Whats the Tune? @ the Daily Grind
What type of music plays in your head (or your sound system if you have one, for that matter…) when you are piloting your machine on the open road on a beautiful day… sharing the road with no one..
What type of music plays in your head (or your sound system if you have one, for that matter…) when you are piloting your machine on the open road on a beautiful day… sharing the road with no one..
The motorcycling life is a social life, where we mix it up with others on a regular basis…so.. when is the last time you went to a “social affair” or party outside your own sphere of friends and associates? Where did you go and with whom? How was it?
Adventure is baked into our DNA as Bikeriders.
Really, be honest – if we didn’t crave adventure, would we ride bikes? Continue Reading →
Keeping a clean machine is important to many folks. We purchase our cleaning and detailing kits, we buy our electric dryers for our machines…. yeah, one could say many H-D enthusiasts are obsessed with keeping it clean.
Would you skip riding your machine on a “riding day” in order to clean it?
No doubt you’ve heard of the Sons of Anarchy… a TV show that follows the “exploits and adventures” of The Sons of Anarchy Redwood Originals a “tough outfit hailing from Charming, California”.
The show has found favor with some in the bikerider community and we’ve seen more and more of the SOA swag is out and about, especially at Bike Events.
Three part question:
1 – Do you watch the show?
2 – Are you a fan of the SOA?
3 – Would you wear their swag
With what is happening at the gas pump, filling up will take the smile off most everyone’s face (except Richard Petty). In the East Coast corridor we’ve noticed a cash or credit offer, at the pump….Cash being significantly less expensive than Credit. Problem is, for the most part we’ve all been weaned off of cash and are incentivized to use our plastic.
Question: How big would the spread have to be for you to use cash if you are a regular user of Plastic cards? A Dime, Quarter, a Dollar? Continue Reading →
Wow – the riding season is here with a vengeance. Good weather is rushing bikes into shops and folks are hitting the road…many didn’t get done what they wanted due to the fact we really didn’t have much of a hard winter in most of the Country….
What did you accomplish this off-season on your machine(s)
and did you get everything you wanted to get done – accomplished?
Maintenance chores tend to sneak up on you when you own a bike(s) that you like to ride. Most of us are strapped for time and generally opt to ride rather than wrench with the little bit we have, so things get put off. Problem with that condition is these chores tend to accumulate, like dust bunnies under a bed…and…. Continue Reading →
We can’t ever seem to leave anything alone in terms of technology and devices. It is a relentless march forward to upgrade… and in most cases, you’ve got little choice – keep up or be left behind “unsupported”.
Just as you get used to operating a device, it is “upgraded”, leaving you feeling like a clown. Computers, software, phones… change marches on… Continue Reading →
The Iditarod - The “Last Great Race” began on Sunday.
What are you thoughts on the relevance and/or importance of such contests in our modern age?…
image by Jeff Schultz / AlaskaStock.com
Dropped dogs rest comfortably inside Dave Looney’s airplane after a ride from Kaltag to Unalakleet on Monday morning during Iditarod 2011
At 45dgree we are looking for some recommendations….
1 – What events are on your docket this Season?
Daytona? Big Mountain Run? Born Free? Gypsy Run? El Diablo? Laconia? Slab City Riot? Sturgis? Wharf Rat? Bonneville? Biketoberfest?
East Coast, West Coast, North, South? Continue Reading →
Scanning the latest offerings from the interweb, we couldn’t help but see some of the latest blog fodder and something running on “Cyril Huze’s Post” caught our attention. If you don’t know Cyril or his Post, you can take a gander at the post that caught our attention on Cyril Huze’s Post…. Continue Reading →
Well here ya have what the honey badger’s been gnawing in the backroom…an all new look. Continue Reading →
Whats the best accessory you’ve gotten for your shop this winter?
Did you buy it direct from the manufacturer, did you buy it online?
How did you hear about it?
