talked to a guy at a shop in California that modifies these bikes and was told to cut off the odd tooth to make them all look the same.
also, I used some epoxy to adhere the broken part on the clutch so things are all consistent. this should be only a temporary fix, but long term I think I want to replace it.
This morning I rode to work in my normal fashion. 5 minutes after I got there there was quite a downpour. I ran an errand a couple hours later and my bike wouldn't leave low gear. Later I find out my drive belt has been slipping. I find that there are some damaged parts on my clutch assembly. I wanted to completely disassemble it tonight and clean up the marred areas and try it tomorrow. Taking it apart without proper tools is a pain in the ass.
I've been to the local Honda dealer several times so they guys there have gotten to know me. I got a hand taking apart my bike and took what we think is the broken part home. Hopefully I can solve the problem and put my bike back together tomorrow. I don't have a plan b.
Here's the shirt I wore today. Go Warriors! I guess.
The guy who I hitched a ride home from shared with me some of the things that tend to happen to people when they move to the island. For starters, the island has whats called manu, spiritual power. When you first move here, its said that the island tests you, to see if you belong here. Yeah, I've been tested. Apparently you'll live a good life here on Kauai if you simply respect others and respect the place you live (the island itself). Ironically, I turned down a job with Verizon because I didn't want to make money selling stuff to people they don't need. In the same week my bike breaks. There is a reason for all this, right?
Over the weekend I worked on my bike a bit. Some parts came in from ebay and since I had Saturday and Sunday off (I work every other Saturday) I decided to install them. I now have led turn indicators and a homemade windscreen. I think I'm going to redo the windscreen, its kinda disproportionate. I have another piece, so it won't cost me anything. I have maybe 20 hours into the fabrications. I still need to put some resistors in line with the turn indicators (led lights don't draw enough power for the flasher relay to work) but everything looks pretty good. I installed two tail lights to make sure I am seen, and they are plenty bright. I also installed bar end mirrors. Its a fashion thing. My stock mirrors were kinda crusty and I like the profile of the bike without the mirrors in the way.
I looked at some bamboo sheets today to replace my battery box. A sheet is $38 and its 5 times more than what I need. Its really nice material, so I know I'll find a use for the rest. Now all I need is a way to get it home.
Saturday I discovered an amazing estate sale and bought a jig saw for $5. I'll be using it when I make the bamboo battery box. I tried really hard to find something else I could use. There were people every where buying stuff. A guy noticed some fishing poles just before I did unfortunately.
I got rained on for the second time on my way home. No big deal. Just a quick 1 minute downpour and then nothing. Three times. I can't wait for the rainy season. I have my rain gear (zip lock bag). And I have a dry bag with a spare change of clothes on me all the time.
The windscreen I installed helps a lot with my average speed. My top speed is still 47, but I'm now going several mph faster when there's a headwind or when I'm climbing a hill. Acceleration is better as well. When I first rode the Ruckus before I tuned the carb, it took me 40 something minutes to go to Kapa'a. I now do it in 25. Bitchin.
I'm selling my brand new bicycle. I'm just not using it. I have $25o into the bike w/ all the accessories and I'm trying to get $200. Its a good deal for me, to have cost only $50 to get to this point using the bike is great. I'm actually trying to trade it for another surfboard, but nobody is biting on that idea.
Time for dinner and I'm tired of what I have to eat. If I go to the store I'll wind up with a $15-$20 meal (with leftovers so maybe 3 meals) and I'm really trying to keep my spending down. I can get cheaper food in Kapa'a, but it takes planning and I'm an impulsive eater
Things have started to mellow down a bit for me. I work six days a week, 5 hours a day. Its not bad. My commute to work has been 30 minutes minimum. If there's traffic, I have to slow down to get them to pass. I'm so considerate. Yesterday I replaced some parts on my Ruckus and I now go 5-10 miles an hour faster! Now I'm no loner going 28 up the worst hills, I'm going 33! Down hills I top out at about 50 where 40mph was top speed. 50 is FAST on this bike. If I decide I want to go any faster I'll have to strengthen the frame first.
I think my next step is toward aerodynamics. When I tuck in I go about 1-2mph faster. If I lower the seat (which seems real popular and I thought it was for looks) and put up a windscreen, my acceleration and average speed will increase substantially. I'm concerned about where I'm going to put my long legs if I lower the seat. to be continued...
After I installed these parts I decided to go for a victory lap up to Haena Point. The ride from Hanalei to Haena is great. I could feel the spray of the ocean on my face at some points. I can't wait to go surfing at Tunnels (on the way to Haena). I think it'll be a lot of fun.
I used to get a kick out of dates with repeating numbers. I only got to write/type yesterday once. Wait till next year! (11/11/11, oooh...)
Anyway
The second day of the Homegrown Festival was neat. Not as rockin, mostly due to the fact that there's some sourpuss neighbors that don't have ear plugs or a way to leave the house for a couple hours. Chris Berry is freakin crazy groovin with his thumb piano. His life is outstanding as well check out www.panjeamusic.com and scope his bio. Burning Bush is a cool local reggae band that I gotta see when the cops aren't at the entrance to where I'm listening (puff puff pass). Iris and the Feel I gotta see when she's aloud to really throw down. She was told to keep it quiet so we didn't all have to go home early. Dove Presents, the promotion company (run by a dude named Dove believe it or not), put on a really great weekend. Totally cool people. There's this guy, Swamp Daddy (aka Kevin) who was the MC, was pretty good with a harmonica and had his Krazy Chili there. 12 peppers, and nicely spicy. He had a great twist on what I'm used to as a sausage dog (Hawaiian style link w/ spicy bbq sauce). I ran into this girl Adrian, who I met at the Kilauea Bakery, and she introduced me to this crazy physicist. I may work for him. He charges water so the molecules are all aligned. Yeah.
