Dave77459

Pretty neat. I'm always impressed by guys who do their own fabricating! Looks good! I'm thinking I want something like that for an auxiliary fuel cell. Dave

That is really interesting. Thanks! I'm glad the apps are spreading. I had been using my phone to feed to Spotwalla, but it became pointless as I moved outside my phone's coverage. Riding LD, that happens a lot. I am hopeful that SPOT will expose an action intent so that I can automate things using the Android Tasker app. I set up checkpoints before I head out, and try to send location updates via SMS as I cross state lines, for example. Again, that doesn't work well when I am not in coverage. I don't know if you saw the article written by the Spotwalla creator in the latest (Fall 2010) Iron Butt Magazine. If not, it's neat to know the background of stuff. Dave

I saw this a month ago via Slashdot. If you want to see "animated discussions" by left-leaning geeks, there's your place. However, the site often provides interesting insight, such as this: Not only is the information interesting, but the fact that such a "huge dive" is intentionally glossed over speaks loudly. Sometimes it isn't what you see that is important, it's what you don't see. Dave

I was getting ready to buy a SPOT II, and went to their homepage to check the annual subscription. That's when I saw the notice of the upcoming SPOT Connect. The SPOT Connect pairs with your [Android] smart phone to enable you to send SMS and short emails over SPOT's satellite system. On close inspection, it doesn't look that different than the SPOT II functionality. The difference is that the interface comes from your phone. It connects using Bluetooth; not sure how having this paired with my phone will work when my phone is paired to my helmet. It is available only for Android 2.0 or later; unfortunately for you Apple and Blackberry fanboys, they are targeting smart consumers. The SPOT Connect is available at the end of January. Pricing [at REI] seems to be the same as on the SPOT II. Not sure about data plans. Anyone hear any buzz on this? Dave http://findmespot.com/images/spot_connect/connect_prod.png

Here's a thread that could be helpful. I understand that if you don't have the keycode, you can find it on saddlebags or ignition switch stems. Or something. Dave

I've had the stealth key on my wish list for some time. Do y'all just keep it there all the time? Now I wonder what you could put in the secret storage spot instead of pills? I'm pretty sure they'd be dust in no time. Dave

Yes, sound can reduce endurance. I've put my stock pipes back on. I'll let the guys who ride from bar to bar be loud; I've got hundreds of miles to go. FWIW, my earplugs attenuate very loud sound, but I can hear spoken conversation and music. I can also hear sirens and horns. Dave

I like to plan my routes, a long time in advance. I am presently planning my July trip to Maine (I live in Texas). Like Midnightventure, I have a Garmin 60CSx, and have sprung for the lifetime maps upgrade. $99 or whatever to always have current maps is not a bad deal. Regardless, here is my general workflow... I decide where I want to go, and enter a preliminary route in the Garmin Mapsource software. [You already have your route] I use "View in Google Earth" to transfer my route into GE. Now I cruise at a low altitude in GE with the photos layer turned on. At a reasonable altitude, I can see where clusters of photos show up. I zoom into those areas to see what people are looking at. I've found some great scenic spots by using this "crowd sourcing". I mark these locations on the map within Mapsource and go on. I also "geocache", and a class of cache called a Virtual Cache often marks places that are well worth visiting. I can view caches within GE, so I can note these without much trouble. On my trips last summer, each of them had must-see locations found using geocaching. Eventually, I have a decent number of places that I want to visit. Now I decide my final path. This is an iterative process, because sometimes I simply must take the freeway to make time between places that I really want to see. Most times I want to avoid freeways. Sometimes I want to spend 15 minutes at a scenic spot, but sometimes I want to overnight. At this point, I am tempted to go out and buy Microsoft Streets and Trips. MSST has a "range" function that you can use to locate fuel stops. Not such a big deal in a car, but really important on my bike, especially on my trips off the beaten path. Along my route, I can say I want to go 150 miles (for me) or 100 miles (2-up) and find gas. MSST also has a mode where you can specify fastest, shortest, or most scenic route. I've used MSST in the past, but not recently. I can only imagine that it has gotten better. MapSource, GE, and MSST are all useful for finding places to stay, and things to see using their databases. Finally, although it is not part of routing, I want to get a SPOT transceiver. That way, I can post my progress for friends to follow me. I'll also have a way to call for help, even if cell signal is non-existent. Moving on, rain gear: I bought "Frogg Toggs Horny Toadz Waterproof Motorcycle Rain Suit" in HiViz yellow. I specifically wanted to be visible in inclement weather. I've ridden in much wet weather, and this hasn't let me down. I have a pair of light gauntlet gloves that I like because they stop the rain from coming up my sleeves. My one complaint with this gear is that the waistband on the pants does not give at all, making it harder to put on. The jacket is great though. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4749245373_4d7e6e282c_m.jpg What to take... I got some great compact camp chairs. They fold down to "portfolio" size and yet are very sturdy. GCI Outdoor Xpress Lounger is what I got, and they are cheaper now! I also bought a micro camp stove. It is perfect for making coffee in the morning. (We like to hit diners on the road.) It is the GSI Pinnacle Dualist system and the Snow Peak Giga Power Stove with Piezo starter. We bought some SBUX Via coffee to go with it and it works perfectly. Very compact, it fits in the saddle bag, in case you spend time under an over pass during the rain. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5182643530_035bc8e44d.jpg The other advice I'd give you is to take the trailer for a test run. Mine proved to be vibratey, and I had to mitigate that. However, that was a side effect of an axle problem. Read this really long and entertaining thread to learn about that. If you want, you can view my trips to Michigan and Zion NP. The Zion trip in particular has some examples of the great spots I found using geocaching. Have fun! You'll be hooked! Dave

Thanks guys! I can easily believe that could be the reason for the ban. The common thing in small towns here is a prohibition on slowing by down shifting. Trucks can make quite a racket that way, and people like a quieter environment. You do a great job selling the old town. LOL Sounds like the place deserves more time than I can afford to give it. Arriving 6PM and leaving the next day at 7AM wouldn't do it justice. As Carl suggested, maybe I should focus on other places that are beautiful passing through. Dave

I am in the beginning phases of a planned ride to capture for my ride map the northeastern states next summer. One of my possible routes takes me through Montreal and Quebec City to Madawaska, Maine. In my research, I've come across a notice that motorcycles are not permitted in the old city part of Quebec City. True? If so, does that argue against stopping in Quebec City and spending my time elsewhere? Dave PS - first entry in this section of the forum. I feel special.

