Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Police Cracking Down on Loud Pipes
May 27, 2010
When you think of noisy motorcycles an image of a cruiser with straight pipes probably comes to mind, but it was a friend riding a Ducati Hypermotard with an aftermarket exhaust that got a warning from state police for excessive noise while riding through Kent last Sunday. At the request of Kent's first selectman, troopers are cracking down on riders whose bikes are too loud. Sgt. John Covello of Troop L in Litchfield explained to me that a state statue allows for a ticket to be issued to anyone who isn't running stock pipes, regardless of the decibel level of the exhaust. What prompted the enhanced enforcement in Kent was a complaint from a church on Route 7, which had to routinely halt its services because of loud bikes passing by. You can't argue that parishoners don't deserve some peace and quiet on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association reports that Branford has launched an "aggressive campaign" to ticket violators, and adds that municipalities can levy whatever fine or penalty that they deems appropriate. The CMRA reports the maximum fine in Branford for loud pipes is $500. The best advice is to avoid Kent and Branford, and to keep your right hand off of the throttle when riding through any town.
When you think of noisy motorcycles an image of a cruiser with straight pipes probably comes to mind, but it was a friend riding a Ducati Hypermotard with an aftermarket exhaust that got a warning from state police for excessive noise while riding through Kent last Sunday. At the request of Kent's first selectman, troopers are cracking down on riders whose bikes are too loud. Sgt. John Covello of Troop L in Litchfield explained to me that a state statue allows for a ticket to be issued to anyone who isn't running stock pipes, regardless of the decibel level of the exhaust. What prompted the enhanced enforcement in Kent was a complaint from a church on Route 7, which had to routinely halt its services because of loud bikes passing by. You can't argue that parishoners don't deserve some peace and quiet on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association reports that Branford has launched an "aggressive campaign" to ticket violators, and adds that municipalities can levy whatever fine or penalty that they deems appropriate. The CMRA reports the maximum fine in Branford for loud pipes is $500. The best advice is to avoid Kent and Branford, and to keep your right hand off of the throttle when riding through any town.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Cellular Phones
Anytime you take a trip it is always a good idea to bring a cel phone with you, that way if you have a problem you can call for aid. It is also good that you take it with you when you get off your bike.
Case in point... The Air Show... We had eleven members all heading different directions with a 4pm meet point. Unfortunatly, there was a change of plans, so we started calling everyone to let them know. There was a problem contacting 3 of the 11, there were some rude comments issued about not carrying cel phones and we decided to send someone to find them and issue the new instructions in person, Sandwich volunteered and jumped the fence to walk in. (parking lot fence, not show access fence)
Oh yeah... the person you send...make sure...he takes his phone with him.
Case in point... The Air Show... We had eleven members all heading different directions with a 4pm meet point. Unfortunatly, there was a change of plans, so we started calling everyone to let them know. There was a problem contacting 3 of the 11, there were some rude comments issued about not carrying cel phones and we decided to send someone to find them and issue the new instructions in person, Sandwich volunteered and jumped the fence to walk in. (parking lot fence, not show access fence)
Oh yeah... the person you send...make sure...he takes his phone with him.
Some of them went to the Cape...
Saturday
Some of the Club did their own things (what ever they may have been), some rode to Meriden Mountain and Cabelos. For me, while a group had the scheduled Cape Cod weekend trip, I went to New London on Saturday and checked out the Antique Bike show on the Waterfront pier. From there I went to Groton and Mike's Famous HD to order more toys for the bike. I found the place was packed with Hog members and Mikes was serving food. Leaving there I headed down 117 in Groton Ct to the Mystic Marriott (Not in Mystic), for the Rally. There I ran into three other members of the Club (two working, one sitting in the AC). I moved outside to get some patches sewn on my vest (Sewing Hog Wild - The Slipper Lady), then grabbed a drink and wandered around the vendors before moving up to watch the slow races and ring catch. I chatted for a bit with other HOG members from all over, before heading home.
Sunday:
A group of eleven of us met at the Equinox Diner off exit 90 off Interstate 95 in Mystic for breakfast, then nine of us headed out for a ride while the other two had other commitments.
