Well, it's time for an update!

I bought my wife the 150cc scooter and she even got her motorcycle license, so hot! We used our unbeleivable tax return and hauled it home in a snowstorm. I also got a CB350 I used to get a nonunion plumbing job. I made it through the summer and over the winter I managed to get back into the union plumbing. My  little CB started running rough and I found a free 85 Goldwing which I got running but felt akward to ride so I gave it to my brother for his birthday.

So with this years tax return I bought a 2005 Suzuki GS500. It's light, 60mpg, 50 horsepower and only $2000. I'm excited to start riding to work everyday. The bike came with a set of rear bags and a tank bag too. I'm hoping somehow to work in a multi state ride this summer. My friends are getting motorcycles too! A Hondamatic 400 for one of them. My mom is riding a Kawasaki 125 eliminator and my dad has a Suzuki S40. My other brother is riding an 82 GS850, vintage cool. My kids have a Razor dirt bike and the powerwheels Ducati Monster but they're getting ready for an minibike! Wow kids grow fast.

Things have changed so much in the last few years, we aren't so poor but we are still rolling...

Parked

Poor, check. Rolling, not so much.

The ghost of winter are starting to haunt. Truth be told I could be riding today if I could keep steady work lined up. I'm starting to think I suck as a painter. Here's to hoping I'll be good at something before I die. There is a long and tragic history in my family of "almost" being good at something. Seems like there is no real talent in the name Haggenmiller. We just plug away hoping to find a calling. Maybe I should get back into art? Is there any need for cute cartoons?

So the motorcycles sit as cold and rain have wondered into our little part of the world. Even the power wheels have been ignored by the kids. It's just not fun to ride in the cold. It's my god daughter's birthday tomorrow and I'd love to bring the little 125 Honda to give kids rids on but I don't have a trailer. If it's meant to be God will provide a way to get the bike there.

I had forgotten when I was in high school I gave all my cousins rides on the old KZ400. Now riding with my wife and kids I realize that I never really wanted a different motorcycle, I just wanted to ride that old Kawasaki on the road. Again, all things according to Gods plan. So as things sit with cold bearing down on us I constantly think about warmer days to come and try to figure out what the heck I'm doing.

Photobucket KZ400 like we used to ride...

Summer is going, going...

As the leaves gather ever higher I know the time is coming to pull the batteries out of the "personal combustion reaction chambers" (my coined term for motorcycles. Storage is a process when it comes to motorcycles. First you drain the reactant (fuel), clean out the lines and carb, and then remove the battery and put it somewhere that it won't freeze which would break the internal components. There are gell batteries which don't freeze but the are expensive. If I ever get down to one motorcycle I'll have to pick one up.

Soon I'll have to choose between the mountain bike or the trike. Bring on the snow, I'm ready!

Here's a flicker image, "Nature and Machine by Anuj Chaman" to get your motor running.

Catch me if you can

So in church they were mentioning that if the lord is prompting you to do something you shouldn't hesitate to listen. I love when church's decide to send out that kind of message, because I've been prompted to ride my motorcycle without registering it with Minnesota. You see there are a lot of dumb laws to keep stolen motorcycles from being used, there is no laws for "my brother bought this from a guy in North Dakota without a title". I guess the only thing to do is ride without registration? There is a long process by which you could, maybe get papers if the state grants you mercy. I can just see getting pulled over though...I should at least put some mirrors on the bike before I take it out screaming catch me if you can!

Riding in the passenger seat

It's an interesting thing catching a ride with someone else. For a given amount of time twice a day you share motion, stories, and space traveling to work. The interesting part is for a while before you catch a ride you anticipate what is to come and afterwards you reflect on the trip and stories shared. It seems to me that this amplifies the time spent riding along because it becomes the focus of what your thinking about. Oh to be able to ride motorcycle to work like I did in Las Vegas. Nothing teaches you to be ready for anything like riding a motorcycle in traffic. You practice thinking ahead, reacting swiftly and correctly, and best of all you can relax and feel alive!

In Minnesota the days are numbered for riding. Most of the year it's just too bloody hard to get out in the rain and snow for a ride. Maybe I need to pick up a scooter with a roof?

