Motorcycle Close-up

Motorcycle Close-up, originally uploaded by achung_123.

It is alway fun to pay extra attention to details...especially on italian motorcycles.

Redwood run

Weekday Redwood run, originally uploaded by achung_123.

The road was clean but a bit wet from last night fog. It was a nice and easy ride. Redwood road remains to be one of my favorite local twistie - feeling so lucky to many nice roads around Bay Area.

Soul of my Ducati

Ducati, originally uploaded by achung_123.

After re-adjusting the pin, now the clutch lever works VERY WELL. No more odd sound from the clutch (I did pull everything out yesterday to clean each clutch plates for the first time make sure everything is OK). The function zone still typical-Ducati-norrow; but this is the first time I able to 'feel' what the clutch trying to tell me all along...

Not every bike has a soul; but I am sure my Ducati has one =)

Perfect pavement!

Perfect pavement!, originally uploaded by achung_123.

Along HW1 over Tomales Bay - this stretch of HW1 probably has the best pavement over the entire Bay Area!

Today also was the first time I brought my DSLR along to take some higher quality pictures. The same problem still remains - DSLR is just too big and too heavy to carry around. With my heated vest, winter leather jacket, and Kriega backpack, I felt like I just gain 20lb!

Nevertheless, it was one of nicest solo ride I have! Did I mention good lunch too? =D~

Need to do it again soon...

Lake Berryessa Ride

Say Hi! - Lake Berryessa Ride, originally uploaded by achung_123.

The ride was very nice - totally in control of my own pace in both dry and wet roads - no drama, no close-call - just simply a speedy joyful ride.

Lever update - small high-pitch noise kicked in 3 times during the ride. All happened at 1st gear when took off. Noise lasted about a second, and gone before I up shift. I suspect it caused by the longer push pin which comes with the ASV levers. I will adjust it again tomorrow, and see if the problem go away. Stay tune.

Solo ride - levers and heated vest adjustments

Solo ride - levers and heated vest adjustments, originally uploaded by achung_123.

After yesterday levers installations, finally I have a chance to test it out this morning. The test also includes the newly installed heat vest jack located right under my seat on the left. Everything works really well - in fact, I was able to enjoy the ride during the test and adjustments (which is very unusual compare with the adjustment ride of the rearset - it was pain in the a$$!).

I bought a heat vest from Tour Master last year; but didn't have a chance to use it until 3 weeks ago. The cable that comes with the vest works well, but it was too short, and all the wire and heat controller created a very odd riding situation - especially the wire goes between my left leg and the tank. Finally I have time to look for a right extension wire, and now I am able to loop the wire on top of my left leg, and connect the vest to the jack under my seat - all the wire and control are out of my way now! Excellent!

For the new ASV levers - man, this is the best control I ever have! Both levers are very well made, and the level of micro adjustments are unbelievable. Brake lever now works really well. Clutch is good; but it will take me some time to get used to a shorty lever. Because it is shorter, the end of the levers somehow get in-between my middle finger and ring finger. Once that happens, I have a lot of room to play at the lower end of the action - as the result, the control fingers move (index and middle), and it affects the control of the clutch at take off. It is not really a big deal - just need to get use to it.

So far I love it! And the ride reminds me how nice of the backyard I have in Hercules!

Front end updated! Finally!

Front end updated! Finally!, originally uploaded by achung_123.

Finally, the front end of my Sport 1000 has been addressed. I am pretty happy with the work so far based on the limited budget, and I am sure I will do more in the near future. There are many things still on my "to-do" list, like powder coating handle bars and triple tree and replacing the stock front fender to carbon fiber.... but then again - take it slow, and do it one-by-one.

Here is the list of things I have done so far to the front end:

- ASV shorty levers - the adjustments are super! I haven't test ride it yet. I will update the review once I hit the road.
- Black paint coated signals, light bracket, and headlight rim
- New bar-ends and bar-end mirrors - from Cycle gear - cost 50% less than Rizoma mirrors but just look and work as nice if not better. Finally I can see clearly what's going on behind me over 90 MPH!
- Rizoma reservoirs and arms with clear tube - Used to have sweating problem with black fuel tube (lean it my lesson in a hard way!). I switched to Brembo clean tube from Yoyodyne - not a cheap tubing but problem free so far!