We have options these days, more than ever, in almost every product category… hand controls being just one.. Continue Reading →
our dear brother Bill axes your esteemed Editor:
So… whatcha think of the Victory Vision? Both the Cross-Country and the Vision Touring. I’ve been weighing the differences and certain aspects between the Goldwing and the Victory. Will never sell the Harley and will probably add an RK as my personal project bike later this year but I’ve been wondering about a “better” two-up long distance bike for The Wife and me (as I shut my eyes and cower while waiting for the inevitable hurricane of foul language to come my way from you…). Continue Reading →
Whats the best way to sell a vehicle in your experience?
Whats the last vehicle you sold in this manner?
Did you get your price?
Whats the difference (is there any?) between selling a bike vs. a car? Continue Reading →
The 45dgree editorial team just heard an interesting statistic: Men are more inclined to get caught while driving and texting than Women. Now, texting and driving or even talking on the phone is not a good idea, I don’t know anyone would disagree, we’ve all had close calls. Continue Reading →
As is our prerogative, we’ve opted to change up the Daily Grind a bit.
We were getting complaints that we were blowing past topics too quickly and by the time some
had a POV down and ready to go, the topic had had moved on and were onto the next thing. Continue Reading →
Just came back from the VTwin Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio – quite a weekend, quite an event. I had a good time and am glad I went. I got to see and talk with a whole buncha business friends I see all too infrequently and that’s always a treat. Meeting new people is always a good thing and that was the main mission this weekend , telling some folks about what we are doing here @ 45dgree. Continue Reading →
If import brands began manufacturing their two-wheel products in the USA would you be inclined to consider them if you are a “USA only” shopper – or is their still a barrier to purchase in your mind. Continue Reading →
What do you think of these two “new” models H-D is releasing for 2012?
How new do you think they are?
Do they feel fresh and vibrant to you?
Is this what you expected? Continue Reading →
When scouting for a machine, we generally have a list of must have’s. Continue Reading →
It is too easy to forget we have folks in the Armed Forces, in harms way.
At 45dgree, we wonder how many of us know someone who is actively serving in the Military. Continue Reading →
Ok, so with this new fresh look and snarky new appeal for 45dgree,
we have a very important conversation starter for this relaunch… Continue Reading →
Wrinkled like these sidewalls too! Continue Reading →
here we go!
A new day, a new layout – a new 45dgree…..
…so whats on the agenda? Continue Reading →
Mixing up wheel sizes is all the rage these days. 18′s have become common place, 16′s on Dressers are out of vogue… 21′s are found on the rear of machines….
Whats your take on wheels/tires sizes? Continue Reading →
During the next 2-3 months, do you plan on attending any of the “off-season’ shows, like the IMS or Easyriders shows?
If so which ones are you thinking of attending?
Any specific reason why? Continue Reading →
What’s you favorite cockpit: handlebar riser combination? Continue Reading →
It’s Wednesday, the most venerable hump day and the trained monkeys occupying the 45dgree Editorial office are hungry. What will it be, the staff has to eat!
Pancakes or French Toast?
Bacon or Sausage, (if sausage, patties or links)??
Coffee or Tea? Continue Reading →
When we buy a car or truck, the experience of making it ours is generally additive – we add things to the vehicle, floor mats, organizers, sound systems, an accessory here or a doodad there. Continue Reading →
Normally we have vitally important news and mission critical data-points to share with you on a Monday, especially after something as important as the Golden Globe Awards, but this missive, this clear bell-ringing call for guidance, information and clues takes precedence over all else…… Please, if you can help… do it! Continue Reading →
Do you play a musical instrument?
How’d you wind up picking it up?
Whats the story?
Any good story’s about pursuing a musical muse?
What instruments do you have in the house? Continue Reading →
With the advent of digital photography, it seems that we don’t make prints all that often. Continue Reading →
We’ve all had a vehicle (2 or 4 wheel) when we were younger that for some reason was our favorite -a defining vehicle of sorts… Very often, this machine helped establish who we “were” and the people we hung out with.
