braking hand. Maybe its just me.
The bike looks great and the Triumph badge always gets looks and questions. Mine is silver and blue with a black seat. She looks really great in the sunlight and is a great addition to my garage. I picked it up with 12k miles and paid $2600. It insurance rate is less than my Triumph Bonneville.
I would say that this is a fine machine for brit bike fans that want a sporty ride in the 600cc class. You can find them cheap and in good shape. If you are ok with the flat spot in the power band, you will love this little bike.

Good Motorcycle Blogs Like Ours

www.helmethairblog.com
Is another great lifestyle blog for motorcycle riders and the people who love them. Check in with those fellows over there for bike reviews, safety tips, stories, news and humor. Good stuff.

The Stoke of Getting Stoked

You never know when it might hit you. That beautiful feeling of "The Stoke". Is it "getting stoked"? The verb or is it the noun? To me is is both. The verb leads me to the noun. Actions lead me to the state of being.
Maybe its looking at bike pics on the internet or hearing the whine of a bike on a nearby expressway. Sometimes it is seeing the Triumph jacket my wife bought me for Christmas hanging in my closet. Heck, maybe even seeing a cover of VMX magagzine or one of my helmets on the garage work bench. It starts the process of getting stoked.
Before too long, the jacket is on, the gloves and helmet are on, the bike is rumbling and your rolling down the driveway.
Now the verb becomes the noun. You are STOKED. The state of being. The joy of riding. The joy of being on a bike. The joy of being seen on a bike. The good life. Being Stoked.

Not Ready for what?

I will always remember the day I talked to Jonathan about the possibility of racing at Highlands Motocross Park for the first time. I made the sad excuse of not being ready to race, to which Jonathan simply replied, "Not ready for what?" LOL. I paused and said, "hmmmm ,ok......I'm not sure". It was simply a question that I couldn't figure out the answer to. I went to that race and had a blast. I hurt my shoulder really bad on a practice lap (which is totally gay). Still, when it was over I had a motocross race under my belt. Years later I gave up the dirt and started beatin' up the streets! Once again Jonathan got me started off right and helped me with an Honda CBR 600. Without him I wouldn't have wheels under me. Ok well I got to run ..Nathan wants to go outside. Later folks.

The Beauty of the Internet

It was the internet that caused the whole thing to begin with. Had it not been for the easy access to thousands of "for sale" ads, I would have never found the 1975 Yamaha MX125 that currently graces my garage. Yes, in its various pieces, all over the bench and garage floor. Why would someone want this you ask? Well, it was there. It was there and it was for sale. I almost had to buy it. I mean, you hardly ever see these things anyway, much less for sale and salvageable. Blame Al Gore or thank him, whichever you choose. My point is that the internet is a beautiful thing when you are looking for a bike or for parts to a bike or reasons why your bike is not running.
Take the MX125 for example. I found parts right away. More parts than I needed. I searched "1975 Yamaha MX125" and boom, dealers, parts, pipes, shocks, pictures, manuals. Bingo baby! I even found a dude that would build me a performance pipe for the bike. What? Trick parts? Bitchin'! Enter the next problem. That damn pipe does not fit. What in the heck? Again, turn to the internet.
Turns out, the new cylinder head and piston I bought for the bike also fit the 1975 YZ125s. However...and this is after pouring over picture after picture of both YZ and MX bikes...the pipe on YZ bikes route to the left while MX pipes route to the right. That is just enough of a difference that my tricked out pipe does not quite fit the YZ/MX cylinder head. Thanks Al Gore! I would have never figured that out.
Imagine how many stops you would have to make at local bike shops before you figured that one out?
So, I jump back on the internet and find a dude right here in my town that can cut the pipe and shape it to fit. It took all of 3 minutes to find him. Cool right?
Very cool. Just like these sweet backgrounds for my number plates from Vintage Iron.
Oh man, and some vintage jerseys and a Jofa? What? A Jofa?! Sweet! Look at those new bars too, and Works shocks, and......Damn you Al Gore!

First Post for Expanded Blog Page

Moto Mania is more than a passing interest of frame of mind. It is a state of being. An infection of sorts. As the profile of this site mentions, it started for me when the garage door of my childhood buddy, Pete Mahoney, raised to reveal an orange tanked Indian mini bike and a silver and red Honda XR75. I was sick. I was stunned. I was infected. The memory of standing in his driveway and watching him and his sister ride laps around his yard is still vivid and vibrant.
It took me many years after that fateful day to get a bike of my own. I started with a rolling basket case of a Honda SL100. I'm not sure what modifications my brother and his buddy made to that bike, but it would drain a battery in minutes. It wasn't long before that machine was retired to a spot in my dad's shack. It was replaced with a drool producing 1976 Suzuki RM100. Sweet. Metal tank, low pipe, 2 stroke beast. I remember doing the pre-mix in one of my mother's Mason jars because it had small quantity measurements on the side of it. This was a total necessity because the only gas I could get was the small amounts I could steal from my dad's mower or edger. I don't recall him ever asking me if I knew why his mower was always empty. I suppose he just figured it out. I rode the shit out of that bike. After school I was no longer a Tom Browne middle school student. I was Roger DeCoster or Bob Hannah or Broc Glover or Marty Smith or any other Sunday afternoon hero. That's how we did it back then. We scratched up whatever we could to put two wheels under our dreams.
What next? A 1981 Yamaha YZ125. Off the showroom floor. I paid for it by working day labor on my dad's construction sites one summer. That was the first bike I ever raced and I raced the wheels off of it.
Then came more YZs of various years, then the Kawasaki years, then another YZ. I borrowed and traded to keep my habit alive. What a life.
Now I love the Triumphs and the Ducatis and the vintage Japanese machines. Really, I love them all. I bet you do too. That's why your here.
I'm glad you stopped in today to check us out. Come back soon and often. We will always have alot to talk about. Bring a friend next time. The cold beer is on the house.