Hi, Guys,
First of all, thank you so much for following me! I haven't been writing much lately, because a year ago I was diagnosed with PTSD from 9-11 and its aftermath (namely breathing and getting sick from the World Trade Center dust). PTSD gets worse before it gets better. More on that later. This leads me to the second point:
I'm in the process of moving this blog to a self-hosted site with the domain motorcyclebaby.com. It will be a la Pirsig's Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It will be a WordPress blog (sorry Blogger), since it can be manipulated more, kind of like making a custom bike.
There's so much to share! Like my first long-distance solo motorcycle ride, moving to the San Francisco Bay area -- a biker's paradise, and my new-used Ninja and its zen-building clutch.
It's all coming soon!!!
Love and pipes,
kiai
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Friday, November 9, 2012
Eleven years ago, I was breathing the dust of the World Trade Center in my apartment in Brooklyn, NY. A few months later, i was too sick to work and lost my job. I received no unemployment, didn't apply, because I did not know how sick I was. It was months before going to the emergency room and being told I had chronic bronchitis. Other than a medical doctor, I did not seek help emotionally until 2011, ten years after 9-11. After a year of therapy through the Zadroga Act and the WTC Health Clinic, I'm faced with debilitating depression and realize I have to leave my home of 19 years in order to heal.
What better way to begin a new journey than a ride across the country to a new home in San Francisco?
The problem is how with low funds and a 13 pound dog on a raw diet?
The dog part I've got figured out. I will stock a day or 2 max of dog food at a time in air tight containers and mix her food from store bought meat and veggies. Heck, I'll make my own dinner from it. She has a nice little fur-lined bag, and I'll throw in a real fur to help her stay warm on cold rides.
Then there's budget. Can I make it across the country with a few hundred dollars raised from selling my crap? I will need to stop during the week to put in time at work, if I still have my job. I've thus far been able to work remotely from time to time. One trip across the country shouldn't prevent me from continuing. I would work 5 hours, and hit the road for 5. (The job is in limbo after announcing my move but not completely gone.)
The exact route isn't decided yet, mostly because I don't know what the temperatures will be at the end of December. I'll start the trip before January when it gets frigid in New York. Hopefully, I won't have to spend more than a few hours in sub 40-degree temperatures. I suppose I could scrape to buy some electric warmers or find some used.
Here's a map of a route via Baltimore and Memphis:
There's nothing more exciting to me (aside from being with new love) than a trek on a bike. Though I could use all the help I can get. I'll probably need help with my carburetors at some point as well. Finicky Suzuki GS carbs. Anyway, looking forward to making this trip happen. Aiming to leave on the Friday before Christmas. If I can cover enough miles, maybe I won't have to check in until I'm there.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
My Review of Women's Iron Motorcycle Jeans
Originally submitted at www.cyclegear.com
Features and Benefits Flattering boot-cut leg Hand-washed and finished denim - 100% cotton Kevlar Polyester mix fabric on all impact zones - knees, hips and seat Short two-part connecting zips CE-approved armor - knees
Almost perfect for my punk a*$
By motrgrrl from Brooklyn, NY on 8/21/2012
Inseam: Feels true to length
Fit: Feels true to size
Motorsports: Motorcycle Enthusiast, Mechanic
I wear size 4 short Lucky Jeans. The length on these are almost an inch too long for me, but not too long to have to cut them. The waist fits perfectly. But the seat is a bit snug. Flattens me derrière. Maybe it's the kevlar.
Had to take the knee pads out. They were too high. Would not place well while in riding position. The design of the knee pads is not so hot; a little adjustment might be in order. Maybe I'll put a different pair of knee pads in.
These will definitely be my riding jeans for casual rides and going to see Gogol B0rdello in concert. Definitely not Celine Dion.
(legalese)
Monday, July 4, 2011
New Project: A 1978 Honda CX500E
Bought this trashed 1978 CX. It appears to have been stolen probably in 1979, then dumped at a NYC river (gross back then). The registration stickers say 1979. The odometer states only about 1400 miles. Washed off construction dust (from sitting in the garage of a building undergoing renovation).
It smells like a sewer.
The cooling liquid is bright green and the oil came out pretty clean.
The rubber hoses had to be peeled off everything. Used a thin screwdriver. And now trying to get the rear engine cover unstuck. I want to get the stator from it and use it in my 81 CX500c. Either that or just use this experience for when the 81 engine comes off.
