KTM 950 SM

Ben Spies Method

I feel some of this coming on

What have I done ?

Best all rounder

Kenny Roberts Indy

Max Biaggi winning at Brno

OMC Three Bridge ride

Trying to keep up with a KTM 690 Motard

A day at the office

Cannery Row 2009 MotoGP weekend

Cannery Row 2009 MotoGP weekend Part 2

Why I stopped ridding dirt bikes

Whoa old blue

Auto garage opener for motorcycles

Richard gets a new bike KTM 990 adventure

Now I really hate him

Another of Daryl's bike

This may be somewhat trivial... but this is/was one of my favorite old scoots!
This was done when I was fifteen, all in metal shop!
My shop teacher was the best! Good ole' Collage Park High.
I cut everything off the frame that wasn't needed, including welding the pegs to the bottom loop.
I hand built the pipe....rolled the cones on an anvil with a rawhide mallet, 26 sections in all. One of the 1st snake pipes?
I painted the tank at one of sis's old boy friends body-shop. Hand machined the fork sliders (Ceriani front-end)
Webco head/24 mm Mikuni carb....Lookin' back the thing really hauled ass!!
Even made the side-stand in shop. Man...those were good days!
I only wished I could afford to race..... back then!
D.

Well buddy my hats off to ya because that looks like a sweet little Hodaka and my guess is you could ride like the wind standing up on the pegs and never sit down.

Haga Doubles

Could this be his year ?????

WHY O WHY !!!!!!!

Watch in HQ

Steve Rapp

Steve Rapp is a friend that I have watched come up though the ranks in AMA
He is a Daytona 200 winner !!!!!!!
He could have been a 2 time winner but his team mate at the time came in to the pits early and I believe that cost him the win.



This is his tire after 57 laps at The Daytona 200 in 2009 on a bike he had not ridden till a day before the race. This guy can ride. He rides hard and wants it more than most. He has my respect....

Getting Air

2006 YZFR1LE # 78 of 500 Yamaha

When I heard that Yamaha was going to produce a YZFR1LE made in limited numbers I had to have one. I've always liked R1's because they were the closest thing to a Ducati 916 in looks that a Japanese manufacturer made. I my opinion the Ducati 916 is the prettiest bike ever made although the 1198 Duc is very very nice too.

So I called my buddy Scott at Berkley Yamaha and told him to hold one for me but he wasn't sure what they were.

I get most my information from the Internet so when Yamaha said they were going to make the YZFR1LE dealers had no idea until days later and that's when I got the call "Oh you want one of those". It's a sweet bike and the great part is you don't see one everyday. I've won some tickets to some really hard to get in to MotoGP dinners with pics of the bike. Here's one and I hope to keep getting more.
I like this bike but it's a lot faster bike than I am a rider. I prefer twins. I loved my RC51 and my Superhawk because there easy to ride and you don't have be so perfect as with the R1. I don't think I've taken this bike anywhere near it's limits but it's a lot of fun anyway. I'm getting old. Only a few heydays left I'm affraid.

2008 KLR 650 Kawasaki

It's times like this I love riding motorcycles.

I don't do it enough but I'd like to spend more time doing some dual sport stuff. I work 6 days a week so it makes it a little tough but I have a new employee who may free up some time for me. I could sit on my KLR all day. It's the best KLR ever made and I've had 3 now. Better forks and spokes have made the biggest difference. 99% of my time is spent on the road so it now has street tires which allows me to rail on the turns.

If I could only have one bike this would be it.

Early 70's racing

Here's some early racing video from the 70's. Sears Point, Riverside and Laguna Seca.

Cold Tires

2004 ST1300 Honda

Yup SHE got me and what a chicken shit ticket that was so lets talk about the bike instead.

The Honda ST1300 is one of the best bikes I've owned. I knew the second I rode away from the dealer that I had made the right choice. It handles, it wheelies, it's comfy and it's not to slow. Those are the things I look for in a sport touring bike and this one fits me perfectly.

