Saturday, December 20, 2008

BBQ Oysters... yeah!


BBQ Oysters... yeah!, originally uploaded by achung_123.

Yip. This is LIFE! Good ride, good day, good view, and good food!

TIme to take a pict with my bike

It has been a while since I took picture with my beloved Sport 1000. Few things were added during last few months - added new set of mirrors, replaced the slave cylinder, and finally got the 6K service done. The bike is still a bit 'cold blooded' even after the service. Very easy to stall in cold weather when it comes to stop. I think I need a pro to tune the ECU soon.

That's me...


That's me..., originally uploaded by achung_123.

It was a cold but sunny morning. About 36F in the morning. I waited a bit before I head out. Temp had come up a bit to something like 45F; but in the valley areas still feel like 35F even at noon time. I need to recharge myself under the sun from time to time before I freeze myself on the bike.

This road surface is like a dream!

Wow... seriosuly, this section of HW1 is the next best thing beside track. The road is smooth, no creak, no dirt, no rock, and the best, no traffic! It is not a bording stright run - in fact, I classify this as twisty - not as twisty as Redwood Road, but there are many shape turns. It road is mirror smooth, which allow me to lean low. I am no knee dragger - but I can get pretty low with this kind of close to perfect road condition.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Installed new Ducati Performance bar-end mirrors


Installed new mirror, originally uploaded by achung_123.

The only mirrors that I think will fit will into Sport Classic is actually made by Ducati performance. Both are very nicely made, and it fit perfectly into the stock handle bars. So far the only complain is the size - they are a bit small. I guess it will take me some to get used to. Will post review soon!

old stock mirror


old stock mirror, originally uploaded by achung_123.

Still a nice set of mirror - far far better than the after market one. The vision is wide and clean. BUT - just a bit too big in my taste. I looked into other kind of bar end mirrors like CRG's one. But the design doesn't fit well - after all this is a classic, not a Monster.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Solo ride @ Redwood Road - 1 - enter the curve

Thanks to an unknown photographer! He took my picts while I was riding along Redwood on Sunday morning - I was heading for a group ride. I was lucky enough to find my picts online. Thanks again! I wanted an action picts for long time!

Solo ride @ Redwood Road - 2 - closing to apex

Well... could be closer to apex. My leaning angle is not low enough too probably due to the fact that my speed wasn't high enough. But again, in a twisty like Redwood, anything could happen... slow down a bit won't hurt.

Solo ride @ Redwood Road - 3 - reach apex

Again, could be closer and lower... still a lot to learn.

Solo ride @ Redwood Road - 4 - exit the curve

Time to speed up and exit the curve. My butt could be slide out more - but I got chicken out every time I try to do that...

Once again, thanks to the unknown photographer!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008


Summer is close to the end, and the daylight is getting shorter each day. My weekly ride is getting darker each time - not sure I can attend this usual meet as much as I wanted. I am ride in the dark no problem; but the fact of the matter is if you can avoid it, do it. The road condition only get worse at night ( harder to see holes or oil spots on the street; hard for other driver spot my bike), especially at high speed. Not even mention the worry-wife at home. So... I guess I will cut back slowly. Already made up my mind that won't attend the meet next week (no Japan food for me :X ). But again - hopefully I can resist the temptation of riding... wish me luck :D

Wednesday, August 27, 2008








Another nice group ride. These weekday group rides seems working out OK - the ride is not too long; but just a quick gathering with friends. A lot of lough over the dining table - it is really fun. Man, even though we meet only once a week, we eat quite a bit - I begin to worry that my new leather jacket brake-in period will get longer and longer since I keep 'growing'!!!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Picture day!




Today is the first time I took riding shots since I started to ride. The weather was perfect and the road was nice. Had a very good time with some of my riding friends. 

 

Friday, August 22, 2008

Gear up and get ready for actions!

As always, full gear is highly recommended - to me it is needed. Just upgrade myself to a new pair of Dainese Delta perforated leather pants. Very comfortable and nicely vented. Use to have Redline leather leather pants from Shift. Work well too; but it doesn't zip to my Dainese jacket, and it is not is thick and well made as Delta pants. Cost is the only down side - believe it or not, it costs more than my Dainese leather jacket (I got it on sale from SF D-store - very nice store BTW). This is basically a 2 piece suite - I zip them up during ride - yes, my fat butt is finally fully covered. Priceless.

