Today as I rode...

Today, a long awaited day from a week of waiting for a fairly warm, slightly breezy sunny day. I got my new helmet yesterday and prepared for the ride, fitting my boots, picking out the perfect long sleeve shirt, and finally preparing the bike. I started my moped up and ran, I didn't forget to turn on the petcock or the on button. Really it was a perfect day for riding, except some dicks in cages but I'll get into that later.

My routes are pretty easy, I'm not into interrupting the rat racers on busy roads or holding up granny who can barely make out the white line of the road. I enjoy the side roads that are rarely traveled, lately I've been noticing the flooding going on in our area, some of it in my room but mostly on the side of the road. The swollen bodies of water running along the road remind me pictures of Europe's canals, some from Holland and others of the France's  Burgundy country, ok maybe not really like them but the ditches looked like they were full of life. Its not only the scenery but the colors, blossoms just forming on the branches of trees in the distance, grass turning from the dull winter green to a livelier emerald. The sights, sounds, and smells of the farmland are awesome!

I drove the back roads to Dorr, MI and then from there to where I work near downtown Grandville. I rather enjoyed the flat lands south of Byron Center and then the hillier roads just going north of 84th St. on Kenowa. I could just zip down hills making my speedometer max out at the 40mph mark make it bounce. It was a ride to remember, the sun, the birds, the ducks landing in the flooded parts. Nothing more beautiful could happen today in nature.

Yet beside me on the road lay the common scourge of the pavement, those people who drive 4 wheeled cages who disregard there freedom for a more fast paced world that will never be able to be caught, if man ever did catch up to the world it would probably just watch the world and race back home to slow down and order pizza. Just to continue our perpetual race of nothingness for the almighty dollar so they can stuff themselves with sub-par food made on a assembly line. Yet among those are those fast paced idiots who endanger all who travel on the black pavement, life is almost meaningless to them, they drive because they haven't any concept on how to drive, how to be patient, how to enjoy the ride. I ran into these people on several occasions, approaching a stop sign a cager decided to pass me while some one at the four way stop was turning and becoming on coming traffic. Yet again when going up a hill, the cager was near and as it crested the hill, jostled for position in front of me frantically avoiding a collision. Then many other pointless times people passed me, a 30mph zone when I was going over 35.

I guess the meaning of 2 wheeled culture can stem from a good ride, its natural art in motion that parallels a meaningless death by a imbecilic cager(s) who is most likely on their phone or not paying attention. Yet with mopeds its like a cigar, its something that isn't enjoyed by many, its slow, and has a pleasantness about it. Yet the more you smoke the more likely you are to die, sometimes quickly other times a lingering painful death. Maybe thats why I live today and ride today, to draw in the beauty of this world before it is snatched away from me.

With the senses and the nostalgic feelings from before I think as I ride on a empty space of road, void of potholes or distractions. I think of what is wrong with this world and why riding makes it feel so right, I guess thats the paradox of the world. Knowing something awful is happening elsewhere and knowing that it can't affect you as you sit there on that seat in motion going down a road, hugging a white line, and nothing happening apart from the senses fueling the self with amazement and thoughts going by just as fast as trees and mailboxes.

Moped Security

One thing thats important to owning a moped is security, whether its at home or parking in a city, one should always consider their mopeds security. The best security is always security thats always mindful of its own weakness and compensating accordingly.

In Michigan we have moped/scooter registration which should help with the recovery if it gets stolen but I wouldn't count on it. Hence why locking up your bike is a good idea, there are several ways to lock up the bike, tires locked to the frame, anchoring the frame to a object, or a combination. The most common ways mopeds are stolen are by, grabbing the moped and riding/walking off with it, this includes braking cables or locks, or by grabbing a un-anchored moped and throwing it in a truck. Sometimes they'll just haul it away and hide it until they can grab it later.

