A Few Slight Changes

Yes, you are at the same VStar 650 blog you've been visiting for the past few years. Recently however, I decided to give it a facelift. After all, I've significantly changed the looks on my bike, so I may as well do the same for my blog. I have retained the original colors, black and red like my Vstar, but have simply swapped around the format a tad. I have also added an EBay search bar for any related parts to my modifications that you may wish to look for. For now, that is it for the blog changes. The content will stay the same as it has in the past, and I will continue to update periodically with anything new I decide to embark on. Until then...ride safe!

Why Do I Ride?

   As a motorcycle enthusiast I’ve noticed there are certain times of the year when the mundane idiosyncrasies of life, and less than agreeable weather, culminate in an all encompassing, and overwhelming force seemingly driven by the sheer task of stagnating creativity, and attempting to diminish the strength of passion for the open road that can only be found in a bikers heart.

   The dull, drab, grey skies of winter, the torrents of cold, bitter downpours, and the harshest cutting winds slicing to the depths of ones soul, compounded with the wet, icy conditions found over the beloved country route I have grown familiar with encroach, and stifle the promising relief that I’ve found in riding. The all too familiar sting of winter seemingly freezes any attempts for reconciling thoughtful planning around the hopes of personalizing my motorcycle, mocking my future enjoyment for those far too distant springtime rides. My endurance, tested for months on end, is slowly growing weary of the repetitiously clouded skies, and ever looming silent highways. Then, from out of the darkest of days, the lackluster ambiance of winter is ripped through, shredded with the raw precision, and sharpness of a worn, dull, rusty razor. The unyielding first blast of warm springtime air thaws the slumbering life that old man winter held deep in a hypnotic trance. The shackles that once restrained an abundance of life have been broken, landing with a resounding crash, echoing with a loud ring of freedom. The arms of the open road are stretched forth wide, beckoning, and eager to embrace me as its long lost friend. Serenity, having waited patiently through out the long cold winter is now drawing aim with the stillness of a hunter, easily finding its mark as I appear an all too willing target. With the deathly blow of my winter’s memory, I am once again at peace, engulfed, and warmed by the essence of all that surrounds me.
    Dreaming and planning can once again percolate amid those dusty neurons, awakening and sending a renewed electricity charging through the artistic synapses that have hibernated far too long, birthing forth some grand new idea. My collective thoughts so far lead me down a road that is not, “one less traveled”, as Robert Frost would suggest, but that is unique to me, familiar and comforting, one wherein I simply strive to incorporate any idea that comes to mind, and I have yet to personally see. I am not an extremist, nor do I possess or exhibit television worthy talent with an incredulous bike build. I simply like to create something I can admire, seeing my individual ideas come to fruition, all while knowing that as simplistic as they may be, some dreams do come true. It’s this reassuring freedom of mind; a creation of what once was not that drives my overwhelming enjoyment of Motorcycling.
   I guess you can say I am a true example of the seemingly spiritualist nature a biker derives from their chosen life style. Regardless of back ground, I’ve yet to meet another rider that did not appreciate the same sense of calm found while enhancing their life through Motorcycling. Finding a oneness with nature, and an affirmation that we are a part of something that is of a far greater magnitude than our cognitive perceptions can stretch, are indubitably related as integral characteristics within the shared community of bikers. It is this camaraderie, and an exuberant understanding for what compels that innate and seemingly instinctual urge for freedom of mind, body, and soul surging within every biker I know that is truly the reason why I ride.

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Unwelcome Discovery

The beginnings of my up, and coming bike modifications have certainly taken an unwelcome turn thus far. While surveying the bike, contemplating new ideas, and overall dreaming up a plan of attack for any future changes, I noticed the front fork dust seal was a little worse for wear. From the exterior of the seal, there was a visible hairline crack showing in the upper wiper rubber located on the outer side of the fork. Apparently, the rubber had deteriorated in such a state as to allow moisture contact with the metal ring within the seal. With a firm tug, the rusted metal ring within the left side of the seal crumbled in my hand, giving way, and pulling completely away from the tube. Fortunately, the fork seals themselves are still in viable condition, and do not warrant replacing. I have however ordered the new dust seals for both of the forks, and will hopefully find the time within the next few days to resolve this issue. I will post more later,until then …ride safe.

Spring is around the Corner!

