The One and Only

Stupid Weather!

Joel M. Vaughn — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:27:51 +0000

The bike is back together and has been so for some time now. I realize I haven’t written anything about it either. It’s just been too cold and too rainy. I did get it out for a couple quick rides when it was a little warmer. The new intake and pipes have significantly opened up the top end. Not to mention it sounds throaty and perhaps undesirably loud, but that’s why they make earplugs. With things like the new airbox and clutch’s sound-dampening removed it’s best to wear earplugs anyhow. This way one doesn’t notice all the new concerning clicks and clanks. The side panels are now removed and the coils have been relocated. The smog can and subsequent tubes have been removed and a new under seat pan has been constructed. When I get the chance I’ll post some images, but for the mean time I just wanted to make sure the page was somewhat active. :]

Springing Into Action… Slowly

Joel M. Vaughn — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:41:53 +0000

Spring is around the corner, or at least in Ohio, and today is a perfect 60+ degrees. This is the kind of weather that tempts motorcyclists and motorheads alike to blow out the cobwebs from their tail pipes and take a quick spin down the road. Which is both impossible and unnecessary for me to do. Impossible, because the bikes are currently still under the knife, in the Goose’s case in prep for the knife. Unnecessary, since the Monster just got a brand new (read: eBay) set of Termi aluminum race cans. Errr… I mean ‘street legal’ cans. Right… Hopefully in a month I’ll have everything tacked back up and ready to ride, because by that time the season will be open. So check back in a few weeks for another update… maybe two!

Patience in the Winter

Joel M. Vaughn — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:43:09 +0000

February is coming to a close next week and I haven’t posted anything for almost a month and a half. Things have been moving slow, but hopefully both your and my patience shall be rewarded. I have a few simultaneous projects going on with the Monster, and I’ve yet to touch the Goose. Hopefully soon I’ll get some of the projects checked off and get the Goose ready for Spring. I’ll be saving the touring tank project for a rainy day. Anyhow, I know posts have been slow and as I acquire some more money I’ll be finishing the projects and post the updates with pictures. Plus with the cyclic weather patterns in Ohio have been making me all the more anxious to go for a ride so I’ll have to get a move on things! Which reminds me that I need to get some riding pants and boots for Spring…

Primitive Coffee

Joel M. Vaughn — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:25:07 +0000

A certain some one brought me a french press this weekend! So we roasted up some Cup of Excellence Gold beans only to find that the grinder was broken for reasons we will not discuss. In order to get the beans to change from a whole-state to a grind-state a primitive means had to be employed, which I’ve done once before. The general idea is as follows:

1. Place beans in zip baggie

2. Bludgeon with a blunt and heavy object

Now, one could never acquire an espresso ‘grind’ from this, but it does well for the press! It made a decent cup, despite the first roasting attempt for a press. Steep time here was 4 minutes, by way of Duffie’s recommendation and presented a nice oily cup. So when you’re in a pinch a primitive ‘grind’ with a primitive steeper works out pretty well!

12k Service on the Monster

Joel M. Vaughn — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 23:16:20 +0000

Well I checked my valves the past week, all four were within specification so no adjustments were needed. I replaced the two cam belts and adjusted them to the appropriate tension. Some new ‘go faster’ iridium spark plugs were installed, which in reality are just longer lasting plugs. There were some other little details in there, but the idea is that I successfully carried forth my 12000 mile servicing. My general impression was that it was simple. The hardest part is really just dealing with the frustration of removing the electronics on top of the vertical cylinder. Other than that, assuming you take your time, it’s fairly straight forward. The valves are quite accessible, and simple to measure using the feeler gauge method.During all of this disassembly I took care of some lingering projects and added some new ones. I took care of that hideous California emission box, removed the crankcase breather hosing and housing and replaced it with a K&N filter. I also removed some additional hosing that links the breather to the end of the throttle body. A new under seat fender pan is partially made, and will replace the old breather box that held the rectifier. I’ve decided to finally go forth with an air box upgrade after having taken a spin with out the restricting lid on. I noticed it flattened out the torque band, and the filter needs replaced anyhow. I’ve decided the dry clutch is a go, despite the project having been put on hold for a reason more worthy than a bike. Actually, I figured I’d only need to throw a couple hundred at it to finish the conversion, which can be upgraded later to a lighter version. There are a couple other things that I’m beginning to consider, but will take time to accumulate finances and time for: exhaust (still would like to make my own…), clip ons (will make), CF belt covers, and a custom seat.