No, I just take satisfaction that WI is a demonstrably inferior team than MSU. WI can enjoy their brief time in the Sun. I hope they win today! I hope all the Big Ten teams do. Dave

Still kinda peeved that Michigan State got BCS'd out of their rightful place in the Rose Bowl. I guess it just proves the addage about computer programs: garbage in==garbage out. ROLL STATE.

Thom is in Rockport, about 60 miles away. I'm in Sugar Land, TX, about 100 miles away. That's pretty close for Texas. Dave

Lucky that you are off work and can do it! Er, you have the time to do it. Important clarification. Happy anniversary!

Welcome aboard Chris! I think you'll find this site not only provides you with the technical help you need, but is about the friendliest group anywhere. Speaking of which, what part of TX are you in? We have a pretty active group in the Houston area. We'd love to add another friend. Again, welcome! Dave

Depends on whether I am towing a trailer or not. If I am trailering, I will cruise at 72mph or so. I don't like to pull in overdrive, and 72mph is a comfy number for 4th gear. If I am riding solo without a trailer, I'll go 78mph. That is the highest that I can set my cruise control. Besides, that is supralegal in most places I ride. If I am two-up, my wife prefers to go something closer to the speed limit. Speed limit+2mph is her comfort level. If I know that I have a long way between gas stops, I'll go 70-ish. Much above that on my RSTD and my fuel economy tanks. Dave

It was clear here just before the Eclipse started. http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5203/5278888989_6c97a1fbf8.jpg Then, when the actually eclipse was going on, the moon was invisible. 15 minutes before the "peak" (2:17AM central), the sky became patchy. Out of this 20 second exposure, about 15 was clear. The other 5 seconds were obscured, making the photo look blurry. Drat! http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5279898282_c0a16f25d5.jpg

If the days work (I am off Th-Su), I might bring out the axle stuff and Kreg's big straight edge he lent me. But I also need to get my bike in the shop to have the leftside exhaust Y replaced, so I might not have my bike. :-( Dave

Welcome to the site. I hope you find it useful. I can state that you won't find a better group of people anywhere. Here is the Carbon_One frame adapter. I bought the one with legs. It is very sturdy for me. I even put it on the stand for cleaning, which puts at the perfect height for washing/wiping while on a creeper stool. Other solutions people have use are scraps of wood on the lift, or even hockey pucks. Just something to contact the frame before contacting the oil pan. Again, welcome! Dave

My wife bought herself a Kindle, the $139 one you see mastheaded on Amazon. It just works. The eInk is amazing... doesn't use power so the battery life is astonishing. She now sends me recipes, I convert them to .mobi format and email them to the Kindle. I've also sent Audible audiobooks to the Kindle and she listens to them like it was an iPod. And oh yes, I've copied my RSTD manual PDFs over to it, so no more taking the fat binder on trips. Negatives: it isn't for surfing the web (but it is an eBook reader???). Also, it doesn't have backlighting (which kills the battery), and behaves like a paper book. So, for Christmas I am buying her a leather cover with built-in LED light. Overall, I am quite impressed. It does very well what she wanted -- to read books. I myself am waiting for a v2.2 Android "aPad". There are v2.1 aPads out there for ~$150, but I can wait for them to come out with the latest version. I'm in no hurry, and it will be soon.

Opinion piece today: Deactivating cell phones while driving is pointless FTA: a 2009 study commissioned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that 80% of all traffic accidents are caused by drivers who are eating. Let me repeat that, in case you missed it: 80% of all traffic accidents are caused by drivers who are busy cramming food into their pie-hole instead of focusing on the road. This suggests that better than turning off cellphones, you should close drive-thrus.

My co-worker has made this several times, and brought it in once. It was merely OK, and I love bacon. He blamed it on the sausage, which he tinkers with and says is the critical component. Dave

So downstream of the resistor/diode, the LEDs are looking for roughly ~12V, so it should work. Maybe. If I fuse it properly, all I'd lose is torn up LEDs, so there is not much downside! Thanks! Dave

Thanks so much! There wasn't a "wall wart" on the LED strand. I don't recall if this C3 strand has them, but the LED icicle lights has 1/2" diameter tubes, about 1" long, along the wire. I presume this section was the voltage transformer. Maybe the C3 strand has that too. Dave

By this premise, let's go back before computers. After all, people lived before them. Some climate-change types would make your argument about internal combustion engines. People lived before cellphones, but their quality of life was possibly worse. Sometimes people engage in purposeful conversation while getting from here to there. As my commute gets longer and takes more of my time, cheating an extra five minutes of productivity by using a cellphone makes my life better. Coordinating with my wife makes my life with her better. I may not have a lot of time with her, so having better time is important. You may not think that is important, but happily you don't get to decide what is important in my life. So, yes, create punishments for cellphone misuse and distracted driving severe enough to have them enter into my risk/benefit equation. Don't ask the government to be my momma. Dave