We ran north on 27 into Old Mystic, Ct. Then turned onto rte 234 and ran through the corners before heading straight up Taugwonk to North Stonington. We crossed 184 onto Jeremy Hill rd then right on 201 to route 2, crossed 2 onto Main Street then up Wyassup rd to route 49. 49 north through Ekonk to 14 east. We continued on 14 stopping in Sterling for the passengers to don Helmets before continuing into RI. The original plan was to head across the Scituate reservoir then down 116 to 117 and 33 to 3 and 102, but because we had a late start we grabbed 117 to 102 for the shortened version. 102 is a fairly straight main road but still suffers from Rhode Island Goat trail disease and we were forced to run single file to save those who would have been stuck on the right side of the lane in broken pavement. We ran south to Lilibridge crossed rte 3 and followed 102 to North Kingston. (route 102 south of rte 3 is an entirely different creature, seems someone down here actually paved the road). Passing under rte 4 we grabbed Old Baptist road (avoiding route 1 traffic) and headed into Quonsit for the Rhode Island National Guard Air Show. A rather nice find was that motorcycles were directed through the general parking area and led to an area at the main gate for VIP parking. We ran into two more members there and a prospect. We checked out the show and the amenities and tried to avoid being burnt to a crisp. I tried Bud Light Lime while I was there and found it was OK, but with the heat of the sun streaming down on the tarmac I found that plain ol water was the best thing to have. At 4pm the show was over and we headed out.
The only draw back to the parking area was that it was a field and it being hot and dry when we returned we found the bikes covered in dust and dirt. We lost four members right away as they headed for the interstate and home, the rest of us headed out and picked up rte 4 south to route 102 then a left on RI 2 and a quick ride through tour of the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery. I have only been to two State Veteran Cemetery's and have to say Rhode Island did it right with statuary in memory of the fallen of every war and a beautiful layout, unlike the mud pit Connecticut has for their fallen heroes.
From there we continued down rte 2 to Shannock where we turned right on Shannock rd which took us to rte 112 then 91. 91 took us through Bradford and into Westerly RI and Pawcatuck Ct. In Pawcatuck we picked up 234 and followed that until turning left on Deans Mill rd. Deans Mill is a unique rod in that it is about 1 lane wide and has a double yellow line painted down its' center, as though it was designed for bikes. Then it was Mistuxet to Jerry Brown, then Coogan and we arrived back at the Equinox for dinner. Arriving here we found that one of the bikes had been used as a restroom by a bird, A blue and white Harley with slime down the windshield and across the front fender. Dinner was good, drinks, salads, shrimp cocktails, steaks, chicken stir fry, a Massive burger, Blackened Shrimp Alfredo, and the 2nd VP had some sort of Chicken in a cream slime sauce served over some unidentified matter. Then it was Ice Cream and we split up and headed home.
All in all a great day, and sunburns to prove it.
As for lessons learned today...OK,
Milwaukee harness boots are not designed to be used for walking. While stolling around the air field my feet were killing me, arriving home I found that every toe has a blister under neath it.
klay
Some of the Club did their own things (what ever they may have been), some rode to Meriden Mountain and Cabelos. For me, while a group had the scheduled Cape Cod weekend trip, I went to New London on Saturday and checked out the Antique Bike show on the Waterfront pier. From there I went to Groton and Mike's Famous HD to order more toys for the bike. I found the place was packed with Hog members and Mikes was serving food. Leaving there I headed down 117 in Groton Ct to the Mystic Marriott (Not in Mystic), for the Rally. There I ran into three other members of the Club (two working, one sitting in the AC). I moved outside to get some patches sewn on my vest (Sewing Hog Wild - The Slipper Lady), then grabbed a drink and wandered around the vendors before moving up to watch the slow races and ring catch. I chatted for a bit with other HOG members from all over, before heading home.
Sunday:
A group of eleven of us met at the Equinox Diner off exit 90 off Interstate 95 in Mystic for breakfast, then nine of us headed out for a ride while the other two had other commitments.
We ran north on 27 into Old Mystic, Ct. Then turned onto rte 234 and ran through the corners before heading straight up Taugwonk to North Stonington. We crossed 184 onto Jeremy Hill rd then right on 201 to route 2, crossed 2 onto Main Street then up Wyassup rd to route 49. 49 north through Ekonk to 14 east. We continued on 14 stopping in Sterling for the passengers to don Helmets before continuing into RI. The original plan was to head across the Scituate reservoir then down 116 to 117 and 33 to 3 and 102, but because we had a late start we grabbed 117 to 102 for the shortened version. 102 is a fairly straight main road but still suffers from Rhode Island Goat trail disease and we were forced to run single file to save those who would have been stuck on the right side of the lane in broken pavement. We ran south to Lilibridge crossed rte 3 and followed 102 to North Kingston. (route 102 south of rte 3 is an entirely different creature, seems someone down here actually paved the road). Passing under rte 4 we grabbed Old Baptist road (avoiding route 1 traffic) and headed into Quonsit for the Rhode Island National Guard Air Show. A rather nice find was that motorcycles were directed through the general parking area and led to an area at the main gate for VIP parking. We ran into two more members there and a prospect. We checked out the show and the amenities and tried to avoid being burnt to a crisp. I tried Bud Light Lime while I was there and found it was OK, but with the heat of the sun streaming down on the tarmac I found that plain ol water was the best thing to have. At 4pm the show was over and we headed out.
