New Helmet

So after a couple of track days and having my head bounce everywhere I decided it was time for a new lid. Also doing 150 mph down the front straight and having your helmet slip down isn't a confidence builder either.

The British are Coming/Palomar Mtn

Today I decided to take the Ape up Palomar to see what it could do. It's a completely different feeling on the RSV vs the R6. The R6 I can throw it on any corner the RSV is much more of a flow riding style. I however did have one pucker moment. One last turn before the store at the top and a guy on a MV Augusta Brutale (what a fitting name) decides to throw away $16,000 and lay the bike over. That's great until he's coming down the mtn, I'm going up and it's a blind left hander for me. I thought it was game over. I grabbed a ton of front brake (rear end actually lifted) while the MV slid about 2 inches in front of my tire doing 35mph and then I jammed on the gas while a tumblin' 50 year old Brit missed my rear tire by a hair. I stopped and ran to him as he was getting up. He had a friend behind him as well. It took all three of us to pry the bike out from under the guard rail. It had wedged itself under (rear end first) all the way to the gas tank. About the time we started to get it loose a car drove by and crunched his turn signals and trim that was taking up residence in the road. When it was under the rail I thought it was a Honda Nighthawk or something. It wasn't until we stood it up and I saw MV on the scratched//dented tank that I realized the limey bastard had thrown away a great bike. The only remark he made was "the front just washed out." Hmmmm . .you had been sitting at the top, it was only around 45-50 degrees and you junked it on the first tight corner. Maybe next time you'll let your tires warm, Mr Bean. So needless to say I knocked my pace down quite a bit on the ride back. To summarize, be careful out there, you just never know when a Red Coat may be sliding toward you.

New 2 Wheel Toy

It was only a matter of time before I had to spend some $'s to stimulate this stale economy. Hey don't knock the hustle I'm doing my part to jump start this thing.

2007 Aprilia RSV1000R

9/29 - First Track

Well today finally arrived. Cass and I spent Sunday night in Lancaster so we didn't have to get up at 4:30 am since the track is 90 miles north of LA. Rolled into the track around 7:15, breezed thru tech, riders meeting and orientation only to have it pour down on us during our warm up lap. Albert Hammond was right - -"It never rains in Southern California, man it pours, man it pours!" Session one - wasted. Session was good, sprinkles only and better speed. Session three rainout and Session 4 and 5 it was perfect (although a little windy.) The crew at Track Daz did a great job plus with it being Yamaha Appreciation Day track fees were half, free lunch and a free visor and tee shirt - -hey you can't beat that. Now I just need to figure out when my next track day will be.

Almost there . . .

I installed the wind screen today. The bike is almost ready to go - just a few more tweaks over the next 2 weeks.

Before vs After Preview

Almost finished

All in all the ebay bodywork ended up fitting better than I had expected. It is a bit of a pain to have to drill all the mounting holes but I guess you can't expect everything. The only thing left to do is drill the holes for the windshield. Here are some updated pics.