Sidestands to railroads to MP3-400

I think it must be a conspiracy for bike manufacturers to discontinue sidestands on most of their motorcycles. It is difficult to do routine maintenance or chain adjustments without one. On my last trip to Kelowna I found myself doing the "push ahead 3 feet method". I decided then that my next bike would have one. They are not cheap. For such a necessity which had formerly been supplied as standard equipment, you now need to take out a loan to purchase one



There are several aftermarket models available but I chose to purchase the OEM one from Suzuki. While it is possible to install these units yourself I was told that the dual springs were very strong and hard to put in place, so naturally I left it to them



This was the first time that I lifted it up onto my new stand. You put all your weight on the arm which juts out (nice technical term instead of using thing-a-miggy")

There is no difficulty in raising the bike, but getting it off the stand requires some thought. The V-strom is a very tall and heavy machine. On my scooter which weighs just over 550 lbs it is much easier as the left lever is for the rear brakes. You merely pull the scoot forward and slightly towards you and when it hits the ground you squeeze the left (rear) brake lever to stop it from rolling. On the Wee, the left lever is for the clutch. The right lever is on the opposite side and if the bike starts to lean more than a few degrees over to the other side then you could lose it.



I've heard of other vertically challenged riders use another technique which I tried and it is much safer. Make sure you raise your bike on level ground. and when you are finished lubing your chain, straddle the seat as if you were riding, then push forward with your legs outstretched like outriggers and when it hits the ground, it is easier to squeeze the front (Right) brake lever. If I don't say so myself, it works like a charm.

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Railroads:

I'm not sure if you are aware but Jack rIEPE (<-- click link) is a model railroad hobbyist.

Jack has a large collection of engines, cars and tracks all in boxes stored in his garage and guarded by snakes and spiders. Needless to say his equipment is being safely guarded. Recently we visited some friends south of the city and they had set aside some of their yard for this permanent display they intend to leave outside all year



My friend Alan spends many hours crafting these life-like buildings from pieces of balsa and other remants and scrap pieces of styrofoam.



He scours garage sales and junk stores for the toy cars and figurines



Evidence of his work can be found in every corner of his yard, in his shed, on shelves in his workshop and even on his dining room table



Everything you see is made with ingenuity and his two hands



Wood dowels, thread and glue are transformed into telephone poles with electric wires



It's almost like looking at the real thing



When I saw this setup I asked if I could take some pictures for my buddy, Jack



I think Alan said he purchased a new electronic gizmo that can control the engines to make them puff smoke and make all those real engine sounds.



Mr Jack rIEPE, hoping that you liked these pictures and perhaps give you some inspiration to get working on your imaginary town

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Victoria, May, 2009:

I forgot to post my favourite image from the scooter rally in Victoria earlier this year.


(Sherry, Seamstress, Victoria, BC, opposite the Empress Hotel)

Her Spree is being held up by the rear rack on a Vespa GTS


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Earlier I posted a few pictures from my recent ride with Chuck Pefley (<-- click link), a professional photographer from Seattle.

I posted a more comprehensive Ride Report HERE. (<-- click link)

We spent a couple of days over on Vancouver Island and I am hoping that some of the Pefley experience rubbed off on me. After he left Vancouver he rode his scooter to Lethbridge, then down to Montana before heading back to Seattle through Spokane for the scooter rally . Go to his blog to read his postcards from the road.

I must say that his MP3-400 is a magnet. Everywhere we rode or parked, people would come over and ask him questions about "lack of Balancing" abilities. There is so much false information being spread about this beautiful machine that people think will balance by itself, like a trike. People with handicaps or injuries who used to ride are considering a trike so they are able to continue to ride but are lumping the MP3 into this same category. I know that Chuck will make some comments shortly about this mis-information so as an MP3 rider he is more intimate in it's abilities, or lack of ablilities as the case may be. I personally think that most riders use the "locking" feature as a crutch and find that it creates more problems than it solves.