Winter Down Time

If you follow my blog it's clear we haven't been very active of late. Even in Texas we become victims at the mercy of the weather. For the past few weeks between some rain and cold temperatures we have been confined to driving instead of riding. There have been sporadic breaks where we have gone on a very short, and I do mean very short, 5-10 mile rides for a quick lunch. Last weekend was decent and we participated in our Chapter's Freeze Yer Bunz Ride. It wasn't freezing though which I am thankful for. A couple days throughout the week I was able to ride my 120 mile round trip commute to work and back. But for the most part, no riding. On top of the weather, the end of the year brought about funding at work that had to be spent by years end so we fired up more construction projects which inevitably causes me to have to put in some weekend work. The overtime is nice though and its at a good time of the year since it doesn't interfere with our riding plans too much.

So what do we do that is somewhat riding related during these seasonal times? I've spent a bit of time optimizing my tools for the road that I keep in my saddlebags. Basically trying to limit the space they take while still having a good set of tools for breakdowns that could occur. I've been working on a post about tools for the road and once I'm happy with my tool setup I'll get that posted. We still check our tire pressure every week, not just to keep in good habit but keeping the tire pressure correct will prolong the life of your tires.

Margaret bought a couple shifter decorative parts for my bike at Christmas and my birthday which we installed on a somewhat decent weather day and did a couple of short videos that we hope could be helpful to someone. It was still cold while installing them so we kept the garage doors closed and used our shop lamps to generate some warmth.

Margaret has been wanting louder sound on her Softail so I bought her some Cycle Shack slip ons for Christmas and we installed those this past weekend and put together a video on the process and a before and after of the sound difference. Their loud! Like seriously, LOUD! Her bike now makes my Street Glide sound gimp. It's all good though, she loves the way it sounds now and that was the goal.

Margaret's Slip ons

One particular upgrade I've been wanting to do to my bike since getting it was some longer handlebars. The stock ones are just a bit too low for comfort and on longer rides I will sometimes get a pain between my shoulders from having to lean forward slightly. We were at our local dealership this weekend and there was a set of 12" Arlen Ness handlebars on a new Street Glide that I really liked. They felt great when sitting on the bike. We went to the parts counter and found that particular handlebar was on back order because of its popularity. BUT, they had one set which was the display that they sold me. Now I am slowly going to purchase all the other parts necessary to install them since the cables and wiring on the stock bike will be too short. That means clutch cable, brake lines, electronic controls, and throttle by wire will all have to be replaced. There will be quite a bit of tear down to make it all happen and well do a video on the process when I get all of the parts and a nice full day of good weather.

We did a few videos lately as well that I linked on the maintenance page. How to install slip ons, changing spark plugs, installing a shift lever, and lubricating throttle cables. We try to keep new helpful content rolling out.

That's about all for now. We do have a Sweetheart ride with our Chapter coming up on Sunday that well take part in. So if your not doing anything and have a sweetheart you would like to take on a ride then saddle up and head out with us!

How to Install a Shift Lever on a 2012 Harley Davidson Street Glide

A shift lever is an easy item to install but sometimes it helps to see one done before you do it yourself. There are a couple of considerations to take into account and that's why I decided to make this post and video.

The first thing to consider is the toe shifter. If its installed to low you wont be able to get your toe under it to shift into a higher gear. Also, if its too low it might hit the floor board when you push down on it causing you not to be able to shift into a lower gear. If your'e planning on using your toe to shift into a higher gear you also need to consider how much movement you have in your ankle as well. If the shift lever is too high your ankles range of motion may not be enough to make that shift, leaving you to have to lift your foot off the floor board to shift fully.

Secondly, the heel shifter. Though you don't have to worry about getting your toe under it, if its installed to low The shift peg might hit the floor board and not be able to shift into a higher gear properly. The other consideration on the rear shift lever is to be sure its high enough so that if you drop your bike the floor board wont fold up and hit it which could damage the lever or the shift peg. Before you put the bolts in to tighten it, lift up on the floorboard to see if the lever is high enough to be unaffected in the event of a fall.

