?

I got a message shortly after I posted previous blog. 

Fully equipped for adventure

YES, this is a Yamaha XT 600 E (for electric) and A (for 1990 model)

This was the only year for this particular model to be sold in Canada.  Many people have never seen one and are very curious when they do.  The USA on the other hand, had them for several years during the '90's and... Europe sold them for many a year.  They were the first 'Tenere' model and came in various guises to mimic the Paris to Dakar factory racers winning several P-D races.

Basically it is an air cooled 4V SOHC* screw type valve adjusters, with a dual carburetor YDIS** intake system.  The one imported to Canada were the final type which Yamaha sold in Canada going back to the mid 70's when they started with the first modern big bore four stroke TT 500.  There had been many changes over the years, formally ending with this one, in '90.  The early models were a pretty good dirt bike but the 90 saw the addition of an Electric leg and the deletion of the kick starter.

Typical trail riding

Lots of people have horror stories about "big singles" breaking legs on kick back, but to be honest, I never had any such instances.  Once turned over from compression, a swift kick would normally do it.  My AZ based XT 350 is a kick start model, but like many four strokes in them days, engines were equipped with either manual or automatic de-compresser, to make it easier.  Even after a years absence, I can normally start my 350 with 2-3 kicks and some times on the first one not counting the real first one that I softly push through to make certain it has not seized.  The key whether your bike is electric or manual starting, is to use stabilizer in the fuel and draining the float bowl, filling it with 'fresh' gas before attempting to still it.

Trevor and I with his kitted older  model veteran KLR somewhere in NB

Anyway getting back to Big Blue... it compares quite well with today's ADV (Adventure Bikes) of today. Interesting to see what the manufactures are building.  Big displacement ADV bikes and small ish) ADV bikes. 

Considering that my XT goes back to 1990, 29 years, and this was just one variation of this model among many Yamaha produced, I can imagine what an update of this type of bike would be like today. I can say this... keep it simple and affordable.

Another one that paid for it's tooling years ago.

Let's speculate shall we.

It's not unusual to sit on a larger displacement ADV with an engine of 1 L or larger, weighing in at 6-700 lbs without rider or passenger.

My kick start only XT 350, with proper gearing is very versatile. Cooler bag, soft saddle bags, these are my small ones. 

My humble XT has proper longer travel (around 9-10") and a relatively light weight (370 claimed lbs from the manual) completely full of fluids and nearly 10" ground clearance with a seat height of 33.7" which is just barely tip toe for moi.  At the rear is a 120/90-17 dual purpose tire while the front is a 90/90-21 on which I have 50/50 tires mounted. (my choice) as this bike has been off road lots in my lifetime.

Never know what you'll come across ADV riding!

The engine produces about 44 BHP give or take and with a 13 L fuel tank and 3.3 L oil in the dry sump oil frame tank, I can get about 230-250 km on the main tank, and around 40-60 km on the reserve.  It's not surprising to return 65-70 miles per CDN gallon. With a total fill-up to reserve time that can exceed several hours, much of which I am riding like an actual 'dirt bike' that's plenty of mileage for me.

For longer rides I use strap on soft bags and some type of tail bag.  I prefer easily and commonly available freezer bags that I can buy at WM cheap and with a couple of frozen bottles to keep my food cool make good sense.

I have a bolt on windshield that is common and cheap.  Takes the pressure on my chests, isn't prone to breaking if I fall over and easily removed if needed.

Aztec ruins... or Mayan? How about New Brunswick!

The 5 speed transmission is a bit of a handicap for longer rides but the 1 tooth over c/s sprocket at least lowers the vibes significantly when riding longer distances on pavement. 5 Gears in those days was common and perfectly acceptable. I typically cruise at about 100-110 kph if I'm faced with longer trips, on freeway type roads.  I prefer the back roads and often I am only traveling at 80 kph or 50 mph where the fuel mileage can occasionally tick near 75 mpg.

Given that the roots of this bike go back nearly 40 years, it works great and has actual highway and gnarly rocky up and down hills or maybe mud holes, capability.

"Really... it was this big!"

Makes me wonder what a modern version would be like.  What it wouldn't be as an overweight, over tall, overpriced pseudo dirt bike like were seeing now.


(even my Suzuki DL 650 when loaded with bags and passenger riding, weighs 600 or more lbs) 

I've traveled Baja in 1998 with my then G/F on an identical bike (wonder if she still has it?) doing much of it off pavement, I've ridden it in the Mohave desert, hauled them from Calgary AB to PEI in 2000 and rode the Cabot Trail among others, and of course the Rocky Mountains of western Canada.

Hopewell Rocks NB

By human standards this XT is about the same "age" as I... and if it keeps up like it has, we will grow into real old timers before it (or I) give it all up and head to that real adventure in the sky, the BIG one!