I've been all over California on it. Went for a week to Zion in Utah and The Grand Canyon. I'm keeping this one for awhile but here's the kicker. After 30,000 miles all I've done is change the oil every 5,000 miles whether it needs it or not. I've gone though a few sets of tires and still looking for the ones that stick like glue and last forever but this is a great bike that I'll put up against any bike out there.

2000 EX250 Kawasaki Ninja

Screamer !!!!!!

This is our little 250 Ninja. Now my wife may get a little upset if I said "OUR" but I really like this little screamer. Story goes like this.

Janeen was working on Matrix Movie when she saw Carrie-Ann Moss riding a Ducati and said I can do that.

At the time I was looking to buy a ZRX1200. I found one locally and bought it but we were trying to make a 2 bike deal and no one had a 250. It was Sears Point AMA Superbike weekend and off to the races I went. Janeen on the other hand got on the phone and started searching for a EX250.

I got the call while at the track that she had found one and was going to pick it up in the truck in South San Francisco. I left the track just before the 250GP race to meet her. It's the first time I saw her really excited about getting a motorcycle and it was a bike she really liked.

I really liked it too because you really had to ride it to make it work. That motor screams at 14,000 RPM. Fun bike but sold it to get her MP3 500 Piagio.

1975 Yamaha DT400

Rattle trap
This is another fine example of a old bike I should have never bought. Mine was cleaner than the bike shown but that didn't make it any better. Give me a four stroke any day. I'll suffer with a little extra weight. I traded it away for a chainsaw. The chainsaw rattled less.

Here's the clan of bikes 1985ish

1975 RD125 Yamaha

Can't tell you why I bought this bike other than it was in great condition with low miles and I had extra money to throw at it. Didn't ride it much didn't go very fast didn't handle very well but it was cute. That's the wrong reason to buy a bike. Pretty is as pretty does.

2000 RC51 Honda

I waited 6 months for this bike and I drove the dealer crazy calling everyday to see if it was in. Before it came in I saw it for the first time at the Motorcycle show in Santa Clara. It was up on a rotating pedestal about 6 feet in the air. As I was looking at it a guy with a Honda shirt said "Do you have one on order ?" and I said "Yes !!" he told me to climb up and sit on it so I did. The next thing you know a guy wearing another Honda shirt came over yelling to get down. Turns out the first guy just had the shirt but didn't work for Honda. As we walked away someone who had seen me up on it started to climb up too. They really need to let you sit on even the newest bikes.

Did a few trackdays and a few trips but at 50 years old sportbikes are hard to put 300 or 400 miles a day on. I guess I am getting old. So thats why I sold this bike to get a YZFR1LE ?????. Maybe I'm not to old yet.

Trackday and Photoshop

Now theres a match

2005 WR450 Yamaha

Dirt Bikes
I really like dirt bikes but they seem to hurt me more than street bikes. It's probably because I'm a better street rider than a dirt rider. I quit ridding dirt bikes after my knees got torn up and so for a good 15 years didn't ride them at all.
In 2005 I bought a WR450 and I got back into it but rode as carefully as I could. Took a few spills and tore up my wrist when a big rock jumped right in front of me.
That wasn't so bad but when I blew my knee out just throwing my leg over my KLR I knew it was time to get rid of it. I had some great rides up at Penny Pines my new favorite place to ride but the knee operation didn't go so well and the bike would have been sitting for 2 years now. I do miss it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmcjILu_BLQ

2002 SV650 Suzuki

My (Wife's) SV650 was a great little bike. I bought it after she had had her 250 Ninja for awhile to move her up to the next level
Only problem was it ran a little lean and pulling out of Pinky's parking lot it coughed as twins sometimes do and caught her off balance. It was a low speed fall over but she never got over it partially because there was a lot of motorcycle buddies around.
It's not if it's when. We all will fall-crash someday and if you think you won't your just kidding yourself.

