8/31/2004 - Yesterday I rode to work, the ride in was uneventful... The ride home was eventful though. I took a street where there was ALOT of traffic... There was a guy in a mustang convertible in front of me who was VERY annoyed by my engine as he was trying to listen to his stereo. I hate to say it, but I found it amusing as my bike is actually pretty quiet for an American Made Motorcycle. The cars were barely moving, which gave me more experience in another kind of traffic. As I neared home I noticed the odometer was at 397 miles, so I opened the gate to the driveway, and then took off and circled around the neighborhood a couple of times. I found out why the street was so backed up that I'd come in on, a Honda had jumped into the median and hit a light pole (steel) and pretty much put the engine into the front seat of the car. The driver and passenger seemed unhurt, and a towtruck was busy taking up the street as they winched the car onto it. There were several police cars as well.. and the traffic was still bumper to bumper. The extra riding pushed me to 400 miles on the odometer as I pulled into the driveway for the end of the day.

This morning I had to be at work for 4:00 am to move some application changes to production, so I had to wake up at 3:00 am and I left the house at 3:30. The streets were empty. I only saw four cars, and a cargo truck. I also found that me and the bike don't weigh enough to trigger some of the stoplights. It was nice and cool at that hour. Since I was in so early my boss and our director told me to take off early since I was going to be coming up on the end of my day around 1:00 pm. I took the bike down Cantrell and over the river into North Little Rock, I saw the USS Razorback from the Broadway Bridge as I crossed over. I took Broadway in NLR out to my wife's work, dropped in for some water, and then headed back home. I saw the Razorback again from one of the river bridges, took Cantrell home, and went down some side streets (with nice curves). The ride to work, around town, and home put 33 more miles on the bike... I only have 67 miles left on my break-in period now!

My list of items I want is growing for the bike, so far the following are items I want or need (but can't afford at the moment):

• Windshield - Arrived.
  (Actually on Order, used up my Chrome Allowance on this for August but ordered it from www.sporttwin.com)
• Buell Toolkit
  (The bike didn't come with one like most bikes do, costs $60.00. I'd buy a generic kit, but don't know if the bike needs a Metric or Standard Toolkit)
• Tank Mask
  (Suburban Harley has the best deal on these for the Buell Blast at the moment)
• Front and Rear Axel Nut Covers
  (Again, Suburban Harley has the best deal at the moment)
• Drytech Liner
  
• Glove Liners
• Handlebar Clock - Chrome or a Clip - Ordered
• Eventually an additional set of bodywork for the bike (in Black)
  (so I can custom paint the stock set with Krylon Fusion paint..., but be able to go back to stock whenever I wanted to.)
• Also need to pick up some air and oil filters so I can do my own oil changes as needed.
• AMA Membership - Ordered
  (because want to protect my rights as a motorcyclist)
  

Stephen

8/29/2004 - Been a while since my last update. We completed our living room renovations, and my in-laws made it in last night from Czech. I took the Buell out today this morning for a little warm up ride so I could check the oil as the manual says to warm the bike up for at least 10 minutes before checking it. I was gone probably about 45 minutes, as I swung by Silvek's Bakery to pick up some European style pastry for breakfast. I got a german style struedel similar to what I've had in Czech before and put it in my saddlebags and rode back home. The oil level was at the lower end of the acceptable range, which to me said it could do with a little (just a smidgen) more of oil to put it dead center of the acceptable range.

Now I've read some VERY negative reviews of the Blast, roughly 10 of them in relation to the hundreds of happy Buell riders I've found online (including a Yahoo Group devoted to the Blast and Blast Riders, and readers at www.sporttwin.com. Some of these reviews were from people who genuinely seemed to have a lemon, and were very vocal about it... and some seemed to be from people who didn't break their bike in properly. Anyway, thanks to their reviews, and to the positive reviews of the Blast I wanted to make sure my bike is taken well care of so it takes good care of me.

As such I picked up some oil for the bike, got a HUGE funnel from Harbor Freight for $1.75 (I mean HUGE) and a screw on nozzle for the oil can with a cap and took the bike out for another ride.. Double-checked the oil level, and then poured in just enough oil to bring her up to dead center on the dipstick. My little Blast has about 380 miles now, I'm edging closer to breaking the 500 mile break-in period and being able to take her up past 55 mph.