*single overhead cam
** Yamaha Dual Intake System composed of 1 1/2 carbs!

First ride of the season.

The Baja desert SW US, B.C. Rocky Mountains, Atlantic and much more veteran XT 600. 29 y.o and still a handsome dude. 

SPRING is right around the corner as they say...

Much of our snow cover which by the way began 5 months ago, is gone. There is a feeling a buzz in the air.  Our resident fox(s) have been more active in our yard and the Blue Jays are out in droves.

I took a few days last week to sweep much of the accumulated dirt from my garage and even though it wasn't into double digits as it had the day before, I decided to fire up the XT 600, Blue... and go for a neighborhood spin.  The pavement was wet in spots but there were no ice patches and I was extra careful.  It was chilly but this was really just a teaser.

This has been an awesome bike

Blue fired right up, (all my bikes on are chargers over the winter) and that deep bass thumper and it's 595cc piston, was music to my ears!  Each spring I turn into an (active) motorcyclist again and can't wait to begin the riding season, which in Canada and certainly on the east coast, is too short for my liking. 

Snow melt run off headed for the sea.

I'm actually headed to PHX shortly, and by the time I return, it will be full blown riding season.  Can't wait. 


The run off has swollen the little streams around my rural hood, but that should taper off over the next couple of weeks, if... we don't get plastered which often happens in mid March.

Even though our winter was long, it really wasn't hard.  Using the Cub Cadet blower and Big Bear mounted snow blade, there was no reason to call for help at any point.

That first ride is cold, but refreshing.

THE days are getting longer, daylight savings begun (kind of useless that) and although I did not, again, spend any time on the trials bike restorations or maintenance.  One of these days Alice, one of these days.

I'd much rather be biking.

I'll get some riding in while down south but mostly this trip is to kick start my "move" from the USofA.  Yup, you read that right.  I will be giving up my southwestern trips, other priorities are getting sharper, like Holly's family living in Seattle and as a grand dad, I have to make that a priority.

Maybe I'll have a bike on the west coast... ? Never know what the Dr will come up with next.

In any case, I am sooo looking forward to riding more around the Atlantic coast, there will be more blog and photos to see.

Bikes, and other such motorized items.

Had.

I was recently talking to Manfred, a German National I met in 2008 while transiting Albania.  You think I do adventures stuff.  Ha! Manfred and his friends would put me to shame.  Granted North America is vast by any standards except perhaps the Gobi desert or Siberia, but these guys both men and women, are the real adventure riders.  Always glad to catch up with those that are riding or simply interested in riding and or travel.

One of the most oft questions I get are: what do I ride?  Occasionally someone will ask if I actually own these bikes and what I own or have owned.

I'm going to work on that and do a post soon.  In fact I am headed to the USofA shortly and maybe will do it at that time. 

Stay tuned and remember, when the weather breaks into spring, there will be plenty of hazards on the road... gravel/sand, potholes, driver's that normally can't be bothered to activate their turn signal switch or some that are simply asleep behind the wheel.  Of course let's not forget riders that somehow during the winter hibernation have forgotten that they are responsible for their own safety.

Cheers f

Have.

Spring and another riding season, inches it's way closer.

No... I'm not riding a motorcycle!  It's a posted -31 with the wind chill according to Radio 103 "your Moncton Rock station," as I bypass the growing city on my way to Rothesay N.B. for a late winter visit.

High winds and blowing snow caused poor driving initially

It's been months since I was off the Island and once again on this trip, albeit while driving, I can't help but be impressed with the scenery of the Maritime provinces.  Living in the land of four seasons, the impact I felt driving from the bridge crossing over an ice filled strait, to forests to ancient mountains filled with semi frozen running streams to the little burgs you drive though on the way.

It's obvious to me that there is some prosperity accompanied by a positive buzz in contrast to when I last lived here in the '80's .  Can't quite put a finger on it but the evidence of construction, fewer For Sale signs, newer cars and trucks, lots of traffic in downtown Moncton and St John, the proliferation of funky bistro's, cafe's and of course the chain stores all point to something happn'!

Deer in the back yard Shipyard road

The highway was pretty good once I'd reached the outskirts of Shediac and got better after passing Magnetic Hill.

I drove the Caliber R/T that I bought from Lisa a few years ago, the same car I had found her to buy some years back while we all lived in Calgary, a city that sees winter and often the worst of it and of course sits on the cusp of the Rockies.  The variation in elevation among the city's streets was a natural match for the R/T's AWD system or perhaps vice versa!



I activated the cruise control function on a mostly sparse Trans Canada highway and while sitting comfortably in the right hand lane of the divided road, listening to some familiar music, I was reminiscing on my various bike rides already in this province, which btw, is the only official bi-lingual language province in Canada.

