New Blog!

It should be obvious by the length of time between now and the last post, but for those that missed it the 360Bikers web site now hosts its own blog software. Just click this link to go to the new blog site and enjoy the biker information. Thanks, Lee

All Decked Out

P8101883
Originally uploaded by 360bikers.

Well, I've completed my accessorizing for now. This bike now has over $4,000 in chrome and upgrades. The latest addition is the Corbin Dual Touring seat with driver backrest. This will make long distance travel a lot more comfortable. Not shown is the new Kuryakyn Full Dresser bag for the back. It has about the same space as an extra large carry on bag.
We're ready for the road now. Look for our new motorcycle club as we finish our charter.

Real Life Cops Episode

What a night. It started with the most boring 6 hours I ever experienced in less than two hours as I watched "Capote" with my wife. It won't get rave reviews from me except as a cure for insomnia and after suffering through it I needed a ride. The storms we had been expecting seemed to miss us and the motorcycle ride was nothing short of fantastic. As I rode north on a nearly empty State Road 7 I noticed the clouds twenty miles away as they lit up like a preview to the upcoming July 4th. I decided to ride to Southern Blvd. and head towards the airport so I could keep the natural light show in view as I rode through the never-ending construction of Palm Beach County. The lightening was flashing every few seconds, forcing me to choose between the light show and the safety of the ride more often than I appreciated. It was one of those time when you wanted to have a camera to capture the beauty of lightening as it ran down the irregular edges of the clouds out over the Atlantic. Just as I was riding over the Military Trail bridge my low fuel light came on. I switched to reserve as the field of indigo lights threw itself at me. The airport lights look spectacular as you come over the bridge with full view of the runways just south of the terminal. Moving to the right lane, I exited to Congress towards Forest Hill Blvd. Here I not only started back west, but also headed for fuel at a station I frequent during the week. Gas on a bike doesn't take long and I was back on the road in a few minutes. As I crossed Military Trail (this time further south) I heard the typical sound of police cruisers. It's not unusual to see sheriff's deputies chasing criminals on a Saturday night so I watched my lanes and kept moving. Moving at 60 mph or more two cars flew by me just as we approached the intersection at Haverhill Rd. It was an opportunity to move into the now empty lane and I did as soon as they passed me. Much to my surprise, I was stopping a second later. One cruiser pulled up diagonal by a mini-van on the road while the other slid sideways to block the highway traffic. Within seconds a third vehicle raced by me and jerked to a sudden stop behind the suspects vehicle. I heard someone shout, "Stay in the car. Don't get out of the car. Stay inside the car." As two more police cars pulled up I now noticed a dog working with one officer. A small figure emerged at the side of the road, appearing to have hands secured behind the back. Moments later, two more cruisers made the turn 100 feet behind me and moved down a side street. A police helicopter with search light is suddenly above and lights are scanning the vicinity. While sitting there I put my signals on so I would be more visible. Eventually, an onlooker in his car with his girlfriend tried to inch by to get closer to the action. I waved him down to stop and he complied. Within minutes his car was overheating, steam pushing past the headlights signaling an impending disaster and he had to turn the car off. A few more minutes and I would have had a car fire next to me to add to the circus. The entire episode took less than 10 minutes. Before we knew it the police had a few people cuffed and were moving their cars into a single lane to let traffic through. I was only 1 car away from the action and went through the scene quickly to finish the ride home with far less event. It was impressive to see our sheriff's department handle a scene quickly, safely, and to then return it to the public for safe transportation. The entire episode took less than 10 minutes and seemed to result in 3 people being "detained". Traffic was interrupted for a little while, but on a holiday weekend Saturday night I was impressed with our men in green uniform. An exciting little night with front row seats. A great ride. Lightening in the distance. And a real life cops episode right in front of me.

Black Seduction and the Night

Raining all afternoon didn't mean it would stain the night. In fact, the humidity cooled the summer air as you entered second gear. It was just the kind of night to entice a ride, especially after several days of rain and travel that took me away from the bike. As I left, it was so nice that I forgot to put on eye protection and had to turn around after a half-mile reminded me. The night was almost bug free and the clean air just felt incredible. I returned and left in minutes with night glasses on my face. My black bike had just had a couple hundred dollars of chrome added to it and a bit a leather. But I barely noticed as the ride took on that hypnotic relaxation mode that makes you want to keep going and never turn back. I rode with the traffic lights taking the path with as few stops as possible. The motorcycle didn't seem to want to stop and neither did I. I rode to the next town and circled back. I was supposed to stop to pick up ice cream, but I just could manage it as I passed grocery stores repeatedly. The idea of pausing the ride; of leaving the cool wind behind seemed ludicrous. But eventually I had to face reality and begin the process to return home. I stopped to pick up the chocolate Hagen Das. Coming out of the store I noticed my bike for the first time from a distance since installing the chrome pieces and studded leather bra. Sitting there under the parking lot light with reflections bouncing from the studs and chrome, the black bike just seemed to want to be ridden. It was a short trip home from the store with only one true obstacle: stopping. You can't beat a late night ride. Traffic is low. The air is cool. It's peaceful except for the sound of the motor. The solitude of the night and the soft air passing over you defines the feeling of freedom you get riding a motorcycle. In October, we're organizing 360-Full-Moon rides. Let us know if you'd like help coordinating one in your area. It's a great ride with the moon, the wind, and the seduction of the night.

A Little Respect

The next time you see a motorcycle with those little visors on the headlight, passing lights, or turn signals give the rider a little respect. If he or she installed them it was not an easy task. (Click photo for close up) The little lights aren't too bad. Just remove the turn signal lens and bevel, add the visor, reassemble and tighten up. 10 minutes per side is lots of time. The passing lights are more challenging. Not only are they hard to work around, but there's a rubber seal in there that can make the challenge even more cumbersome. One lesson you can learn here before you try it on your own is to do the turn signals last. This leaves more room to get at the screws for the passing lights. Finally, the headlight presents a task of hidden parts you never imagined were in there. Removing the light from the bike was easy enough with the two side screws. I took it inside to the table to dissect the rest of the way. Next, you remove the two adjustment screws which are spring mounted. You're going to have to readjust your headlight when you reassemble the light on the bike. There's another side spring (wire type) that also has to come out. Then, there are three more screws holding the bevel to the light. Once you remove those it's time to attach the visor (make sure it's straight because you don't get a second chance to adjust this) and put those three screws back in. This gives you the illusion that the hard part is over because the visor is now securely fastened to the light. Now, you have to re-attach the wire spring and thread the adjustment screws through springs that no longer easily fit the space they fell out of. This is the hard part. After several minutes I finally got everything aligned and ready to put back on the bike. The light has to line up perfectly to fit back in and add the last two screws. Hopefully, you marked the light level on the wall before you started so you can adjust it back to the original settings. Once the headlight is adjusted, take it for a ride to make sure it's focused correctly. I didn't get to do that yet due to rain. Those little visors consumed a couple hours tonight. So, give those bikers that pay attention to little details some respect. The motorcycle looks better, too.