I rode to work three days last week, all of which rain was predicted. I covered the bike each time with my $40.00 large motorcycle cover from SAMS Club, and it sprinkled once... but that was it for those three days. The other two days I had to drive the truck for reasons of needing to pick thing up after work (bummer). Anyway, I've been getting buffeted about a little from wind (noticing it more as I ride and I am comfortable enough to notice things like that now), and I know I'll need a windshield for this winter. I was thinking of the Memphis Shades Santa Cruz, or Vera Cruz windshields.. But I chickened out and bought the Buell Windshield after www.sporttwin.com had it for sale for $160.00, $40.00 off the dealer price locally, and $15.00 cheaper than the price of a Harley Dealer I found online (check out Suburban Harley, they have some good deals though below the MSRP for Buell parts).

Now all I need are the nut covers (snicker) for the front and rear axel nuts, and a tank bra and I'm set... Well, that and a liner for my jacket (Steve at Metric Bikes was supposed to order me one, but I haven't heard from him so I figure I'll swing by this week and say hello and find out if it came in. Also, if you're looking for aftermarket stuff for Buell motorcycles, check out americansportbike.com.

Anyway, That's about it for now.. Here's some pics of the bike with the Chase Harper bags on it...

One last thing, on my last ride to work on Friday... I was taking some roads through some neighborhoods near my work (trying to vary my speed on different roads by riding in different areas from 20 - 55 mph during the break in) and the speed limit was 25 - 35 mph in the area. At one point I had to cross over into the median to a stoplight to then make a left-hand turn to head down a street to my work. A schoolbus was in the median, with about 5 cars in line behind it. I was waiting for the bus to go when the bus driver opened the window, and as she motioned me to come on I noticed a Harley Davidson tattoo on her arm (cool). I came on over, waved at her, and then used the gap between the bus and the car behind her to go on my way. It worked out really well, and goes to show that being on two wheels pays off when other two-wheelers are around (either on their bikes, or not).

Oh, also, so far since I've had my bike, I've spent about $8.00 on gas.. Not bad compared to our cars which have a 25 - 30 mpg versus the bike at 70 mpg.

Anyway, I need to go to bed.

Stephen

Some Pictures Click each picture for a larger image in a new window
Another Side Shot, of how the bags look.	Another profile shot with the bags installed.	Detailed 3/4 view of the bags and straps. They have D-Rings on the top straps which are awesome for using locking bungee cords with.
Rear view showing how they appear from behind.	Front view showing how they appear from in front.	3/4 shot of the bike with the bags.

8/18/2004 - This will be another quick update. I'm worn out again. My mother-in-law and father-in-law will be visiting us in about a week and a half for a three week visit. As such alot of things have taken place. We have had new windows installed in our home, doublepane with argon gas and Low-e glass... and I have been working on renovating our formal living room. While the windows contractors were working last Saturday I ripped out the carpet in the room and threw it into their trailer because they said I could, and pulled up all of the staples and tack strips in the hallway and the room. The contractors were M & M Siding of Sherwood, AR. Very good guys, they pay alot of attention to detail when working on a job.

Anyway, I was going to refinish the floor, but time and the amount of stains on it won't allow for it... So I spent last night (I was up until 1:00 am this morning) spackling holes with this pink spackle that dries white (awesome stuff), cleaning our computer room and straightening it up (it was the only room we had to move furniture away from the windows during the installation and as such was a mess.. took three days to clean and straighten up and get most of the computer stuff hooked back up. I also caulked around all of the baseboards, and the crown molding.

I took today off from work, and sanded the spackle, took a load of stuff to Salvation Army as a donation, spent 2 hours at Home Depot buying paint and supplies for the job... and then came home and cleaned up the room with the vacuum, and primed the whole room (except the floor... that'll come later). That took from 10:00 - 5:00 with no breaks. After I ate dinner, and rested I started back up at 6:30 and worked until 9:00 painting the ceiling, and the crown molding with Ultra Hide White (contractor grade) Flat Latex from Glidden.