How to Install and Adjust a Shifter on a 2012 Harley Davidson Street Glide

Malorie's Law is Law

I've been reading about the new motorcycle passenger safety law that has passed Texas State Legislature. The law was passed after the last legislative session in 2013. It came into being after an accident from which Malorie Bullock, a college student who was a passenger on a motorcycle was killed in a crash. There are multiple articles about the accident if you do some Google searches on the topic but you can read one of the articles about it here. Student killed in motorcycle accident. As of January 1, 2015 the law applies to Texas motorcyclists.

So what does this law do and how will it affect motorcyclists? That primarily depends on what type of motorcycle you ride. Cruisers, touring bikes, and motorcycles that you sit upright on will be mostly unaffected. Sport bike riders however may have to make some accommodations for their passengers. It seems to me after reading the new law that the state is simply wanting riders, and passengers, to take responsibility for having passengers on bikes. If you want to have a passenger, the bike has to have been designed to carry more than one person, passengers must have handholds, and they must have foot pegs to put their feet on. All of this seems completely reasonable to me. Everyone I know that rides as a passenger have these basic items for safety and comfort.

Below is the new law that you can read for yourself and figure out if you and your passenger will be affected by it or not. Read through it and then explore some of the particular concerns I have afterwards. I agree completely with the new law, if you have a passenger.....

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text of the bill -
By: Phillips H.B. No. 2470

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of sport bikes and certain other
motorcycles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as Malorie's Law.

SECTION 2. Section 521.084, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 521.084. CLASS M LICENSE. A Class M driver's license
authorizes the holder of the license to operate a motorcycle,
including a sport bike as defined by Section 541.201, or a moped.

SECTION 3. Section 541.201, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subdivision (18-a) to read as follows:
(18-a) "Sport bike" means a motorcycle:
(A) that is optimized for speed, acceleration,
braking, and maneuverability on paved roads;
(B) that has a lightweight frame;
(C) on which the operator leans forward over the
gas tank during operation; and
(D) that is not a touring, cruising, standard, or
dual-sport motorcycle.

SECTION 4. Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 545.4161 to read as follows:
Sec. 545.4161. OPERATION OF SPORT BIKE. (a) In addition to
the requirements and prohibitions under Section 545.416, an
operator may not carry another person on a sport bike unless the
sport bike is designed to carry more than one person and:
(1) the operator:
(A) is at least 18 years of age; and
(B) has had a Class M license for at least two
years; or
(2) the other person:
(A) is at least 18 years of age and holds a Class
M license; or
(B) is a motorcycle operator training and safety
course instructor certified under Chapter 662.
(b) An operator of a sport bike shall ensure that a
passenger on the sport bike complies with all department
regulations relating to motorcycle safety.

SECTION 5. The heading to Subchapter M, Chapter 547,
Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER M. ADDITIONAL OR ALTERNATIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR
MOTORCYCLES, [AND] MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLES, AND SPORT BIKES

SECTION 6. Subchapter M, Chapter 547, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 547.803 to read as follows:
Sec. 547.803. SAFETY EQUIPMENT. If a motorcycle, including
a sport bike, is designed to carry more than one person, the
motorcycle must be equipped with foot pegs and handholds for use by
a passenger on the motorcycle.

SECTION 7. Section 661.001(1), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(1) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle designed to
propel itself with not more than three wheels in contact with the
ground, and having a saddle for the use of the rider. The term
includes a sport bike, as defined by Section 541.201. The term does
not include a tractor or a three-wheeled vehicle equipped with a cab
or occupant compartment, seat, and seat belt and designed to
contain the operator in the cab or occupant compartment.

SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

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My only concerns are in regards to SECTION 6 of this house bill.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT. If a motorcycle, including a sport bike, is designed to carry more than one person, the motorcycle must be equipped with foot pegs and handholds for use by a passenger on the motorcycle.

