Ode to the daily driver - Return of the Honda.

After much too long an absence, my trusty "Vigor" is back in daily driver action:

This bike has been well looked after by my dad while I was unable to use it, and is in better shape than when I left it!

For starters, there are new tires, the same as were fitted back in 2015, which gave good performance. An oil and filter change, new brake pads, all contribute to breathing new life into a workhorse of a machine, that has covered a truly impressive mileage over the years.

There is a lot to like about this motorcycle, a lot I have come to appreciate and, looking back, it has done remarkable things and proved to be very strong: the very first trip to Corsica, the very first Stealth Trip, the CMT3, and countless trips within the hellhole that is Rome and surrounding territory.

This may not be the prettiest or fastest or most sought after bike there is, but it is a reminder that even the most humble motorcycle is still infinitely better than the best car in the world.

The nocturnality of motorcycles - 8

The nocturnality of motorcycles - 5

the Campotosto Mystic Trip 3 - "the belly of the whale"

Down and dirty, just one night into the belly of the whale, to seek Truth and emerge renewed.

You cannot hold onto the knowledge you gain, just know that you have known.

By the end of the first day, when you settle into your tent surrounded by the white noise of the Eternal Cosmic Cymbal, the tent is no longer just a tent, it is the Lotus, where upon its one thousand petals do you rest to contemplate each one as a different world and see yourself be all that you can be, and do all that you can do. You might even see yourself on a totally different motorcycle!

I am grateful beyond words for us to have been able to go on this trip, it was a welcome return to the best possible way to go motocamping; or to paraphrase the Avestan "Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta", good motorcycles, good roads, good friends.

I took the Honda this time, because I really wanted to. I wanted to fit everything I needed in the aluminum top case, and I did. I wanted to swap the handlebar for a braced one, and I did. I wanted to see how it would actually ride with all the little things I've done to it: the Dynojet kit, the new exhaust headers, the larger gearbox sprocket, and the wider handlebar.
And I did: it is one hell of a fun ride, very lithe, very easy and only limited if compared to the big bavarian twins. I am sure that a group of four RFVC monobackbone Hondas would be a very, very fun thing to do...

If you want to experience the boundless mysticism of this event, and the altered state of consciousness that comes from shedding our linear understanding of time and embracing new dimensions, then join us next year when we return to the mountain, the lake, the forest and the temple.

You meet the nicest people on a Honda...

The nocturnality of motorcycles

Rugged, part 2.

You may remember the aluminium panniers we got for our R100GS a while back. Marco and Witold also have them on their Beemers and we're all very impressed with the quality and durability of these. We've all gone for slightly different options, so no two sets are alike.

What's in that cardboard box then? Well, I got a very small refund from my previous Sportster's third party insurance, back when it was stolen, and at first I thought I'd just put it towards the Honda's insurance, but then I thought "you know what, screw it":

While I normally detest plastic top boxes (particularly ubiquitous on those two-wheeled automobiles called scooters), I do like this one because it's a custom-made aluminium case, made to measure so all of this can fit in it:

That's the complete tent, sleeping bag and self-inflating pad, plus a small bag for a change of clothes and a few necessities - all you need for a motocamping weekend.

Fitting it to the Honda was straightforward, using the bike's carrier plate (which was an absolutely perfect fit) and existing attachment points, I just marked some reference points, drilled through and bolted everything down using a few washers under the bolt heads. I'll probably revisit this at some point and include some spacers for extra sturdiness.

While I admit it does seem a bit weird, I wouldn't say it's disproportionate: the wide-angle lens makes it look far bigger than it actually is. I don't mind the way it looks, it can be removed with a singe tool in a matter of minutes and allows me to carry what I need with no hassle.

The thing that most surprised me is how well it fits on the bike: it "slots" in on the carrier plate at the front, doesn't extend beyond the rear edge of the plate, doesn't make the bike any wider, and the height of it is very nicely proportionate to the rest of the box, and the bike. After all, this Honda is a very narrow, small motorcycle.

There is also a bracket to carry a 2lt. jerry can, always useful whether it be engine oil or petrol (or, motor oil or gas...).

However, there was one small defect, possibly due to the parcel being banged around during transport, two cracks on one side, which dad had welded up by a local shop in Aprilia, who did an excellent job:

Of gold, a bar.

Look!

I bought a universal braced handlebar and had it re-sprayed gold by a professional bodyshop: the finish is phenomenally good:

The idea for this is to go on the Honda; I'm still very conflicted over what to do with that bike, keep it as is, or tear into it and modify it...
Either way, I think this will look great.

A note on fuel consumption.

When I originally fitted the Dynojet kit to my Honda, I made a mistake with the needle, which meant that fuel consumption was horrendously high.

In general, I had thought that the increased performance from the stage 1 upgrade (carburetter and exhaust pipes) would come at a cost in terms of fuel consumption; after all, as Witold says "horses like to drink!".

That said, I am pleased to report that the Honda is returning excellent mpg readings (perhaps because of more efficient carburation and the larger gearbox sprocket): measured in terms of range, I can go about 120 miles before hitting reserve, with a further 25 miles before refuelling. Not bad...

Aaaah.... freshhh.

No, I did not buy a brand new Honda, I just washed mine. What a difference huh? Man that thing was filthy, poor bike!

The fantastic weather we enjoyed on republic day made for the perfect time to finally look after this bike. I went over it with a brush and solvent for the more stubborn dirt, then gave it a... vigorous wash (see what I did there?), and used CRC 6-66 marine spray on all locks and electrical connectors.
I also, finally, got around to making a simple bracket to mount the original small heat shield on the new exhaust headers. The material I had was not really the best so it will probably break sooner rather than later, but at least I know how to make another just as soon as I get some sturdier metal.
Still, I am digging the way it looks now, I'm very happy with it!

More photos from the stealth trip.

With absolutely perfect weather for riding and camping out, this turned out to be a very enjoyable outing.