The best way to avoid people from taking you moped or scooter is first anchoring it to something unmovable. To do so there are several ways to lock your moped up. You can use chains, cables, or U-locks. I'm sure there are several more out there but those three are the most common. From what I've heard, cables are somewhat easier then chains or U-locks to snip apart with bolt cutters, so the best choices are U-locks and chain. Then again if thats all one can afford I'd suggest maybe something thicker or have multiple cables, the more, the harder it'll be.

As for locks, Brinks makes a awesome lock, its a disk shape one that costs about $12 and is highly recommended. Reason being is that the lock isn't like a traditional one with a popup rung that usually can be smashed with a hammer. Other locks have a different kind of key which is harder to pick, those are usually found on Kryptonite locks and are probably the best rated locks on the market for moped security. A added bonus is that Kryptonite carries a theft warranty, if their device gets defeated by a would-be thief, they'll give you money for your moped or scooter, so I guess I'd keep a receipt of whatever you put into it.

Since I don't have $100 to spend on a top of the line lock, I decided for the multi lock approach using two different kinds of locks. My first purchase was from Walmart, it was a Kryptonite U409 U-lock and I also bought a Bunker Hill Security chain from Harbor Freight. Now you might wonder why two types? Well if they can get one open can they get the other open? My guess is no. Especially since both keyed locks are about the same in type, they don't use regular keys and the tumblers are different then normal run of the mill locks. All bought they came to a total of around $35, which isn't bad but some people say you should at least spend $100, which isn't bad advice either. I guess it boils down to how much your willing to spend and possibly how much you moped and/or scooter is worth to you. I only spent about $375 total on my moped, so maybe it should be around 10% of how much your moped/scooter is worth. Except if you have a Puch Magnum, for the love of beer lock that puppy up so that even the jaws of life would have a hard time.

Again remember that any lock can be neutralized but since mopeds are often stolen due to opportunity, so keep your head about yourself. Your best bet is to keep it out of sight and yet in a safe place, if its out in public it'll get more attention and will have a higher chance. Just don't lock it where a thief couldn't be seen if they were working on stealing it. Its just common sense, use your head, out smart a criminals because not everyone is a good person.

Remember, when having fun, stay safe...

Michelin M62 Gazelle Tires

Recently I've finished installing tires on my moped, taking off the old ones were quite easy. When buying new tires there are a few things to consider and few things you'll learn while installing them. While I'm rockin a 2hp Puch engine that with my old tires could achieve 38mph after changing them I could only get going 35mph. Some might say the loss of speed isn't worth it, well as much as I'd like to agree you haven't played with these tires.

First off when I was looking for tires, I scoured MA Forums for tires and reviews. One set I came across was the Michelin M62 Gazelles, now even with the knock down in speed they do have some great features. Firstly they are within budget, any tire that fits in ones budget is worth every penny. Secondly they have excellent tread, they pick up tiny stones and can hear them hit the wheel fenders. Thirdly, they have probably the stiffest and thickest side wall, I weigh 150lbs and even with my full weight it was hard to press them down and make the sides bulge out. So with a 100lb bike and a 150lb me, I dare say that if I get a flat, it wouldn't be noticeable. Lastly, they work great! I put them on, rode around and they ride really strait!

The biggest con and I can't stress this enough, the biggest con is the installation. The thick side walls are a pain in the butt to get on. Now mind you I'm no expert, haven't done this on a moped before, I probably replaced mountain bike tires once and thats about it and the Gazelles were a big pain in the arse. I only used flat head screwdrivers, soap, and a spare set of hands. Reason for the spare set of hands were that when getting the valve stem through the hole and putting the last bit of tire in the rim, my small, under strength hands couldn't exert enough force and while fishing for the valve stem, the side wall made my fingers sore quickly.

When looking for tires read the reviews and read the forums. As for changing tires its easier if you know the general process. Heres a video on the basic process...

Registering Mopeds in Michigan

A friend asked me about registering mopeds and I'll answer it here too.

Its a easy process that starts with buying your moped, if bought new you usually receive a title. If bought used you have to get a bill of sale, which can be written on anything as long as it says that the owner so and so sells the moped to you, make sure that there is the make and model along with the VIN number. You can also put down how much you paid for it or just leave it blank because you will be taxed when registering the moped.