Riding in the yard

Like a caged tiger I circle my pen of my yard ever watching for a chance to take my motorcycle out on the street. It's not registered, it most likely can't be registered, but still I deliver a quick kick and with a roar the beast awakens to stalk the edges of the yard once again. Then once satisfied that the open road is still unobtainable the CB125 putters to rest once more in the dark corner of the garage.

Winter is coming and it makes me frantic every year, wondering weather this or that will get done. Will the car hold together through this one, will I crack over the cold and blustery landscape engulfing my home? How long until we're all riding bike in the house once again? The leaves falling and covering the ground, reducing traction, serve to prepare us all for the impending snow and ice that will once again test the limits of our driving abilities.

So many things run through my head while I'm riding in the yard.

The new normal

I've been told that after undergoing a change in thinking you reach a point where you know what to expect from life again. I've had a shift in thinking leading me to get smaller motorcycles handed to me that I don't deserve because I couldn't by them. As I gather myself together I realize that something has remained constant, I don't want to spend the little money I have to get papers so I can ride them on the road. I just started a new job, and after three weeks of not working we were starting to panic again.

Having a job has been such a challenge for me. Just finding someone to need me week after week has been a struggle. I know things only get harder as you get older but I trust there is something for us all in the future. I don't know how to get rich but I know someone up there is going to keep us rolling. Thanks to everyone who keeps me on a motorcycle. You've shown how much I'm love again and again.

Breaking the mold

Sometimes you need to do something drastic, change everything even though you like what you have.

We've been getting assistance from everyone and everything to get through these slow economic times, and the point came to sell my motorcycle to make my house payment. Now I could have thrown a fit and kept my Katana but what fun is it to have a motorcycle when you can take off and ride it without the family and can't afford insurance, gas, or parts for the thing? So I sold the bike knowing something else would come along, hopefully something my kids could ride with on. Then my brother calls from North Dakota and says he got me a 1974 CB125 for my birthday.

Now I know the average rider is going to say something like why not just ride a moped or minibike. This has five gears and something like 100mpgs. What really surprised me was how fun it is to take my daughters out on a ride since they can reach the foot pegs! The new toy has been a blast but my yard is paying the price because there's no title and Minnesota is a real pain about not just anything hitting the road. I have no money to put into the paperwork right now either. So I got a small displacement bike like I've been dreaming about and can't take it around the block, unbelievable. I did discover though that I really miss kick starting. The neighbor was walking by with her son in a stroller and he saw me kick start the bike and he jumped up and pointed at me. I miss the excitement of a good kick start from time to time. So for my next bike I'd like to pick up something like a cafe racer, but that's not gonna happen.

I took the family out to a cycle dealership we don't go to once a week and the misses found a 150cc scooter she loved. She knew she would have to get a motorcycle endorsement but she said, "Have you ever seen a girl on a scooter pulled over by a cop?" My wife is so cool! Well things being lean like they are we couldn't pick up the scooter yet, but I've had so many bikes it's ladies choice this time. So here's to hoping we can by one in the off season. It really is the best time to buy.

How many times can you do that before you fall down?

Ah, my imprompt return to my blog!

I have been riding in inhospitable cold on untamed bike trails which has prompted the title of this "post". I also have a unicycle now.

To add to the title I was riding on my bike trainer, a thing you hook up to your bike to make it an exercise bike, and pedaling away when the right pedal broke off. So I've been thinking, how many times can your do something your good at, something you love to do, before you fall flat on your face from the slightest mistake?

In all honesty nobody likes to think, "yeah one of these days I'm going to miss that turn and fall into a medical bed" but the truth is going faster than your body was ever made to handle is dangerous. I've heard that the best way to protect yourself is to prepare for failure and hope for success. Here's a toast to hoping we all get the next year done right.

In other news the Focus wagon lost a wheel bearing, as in look at all those shiny broken pieces. The part was only $50, and I had to bring it somewhere to be pressed in, $50. Luckily it happened on the weekend so no school was missed. The thing is I just gave it to God. I said God it's in your hands and praise for what will be. And you know what, it all went well. So maybe the best way to stay up is just to let God know your still rolling and let him show you the path.

So now it's time to scrounge up another set of crank arms and tools. I have entirely too many bicycles, I hope to get a good riding party in this summer. Let some of the parts fall off, just keep rolling!

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?