Today I had off thanks to Chris Colombus. I think we should get rid of Colombus Day and have two days off for Thanksgiving as a trade. Or maybe Valentines Day, or maybe your birthday should be a national holiday. Think about it, the government tells you that your birthday should be your own personal, official holiday. Bitchin!
Went surfing today again at Waicocos. Same kinda weird waves as last time. No agro Hawaiians. Got some pretty sick waves though. I fell right in front of this really hot surfer chick. Damn me and my clumsiness. Wave etiquette requires whoever goes after a wave closest to the peak gets the wave. This chick started WAAY after me, closer to the peak. But I fell. My wave or hers according to etiquette?
Since I changed my spark plug and fuel filter, I think my bike runs much better now. I think it does, and thats all that matters for $12. I've decided I'm going to remove my battery box (the camo part on the front of a Ruckus) and repair it. Then I'm going to have a local artist paint a Hawaiian landscape on it. I want to have the work done by trade. Thats real popular I here.
I've done a lot of interesting other things than my prescribed dishwashing and food prep at work. I've taken my boss shopping (Costco, AT&T, Macy's for kitchen supplies and SHOES!), tomorrow I'll be cleaning the inside of her car, and I've also scoped out new places for obtaining ingredients. I need a challenge all the time.
I think thats why I love surfing. Its not just the rush, harnessing the natural power of a wave, its the constant challenge to be in exactly the right place and maneuver yourself to get the most out of the wave. Surfing in Florida 95% of the time was no longer a challenge. Today it took me 30 minutes to figure out the break in order to get good rides. Good fun I had I tell yah.
I watched this video of tow surfing at Jaws on Maui. HOLY SHIT! Harnessing the power of a wave at a new level. I'm impressed, but I don't like it. Its like using a vibrator while fucking. There's still the natural experience, but there's this machine buzzing, polluting the connection between you and your experience with her (girl or ma ocean). Big difference is surfing is all for you, and sex is a two way street (well, at least sometimes....in theory....for some).
This weekend is Kauai's Homegrown Festival. Ken Emerson with his Slack Key Guitar, Sashamon, Donnovan Frankenriter, The Yes Men, Skunk Dog, Animal Dream, Kapaia Stream were all awesome. Today there's going to be plenty more. Its so cool that I get to go to a music festival of all the best local bands. At the festival, which is on a farm, I got to park my Ruckus on the farm and not on the side of the road. What a treat. The set up was wonderful, a hillside was carved into a crude amphitheater with a landscaped stage. The whole setting was very earthy and chill. I met so many people and really got a nice local vibe from going. AND I get to do it again today! It starts at noon, and is only a 10 minute scooter ride away!
How 'bout those Cocks! All hail Steve Spurrier!
I replaced my fuel filter, air filter and spark plug. The bike runs a bit better. I have a new belt and some parts to manipulate the CVT on order. They'll be here Tuesday I bet. Can't wait!
Work is starting to get routine. I think I know more about running a restaurant that what I give myself credit. But I'm a dishwasher/prep cook.
I've gone out to go surf twice without there being waves. Finding the right break depending on swell direction is difficult. Friday I went to find "Middles" per Jim's recommendation. Middles was tiny, but Waicocos was pretty nice. Met come cool guys on the water (two of them play for Kapaia Stream I later find) and after they left an agro Hawaiian wanted to do gay things with his surf board to me. I don't feel threatened. I wonder how long it'll take before someone tries to start a fist fight with me. No worries, its hard to throw a punch on a surf board.
Time for some lunch before I go soak up some more local grooves.
I bought a board today. $50 at the Hanalei board swap. First Saturday of every month. I'll be there every month until I have every type of board I need. At $50 a piece, I can have 12 boards for the price of my last one! Rode the Ruckus to Hanalei. I was rather concerned that I'd get a lot of unfriendly drivers but it wasn't so bad. I had to put my board under my butt and ride "Bali style" (minus the bungee) in order to get it home. I went to the Princeville hardware store to get supplies to make a rack. $60 for pvc and accessories. not happenin. I bought a manufactured one for $100 on craigslist since i got my board so cheap n all.
I painted for my roommate (who is remodeling for a friend) for 16 hours this week. It was really nice having that extra cash. It was also really nice of Jim to have me help.
I really like my Ruckus. I don't think I'll ever own a car again. I just need to spend about $200 on upgrades so that I don't go 28 mph up hills and my stuff doesn't get wet when I ride in the rain. A new battery box would be nice (the front part that's camo) but they're expensive. Mine's cracked. I think I'll do some ghetto fabulous repair. Either that or remove it and make one out of something that doesn't belong on a motorcycle.
I applied to work for Common Ground to be their Events Manager. I really hope I get it. I spent 20 hours on my resume and cover letter to get this job. www.commongroundkauai.net if you're interested. You should be if you're not so click the link and start your own commonground(your hometown here).net!