AWD performs well

Normally, when riding my SYM or the Thunderbird or the V Strom or one of my other bikes, the 300 km auto/drive inevitably turns into a 6 or 8 hour ride!

Yesterday, looks like I was lucky to make it across just in the nick of time

When I ride, I never commit to a specific ETA as I often take many of the minor back roads. I may leave the Island at 9 am... and not arrive until dark!

On this drive, I was happy to let the cruise function save me some back pain from keeping the speed via my right foot. It was toasty warm inside the cockpit and with so little traffic, I concentrated on the country-side and kept an eye out for animals, especially deer that inhabit every part of the province.

It was a very pleasant visit, the first off Island for me in months and I'm amazed at my pirate buddy* William, who I simply refer as 'Prince' and how he is growing.  He's almost three and every time I see him he's more talkative and certainly more active.  I am on the lookout for a used PW50, if  you have one and want to sell...

Yup high winds across the Strait, caused delays on the bridge

The Golden's are doing well, it's coming up on two years, and they seem to have adapted to their new life in the Maritimes, both working... found a good day care center a few km from home.  The Outlaws moved down from Windsor (ONT) area adding a couple more new 'immigrants' to the East!

Nice to know that spring officially at least, is a mere 3 weeks away.

I for one, can't wait.  I have plans...

 * ARRrrrrr maties...

Spring... she's a comin'.

Early this morning...

Yup, above ZERO and the fly's are venturing out

The thermometer is showing 4 degrees "above" zero.  Rivers are running off the high hills above us, down our pretty little valley, feeding into our little year round springs (could be why the community is named "Spring Valley") downhill to the pond, where the trout are growing up before they hit the fish ladder taking them down to Long River and the sea.

Our little all season springs

One way I can tell spring is springing... I start to drool at night, and my wrist is sore from the throttle twisting live action dreams that are beginning to kick start my year.

The little pond beginning to form before running to the sea.

Another way I can tell spring is near are the three cats.  During winter,"hibernation" is 23 hours a day!  As spring approaches they only sleep 22 or it feels like such.  They wake to demand food  at 6 am, 9 am, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm and again at 3 am! By mid summer they will only be sleeping 20 hours a day.

Starting on the bottom of the driveway just 2 days ago

Looking down from the CL rd.

I took the Polaris for a ride around the yard, pretty mushy but compared to dry grass only days ago with a foot of snow the warmer weather and lots of rain, have conspired to make the valleys a trap in case I get stuck, which can easily happen. haven't used it much, like motorcycling it requires appropriate clothing and even though I only use her around my hood on the fields and trails I'm familiar with and have permission to ride on.

Keeping the second driveway clear 2 days ago

Once again my winter project Trials bikes has gotten little more than a furtive glance but no work.  How in the heck would I managed to restore the 24 or so, vintage bikes I'd collected up in Calgary?

 Besides...

The Big Bear doing it's job, and well too!

 I am happy to look forward to doing what I didn't have time for 25 years ago,  exploring the locale on two wheels.  Of course once spring hits.

For now I will continue dreaming of throttle twisting adventures...

2 days ago snow, yesterday, rain... tomorrow ??

Don't use her much, maybe next year? 

Out of da blue!

I'VE often commented on the status of "friendship." This Blog is an element of that.

Before extricated from the back yard... 

Case in point... 

My younger daughter Lisa sends Dad a text this week.  Seems someone from Alberta has called and left a message looking for me.  The name is not important in the bigger picture but this gentleman is trying to track me down.

I was pretty sure I didn't owe any money nor did I think it was a long lost relative but pretty close as it turned out.

I called the number back asking for him by name and the voice on the other end says with a slight crackle... "Yes this is D."  I identified myself and he says, 'do you remember me?'

For the life of me, the name being quite common and of course I lived in Alberta most of my life, I could not picture who I was talking to.  He replies... "A few years ago I did a restoration on a bathtub in your main privy."

Bang... of course, I remembered.

We had a pleasant conversation centered not on bathtubs but rather old Honda's one in particular.  This occurred not a few years ago but more like 10 years past.

Given that when he did this job for me, I had several motorcycles (Brenda tells me there were 36 when she met me) he casually mentioned he likes bikes especially the pre UJM Japanese bikes, and of those he had a particularly soft spot for the late 60's early 70's Honda 450.

These were bikes I was riding regularly.

A little background here.  The Honda CB 450 was rather unique in many ways and if not a market leader, certainly pointed the new Japanese brands firmly into that direction. A DOHC* torsion bar valve system and for the day, a displacement giant.  Remember that before this bike appeared on the North American scene the sought after motorcycles were rather few.  A handful of Norton's, Harley's, and of course the mid sized twins from Triumph and BSA.

Anyway, D tells me he would like to do a customized CB 450 at some time, if... and this is a BIG if... he could find one.  I listened to his story going into detail, shortened seat, low bars, custom pipes wild paint etc.

