Today I lost my best buddy, my furry sidekick, the freakbeast, Dunkin. As I sit here and write this the room is too quiet, since Dunkin isn’t in here snoring, or chewing on his foot, or just breathing heavy. He wasn’t much of a barker, but I alway knew when he was close by. Now […]
Introduction There’s a reason why drum brakes are uncommon to see on current production vehicles these days, hydraulic disk brakes are simply better by every measure other than cost. Here in the United States Vespa only imported a large frame with a disk brake for one year, in 2005. Companies like Grimeca offer “semi-hydraulic” conversion […]
At every camping scooter rally there is at least one guy ripping around on a knobby tire clad old Vespa. He slays the gymkhana and has way more fun than anyone riding a nice looking restored scooter does. Maybe because my two wheeled background is firmly planted in dirtbikes, or it could be the fond […]
Introduction This article is based on a class that I have taught many times over the last few years for Touratech-USA. It has been a weekend special event multiple times at the Seattle, WA Touratech-USA headquarters, as well as the Thursday night opener presentation at both the East-Coast and West-Coast Touratech-USA Rallies. It is essentially […]
What does a GPS do? Before diving into GPS terms, I want to explain how a GPS unit works and what it really does. Often GPS units are looked at as an almost magician navigation device, rarely do people think about how they work. Even the most basic knowledge of the function and inner working […]
Before really diving into GPS navigation, especially with a focus on backcountry travel, there is a foundation of basic navigation skills and terms that need to be covered. Historically most people have had a solid background in map reading, which is very important when using a GPS unit. In the last decade or so there […]
Loading Tracks You are getting ready to ride a Backcountry Discovery Route, maybe you heading to one of the Touratech Rallies, or your buddy gave you a .GPX file with some sweet single-track to run. At this point you have a .GPX file, either from downloading it, or someone emailed it to you. How do […]
I have been spoiled in the past using Handy brand pneumatic motorcycle lifts while working at motorcycle shops. Not having to lie on a cold concrete floor during the winter months, or the dirty floor anytime of the year, and having a workspace where it is most convenient is easy to get used to. Quite […]
In the few weeks since I bought this truck I have been on the rollercoaster of regret and happiness. Regret of what I got into and happiness of the potential I got myself into if it works out well. Driving home I realized only the shitty aftermarket gauges work, the steering was a mess, and […]
With the death of my 1978 Chevrolet C20 I had a void to fill. Within too few days after the crash I was on the road for work for the better part of two weeks. This gave me plenty of time to figure out what I wanted. I was really thinking that I would get […]