Anything but rolling

As the cold deepens in Minnesota and we consider the thought,"how long until I freeze to death in this tempature?" I like to spend my time looking at pictures, videos, and toys that remind me that the sun will return to this side of the planet and we'll all get to ride again soon. I haven't been able to find a job yet, two years now. I should just travel around selling baked goods or something. Then at least I'd be rolling.

Repairs...

So after much prompting the Impala has a new wheel bearing in the back. This took care of most of the grinding noise that has been coming from the back of the car. As I feared, this didn't get rid of the shaking the car tends to do above 60mph. That means the tires need to be balanced, but the front tires are to the ware point and need to be replaced. This means more money spent on a car that isn't running all that get in the first place. There has to be a plan here.

My toys sit in wait for warm spring days. The Focus is limping through life. I had to kick the power wheels out of the house because the kids kept doing burnouts on the hardwood floors. Something else to fix. I'm thinking about cracking out Gran Turismo 4 for the Platstation to get my racing fix. I miss autocross, even just watching was fun. I gotta get back out there somehow. This is a hard time of year for rolling. Soon the indoor car shows will start up again. I wonder which one I can make it to this year?

The light onto my feet

So I been throwing around ideas of what to do next with what little I have to dedicate to keep rolling. I would like a gas scooter for my wife, and a gas motorcycle for my kids to grow into, but it keeps coming to my attention that they don't even desire these things for themselves. So it was made clear to me today when the bill came to keep my Katana insured that I needed to focus my attention and effort on the motorcycle God had provided me. The rear tire is shot, it's faded and cracked in places, and I just found out there's a ton of fancy parts to dress it up. I haven't even got into the neon lights yet. I've been told that my Katana is just a way for me to pretend I'm young, but that's not how I see it. I see my bike as a ministry tool. People always as "Why did you buy a rocket?" It was the cheapest, fastest, best condition thing I could find. The other thing is all the reviews I could find said this motor is bulletproof and should last over 150 thousand miles. Fingers crossed. So what does a Hot Rod Christian do with a rocket motorcycle? Cover it in stickers that reflect who he is. It's the fastest way to change the attitude of your stuff, cover it in things you endorse.

The other thing is that I keep facing this unsure future. The only thing I'm fairly certain about is we will get to keep our home and I will get to keep my bike. My mission in life is to figure out how that's going to happen and keep thanking God for giving me so much in life. I do miss kickstarting Bessie though. One of these days.

Bump in the road.

You can't make a plan without feeling at some point like the whole shooting match has fallen apart. I guess that's why so many people live in the moment. The thing I find is that you pick a goal at the end of your ride and don't worry about what wayward path gets you there. So many people have forgotten that the road is the important part and what you have to go through to get there.

So I looked up this thing called Amway, and it's a good thing but it says to become rich you have to build a life that will promote income based on what your company you built makes for you. That's logical. It goes to say the biggest hurdle for people to cross is to get pasted the idea that you have to slave away for someone else to earn every dollar. That makes sense too. Then I thought maybe I like poor and rolling. The thought made me smirk a little. There are those who build a company to hand down generation to generation, but they need workers. Lets face the fact that unless there is much divine intervention I can't run a business. Now I am open to the idea but it's never been my strong point to take orders and fill them. Ever. Someone told me they pray for witty invention to keep their operation going. I kinda think of that as praying for wisdom. That's always a good thing to ask for.

So next time your on the road and you see a gnarled patch of earth headed your way give it a wink and say, "I know I can ride over you and not fall!"

Some assembely required

I've known men over the years that were building their own pride and joy buying one part at a time. Most of these men have had a clear vision of what they wanted the bike or hot rod to look like when they got done. I have never been one of these people. my own impulsive nature get in my way of making a vision come true. That doesn't mean I don't have drive or ambition, it's just uninhibited. So I should mention here that I donate plasma for extra cash, and that is what funds poor and rolling. Some day I hope to change the Blog name to "Rich and loving it" but until then I digress.