1986 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard

I always said "If Harley Davidson builds a good bike I'll buy it" So in 1986 I bought a Electra Glide. I paid $7300 bucks and that was a fair chunk of change for a motorcycle back then. My buddies all thought I was crazy since I had mostly owned Japanese bikes up tell then.
They told me they rattle and parts fall off, they break down and they are slow and on and on.
I knew that 1984 was a change for Harley and the new Evo motor so I gave them 2 years to get it right and they did. I did everything I could to break this bike and when I sold it in 1990 for $9500 I said "This is the first time I've made money on a bike".
I went half way across the United States with Richard who was riding a GL1000. I left him in Yellowstone because I couldn't take him anymore LOL. I drove from there to Tahoe Flat Out in about 10 hours. The bike would only do 97 MPH unless you were going down hill you could get it to go faster and less if you were going up.
Great bike and I'd buy another if they weren't so overpriced but lets face it my ST 1300 will run circles around it but it lacks that cool factor. I guess I've got to find another way to be cool.

ATC 90/110

My brother got one of the first ATC 90's in town and proceeded to roll it down the hills at Parkmead school. Nearly making it to the top he looped it (he has a way with that) and down it rolled. Now if you have ever seen one of these things roll down a hill you know it's a spectacular thing. There mostly tires and balloon tires at that. When they roll they bounce and they can bounce pretty high if they build up enough speed. So here comes this thing rolling and bouncing and all you can do is run and hope it doesn't hit you. It was never the same after that but it wasn't the only time it happened and he wasn't the only one to do it..

Later they came out with a ATC 110 which I bought and just playing around again up at Stonyford we had just got there and I was sliding though a turn and hit a little V ditch. It flipped and I broke my collar bone.

Many years ago you could ride all over the Stonyford/St. Johns mountain area. Nothing was off limits like today and we stayed in a place called Pocket Camp on the North side of St. Johns mountain. It was about an hours ride in by truck but no one was around. With a broken collar bone all I could do is lay still for the next 3 days until it was time to go home because no one really wanted to leave and lets face it you don't do much for a broken collar bone.
First thing everyone says when they see three wheelers is "Those things are dangerous". I personally like three wheelers better than quads because you can throw them around a little easier but that's just me.

1985 ATC 250R Honda

These bikes were rocket ships



I rode them around up at Stonyford and remember roosting the corners and just plain having fun. Richard was with me sometimes and like always we gave each other a bad time about who was faster. I always won. He rode a ???? I forget because it was always behind me but man was he fast when I blew by him.

I took this unit out to my brothers just after buying it and he wanted to ride it. I told him to be careful but he hit the throttle and looped it when the thing had less than a few hours on it. He tweaked the steering head and it never rode the same. I hate crashed bikes. Even though they could be alright I always feel they are not and never feel comfortable again.

1988 CBR1000F Honda

This bike was one of those bikes that Honda had left over and sold cheap. I believe it was $3995 and for that price for a brand new 1000cc sportbike I couldn't pass it up. Loved the bike but it had some bad luck issues.

First one was a ride up to North Star in the Tahoe area. I had the bike parked in a lot for the condos we were staying at and when I came out in the morning someone had run into it from behind. They hit it so hard it knocked it into the car next to it. Then they stood it back up and left no note. Insurance kicked in and $2300 later it was fixed. I got a ticket driving it home from Tahoe and another taking it to the dealer to get it fixed.

Then driving down 680 a guy was tailgating me and to make a very long story short we got into a fight on the side of the freeway. I had to do a citizens arrest because the guy was drunker than a skunk. It was his second DUI. Our fight was broken up by a FBI agent that just happened to be passing by. The guy wanted to sue me but the judge sided with me and his attorney told him don't even go there.

After a few other little things like a recall that required they pull the engine apart. I decided to get rid of it. I traded it in on my 1990 VFR but while waiting for the VFR to get ready it fell over in the parking lot and broke everything that had just been fixed. Nice bike just bad vibes so I was glad to get rid of it

1972 TS250 Suzuki

Now I can't really say this was my bike because it was purchased by my sisters boyfriend but he kept it at our house and I would say I put more miles on it than he did. We lived next to Parkmead Elementary and ran it up and down the hills daily. He also had a 1947 Knucklehead chopper that was beautiful. One day while he was washing it I came screaming up the driveway in my brothers dune buggy and thought I'll scare him. I got real close than hit the brakes to skid up to him. Problem was he was washing the bike which meant there was soap and water on the ground. Needless to say I slid right up to his bike and the buggy landed on top of it. I thought I was dead. We picked up the buggies front end and lifted it off the bike and believe it or not it didn't really hurt it. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Showing off can back fire. Now if I could just put that lesson to use someday.

