Hit me up

I've just now realized that there seems to be a marked decline in the use of the phrase “hit me up.” At least in my circles, that is. I’ve never been one to keep up with the parlances of the times, but this phrase is too curious to ignore. Upon reading or hearing it, I’ve noticed myself subconsciously clenching hands into fists. Not because I find myself wanting to administer a swift uppercut to the jaw in response to this idiotic idiom. But because I want to give the requestor exactly what for he asks. This, incidentally, seems to be a swift uppercut to the jaw.

I believe in second chances.

Back in October of 2000, I needed a modern bike to replace my finicky (putting it mildly) Buell Lightning as a daily. I wanted an HD, but didn't have cash to step up to a Dyna. So I had the choice of buying a Sportster outright, or financing half of a base Dyna. I also didn’t have a garage at the time, so something too nice would just get weathered (or stolen). I went with the cash option, and took a brand new 2001 XLH883. Black with mags, no frills. Just how I wanted it. OK, I kind of wanted laced wheels, but at the time, you took what you could get. HDs were still selling over list, and mint late model used bikes (even Sportsters) sold at new prices. So long story short, I bought a new Sporster. And loved it. I'm not the type to go on weekend leisure rides. And on the occasion I do, it's on a classic. The Sporster was my commuter, and A to B mule. And fit the bill perfectly. I didn't do very much to the bike: I had a friend lay down some groovy retro flames. I lowered the front fender. I chopped off the left mirror head, bent the stem down closer to the grip, and put on a 2" x 4" Emgo clamp on head. I removed all decals, reflectors, right mirror, and turn signals. I cut down the stock seat, so you could see the frame rails. I punched out the stock mufflers (sounded really well, actually), added S/E airbox, and jetted accordingly. Basically, I wanted a bike that looked older, but was dependable for daily use. I did plenty of frantic kicking on my other rides. And the Sporster was just that. More than once I had people ask me what year it was. And the look of surprise when they found out it was still under warranty validated my efforts. Not that I do things of this nature for the approval (or disapproval) of others. But it was nice to know it wasn't all in my head. Fast forward two or three years later: Met a girl, got married, and moved out to the suburbs. Plan was to save every dime, and move to the next stage of life. So I found myself carpooling to work. And I had a small, one car garage. Condensation from the car led to pitting on the pipe shields. And the registration had long expired. Without thinking things through, I thought it was time to sell the bike. A co-worker had a son who was interested, and a deal was struck in August, 2005. Now, looking back, I see that I made decisions that didn't fit my lifestyle of two wheels. As opposed to the two wheels not fitting into my lifestyle, as I had then thought. Live and learn. Present time: I took a job even farther from home. And I'm not carpooling now. I also have a less efficient car. Gee, maybe I should think about another bike to daily? Well the 1968 Vespa Rally 180 I'm currently restoring is pretty quick, but it's not going to hang on the highway. And even if it did, 100 miles per day would mean I'd be wrenching all the time. Cash flow isn't great, so I have been scanning the local classifieds for a nice middleweight UJM. I love all bikes, and am not a brand snob. Anyway, this has gone on for months. Until last Monday, when I happened to see my former Sportster for sale. And at a pretty good price. I had to have it. And now I do. I paid almost $1,500 less than what I sold it for. It has a newer rear tire, and probably $2k in added accessories, mostly genuine HD. Funny that I never wanted chrome when I couldn't afford it. But now that it's on the bike, I dig it. I've got mega stuff going on, so I'm not going to reg it until the spring. I need to get all new riding gear anyhow, especially cold weather stuff. The bike itself needs a few things as well. It rides awesome, but I can't keep subjecting my neighbors to open drag pipes (although I kind of like them). It also needs a front tire, and the fuel line looks sketchy. So I'll do those, plus vacuum and oil lines for good measure. Plus some real mirrors (ones on there are too short), flush the brake fluid, fork fluid, primary/trans, and engine oil. And that's it, unless I need to rejet for the pipes. It came with the OG crossover head pipe, and the HD accessory baloney cut slip ons. I'll try those first before going back to stock. And the guy I bought it from rigged the wrong size battery, so a correct genuine HD AGM brick will go in at some point.

The car

I'm feeling lazy, unimaginative, and a little worn out. Rather than scrape for some half hearted words of wisdom, I'll followup with the last thread regarding the car. I did wind up buying a Duster, but not the one I posted about earlier. I'm pretty much regretting it. Not only is another car the last thing I need, I wound up getting one that needs paint and interior (sun damage). BUT, it's an original one owner 77,000 mile V8/auto Space Duster, with sport bench, and fold down rear seat. I told a few white lies, pulled some strings, and now have it registered in my name with the original issue California blue and yellow tags. This is insignificant except that I do not live in California, or anywhere near. I just thought it would be neat to drive the car with it's original tags (which need to be refinished, like the rest of the car).

So when the car gets here, I'll be DA'ing, and shooting self etching high build primer. Lots of blocking. And there is a dent in the DS front fender, and a small one in the lower RHS rear wheel arch that need some hammer love. No perf or bubbling, though. The car is completely solid. Not much to look at in it's present state, but the F8 Forest Green Poly will look real nice when done. Yeah, I had to decode the fender tag to figure out the exact color - it's that burnt. I'm picking up a set of '71, '72 Rallys tomorrow for the unbelievable price of $125 / 4 with centercaps (they usually go for $300-$400). I also lined up a spray booth I can borrow (friend of a friend, hope he likes cheap beer) for when it comes time to lay down the color.

Project Management and a car

I'm studying Project Management. It's an entry level lesson. I'll be taking the CompTIA Project+ eventually, which will be an IT focused PM cert. I'm pretty bored right now. Making Gantt charts is not my idea of a fun Saturday night.

What IS fun is the potential car purchase I'm trying to make:

I put in my offer, now the waiting. BTW, it's an all original Gold Duster, down to OE paint, and spotless interior. It's a lifetime SoCal car. A good 10 footer that with some TLC could really be something.

Back for another round

I've decided I rather like this Blogging (oh God, I can't believe I used the word "Blog").

I'm lost on the whole Social Networking thing. I gave it an earnest try about a year and a half ago. Perhaps the problem is not the system, but the way in which it is used: A bunch of lackeys who have nothing to say, yet insist on barraging me with the excruciating minutiae of their pedestrian existence. Of course I well know that should anyone be reading THIS journal, he or she would see me as the pot calling the kettle black. And to some degree that would be true. My life is boring. From the first breakfast beer of the day, until I jump into my Superman Underoos, my existence is contritely underwhelming. But I say to you: It's all in the delivery! You will never find a LOL, or IMO in my yarns. And for the inevitable spelling and grammatical errors, I apologize. At least I try. If there is one thing Hollywood has proven, it's that a good story is not needed to entertain. As I previously stated - "It's all in the delivery."

I'm doing this because I HAVE to.

At a time in my life relatively uneventful, I have been required to create a web log. It's a part of a CIW fundimentals certification curriculum. Why is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer sitting for the CIW Associate? It's a required part of my IT degree program at WGU. An easy 3 credit hours, as I passed the practice exam prior to ever cracking one of the 4 books that comprise the $3,500 CIW official course.

Anyhow, it seems as though I'm the only person I know without a web presence. Probably a good thing. While I don't predict this blog will outlast this course, I'm inviting those I know from real life, and the scooter and moped communities to follow along as I share things of interest to me.