One day my wife said "You spend all your plasma money on food." I was using the money to take them out to eat when I could. If she didn't think it was right I thought I would use the money to get more bikes. Then I reasoned I don't need anymore bikes and nothing needs parts till spring. That's when I decided to use the money to get the kids as many rides as I can. As they're getting bigger they've needed toys that can keep up with them. The bikes they have now should last until they are about eight, that's four more years. So what will they ride next? I'm sure they'll inspire me to find something for them to ride. Here's some options from photobucket...

Drain and fill...

Life is like riding, you'll hear that a lot, and there's things that drain and fill your tank. Finding sources to fill your tank is always on your mind. A full tank lets you do the things you love, which drain your tank. Filling your tank is work and it shouldn't be looked at in a negative light. The running we all do fits into one or the other side of using or finding fuel. So stop putting in five or ten bucks at a time, fill that tank to the top and before you put the cap on stop and admire that full brimming tank of potential waiting to be unleashed into a world that just as soon not care what you are doing. Someone, you don't know who will see you riding and say to themselves, "I can do that. I've never thought about it before but I could do that." You can't make someone a rider, but you can show them how to ride.

So....lar!

Excitement gripped me when I discovered that there are solar battery chargers, and they are only $20 at your local home improvement store. Now being as excited as I was I knew there was bound to be some dissappointment, and when the the sun set at 4PM I realized that new gizmo wasn't going to pull it's own weight until those long summer days. I admit that I am a go green geek. I am not all loud motors and mixed gas like some. As a friend once told me, "If you could ride something that made no noise at all why wouldn't you want to ride it?"

The mighty two-stroke motor will always be cheap and fast but I'm ready for some electric stuff that's worth what you pay for it. Putting drill batteries in the power wheels has been the best move yet. They recharge really quick and I got them set up now where any battery in the collection can adapt to any ride on. It will be really cool when the kids learn how to balance on two wheels. They have been riding on stand up scooters in the house since the snowfall. Scooters seem to get around the house the best without tearing up too much, however there have been a few crashes into walls and appliances by us parents! We picked up a Razor E-100 electric scooter that I had to fix up. It runs on the drill batteries and a push button switch now. Angie and I get to racing the kids and get a little carried away with the "Go Baby Go" button.

I have the worst nudge to get a power wheel car for the kids but don't see why they need anything else. A Harley, Four Wheeler, Ducati, Dirt Bike, Pocket rocket, lifted jeep, and a small four wheeler should really be enough right? And a scooter for mom and dad, makes me laugh.

Others rolling

It's the holidays and we should appriciate the people around us and their ventures in rolling, starting with kids. I got so lucky and found another Peg Perego motorcycle on craigslist for $50, then when I got there they said how about $10. I was so blessed. It's hard not to be able to buy whatever things you see on the internet or in these Christmas catalogs we keep getting. God must be looking out for my little ones because they are at the right age to start riding these bigger power wheels and what was $250 new is much cheaper on craigslist. This new motorcycle is the Desert Challenger and can ride two kids on it. Check it out.



I also like to get pick of people out in their uniquie rides, here's a few examples...

Cold and rolling

I took the Katana for what will be the last ride of the season. When I left it was 47, on the ride home it was 35. It's that time of year to push the toys into the corner. I've found without those daily distractions I have more time to go to the ymca now, which I like. All my rolling might be indoor for a while. I have a new nick name, The Scooter King. I don't think it fits well because of all the mobility scooters in the neighborhood but I think it's a nice lil name. The kids have really taken to the scooters lately. They are both starting to glide rather than walk around pushing a scooter. I'm hoping this will translate to balancing a bicycle at some point. Fingers crossed.

I used my new used drill to put some holes in the Focus wagon bumper and attach a hitch. I have yet to wire the lights and only have two out of five bolts holding it but I think it looks great. It's been bothering me that this car doesn't have a hitch, not anymore.

Winter rolling?

The time of ruduced traction is apon us, and this year I plan to attempt winter biking! I'm told it can be done though I admit I have been a real baby about the cold this year. I want to build another motorbicycle so bad, I want a scooter or moped too. Why do I want so much stuff?

Oh yeah, I'm a guy lol.

