Kinnickinnic

It was a Yamaha night and it preformed flawlessly. The bike ran strong and I found what I was looking for, something to get me out of the house. 

I've been working from home since March and I'm just stir crazy. Not that I'm complaining because a.) I'm working and b.) I like the people who live in my house. But, I have no place to be, nowhere to go, no commute to extend, and very few errands to run. I guess I'm a recreational cyclist now and I just need to embrace that.

The Yammie is a cruiser, the open country roads are just as enjoyable as the tight twisties, which it's really good at. It makes good sounds and good power. I bet it's every bit as fast as an 883 sportster, and, unlike the AMF sportsters of the day, it's still on the road. I always did like the 2004 883 that I rode, it was enjoyable, made good sounds (stock pipes), and you never expected too much from it so you were always pleasantly surprised. I guess I always was a cruiser at heart, I'm getting older and can admit that now.

My destination for this evening was the Kinnickinnic River at county road F. I just wanted to sit on the sandy banks and see if I could bust out of my rut. I have had many fishing adventures in this part of the state, I would pour over maps looking for new spots. I can't say, "the thrill is gone" but I haven't gotten after it in a few years. I have trout in the freezer and I know where to get more.

I wasn't sure if I'd be any less grumpy when I got there or if the pointless/aimless feeling would persist as it sometimes does. I think the Kinni wore down some edges last night. I didn't leave with that Alive! feeling but I no longer felt dead either. I was nice to see folks out fishing, trying the same flies in the same spots as hundreds of anglers before them. There was a new-to-me adventure in progress happening too, a small group of guys stand-up paddle boarding. It's 12 river miles from River Falls to F, maybe half that from the fishing access on FF. Looked like they were having a grand adventure.

Sand in the woods after recent flooding.

Pinus strobus.

more or less the route

It was uplifting to see guys "out there" getting at "it." For that I am thankful.

Tuesday July 22nd

80ish and humid

Thunder heads in the distance moving east.

6:00 - 9:00

80 miles

- RideNorth

El Paso

A couple of rides out Wisconsin way. One on the Norge to meet up with my dad and our buddy Todd. Another on the XS500, just an after work jaunt to get out of the city for a bit.

It was good to see Todd and my dad again. Due to the lock-down, I haven't seen my dad since Christmas. They were riding out of Eau Claire so we met up in Elmwood at the Vets' memorial Park for some coffee and cinnamon rolls from the gas station. From there we rode over to O, where I proceeded to drag my foot. It was hanging lazily off the side of the peg and maybe I was a little too excited to be out with these guys again. It was a good reality check, reminding me to just enjoy the Trimbelle River valley and all its goings on.

We made it down to the Stockholm Pie Shop for lunch around 1:00. The hand pies looked amazing but I opted for a slice of peach raspberry ala mode and another coffee. We went our separate ways from there, I was needed back up in St Paul that afternoon. It was a short but satisfying ride, very good to be out.

The Eau Galle River in Elmwood

Flowing east and then south into the Chippewa River.

June 19th | 150 mi? | 9:00 - 2:00 PM 

Moto Guzzi Norge

Sun was shining. 

A dead end road outside of Ellsworth, WI.

One fine weekday evening I set out on the old XS with the goal of visiting the Great River Road visitors' center. After seeing it in one of Coop's posts I realized that I've driven by it a hundred times without stopping. It's a nice easy distance from St Paul, perfect for the 500.

From St Paul, I like to take Baiely Road out to Afton. Today I opted for Glen Road out of Newport, I've never been on it before. It's a nice little road and fits with the "adventures close to home" theme that is 2020. Glen eventually takes you over to 70th street which spits you out at Afton State Park. 

I've never been to this, the closest to me, state park. I had to take a quick lap as long as I was so close. It's beautiful with prairie bluffs and wooded valleys. I made a note of some of the trail maps and will be back with the family in tow.

My stop at the GRR visitors' center was well worth it. Amazing views and a fairly large building, which was closed. A fair number of people were using the park on a Thursday evening. Workouts were happening, a couple of motorcycles were in the lot, and some kids were running around. I look forward to going back when the building is open.

42 years young.

June 25th | 100 mi | 5:00 - 8:00 PM 

80f | partly cloudy 

1978 Yamaha XS500E

It was a beautiful evening to be out, I had a hard time turning around at the GRR visitors' center. I "had to" continue on down 35 to O and came back on 10. It was dusk and partly cloudy for the ride back west on 10 and Bailey Road. With sunglasses on, it was a divine setting with only the occasional deer.

- RideNorth

Visiting trout streams

I managed a post-4th of July ride over to Wisconsin's open ridge lines and cool valleys. It's been a long time since I last took the XS500 out past the city limits and up into the hills. My goal was to ride O down the Trimbelle River valley and see where the road took me. I took the bends at a leisurely pace, slowing down for blind corners and homesteads. 