Epiphany: The Goose is Simple!

Joel M. Vaughn — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:34:23 +0000

I was up at Motohio this past weekend talking to one of the sales staff. I was up there to see a used R1150GS, but had been sold. Anyhow, I was talking to a salesman about my future traveling plans, when I had an epiphany… the Goose is simple. It’s really simple, so simple I could build another gas tank to solve my mileage woes. It could even be really big for a trip to Alaska! The tank mounts by resting on three round rubber pads, which is simple to design around. Now the Nova Scotia trip won’t require a new bike, and the Duffster won’t get all upset with my 100 mile gas stops. I’m really excited, because deep inside I love the Goose and never wanted to get rid of it. I love riding it, I love it’s “goose goose” sound, I love it’s sleeper handling, I love it’s gnarly looks! I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner. Now I just need some time off to get it in proper touring condition.

A One Time Confession & Clarification On Debates of Coffee Past

Joel M. Vaughn — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:02:27 +0000

“I am not addicted, and I don’t go through withdraw!” I’m sure if you know me, you’ve heard that a time or two, and it really is true. However, I may have to confess I need large quantities of the black stuff to keep me awake through out the day. So I am going to confront this obstacle head on over the next month to maintain normality around those who consume less. So in order to reach a more normal load I need to know what the average user consumes and when… Duffie would you consider your load normal? Also a recent website may clear up early debate on the coffee press. Which I will now refer to as the French Press. I still need to go out and buy one. Maybe in January when I make another coffee order. :]

End of the Season + 2008 Predictions

Joel M. Vaughn — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:53:29 +0000

The Monster is back in the stable all warm and cozy. Other than some cold, blue fingers the ride wasn’t bad. Which reminds me I really need to get some Fall riding gloves or heated hand grips. It was fun to balance the added power due to the cold air with the cold tires, not to mention the leaves were beautiful on the ride back. Recapping the season I realized I didn’t put that many miles on the Monster as I had expected, but that was due to the Thesis this summer. Though the addition of the 2700 miles from SD to Athens on the Goose makes this the most miles in a season yet.

Moving on to some quick 2008 predictions for Ducati before they’re released tomorrow according to their website. Everybody thinks there is going to be a new Monster. I’m saying maybe next year, but not this year. Reason? Well they already have the Tri Color Championship ’08 edition out. So… do the math. The spy photos online might very well be a new monster, but I think it will be a scrambler *still hoping*. There might stick the 1100cc air cooled in a Monster, but I don’t expect many more changes for now. The Multistrada is the one I think will be updated. Huge market out there, and Ducati has the ugliest bike in this category. Calm down Duffie, I know the Multistrada isn’t an R1200GS. Even if you include the Buell, Multistrada, VStrom and the Tiger the Multistrada is still the ugliest. Much like the 999 it has grown on me, but that headlight… there is no saving it. Anyhow, concerning the Superbike, I have no idea. I don’t know if there are rumors of a bigger engine in SBK or if they plan to return to AMA or what. So possibly a bigger engine, but I don’t expect that or an ‘R’ version quite yet. Honestly I’m more excited about the Guzzi Stelvio and the BMW probable massive release of new models.

Music for the Long Road

Joel M. Vaughn — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:57:41 +0000

Well last weekend I took a bit of a drive. The drive went pretty smoothly, and I like to think partly because of my music selection. I’ve come to the conclusion that choosing albums that were properly mixed to flow from song to song greatly help the miles go by quicker. I also think that music that is primarily instrumental helps. If there are words, I’ll sing, and if I sing I’m keeping some reference to time as opposed to being taken away by the music. So the following is what I listened to (or, at least, what I remember listening to):

1. Appleseed Cast: Low Level Owl Volumes 1 & 2
2. The Album Leaf: In a Safe Place
3. Further Seems Forever: Hide Nothing
4. Helvetica is for Lovers: The Science in the Surrender
5. The Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (actually only listened to the one album, I found the inconsistency in volume annoying and painful)
6. Silence… as in literally nothing, just thinking and driving

DVD Recovery Before Finalized: A Call for Help!

Joel M. Vaughn — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:46:28 +0000

Ok so I have a DVD+R that has a “movie” on it which is actually my data. I went to finalize the disc and when I put the disc in the recorder said there was unrecognized data. Now this is a problem since it has 2 hours of raw unfinalized data on it. That in reality equates to a week’s worth of data. So any tips or suggestions to get the data off and finalized or a way to get the drive to finalize it, would be beyond helpful.