I still want to get a electric motor on ratspeed so I can make "Power Wheels for grownups!" On the note of power wheels I found a 15.6 volt 3amp hour battery drill for $16. I got two batteries, drill and charger. The kids toys are just a little faster, run for a half hour, and recharge in an hour. One more ride has been added to the kids collection too! A Peg Perego Ducati Monster! It features rubber tires, suspension, high and low speed, training wheels, lights and sounds. The best part is when she gets older she can ride it no training wheels! It's that fast! So next stop, helmets. Bella has been riding the four wheeler Adam gave us years ago. She really likes the 18volt battery but it only makes it 15 minutes. I'm looking around for a 18 volt 3amp hour battery for her, nothing yet. She just loves going fast. Even though we ain't got much money we keep getting all these fun toys to ride, just gotta say thanks God. Keep rolling!

Be the motor...

Sometimes in this life we forget that we can do the work ourselves. This is overly true in America. One of the reasons I haven't got around to building another motor bicycle besides the lack of cash is that I have found it can be fun just to be your own motor. Just riding bicycle lately the morning has opened my eyes to the fact that as you ride near the main roads I can't even hear my own headphones. It reminds me that not too long ago people didn't have the constant hum of the freeway. Back to the current world, in my bicycle trips I have met people who don't own a car. I have to say the idea amazes me. I know people in rural areas couldn't live without their cars, but my father in law lived in Mora and for the warm half of the year he would ride bike or walk to work. I hope to find a job that can support my family and let me bike or walk to work.

I just saw Eat Love Pray and love how in every part of the world the main person didn't have a car. In fact she walked through most of the movie. How come none of us can do that?

18 Volts! 18 Volts!

If you have the joy of children and a lot of money you get to put them in a slow moving brightly colored Power Wheels (don't forget the s on Wheels when shopping on craigslist) with a cute little radio and pictures of your favorite cartoon pasted all over it. If your poor and have children you use craigslist and find one without a battery for ten or fifteen dallors. They are sun faded, cracked and missing parts. Then you figure out how to run them on "alternative fuels" which is not to be confused with better, faster or cleaner, just cheaper than something stamped "Power Wheels". I give you the 18 volt Harley Davidson! This thing runs on a Tool Shop nickel cadium cordless drill battery from Menards for $15. It can be recharged 500 times, works in freezing conditions, last about 10min. and weighs almost nothing. It only takes one hour to recharge too, not to shabby. The extra voltage gives a boost in speed too, but man does that wiring get hot. Nothing has melted yet so let her fly!



The best part is I can use the battery in the Hello Kitty Motorcycle once the kids learn to ballance! The fact that it only goes 10min is important, otherwise they could escape from home, just kidding. I can wire in other batteries latter to make the bikes run longer, but I just wanted to see how well it ran first and I am impressed.

Still poor, still rolling...

The smoke, clatter and clank of life is behind you. The shake and push of combusted chemical is in you. Ahead of you is is the wind, the road, and the things your trying not to hit!

I took the Katana out on a ride with the CMA and discovered their average speed was around 90 mph. This is not what I consider rolling but more like testing my faith in the fact that God doesn't want me dead yet. In all fairness they warned me that they were a faster group than some of the other chapters. I'm hoping to work in a slower ride but they are shutting down for the season so I doubt I will get the chance.

This is part of my hobby that drives me crazy, all winter now I'll watch other people that still make cards, paint pictures, or knit and I'll be over in the corner going crazy with nothing to do. You say things like I'll rebuild my bike over the winter, but then it's cold and who wants to do that? The transmission went out on our 01 Impala so we had to sell our worldly goods to make ends meet. When your down, you just gotta keep rolling.

I started a new project, a rat rod ten speed that will hopefully get a electric motor to help push it along. Check it out.

Who cares?

Yeah! So if you haven't noticed blogging is not my strong suit. I haven't posted since April, and it's August. On that note who cares? I don't see this as any part of my life's work to blog. It is what it is :)

So I've been riding my Katana form time to time. It's cleaned up nicely since winter storage and has become quite the street bullet. Of course the rear tire is wearing and the chain is streching, but that's normal for a rocket. I've been on a ride with the riders in the son (a Horizons Church based group of riders) but found I was the only one there with a wife and kids at home. I'm still looking for that place I fit in. I'm looking at riding with a Christan Motorcycle Association group called Godspeed next and they all ride rockets. It will be a real change of pace I'm sure.