Yes, it’s that time again. The chatter of squirrels, songs of birds, and the purr of finely tuned motorcycles will once again fill the air. The long awaited arrival of warmer weather is mere weeks away. Though we seldom have snow here in the south, we do suffer from the brutalizing cold winter winds that often prevent a peaceful ride on the bike. As of late however, temperatures are improving, and spring time weather will soon prevail. The increasingly improved weather conditions have certainly had my creative juices flowing. I have been planning to update a few of my previous modifications, but due to unforeseen circumstances, and in culmination with the winter weather, I’ve yet to do so. However, I’ve begun to iron out several of the bumps I’ve encountered while cruising down the road of life, and should soon be back to sharing with you some of my recent ideas. I currently have a few trains of thought, and haven’t quite decided which direction I will go. At times, I have so many ideas, I feel the best option would be to purchase another Vstar and start a new build. After all, it is such a great bike, and so easily modified, I could build a different bike for each day of the week. It’s a nice thought, but I’m afraid I simply couldn’t justify the need for 7 Vstars to the missus. For now, one will have to suffice. I will however keep you all informed with any new revelations for the Vstar. Until then, and provided the weather is agreeable…ride safeJ

20th Annual Outback Riders Toy Ride 2012

I’ve just attended what was one of the most impressive turnouts for a toy ride I've ever witnessed. A local MC, the Outback Riders have been hosting the ride for 20 years, and each year it keeps getting larger. I ‘m not sure what the official count is this year yet, but I can say it took almost an hour for the bikes to pack in the parking lot. This annual ride along with the combined efforts of the Empty Stocking fund, and the Salvation Army, greatly impact the lives of countless children in this area. I urge each and every one of you that have found your way to my blog, motorcycle enthusiast or not, please attend at least one toy ride in your life time. As a participant it is certainly a moving event. The riders, standing shoulder to shoulder in a sea of bikes, gathering with one unifying purpose in mind, helping the children, certainly leaves one awestruck. However, unless you have experienced both sides of the coin as I have, I don’t believe you can fully imagine, or grasp the magnitude of the impact an event like this has. As a recipient of the warmth, kindness, and generosity shared, and extended by the thousands of men and women that make this possible, I am forever a changed man. We all certainly want to do our best to give our children everything they want. However, often in life, circumstances arise that are out of our control. I have no words to express the utter hopeless feeling you have as a parent when you realize Christmas is just around the corner, and you don’t have any presents to give. Then, you find that friends in the community, and perfect strangers alike, all band together, standing with you, to provide a wonderful Christmas for your children. I simply have no words to express just how deep my gratitude is for these exceptional men and women. So, for those of you that have considered participating, and are wondering just what all of this is about, I ask you to reflect on the wonderment of Christmas as a child. Now realize that without the care of the many, many people involved in the Outback Riders, Salvation Army, the Empty Stocking fund, and other groups like these, those wonderful memories you have, would not be possible for some children on Christmas day. If you are familiar with this area, or know of a similar event in your community, I urge you to please, please participate in any way you can. I sincerely hope each and every one of you has a joyous holiday season, and ride safe….

Vstar 950/650 side stand

This is the Vstar 650 stand.

Here is the Vstar 950 stand installed on the Vstar 650.

Front shot of my Vstar with the 950 stand.

This is a previous picture with the original side stand.

Vstar 950/650 Side Stand Swap

Well here I am again, and I owe another debt of gratitude to the friendly, and helpful members of the Yamaha Motorcycle Forum. Recently, a discussion revealed the Star 950, and 650 side stands were interchangeable. Though the 650’s is about .5 inches longer, it’s not enough to hinder its use on the 950. Why is this important you may ask? Well, for those of us striving to shroud our bikes in a cloak of “blackness”, the 950’s side stand helps. For some reason, when Yamaha built the Midnight, or Raven 650 as it is sometimes called, they decided to use a chrome stand. However, all of the surrounding parts are black. Go figure? The reverse is true on the 950. This is where the swap comes in. After finding that the stands were compatible with one another’s bike, a 950 owner and I arranged to trade stands. Paying our own shipping is the only out of pocket expense, and time is minimal. One bolt and a couple of springs… about 1 minute, maybe less. I never realized what a, dare I say, eyesore a bright shinny chrome stand can make on an all black frame and bike. Needless to say, if you have a black bike, I recommend the trade. Now however, I’m wondering about removing the rest of what little chrome is left. I guess only time will tell. For those of you 950 owners that may have found your way to my 650 blog, for you the swap is basically free chrome! I will post a couple of picture later on of the before and after. I think you’ll be surprised at the difference that small change has made. Until then, ride safe…..