Prior to him leaving my home that afternoon and keeping in mind that I did not know this person and I only met him that one time and briefly at that, I asked him to give me a hand out back on my overgrown RV parking pad.  Of course I had an ulterior motive...

My '72 XS2 650 Yamaha (since sold) and it's 1960's older brother. (Still own.)

There, next to my fence with shrubbery growing from between the spokes, stood a bike I had owned for years with similar ideas to his.  Considering I had about 2 dozen 'projects' on the go at the time including but not limited to various Yamaha's 2 stroke twins, a Victor 441, Honda Trail 90, and more... and with a potential move to the east coast in the offing, I introduced him to the bike growing from the weed's. Well, the other way round really.  His knees got wobbly, he began foaming at the corners of his mouth and his eyes became glazed over.  D looked like the starving dog that was salivating over a bone!  When asked me if I would part with the bike and what I wanted for it, I answered 'yes' and as for price... zero.  Nada. Semit.  Free... He nearly feinted. He thanked me profusely and promised to complete the project and yes... I would get a ride on the bike before I die (I hope)

A short while later if my memory serves, a book that I still own showed up at my back door.  He'd left me a hardcover book on the History of Japanese MC's, which I still have in my library.

Now keep in mind that he was there at my home in Calgary to do a reno job.  I didn't know him before and we have not kept in touch since... until this week.

So... to answer your questions... no he had not customized the Big Honda but he still had the bike and he still had plans to do so.

The phone call ended on our agreeing to keep in touch and more frequently this time round and I reminded D. that I was owed a ride.

So, getting back to the title of this blog... no matter how much distance, no matter how much time has past, no matter if you're black, white or purple... Motorcycles are like an invisible glue, and motorcycle enthusiasts are the same everywhere.

We do it because we love doing it.

Now (what the hell) Dave... get your ass in gear and customize this Honda.  Who know I may just want her back...

* Double overhead cam DOHC

PS How did Dave find me?  One of us had scribbled her number on the back of a business card, and he still had it after so many years.

After.  Game changer

Trials and tribulations... or something to that effect.

WOW... I've been riding motorcycles since I was a young lad of 13. 

That's 51 years if my math is reasonably correct.  This by itself is not unusual, many of the old guard have been in the saddle even longer.  What makes my years unique me thinks, is the variety of motorcycles I've ridden.  I've gone from the little bikes of the sixties all the way to the fully loaded purpose built touring bikes of the 80's and 90's.  In between, I've owned or have spent substantial time on virtually all types of riding in between. 

I've been involved with racing on paved tracks, ice and dirt, riding fast and riding slow.  I've traveled by bike when seeing another bike on a highway was a major event.  I first rode across Canada in 1975 the owner of w BMW 600 opposed twin, and since then I've ridden my various dual purpose bikes in Baja CA, the Mojave, the forest roads of British Columbia the Cabot Trail and dozens of other places. 

TY 175 2 Stroke 6 speed 

I've collected motorcycles, worked in the industry including my own shops, taught many new riders via the CSC courses in my past and currently own nearly 20 bikes, a snow mobile and an ATV. 

I've had scooters, old two strokes, big V twins, and a plethora of RD's, GSXR's, CBR's FZR's... singles, twins, triples, fours and even a six (1979 CBX)

When I look backward I just grin and smile while my mind reminisces of days gone by.

Sitting in my attached garage I currently have several machines waiting out the snow season but also houses two vintage trials bikes.  Over the years I've had several of these special and unusual varmints, never for hard core trialing or trail riding but just good old fashioned fun.

TL 125 SOHC 5 speed/Willy infinitely variable trans sleeps most of the day

On any given Sunday/weekend, you might find the Doc riding a Millvale back trail on my XT 225 or maybe cruising across the Island for an ice cream at Victoria by the sea on my SYM 300.  I might also fire up my TTR 125 and do some laps on my .7 km natural grass mini MX track in my front yard.  I may even be sitting on my work stool changing oil on the V Strom or XT 600.

Slim and light

The trials bikes sit patiently, waiting for my attention...

if they could talk they'd be saying; "Wonder if Frank will get around to us this year?" 

They are both 70's Japanese bikes, small in displacement but large in fun.  Of these two I have only ridden the Yamaha, the Honda was part of a trade deal and I simply have had little time to glance at it.  I only have so much time during a typical week.

I'm hoping I'll get to them before spring which by the way is less than 2 months away :)

One of these days... 

When I meet up with riders whether it be on the trail, the road or an Arizona desert... I feel I can relate to virtually all types of riders, men and women. 

Motorcycles have kept me sane when times were tough, relationships gone bad/bust, shortage of money, cloudy futures, often when I was asking myself... "where do I go from here...?"

Many times I did not have an answer but one thing I did have... was a bike to get me there, wherever there was.

Cheers f