I sold my motor bicycle, again. I thought it would help someone out but they just resold it and crashed it. I think it's time for a new approach on the motorbicycling building. Not for my own bikes but if I'm going to put them together for people they are going to have to bring the parts. I can't afford to build them and hope someone will buy them. So there will be one more boardtrack. Third times the charm right?

Adam asked if I wanted to ride the Katana to first Thurs this month. Most everyone I know don't like riding downtown so I was shocked he was up for it. So I missed out on the Velodrome races but had some cheap pizza and a Dew. Life is good. He's all ready planning next months ride too! I'm trying to wrap my head around the Minneapolis Mess Around coming up in September. I first heard about this rockabilly event at the Bluecat Motors open house. Gotta love Bluecat, check 'em out.

As the early 70's movies used to say "More to come?"

Rain, rain go away

It's been slow on the rolling and heavy on the poor lately. After a brush with reapplying for unemployment we're still getting by on crutches that will undoubtedly be taken away one day. I'm trying to rebuild my Tomos motor. The story on the Tomos is that I bought it in high school from a co-worker at a tree farm for twenty bucks. Someone decided instead of gaskets to rebuild the motor with RTV silicone. The piston was stuck to the walls and I had to beat it out with hammer. The cylinder and piston are shot. The lower end and transmission seem to be in working order. I've seen people put top ends off of other motors onto mismatched lower ends. I'm hoping I can put a bicycle motor top end onto the Tomos bottom. I'll still need wheels and tires, brakes, and so much more. Part of being poor is working on it yourself, even when you don't know what your doing. Keep on rolling.

Slow is the way

So I finished my second motor bicycle. I used money from the selling of my trike to buy a 80cc (which is really 66 or so cubic centimeters). The frame and the motor met for the first time much like the first bike I built had, in the laundry room. My two girls danced around taking tools and parts just to see me yell. When I was all done I took a step back to take it all in and it was nothing like how I thought it would turn out. Oh well, gas in and let's ride. The thing rides just like I thought, almost exactly like the last one. Speed is about thirty when I'm feeling brave. The max I've gone is thirty five point eight. I've attached an LED headlight and tail light since I only get to ride when it's convient for the whole family. I'm dreaming of a nice summer day ride with a can of throwback Mountain Dew that I'm saving. This motor kit didn't come with a brace for the muffler like the last motor kit. The other thing that's got me worried is I keep having to bend the frame to get things to fit. Oh the things a hammer can fix.

I thought I would try a thirty two tooth sprocket on the bike. this really lowered the rpms at thirty mph but I lost all the power. It turns out you just have to turn a ton of revs to push a dude on a bicycle with a two stroke motor. I know, who would have thought? So we're back to the fourty one tooth sprocket that came with the kit. After putting it all back together I tried taking it out on a long ride. I made it three miles out and a washer snapped in half causing the rear tire to come loose on one side and start rubbing the frame. Of course I had no tools so I had to walk the thing home. I called it a night. The next day while the kids took a nap I straightened it all back out. I went to take a test ride once my wife got home from work. I made it ten feet and ran out of gas. It's funny when you find out no matter what you where going to be walking. I'm learning what the boyscouts taught me all over again, "Be prepared". I have yet to try another long run. While I had the smaller sprocket on I rode out over passed the airport. This is about a ten mile round trip. I had to pedal up the hills though because a lack of power. As of late the weather has turned cold, even freezing. It's going to be a while before I'm back on the road.

On another note the Katana 600cc I picked up for five hundred dallors is running great after a carbarator cleaning and changing out cylinder four's float assembely. The rear tire is starting to wear and I had to tighten the chain. That's just proof that I've been out having fun. I'm starting to hear some valve noise, time for adjustments. More to come. Keep 'em running on a wing and a prayer.

The Very First Time!

This will be the first post of Poor and rolling. In a world where you can buy anything some of us just don't have the money for what some people see to be "cheap transportation". In the true American spirit we choose to build our own machines with leftover parts. Some people hunt the internet, swap meets, and friends and neighbors yard looking for parts to build gas scooters, drag lawnmowers, and electric racers. I hope to find these projects anywhere I can and tell some stories about why we build these things. Consider that a mission statement. So I raise my glass and toast to the first post!