Here are some images for posterity:
It smells like a sewer.
The cooling liquid is bright green and the oil came out pretty clean.
The rubber hoses had to be peeled off everything. Used a thin screwdriver. And now trying to get the rear engine cover unstuck. I want to get the stator from it and use it in my 81 CX500c. Either that or just use this experience for when the 81 engine comes off.
Here are some images for posterity:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wet Pavement
Last Fall I acquired Flo, a 1983 Suzuki GS 550E. One ride at 80 mph on a windy, hilly 4-lane highway, and I was hooked. Sixteen valve inline fours – that's her engine and now my engine of preference.
Eager to ride after a long winter, I've been riding as much as possible, taking excursions as short as a mile just to take Flo on the road. Rain? I don't care. As long as it's not freezing rain, rain is an opportunity to improve riding skills.
At 3:30 am, I was feeling sober (only had one cocktail), but I waited 40 more minutes just to make sure. The roads were glistening. Drops were everywhere and the drizzle kept falling.
Slow and steady wins the race. I don't think I've ever ridden Flo so carefully. I proceeded like an old lady in a Cavalier. Avoiding every puddle – you never know what's under the water on a New York City street – each turn was in expectation of surprise. Plus there was the constant scanning for idiot taxi drivers who don't care about anything except getting cab fares.
Fortunately, that night I wore leather tracker pants in case it rained. Plus, it was after 4 in the morning and the streets were pretty sparse. Though even at that hour, taxis still roam.
Only a tiny percentage of city riders take to the streets in rainy weather. They're the fanatics, the lunatics who increase their chances of death tenfold, maybe more. For a beginning rider, and intermediate, every ride is a potential skill-building opportunity with the added value of the big enjoy of riding. So, maybe i'm a lunatic, but I also want to be a better rider.
It's good to be a little nervous. Keeps you alert.
This time, there were no drops obstructing the view through the windscreen. Everything was clearly visible, including the police car that took an abrupt left turn into my path. Braking was scary as I expected to slide across the pavement. Fortunately, I had been keen on avoiding the puddles, and there were no potholes or metal hole covers in my path. And thank God, the cop saw me and stopped. If he or she hadn't … well, you know. The adrenaline pumped.
Cagers don't realize how dangerous is it to ride a two-wheeled vehicle on wet pavement. They have 4 or more tires and more than twice the traction. (More than twice, because car tires are wider.) So they will pass by as if it's any other driving day, sometimes cutting you off or squeezing next to you to get ahead. They also have ABS almost standard. They don't know how easy it is for a motorcycle to fall simply from braking in the rain.
To make it worse, they just don't see until it's often too late, or never.
I appreciate every driver who looks over at my bike at red lights, leaves extra space not to tailgate or to let me cross lanes. Every time someone makes it clear that he or she sees me, I just want to get off, go over, and give that person a big hug. Thanks, Drivers Who See!
Eager to ride after a long winter, I've been riding as much as possible, taking excursions as short as a mile just to take Flo on the road. Rain? I don't care. As long as it's not freezing rain, rain is an opportunity to improve riding skills.
Night 1
The first night of rain, I had been out with a friend at a bar. Uh oh. Bar. Worst case scenario, I'd park the bike overnight and pick her up in the morning. But when the rain started to fall, I couldn't leave Flo there. Not that she's an inanimate object or anything. She's quite animated when that throttle is twisted. :)At 3:30 am, I was feeling sober (only had one cocktail), but I waited 40 more minutes just to make sure. The roads were glistening. Drops were everywhere and the drizzle kept falling.
Slow and steady wins the race. I don't think I've ever ridden Flo so carefully. I proceeded like an old lady in a Cavalier. Avoiding every puddle – you never know what's under the water on a New York City street – each turn was in expectation of surprise. Plus there was the constant scanning for idiot taxi drivers who don't care about anything except getting cab fares.
Fortunately, that night I wore leather tracker pants in case it rained. Plus, it was after 4 in the morning and the streets were pretty sparse. Though even at that hour, taxis still roam.
Only a tiny percentage of city riders take to the streets in rainy weather. They're the fanatics, the lunatics who increase their chances of death tenfold, maybe more. For a beginning rider, and intermediate, every ride is a potential skill-building opportunity with the added value of the big enjoy of riding. So, maybe i'm a lunatic, but I also want to be a better rider.
