With three inches of ice on my pavement, bloody cold temperatures, and real snow falling out of the sky, motorcycling is definitely out of the question. However, there is one event in January that is motorcycle related but does not require riding: The Colorado Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet.
Held on the weekend of January 27th and 28th, this is one very large event and some bargains are to be had if a person is willing to wade through the packed venue of motorcycles, parts, and people.
I think anything motorcycle related could be found—with the exception of T-Bags. Or maybe our group just missed them. With over five hundred booths, the odds were that some little corner was missed!!
My list was very short—only two items: saddlebags and gloves. One of my girlfriends has really terrific and inexpensive saddlebags and I wanted to get a set of similar ones. Mainly because my official Harley Davidson teeny tiny Fatboy bags are full after I put my raingear and tool kit in and I have to have more space for the remaining gear I carry! My gloves were a special item—100 gram thermolite red leather gauntlets with fringe. A dealer found a pair for me and they were waiting for me at the show. I only had to locate this dealer among some five hundred plus vendors!!
While the task was daunting and with the help of wonderful friends, I was able to locate both saddlebags and gloves! Mix in the many custom bikes on display, made for a wonderful time! Unfortunately, the Wahine forgot her camera and has zero images to post up.
Oh well, there will be other motorcycle shows to see during the year—the next one on the calendar being the Colorado Springs Motorcycle Show and Swap meet on February 17th and 18th. Until then, I’ll hopefully have my new saddlebags installed on my bike. I’m hoping that the weather warms up significantly enough to not use my red leather gloves, but if it doesn’t, I will at least be prepared!
On another note, the city newspaper, The Gazette, reported that the city has repaired several thousand potholes from the ice and snow storms. One reason not to be out riding because I’ve had the luxury of dealing with several large ones in the mom-mobile and don’t wish to have to have an intimate moment with any of those road hazards while on my motorcycle. Maybe it is not a bad idea that I can’t get out and ride after all.
Well, if I can’t ride…I’m glad that I can at least shop!
Keep the Shiny Side Up!
~The Rainbow Wahine
Grateful for the authentic journey of this lifetime. Appreciate all the experiences and people I have encountered. I am humbled by my family--they keep me real.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
No Riding Today…But Check This Out
The snow and ice is still on pavement and it looks like it is not going anywhere for quite some time…..sigh…..
We did have a clear and dazzling day….and warm enough to melt some of the ice and prompt me to clean my garage and start my motorcycle. I’m so in withdrawals just like the majority or motorcyclists here in Colorado Springs.
While I am cleaning out my garage and piddling around, my son decides to get out and play a bit. He gets his lawn mower out and decides to “cut” some snow, then moves on to his snow ball making gadget, then on to running and playing—like all four year olds do.
Clearing out and organizing with half an ear turned to my son making noises is generally how I operate and I hear him making noises so I knowing he’s fine. Then, suddenly, I hear the sound of tires skidding. I stop what I am doing, with a frown on my face—I did not hear a vehicle enter my cul-de-sac so I am momentarily confused.
Unbeknownst to me, my son had managed to push his bike out of the garage and is out riding it—on three inches of ice and mounds of snow like it is no big deal. Not only is he out riding around like it is no big deal, he’s skidding and sliding—all under control and like it is second nature.
I am sooo in trouble, I’m thinking. After all, he’s four and on a bicycle…what happens when he gets on a two-wheeled vehicle and it is motorized??
Well, my reaction was to run in and get my camera…and take a few pics. As soon as I remember where I put my camera—I’ll post a few pics up….
It was pretty cool, actually…except it is my kid…
I swear, I won’t live to be an old lady because my boy is gonna kill me…
Keep the Shiny Side Up~~
~The Rainbow Wahine
We did have a clear and dazzling day….and warm enough to melt some of the ice and prompt me to clean my garage and start my motorcycle. I’m so in withdrawals just like the majority or motorcyclists here in Colorado Springs.
While I am cleaning out my garage and piddling around, my son decides to get out and play a bit. He gets his lawn mower out and decides to “cut” some snow, then moves on to his snow ball making gadget, then on to running and playing—like all four year olds do.
