Yesterday I installed my lovely Powerlet brand SAE-to-lighter adapter with my Garmin nuvi 360’s cigarette lighter adapter. Took some doing to get it installed in the glove box without obstructing the insertion of the seat. I’m happy with the final result.
If I ever want to use it for other adapters, I’ll probably re-mount it (with an SAE-to-SAE extension added) so that it will go into my bike bag as the routing of the cables from bag to glove box (under seat) in a safe way is a trick.
Took my wife to Citrus Cycle Center today to fit her for an HJC CL-15 motorcycle helmet. That didn’t go great. She got a better fit from a medium KBC TL-8. But I had to do my due diligence on that model so we didn’t buy it.
But they did have a smoking hot deal on black/orange First Gear Earl leather motorcycle jackets: $99. Whoah. I bought one (XXL) and I’m glad I did. Great fit, finish and price! I’m really impressed with this jacket. I’d be impressed even if it were twice as much, though it’s unlikely I would have bought it at that rate.
I’m looking forward to using it tomorrow when I ride into town.
There’s a small backstory to the jackets. On the way to the dealership, we saw two riders on the road with these jackets. My wife remarked how great the jackets looked (including fit/cut) and I agreed. Just gorgeous jackets. I even tried to get a closer look at the light but she was turning the wrong way. One of the guys was on a Repsol 600RR Honda (lots of orange in there) so it was an especially good fit with his bike. But it’s a generally attractive jacket for any bike.
I finally installed my Helibars today. JZ did most of the work. It took the better part of the day.
They don’t look better than the stock bars, that’s for sure. But hopefully they’ll be more comfortable for me given my long torso.
My F4i Helibars came USPS today — from the U.K. Yay!
Finally installed the license plate on the F4i this weekend. Had to drill and mount the plate mount as the Hotbodies undertail doesn’t come precut for this so you can put the plate anywhere you like on there or not mount it under the tail at all.
JZ did all the work. It looks great. Started and finished yesterday, Sunday.
I almost ran over an aligator on my motorcycle last night. Riding back on Ozello Trail after dark, the 3.5′ long gator cut in front of me and raced across the road, its legs pinwheels. It was very cute. I missed the end of its tail by about two inches.
A little ways down the same road, the was a frog leaping down the road toward me. I felt like a log in Frogger.
First ride was Saturday, six days ago. Small ride to the dealership, about 13.5 miles each way. Bought that jacket that day. Okay ride, kept it under 6,000RPM with a blip up to 7.5 once. It was fine.
Second ride today. Put maybe 20 more miles on it, which is nothing but I’m not used to it and it was hot so it was enough for me.
Since I’ve now read the manual and found that previous owner did the 300-mile oil change and the bike is now out of the break-in period, I got on it a little.
Compared with my 2001 R6 (sold years ago) this was a little scary. The R6’s power didn’t scare me, though its cornering consistently did. With this Honda, the cornering is very natural and un-scary but the power is something else entirely than the R6. Probably has something to do with the sprocket tooth difference from stock done by previous owner (-1/+2).
I’m getting better at handling the bike when it’s not under power, maneuvering it onto my porch, etc.
Today is Friday. I went to start my F4i Wednesday to take it to the Tax Collector’s office to apply for title, register it and pay that $500 or so in taxes and such.
It wouldn’t start. It about half turned over on the first try and then just clicking thereafter. Turns out the previous owner kept it on a Battery Tender Jr. all the time and the fella at the dealership that helps me said that’s liable to hurt the battery’s ability to hold a charge.
I bought a Battery Tender Jr. (12V 0.75A) the next day and charged the bike overnight. Today went to the Tax Collector’s office and did the things I intended. It went fine.
Here it is coming off the truck.
And here’s the gorgeous aftermarket tripleclamp.
The key arrived USPS. Signed for it minutes ago. Also received my Alpinestars Maze gloves (Large) today, UPS. I like them. They’re not gauntlet, but it’s hot down here!
That means it’s traveled about 1,300 miles from MT and has about 1,000 left to go. Nice.
Yes! Signed. Notarized.
I purchased a 2006 Honda F4i day before yesterday via ebaymotors.com. Shipping from another state.
Yesterday, after much research into the seller and due diligence — and hand wringing. And pacing. And late nights — I bought a 2006 Honda F4i motorcycle. This is my ideal bike. The only way I could be happier is if it was a 750 but Honda doesn’t sell one of those.
In addition to a large sum of money, I put $1000 of camera equipment in trade. I sold my D40 body, which was already for sale, my 18-200 VR fresh back from Nikon for an AF fix and working better than ever and my 50mm f/1.4. At this point, the only camera I can shoot with is my little Casio Exilim. I don’t regret the trade one bit. I’ll probably just pick up an 18-55 Nikkor for a hundred bucks and be back in business.
