Overlook

Log Item: I don't always post photos of breakfast runs, but they are among the most fun just because the morning breeze, with the freshening from the ocean is always pleasant. I don't haunt the Overlook Roadhouse, but it's a convenient spot for breakfast for guys (and a few gals) on bikes. It's particularly busy on the weekends. I got a table next to the fence. 

The Overlook is located on State Route 74, and overlooks Lake Elsinore. For people who have visited this blog before, I've made at least one posting for Ortega Highway (hwy 74) runs before. It connects the City of Lake Elsinore and the City of San Juan Capistrano.

Since I left the Navy, I've made it a rule not to get cold, wet or hungry
unless I want to.

Other people's machines.

The She-Devil, sporting the new windscreen.

California Dreaming with the She-Devil

Log Item: The weather is just about perfect for bike riding in the morning in SoCal. Clear skies, temps in the mid-70's to 80 (going warmer in the afternoon). It's important to have a clear head and the best way to do that is to ride because to ride safely and enjoyably, you MUST live in the moment.

I'm still getting accustomed to the new windscreen, but I don't have anything negative to report. It does what I wanted it to do. The photo (left) shows the adjustment bar and lock/unlock feature that allows the rider to make adjustments to the windscreen geometry on the fly.

One or other of my daughters was using my den for a project and decided to light-finger my stapler, so I had plans to go to Staples today and buy another one. The problem with riding the she-devil is that once I get into it, I really don't want to stop and go into a store to buy a desk-top stapler. So I didn't. A paper clip will do for now.

As you might have read, there is a big 9/11 victory mosque going in down the street from my house, which vastly expands the capacity of the small mosque that is there now. There goes the neighborhood. Muslims don't ride motorcycles. It may violate their faith? I see the men walking to the mosque with their wives trailing a respectful distance behind. They couldn't fit all the wives on one motorcycle even with a sidecar. That's possibly the reason.  Another possible reason is that Muslim men can't wear those long shirts/nightshirts/dress-like tops that they wear and ride on a motorcycle. They could still wear the beanies under a helmet the way that they do under a turban. Then again, maybe they prefer a flying carpet? Who knows?

There are times when I prefer the fighter pilot style visor to sunglasses when I'm riding the Devil. I don't always use it, but if the mood strikes me, it works. (below) It's especially good when I'm driving into the rising or setting sun and need double tint to the sunglasses.

I pulled the bike in at the house to do some work, but ended up blogging - so much for my vaunted and flaunted work ethic.

Normally I pull the devil into the garage but there is this coupon to Chipotle for a free burrito (with purchase of a soft drink) that came in the mail. I plan to cash it in for lunch. Free has a flavor profile all its own. 

The $10/hr workers at Chipotle like my Ducati.  One of the people there who's working - not chopping him for that - asked how I afforded the she-devil. I said that I found a job where I buy (or get free) burritos - and don't have to slide them down the assembly line to the next station. He nodded and said that he's in community college. I asked his major. He said, "Hispanic Studies". I counseled him not to quit his day job at Chipotle. 

Do I have too many cars? I think that I do, but I need different rigs for
different things. It's much like trying to limit myself to one firearm or to
one wrench.

Happy Birthday, She-Devil

Log Item: It's the Diavel's first birthday and while I will take her out for a ride later in celebration, I did install the windscreen described in the previous post.  As you would expect from parts made in China (and marketed in the USA), the installation instructions were completely worthless. Real men don't need instructions nor will we accept driving directions to a destination. We manage it intuitively! 

By way of confession, I was into the mechanical exploration about two minutes when I discovered that the Diavel was designed to have a windscreen installed, and all I had to do to prep the work was pull off two parts and four bolts. Installing the after-market part required that I take it apart (which I am pre-disposed to do anyway) before I could slap it on. 

Actual installation took about twenty minutes from start to finish with me taking my time. So yeah, it was not rocket science even with deciding what to do absent coherent instructions from the manufacturer. Puig is a Spanish company that manufactures in China. The windscreen was OEM for the touring model of the Diavel, thus:

• A Spanish (Puig - pronounced Pooge with a 'soft g') company making OEM 
• To Ducati's Italian design
• In China
• With the principal instructions in German because Audi owns Ducati

Made the instructions worthless.

The windscreen does have variable geometry to please the individual rider.

Screen full back

Screen full forward

Changing the position of the windscreen can be managed by the rider while riding (under about 40 mph - over that speed puts a lot of pressure on the screen to go full back). I think that I'll end up using it with the screen pointed full back rather than straight-up because of how it feels.

Rider's view

Side aspect view

Not Quite Naked

Log Item: I've been casting about for a windscreen for the she-devil for some time now. There are websites that advertise them, but they've been back-ordered or out-of-stock. However, I think that I've finally found one, and I ordered it.

It may seem more than just a little bit dorky to buy a windscreen for the Diavel, but since I'm all about comfort, and far less concerned with the overall vibe that I give off, I think that it will work. There is a lot of wind pressure that comes at you above about 60 mph, and this is designed to reduce that and make the ride a bit more comfortable. It's not a windshield in the classic sense.

Having driven through Texas recently with the moisture and the volume of flying insects, I felt a bit grateful that I was in the pick-up and not on the Diavel.

PS - I hadn't driven the Diavel for two weeks and just got on it for a short run and ended up driving it for two hours. It's poetry in motion, and it's the one year anniversary of my she-devil. Happy Birthday, Diavel!!!