Clearing out and organizing with half an ear turned to my son making noises is generally how I operate and I hear him making noises so I knowing he’s fine. Then, suddenly, I hear the sound of tires skidding. I stop what I am doing, with a frown on my face—I did not hear a vehicle enter my cul-de-sac so I am momentarily confused.
Unbeknownst to me, my son had managed to push his bike out of the garage and is out riding it—on three inches of ice and mounds of snow like it is no big deal. Not only is he out riding around like it is no big deal, he’s skidding and sliding—all under control and like it is second nature.
I am sooo in trouble, I’m thinking. After all, he’s four and on a bicycle…what happens when he gets on a two-wheeled vehicle and it is motorized??
Well, my reaction was to run in and get my camera…and take a few pics. As soon as I remember where I put my camera—I’ll post a few pics up….
It was pretty cool, actually…except it is my kid…
I swear, I won’t live to be an old lady because my boy is gonna kill me…
Keep the Shiny Side Up~~
~The Rainbow Wahine
Thursday, January 11, 2007
The Need for New Pipes
I’ve been on the hunt to change out my pipes. Not because I want to change something that is perfectly functional, but rather because I want the pipes out of the way so I can put on larger saddlebags! It is all about carrying all my gear!
Greg sent me a set of stock Harley Heritage Softail pipes for my birthday and I was ready to put them on…until…
I came across a set of Vance and Hines short shots at a very very very good price..
So that is what is on my bike at the moment.
I’m thinking that taking the stock Fatboy pipes off was a relatively easy job and one afternoon instead of writing papers, I decided to dive in. Well, it was not that difficult and I did manage to get everything off with no major headache.
My neighbor decided he needed to visit and see what I was doing. While he was over, he tried to offer his assistance, but for the most part, it was more of a bother than not! I had everything under control and my two hands were plenty—and his two hands was too many chefs in the kitchen! He got the hint, only to start poking around my motorcycle. Grrrrrrr….
To deal with that, I just decided to unfrustrate myself and stop for the day….
One day turned into two, three and then a week….
My bike was still not all together. And we have a clear weekend and a nice day. My friends want to go for a ride. Do I want to go?
Of course, but I have one problem…I need an hour to get my bike together. Or so I think.
To make a long story short, I do get everything together. But I need to get the pins aligned on my floorboard and I can’t make it fit….I have one in and the other won’t work…..I need to go NOW!
LOL…well, the bolt won’t fit, but a nail bent through the hole solves that problem quite nicely. Start up the bike, let it get warmed up and I go clean up.
I pull in with time to spare and off we go.
That was November/December. That nail is still in. Of course, my excuse is that is has been too cold to work in the garage. Or homework.
I’ll fix the issue this weekend. I need to. The guys at the Harley shop will be laughing their tails off if they see that!! LOL…..
Keep the Shiny Side Up!
~The Rainbow Wahine
Greg sent me a set of stock Harley Heritage Softail pipes for my birthday and I was ready to put them on…until…
I came across a set of Vance and Hines short shots at a very very very good price..
So that is what is on my bike at the moment.
I’m thinking that taking the stock Fatboy pipes off was a relatively easy job and one afternoon instead of writing papers, I decided to dive in. Well, it was not that difficult and I did manage to get everything off with no major headache.
My neighbor decided he needed to visit and see what I was doing. While he was over, he tried to offer his assistance, but for the most part, it was more of a bother than not! I had everything under control and my two hands were plenty—and his two hands was too many chefs in the kitchen! He got the hint, only to start poking around my motorcycle. Grrrrrrr….
To deal with that, I just decided to unfrustrate myself and stop for the day….
One day turned into two, three and then a week….
My bike was still not all together. And we have a clear weekend and a nice day. My friends want to go for a ride. Do I want to go?
Of course, but I have one problem…I need an hour to get my bike together. Or so I think.
To make a long story short, I do get everything together. But I need to get the pins aligned on my floorboard and I can’t make it fit….I have one in and the other won’t work…..I need to go NOW!
LOL…well, the bolt won’t fit, but a nail bent through the hole solves that problem quite nicely. Start up the bike, let it get warmed up and I go clean up.