The next 2 things I need to upgrade is my boots and glove. There is nothing wrong with the one I have now - it is just hard to resist nice protective leather products out there... stay tune!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Motorcycle update


Motorcycle update 2, originally uploaded by achung_123.

This is another view after the clutch modification.

Modification take 2 - New pressure plate and clutch cover


Pressure plate close-up, originally uploaded by achung_123.

OK...this is a easy one. The new CNC aluminum vented pressure plate not only much lighter than the stock one, it looks much better too. I also replace the stock steel springs with new titanium springs and aluminum collars. CycleCat 3 piece clutch covers work really well with the black engine case. I am very happy with this mod so far!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Group ride meet





This is one of the typical weekday group ride meet. We usually meet up at 'the Wall'. See the stone wall in the picture? That's 'the Wall'. Used to be a complete wall that goes round the bend back in 70's. There are only 2 pieces left, and both lean toward the cliff in about 20 degree. It has been a poplar stop for all the local riders for decades. You can find all kind of bikes there - provided both the rider and the motorcycle make it through the twisty Grizzly Peak in one piece. People may look mean and crazy over the Wall; but they are all nice folks believe it or not. 

Me with my sport classic 1000


Me with my Classic sport 1000, originally uploaded by achung_123.

That's the very first photo with the new lady - on the very first group ride too!

Finally took her out for a spin!

The time has come - finally have time to bring the new lady out. Just her and myself in the mountain. No tiwsty yet - you know, can't be too rough to the new lady! :P

Modification - take 1

Since by the time I bought her home (yeah, she is a girl btw - Very hot one FYI), there are few major things has already been upgraded. There are still a few things that I would love to get it done in my way. Some of them are easy projects, and I need a pro to help me on some of upgrade . Let's start from the easiest one - chop the tail. ALL DUCATI NEEDS TAIL CHOP IMO. Luckily S1K is very to work with. I finished everything within 2 hrs. Not only It looks a lot nicer and cleaner than before - must important thing is cut off some weight. I believe I saved at least 5lb from the stainless steel tail assembly!

BTY, I also painted the signals into mat-black too. Really not sure I can take the chrome too much...

Close up tank view


Tank close-up, originally uploaded by achung_123.

Termignoni system


New baby! Love it!, originally uploaded by achung_123.

Full Termignoni system - it sounds super deep!

Other view...


My new baby!, originally uploaded by achung_123.

Mono shock on the left...

My new love - Ducati Classic Sport 1000

It has been a while since I update any blog. While I wasn’t writing, I was being with my family – and riding too. Two year so far and counting – I love every single bit of it.

So how I end up from the beloved Monster 620ie in to Classic Sport 1000? I fell in love with SP1K’s design since the first time I saw it. It has a strong 70’s cafĂ© racer style design with the latest technology that Ducati can offer. I test ride once while ago during the opening day of Eastbay Ace Motor Sport – I was hoping the test ride could last forever. Due to the budget and riding experience reason, I put off the idea of switching for many times. Until one day – I bought my Monster to service in Nichols (BTW, the best place for Ducati service IMO) and speaking with Mike about how much I love Sport Classic; he mentioned to me that he knew a guy wanted to sell. At that moment, I wasn’t really plan to upgrade at all – but WTH, tell me more about it - I said to Mike. So… found out that it was a track bike belonged to one of the local racer. The bike has seen the track for twice so far, and there were many and expensive upgrade on the bike – things like Ohlin’s front forks and single rear shock and full exhaust system by Termignoni with ECU upgrade. The best part is it is a 2006 model – that was the only year that offered single sided exhaust on the right & shock on the left and original Ducati classic dry clutch. So… after taking to my real boss at home – I bought the lady back home two weeks later. Check it out:


Front close-up, originally uploaded by achung_123.



In some odd way, I still can’t believe that my dream bike is sitting in my garage… :D