What was your “one and only” Continue Reading →
What octane fuel do you put in your car?
What do you put in your bike?
Any particular reason why? Continue Reading →
Next Up: Primary & Secondary Drives:
Compensator or direct drive pulley, what tooth ratios, primary belt vs. chain, dry vs. wet bath, open primary vs. closed, final belt vs. chain drive Continue Reading →
The team at 45dgree needed to take a break from Virtual Bike Building, it’s pretty exhausting work, so for today we have a mind bending kanoodler:
It’s your last meal…whats it going to be? Continue Reading →
OK, we’re moving ahead and a few decisions have been made for our 2 virtual bike projects. Here is what we are working with so far… Continue Reading →
A new spin on the Daily Grind – a multi-part threaded topic
Think on this – you’ve got a few bucks, the tools, space and a little time and are considering a bike project… what kind of project would you be thinking of if you were to take something on…how would you approach it? This will be a multi-day dialogue – so please just address these two considerations for this post: Continue Reading →
Some of us are first generation bikeriders being the first in our family’s to ride, some us have been steeped in the lore, grease and aura of two-wheeled machines our entire lives…
What generation bikerider are you?
What generations (how many and when) of your family were bikeriders?
What were these early riders’s stories, what were they riding? Continue Reading →
The trained monkeys in the 45dgree news cage got a call from a friend (who owns an independent shop) notifying them that 2 more H-D Dealers were going out of business in our locale. Personally, I’ve seen 5 dealers disappear from my area over the past 3 years – thats a lot of businesses disappearing.
How many dealers have “gone out” by you in the past 3 years.
What happened?
What were they victims of, in your opinion?
When you ride on the street, do you use your noisemaker when cagers and errant dangers cross your path, or do you maneuver around them without resorting to tooting your horn?
this joker need to do more than toot his horn driving this kooky 2-wheeled construct
Seat from Mustang
Given the wide variety of machines on the road, expectedly there are a commensurate number of variations available in terms of seating options. From chop owners with their super custom seats to fully upholstered manufactured seats for touring bikes from folks like Mustang (pictured here) and LePera
Whats the best, who likes what and why they like ‘em… age old questions with equally age-old answers, as there aren’t many new players in the manufactured seat arena.
Today’s challenge for the bike owners:
What seat are you using?
On what bike?
The seat brand?
Your overall satisfaction, miles you ride, time spent in the saddle?
Would you recommend the seat? The Brand?
Where did you buy it?
fun for a morning, painful for a day
the legions of workers are taking the day off at 45dgree and are laying around the stable chillaxing… see you tomorrow folks!
play some tunes and chill today, if you can
The age old question continues on….. Deep Dish or Thin Crust and …why?
Identify your locale when you weigh in, please….
Have a wonderful and safe Holiday and we’ll see you Monday
Even though you might not be in the market for a new machine, do you still scan the local classified’s and see whats out there?
If you saw the “right thing for the right price”, would you go for it?
You'd thnk my FXR had cooties or was leaking winning lottery tickets
Örjan writes in:
Hi Stevie,
todays question about pegs ´n boards screwed my mind. So I think I have a question for you to use on the Daily Grind. And it´s about riding versus trailering. In Europe there´s no such thing as trailering or freighting your bike on a truck unless it´s broken down.
So… what is a fair or ok distance for the average rider to cover in 24 hours? I know that I tend to take that to the extreme if I go for a ride by my self. Most of my friends consider 500 km (310mi) the limit without a overnight stop.
And 300 km (186mi) the limit for a sunny sunday local ride among friends. And is there a extreme limit that only some of us actually enjoy or mentally feel that they can endure?
So… If you run out of ideas, this is really something I would like to know
Keep up the good work, I´m looking forward to see where this will take the community.
Örjan (1400 km in 24 hours) (869mi)
I chased this guy from LA to WY, who says you can't tour on a VRod?