I can see some arising issues for riders dealing with police interpretation on this part.

First: What constitutes designed? Margaret for instance removed her back seat and has a fender bib in its place. She also has a different seat from the original that is lower and pushes her closer to the handle bars for better reach. It does not have a handhold on it as the original seat does. She does not and will not carry a passenger. It's unreasonable to assume anyone would ever ride as a passenger sitting on a fender bib anyway. But, if she was pulled over could an officer say the bike was originally designed for a passenger and ticket her because the handhold is missing? Even though she does not have a passenger?

Second: Take the factory Street Glide. It has a small passenger seat with a leather handhold. Your riding along and a cop pulls you over. Is it up to the officers interpretation as to whether that is a legitimate handhold or not?

Third: What if I'm riding without a passenger and have no footrests on the bike? Am I violating the law even though I have no passenger to put at risk? In my opinion, if there isn't anyone on the bike with me it shouldn't matter if I have handholds or foot pegs.

I want to assume police officers are going to be reasonable about this and are going to enforce the law when there is a clear concern for a passengers safety. They could just as easily make you have a very bad day over the particularities of this part of the new law since its not clear. I've met some pretty stupid officers that could blow this up real quick. I've also met some very arrogant, pompous cops that want to push their badge around in the attempt to force you to respect them who could use this to cause you grief. Prejudice cops could also become a very serious problem for bikers and use this as a way to bully a rider.

Any thoughts on this?

Ride Strong, Ride Safe

Texas Christkindl Market

A couple weeks ago on a Saturday night the weather was cool and clear so we took a short ride to Arlington, TX to visit the Texas Christkindl Market. This was the fourth year the market has been set up and we went with high expectations from the write-ups we found online about it. However, and I really don't like going down this road, it was a complete disappointment and nothing short of overblown hype.

The market is supposed to be based around a German American theme. German wooden toys, ornaments, wood works, beer, bratwursts, sauerkraut, you get the idea. We were surprised to find so many non-German shops rounding out the market. If you were looking for wool woven scarfs and head gear from Tibet, this was the place to go. If you wanted miscellaneous trinkets from the street markets of Nepal and China, you found it. There were geodes from the Texas hill country and jewelers that made your typical cosmetic bling, and of course Christmas tree ornaments aplenty. The primary "German" shops we found were a goblet maker, a wooden toy carousel shop, and a wooden cutting board craftsman. Other than those the majority of "German" related theme items to be found were the shop signs.

There was a marionette show that we wanted to see but we had just missed the start and they wouldn't let you in after it began. The marionette show was a unique attraction and one you almost never see. Though marionettes did not originate in Germany or America they have roots in German culture even today.

Aside from the 200 yards or so of world culture and general junk shopping, there were a few food vendors as well. Coca Cola was selling at the ridiculous price of $4 a bottle. Hot chocolate was a healthy $4 for a small coffee cup serving. Coffee was $2 a cup, finding itself being the only reasonable value of the night. There was the ever favorite Kettle Korn, not sure if that has German roots or not, but it is an American favorite so it had its place in the market. They did have bratwurst though, if you were willing to  pay $8 each for a small store packaged sized wiener on a Mrs Bairds bun. Definitely not the wursts I was accustomed to seeing when I lived in Europe. And I thought everything was bigger in Texas... There were side orders available too but at $4 and higher each it was unreasonable. They did have an excellent serving size of beer though that would cost you $12 and you got to keep the glass mug it came in. I don't mean to harp on the prices because it's expected that you usually pay more at a fair type event. The prices at this "German" market were simply unreasonable considering the commonality of the items being sold. In our search for Apfelstrudels, Bienenstich, Frikadellen, Currywurst, Bavarian Pretzels, and foot long Wursts which overflow generously from the ends of a bun, we never found satisfaction, leaving us dumbfounded as to how people were bamboozled into paying outrageous prices for non-traditional food you can find packaged, ready to microwave from Walmart. I have no problem paying a premium price for extraordinary food, but just because average food that is being tagged as German-American and is being served at a seasonal event doesn't justify price gouging.