The only draw back to the parking area was that it was a field and it being hot and dry when we returned we found the bikes covered in dust and dirt. We lost four members right away as they headed for the interstate and home, the rest of us headed out and picked up rte 4 south to route 102 then a left on RI 2 and a quick ride through tour of the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery. I have only been to two State Veteran Cemetery's and have to say Rhode Island did it right with statuary in memory of the fallen of every war and a beautiful layout, unlike the mud pit Connecticut has for their fallen heroes.
From there we continued down rte 2 to Shannock where we turned right on Shannock rd which took us to rte 112 then 91. 91 took us through Bradford and into Westerly RI and Pawcatuck Ct. In Pawcatuck we picked up 234 and followed that until turning left on Deans Mill rd. Deans Mill is a unique rod in that it is about 1 lane wide and has a double yellow line painted down its' center, as though it was designed for bikes. Then it was Mistuxet to Jerry Brown, then Coogan and we arrived back at the Equinox for dinner. Arriving here we found that one of the bikes had been used as a restroom by a bird, A blue and white Harley with slime down the windshield and across the front fender. Dinner was good, drinks, salads, shrimp cocktails, steaks, chicken stir fry, a Massive burger, Blackened Shrimp Alfredo, and the 2nd VP had some sort of Chicken in a cream slime sauce served over some unidentified matter. Then it was Ice Cream and we split up and headed home.
All in all a great day, and sunburns to prove it.
As for lessons learned today...OK,
Milwaukee harness boots are not designed to be used for walking. While stolling around the air field my feet were killing me, arriving home I found that every toe has a blister under neath it.
klay
Saturday, June 26, 2010
New Hampshire: Helmets and stock exhaust systems
New Englands favorite Motorcycle State, New Hampshire, saw two bills entered into the house that would change the flavour of riding in that Great State.
` House Bill 1261: All motorcycles built after 31 Decemeber 1982, would be required to be equipped with stock exhaust systems,
House Bill 1162, requires All motorcycle operators and passengers to wear Helmets.
Both Bills were authored by Rep. Judy Day (D-North Hampton), Both bills failed on the house floor.
If you plan on taking a trip, check to find the Helmet laws in teh States you are riding before you get a nasty surprise. The following link is the AMA laws by state page and a PDF is available.
http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp
klay
` House Bill 1261: All motorcycles built after 31 Decemeber 1982, would be required to be equipped with stock exhaust systems,
House Bill 1162, requires All motorcycle operators and passengers to wear Helmets.
Both Bills were authored by Rep. Judy Day (D-North Hampton), Both bills failed on the house floor.
If you plan on taking a trip, check to find the Helmet laws in teh States you are riding before you get a nasty surprise. The following link is the AMA laws by state page and a PDF is available.
http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp
klay
Friday, June 25, 2010
Sunday, June 27th
Air Show Run
AOB: 10:00am Equinox Diner, Exit 90 off I-95, Mystic (Seaport Exit).
Road Seargent Joe Fogarty will be leading the ride, I will be navigating and 2nd VP Dunn representing the E-Board,
The ride will be leaving at 10am for a wandering 2 hour bop along the back roads and goat trails of Rhode Island for an approx. arrival time of 12 noon at Quonsit RI. (north Kingston).
There is a $10.00 parking fee, and you will need money for anything you may want to purchase and/or eat. The late arrival should afford us easier access to the facility as morning traffic in is horrendous. The "Thunderbirds" are not scheduled to fly until around 230pm. There will also be the Canadian "Snowbirds", The Jet-truck, stunt planes and static displays.
No coolers allowed in. Bring Sunscreen!!!
If you wish to have breakfast a few of us will be arriving at the Equinox earlier (745am ish) to eat and watch the F1 race. So feel free to come by anytime between 745 and 10am.
Looking forward to seeing you
Klay
See attached link:
http://www.riairshow.org/schedule.html
AOB: 10:00am Equinox Diner, Exit 90 off I-95, Mystic (Seaport Exit).
Road Seargent Joe Fogarty will be leading the ride, I will be navigating and 2nd VP Dunn representing the E-Board,
The ride will be leaving at 10am for a wandering 2 hour bop along the back roads and goat trails of Rhode Island for an approx. arrival time of 12 noon at Quonsit RI. (north Kingston).
There is a $10.00 parking fee, and you will need money for anything you may want to purchase and/or eat. The late arrival should afford us easier access to the facility as morning traffic in is horrendous. The "Thunderbirds" are not scheduled to fly until around 230pm. There will also be the Canadian "Snowbirds", The Jet-truck, stunt planes and static displays.
No coolers allowed in. Bring Sunscreen!!!
If you wish to have breakfast a few of us will be arriving at the Equinox earlier (745am ish) to eat and watch the F1 race. So feel free to come by anytime between 745 and 10am.
