Stopping by to say "Hi"
 

I haven't been around in a while. Just figured I would stop in and say hello and catch up.

Almost 2 years ago my life was uprooted by the loss of my job. Up until the last 6 months I was struggling, but not because I couldn't find work. I struggled to find a good employer and decent pay. Too many places want to treat Maintenance workers like they are third class citizens, and pay them accordingly. OR they expect them to do every job in the place, including their own, and then blame them when things don't go the way they hoped. In this time period I had worked for 3 companies before landing my current position

In the end it worked out for me as I saw a 52% pay increase over the job I lost that started it all, and I now work directly for the company that produces the machines I used to work on for my previous employer. The funniest part being I will now occasionally go there as a contracted technician :lmao:

I still have my Hawk and my big Viffer. Nothing new in the motorcycle world. I keep thinking of reasons to get rid of one or both a few times over the last couple of years. The Hawk in particular I keep wanting to replace with something else, but it is just so hard to get rid of. Simplifying it and doing the Motocult big bore cylinder and head have really made it hard to give it up.

Instead I have been on a health journey. I was diagnosed as diabetic right around the same time as I lost my job. I have since then put most of my time, energy, and focus on my own health, and have been working to be more active and outdoors. For both my physical and mental health.

Part of that journey lead me, unsurprisingly, back to bikes. This time in the form of e-bikes. It all started with my 2 stroke build I was sharing here. I rode that for a little bit, but they are so restricted on where you can take them that it was limiting, so I decided to get an ebike.

This has been my new journey, and it is REALLY fun.
https://i.ibb.co/rbmY99t/20240310-191726.jpg

It has been a boon to my cardio fitness, and yes it still does help with getting cardio as you can put it in lower assist modes or just turn it off. Even with assistance, just the rhythmic moving of major muscle groups is still enough to increase cardiac activity.

I also rediscovered my love for fishing and the water, and have been spending more time doing that as well.

Anyway, hope you all are doing well.

Hi. I still kick around the idea of electrifying my cruiser. At least it would be a reason to take it down. Alas, too busy buying RC airplanes at the moment.

You sound like me. I have many hobbies, but I usually put most of my resources into one at a time. I debated on building my first e-bike instead of buying one, but decided on something pre-built. The main reason was frame construction. Most e-bikes are more solidly built/durable than a normal bike frame as they are meant to handle the power and weight of the motorand battery.

That picture doesn't do the size of that bike justice (Heybike Explore). That seat is 36 inches high where I have it set and my handle bars with a 3 inch stem riser are almost 48. She is a big girl, which is why I bought it. It suits tall guys well.

Welcome back, Dan.

Congrats on the new gig. And as a fellow diabetic, and a Queen fan, "Get On Your Bike And Ride".

Welcome back Dan.

Glad to hear from ya.

The funny thing is, the new Gig is more or less the same as the old gig, but with 200% less stress, and 57% more money. Just shame everything else costs more now lol.

great to hear from you. glad things are going well for you. keep it up! ...and don't be a stranger!

Thanks guys.

I am sure I will be around a bit more. I have somewhat lost interest in my Hawk, and have considered selling it. Just get what I can get for it and pick up a 150 scooter of some sort, or I have toyed with selling both of my bikes and getting some new mid-range motorcycle (650cc-ish) to replace both. It's either that or I am going to pick up a new car this year sometime this summer if my plans go accordingly. My Nissan is becoming a 10 year old car with 10 year old car problems and is starting to need more and more work. I normally don't mind, but one grows tired of always having to repair a vehicle after a while.

My poor Hawk hasn't been used much since I got the KPX. I really haven't pushed to sell, but should now that the riding season has started here. I plan on start doing some long haul riding this year so I've been looking at getting either a Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager 1700 or a Can Am Spyder RT Limited. I test drove the Spyder a few weeks ago and really like it. I'm getting older and i think this would be the better long term solution for me, especially with a passenger. I'd be afraid of dropping a two wheeled bike with the wife on the back. By myself I would be ok. I'll probably trade the Vulcan S in on it and sell the Hawk.

The Vulcan S is really the perfect all around bike. Lots of fun factor and not over powered.

Glad to hear things are looking up. The maintenance sector is tuff. Seems like getting treated like a 2nd class citizen is almost a prerequisite. It really fuels an "us vs. them" relationship. I'm in it for my kids. All those folks that look down on me/us, and there are many, can rot in hell.

Also, the hobbies struggle is real. I keep adding more, but I don't seem to be thinning any from the herd.

It's good to hear from you Dan. And I'm glad you found a decent employer :tup:

I converted my ancient Stumpjumper Sport to a cross trainer. I can't believe it's 40 years old, but it's still easier on the knees than running and keeps my legs tuned up.

How about a 650 Suzuki Bergman??

As far as e-bikes go, that's one that appeals to me.


I'm still paying attention to the Hawk. Put a skid plate on it and bought the pipe, have yet to install. I think I finally understand what you guys mean when you say you use a soda can on the seams where they slip together. I'm guessing held in place on either side with a hose clamp? I got some nice exhaust pipe coupler thingies. The muffler side coupler simply doesn't fit. It's REAL close, but just won't comply. The mid-section seems like it might work, but man, they are bulky. Soda can seems simpler/leaner.


I plan to at least do the stage one kit, might go crazy and do the big bore.

I am still fairly heart set on a Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor. I just want a low rpm simple aircooled twin. Either that, or an MT03. They are about the same in performance. The MT03 actually fits me fairly well, but I do need lower pegs to ride the thing as the tank fairings lock my legs in place. I have to flare my legs out to use the shifter or brake lol. Plus, I can get into one cheap.

I don't want a big scooter like the Bergman. I just want to downsize from the VFR mainly. I love the thing, but it's so hard to enjoy without fear of catching a felony speeding charge because I sneezed and blipped the throttle.

I will keep the Hawk as a good fun/alt bike, even though there are many new Chinabikes I would love to have. I just have a connection to the Hawk.

Those are a couple of big bikes you are looking at Jerry. Looking to do some iron butt challenge style riding?

In particular, I am an electro-mechanical machine technician more than general maintenance. I can do basic maintenance stuff and have in the past, but my real skill set is very specialized. When I work in that field, I get treated much better, but as you can imagine it can be hard to get in the door at the good jobs, and that's because nobody leaves the good ones.