I pull in with time to spare and off we go.
That was November/December. That nail is still in. Of course, my excuse is that is has been too cold to work in the garage. Or homework.
I’ll fix the issue this weekend. I need to. The guys at the Harley shop will be laughing their tails off if they see that!! LOL…..
Keep the Shiny Side Up!
~The Rainbow Wahine
Monday, January 08, 2007
Happy New Year!! A New Year of Motorcycle Tales
2007 is upon us! I trust that everyone survived 2006 and is chomping at the bit for the many rides of 2007! I know I am! Especially now with the pressure of school off me—I graduated this past Saturday from college! I am now officially edu-ma-cated and more importantly, have no more papers to write.
Unfortunately, the weather has been quite uncooperative. I still have ice upon pavement and when the ice melts….I’m sure that there will be great many potholes to deal with! I have been surprised with quite a few in my van and can’t imagine having to deal with them on my motorcycle, so in a way, I’m glad that it is too cold, too sandy and too icy to be out!!
At least that is what I’m telling myself. Whether or not it is working, I’m not really sure.
At any rate, on deck for this month is the Super Show and Swap Meet in Denver. I’m hoping to find a set of bigger saddlebags! Good luck to me, since I’ve been looking for over a year now!! Cheap meets shabby chic meets motorcycling (especially Harley Davidson) just doesn’t seem to work very well!
The ice races have also been going on and a group of my friends and I had planned to get up and see them. It was just too cold and windy this past weekend so it was a no-go. I’d like to see the motorcycles race on ice. This concept is past my comprehension and frankly, I think the people that do it are insane. I am, however, curious to see ice racing in action.
The Mountain Shadow Riders has their events planning meeting at the end of the month as well and there are a great many new ideas and suggestions that have been presented, and I look forward to the activities in that group. I was elected Assistant Director for ‘07, so I’ll be busy with that as well. I still want to try bike camping….at least after I get those new shabby chic (read cheap) saddlebags on my motorcycle!!
Still have a bit of wrenching to do as I installed new pipes on my bike a few months ago. Not happy with the installation, but it is too cold to get out and fix it now so it is an afternoon project that I have to deal with eventually. I’d like to get it done before my next service interval—I think the guys at the Harley shop would find it pretty amusing that my right side floorboard is partly held on by a bent nail....
That’s the story for tomorrow…
Until then—
Keep the Shiny Side Up!
~The Rainbow Wahine
Unfortunately, the weather has been quite uncooperative. I still have ice upon pavement and when the ice melts….I’m sure that there will be great many potholes to deal with! I have been surprised with quite a few in my van and can’t imagine having to deal with them on my motorcycle, so in a way, I’m glad that it is too cold, too sandy and too icy to be out!!
At least that is what I’m telling myself. Whether or not it is working, I’m not really sure.
At any rate, on deck for this month is the Super Show and Swap Meet in Denver. I’m hoping to find a set of bigger saddlebags! Good luck to me, since I’ve been looking for over a year now!! Cheap meets shabby chic meets motorcycling (especially Harley Davidson) just doesn’t seem to work very well!
The ice races have also been going on and a group of my friends and I had planned to get up and see them. It was just too cold and windy this past weekend so it was a no-go. I’d like to see the motorcycles race on ice. This concept is past my comprehension and frankly, I think the people that do it are insane. I am, however, curious to see ice racing in action.
The Mountain Shadow Riders has their events planning meeting at the end of the month as well and there are a great many new ideas and suggestions that have been presented, and I look forward to the activities in that group. I was elected Assistant Director for ‘07, so I’ll be busy with that as well. I still want to try bike camping….at least after I get those new shabby chic (read cheap) saddlebags on my motorcycle!!
Still have a bit of wrenching to do as I installed new pipes on my bike a few months ago. Not happy with the installation, but it is too cold to get out and fix it now so it is an afternoon project that I have to deal with eventually. I’d like to get it done before my next service interval—I think the guys at the Harley shop would find it pretty amusing that my right side floorboard is partly held on by a bent nail....
That’s the story for tomorrow…
Until then—
Keep the Shiny Side Up!
~The Rainbow Wahine
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