The following video is more along the lines of what we were expecting. Take note of the giant wursts and buns at the far end of the serving counter and at the giant wurst the guy is walking with at the end of the video.

I am usually not this harsh about the events we ride too. Margaret and I have gone to craft fairs, street corner festivals, bike events and gatherings, country markets, peach festivals, strawberry festivals, and other types of craftsy things for years. We ride weekly to eating places all over North Texas and know what good food is and where to find it. We have never been more put off by one of these types of events. We did have a nice ride Saturday evening to and from the Market and made a nice dinner once we arrived home. I made a short video of the market and because it was supposed to be a "German" themed event I used a traditional German style music to get you in the mood for what the Texas Christkindl Market was failing to be.

Wise County Toy Run 2014

Yup! It was that time again for the Wise County Toy Run! What a great event to attend for the year and for a wonderful cause. Riders from all over showed up to give toys for children. It's exciting to see so many riders come together to support a great cause. 

The toy run starts in Decatur, TX which is the staging area. Admission and the ride is free if you bring a toy or $10 if you just want to pay. Margaret and I pay instead of bringing a toy. The organizers need funding to run the event so we contribute in that way instead. When the ride portion begins it is police escorted for the safety of the riders and heads to Bridgeport, TX. The Santa on the Harley leading it usually arrives at Bridgeport about the time the last of the attendees leaves the staging area in Decatur. The ride is 10.8 miles long so when you consider the amount of bikes it takes to cover that distance from end to end its quite impressive.

It's such a big event that people park along the road in preparation to see the bikes. You'll see people along the entire route taking video, waving, and enjoying the bikes as they pass. I like that its not just isolated to riders. When communities get involved the entire run becomes more of a landmark event than a bike event alone. Riders will carry bags of candy and throw it to the kids as they ride by which brings excitement for the kids. This really helps to make the ride a community event with everyone participating and showing their supporting. It's basically a 10.8 mile parade that stretches between the two towns.

Once you arrive in Bridgeport, TX and park you head to the pavilion where all the action is taking place. This is where you drop off your toys as well. It is incredible to see the amount of toys everyone is giving. The workers are almost frantic trying to keep up with how many toys riders are being dropped off. There is always hot chili to help take the edge off the chill from the ride. Various booths are scattered around that sell leather goods, patches, t-shirts, and other miscellaneous stuff. The usual 50/50 and raffles for items are present as well. One MC had a tent setup with support gear as well. I am also very grateful that the event organizers are still American patriots and pause the event for the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem.

That's only an overview of the toy run. When your involved it becomes much larger. The attendance was huge this year. I can only speculate as to the number of bikes involved. I'm sure the organizers have a better grasp of this than I would possibly be able to. Suffice to say though, it seemed to be larger than the previous years I have attended. This year one of the Christian MC's brought a huge trailer and provided live music along with prayer at the staging area.

There was tremendous support from area MC's along with independents and riding groups. We tried to get pictures of as many of the clubs that rode in the event as possible so we could highlight their involvement. While roaming the staging area we took as many pictures as we could in an attempt to capture the essence of the event. The more media we can make available means possibly more attendance next year as people can better visualize whats going on.

Because Margaret and I were both taking pictures we decided to combine our photo media and link to the same album from both of our sites. Video however will be independent of each other so you'll have to visit each site for that, and our write-ups too! Visit This Lady Rides for Margaret's write-up and video. We uploaded the pictures at a very high resolution so you can download them if you see something you like and want to make a print from it. The pictures are free but we do ask if you use them that you give us credit by including the link to our sites as a courtesy.

Wise County Toy Run 2014 Slideshow

Wise County Toy Run 2014 Video