Growling Along
I have finally settled on a new exhaust slip-on for Raven. It has taken me 2 years now of looking and listening and searching in order to find something that looks good, is lower profile and the sound is deeper, but not much louder.
Ixil Hyperflow Dual LX3B slip-on
It adds a nice aesthetic and the sound is deep growling that never really whines no matter the RPM. And considering the NC700X is a low RPM motorcycle (Red-line at 6500) that means even at the top end, it is still growling along. While it is louder (I did not measure scientifically) it is not obnoxious or glass-shattering loud. I have been riding with it for a few weeks now, and love the sound.
New Rack and Convenience
Probably the one issue I have with the NC700 and long trips is having to unstrap whatever I have on the the pillion seat or undo the saddlebags in order to fill up. I like having the storage space in the frunk, and the gas tank under the seat keeps the weight low, but it adds nearly 10 minutes to a gas stop to unhook and redo the gear. So, there is a guy on the NC700 forums that fabricates rear racks that take the place of the pillion seat. Considering I never had a passenger, I figured why not. So, ordered the rack and a locking gas cap and got it mounted on the bike.
Video Copy and Storage!
This year I want to shoot and post more videos. Of course, that will mean being able to clear the camera’s MicroSD card quickly and easily while on the go (or at least while stopping for a bite.) So, I went looking for a hard drive that was both wifi-enabled and would pull from a MicroSD card. My first glance showed me an expensive solution for a 256GB drive with the processing shell for $400. I know I can do better.
New Phone Mount
I added a new phone mount to my bike, as the old Ram X-Grip would no longer work because the sleep button was moved to the side, and no matter what case I attempted to use it would vibrate down and sleep the phone, and on a few occasions, dialed 911 because it got held in for more than 5 seconds. So, I went on a quest to find a new setup. I did, and it wasn’t exactly cheap, but it will hold up, and has held up even on some washboard gravel.
The HondoGarage mount has it’s own mounting hardware (extra $) but I had the RAM stuff already, so I saved that money. I am definitely recommending this mount, and the fine tuning on grip is great – no extra webbing needed to secure even the largest phones.
Hammock Forums’ Spring Hang
This past weekend was the 5th (I think) annual Spring Hang for a group of campers and hikers from the Hammock Forums. It was at Jefferson Forest in south western Jefferson County. For me, it was about a 30-45 minute ride, even without taking the expressway.
The weather for the weekend was supposed to be fairly decent. And it really was. Saturday’s high got to mid 60s and overnight it got to the lower 30s. The only real issue was the wind, which didn’t seem to want to end even at the end of the day. Some of the campers came in Friday and said it actually ended up dying down after the sun went down, but Saturday, it stuck around.
Wind Therapy
Well, this past Friday, April 13, I decided that after I got all my required items taken care of I would hit the road for a nice trip. I mapped out where I wanted to go on Furkot and hit the road. It turned out to be a great day, with temps that only just approached the upper 70’s (I think 78 was the high). The short story was to ride to Rabbit Hash, KY and get some BBQ, then on to Aurora, IN for a drink at Great Crescent Brewery and on down to Madison, IN and a milkshake at Hinkle’s and then head towards home and depending on the time stop at another microbrewery.
New Stuff!
First of all, I realize it has been an age since posting, but there really hasn’t been much to report back on. But, the new year has come in (very cold for us here in Louisville) and it is time to get started. I wish I could say I had a lot of plans set up for this year, but at this moment, I only have a few trips on the books. Also, I finally bit the bullet and ordered new motorcycle boots, as my old ones are not waterproof more than just a random sprinkle. But, more on that later.
Green River Lake – Hammock Camping
Some background first – I have been looking and wanting to try hammock camping for a while. Being in the Smokey’s most of the time for overnights (KY in general, TN, NC) there is no shortage of trees for hanging a hammock. It wasnt that it would be a cheaper than a quality tent, but that I would not have hotspots from stones, twigs, roots or whatever was on the ground, even with a sleeping pad. So, I have been on the lookout for a good hammock that would last and not break the bank. Read the rest of this entry »
Kentucky Kickdown 2017 #KKD17
So, this past weekend was the 5th annual Kentucky Kickdown. It is a vintage motorcycle show that kicks off Friday night with a get-together at a local establishment (this year it was at LouVin’s home, Barrett Bar) with some food, drink and socializing and even some bike. Saturday morning, a bunch of us show up on site early, get the area set up and roped off for the show, which starts at noon. At 11 AM the bikes start rolling in. There is a showing and judging that will take place after 2pm and at 4 (or so) is the official “KickDown” and revving of the motorcycles. Sunday is the “ride out” get-together are Retro Wrench, our friendly neighborhood vintage shop. Click the “See More” link below to check out a video.
I Came Back from Copperhead Road
Video Posted on Updated on
This is THE Copperhead Road (Copperhead Hollow Road, Johnson County, TN) from the song by Steve Earle, “Copperhead Road” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvaEJzoaYZk
I was here back in May of 2017 and wanted to ride the famous road. It was not actually all that exciting. It was flat, not too curvy, potholed and loose gravel all over the pavement. But there was one reason I wanted, had, to ride it:
So I could say “I came back from Copperhead Road!”
Map: https://tinyurl.com/y9kaevet
Actually, I wanted to hit the Watuga Winery, which is at the west end of Copperhead road, and with it within 100 yards, I just had to ride it.
As I do not own the rights to the song, I cannot include it in this video. So, I just included some free country song from YouTube’s library. Upsetting, I know.
Adventures of Raven 
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