Scott Sjovall of S&S skillfully abuses his floorboards
Today’s crushing mind bender comes courtesy of James Simonelli @ BAKER Drivetrain and highlights foot position – a critical ergonomic consideration for comfort and safety:
>do you prefer mids or forward controls on your machine?
>what model bike are you referring to in regards to this choice?
>got floorboards?
>have you relocated them or replaced them with aftermarket models, if so why & which?
I don’t think any of us would argue that for better or worse, broadcast media: TV and Cable, specifically have changed the nature of what it means to be successful in the VTwin world as well as having substantially upped the ante, compensation wise.
The question: is it possible in this media-centric era, to be successful without having a TV/Cable broadcast component to your brand or “persona”?
Coffee is the 2nd most traded commodity on earth, what is the first?
Caffeine Facts
The majority of all caffeine consumed worldwide comes from coffee—in some countries, this figure is as high as 85%. Depending on the type of coffee and method of preparation, the caffeine content of a single serving can vary greatly. On average, the following amounts of caffeine can be expected in a single cup of coffee—about 207 milliliters (7 fluid ounces)—or single shot of espresso—about 44–59 mL (1.5–2 fl oz):
Drip coffee: 115–175 mg
Espresso: 100 mg << check it out, less than a cup of drip!
Brewed: 80–135 mg
Instant: 65–100 mg
Decaf, brewed: 3–4 mg
Decaf, instant: 2–3 mg
Sorry, you are not going to find this at Dunkin Donutz
On your bikes do you prefer spoke or mags (rims) and why?
Do you have aftermarket rims on your machine and if so, whose?
Warren Heir Jr. makes a real nice spool hub
How many flashlights do you own?
Where are they?
How many are charged and ready to go?
some times having a flashlight is pretty darn important
Weigh in!
1-How often do you change your oil: in your truck/car and in your bike?
2-What type of oil (weight & brand) do you use in either vehicle?
3-Do you perform the service yourself?
Puff ball on a Monday:
1 – when you buy music, do you prefer to buy the actual CD or are you satisfied with a download?
2 – whats on you music player now
Sonia has got it cranked to 11
The internet is a plagiarists playground.
Digital media specifically has made it very easy for the lazy amongst us to borrow all sorts of things that are legally, protectable intellectual properties without honoring the originators through attributions or payment. Oh the shame.
How do you feel about the protection of intellectual property rights and how far should we go – and aggressive should we be – in the pursuit of protecting what we believe is “ours”?
Furthermore, is it even possible to protect what we feel is unique about our work, or are we in a intellectual Wild West phase and in terms of protecting intellectual property rights, trademarks, etc…
So the question is: Do Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and other forms of legal instruments work for those of us without way deep pockets and a heaping helping of intestinal fortitude (and time)? Are these instruments worth the paper they wind up being printed on….out in the real world?
Weigh in…use your bean!
Fred Mathews sends this in....WTF??
I don’t know about all of you, but the drama surrounding the Biker Build-Off exhausted me and just may have damaged my biker-psyche for the short term…. I need to go off topic for a bit!
Paying props where props is due is the 45dgree way, so let it be known that James Simonelli/BAKER Drivetrain inspired today’s topic, I think the shenanigans in Las Vegas somehow distorted his magnetic fields for the day also, or maybe it is the fact he has to share an office with Mark Pavlica, either way…
So today – lets talk important stuff – like food – dinner @ home, specifically:
3-part question:
1 – when do you plan what you are going to eat for dinner?
2 – when do you do your food shopping?
3 – what’s your favorite meal to cook at home?
My friends eat like a pack of locusts
James sent us this:
My dad used to say: “Those fucking tires are so thin, you can see the air!”
Rotation is only part of the equation
Today’s topic: Tire Rotation
After buying new tires for my truck, the salesman reminded me to “rotate my tires”.
Along with reading instructions, I don’t think this is something I’ve ever done…
So…….
Have you bought new tires for your current vehicle?
Have you ever rotated the tires on any of your cars and/or trucks?
For reference, Wikipedia says.