Inspired by the Trimbelle, I decided to check in on the Rush. I haven't fished these trout streams in years but I still remember the spots. My first stop was at one of the good river bends about half way between the confluence with the Mississippi and highway 10. The river was in really good shape, slightly off colored and clearing up. This is the best time to fish because the trout can't see you as well, a real issue. Also, they need to be bold if they want to eat, advantage to the angler. I wish I had brought some fishing gear with me! 

 

Heaven.

Yes, they were delicious.

I wandered back west along 370th avenue, cutting a line up and down the ridge tops. This took me back into the Trimbelle River watershed via the Little Trimbelle River and a few tame gravel sections.

The Little Trimbelle River is cold and refreshing no matter the weather. 

I crossed a few of these bridges, one was recently inundated. 

You could say it was a "water crossing" if only just.

I'm not sure why I went back through Red Wing, guess I just wanted to cross the Mississippi and see Barn Bluff. I stopped in at the Harbor Bar & Restaurant, located in the backwaters with views of old Red Wing, but I didn't stay. The skies were getting dark to the north and I was feeling the need to race the rain home. 

The only other thing of note is that I hit the reserve for the first time ever on the Yamaha. Not one but two petcocks need to be flipped forward, a move I pulled off while pulling off into a convenient turn out. Shortly afterwards the rain found me, a warm summer rain. 

- Ride North

July 5th | 150 mi. | 3.5 hours

the bringer of joy

A quiet morning.

The sun eases over the pines.

Finally, it is cool.

The dawn’s humidity is felt.

I am open.

I move in long, straight, determined lines towards the promised end of the rainbow.

Somewhere in the distance a rendezvous awaits.

The day’s labors come and go effortlessly.

This lump of metal spins freely as it is want to do.

Its fiery hum will push out anxiety.

A soul will rest.

The light shines in.

"Hear me, dear friends. This is the motorcycle, the bringer of joy." - Fuzzygalore

Inspired by Fuzzy's post "Be an evangelist for the church of the motorcycle".

Thanks Fuzz, I love your blog!

- Ride North

Taking in the scene

Rockers Spring Social 2018

by Ton Up Minneapolis et.al.

Rockabilly and recycling. 

El Toro lento

a Ural Soloist gets cafed

Flake for days.

This is a new to the U.S. Genuine G400C available at Scooterville.

It's a 400 "Honda" single that makes about 30 hp. 

Triumph Sprints and V11 Guzzis belong together.

best friends, circa 2009 

After the show and some coffee, I took the XS500 down River Road from the Mill City Museum to lower town St Paul. It was a gloriously beautiful ride under a canopy of trees with very little traffic.

Sunday, May 20th

70 and sunny - perfect

20ish miles but who's counting

- Ride North

Good night St Paul

- Ride North

XS 500: oil filter adapters (an update)

* UPDATE  10/10/2017*

Brad's FilterFix

I checked in with Brad about the availability of his FilterFix, here's what he had to say, "I just sold the last one I had about two weeks ago, [Sept. 2017] and it looks like that will be it for now. "

Brad followed up with a post to the forum thanking everyone who purchased the now limited edition FilterFix: http://www.xs500forum.com/index.php?topic=2042.msg10913#msg10913

Tru-Vantage

It appears that the Tru-Vantage is no longer available. From CrouchyUK, the forum admin, "...was marketing the Tur-Vantage adapter for someone else- I am sure I read somewhere he can no longer get them."  I looked around and it appears to be no longer available.

I just have to say that this is a hobby not a business and many thank yous to Brad and Uncle Fuzz for going way out of your way to have these parts manufactured and all the logistics it takes getting them sold and delivered.

It appears that the torch is available.

In the mean time, keep an eye out on ebay for NOS adapters. (part number are below) and/or change your oil frequently to get the most out of your old-OS filters.

- RideNorth

See the original post here: 

http://ridenorthmn.blogspot.com/2015/04/xs-500-oil-filter-problem.html

The parts:

the kit:     99999-02689-00

adapter:   371-13447-09

plate:       90201-422F3

gasket:     371-13449-11

o-ring:     93210-45578

oil filter:  Fram PH6607 (Yamaha 3FV-13440-00 will not fit)

drain plug gasket/ crush washer: 256-15353-00-00

Riding in the rain

I've got who, what, where, and why locked up but when is a cruel mistress. Sometimes you just need to get out for an hour or two. Actually, I love riding in the rain. I like how it smells. Anyone can walk outside on a sunny day and see a blue sky but when the clouds roll in things get interesting.

Camper cabins available for rent through Dakota County Parks.

For the majority of the ride it was just a gentle rain and some spectacular clouds. I did get caught out in a downpour on the way back but it wasn't too bad. It’s all just an elaborate ruse to make the coffee taste better.

carpe diem!

- Ride North