It's good to be a little nervous. Keeps you alert.
Night 2
The second night of riding Flo in the rain was two nights later. Easter night. It was beautiful all day with temperatures in the high 60s, low 70s. Perfect. I had to go to work after spending time in the park. But when I left the office, the streets once again were shining from an evening drizzle. I think there was thunder and lightning too, but I couldn't hear any from inside.This time, there were no drops obstructing the view through the windscreen. Everything was clearly visible, including the police car that took an abrupt left turn into my path. Braking was scary as I expected to slide across the pavement. Fortunately, I had been keen on avoiding the puddles, and there were no potholes or metal hole covers in my path. And thank God, the cop saw me and stopped. If he or she hadn't … well, you know. The adrenaline pumped.
Cagers don't realize how dangerous is it to ride a two-wheeled vehicle on wet pavement. They have 4 or more tires and more than twice the traction. (More than twice, because car tires are wider.) So they will pass by as if it's any other driving day, sometimes cutting you off or squeezing next to you to get ahead. They also have ABS almost standard. They don't know how easy it is for a motorcycle to fall simply from braking in the rain.
To make it worse, they just don't see until it's often too late, or never.
I appreciate every driver who looks over at my bike at red lights, leaves extra space not to tailgate or to let me cross lanes. Every time someone makes it clear that he or she sees me, I just want to get off, go over, and give that person a big hug. Thanks, Drivers Who See!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Works Engineering Hosts Vintage Motorcycle Show
Works Engineering on North 14th St between Berry and Wythe in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, hosts a show every year. The beer was sponsored by Asahi, and there were burgers, and dozens of vintage bikes. And Flo qualified as a vintage bike! (1983 Suzuki GS550E.) She got some love.
Here are some pics of the event.
An old Honda CB500 Four with cafe-style bars.
The street before the rain. (Yes, it rained.)
Thruxton! One day I'll ride one of these...
Rev'It was at the show offering gear at discount prices. I tried on a jacket that fit me perfectly. But I try not to buy anything over $100 without taking a few days to think about it. They have a place in Red Hook in Brooklyn where they have warehouse sales. I'm so there.
And it rained.
And rained.
And we got wet.
Here are some pics of the event.
An old Honda CB500 Four with cafe-style bars. 
This is Jen, who makes Retro Moto t-shirts, getting camera time on her cafed-out CB. I bought one of her shirts as a souvenir.
The street before the rain. (Yes, it rained.)
Thruxton! One day I'll ride one of these...
Rev'It was at the show offering gear at discount prices. I tried on a jacket that fit me perfectly. But I try not to buy anything over $100 without taking a few days to think about it. They have a place in Red Hook in Brooklyn where they have warehouse sales. I'm so there.
And it rained.
And rained.
And we got wet.Hot rod weekend
This past weekend (August 21, 2010) was an annual hot rod event in Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Hundreds of hot rod and bike owners came out to display their projects. Here are some photos:
Harley for sale.
An old BMW.
This guy with the helmet makes custom leather seats. Tres cool. I think he builds custom bikes, too. I'm not sure 'cause, well, he was on his way out and I didn't get to talk to him much.
One of his work. (To the helmet-wearing guy: Hey, I couldn't find your site.)
Check out the air filter. Cymbals.
I like the stick head.
Indian original!
This little thing is a "Vespa 400"
The next day, we went to the vintage motorcycle show. More pics to come!
Harley for sale.
An old BMW.
This guy with the helmet makes custom leather seats. Tres cool. I think he builds custom bikes, too. I'm not sure 'cause, well, he was on his way out and I didn't get to talk to him much.
One of his work. (To the helmet-wearing guy: Hey, I couldn't find your site.)
Check out the air filter. Cymbals.
I like the stick head.
Indian original!
This little thing is a "Vespa 400"
After getting back from the hot rod show, we saw these two bikes built by Local Cycles in Long Beach, New York (on Long Island). They parked, then biked 3 miles to the show.
This pic looks like it might be at the vintage bike show. But it was just a bunch of bikes parked outside the hot rod show. Motorcycle parking only!
The next day, we went to the vintage motorcycle show. More pics to come!
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