The Squamidian Report – March 28 / 09

 

Issue #357

 

Including:

The Ontarion

 

Hi All,

 

Ah yes, there is nothing like big toys for big boys. As you could see in last week’s addition with Warren’s ATV, those toys come in many different varieties to answer the desires of each and every person. Ryan has now upgraded a few notches motorcycle-wise with the acquisition of a shiny (slightly pre-enjoyed) 2007 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200, the Nightster model. He’s been riding the old Yamaha Virago for most of his life, it’s almost as old as he is and he was driving it around the Hidden Valley area long before he could reach the ground with his feet, and long before his mother knew I was letting him. It has been and still is a very good bike. It has never needed any major repairs and has never let us down. But it is getting on in years and would not be able to do the long highway trips that we like to do.

 

A Harley Sportster is not a heavy long haul touring bike. It is the kind of sporty, peppy machine that ‘Choppers’ are based on. Sportsters can literally run circles around our big touring bikes. However, they can be used for long trips. They are just not quite as comfortable. Heck, we rode those old undependable British bikes right across the country way back when and didn’t even have the sense to use windshields. His Nightster will shine as a fun commuting machine as he rides back and forth to and from work in Whistler. And it will be just as fun when he takes it on day trips and on longer 2-week trips like the one planned for this summer. He may have to throw as sheepskin over the rather Spartan seat to soften it up a bit but that’s what riding is all about. The machine does not have a long-range fuel tank like the big cruisers do. It has a small peanut tank that will force us to stop every 200 km or so to re-fuel. And that’s a good thing, us old farts can’t really go that far without taking a rest break and my kidneys definitely can’t make it that far on any bike without stopping for a wiz! So there you go, we are geared up for a summer of some great riding and great riding adventures.

 

Ryan’s new toy is stock, meaning it is just as it came off the showroom floor. There have been no modifications to it at all except for some bolt-on surface items. It has a small luggage rack big enough to carry something as large as a small duffle bag, and it has a set of highway pegs and some custom handgrips. Except for the fact that we had them throw in a small sports windshield, there have been no other modifications. On the other hand, both Paul and I have just had versions of the Stage 1 kit done to our bikes.

 

Harleys come from the factory with severe breathing restriction imposed on them to help them meet California emission standards. Kind of like when you are all stuffed up from a cold. A Stage 1 kit swaps the stock air breather for a free flowing breather and the stock mufflers for free flowing mufflers. It also includes the re-mapping of the on-board computer system to allow for the change in fuel mixture that the better breathing creates, and better ignition timing. There are an infinite number of choices you can make when doing a Stage 1. I’ve stuck with a basic upgrade, meaning that I’ve used Harley Screaming Eagle parts. The bike stays totally street legal. The SE mufflers are at most a couple of decibels louder than stock. The new breather sits behind the stock cover. More radical upgrades could include louder systems, racing systems and third party fuel management systems. It’s all personal choice and everyone ends up with a machine that reflects their own tastes and budget. A basic upgrade might increase horsepower and torque by about 10%. Some of the more aggressive upgrades might increase power by 50% or more.

 

Anyway, we took some pics of Ryan and his bike when we rode back from Langley. They can be seen at:

http://www.thedougsite.net/HD-home/Sportster.htm

 

doug

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THE ONTARION REPORT

 

Hello everyone!

 

It’s true, it’s spring and the snow is staying away so far. In fact, it was so spring like today that I couldn’t resist hopping on the motorcycle for the fist time this year. I’ve been hearing of Doug’s early rides on his Harley for a couple of years now and with the mild weather out in BC it’s usually a right of spring for he and others with motorcycles to be riding many years as early as February or March and some years all year round. Their weather in the southern parts of BC is quite mild and usually makes most Ontario residents a tad envious. The only part of BC weather that doesn’t usually appeal to most other Canadians is the rainy times BC’ers have to put up with. I’d rather have snow for a few months than have it rain day after day for a couple of months. But I guess it’s all in what you get used to. By now Doug and Sue are quite used to the BC climate and much prefer it to our Ontario season changes.

 

I decided to take a ride around the area just so I could say I’ve ridden my bike in March. I’ve never had my bike out this early before so it was interesting to be driving through such a brown countryside. The city streets are still lined with leafless trees and the lawns are as brown as can be. This time of year, we are usually experiencing the onset of April showers that last a few weeks and do a good job of cleaning the winter sand and salt off the surface of our roads. Since we haven’t had a good rain this spring yet, the roads are still a little slippery at many intersections with a buildup of sand and salt. My ride today was very refreshing. The air was cool but clear and the sunshine could be felt on my face as I rode across the Region. At most intersections I had to be cautious with the grit on the roads. I didn’t find any slippery spots but several corners had the potential to make my back wheel slide out from under me had I been going too quickly. The next couple of days are supposed to be sunny as well so maybe I’ll be able to get out again for a ride. I enjoyed getting out earlier than ever before not only for the sake of the ride but also for the sake of getting more of my money’s worth out of my prepaid annual insurance premium. Every year I’m sure I’m not the only motorcyclist that resents paying for a full year of insurance on a vehicle that can only be ridden six to seven months of that year. Of course, ya never know, with this “Global Warming” thing happening, maybe it won’t be long before we’ll be able to ride all year round right here in Ontario as well. Until then, there isn’t anything we as riders can do to keep from paying a full year of insurance. It’s just one more example of big insurance companies taking advantage of its customers.

 

Well, before I let the thoughts of the “insurance” thing spoil the enjoyment I got out of today’s ride I’m going to say so long!

 

Thanks to everyone for tuning in and I look forward to talking to you all again next time in The Ontarion Report!

 

Bye for now.. Greg.

 

PS: The reaction I received from those who cared to comment on the removal of my 41 year old mustache has prompted me to grow it back! I actually had already started growing it back as of the last stroke of the razor last Friday but wanted to check reactions of those around me and connected to me while my lip was hairless.

 

I must say I didn’t expect quite the negative reactions I did get. The most vocal reaction was that of Carole whose immediate comment was “Oh My God! What the hell have you done?” All the way to the e-mail I received from Doug who, upon seeing the picture of me without the ‘stache said “GROW IT BACK! You look like an 80 year old Sunday school teacher!” After Carol and Al suggested I send out a before and after pic of my mug, I did just that and other than Doug’s response, I never received one blessed comment from the rest of the Squid membership. I expected I might at least hear from Carol and Al who made the suggestion but… maybe nothing said is “enough said”! LOL! Anyway, it’s on it’s way back in and I promise my upper lip will never see a razor again!

 

PPS: Something To Think About>

The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

He acquired his size from too much pi.

 

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Have a good one..

the doug

http://www.thedougsite.net

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