The Hand

November 3, 2011
After my bold prediction that I'd be back in the saddle again I couldn't bring myself to do it. It's been hard staying of the bikes and scooter but I've tried to be good to let my bones heal. Also the cold weather here has made me a coward. Riding with nothing but a freezer bag ensures a chilly ride home at night from work and I just can't bring myself to do it. I also have some sad news. I divested myself of the Honda Big Ruckus. Apparently the State of New York won't title it or renew the registration next year so I can't use it. I gave it to my local garage who will use it as a yard bike to get around on. All the parts to fix it have been secured and it could be running in no time. Maybe I'll have better luck with the Yamaha.

Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

Up Again

October 24, 2011
Yesterday I just had to know if there was anyway I could ride the Chinese scooter, now. I took a big freezer bag, put my hand in it and drew the slide tab over to tighten it against my wrist. Now I had a plastic mitten to keep my hand a little warmer than if it was bare. I put my hand on the scooter's handlebar and-voila-I could grasp it effectively. Today I went out and took a little ride into Town and was able to ride fairly confidently.Overall I rode only eight miles but it told me what I ...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

Down For Awhile

October 21, 2011
I stupidly fell on a slippery plank last week and broke a bone in my hand. I know, it could have been worse but wearing a splint and not being able to ride is like a punishment. The Honda scooter finally found its way to the local garage and I'm hoping they can pull the clutch shaft for me. I couldn't do it. If they do I'll have time to order the parts to finish the job since working one-handed is more than I'll be able to do. The doctor said four to six weeks for this to heal so by the time ...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

My Little Experiment

October 11, 2011
That sounds mysterious doesn't it? No, I'm referring to the 250 Yamaha. There are so many things that don't add up on it that it confuses me and I keep shooting in the dark to see what happens. Lately it will start, run and I'll take it for a ride and then it will suddenly die. Sometimes it starts and sometimes it won't, which necessitates pushing it home. Today I'm checking to see if maybe I have a defective battery. I checked with my fancy voltmeter after the latest dying incident and I got...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

Interesting Times

October 2, 2011
Even though the days are getting cooler I'm still riding. The Chinese scooter has acquired another 700 miles in about a month and with any luck I'll still be using it until the end of October for my job. I know I've said it repeatedly but it's been a major gas saving device. This last tank of gas in my minivan has lasted me over three weeks. The comical thing is that I rarely even visit gas stations because of it. When I fill up the car I also fill a couple of gas cans and then I fill the sco...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

The Seasons Change

September 22, 2011
I'm sitting here looking at another morning of rain, an Autumn morning I might add. Just like the Spring before the Summer the weather has been wet and cold. I've been lucky so far this week and gotten to use the scooter two out of three days. It always slays me to have to use the car since the difference in gas mileage is so outrageous but I won't ride in the rain. Besides the discomfort rain is like penetrating fluid. It gets water in everything and floats out the oil and grease. Years ago ...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

What's New?

September 13, 2011
At the moment it's been very hard to get out and ride but things are looking up. In this area we were struck by both Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Rivers overflowed, streams were gorged and it rained for days. Fortunately we have a Honda generator and were living off it for five straight days. It kept our fridge cold and a few lights going. We were lucky to have the internet to keep us entertained while the radio and TV were without power. Now I'm dreading the end of the riding seas...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

It Runs

September 6, 2011
I have a new plaything to fool around with as the Big Ruckus collects dust. The '81 250 Yamaha has been a sort of guilty pleasure that I start and ride periodically. It's much peppier than the scooter and the new muffler I bought for it is pretty loud so you feel like you're flying even though you're doing 55 mph. The most satisfying aspect of it is that, once again, I've raised a vehicle from a prolonged sleep and turned it into a useful machine. 
Of course it's not all peaches and cream. It ...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

It Lives

August 22, 2011
After a little fiddling with fuel lines, a vacuum line and an oil change I attempted to start the 1981 Yamaha 250 I just bought. It refused so I did the unthinkable and opened up the carburetor to see if it needed cleaning. It had scale and corrosion the likes of which I had never seen before. Every hole in the carburetor was plugged with black gook and required spray Carburetor Cleaner or a safety pin through it to be opened. After that it still needed starting fluid sprayed in the carbureto...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 

Another Good Bye

August 15, 2011
I did it. The Kawasaki is gone. On a rainy Saturday I handed it over for a reasonable amount to a lovely young couple who, I hope, will give it a nice home. To compensate I went out the next day and bought a 30 year old Yamaha 250 to resell after I make my usual efforts to acquire paperwork. The Yamaha isn't running-yet. It will require some fixing and refitting of components to get it started. For what I paid even if it's a hopeless case I won't be out much. Most Japanese bikes are fairly re...
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Posted by Jim Zeiser.

 
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My Ride


Jim Zeiser If you wish to comment my e-mail address is h1500e@hotmail.com. I'd like to hear anything-good or bad-that anyone would like to say. As they said in college, we're all lifelong learners.

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