Bolinas-Fairfax Road /  by Kitundu

Just a few images from the commute tonight. The highlight was a Red-tailed Hawk flying next to me through the trees during the descent to the lagoon. Bolinas Lagoon.

Taking a break at Alpine Lake.

The new tires are remarkably competent in the twisties which is a relief.

I think I finally have this bike dialed in. Tires, seat, suspension, lighting, heat controller, windscreen, steering damper, luggage, muffler, and a little hummingbird. It feels locked in, comfortable, and responsive. It is a custom fit and I'm incredibly grateful to have it. It saves me gas, let's me see miraculous things, notice shifts in the weather and topography, and generally feel connected and engaged.

It is a symbol of possibility and promise and I'm astonished at how much I care about this chunk of metal, plastic, fuel and rubber. It is an investment and it supports an ambition to see more of the world. I've been dealing with anxiety and panic since I lost my father a while back and this bike is a project that helps me heal and feel like things will be alright... like I'll find myself far from home in some remote place that holds only the wind and a fading light and no people, and somehow with no connection or chance of getting help I'll still be sustained and propelled by an understanding that the world can be benign and rich and enthralling, not just filled with harbingers of illness or reminders life's fragility.

Steering Damper Installed /  by Kitundu

So This thing is invaluable for preventing tankslappers (a dangerous situation where the front wheel oscillates violently from side to side), and for easing progress through rutted, rocky terrain, and sand. It also helps during long wind-battered highway stretches. It basically lets you control the rate at which the handlebars can be moved and minimizes sudden jerky movements. Here is a quote from the Ralle-moto folks, gleaned off the BestRest website: "...the steering damper... it excels at keeping the wheel pointed where you want it. A steering damper is like having an extra set of arms that never get tired. You'll get the bike through the difficult section, at a high enough speed to keep the bike stable, while still maintaining control. 

Steering dampers are a great tool for eliminating front wheel deflection because they prevent unexpected side-to-side movement. Every road and trail has unseen potholes, ruts, etc. Good riders are always watching for those hidden obstacles, avoiding them whenever possible. The damper will help keep your bike tracking straight ahead even if your tire hits something your eyes couldn’t see!"

I had to remove the handlebars, and risers, the "gas tank" cover" and get to these two specialty screws that join the ignition column to the bike's frame. A vice grip worked in lieu of the proper tool. This is the pin assembly that will later fit into the damper vane.

The whole things rests on a 30mm riser that ties everything together and creates a mounting point for the damper unit.

Here is the damper unit installed before the handlebars are replaced.

You can see the ignition column on the right. The pin assembly is screwed into the base. The pin, which is static, sits in a slot under the damper unit which is connected to an internal vane which moves through oil.

The damping can be adjusted in both directions, away from center and return. The dials change the dimensions of an internal port restricting the flow of oil and affecting damping rates.

The finished installation. This is a simple bolt-on install and even allows me to use my old risers.

A shot with the dash to put everything in context. Looking forward to hitting the trails this weekend.

Heidenau K60s swapped for TKC 80s /  by Kitundu

Decided to swap my Heidenau K60s for some TKC 80s in anticipation of some offroading next weekend. I'd never changed anything but a bike tire before so after studying a few videos I got out my tools and decided to go for it.

I made sure that I only used the tools I carry on the bike. That way I can be reasonably confident I'll be able to do this work when far afield. Getting the rear off the wheel was the biggest challenge. I ended up improvising with a short piece of plywood (which now I guess I'll have to pack) and eventually I got the tire off, swapped, and pumped up.

Looks brilliant and after a short test ride I can say it feels great too. Like it was built for the bike. Tomorrow I'll give it the first good run on asphalt. They aren't spectacular in the wet, but I'll just have to be more careful.

Next up was the front. This was the following day and I didn't get started until an hour before sunset.

This little jack was a nice way to get the weight off the front, though I realized that stones in my panniers would also do the trick.

Sadly, as I struggled to get the new tire on, I managed to pinch the tube and once the pump ran for 4 minutes with no increase in tire pressure, It was clear I had made a mess of it. Now it was getting dark, and I was still determined to finish the job, so I got a headlamp and considered the rest practice for getting a flat at night on some distant gravel road.

After busting my knuckles again and properly scratching up my rim, I plugged in the pump and was thrilled to see the numbers climb. 32 psi in the front... for now.

Got the front on after two hours and learned some good lessons in the process.