2000 Kawasaki KLR650

I HATE THIS BIKE !!!!!!

For years I've had bad knees and tried not to do the wrong things that blow them out. My buddy Mike calls one day and says "Lets get dual sports and do some rides" So on Craigs list there is a really nice KLR in the green color no one likes but me and the price is right so I bought it.
In the process of getting it ready, I had it all loaded up with bags and tail trunk. I threw my leg over it to get on and blew out my left knee. 2 years later that knee is still messed up. I had it operated on but it didn't go so well and this is my second operation on this knee. Needless to say I blame this bike but it's probably just bad genetics. Both parents have bad knees. Sold it soon after getting it and purchased a 2008 KLR.

2/1/2009 BMW ride

Rode with the Central California BMW group today. Nice day, Nice ride, Nice people

Suzuki RM125

I traded this bike for my trusty R5 Yamaha when I stopped road racing the first time. I took it to Stonyford once or twice but it really didn't have the ponies I liked and used it to practice wheelies on Hawthorne drive in Walnut Creek. I'm sure I drove the neighbors crazy one of which was my aunt and uncle. Never been a big two stroke fan but I do understand why people are. I like the thump of a 4 stroke single thank you and even today my favorite bikes have been twins and singles.

1989 Honda NX125

Surfin Craigs list I came across a NX125. It's a different little bike and I always liked the NX series they made a 250 and 650. This ad said 2k miles and $800 dollars. I was in Walnut Creek and it was in Antioch. I called the guy and told him I wanted it. He said "I just put it on Craigslist and have 3 guys coming to see it". I hopped on the ST and flew out there but on the way the traffic on Hwy 4 was really backed up. I split lanes and arrived at his house. It was still available and it was nice so I bought it. These bikes usually go for around $1500 in this nice of shape. I gave the guy $100 bucks to hold it and a car pulls up. "Is the bike still available ?" he says. "Nope this gentlemen just bought it" and with that the guy looks at me and said " You split lanes by me on the Highway". He was a little upset because he had been looking for one for years.

After I had had it for a couple years a young man from CC Fire came in the shop and saw it sitting in the Motor Shop and said " My dad had one just like that" It turned out to be his dad that I bought it from. Small world.

1992 Yamaha TDM 850

Story

I guy stops by the shop and as a lot of guys who see bikes parked in front of good old Walnut Creek Vacuum he came in to find out who owns all the different bikes that get parked out front over the years.

Then the conversation stems to "What kinda bikes do you have ?".

"Well", he says, "I have a ex 500 Kawasaki and a Yamaha TDM 850". "Tell me about the TDM". "Well it's nice with 6k miles". "How nice ?". " I'll bring it by"

So like a month later he shows up with what has to be the nicest TDM I have ever seen and wants "All the money" for it. DONE. Great bike to ride around on but once again it was a 15 year old bike when I got it and old bikes ride like old bikes. I kept it for 2 years and sold it for "All the money".

I have to keep telling myself don't buy old bikes. They cost to much to maintain and are only fun for a short period of time. Less is better. Quality over quantity. The really great bikes I keep for awhile and the so-so ones are gone in no time.

1972 Tomm Mark and John

I was a skinny kid at 15 1/2 and that hair was the style, look at my brother Mark. I rode my SL350 and Dad had his 1971 CB750 and Marks was a 1970 CB750 with extended front forks and those really cool pull back bars (NOT).

1998 Honda Superhawk

OK so here is my Superhawk. I went in to buy a TL1000 Suzuki and walked out with the Superhawk. I guess I'm just a Honda guy. TL was a better racer but the Superhawk better all round and thats more what I needed. I did get a chance to go to Laguna and do a trackday with friends but can't find any pics of that event. What I do have is a ride of myself and Mark who had just purchased a Sportster. We hit the mountains for a 2 day ride and stopped to pose next to Silver Lake.