My plan is to paint the moldings around the windows, and doors tomorrow with a gloss white, and then paint the doors with the Ultra Hide. Then I'll paint the baseboards with gloss white. Friday I hope to paint the walls with the custom color we got, it's called Scarlet Velvet from Glidden, basically a deep pinkish red (very pretty) and in a flat finish to hide wall defects since we live in an old house (over 50 years old). Then I'll prime the floor on Saturday, and put down the first coat of a deep brown (similar to walnut wood in color) and recoat on Sunday. Then on Monday night hopefully I will be able to replace all of the electrical outlets, light switches. I also have wood carpet edging for the three places I need it that I can cut down to size.

That still leaves me needing to clean our bathroom, paint the window frame in it, and rehang the shower curtain.. and repaint the window frames in the guest bedroom and bath, and clean the kitchen. Argh.

Anyway, I have almost 300 miles on my bike, and have been riding it to work now for 2 1/2 weeks. I've filled it up at the gas station twice, both to the tune about $2.00 each time.. I'm getting 70 miles per gallon as Buell said the bike gets. I recede my Chase Harper saddlebags and used them on Monday and Tuesday for my ride to work, they're perfect... My only wish is that they were like a bag of holding or a portable hole and I could store HUGE items in them because I'd quit driving cars or trucks altogether. Speaking of that, driving SUCKS. I also look with envy at every biker on the road when I'm in a cage and wish I was riding myself.

Anyway, again, I am worn out.

Stephen

8/07/2004 - Quick update because I am very, very tired. I rode to work on Thursday and Friday of this last week. Thursday I was on the road at 7:30 am and traffic was not bad, nor was it a problem in the afternoon when I went home from work. On Friday I had to be in early because of production moves I had to make so I was out at 5:40 am, it was dark, the stars were out and it was very cool that morning temperaturewise. Traffic was very light, and it was my first riding in the dark I've ever done. I've been taking city streets as I have to stay below 55 mph until I get past the 500 mile break in period for my cycle. It's roughly 9 miles to and from work. A friend from work, Fred, stopped by on Saturday morning and I took him over to Rodney's where he got a NICE leather jacket with a zip out liner for riding (they gave him a good deal) and a bell (I bought for him). He rides a Honda Shadow 750 and it's a beautiful bike, he's added alot of chrome and really tricked the bike out. For luggage I have a fanny pack (leather) from Bennett's Military Surplus ($10.00!), and I wore a backpack (black and gray) when Fred and I went riding. We also swung by Metric Bikes, and drove out to Pinnacle mountain, 2 Rivers Park, etc... I've gotten somewhat accustomed to driving in medium to heavy traffic in the three weeks I've owned my bike. I'm progressing pretty well as a rider who had never ridden on streets until 3 weeks ago, and whose only motorized experience was a dirtbike when he was 10 - 12 years old! Anyway, I'm having fun, and now have 183 miles on my bike. I've got some saddlebags on order, they're Chase Harper Stealth Saddlebags from Motorcycle Accessories Warehouse. I also have a motorcycle cover on order from SAMS Club because on Thursday it rained for 20 minutes and if I'd had my bike covered it wouldn't need a wash this weekend and to have the seat treated. I need to get a toolkit from Buell, and some of the dress up accessories from Buell as well, I'll likely order these next month.

Anyway, I said this would be short. I'll make the items hyperlinks in the past posts that need to be and in this one tomorrow. I need to go to bed.

Stephen

8/02/2004 - Just wanted to post a few pictures of my Buell Blast with the black headlight bezel and new turn right turn signal fitted (the bezel is the one I repaired with JB Weld and painted with four coats of gloss black with wet sanding in between)... I haven't fitted the chrome bezel I ordered yet, don't know when or if I will for a while as the black one looks fine for the moment. I also found a CZ sticket my mother-in-law bought for Marie and I years ago, I guess she knew I'd buy a motorcycle someday. :-) I stuck it onto the license plate mount on the back to the left of the rear reflector below the licence plate.

Stephen