daily slice-of-life photo blog of a Gen-X dad
I headed out for an early ride with Kiki today to get ahead of the heat. Cruising the local roads was such a blast, especially since some of them have those long, sweeping curves that are perfect for leaning into the ride.
To wrap things up, I found a quiet little road and spent some time practicing u-turns. I can feel myself getting better with each try. Always good to keep sharpening those skills!
I’m enjoying the evening rides with Kiki. It’s been so hot during the day, but once the sun goes down, the weather becomes really pleasant. I usually just cruise around the nearby neighborhoods, but it’s always a lot of fun.
I went for a ride to catch the sunset, and it was beautiful! After that, I followed a road that runs alongside a creek. There were so many bugs flying around that my helmet’s faceshield ended up covered in their tiny carcasses. It was kind of gross.
Today I went motorcycle shopping with my friend. We visited three shops and checked out a bunch of Honda mini-motos. We both really liked the Honda Groms, and that looks like a strong contender for his first bike. I had fun looking at the Triumphs too. Out of all the motorcycles, the Triumph Speed Twin 900 felt like the best fit for me. I love the modern classic design, the seat height and ergonomics, and that signature Triumph feel. I definitely want to get one someday!
Here’s my custom build, with windscreen, grab rails for luggage, knee pads, and even lower seat. (the regular one is just fine though)
Today I went for a ride with Kiki. After taking some photos, I pressed the ignition button, but Kiki wouldn’t start. The battery, which I bought just two months ago, didn’t have enough cranking power. Luckily, I carry a portable battery jumper, so I was able to start her up and get back home.
I took the battery back to the store where I bought it, and they checked it. They found there was no distilled water in it. We guessed that my charger might have malfunctioned, overcharged the battery, and caused the water to escape through the vent. But now that I think about it, I don’t believe I ever added distilled water in the first place. I had assumed the store added it before giving it to me. This dawned on me when I asked if they could add water, and they told me they don’t have any. They only add the acid that activates the battery cells.
So the battery has been dry for two months. I added distilled water at home and charged it up. It seems to have full cranking power again. Hopefully I didn’t damage the battery too much. Doh!