I really enjoyed the bike but when 2 years later Honda came out with a RC51 it was gone to make room for the new kid in town.

1990 KLR 650

The stories this bike could tell are to many but the one that sticks in my mind is 100 miles on Mt. Diablo.

When was the last time you got to ride on the trails on Mt. Diablo and not worry about a Ranger.

It was the early 90's and we put on Horse Endurance rides on the mountain where you would have to complete 100 miles in 24 hours on a horse. My wife's company Sportack was a sponsor and I marked trails for years in my Toyota 4X4. One year it rained and they wouldn't let us on the trail for fear of tearing it up. We talked them into letting me ride my KLR (wasn't easy to convince them) and off I went. You can't imagine how much fun I had. Blasting down fire roads that were wet enough to get great traction but not so bad as to be bogged down in the mud. I probably did 200 miles just because I was having so much fun but then it happened.

I pulled up to a trail that I had never been down and a friend who wasn't a big motorcycle fan said "We should walk down and mark this one, not ride the bike". I said "Why". She said she didn't think a motorcycle could do it. "Do horses do it" I asked. She said "Yes" and that was enough for me and down the trail I went.

About 1/4 mile down I hit a switch back that couldn't be done. I had to lay the bike down and drag the bike into position to make the turn. OK, off again and about 200 feet there was another one, and then another and another. I drug this KLR so much it broke the side stand kill switch and now the bike wouldn't start. Time to push.

To keep it short I got out about 9PM that night and I was exhausted. Horses can bend in ways big bikes can't. If it would have been a little 125 it would have been fine but at 400lbs the KLR is not a tight trail bike. I think I was the last person to legally ride a motorcycle on the trails of Mt. Diablo but even if I wasn't it was one of the best times I've had.

Mike and The Bikes

So lets start with a stock RZ350 and go racing. Mike's RZ was looking good and like a Yamaha of all things but then give the young man some paint and...

The next thing you know it's a Honda. I guess Yamaha should have put up more sponsorship money............But wait......................... I guess Honda didn't do any better so on to Kawasaki. There going to pay big bucks to see this flagship rolling down the track...........

OK so maybe he set his sites a little high Can you say "Wonder Bread"

Well I'm not sure on this one but I think it might be a gay theme. It's Rainbow Mike Rainbow

Ethans leg takes a ride

1982 FT500 Ascot

When Honda came out with this bike I had to have one. Great commuter and fun in the twisties.
Richard had one too but his was red and the starter kept going bad.
"Hey Richard, Maybe you shouldn't have put that high compression piston in that bike". The starters were already overloaded.
One story I have with this bike was really about Richard and his FT500. We were at a stop light over in Pittsburg coming back from a ride. I think I was on my CX500 turbo. Just getting ready to leave the light before you go up and over Kirker Pass we both started racing our motors as if to drag race when the light turned green. When it turned green Richard took off and I pretended to but instead pulled away slowly. Once Richard saw that I didn't take off fast he stood it on the rear wheel and rode it though first and second gear. It was a nice wheelie. Only problem was right before the light turned green I noticed a cop two cars back. As the cop went flying by me with his lights blaring I was laughing so hard I just about wet my pants. I pulled off the road about a 1/4 mile up and waited for him.
He tried to tell the cop his throttle stuck but even I heard him blipping it as he rode the rear wheel. That ticket matched a couple others he had and I think he lost his licence for awhile. Always entertaining to ride with Richard.

Keith Code Superbike School

After not racing for a number of years we went to a California Superbike School with the old gang and a few new friends. I believe it was 1984 if my memory serves me. Eman, Tompinky, Mikey, Richard and myself. It's the main reason for getting RZ350's because we had a good time and thought "Let's do it again". At this point I could tell you the rest of the story but I don't want to sound arrogant, cocky and obnoxious so let me just say that one of us set the track record for the school at Sears Point and the rest of us didn't. Nuff said. LOL

I thank Mikey for this post. He sent some pics of him during this school which reminded me of these pics.

Peace out