Wow, it's getting chilly outside. Actually gotten some riding in, too. Always a good thing. Jen managed her first DSB group ride. The August group ride was set to begin on Harsen's Island and follow the Lake St. Clair shore line back south to Hooters in Roseville. This is the same route that Jen and I take together, so it was a great opportunity for her to join us.

A group of us met for the ride up to the island right by our place. The sky was gloomy, but the rain wasn't falling. Could we be that lucky? Our mini convoy consisted of Jen and I, 4 or 5 other sportbikes, 2 Harleys, and Deanna (from an earlier post) on her little Honda. We took the fast track to the freeway and made our way north. The rain started to dribble some on our way up, but nothing too bad. With two stops for gas and other things on top of leaving our meet spot much later than planned, we ended up getting to the island at 1:00. Yes, DSB rides start at 12:30. With the group waiting for us, it was a fairly quick exchange of hellos then we were on our way.

We rolled around the island heading for the ferry. So far, the weather was still holding back for us which allowed 18-20 bikes to cruise comfortably while enjoying a little scenery. After crossing to the mainland, we headed south for an nice mostly uneventful ride home. Would have been even more enjoyable had the rain stayed away all day, but that would've made it too easy. Finally, DSB had a 2006 group ride in the wet. We really had been lucky up to that point. Bottom line, we got soaked. Visibility really started to suck and I was so happy to feel it lightening up. Then to see the Hooters sign come into view, oh so sweet!

Hooters was a fun time, as always, no matter how cold and wet we were. And the fact that we only had a 1/4 mile to get home after that, was extra special. Big respect to all the riders, and Jen for braving the conditions.

This past thursday, I was able to get out to play in the curvy stuff. Met Scot, from the DSB forum, down in Saline where he would lead us to the twisty pavement. We found our way onto Case road, which is a fun road. Then headed over around Clark Lake. This is where the story takes a little turn.

I managed to blow a tight right hander, thinking it was more of a sweeper. My entrance speed was higher than I am comfortable with in the twisty stuff. Instead of looking through the corner, hanging off the bike as far as I could and just lean till I made it through like I should have because the bike was capable of it, I instinctively squeezed the front whoa! lever. Yes, this is a no no when cornering. It stood me straight up. Instead of trying to lean again, I thought my best chance was just to slow as much as possible and shoot for the soft stuff. At least that's what happened anywyay.

I slowed alot. Was even suprised how long I kept it up while in the grass. But I did go down. I'll say this, I was all geared up and ready to go. I was fine, other than a little banged up fairing and tweaked brake lever, the bike was fine. Calm my nerves for the next couple of miles and make sure the bike was ok, and we were good to go. I even went ahead of Scot and let him record me hitting the curves on Case rd. a couple more times. Which I was really happy to be able to be comfortable doing right after taking a spill. Hopefully I'll have a link to the video of me riding after the mishap. A big positive is that I didn't get caught on camera doing my little off-roading trick. That would've sucked even more.

Well, here's to good times, good rides, and good people. Ride safe! But have fun doin' it.

Hey! It's been just a little while hasn't it. Went a short time there with out any real riding getting done but took care of that last sunday morning. Met up with two other DSB members and headed out to Washtenaw and Livingston Counties, starting out on North Territorial Rd. looking for some curves. I really don't have a ride report, other than I now know that I could be much faster in the slow stuff. Gotta few things to work on like body positioning and trusting the bike. Haven't really got all my nerve back after going down last year, and I can't bring myself to trust these old tires on the bike. How do I know these things? Two ways. Following better riders and actually seeing myself on tape. I look really slow. And although alot of it is also a lack of familiarity with the roads, I'm just plain slow. Here is a link to the vid. Thanks Scot (Smokin on the forum) for leading us around that day, and bringing the camera along. And of course, for piecing together a pretty good production.

DSB N. Territorial Run

And here is another one of Scot's productions. Just a little bit of wheelie action. I think we can look forward to alot of future video from him.

DSB Wheelies

Time to do some maintenance. I got pretty lucky and was able to get some life out of the chain that was on my bike when I bought her. Even if she wasn't even an o-ring chain and was pretty weather beaten. But I was out of adjustment range and I needed a new chain and sprocket set.

First, to make things possible.....a rear stand. This is a must have, especially for routine maintenance like cleaning and lubing the chain. Well, a member of DSB runs Mid-Michigan Motorsports, and along with my chain and sprockets, hooked me up with a great deal on this DMP stainless rear stand.





Here are some pics of the job at hand, and how it went.

First, the new parts...



And for the front sprocket, you definitely want to use air tools if ya got 'em.






Ok, on to the back...












Word of advice. Before you get to this point, make sure you have all the parts that belong on the bike, actually on the bike and not sitting over to the side.



Well, that was just a quick little detour. Soon after all was together and the new chain was on.


All ready to go. So here are a couple pics of my bike now. Gotta a little 'Naked Fizz' going on. Last year, you guys saw me cutting my teeth on a Hawk GT, which is a naked bike. Well, that left a mark on my soul, and the little fizzer has a future in streetfighting. For now, this is how she sits.





Then the ugly factory mirrors came off and a simple bar-end takes over that job..


Some homemade mirror block-off plates coming soon to replace the gawdy mirror mounting brackets. Until then everyone.....Let's get naked!!!