Looking forward to seeing you
Klay
See attached link:
http://www.riairshow.org/schedule.html
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
It's nice to know it's not just the cars they have issues with
Working for BMW you get used to the large amount of service issues effecting their cars, BMW is really quick at jumping on the problems and getting them fixed and most of the issues are small,like clips, hardware or electrical codes. Because BMW is always trying to advance their technologies there are always a number of issues. But a visit to the AMA News page shows...it's the bikes as well...
Faulty brake-line routing forces recall of BMW 1200s
Posted June 23, 2010
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
BMW / K 1200 GT 2007-2008
BMW / R 1200 GS 2007-2009
BMW / R 1200 GS ADVENTURE 2007-2009
BMW / R 1200 R 2007-2009
BMW / R 1200 RT 2007-2009
BMW / R 1200 ST 2007
Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC Mfr's Report Date: JUN 15, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V276000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Potential Number of Units Affected: 15532
Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 R 1200 AND K 1200 SERIES MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2006 THROUGH MAY 2009. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, AND THEREFORE ASSOCIATED VIBRATION. THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAIN. IF THE VIBRATION/STRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT, THE BRAKE LINE COULD SPLIT AND START TO DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence:
IF THIS GOES UNNOTICED, AND THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR RUNS EMPTY, THE FRONT BRAKES COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BRAKE LINES, CONTAINING A "SLEEVE" ALONG A PORTION OF THE LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
*********************************************************************************Fuel tank mounting issues with GS 1200s
Posted June 23, 2010
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
BMW / R 1200 GS ADVENTURE 2005-2007
Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC Mfr's Report Date: JUN 15, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V275000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2005 THROUGH 2007 R 1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 7, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26, 2007. THE FUEL TANK FRONT ATTACHMENT BOLTS CAN WORK LOOSE ALLOWING THE BOLTS TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE FORK LEG IF THE HANDLEBAR IS TURNED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.
Consequence:
THIS COULD LIMIT THE TRAVEL RANGE OF THE HANDLEBARS WHICH COULD AFFECT HANDLING AND MANEUVERABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED THE AGENCY WITH A REMEDY PLAN OR A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
klay
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
From the Road Captain
Practice for the drill team is still on for Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010, for 6:00pm at the Walmart's Parking lot in Waterford. From there everyone will go to Airport Road for the actual practice.
From the President
The Road Captain will not be at Thursday meeting due to the death in the family. The Honor Guard Captain, the Admin Assistant, myself and a few others will be away for the weekend. I am looking for a Road Sergeant to step up to lead a Sunday ride. Please e-mail me if you are available. Mark Beebe mentioned the U.S.A.F. thunderbirds air show, but all ideas are welcome.
From the President
The Road Captain will not be at Thursday meeting due to the death in the family. The Honor Guard Captain, the Admin Assistant, myself and a few others will be away for the weekend. I am looking for a Road Sergeant to step up to lead a Sunday ride. Please e-mail me if you are available. Mark Beebe mentioned the U.S.A.F. thunderbirds air show, but all ideas are welcome.
from the Treasurer
I finally made contact with I believe, Merrylyn Weaver at the Covenant Shelter and she will be coming over on Thursday at 7:15 to pick up the check. I have emailed Elise Rugens at the Montville Times and hopefully she'll be able to come over and take a couple of photos. Would like to see a good showing from the club for the photo and we should plan a shorter ride for Thursday night to be back by 7:15. I picked the time to hopefully have some daylight for the photo.
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Monday, June 21, 2010
A small turn-out and a possible Myriad of reasons,
The Club planned a ride on Sunday to Putney Vermont for Curtis BBQ, but Plans and reality are often two different things. so check the list and see what catagory you fit in:
So with all who were riding ready, 7 bikes left D&D and proceded north on 395. A measly seven of us, and what made it more depressing was that two of the bikes weren't going on the run. Two of the bikes went straight when the other 5 picked up route 2.
So...to the 5: I hope you had a great ride and good food, and I hope the rain stayed away.
klay
- The ride was a hour earlier at 9am, I know for you and me 9am is easy but there are a few of us that 9am would be impossible.
- There was rain in the forcast, some of us don't like rain.
- It was Fathers day and some of us refuse to desert the family on any family day (even one created by greeting card companies to increase sales).
- Some don't enjoy long rides,
- Some don't like highways,
- Some don't like helmets or have medical reasons for not wearing them,
- Some had mechanical or electrical issues with their bikes,
- Some had other things to do,
- Some may have been ill,
Road Captsin Pre-Ride meeting
So with all who were riding ready, 7 bikes left D&D and proceded north on 395. A measly seven of us, and what made it more depressing was that two of the bikes weren't going on the run. Two of the bikes went straight when the other 5 picked up route 2.
So...to the 5: I hope you had a great ride and good food, and I hope the rain stayed away.
klay
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