Once thats done go down to the SoS, one thing I've learned is go to the out of the way places for quick service. In west MI, I have 2 that are equally far apart, one is in Wyoming and is usually busy while another is in Hudsonville, which isn't quite as busy. Another reminder is that the SoS doesn't accept Visa credit cards(or debit cards because mine is a Visa card from my bank), there is a ATM at all SoS's though so you'll be paying a little bit more. Best bet is to just bring cash. Also remember that when you register you'll pay taxes, not sure how much it is but the registration will cost $15 for 3 years.

Once there you just have to jump through a few pages and sign a few things. You'll have to sign a affidavit saying that its a moped, its 50cc or less, has a automatic tranny, and doesn't exceed 30mph. If it goes faster then 30mph then its considered a motorcycle, if it has a manual its considered a motorcycle, if it has a 100cc engine its a motorcycle. So some scooters can be considered motorcycles with 100+cc engines. Though its not like they're going to check or that a police officer is going to notice if there is a 70cc kit on a moped.

Another thing is no insurance is needed in Michigan, so way cool on that. For having such relaxed laws on mopeds and scooters without having any sort of legal defense or advocacy group its pretty amazing. Its like the pyramids in Egypt, they've been that way for such a long time without any changes. Overall having a moped pretty much pays for itself, now that gas just hit $4.17 where I live, just going out for a ride or going to get beer at the store makes it worth it to me.

To everyone, take a slow ride and take it easy!

'82 Murray Finished Tank

Here are a few pictures of the finished tank:

This shows the weld up close, notice the paint match, I think I chose the exact kind of paint as the previous owner because I don't know of any other Murray thats metallic blue.

This shows a little better how the tank is attached, basically a bolt and nut through the tabs and a tube welded onto the back part of the steering column, very simple yet very easy for spot welds to fail.

Still can't notice any difference in paint color or the weld compared to the rest of the bike.

Also here is the paint I used here, best advise is use it outside unless you have special ventilation like I did. Which mostly consisted of a range hood with fan in our basement other projects and I cut along two corners in order to peel a side down on the box giving it side walls and a bottom for over spray. Also use making tape and something to cover the rest of the tank, I used old shop paper towels that I had lying around.

'82 Murray Tank Fix

Several weeks ago I bought a '82 Murray, for those who don't know they are basically a Puch. Not quite one but they look alot like a Freespirit . Mine was in good condition, which means the frame was strait, gas tank was clean, and the engine runs. Only down side was that it came with a tank that was broken off its mount. The mounts were spot welded in two different places and there was space between the mount and the tank so that with the vibration and rust it basically gave way.

This photo shows where the tabs fit on the mount.

The tabs themselves, one had to be hammered back into shape but it was easy with a anvil.

Here is what the spot welds look like on the tank.

Here is how the tabs are oriented on the tank.

Now since the metal is quite thin, I decided to give it to a competent welder, ie my dad. So we put our heads together and figured out that the best way to weld the pieces together was to first displace any fumes in the tank so that it could be worked on safely. Secondly how to weld it? Well I left it up to my dad, its thin and could be difficult.

Upfront thinking made everything go so much easier, we displaced the fumes by pouring in distilled water until the tank was completely filled. He then welded it back up, basically he welded around the U-shape and fused the crack between the two tabs. Afterwards he emptied out the water and put anhydrous isopropyl alcohol and shook it around in there to mix with the water and remove it. I would show pictures but I don't have my cable to my digital camera and I didn't save it my SD card either way the finished product didn't look pretty but I decided to paint it with some  Rust-Oleum Metallic dark blue paint which matched the current custom paint job(previous owner did that and its pretty good to). I'll have to post the picture of the finished product because the paint pretty much covered the weld and made it look like new.

Other things that came in handy was a brass brush and #4 steel wool to clean off the rust. I'd assume anyone with a Murray who would like to fix a broken tank or reinforce their current one could send bring theirs to just about any weld shop and have theirs welded up so they don't have to worry about the two spot welds ever again.